The Catholic girl who was too Jewish
‘So, how Jewish are you?” That’s what he asked, leaning in provocatively while I sipped my gin and tonic. It was our second non-date. He had asked what my background was. I had proudly told him my...
View ArticleMeditations of a Sinner
I recall when I first moved out of my parent’s house. My dad called after a few weeks of “on my own” freedom… Dad: “How’s your hand?” Me: (confused) “It’s..fine…” (awkward pause) Dad: “You’re sure?”...
View ArticleBlessings on my head — from my Jewish side
They come in many forms — obvious, in disguise, and usually apparent after something devastating, so we can find peace in certain situations. Here are a couple of my blessings (both in disguise and...
View ArticleThe Year of the Woman, the Feminists, and the Silver Fox
“This is our year” my good friend proclaimed over a lox brunch. That’s what I keep telling myself. We’re two attractive, single, twenty something year old women enjoying a mid-week brunch in bustling...
View ArticleSeeking: Conversations with God
“Hi God, are you there? It’s me … Audrey”. Ok, ok, this isn’t a Judy Blume book, and I’m not in pre-pubescent angst- but I was struggling. I AM struggling. There is a line of communication to be had...
View ArticleMy Mariachi Christmakkuh
My mom and I have a special tradition to kick off our Christmakkuh season. For the last 6-7 years she buys us tickets (right up front) to the annual “Merry-achi Christmas” show by Mariachi Sol de...
View ArticleThe Catholic who chose Hanukkah over Christmas
With the exception of the year my ex-fiance flew me up north to meet his sister, I have never missed a Christmas with my family. Not this year. This year the Bellis family is not attending Christmas...
View ArticleFinding my mitzvah in losing my fertility
It never fails. Several times a week, I have conversations with customers at my baby clothing store that fall into this pattern: Customer: “Your clothes are so darling- your children must dress so...
View ArticleSo, why am I still Catholic?
EastOver is a major holiday in our family. On our Catholic side, Lent and Easter are the most important Liturgical time of the year for us and obviously you all know how important Passover is without...
View ArticleThe World I Want to Live In
When I was in the 3rd grade, my dad took me to Bring your kids to work day for the first time. I vividly remember 2 things standing out from that first visit: 1. The propaganda style poster hanging in...
View ArticleMatch me no match
My Abuelita came over the other day. She summoned me over to tell me in hushed Spanish, how beautiful I was. How my long dark hair is just begging to be done in a fancy style for a special date. She...
View ArticleMy Fairy (Writer) Godmother
Our social media director, Sarah Tuttle-Singer, reminded us this week in a Facebook post about how her life has changed since she published her first post with The Times of Israel. That got me thinking...
View ArticleAmends for a Yom Kippur Recovery
I was recently told a saying I had never heard before but made total sense: ego is the way of edging God out. And man… Have I known what its like to be a product of my own ego. I don’t normally do...
View ArticleStraddling Two Worlds
“It’s like there are two totally different sides of you.” That’s what my friend commented immediately following a gala I co-chaired in my role as an Advisory Board Member for Catholic Charities Los...
View ArticleLiberated By My Ink- Tattoos And Secrets
“No tattoos” my mother said. “Don’t do drugs, don’t get pregnant as a teenager, and don’t mark your body.” Those were her three major rules and while I managed two of them, I broke her heart when I...
View ArticleTraditions with my Catholic mom
My mom might not be the Jewish parent, but in our family, she’s the keeper of the traditions. Every year for Hanukkah she brings down my Great-Grandma Rose’s menorah. Every year she buys the candles....
View ArticleIn the waiting room: Her C-section, my hysterectomy
She looks just like me: Mid-late 20’s. Nervously perched hands over her belly. Convinced that ‘leggings as pants’ are appropriate to wear in public. We’re just alike. Together we sit in a waiting room....
View ArticleMy Mom, My Twin
It’s Mother’s Day, why can’t we just freaking enjoy it? I demanded to know through clenched teeth. Oh, if ever there was a moment that I embodied my mother, that was it, cocked eyebrow, flared nostrils...
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