#jew in the city
Announcing Jew in the City’s 2015 Orthodox Jewish All Stars!!
Baroness Rosalind Altmann, U.K. minister of pensions; Ahmed Zayat, owner of American Pharoah, the first Triple Crown-winning thoroughbred racehorse in thirty-seven years; and Ilana Wernick, Emmy winning co-executive producer of the hit TV series Modern Family, are among 10 individuals who have been named 2015 Orthodox Jewish All- Stars by Jew in the City, the organization dedicated to re-branding Orthodox Judaism to the world through digital media.
This diverse and accomplished group also includes Jeremy England, a 33- year- old physicist and professor at MIT who some in the scientific community refer to as ‘the next Darwin’ on account of his brilliant mathematical theories and explanations of the origins of life; Lawrence Burian, general counsel, secretary, and executive vice president for The Madison Square Garden Company; Zahava Reisman, founder of Sarah Chloe Jewelry, who has built a devoted following of the Hollywood elite in six short years; Gregory Zuckerman, an award-winning business reporter for the Wall Street Journal; Gail Hoffman, the treasurer of Columbia University; Norm Eisen, who served as the United States Ambassador to the Czech Republic from 2011-2014; and Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg, a 2014 CNN Hero who created Kids Kicking Cancer (in which he combines therapy and martial arts to help children fighting disease).
Post link
At U.S. Ping-Pong Open, Orthodox Estee Ackerman Ranks 6th
Keeping up with 13 year old Estee Ackerman takes work. After being named one of our Orthodox Jewish All Stars last year (here) she has only gained momentum. Estee is now ranked 6th for Cadet girls (15 years and under) for table tennis in the United States. She got this ranking after competing in the winter U.S. Nationals. The winter is a rough time for a teenage ping-pong champ, because training often takes a backseat to schoolwork. The U.S. Open, however, takes place during the summer – leaving Estee endless hours to train. It’s a good thing too, for the Open is made up of 100 events with 1100 people from 35 different countries.
Post link
Shabbos Chazon: Why John Lennon’s “Imagine” Is Messianic
Who was famous for imagining a perfected world – a world of peace and universal brotherhood? Why none other than John Lennon of the Beatles – a famous atheist! “Imagine” is considered the anthem for atheists, yet once you get past the parts about “no religion,” look at what this “atheist” wants to us imagine:
Read more:http://jewinthecity.com/2015/07/shabbos-chazon-why-lennons-imagine-is-messianic/#ixzz3hgTa4koe
Post link
Howard Stern’s Daughter Became Orthodox ; Wells of Miriam
Like most people on planet earth, I’ve known who Howard Stern is for years, though, I’ve never really listened to his show or watched more than an occasional clip of “America’s Got Talent.” Then my friend Mayim Bialik was interviewed on his radio show last year and, of course, I had to hear it. What struck me most about their conversation was Mayim explaining Jewish ideas to Howard – like mikvah and modesty – publicizing these mitzvos to millions of his listeners. Howard challenged Mayim, wanting to know why she covers up so much – unlike most actresses in Hollywood – and Mayim explained that her body belongs to her, not Hollywood. Apparently, Howard was so struck by this idea that the next morning when he started his show he referenced it.
Howard Stern didn’t cross my mind again until a couple months ago, when I stumbled upon a poet whose work is featured in the LA Jewish Journal. A line in one of her poems jumped out at me “Why in the world why in the heavens when God says find a mate, Adam never stops to say, You, God. Us. ” It was so profound, I wanted to hear more. So I started clicking through to read more of her work and as I read, I got to an article which explained who her dad was. I was fascinated! Howard Stern’s daughter became an Orthodox Jew?! I reached out to her, we had a wonderful coffee meeting and told her I’d love to share her story and her art with the world.
Read more and listen to the full interview here:http://jewinthecity.com/2015/06/howard-sterns-daughter-became-orthodox-the-wells-of-miriam/#ixzz3dKzfQkAl
Post link
I Feel Disappointed in Orthodox Jews When They…
I feel proud of Orthodox Jews when they…
Read more:
http://jewinthecity.com/2015/04/i-feel-disappointed-in-orthodox-jews-when-they/#ixzz3ZE5GWBBo
Post link
How One Orthodox Jewish Mom Told Her Kids About Birds & Bees
Worrying doesn’t just run in the women of my family – it does marathons. And after hearing about a child abuse case in a pre-school California in the early 80’s, my mother was terrified of all the horrible ways my sisters and I could be kidnapped, killed, and molested (though not necessarily in that order). So she decided she ought to bring up “bad touching” pronto. But before she could address “bad touching,” she thought it only right to tell us kids – we were five and six at the time – about how good touching worked. So she sat us down on our family room couch one evening, gave us the basics, fielded a couple follow up questions, and without any pomp or circumstance, we had had “the talk.”
Read more: http://jewinthecity.com/2015/04/how-one-orthodox-jewish-mom-told-her-kids-about-sex/#ixzz3ZE4b2WIn
Post link
Why Do Some Rabbis Claim To Know The Reason For Suffering?
Dear Jew in the City,A terrible tragedy befell the Jewish people this week when seven innocent children were killed in a fire in Brooklyn. As we mourn and attempt to comfort each other through this great sorrow I have heard that there are rabbis who claim to “know” the reason these precious souls were taken from us. From time to time you’ll hear that a rabbi or leader in the Jewish community publicly assigns blame to certain groups or actions after a tragedy occurs. Is this an appropriate way to think and talk in terms of Torah philosophy?-Troubled
Dear Troubled-Thanks for your question. I too am troubled by the people who claim to know the workings of God (as are the several rabbis and rebbetzins I consulted with about this topic), especially since prophecy ended two thousand years ago.
There is an example from Tanach (the Jewish Bible) of people who claim to know why suffering occurs: In the book of Job, when Job loses his family, his property and becomes sick, his friends come over to tell him he is to blame.
Post link
When Do You Mention Shabbos Observance in A Job Interview?
Dear Jew in the City,When during an interview/hiring process should you bring up keeping Shabbos/Jewish holiday absence questions? At the time of offer? At the initial interview? What would a good response be to the question, “Are you available nights and weekends if we need you to come in?” Wondering how people handle this.– J
Dear J,Your question couldn’t be more timely as the U.S. Supreme Court just heard a case a couple weeks ago directly on this topic. Unfortunately, if the case comes out the wrong way, religious job applicants will be put in an incredibly difficult position with no good options, and the door to discrimination against religious job applicants—and in particular observant Jews—could be flung wide open.
But before I get to the legal issue, I’m going to first address your questions from a practical perspective…
Post link
Breaking News: Halachic Prenup Backed By Major Haredi Rabbis
Jew in the City was founded in order to break down stereotypes about the Orthodox community and publicize all the positive news about religious Jews that rarely makes the news. But about a year ago I realized that some of the negative ideas people have about our community aren’t based on “bad apples” or misconceptions. They’re based on real problems which WE need to fix. We can’t just make the Orthodox world LOOK good, we have to make sure the Orthodox world IS good.
Now it’s kind of hard to tackle communal-wide problems (especially when you’re trying to run and grow an organization!), but then I heard that for one of the issues which has gotten worse in the last year, there is a (nearly) foolproof solution! I am speaking about the agunah crisis…
Read more:http://jewinthecity.com/2015/03/historic-backing-of-halachic-prenup-by-haredi-rabbis/#ixzz3VzLilCaN
Post link
The Orthodox Jews Who Share Their Seats and Their Hearts
Yoni Greenstein, an Orthodox Jewish man who grew up in Monsey and works in corporate America, realized something six years ago: many companies have seats at ballgames and events meant for clients which go unused, while many Jewish children suffering from illness and other difficulties could benefit from a pick-me-up that free seats at a baseball game, circus, or concert might provide.
With this simple idea of connecting excess and need, Yoni began keeping track of sporting and other event seats that were going to go to waste and started searching for sick or underprivileged children who would benefit from an outing to a ballgame which could distract them for a few hours from the hardship in their life. He knew from his own experience as a sports fan that going to a live event attended by tens of thousands of people can put a smile on most anyone’s face. And it worked.
Post link
Orthodox Jews and Sex
The New York Times magazine recently published an article about an Orthodox Jewish sex therapist who helps women in the Orthodox community (they spoke mostly of her Haredi clientele) with intimacy issues. Besides the troubling word choices used by the author, like “tainted” to describe how Orthodox Jews consider a woman who’s in niddahand“semi-quarantine,” to describe the period where a husband and wife are separated, the article also gave the impression that many Orthodox Jews have repressed sex lives. While it was clear from the piece that sex between a husband and wife (in the proper time) is considered something positive, it spoke of the Orthodox approach to sex — across the gamut, from Modern Orthodox to Hasidic — in a way that made it seem as though it was very restrictive, when the basic halacha (Jewish law) on the subject is anything but, as long as we’re talking about a married couple.
Read more: http://jewinthecity.com/2015/02/orthodox-jews-and-sex/#ixzz3RlqWBUSA
Post link
Do Orthodox Jews believe in vaccinating?
Dear Jew in the City,
Lock the kids up…do not sicken everyone. You have no right to impose your beliefs against vaccination on the rest of society.
If you don’t see it this way…advice…leave this country. Go to someplace where ignorance and stupidity are bliss. America is NOT such a place. We lose ours, you will lose yours.
M.A.
Dear M.A.,
Though you have not specified which children you’d like to lock up, based on the news, I’m assuming your message is related to a recent outbreak of measles in California and the news that a percentage of kids in Jewish day schools in California are not vaccinated.
From the tone of your email you are obviously very upset with what’s going on, but you are also misinformed. There is no Jewish law against vaccinations. In fact, most rabbis are probably strong supporters of them.
Read more:
http://jewinthecity.com/2015/02/do-orthodox-jews-believe-in-vaccinating/#ixzz3QpBYFSsV
Post link
“Big Bang Theory” Producer Chats About Orthodox Jews on TV
I first heard about Eric Kaplan, senior writer and producer at The Big Bang Theory (and author of the new humorous philosophy book “Does Santa Exist?”) several years ago from my friend and Partner in Torah Mayim Bialik. Eric was doing a fair amount of Jewish learning with Orthodox Jewish rabbis and had started a weekly chaburah (learning group) with Mayim Bialik and TV writer and producer David Sacks. I had “met” him via some emails a while back. But on a recent trip to LA where I hung out with Mayim and watched her TV show being filmed (pic above), Eric and I finally met in person.
Since our mission at JITC is to break down stereotypes people have about Orthodox Jews, I, of course, wanted to schmooze with a TV writer and producer about the way Orthodox Jews are depicted on TV to make my concerns known and to hear any feedback he had.
Read more:
Post link
Why Did a Hasidic Newspaper Photoshop Women Out of a Pic?
Dear Jew in the City,
I would like to know what your thoughts are on the recent articles about the newspaper Hamevaser’s photoshopping of female leaders out of the photo of the French Unity March in Paris the other day. By the way, I love your site and I’ve gained a lot of insight into how to be a more observant reform convert.
Thanks,Steve
Dear Steve…
Read more: http://jewinthecity.com/2015/01/why-did-a-hasidic-paper-photoshop-women-out-of-pic/#ixzz3QoT2YRlj
Post link
The Catholic Jewish Fetus Who Learned Torah With An Angel
“I recently learned that my mother’s mother’s mother was Jewish,” she wrote in her email. Apparently Cynthia’s grandmother had converted to Catholicism before World War II as anti-Semitism was rising. (Her great-grandmother had perished in the Holocaust.) Cynthia understood that although she was raised Catholic, according to Jewish law, she was considered a Jew.Despite not being particularly close to her mother or grandmother, Cynthia explained how she had been inexplicably drawn to her Jewish heritage ever since she discovered it…
Post link
Presenting your 2014 Orthodox Jewish All Stars!!
“Josh Meier: Orthodox Jew & Kid Genius,” JITC Speaks, Ep. 4
Listen to the full radio interview above or here.
Joshua Meier, named one of CNN’s “Eight Whiz Kids who are the Future of Medicine,” is currently studying at Harvard University. Embodying the Jew in the City spirit of living the best of both worlds, his achievements involve the new frontiers of scientific research as well as making the incomparable wisdom of Hebrew text technologically available. He won first place and “Best of Category” at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in 2014, proposed new theories on stem cell research, and transcribed Rambam’s (Maimonidies) Mishnei Torah into an easy to use, aesthetically pleasing app for smart phones. His love for computer science, scientific research, and Torah have been fused together and manifested in other ways, Joshua devotedly pursuing each of his passions, creating iPhone software for physicians at Columbia University, as well as placing in the prestigious Chidon Hatanach.
Read more: http://jewinthecity.com/2014/11/josh-meier-orthodox-jew-kid-genius-jitc-speaks-ep-4/#ixzz3KCsKV9CL
Post link
“Kosher App & Orthodox Ping Pong Star,” JITC Speaks Ep.3
Read more: http://jewinthecity.com/2014/11/kosher-app-orthodox-ping-pong-star-jitc-speaks-ep-3/#ixzz3IzsMGsCh
Post link
Chief Rabbi of SA & Mindy Pollak: “Jew in the City Speaks,” Ep. 2
Read more: http://jewinthecity.com/2014/11/chief-rabbi-warren-goldstein-mindy-pollak-on-jew-in-the-city-speaks-ep-2/#ixzz3IzrvboPc
Post link
Mendy Pellin on “Jew in the City Speaks” Radio Show, Ep. 1
Read more: http://jewinthecity.com/2014/10/mendy-pellin-on-jew-in-the-city-speaks-radio-show-ep-1/#ixzz3IzrLSrnB
Post link
Announcing Jew in the City’s 2014 Orthodox Jewish All Stars!!
“In 2012, when we created this award, we focused on shattering people’s misconceptions about Orthodox Jews and what they could accomplish professionally. Last year, when Chanukah historically intersected with Thanksgiving, we celebrated the religious freedoms that exist in the world today which allow people of all faiths to excel in a variety of career paths,” said Allison Josephs, Jew in the City founder and director.
“This year, our message is our most crucial one yet: With anti-Semitic attacks on the rise across the globe, we are celebrating ten individuals who proudly observe Jewish traditions as they’ve soared to the tops of their fields.”
Post link
Who Will Live And Who Will Die? A Troubling High Holiday Prayer
Every Rosh Hashana we say the prayer Unsaneh Tokef :
“On Rosh Hashanah we’ll be inscribed and on Yom Kippur we’ll be sealed – how many will pass from the earth and how many will be created; who will live and who will die; who will die at his predestined time and who before his time; who by water and who by fire, who by sword, who by beast, who by famine, who by thirst, who by upheaval, who by plague, who by strangling, and who by stoning. Who will rest and who will wander, who will live in harmony and who will be harried, who will enjoy tranquility and who will suffer, who will be impoverished and who will be enriched, who will be degraded and who will be exalted. But Repentance, Prayer, and Charityavert the evil Decree!”
I’ve said this prayer many times in my life, but was never bothered by it until this year. Perhaps it’s because I never considered the meaning behind the words until a couple weeks ago when I saw a video which illustrated it very literally, showing a slew of people suffering like Unsaneh Tokef describes and then concluding with “Repentance, Prayer, and Charity avert the evil Decree.” The video then suggested that the viewer make changes in his life so that next year will be a better one.
I immediately picked up the phone and started dialing the numbers of some of the rabbis I trust most.
Post link
Can You Ever Pull The Plug? Life Support And Jewish Law
Since Joan Rivers’ death, several people have sent us questions about life support issues in Judaism, similar to the way that Robin Williams’ death piqued people’s curiosity about suicide in Jewish law, particularly as an effect of mental illness. I recognize that this is a sensitive topic and I address it with two caveats. The first is that issues such as this are far above my pay grade. Accordingly, while I am striving to impart information, I am definitely not attempting to rule in any matter of law. If anyone ever has a question of practical application in this area, he should contact a recognized Torah authority. (This is beyond the usual “ask your local Orthodox rabbi.”) The second caveat is that there are no doubt readers who have had occasion to address such end-of-life issues. Some of these readers may have acted counter to what I will soon say is Jewish law. No one is judging you. Having a terminally-ill loved one is a terribly difficult situation and no two cases are exactly alike. As the mishna in Pirkei Avos (2:5) says, we are not to judge another person until we have been in his or her place.
That having been said, the Jewish philosophy on life support is predicated on the belief that all life is sacred and is to be protected at virtually any cost
Read more: http://jewinthecity.com/2014/09/can-you-ever-pull-the-plug-life-support-jewish-law/#ixzz3DgtKCEx4
Post link
Why Are Orthodox Jews So Rude?
Dear Jew in the City,
I was curious about some of the run-ins I’ve had with the women in local Orthodox and Ultra-Orthodox communities. Sadly, they’ve been pretty negative. I’m gonna guess that majority of my interactions are with the ultra-Orthodox since I can easily identify them by their conservative outfits. Any attempt I’ve made to smile, say hello or good morning, hold open doors, offer help to carry baby carriages, etc has been met with silence and deflection.
I dress modestly. I’m not harsh or pushy. I’m not hands-y nor do I invade personal space. I’m just being polite and, personally, am a little determined to break the ice. I’ve lived in NYC my whole life (31 years!) and have gotten maybe two “thank you’s” in reply. I once even helped a family turn down their thermostat during Shabbat and then was immediately kicked out without a thank you. Orthodox men, on the other hand, have been more mixed with some positive and friendly interactions. So what am I doing wrong with my fellow female gender? Is it me?
Thanks,
Li
Read more: http://jewinthecity.com/2014/09/why-are-orthodox-jews-so-rude/#ixzz3CeOpFDXg
Post link
Israeli Bomb Shelter Date Leads to Marriage Proposal!
Some dates bomb. Others end up in bomb shelters.
It has been a rough summer for the Jewish people. Fifty days of war in Israel. Dozens of deaths and injuries. Thousands of rockets. Millions of people running to bomb shelters for cover for weeks on end. But FINALLY there’s some good news to come out of this situation. As religious Jews, we always like to find a way to say “gam zu l’tova” (this too is for the good) even in the most difficult times.
Michelle Beck, a twenty-three year old makeup artist and hair stylist made aliyah from Toronto to Ramat Beit Shemesh with her family three years ago. As a young Orthodox Jewish woman, she had been dating for a couple years already, but had still not found Mr. Rightstein. But then, her best friend’s husband set her up with a nice Israeli guy named Shmuel Shtessman, a twenty-five year old electrical-engineering major at Bar Ilan. The couple dated for some time. Each one was feeling like they wanted to move the relationship forward, but didn’t know how to. “I wanted him to meet my family,” Michelle explained, “but I was nervous to bring it up.”
Read more: http://jewinthecity.com/2014/08/israeli-bomb-shelter-date-leads-to-marriage-proposa/#ixzz3BoDRzcDP
Post link
Helping Divorced Moms In the Orthodox Jewish Community
Ever since I got to know the Orthodox Jewish community personally in my late teens, I have been extremely impressed with the ways people help each other. From open homes for guests (including strangers) on Shabbos and holidays, to making meals for postpartum mothers, to groups dedicated to visiting the sick, to countless gemachs (an acronym for gemilut chasadim – acts of loving kindness) where people in need can get everything from clothes, to baby gear, to wedding dresses and much more, the religious Jewish community takes care of its own (and strives to do acts of kindness in general) like no other community I’ve ever seen.
But no group is perfect, and a few years ago I heard from a woman who grew up Orthodox and had parents who divorced when she was young. She described how painful it was to be treated like a pariah by the people in her neighborhood. Then especially, but even now, the divorce rate in the Orthodox Jewish community is not as high as the rest of the country, and I believe that there is a (misguided) fear that divorce is somehow contagious. Since I spoke to that woman, I recently heard from a couple divorced Orthodox women who explained how alone they feel in their communities.
Being the type of person who doesn’t like to sit back once she is made aware of a problem, I began to wonder how we could help these women.
Post link
Why The Rise Of Anti-Semitism (Oddly) Comforts Me
As a child, I had a recurring dream that I was in the Holocaust. Twenty-five years later, much of it is hazy, except for the intense fear of trying to escape from pursuers who considered it a crime to be Jewish. I wondered if this was a common thing. “Do you think most Jews have ‘the Holocaust nightmare?’” I asked my husband the other night.
“Dunno,” he said, “I never did.”
“Oh,” I responded. “I guess it was just me.”
“My nightmares were about the Spanish Inquisition,” he interjected.
We both burst out laughing. (Laughter is the best medicine.)
Although I’m feeling more and more unease as I witness the rise of anti-Semitism around the world, there is something else I find myself feeling: comfort. Believe me, I too am baffled and even embarrassed by this emotion. Then again, maybe it’s not so hard to understand.
Read more: http://jewinthecity.com/2014/08/why-the-rise-of-anti-semitism-oddly-comforts-me/#ixzz3Ah0OfZ1x
Post link
