An Argument Against Feminism

Really interesting article from USA Today (it seems there are more and more articles in the mainstream media focusing on Judaism these days) claiming that the emergence of female leaders within Judaism has caused a huge percentage of males to become disenfranchised with Judaism and find spouses elsewhere. Interesting.

Tattooed Jews

Another article from the NY Times, about tattoos and Jews, and the myths that surround them.

Update -
Here's another article about a tattooed Jewess, beautifully written from a completely different angle.

Chicks Score

The latest test scores show that girls measure up when it comes to math - you go girl!

Oh, and in another education-related article, about whether the Internet is responsible for a decrease in students reading. Ironically, I haven't read the entire article, however, I think they have a point.

Like Old Times

I spent the day today with my roommate from college, her husband and her sister. We did some sightseeing, but mostly, we just caught up and reminisced. It had been five years since the last time we saw each other, and our contact since then has been almost exclusively through email and Facebook (which I convinced her to join - she is, of course, now completely addicted).

We were very close friends when we lived together in college, so we shared a lot of adventures together. It was so much fun reminding each other of those adventures and catching up on each others' lives now. It honestly didn't feel like it could possibly have been so long (it helps that she looks exactly the same as she did in college, she hasn't aged one bit!). But I wonder how many people there are in one's life, who you can not see or really talk to for such a long time, and when you do see them, you can pick up again just like you were never apart? It was a good day :)

Where is Matt Outtakes

I have to admit that I really love the "Where is Matt" videos, featuring a guy who traveled the world dancing like crazy and getting tons of people to join him. Here's the outtakes video, it made me smile way too early this morning:

Stuff White People Like

This one sure hits the nail on the head.

Passing Kindness

Check out the latest story at Kindness Happens. And don't forget to pass your stories along!

Interesting Interaction

I had such an interesting conversation with a guy on my bus ride home tonight. He commented on the book I was reading, and then we had a whole philosophical discussion in the time it took my bus to get me home. He was extremely knowledgeable about different people and religions and we discussed everything from Judaism to Eastern religions. He really glowed. As I was getting off at my stop, he wished me the best and told me I needed to get married and start having kids. Well, he meant the best. It was definitely not a typical bus ride though. And we both left with good reading suggestions. You never know where you will meet interesting people.

IRAs

I need to open an IRA (Individual Retirement Account) and I know almost nothing about them. Also, student loan payments are getting close and I'm clueless. Anyone know finance stuff and want to help me get organized?

Faith in Love

Touching article by a mother who tries everything she can to help her daughter.

Only in NY (II)

I was in the city tonight visiting some family. On my way home, I was looking for the alternative bus that comes around and has express service after 9 PM. They move the stop fairly often because of the insane amount of construction in the area around Port Authority. As I walked by, looking for the bus, the guy in charge called out to me and instructed me to wait there and told me the bus would be there shortly. It came soon, and I got on.

A minute or two later, the same guy went yelling to a man wearing a yarmulke, asking him if he was looking for the bus also. The man got on, and asked the guy in charge how he knew he was looking for the bus to Passaic.

The guy in charge, who spoke just a bit of English, said to him - "Your cap. You're Jewish. I know this route." He turned to me and said, "You're Jewish too, right?" I confirmed.

Only in New York...

Transit Obsession

I loved this.

Only in New York

On my way to work today, I saw a sign posted for a television show I had never heard of. That in itself is not remarkable, considering the very small amount of TV viewing that I do. What I did find funny was that the poster featured a man and a woman. And on the man's picture, someone had taken a magic marker and enhanced his looks. They had drawn a black hat and peyos on the man. I suppose it makes sense, because I do work down the street from a famous store staffed heavily with Chassidim. Only in New York. Ok, or maybe Israel.

Gambling Game

I get a call last night from the principal of a school. Which is a good thing in my case, since I am looking for a job in a school. And which is also a way-too-rare thing considering the number of resumes that I have sent out.

The principal who called me was lovely. The school is a small, private (non-Jewish) school with a student demographic and a mission that suits me and my interests to a tee. It's a school that really makes a difference and gives a future to a lot of students. The principal sounds wonderful over the phone, telling me that my experience, writing skills and resume are exactly what they look for in a guidance counselor and that I should be proud of what I have accomplished (I've never heard that from a potential employer before!).

Of course, there's a catch. Because it's a private school, the pay would be pretty low. Much lower than in a public school.

But what do I do? What if no public school comes along? And I've turned down this position in a place where I would really believe in what they are doing? It seems I'm gambling with my career here...