2021
The ‘Jewface’ debate about casting non-Jews as Jews betrays an Ashkenazi bias
(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Sarah Silverman, “Jewface”, “Blackface”, and an endemic problem concerning Jew of Color representation in media.
2020
Guess Who’s Coming to Kiddish? The Black Ushpizin of Sukkot
(Tribe Herald)
What would it look like if, as Jews who are also Black Americans, figures from our past would should up to our sukkah to empower us? Who would they be? What would they represent?
High Holiday Safety for Jews of Color in The Time of COVID-19
(Tribe Herald)
This holiday season, remember that black lives—including the lives of black Jews—matter. Shana Tova and stay safe.
Seeds of Dissent: Why Jews of Color Need to Stop Identifying as “Erev Rav”
(Tribe Herald)
Not only are the scriptural and theological connotations problematic, but it also casts Jews of Color as add-ons to the Jewish people and not authentic members of it.
A Case of Mistaken Identity: Black Jews & Hebrew Israelites
(Tribe Herald)
Mainstream normative Black Jewish communities and the communities of adherents to the Hebrew-Israelite religions are not the same thing. Yet, they are constantly “confused” for one another.
Why Should Jewish Lives Matter?
(Tribe Herald)
We need to stop explaining away the actions of an oppressing group as justified or negligible because of how the oppressed group treats itself.
The Cognitive Dissonance of The Three Weeks
(Tribe Herald)
I know I should be invested in this time period. But, right now, I honestly can’t see why.
Baseless Humility: The Three Weeks and Race
(Tribe Herald)
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people, “people of goodwill”, to do nothing.
Coming To The Table For Black Lives Matter
(Tribe Herald)
If American Zionist Jews want that seat, then now is the chance..
Stop AAPI Hate: Navigating the Latest “Yellow Peril”
(Tribe Herald)
We are all living with white supremacy, in its various forms, so we all need to be allies in this moment.
Open Up The Road. It’s Far More Effective Than Apologizing for White Privilege
(Tribe Herald)
No one has ever, in the entire discussion of white privilege, ever asked for an apology for possessing white privilege or to apologize for being white..
(Tribe Herald)
In order to raise a morally intact child the parent or guardian must also have the ability to show compassion, love, understanding, and forgiveness. This is why deadly cycles repeat themselves..
(Tribe Herald)
Jews of Color are not breadcrumbs. We exist. We matter. We count. And we won’t be nullified..
2018
Louis Farrakhan is a Black Anti-Semite. Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef is a Jewish Racist.
(Tablet Magazine)
And both of them are talking about me.
(Tablet Magazine)
A multiracial sanhedrin discusses the holiday and its costume challenges.
Where Are the Jews of Wakanda?
(Tablet Magazine)
The question is not as far-fetched as it sounds.
2017
Lag B’omer Warns Us Not To Love Our Country Without Respecting It
(The Wisdom Daily)
Love and respect are not mutual. Because love without respect is dangerous.
2016
Bump Your Faith: Getting to Know Rappers Prodezra and Hebro
(Tablet Magazine)
A mini interview with two rising stars in the Jewish rap game.
Police Shootings, Consequences, and The City of Refuge
(Tablet Magazine)
A writer finds it challenging to commemorate the period between the Seventeenth of Tammuz and Tisha B’Av, a period of mourning known as The Three Weeks.
What We Can Learn from the Origin Story of Tisha B’Av About Relating to the Aggrieved Today
(Tablet Magazine)
A writer finds it challenging to commemorate the period between the Seventeenth of Tammuz and Tisha B’Av, a period of mourning known as The Three Weeks.
Dear Jews, Black Lives Can’t Only Matter When You’re Criticizing The Movement
(Tablet Magazine)
You can’t complain about the direction of a conversation when you haven’t been participating in it.
Why I Struggle To Observe The Three Weeks
(Tablet Magazine)
A writer finds it challenging to commemorate the period between the Seventeenth of Tammuz and Tisha B’Av, a period of mourning known as The Three Weeks.
This Is #MyJewish. It Matters.
(Tablet Magazine)
We may both be Jewish, but our differences are black and white.
The Ridiculous Would-be Dismissal of the Chief Rabbi of the Israeli-Ethiopian Community
(Tablet Magazine)
Rabbi Yosef Hadane was controversially denied an extension of his tenure by Israel’s Religious Services Ministry. Now, facing pressure, the organization is seeking to extend his contract.
What Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob Have Taught Me About Fatherhood
(Tablet Magazine)
When both a father and his offspring are leaders, what’s the most ideal dynamic between them?
If Not Now, When: African-American Jews Head For The Small Screen
(Multikosheral)
An interview like no other with African American Jewish filmmaker Jena Maharramov on her short “If Not Now, When?”
The New Nazi Captain America Is the Hero That Bigoted Comic Book Fans Deserve
(Tablet Magazine)
A superhero hails Hydra—why?
(Tablet Magazine)
A video showing two Jewish girls rapping about the benefits of genetics testing has received a mixed response, which is a shande because it’s fantastic.
“The Journeys of Six Jewish Americans”
(Tablet Magazine)
For Jewish American Heritage Month, here are highlights from the lives of some incredible people, from journalist Connie Chung to opera singer Anthony Mordechai Tzvi Russell.
(Tablet Magazine)
One restriction while counting the Omer is listening to instrumental or live music. So quench your aural thirst by enjoying these a capella faves.
“Five Seder Traditions From Around the Globe to Spice Up Your Own”
(Tablet Magazine)
Jews are not monolithic, and nowhere is that clearer than when it comes to one of Judaism’s oldest rituals.
“For African-American Jews, the History’s in the Charoset”
(Tablet Magazine)
To create a charoset dish that holds meaning for African-American Jews, try including ingredients that are derived from crops of the transatlantic slave trade.
“The Budding Joys of Jewish Fatherhood”
(Tablet Magazine)
My two-year-old daughter’s commitment to living Jewishly amazes me. I hope I don’t screw it up.
“7 Mouthwatering Challah Recipes”
(Multikosheral)
Get your chametz binging on with these challah recipes!
“Synagogues Need to Welcome and Celebrate Jewish Diversity”
(Tablet Magazine)
Thoughts on the importance of the updated list of ‘Welcoming & Diverse Synagogues’ curated by Shirley Gindler-Price, the former president of the Jewish Multiracial Network.
“The (Space)Time Of Your Life”
(Multikosheral)
There are no limits to omnipotence…
“Amazing Hamantaschen Recipes That Your Mouth Will Thank You For”
(Multikosheral)
Try some awesome hamantaschen that’s off the beaten path this year.
“About to Rock That Edgy Purim Costume? Here’s a Filter For That.”
(Tablet Magazine)
Dressing like a Geisha? Nuh-uh. Wearing Brendan Frasier’s career? You’re good to go.
“Mishloach Manot: A Quick & Easy Guide”
(Multikosheral)
Purim is more than just booze and costumes. It’s food too!
(Multikosheral)
One man’s dystopia is another man’s…what?
“What Does It Take To Be Considered Jewish?”
(Tablet Magazine)
Some of the feedback about my ‘Black Jews You Should Know’ lists questioned the validity of my choice to include certain persons.
“Black Jews You Should Know, Part 4”
(Tablet Magazine)
New England Patriot Andre Tippett, actress Nell Carter, Dario Hunter, the first Muslim-born man to become a rabbi, and other luminaries.
“Black Jews You Should Know, Part 3”
(Tablet Magazine)
Meet the Jewish star of Hamilton, an Orthodox Los Angeles civil servant, a Hebrew-schooled safety for the Oakland Raiders, and many others.
“Black Jews You Should Know, Part 2”
(Tablet Magazine)
Black History Month 5776 continues with mini-profiles of seven inspiring Jews, from actress Sophie Okonedo to author James McBride.
“Black Jews You Should Know, Part 1”
(Tablet Magazine)
They’re cool and all, but you won’t find Drake, Slash, or Rashida Jones on this list.
(Tablet Magazine)
Israeli singer Gad Elbaz brought on rapper Nissim Black, who steals the show in ‘Hashem Melech.’ But does the accompanying music video do a fair job of portraying race?
“That English You’re Speaking? It’s Hebrew. (Well, Some of It.)”
(Tablet Magazine)
The derivations of the words cinnamon, ruthless, scapegoat, and amen.
(Multikosheral)
It is time to stop dreaming up a fictional Dr. King.
“Four Lessons in Virtue from Martin Luther King, Jr.”
(Tablet Magazine)
‘I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be’.
(Tablet Magazine)
Welcome to the bigotry that populates my inbox.
“What Is Unconventional Orthodox Judaism?”
(Hevria)
Can “Orthodox Judaism” ever be “unconventional”?
(Multikosheral)
If you think that incidents of “You don’t look Jewish” should be teachable moments, you’re wrong. Dead wrong.
2015
“I’m Writing a Hagadah, And I’m Always In Over My Head”
(Hevria)
Or, how I learned to get out of my own head.
“We’re Here. You’re Just Not Paying Attention.”
(Tablet Magazine)
It’s time for mainstream Jewish organizations to engage Jews of color.
“Why I Published My Own Passover Haggadah”
(Tablet Magazine)
The seder marks a global Jewish event—I wanted a book that felt as diverse.
(Tablet Magazine)
Should we continue to revere the works of Jewish leaders who act wrongfully?
“Ethiopian Israelis Protest Against Racism and Police Brutality in Tel Aviv”
(Tablet Magazine)
Monday’s demonstrations in the city center grew heated as police reportedly arrested 19 protestors.
“Can a Single Person Speak for All Black Jews?”
(Tablet Magazine)
Capers Funnye was recently nominated to become ‘Chief Black Rabbi.’ Here’s why that post doesn’t represent all Jews of color.
(Tablet Magazine)
The mosaic of Jewish identity is a beautiful thing, but we must recognize and respect our differences before we can come together.
“Online Dating for Jews of Color: A Love Story”
(Tablet Magazine)
Internet, Internet, make me a match, find me a find, catch me a catch.
“Reclaiming My Star of David as an African-American Jew”
(Forward)
If you’re an African-American Jew who wants a wearable symbol that screams ‘Jewish,’ you might run into problems with the Star of David, which was used as a gang symbol. Here’s why MaNishtana decided to reclaim it.
(Tablet Magazine)
If members of non-Orthodox Judaism want to fight systemic racial injustices, they should begin by looking in their own backyard.
“High Holiday Safety for Jews of Color in NYC”
(Tablet Magazine)
As systemic racial injustices continue to plague black Americans, non-White Jews should attend shul with their eyes wide open.
(Multikosheral)
When talking to the Almighty, you just *might* want to get His Name right.
“You’re Talking To Gd Wrong: Milra & Mileil”
(Multikosheral)
Putting the em-PHA-sis on the right syl-LA-ble.
(Multikosheral)
Parshat Noach is here and it’s that time again…
(Tablet Magazine)
The commentary on this week’s parsha created a mythical racial ideology that continues to lurk in the shadows of Judaism.
“The World Is Terrible. Everything Is Terrible. And That’s OK.”
(Hevria)
The world sucks. Always and forever.
(Tablet Magazine)
Reflections on establishing a collective voice to represent Judaism’s diversity.
(Tablet Magazine)
Judaism—its past, present, and future—is made up of Jews of color. And yet few studies have made the effort to learn about that diverse Jewish population. It’s time to change that.
“Black and White and Not All Right”
(Tablet Magazine)
I’ve had it with black and white cookies, those racist sugary desserts masquerading as advocates of harmony.
(Multikosheral)
In the wake of the Paris attacks, how soon we forget that we once were at the receiving end of hate.
(Hevria)
A poem inspired by the poem “Moshiach’s Hat”. And the RCA. And everyone. But mostly you.
“What Is the True Meaning of Hanukkah?”
(Tablet Magazine)
We celebrate Hanukkah as the symbol of the fighting against assimilation. One author argues we’ve lost our way.
(Hevria)
We’re supposed to light up the darkness during Chanukah. But what does that even mean, really?
“Coming Full Circle, Back to the Old School”
(Tablet Magazine)
Many narratives from Star Wars and Jewish history run parallel. Will ‘The Force Awakens’ get back to basics?
“Unkosher Christmas: A Family Affair”
(Tablet Magazine)
‘Boy, I’m your grandmother! If I say you can eat it, you can eat it!’
2014
“I’m MaNishtana, And I Have A Blueprint”
(Hevria)
I was raised on a solid diet of DC Comics back in the 80s and thusly have a soft spot for secret identities and leagues and secret societies and such.
“The Complicated Politics Of Our Internal Politics”
(Hevria)
How do we decide what and when to make our personal stands when no one is looking but us?
(Multikosheral)
The face of millennial Judaism is more than what you think.
“Shia LaBeouf and Judaism’s White Flight”
(Multikosheral)
Is there a White Flight happening in Judaism?
(Hevria)
Welcome to the mental minefield of an FFB fantasy writer.
“What Side Should Jewish-Americans Take On Ferguson?”
(Multikosheral)
Why the Ferguson verdict should matter to Jewish Americans.
“100% Black. 100% Jewish. 0% Safe.”
(Hevria)
Six one way, half a dozen the other.
(Tablet Magazine)
A Jew of color explains why anti-black violence should concern all Jews.
“Why My Mom’s Not In Space Right Now”
(Hevria)
These are the voyages…
MaNishtana 