Category Archives: Journal Entries

Romancing the Scroll

Posted on August 10, 2012 by

Reposting this from last year in honor of this week’s Torah portion, Ekev … So Here’s the Backstory. My husband and I are now devoted groupies of an organization called Nehirim, from a Hebrew word for “lights.” Founded by author … Continue reading →

Posted in Journal Entries, Observations, Prayer, torah | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Romancing the Scroll II

I think it’s official now, so I might as well admit it. My name is Michael, and I am a leynaholic. Leyn or leynen is an old Yiddish word that just means ‘to read,’ but when used in English, the word … Continue reading →

Aside | Posted on June 20, 2012 by | 2 Comments

Let My People Marry! Parashat Va’eira

Posted on January 27, 2012 by

Reviving this oldie but goodie from 2010 as we pass from Va’eira into Bo’ … The Basics of Va’eira Diary on last week’s parshah, Shemot, by ramara Guide for the Perplexed: What’s a parshah? Here’s the full text of this … Continue reading →

Posted in d'var torah, Journal Entries | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Jay Michaelson Project: February 22-23

Posted on December 26, 2011 by

Stop me if you’ve heard this one. Two married gay guys who both converted to Judaism decide to become b’nei mitzvah together and go looking for a social justice project. Being avid readers and devoted groupies of Nehirim, a national … Continue reading →

Posted in Journal Entries, Observations, torah | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

It’s Actually Happening

Posted on November 6, 2011 by

So if you missed the news, my husband and I are about to embark on our first trip to Israel. And not just any trip, but a Big Gay Trip. We’ll be tooling around the country for a little over … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel, Journal Entries, Observations | 6 Comments

Jewels of Elul 2011

Posted on August 23, 2011 by

Delighted to be blogging again this year for Jewels of Elul, which provides daily inspiration for a bit of soul work leading up to the High Holidays. They feature noted writers and leaders along with a daily sampling of more … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogging, Journal Entries, Observations | 3 Comments

True Confessions of an Ortho-Curious Gay Reform Convert

Posted on January 18, 2011 by

Special note: It’s always a great honor to learn that your writing made a difference in someone’s life. So this one’s for you, Ed! Wishing you much happiness and a smooth ride on the road to full recovery! It Is … Continue reading →

Posted in Journal Entries, Observations, orthodox | 9 Comments

Educating Shim’on: The Road to Hebrew

Posted on December 14, 2010 by

לחנך את שימעון – הדרך לעברית Part 1. I Sorta Think My Whole Life Has Led Me to This Point. I started learning Hebrew in earnest back in 2008 or so, around the time I began the formal part of … Continue reading →

Posted in Hebrew, Journal Entries, Observations | 2 Comments

Lecha Challah! Or, Me and My Mitzvot

Posted on February 24, 2010 by

It Is Thursday Night. I am alone. I have to be alone because if my husband saw what I am doing, he’d think I’d gone off the deep end of Judaism. I am sitting in our living room in front … Continue reading →

Posted in 1, Ceremony, Journal Entries, Observations | 6 Comments

Hanukkah Is Making Me a Little Crazy

Posted on December 11, 2009 by

Anyone who does a little background on (C)hanuk(k)ah knows that it started out as a celebration of Jewish defiance in the face of a powerful majority bent on assimilation. It commemorates the end of a blood-soaked occupation and civil war, … Continue reading →

Posted in chanukkah, Journal Entries, Observations | Leave a comment