Check out this amazing list of books featuring mixed race families: 50+ Picture Books about Mixed Race Families Almost all the of these books are on Amazon for purchase. They’re also now on my son’s birthday wish list as there is almost nothing he likes to do more than “read” books to himself or have… Continue reading The Color of Us: 50+ books about Mixed Race Families
And now (because I’m so Jewish) I will turn into a matzoh ball! Okay, HOW did I miss this video of MaNishtana that pulls in interviews and pieces from his most infamous and awesome videos? The funny thing about moving to New York Los Angeles (Sorry, folks, that was just a homesick typo, I’ve never MOVED… Continue reading And now I turn into a matzoh ball?
I have ALWAYS felt out of place. Like there was no place I would, could, should fit. I think this is what helped me find Judaism and when I gave speeches about my life story that was the biggest theme. That I fit in everywhere and nowhere. I am black, white, Native American, Spanish, Jewish…everything…but… Continue reading Random Thought to a New Friend
“The Shavuot story of Ruth might retell the journey of the most famous convert to Judaism, but South African-born Ilana Skolnik, who became a Jew more than 20 years ago and has lived in Israel ever since, has no less of an amazing story. Born Ellen Peters, Skolnik, who was raised as a Protestant in… Continue reading The Beauty Queen Conversion
“Following Their Truth Paths” (Jerusalem Post) “African American women who chose to convert to Judaism praise their mothers for the success of their spiritual journey.”
You’d be surprised how some conversations in Jewish circles start for Jews of color. Often, they don’t start with “Hi, what’s your name?” Instead, they start with “Hey, are you a convert?” even before the other person has introduced themselves. Usually, this question has substituted, “Hi! Hello! How are you?” The curiosity of the person… Continue reading A Video Response to "Where you from?"
Sorry this is late, my inbox is overflowing with goodies for the blog but this cold weather has my joints quaking. http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2442568&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=ffffff&fullscreen=1 Parshat Vayishlach from G-dcast.com More Torah cartoons at http://www.g-dcast.com Please read this lovely drasha (speech) that YCT rabbinical student Zach Truboff gave at Netivot Shalom in Teaneck, NJ. It has so much to… Continue reading Parshat Vayishlach
Thank you for being my friend. Here are some guidelines so that our friendship can be a pleasurable experience for all of us. Please don’t make fun of gay people. Please don’t make fun of black people’s hair. Please don’t tell ask me why I don’t straighten my hair. Please don’t make fun of Mexican… Continue reading Redux: Please don’t…with explanatory links!!!
Here’s a nice little piece on Rabbi Capers Funnye over at the Jewschool blog that found its way into my inbox via Google Alerts. From “Rabbi Funnye’s Message of Inclusivity” (Jewschool): “So what was the point of these stories? Throughout the talk, Funnye repeated his message of the need for inclusion, acceptance, and a better… Continue reading Whoa, really?!
Sorry, I’m a little late on getting to put together this roundup of the latest news articles on this case. This little video from Aish reminded me that my inbox was overflowing…. http://video.aish.com/AishSharePlayer/Player.swf “We don’t understand being a Jew! How can we? We’re not Jews!”The British response to all this nonsense about Judaism being racist.… Continue reading British think Judaism is Racist?
Memoirs of a Jewminicana 