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Be’chol Lashon Newsletter: December 2009
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In this month's podcast, Aliza Hausman sits down with Be'chol Lashon New York Director Lacey Schwartz to talk about the challenges and rewards of being a Dominican American convert to Orthodox Judaism, or "Jewminicana" for short.
It is estimated that between 5,000 and 10,000 people become Jews-by-choice each year in North America. And nearly half of the people Rabbi Daniel Mehlman helps with conversion are Latinos who trace their ancestry to countries like Mexico, El Salvador and Colombia.
My grandfather died in 1987, but I’m certain that if he could see what I saw on the Yeshiva University campus—how its Sephardic presence had blossomed in the decades since his first pioneering days there—he would shake his head, smile, and offer, in his lilting accent, a most sincere “hazak u’barukh.”
When my parents—a Jewish man and an Irish woman—married in the 1950s, they were warned, as transracial adoption families often are, that their children would face bigotry and hostility. But today, our 6-year-old niece Juliette, a California blond, slips her arm around the shoulders of our daughters and says, "We're cousins for life, right?"
The issue of diversity no doubt looms large as Bloomberg weighs his decision on the next commissioner. There has been speculation he may seek to make a statement by appointing Mylan L. Denerstein, who is of African-American and Jewish descent.
A parliamentary inquiry will be launched if those involved in facilitating aliya from Ethiopia do not restart processing, within the next two months, the applications of thousands of Falash Mura still waiting to immigrate.
A key proponent of the successful campaign for stricter conversions in Israel and around the world has resigned from a senior post, and has not denied rumors of a conversion scandal of his own.
It looked like a scene straight out of the Bible. The men at the front wore outfits based on those of the Priests of the Ancient Temple of Jerusalem, and sent out over the hills a wail that could be heard several miles away.
The Persian community is characterized, in my mind's eye, by three traits: close-knit, the value it places on education and its staunch support of Israel.
Brazilian Jewish teenagers this week protested what they called their "exclusion" from a national exam for high school graduates set to take place on Shabbat, after a Brazilian court said providing Jews with an alternative date would "undermine equality."
Entrée to Judaism is a vast, multiethnic survey of Jewish cooking. The diversity of recipes in this book will astound you – especially if your idea of Jewish food is stuck in the brisket and matzo ball soup vein.
A Jewish native of Mexico City who grew up speaking Yiddish and Spanish before moving to the United States, Ilan Stavans has a familiarity with, and even an authority in, several cultural traditions. He is at home in both the Spanish and English literary worlds, as well as with Spanish colonial and Jewish history.
Written in the fifteenth century, “Celestina” remains a classic work of Spanish literature that, in a lively new English translation, proffers all the sex, drama, and violence necessary for an HBO mini-series.
Our topic will be “Jews in Hollywood: How They Represent Us,” presented by Elisheva Rishon. RSVP required to Judy Levitan or call 212-399-2685 ext 219. Co-sponsored by Be'chol Lashon.
Defining Sephardic will be a kick-off event that explores identity in the Sephardic, or “non-Ashkenazi” community of New York—a round-table discussion about the complexities of “Sephardi” identity and how these labels play out in the different Sephardic communities of New York. Hosted by the American Sephardi Federation: Next Generation and moderated by Lacey Schwartz, Be'chol Lashon New York Director. For more information, e-mail info@americansephardifederation.org. Co-sponsored by Be'chol Lashon.
The National Union of Jewish Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, and Questioning (NUJLS) leadership conference, open to all students, features workshops, services, community building, and social time. Be’chol Lashon Los Angeles Director Davi Cheng will lead a workshop on Sunday, January 17 at 11:00 AM called "Harnessing the Power of Our Multiple Identities." Click here to register.
Hear the inside story of how the Bielski Brothers stood up to the Nazis and saved 1,200 Jews, the story that inspired the 2008 movie "Defiance." Click here to RSVP or e-mail info@sfshul.org. Co-presented by Be'chol Lashon and the Holocaust Center of Northern California.
Celebrating Jewish Identity and survival, Purim is traditionally observed with a joyous, irreverent and carnival-like festivities. Celebrate the holiday with food, wine, music and activities including face painting, henna art and hamantaschen baking. Browse for unique items and crafts by local artists. There's something fun for everyone! Co-sponsored by Be'chol Lashon.
Camp Be'chol Lashon's mission is to offer a safe, nurturing, challenging residential Jewish camp experience for children of racially and ethnically diverse Jewish families and those who want to be part of a global Jewish community. Register | Apply for staff
We welcome your participation in the Be’chol Lashon Newsletter! Please send us information about events in your community or articles of interest that relate to Jewish diversity. E-mail newsletter submissions to Esther Fishman, Esther@BecholLashon.org. Submissions are subject to editing for content, clarity and style. Special thanks to all the contributors who make the newsletter interesting and informative. | |
