This March, history was quietly made in a Saturday morning Orthodox minyan (prayer quorum) at Brandeis University. Avi, a 22-year-old then-college junior from the Boston area, was called up to the Torah for an aliyah. While nothing was said outright, and he had been chosen for no particular reason, the unintentional message was clear: complete acceptance. Two days before his aliyah, Avi (some names, including this one, have been altered for confidentiality) tacitly confirmed his sexuality in front of a weekly Jewish learning group for the Brandeis Orthodox Organization (BOO) known as Mishmar. For Avi, coming out was “a whole process,” that began with informing “a few close friends” during his sophomore year. Avi then told his family, who, despite being shocked, were “wonderful about it.” Avi told friends who knew he was gay to let the...

Continue reading

The English Girl, Daniel Silva’s most recent novel featuring Israeli super-spy (think James Bond meets Jack Bauer) Gabriel Allon, tries to break out of the successful but increasingly stale formula that has made its author a best-seller. For those new to the series, Allon is an on-again-off-again “retired” Israeli spy, who moonlights as an art restorer, and is the top Secret Agent for the Israeli government when he does decide to comeback to action. After 13 books featuring Allon, originality may be hard to summon, but Silva manages to use the spy formula to his advantage to craft a suspenseful, page-turning tale. In fact, the inclusion of a fortuneteller known as the Signadora (a first for the series), is the book's most ridiculous element, and a rarity for a series which, despite occasionally indulging in...

Continue reading

Behold, the Jewish father: an oft-forgotten figure, generally second fiddle to the much-discussed Jewish mother. Though pop culture tends to be focused on the matriarchs of the Jewish family, a few notable fathers have broken through. Here are a few of our favorites: 1. Ari Gold--Jeremy Piven (Entourage) The wheeling-and-dealing Hollywood agent who loses his temper at everyone except his children. Likes: Swearing, hugging it out, heated phone calls. Dislikes: Adam Davies, Amanda Daniels, losing a deal. Famous for: Making Vinnie Chase a Hollywood legend, despite the numerous setbacks. “LLOYD!” 2. Bernie Focker--Dustin Hoffman (Meet the Fockers/Meet the Little Fockers) The attorney turned stay-at-home dad who lavishes praise upon his son and saves his every participation trophy Likes: His son’s accomplishments, positive reinforcement, his wife Roz. Dislikes: Negativity, his in-laws' parenting methods. Famous for: Being a proud dad, sexual innuendos.   3. Guido Orefice--Roberto Benigni (Life is...

Continue reading