Figuring out how to celebrate Chanukah http://www.jta.org/ENTRY_PERMALINK_HERE/figuring-out-how-to-celebrate-chanukah/ JTA's family living columnist, Lisa Keys, aka JewMama, reflects on her quest to figure out the best way to celebrate Chanukah. en-us jewmama@jta.org Copyright 2008 2008-12-08T;22:48:00-05:00 Comment by danny bloom danbloom@gmail.com A reader wrote to me by email re my comment above about the JewMama pen name, in a polite and friendly email, the reader told me: “Danny, Your comment to Lisa keys regarding her penname comes across as mean-spirited and petty, and it makes my feel saddened—especially after reading such a warm-spirited and hearthfelt piece that this women had written.” In which case, I say: “Sorry. Didn’t mean to sound mean spirited or petty. So I apologize” But I am still curious, can someone teach me: how is JEWMAMA a cute name? Is KIKEMAMA next? I mean, HEBE magazine, okay, Blacks say the N word, we Jews can say the HEBE word, to make fun of the slur and redeem it, I guess. but “JEWMAMA”?  I guess it’s okay because the editors here let it go, so I defer to their judgment, but I find the term offensive, and I’m Jewish. Why not come up with a better name for the column like “Living the Jewish Life” or Living La Vida Judaica” or something cute.....but JEWMAMA....oi.....but maybe i am just too old,,,,,60 now....to appreciate the new slang people use nowadays...... and in which case, if my age is showing, I do apologize. Does anyone else feel the same way I do, or I am just singular about this? A reader wrote to me by email re my comment above about the JewMama pen name, in a polite and friendly email, the reader told me: “Danny, Your comment to Lisa keys regarding her penname comes across as mean-spirited and petty, and it makes my feel saddened—especially after reading such a warm-spirited and hearthfelt piece that this women had written.”

In which case, I say: “Sorry. Didn’t mean to sound mean spirited or petty. So I apologize”

But I am still curious, can someone teach me: how is JEWMAMA a cute name? Is KIKEMAMA next? I mean, HEBE magazine, okay, Blacks say the N word, we Jews can say the HEBE word, to make fun of the slur and redeem it, I guess. but “JEWMAMA”?  I guess it’s okay because the editors here let it go, so I defer to their judgment, but I find the term offensive, and I’m Jewish. Why not come up with a better name for the column like “Living the Jewish Life” or Living La Vida Judaica” or something cute.....but JEWMAMA....oi.....but maybe i am just too old,,,,,60 now....to appreciate the new slang people use nowadays...... and in which case, if my age is showing, I do apologize. Does anyone else feel the same way I do, or I am just singular about this?

]]> 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Comment by Charisse davidson Lapetvet@ca.rr.com I really enjoyed your article and do not find anything offensive about your pen name thank you so much for such a great article about chanuka I’ve just started cekebrating it again myself since we’ve had small kids now 3 and 1 1/2 years old I really enjoyed your article and do not find anything offensive about your pen name thank you so much for such a great article about chanuka I’ve just started cekebrating it again myself since we’ve had small kids now 3 and 1 1/2 years old

]]> 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Comment by danny bloom danbloom@gmail.com Lisa Keys, your pen name here of JewMama is not a good name to use here. You are a Jewish mother, a Jewish woman, a Jewish wife, a Jewish mom, but using this ugly almost antisemitic term of “JewMama” ...I found this repulsive. I know you are playing with Yo Mama. But it is not funny, and borders on being antisem. Couldn’t you find a better pen name than that? Or at least get a second opinion before you went public with it? It stinks! Danny Bloom author “Bubbie and Zadie Come to My House” http://bubbieandzadiefiles.blogspot.com Lisa Keys, your pen name here of JewMama is not a good name to use here. You are a Jewish mother, a Jewish woman, a Jewish wife, a Jewish mom, but using this ugly almost antisemitic term of “JewMama” ...I found this repulsive. I know you are playing with Yo Mama. But it is not funny, and borders on being antisem. Couldn’t you find a better pen name than that? Or at least get a second opinion before you went public with it? It stinks!

Danny Bloom
author
“Bubbie and Zadie Come to My House”
http://bubbieandzadiefiles.blogspot.com

]]> 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Comment by Michael Malk michaelmalk@hotmail.com One solution to not wanting to appear inconsistent by lighting Channukah candles and not Shabbat candles is.....to light Shabbat candles Especially in a time when we need to bring more light to the world see http://www.fridaylight.org One solution to not wanting to appear inconsistent by lighting Channukah candles and not Shabbat candles is.....to light Shabbat candles smile Especially in a time when we need to bring more light to the world see http://www.fridaylight.org

]]> 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00