16 Can Poor People Convert to Judaism?
This month on Talking in Shul we’re talking about how expensive it is to be a Jew, and whether or not expense should be a limiting actor for those wishing to convert. In our second segment we’ll be discussing the new movie Felix and Meira, about a Hasidic woman in Montreal deciding if she wants to stay in the Hasidic community.
Further reading
Expense of Jewish Life
After Freundel Scandal, Converts in Waiting Complain of Unexpected Obstacles
A Cost Benefit Analysis of Being Jewish by Carmel Chiswick
Grappling With The Rising Cost of Being Orthodox by Asher Elbein
Felix and Meira
Felix and Meira Official Website
‘Felix and Meira,’ a Portrait of a Tempted Hasidic Wife, The New York Times
RogerEbert.com review
Endorsements
Tamar endorsed
The music from Felix and Meira, including After Laughter by Wendy Rene, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe singing Didn’t it Rain.
Zahava endorsed
Fill the Void
Mimi Endorsed
Shavuot–a holiday that is often overlooked.
15 How to Pick A Great Synagogue
This month on Talking in Shul we’re talking about shul shopping–how do you find a synagogue or Jewish community you like? What do you look for and what do you avoid? Our second topic is the ever-elusive Shabbat atmosphere. How does one create it? What’s in, and what’s out?
Endorsements
Tamar endorsed
Zeta Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Hot Peppers
The web series High Maintenance, especially the Elijah and Esme episodes
Zahava endorsed
Little White Lie, a film by Lacey Schwartz
An interview with Lacey Schwartz on KCRW’s The Business
Lacey Schwartz and her mother on Morning Edition
Mimi endorsed
Going to Ikea to shop for your Passover kitchen needs
Buying a Passover blender, and using it to make smoothies for breakfast
13 Haggadah Review: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
In this month’s very special episode the Talking in Shul gang discusses our favorite haggadot, and reveals what we think makes for a good seder.
Further reading
Tamar brought her own personal Haggadah created on Haggadot.com and
A Night to Remember: The Haggadah of Contemporary Voices by Noam Zion and Mishael Zion.
Zahava brought The Abarbanel’s Commentary on the Haggadah and the Lieberman Open Orthodox Haggadah.
Mimi brought A Passover Haggadah: The New Union Haggadah.
Endorsements
Tamar endorsed getting Haggadot from your public library and the best Pesach muffins. Here is the recipe:
Sweet Vegetable Kugel (24 muffins)
2 c. grated apple
2 c. rated raw sweet potato
(1 swt pot.=2 cups)
2 c. grated carrot
1/2 cup margarine or less
2/3 c. sugar
4 eggs
2 t. salt
2 t. baking soda
2 t. cinnamon
1 t. nutmeg
2 c. cake meal
Mix all ingredients. Bake in greased muffin cups at 325 for 30 minutes.
Zahava endorsed
The Rugrats Passover episode
Mimi’s endorsement was more of a question about how one should furnish a Passover kitchen. What supplies do you need and how do you limit for space and monetary concerns?
12 Premarital Sex in the Orthodox Community / Is Purim Really for Kids?
This month on Talking in Shul we’re talking about sex and the single Jewish Orthodox woman, and about Purim, a holiday that’s often billed as kid friendly. Is it really kid friendly, and what makes a holiday or a Jewish community kid friendly anyway?
Further reading
What Happens to Sexually Active Orthodox Singles The Sisterhood
Birth Control, Jewish Law Collide at Stern The Jewish Week
Endorsements
Tamar endorsed
The Shomer Negiah Blog
The Best Hamantaschen recipe end of discussion
Zahava endorsed
The Dawn, by Yoram Hazony
Agata Kulesza‘s performance in the Oscar-winning movie Ida
Mimi endorsed
“toward the vindication of vashti,” by Aryeh Bernstein
Lauren endorsed
John Legend and Common’s Oscar speech
POWER Philadelphia
11 Interdating / Is Judaism good for your health?
This month we spoke about the recent brouhaha around USY changing it’s language around interdating for its regional board members, and about a new study that says being a member of a synagogue makes you healthier.
Further reading
USY Drops Ban on Interdating, JTA
USY and the Interdating Ban Reexamined, JTA
Why You Care About USY’s Interdating Rules, InterfaithFamily
Don’t Blame the USYers, Blame the Adults, Jewish Journal
Instead of Spin, Celebrate Inclusion, Rabbi Jesse Olitzky
USY Changes Expectations for Youth Leaders, Jewschool
And
Jewish Americans who attend synagogue enjoy better health, study finds, Science Daily
Mimi’s endorsement:
This episode of “Double X Gabfest” and Throw-Back Hip Hop radio–especially Philly Boom 107.9. Read more here.
Tamar’s endorsement:
How This Night is Different by Elisa Albert
Zahava’s endorsement:
The poem called “Have You Yearned for Salvation?” on page 25 of Rabbi David Ebner’s book The Library of Everything, which you can access at this link.
9 Talking in Shul LIVE @ JOFA
This episode was recorded live at the JOFA UnConference. Tamar, Mimi, and Zahava talk about modesty codes and dress codes for women, and how to make bar or bat mitzvah celebrations meaningful.
Share your thoughts about this episode at tish@openquorum.org. Music credit: “Mircoobee” by Keinzweiter and “Eros Vibraphone” by The Books.
8 East Ramapo and Transparent
In this month’s episode we discuss the school board controversy in East Ramapo New York, and the television show Transparent, available on Amazon Prime. Share your thoughts about this episode at tish@openquorum.org.
Further Reading
A Not So Simple Majority, This American Life
Seeking Common Ground: School and Ethnic Tensions in Rockland CountyWNYC
The Blame Game, Tablet Magazine
The Lost Children of Wilder: The Epic Struggle to Save Foster Care by Nina Bernstein
Nothing’s Sacred in Jeffrey Tambor’s New Show ‘Transparent’, Haaretz
Local Artist Tackles Jews and Sex in ‘Transparent’ With Jeffrey Tambor, Jewish Journal
Jill Soloway’s Transparent, Forward
Mimi recommends Of Birds and Boundaries, an episode of the Love + Radio podcast, and Simchat Torah dancing with the kids at the Reform Hebrew school where she teaches.
Zahava recommends breakfast for dinner on Simchat Torah night.
Tamar recommends Higher Ground, starring Vera Farmiga.
Exciting note: We will be recording our next episode LIVE at the JOFA Unconference in New York City on Sunday November 23rd, 2014. Please join us at the JOFA Unconference by registering to attend here.
Music credit: “Mircoobee” by Keinzweither.
7 Jewish Social Justice? & Sex Education
In this month’s episode we discuss the way the social justice and Judaism are often billed as interchangeable terms, and best practices for sex and relationship education for pre-teens and teens in Jewish schools. Share your thoughts about this episode.
Further reading
The Future of Liberal Jewry in a Nutshell by Jonathan S Tobin for Commentary Magazine
Uri L’Tzedek Orthodox Social Justice
Sex Education in Orthodox High Schools by Shmuly Yanklowitz at Jewish Journal
Teaching Sex Ed To Young Modern Orthodox Women by Sarah Epstein at Jewesses With Attitude
Why Jewish Kids Need Values Based Sex Ed by Mara Yacobi in the Jewish Week
Demystifying Sex and Teaching Halacha: Kallah Teachers Workshop at Jewish Orthodox Feminst Alliance
Moving Traditions monthly programming for teen girls and boys
Mimi’s endorsement: Rosh Hashanah foods that aren’t sweet
Tamar’s endorsement: Shabbat zemirot as lullabyes
Zahava’s endorsement: Limited engagement chevruta, especially for Elul
Music credit: “Mircoobee” by Keinzweither.
Photograph: First grade classroom on Israel’s 25th anniversary. Licensed under CC BY 2.5 Generic.