In observing many Jewish male and (previously or on the way to converting) non-Jewish female couples, I notice that there is often a lot of patriarchal ugliness going on. The Jewish spouse (or spouse-to-be) finds it so important that their spouse or spouse-to-be Jewish after having established the relationship. The case seems worse… Continue reading Patriarchy and Religion
Pesach is coming up. Incidentally, this happens to be my favorite holiday. I always looked forward to it as a kid and still do as an adult. It’s also the holiday that was most difficult for me to be away from home because I had such fond memories of celebrating it back home. Two years… Continue reading Pesach (a.k.a Passover)
You kind of have to be rich to be Jewishly observant. That is, if you live in Japan or the US. Or, at least, there are those who make that true. Think about it: It’s a luxury to be able to take off from the middle of Friday and almost the entirety of Saturday. Every… Continue reading Religious Observance, Class, and Money
I don’t know if my expectations are wrong or what, but I find having open dialogue concerning religious observance level nearly impossible around here. I want to know: what are your Kashrut standards? I want to tell you: what my Kashrut standards are (and whatever else you might consider relevant to that). That way, together… Continue reading Open Dialogue
I went to a retreat sponsored by Ayecha in the mountains of New Jersey, where the leaves were bright red and yellow. The theme was to build a community for Jewish leaders of Color. “Of Color,” I think in this context is best understood to mean non-Ashkenazi, or not “purely” so. The facilitators were perhaps… Continue reading Rejuvenation
Back in the days, when I was still a free radical, easily flying amongst other free radicals, I met a guy who was quite hot, playful, intelligent, and… well, hot. I met him in shul, we were talking over seudat shlishit, and there were sparks flying between us. But, he was a good religious… Continue reading “Just How Jewish are You?” Version Meat Market
I wear a hat whenever I am out my house—to show that I am married. Yeah, I’m kind of ‘religious’—too much by the standards of some, yet not enough for some others. Honestly, I don’t give a damn. I do what I want because it has meaning for me. Although whether I can articulated that… Continue reading Blending In (or Passing)
I went to a talk last night which featured Rabbi Alan Lew. I had a few questions that I wanted to ask, but couldn’t because of the lack of time. I figured that I would write him an e-mail, but couldn’t find his e-mail address on the website. I guess he is too famous now.… Continue reading The Mind and the Body
Simply put, it keeps me sane. I kind of have a wild brain that sometimes finds it difficult to rest. I also have just a tiny little workaholic side to me that finds it difficult to take a rest when I start working on something. Let me give you an example: This is nothing that… Continue reading Why I keep Shabbes (or Why I am Shomer Shabbat)
I love Pesach. It was one of five holidays I grew up with and I always thought that it was rather fun. I grew up celebrating Pesach, Chanukkah, お正月, Purim (sometimes), and Sukkot (until I was about 9). Every year on Pesach my mom would read the Passover issue of the Tokyo Jewish Community Center… Continue reading Pesach Craze
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