Written by Ahava Goode. Ahava, a first-time Jewrotica writer, is a published author and writer of erotic fiction.
As I finish loading the Shabbos dinner dishes into my dishwasher, I see the candles are still burning down, and I leave them in the center of my kitchen table as I walk down the hall to my bedroom. It is late. I can’t find my cat anywhere, so my best guess is that he’s curled up with my roommate, who is already asleep. My room is dark while I undress, and I toss my clothes into the hamper in my closet. I pull last night’s pajamas out from under my pillow, a habit that was a holdover from making my bed as a kid.
I am just crawling into bed when my phone beeps at me.
It’s a text from Eli:
Hi, I’m sorry it’s so late but I just got back into town. I wasn’t sure if you answer the phone on Shabbat…
I text back:
Hi. Welcome back. And yes, I do.
My phone rings about ten seconds later.
“Hello.”
“Hi, you sound sleepy. Did I wake you?” he asks.
“No. I’m still up.”
There’s a bit of an awkward pause.
“Sorry again about it being so late. The rainstorm slowed everything way down. I originally thought I’d be back by dinner time. Not that you’ve ever invited me to one of the infamous Rosie and Lily’s Shabbos dinners.”
I laugh, “Infamous, are they? That must be because of Rosie.”
“I’m pretty sure you can hold your own against your roommate in an infamous contest.”
“Well, thank you. I think.”
“Listen, I don’t want to keep you up. I just wanted to say hello and I had told you I would call when I got back into town, so…”
“So you just called because you said you would?” I ask, trying not to sound whiny.
“No…I mean, what’d you think? I was calling at this hour, on Shabbos, to wangle an invitation to see you?”
“Well…I don’t know, you might at least try,“ I say, flirting.
“You mean I could get an invitation?”
“Um…yeah.” I say.
“Really? I still have to finish unpacking my car, but…”
“It’s up to you, either way.”
“What am I, chopped liver?” he asks, laughing.
“No. Um…I’m already in bed. Is that okay?”
“Yeah, that’s great,” he says, his voice going a bit deeper. “So, yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll be over in a few minutes.”
“Okay. Hey- Rosie’s already asleep so why don’t you come up the back stairs and I’ll leave the back door unlocked for you. Just come in, okay?” I ask.
“Okay, see you in a few,” he says and hangs up.
Celebrating 10 Years & Marking the End of An Amazing Project
Celebrating 10 Years & Marking the End of An Amazing Project
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 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!
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 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!
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!
Jewrotica rocks. It’s funny, it’s informative, it’s sexy, it’s interesting. Check it out!
Such an amazing experience! The Sarah Lawrence Jewrotica workshop was more than I could have ever expected – a comfortable, safe, sultry environment where participants clearly felt good about sharing or listening to each other’s intimate experiences and relating them to sexy stories from the Torah. From the moment the workshop began, Ayo had a sweet presence that was kinetic and spread around the room; her storytelling abilities had everyone enraptured and made the conversation topics relata… Read more
I love the inclusiveness – there is something for everyone, in and out of the Jewish community.
My opinion on Jewrotica is: It’s sexy. It’s awesome. It’s Judaism to the next level. It’s what we should all be getting into!
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