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Stories of Return



Funny, You Don't Look Jewish
Funny, You Don't Look Jewish
Even among "my people" in the Dominican Republic, I am considered rather pale; but in a crowd of Ashkenazi Jews, people tend to see my measly tan as exotic. I only wish I could tell all the gawkers outright that, just two years ago, I was a non-practicing Catholic...
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The Shul
The Shul
When I was eighteen years old, I had an internship at an auction house in Geneva. It was exciting and I befriended many interesting people, and yet, I still felt very much alone...
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Torah for Dummies
Torah for Dummies
Some of my friends thought I was becoming "religious." That was a good one, considering I always thought an observant Jew was someone who noticed that the carpet needed a cleaning...
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People of the Book
People of the Book
Why does she take the word of an archeologist at face value while rejecting the historic testimony of an entire nation? Why do I accept an ancient document filled with puzzling statements as my guide for 21st century living?
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Becoming a Jew
Becoming a Jew
In that initial rush of excitement, I didn’t really get what it means to be a Jew. That finally having a Jewish soul, fully present and accounted for, doesn’t mean that you’ve climbed to a certain place and now you can just rest there...
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The Road Home
The Road Home
Not that I had anything against Rabbis per se, I was just young and more interested in carving out my own brand of spirituality. But, here I was, as low as I had ever felt, knocking gently on the proverbial “heaven’s door.”
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I Never Got to Mozambique
I Never Got to Mozambique
The rabbi was speaking of women's inherent spiritual superiority to men. My hand shot up. "Where are the men? Shouldn't they also hear of our elevated status?"
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Free Trial Period
Free Trial Period
Why would any sane, successful and intelligent human being choose to give up a comfortably "free" secular life for one seemingly dictated only by rules, regulations and customs?
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You Know the Lubavitcher Rebbe?
"You Know the Lubavitcher Rebbe?"
I had never seen such a strong bond and commitment in my life. The mere mention of his name would make their eyes sparkle. I never thought that I would be able to admire and respect someone so much...
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A Man Apart
A Man Apart
From the Rebbe's own personal example, I learned that there was nothing in the world a Jew need fear; that every place and every action and every moment called for a Jew to bring G-dliness into the world...
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A Sixth Dimension
A Sixth Dimension
They were carrying branches and fruit. They wanted me to wave them in the air, to shake them in all directions. For G-d. For world peace. For unity...
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The Bad Jew
The Bad Jew
My very own roommate, Jen, the Japanese-American, looked at me and said, loud and clear, "Bad Jew… off to the showers with you!"
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Sailing Lessons
Sailing Lessons
Finding Faith Through Sorrow
We were close enough to talk. To scream. To hear each other’s cries. Close enough for me to hear him say, “I’m going to die.” And close enough for him to hear me say, “I love you.”
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Personal Stories
Expand Dealing with Challenge
Dealing with Challenge
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Life Lessons
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Stories of Return