Moment magazine. Jan/Feb 2015 pg. 20.
For a quick overview of the complexities of the word zaftig, take a look at the Los Angeles Jewish Home’s video circulating online in which its residents demystify the meaning of the word. Charlotte Seeman says that zaftig means “a little bit on the heavy side,” to which the moderator, Marty Finkelstein, asks, “But in a good way?” “They look a little, if you’ll pardon the expression, appetizing to other people,” adds Yetta Dorfman. Esther Berlin is less effusive. “It’s a shame because they don’t take care of themselves and do something about it,” she says, prompting the chivalrous gentleman of the group, Irving Rubinstein, to defend the zaftig dame’s honor. “It’s kind of a sexy, plump, attractive woman,” he concludes.
Not the First (or Last) Jew in Spain
Moment magazine blog: In The Moment. July 29, 2011.
While studying abroad in Spain this spring, I found myself unintentionally making numerous trips to the southern town of Córdoba– it served as a stop along the way in order to make the most of my EuroRail pass at the end of the semester. Córdoba’s storied Jewish heritage manifested itself when my sister and I were lucky enough to find the Mazal Sephardic restaurant (pun very intended) during my second visit…We were transported between two different worlds as the Rabbi delivered a sermon and led us through the Spanish haggadah, and then brought us right back to our hometown synagogue, it would seem, as soon as he began to sing in Hebrew. Even his inherent Jewish kibitzing couldn’t be lost in translation.
Destination Bar Mitzvahs: Spoiled or Inspired?
Moment magazine blog: In The Moment. July 26, 2010.
The moment I first heard that there was such a thing as a “destination Bar or Bat mitzvah”, I wasn’t that surprised, just a little nauseous. The images of private jets and lots of chattering 13-year-olds on an all expenses paid trip to the Caribbean to celebrate turning another year older could potentially taint the sanctity of the generations of tradition of being called to the bima.
Soap Opera Worthy: Franco in ‘Super Sad’ Trailer
Moment magazine blog: In The Moment. July 16, 2010.
The next book on my summer reading list will definitely be Gary Shteyngart’s newest dystopian novel Super Sad True Love Story. Maybe it is because of Erica Jong’s rave review in the July/August issue of Moment, or because I feel slightly sorry for the satirical author’s skewed sexual awakening at Oberlin College, which Jong revealed in her interview with him in the same issue, or maybe it is because his sense of humor seems to evoke that “I am so uncomfortable, but this is hysterical” feeling of a Judd Apatow film. But it is probably because I love James Franco.
Moment magazine blog: In The Moment. July 14, 2010.
Like most Jews of a certain age, I came back from my Birthright trip saying it was “amazing” and “impossible to describe.” You really did “just have to be there” to understand. However, upon my return from Taglit this past winter break, I launched right into my jam-packed college schedule. I had sorority recruitment, spring classes, and an online internship waiting for me. They left little time to increase my observance of Shabbat.
The Jap is Losing its Religion
Moment magazine blog: In The Moment. June 22, 2010.
Maybe I am sensitive because I happen to be a Jewish teenager (until the end of October), but has anyone else noticed the focus in the media in recent years on the mystical legend that is the Jewish American Princess, especially from Long Island? I’ll admit; I take it as a compliment when people are surprised that I come from such a place, but come on, are we all really that bad?
A ‘Moment’ at the White House
Moment magazine blog: In The Moment. June 2, 2010.
Those of you religious “The Daily Show” watchers may have noticed that Jon Stewart mentioned Moment magazine in last night’s broadcast. You didn’t? Maybe you didn’t watch that short clip close enough, but Stewart took a slight jab at President Obama’s reception at the White House in recognition of Jewish American Heritage month. Moment’s editor and publisher Nadine Epstein was among the honored guests in attendance.
Hilary Weissman 