"One of #HeyAlma’s favorite #Jewish #books of last year was “Hazel Says No” — and no, it’s not just because our site gets name-dropped.

#Author #JessicaBergerGross’ debut #novel follows 18-year-old Hazel Greenberg Blum, a Jewish girl from #Brooklyn finding herself, literally and metaphorically, after her family moves to small-town #Maine. While there, Hazel is forced to turn down the untoward advances of her new principal and deal with blatant #antisemitism, all while trying to get into #college and become a #writer. The #book is authentic to #Jewishness and young #womanhood, proudly defiant and has oh-so-much heart."

https://www.heyalma.com/hazel-says-no-is-perfect-for-your-jewish-book-club/

I Used to Be Observant. Now I’m Rediscovering Judaism on My Own Terms - Over the past five years, I’ve spent my time finding the pieces of my religion that work for me. By Miriam Herman March 28, 2024

"...Things weren’t adding up: Fellow Jews do everything [Rambam] says, but his peers thought he was wrong? Is the rabbi I follow also wrong? Who is right? What is God asking of me? My 1st reason for being religious, [obeying God]...was now, in fact, in question.

...I analyzed the religious leaders around me & what I saw hurt me. They didn’t keep my confidences; they judged me harshly; they were inconsistent...

I realized I couldn’t simply follow Jewish law...in the hopes that it would connect me to God & make me a good person..."

A lot of people are treated badly by today's ortho rabbinate, who are often arrogant, misogynistic, and who choose *interpretations* that are hurtful or just plain wrong. But Judaism isn't the problem - they are.

#Mazeldon #Jewniverse #JFedi #JewishWomen #HeyAlma