It used to bug me that my best friend was a bit of a health nut. I was horrified one Shabbat when she leaned over to me and said, “Hey, you know that banana bread you love so much…the main…
Red strings and Evil Eyes: authentic fad or successful farce?
Those familiar with it as a sartorial accessory might note that the red string has undeniably been a force of incredible success — for those selling the strings at the astounding price of $25 apiece. The real question, however, is…
Kosher Korner: my bubbie’s challah
Most European cultures seem to have some version of traditional, fluffy white bread. Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jews, of course, have challah. Although technically challah is a Hebrew word that refers to the portion of bread tithed to priests in the…
Persian Girl Problems
Persian girls are known for their beautiful hair, unique attitudes and determination to succeed. But hold up — it’s not so simple, no one’s life is a happily-every-after fantasyland, and just like everyone else, Persian girls deal with their own…
Who said it — world leaders or fifth grader?
Please note: This article contains strong language. In the modern day, you may find yourself shaking your head and wondering what on earth our leaders are thinking. We all have had times when we heard a situation involving world leaders…
Clixt: the latest in app-licable photosharing
As you eye the mouth-watering meal the waiter has just delivered to your table, you’ll probably whip out your phone and snap a photo before taking a bite. In the 30 seconds (or sometimes a bit longer) it takes for…
Song Parody: Week No. 5
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Week No. 5. One, two, three, four, five Everybody’s in Powell, so you know it’s time To renounce all the fun and joy we once had Eating food at the Hill cafés to save time…
Above and Beyond: My night at the film premiere
Last November, I had the pleasure of attending the 28th Israeli Film Festival LA premiere of Above and Beyond, a documentary produced by Nancy Spiegelberg about the foreign airmen of Israel’s 1948 War of Independence. That eventful Thursday night was…
Remembering the Jews of the Middle East and North Africa
Around me, I could hear murmurs of different languages including Hebrew, Arabic, Farsi, French, and Spanish. The eclectic crowd at the Nov. 30 event organized by the Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa organization represented the many…
Taglit-Birthright Israel: Discovery that lasts a lifetime
Let’s get one thing straight: what happens on Taglit-Birthright Israel stays on Taglit-Birthright Israel — except for the selfies you take with your seemingly evil camel, the Instagram photos with perfect lighting at the top of Masada, the videos of…