New Piece: Inappropriate for the Shabbos Table
Who said adopting a new religion and culture was easy? I sure didn’t. Sometimes, it’s actually quite embarrassing. And by “it,” I mean me! Check out: “Inappropriate for the Shabbos Table”
Category: Shabbos/Shabbat
Animated Torah!
Getting me to read the Parsha HaShuva, the weekly Torah portion, usually involves whining. On my part. Let it never be said that my yetzer hara is dead. But I’m working on it. Thanks to a little help from above, I’ve discovered “G-dcast.” Torah with pictures!!!!!!! Can you hear my excitement? So yeah, I’m a… Continue reading Animated Torah!
Oh, the wonders of Limmud LA (and a rather long blog)
Two years ago, my husband’s parents dragged out to Los Angeles in February for a 3-day Jewish conference. Like the smart and frostbitten New Yorkers were, we accepted without knowing very much about the conference itself. Because it was a volunteer-run conference, we signed up to teach a session or two about Jewish topics we… Continue reading Oh, the wonders of Limmud LA (and a rather long blog)
Just Another Day @ The Shabbos Table
“So what do you do?” “I’m a freelance writer. I also keep a blog called ‘Memoirs of a Jewminicana.’” “A Jew-what?” “Jewminicana. A Jewish American Dominican.” “Oh.” Confused face. “So your father is Dominican and your mother is….” Trailing off uncomfortably. Eye roll. “Dominican.” Shocked face. “Oh. So, you…” Trailing off uncomfortably again. “Converted.” Silence.
Stand-up Comedy Routine #6
And that’s all folks. It was six stand-up comedy classes for under a $100 at Santa Monica College. The teacher, Kevin Garbee, was awesome. And he coped well with my weird brand of Jewish Dominican humor. Here’s the last routine. Coming out to my family was difficult. Especially since I wasn’t telling them I was… Continue reading Stand-up Comedy Routine #6
Stand-up Comedy Routine #5: Shabbos is for Shtupping
So as it turns out, this show is NOT going on the road. While my stand-up comedy class classmates will be getting together to perform two Sundays from now, I will be at a big fat Jewish wedding. My body cannot handle ferrying from both. Besides, it’s only a mitzvah to do one of those… Continue reading Stand-up Comedy Routine #5: Shabbos is for Shtupping
Stand-up Comedy Routine #4
Only a couple of more classes left to my Stand-up Comedy class at Santa Monica College. My stand-up comedy teacher wants me to be more conversational and less theatrical when I deliver my bits. My husband said, “Is he asking you to be more white and less Dominican?” Aliza on Stupid Questions I am a… Continue reading Stand-up Comedy Routine #4
Being a Cool Jew on Independence Day!
I am spending this 4th of July in good company out here in Los Angeles with many cool folk from the synagogue where my husband is interning. We’re having a major Sheva Brachot blast to celebrate a recent wedding. Since the 4th falls on Shabbat, we won’t be barbecuing but you can be sure that… Continue reading Being a Cool Jew on Independence Day!
Reflections on the Jewish Multiracial Network retreat
Mini Jews of color at play. Last year, I begged my husband to take me to the Jewish Multiracial Network retreat. I think he rolled his eyes, asked me how much it cost and then rolled his eyes again. In the end, we didn’t end up going and a friend told us it was for… Continue reading Reflections on the Jewish Multiracial Network retreat
The Jewish American Girl doll meets the Dominican American Girl doll
Rebecca Rubin Okay, so American Girl created a Jewish doll. Her name is Rebecca Rubin and not all her outfits are tznius (modest). She’s growing up in New York City in 1914, right around when my great-grandmother was born. She’s a Russian Jewish girl who wants to “stay true to her heart as she follows… Continue reading The Jewish American Girl doll meets the Dominican American Girl doll
Memoirs of a Jewminicana 