He repeats it carefully, smiling at me. There is so much love on his face, such a willingness to learn. Not because this is important to him, but because it is important to me. Isn’t that what marriage is? Choosing each other: not just once, but every day? In learning these prayers, in repeating the phlegmy consonants, the arcane rituals, he is choosing me. And in choosing me, he is choosing Judaism.
We have a circular relationship, me and Judaism: we feed each other. I do not exist without it. And without me, there is one less person to light these candles, say these prayers. Without me, Alex would never have come to this moment: thanking god or even acknowledging his existence.
My husband isn’t Jewish, but he is part of Judaism now, adding new life to old customs.
“Do you remember what that means?” Teacher voice again, sticky sweet.
“Something about being lucky to be here, or something.”
“Yeah!” I wrap my arms around his waist, hug hard. “You do listen to your wife on occasion.”
“Only when she has latkes.” He kisses the top of my head. “Are we ready to get this show on the road?”
“In a second.” I stand on tiptoe, kiss his nose, and intone the prayer. “Barukh atah adonai eloheinu melekh haolam, shehecheyanu v’kimanu v’hegeianu l’zman hazeh.”
Thank you, God, for bringing us to this moment. Me and my not-Jewish husband, choosing each other again and again and again.
Celebrating 10 Years & Marking the End of An Amazing Project
Celebrating 10 Years & Marking the End of An Amazing Project
Jewrotica was everything I had dreamed of and more: sexy attendees, tantalizing confessions, and well-written literature to boot! More importantly, it empowers us Jews to reach inside and own our sexy selves and heritage!
Learning about sex and what’s right and wrong when it comes to sex from a Biblical standpoint was an eye opening experience. I completely enjoyed it and think something like this could be a very cool thing to bring to even high school aged Jewish youth groups.
I’m Heshy Fried from Frum Satire and I am very, very frum. And I completely support Jewrotica – it’s doing a service to the frum community. We need some sort of kosher sexual education. Jewrotica even has a system that allows frum filters to filter out certain things to make it PG for us. It’s mamish Torah. It’s like The Little Midrash Says for sex.
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!
While many people fear the “sex talk,” Jewrotica offers an opportunity for writers and audiences to speak about sexuality in a open and safe space. When I attended a Jewrotica reading, I heard stories that reminded me that love takes many forms, and that expressing it is a vital part of who we are as a people.
I love the inclusiveness – there is something for everyone, in and out of the Jewish community.
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’m into Jewrotica. I went in for my second circumcision.
Jewrotica is inspiring Jews and erotica with holiness and coolness, and is the pride of progressive Judaism. Jewrotica – awesome!
I had a great time deejaying at the Jewrotica event at Columbia University. The live readings were hilarious, informative, and in some cases, deeply moving. I know that I, along with many of my AEPi fraternity brothers, loved being able to connect our Judaism and our sexuality in a way that made all of us feel comfortable and welcome. I look forward to being a part of this again in the future!
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