This is not exoticism. It’s the natural extension of that thing we all want out of love: expansiveness. The thrill of learning about someone else is ultimately a thrill of intimately discovering how the world looks to a mind that isn’t yours. This, I think, is the beauty of any close relationship—it doubles your universe, because you understand the world from the perspective of a second person.
I want part of that doubling to be religious and spiritual. I have always attended secular schools, and I had and have primarily non-Jewish friends, and I don’t want that to change. My close friendships with Catholics and Protestants and Muslims and Sikhs have given me a personal empathy and understanding that has never dampened my own religious beliefs.
I can’t imagine marrying someone who doesn’t offer that kind of doubling. It’s precisely because my religious identity is so fundamental to who I am that I don’t need it confirmed or solidified in a Jewish partner. I don’t want to convert or be converted; I want a difference in religious belief that enriches and enlivens our
relationship. I am certain that a non-Jew’s basic values, morals, intellect, ambitions, and lifestyle can all match mine.
Am I naïve in planning not only to surmount religious differences, but to seek them? Do I not think that anyone who cares too deeply about Jesus Christ will someday seem a foreigner to me? That kids will ruin any idyll we’ve managed to forge?
The answer, in brief, is no. No, I don’t think I’m naïve. I think I can find someone who agrees that religion is an educated choice, not a birthright. I hope to offer several educations; to explain as directly as possible that Mom thinks one thing and Dad another; to encourage education first, conviction second. I certainly plan to share my beliefs, my history, my traditions. But I am secure enough in all of them that I want to share more beliefs and history and traditions, not fewer.
Celebrating 10 Years & Marking the End of An Amazing Project
Celebrating 10 Years & Marking the End of An Amazing Project
Jewrotica is a great way to ask interesting questions about the interplay between sensuality and Jewish wisdom. Check it out.
The people behind Jewrotica are quite quality! I have confidence that any project these folks take on will be equally quality.
You may not tell your mom that you’re going to a live Jewrotica reading (or whatever clever name you will dub these events) but you will tell your friends. However, both would be jealous if they find out that they missed it. I think it will only be a matter of time before Jewrotica helps us reclaim the term “Dirty Jew” the way rap music has done for “The ‘N’ Word.” I know I am now proud to be a Dirty Jew!
I’m so glad that Jewrotica is represented here at Jewlicious! It’s bringing voices that need to be heard in the Jewish discussion and Jewish climate environment.
I stepped out of my comfort zone to be a part of this. I was glad to open up the topic of sexuality in my community. We are trying to build a safe space to talk about sex. The result I am most happy about coming from this event is that hopefully now my friends know they can come and talk to me, that I can be their ‘safe space’.
What an incredible night Jewrotica was!!!! There was this fantastic moment, in a sea of Jews of all sexualities, ages, backgrounds and denominations, that I realized we were all in this together! I hope that there are many more events coming to Austin soon!
Jewrotica is awesome. It expands the mind and for people who were raised with narrow views on sexuality. Whether you are Jewish or not, or in different sects of Judaism like Orthodox, Conservative or Reform, no matter what your background or where you’re from, Jewrotica gets you to see Judaism and how it relates to sexuality in new ways. I really appreciate Ayo being here and helping us learn different ways to connect with our sexuality.
Jewrotica is something that the community has needed for a long time so that people can actually learn, express and share and have good relationships without having to stumble through life. Check out the site and learn something. Have fun!
The Jewrotica event “Evening of Jewrotica: Bedside Reading” was awesome. As Master of Confessions, I got to read the deepest, darkest secrets of people in the room out loud… It was scintillating, titillating, and – yes – even educational!
I attended and participated in last month’s Jewrotica event. The engaging performers and Ayo, our inviting host, inspired the audience to feel like one big community. What a great way to inspire our community to embrace sex as a beautiful thing that can be fun, exciting, sacred, sensual, ridiculous, scary and everything in between!
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