Author Archives: The Jewish Lady

Sorting Through 400 Books

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Since I was very small, I have always loved to read and over my lifetime, I’ve built up quite a collection of books. I knew I had a lot, but I didn’t realize it was over 400 until I started sorting through them.

Because we’re looking to move this summer (hopefully), a major downsize is needed. Books are heavy and they take up a lot of space, so bringing every one of them just isn’t feasible. 

I’ll be honest: some of these books are total junk—broken spines, missing pages, worn jackets, etc. But there were many good ones as well, some good enough to sell. Here’s what I’ve done so far:

  • 31 books for sale on Amazon (more recent and popular titles work best)
  • 69 books sold to Sell Back Your Book (mostly reference and older ones)
  • 2 donated bags to Goodwill (All novels)
  • 5 donated bags to the library (1 for kids, 4 for adult circulation)

Yes, I still have a ton left, but feel really pleased about making a huge dent in the mountain (getting rid of them takes almost as much effort as reading). Even if I don’t need them anymore, I’m so glad that these books can be enjoyed by others and stay out of the landfill. It’s hard to part with a collection, for sure, but in the end, it’s a good thing. 

Taste Testing Manischewitz Boxed Desserts

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Kosher for Passover desserts tend to be bland, heavy, and rather unappetizing, yet every year, we all keep making them. Is it the convenience, habit, a mix of both? I’m not sure why, but it really doesn’t seem like Passover without a variety of Manischewitz products. 

If you’ve ever wondered which of their Passover desserts is the best—and worst—this taste test comparison is interesting to read. The sample included brownies, carrot cake, and macaroons, which are widely available. Coffee cake and crumb cake mixes were no where to be found. (Personally, I have only seen brownies and macaroons in my area.)

I love the concept of mixes, but they always seem to disappoint. I’d rather eat fresh fruit desserts that conform to Passover rather than a baked substitute. Regardless, this list will come in handy for next year. 

Is R. Kelly Worse than Bill Cosby? New Documentary Details Decades of Abuse

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A startling new documentary produced by the BBC tries to uncover the truth behind R&B star R Kelly’s alleged abuse of underage girls that stretches back over two decades. 

Always controversial for his explicit lyrics, he was very popular during the 90’s when I was a teen. Most of his songs weren’t my style, but I did like “I Believe I can Fly” which was from the Space Jam soundtrack. 

Throughout the years, there have been persistent rumors that his lyrics were influenced by his unconventional lifestyle—a marriage to singer Aaliyah when she was only 15-years-old, a highly publicized trial that charged him with taping a sexual encounter with another teen girl and urinating on her (he was acquitted), and numerous public appearances with very, very young girls as part of his entourage. 

As if that wasn’t bad enough, sources who were willing to speak on camera claim it’s worse than anyone could’ve imagined, detailing a horrific nightmare that includes girls being held in a virtual harem inside his Chicago home, locked in rooms, beaten, kicked, punched, slapped, starved, and raped. And we’re not talking about one girl, or one incident; this involves tons of girls and tons of unwanted contact. 

Quite frankly, I am shocked and disgusted that R. Kelly has been able to act so openly, without fear of repercussion, year after year, victim after victim, with few authorities taking an interest. Just like Bill Cosby, he has been able to operate as a one-man abuse factory, terrorizing girls around America, while still earning millions of dollars and enjoying celebrity status. 

I don’t know if it was the failed prosecution that prevented more court cases, or a lack of concern because the victims are overwhelmingly black and poor, but it’s absolutely evil and needs to be stopped now. 

In some ways, because he is basically practicing slavery, R. Kelly’s crimes are even worse than Bill Cosby. While Cosby’s victims have suffered tremendously, and I am not downplaying that for a second, none were held in long-term captivity. 

We are supposed to have safeguards in place to protect the vulnerable from predators. One of the most mind-boggling parts of the documentary was hearing a lady say that R. Kelly routinely picks up teens at McDonald’s, shopping malls, and his old high school. This is a fifty-year-old man! Everyone should be extremely creeped out by such inappropriate behavior. 

We have to stop, as a society, worshipping fame and allowing celebrities to commit crimes that average people can’t get away with—especially serious, violent ones that cause lifelong damage for victims. There is more than enough evidence to bring charges; let’s hope someone is brave enough to file them soon. 

 

Bento Bagels: Jewish Food Comes to Japan

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Tokyo, Japan has its first Jewish deli, courtesy of California-based brothers Evan and Ari Bloom. 

Blending flavors, they have created a fusion cuisine that takes popular Jewish foods and gives them a Japanese spin—the most interesting being the Bagel Bento Box. Pick from six flavors of dough (pumpernickel, sesame, poppy, plain, everything, and salt) and add local toppings like yuzu cream cheese and salmon roe.

The brothers are also curing their own pastrami made from Australian beef since the meat is not available locally, and will also be offering perennial favorite matzo ball soup. 

I’m curious to see if the Japanese palette will enjoy this type of food. Hopefully they do, so the market can expand and more delis can open. Very neat idea that can help break down barriers between the two cultures.