Challahbackgirl

LATEST ARTICLES ( 58 )

• There's a Mitzvah for That.

  So often these days, we hear, "There's an app for that," in response to some need or another. Whether it's squeezing in a last-minute mani-pedi or being able... Read more

  Posted on 07 March 2013 SELF EXPRESSION, SPIRITUALITY

• Ideals and Idols.

  Parshat Ki Tisa has always been one of my favorites: There's the precedent of counting the Jews by their contributions, not their numbers; a call to eat with... Read more

  Posted on 03 March 2013 SELF EXPRESSION, SPIRITUALITY

• I Don't CY.

  I've been wondering recently why the self-discipline that allows me to keep kosher throughout the year and avoid anything leavened like the plague during... Read more

  Posted on 24 February 2013 SELF EXPRESSION, SPIRITUALITY

• Why I Watch Movies & TV.

  Choosing to become a Jew is sort of like deciding to be a doctor, based on what I've seen in friends' experiences and on Grey's Anatomy. Read more

  Posted on 20 February 2013 SELF EXPRESSION, SPIRITUALITY

• But Are You Sure?

  We live in a time of uncertainty. By that, I am not only referring to the war and strife present in the world, but to all of the second-guessing that comes... Read more

  Posted on 20 February 2013 SELF EXPRESSION, SPIRITUALITY

• Ignoring Valentine's Day.

  For my non-Jewish friends and family, it makes sense that I don't celebrate Xmas or Easter. But when it comes to holidays such as Halloween, St. Read more

  Posted on 20 February 2013 SELF EXPRESSION, SPIRITUALITY

• Ya Dig?

  Although I am not Chassidic, there is a story of the Baal Shem Tov which has always stayed with me. It is told that one day, he announced to his followers that... Read more

  Posted on 20 February 2013 SELF EXPRESSION, SPIRITUALITY

• Coming Home.

  This little baby blog was conceived from nail polish, of all things. After OPI launched its Germany collection last year, I started brainstorming color names... Read more

  Posted on 31 January 2013 SELF EXPRESSION, SPIRITUALITY

• Thoughts on Nechemya Weberman.

  The recent hype surrounding the Nechemya Weberman trial brought to light a term that I had certainly never come across in my conversion studies: Mesirah, the... Read more

  Posted on 27 January 2013 SELF EXPRESSION, SPIRITUALITY

• Undercover Jew.

  As a convert, I don't have a name that is recognizably Jewish. And there is a teensy-tiny part of me that is very aware of this, because I don't always... Read more

  Posted on 23 January 2013 SELF EXPRESSION, SPIRITUALITY

• Let's Have a Little Style Moment.

  

  I had the pleasure of speaking to Prabal Gurung for a magazine piece in early 2010. I had loved his first presentation and knew he was going to be huge, but wha... Read more

  Posted on 14 January 2013 SELF EXPRESSION, SPIRITUALITY

• Thinking Outside of the Box.

  A couple of Sundays ago, I awoke to an email from a woman named Ruchi, which said that she had come across my blog and shared my post Label: Love on her faceboo... Read more

  Posted on 14 January 2013 SELF EXPRESSION, SPIRITUALITY

• JAP-Animation.

  Recently, I watched an episode of Sofia the First with my eighteen-month-old niece (who is the cutest, smartest, funniest, most stubborn kid on the planet). Read more

  Posted on 12 January 2013 SELF EXPRESSION, SPIRITUALITY

• Label: Love, Part Deux.

  I recently discussed avoiding labels in an attempt to promote unity and inclusiveness among my fellow Jews. While I had an Orthodox conversion and I do strive... Read more

  Posted on 10 January 2013 SELF EXPRESSION, SPIRITUALITY

• Oh Father.

  Sometimes as a writer, I have to strip down and really bare myself. I mean this figuratively of course, so no need to dial the tznius police. Ayayay, here goes.... Read more

  Posted on 10 January 2013 SELF EXPRESSION, SPIRITUALITY

• Wigging Out.

  I came across this great piece on The Cut while lazily drinking my tea, and like all good procrastinators, scrolled down to read the comments as well. And quell... Read more

  Posted on 02 January 2013 SELF EXPRESSION, SPIRITUALITY

• Faking It.

  

  Given Judaism's concern for the welfare of animals, I've always wondered how anyone who keeps kosher could justify wearing fur. Read more

  Posted on 19 December 2012 SELF EXPRESSION, SPIRITUALITY

• The Chai of Pi.

  Imagine, if you will, that as you approached adolescence, your parents decided that since you hadn't yet received any mathematical education, they should... Read more

  Posted on 11 December 2012 SELF EXPRESSION, SPIRITUALITY