Just in case you hadn’t heard about this before, Spain recently passed a law that grants (ok, expedites, it’s not automatic) citizenship to descendants of Sephardi Jews who were expelled from Spain in 1492. How on earth could you do that, you ask? A list of common surnames! I mean, duh, right? Sure. That law […]
Do You Have Sephardi Heritage? Spain Has Extended Their Citizenship Law! Read Post »
It’s Amazon Prime Day! Christmas for modern commercialism! How wonderful, right? Of course it would fall on a Jewish fast day. What two different energies to a day could there be? But that doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of Prime Day. There is no problem with buying things on Prime Day when it’s also
Amazon’s Prime Day for the Newly Orthodox Read Post »
Things may have seemed quiet here on the blog, but there’s been a lot going on behind the scenes. After some health challenges and the birth of my daughter and adjusting to parenthood (you know, NBD), I’ve been working to move the blog to its own domain full of exciting new, expanded content! The new
Big Changes and a Radio Appearance Are Coming! Read Post »
This video seems quite appropriate for the last few weeks: “light a candle for peace.” Enjoy the delicious 80s-ness of it. I don’t know how I discovered the song Light One Candle by Peter, Paul, and Mary, but I like it. And I listen to it every Chanukah. Maybe you’ll like it too! And since
A Chanukah Pop Culture Lesson Read Post »
In the Talmud, the rabbis require that a potential convert be asked a pretty specific question: The rabbis taught: When someone nowadays presents himself for conversion, we say to him: “Why do you wish to convert? Are you not aware that nowadays Israelites are careworn, stressed, despised, harassed and persecuted?”If he responds, “I know, and
Discouraging the Potential Convert with Antisemitism Read Post »
The TL;DR Version Do you have to wear white on Yom Kippur? No. Will you be weird (or the only one) if you don’t wear white to synagogue on Yom Kippur? Nope. The RTFM Version Wearing white (presumably only to synagogue because what else are you doing while fasting?) on Yom Kippur is a very
Do You Have to Wear White on Yom Kippur? Read Post »
Several years ago, I wrote about my bentchophobia and how it strikes many of us when we enter the frum world. I can’t say I’ve improved much over the years. I still frequently avoid eating bread, solely because I’m still a slow Hebrew reader and bentcher. Sure, I have bentching memorized by now, but it
An Update on Bentchophobia Read Post »
A friend asked an excellent question that has probably occurred to many of you: “Why is the local reform shul charging $200 for holiday tickets, but the Chabad is only charging $25 and that includes a meal??” This contrast doesn’t always exist, but it exists in much of America, especially smaller Jewish communities where there is
Why Are High Holiday Synagogue Tickets So Expensive? Read Post »
Gather round, friends. I want to talk to you about something near and dear to my heart: you do not need to “speak Yeshivish” to be frum. If you want to, that’s fine. But I don’t want you spending time beating yourself up over the idea that you “don’t talk like everyone else talks.” Elul
It’s Ok to Not Speak Yeshivish Read Post »
I’m surprised how often this question comes up. After all, what do you think is the alternative? Making them go hungry or having to hire someone else to feed them? We can get so afraid of unusual situations that sometimes we don’t stop to think through them logically first. Fear is common whenever you face
Can I Feed My Children or My Pet on a Fast Day? Read Post »