Are Ukrainian Jews Political Pawns or Actual Targets?

April 17, 2014 By Aliza Worthington

As I sat in my kitchen, munching on matzah crack (chocolate-covered matzah, for the uninitiated) as my sole tribute to the Passover holiday, I struggled to absorb the news of that bastard in Kansas City who targeted Jews with his guns (and the Missouri MAYOR who agrees with him.) Then I read this afternoon that in Ukraine, Jews exiting their Erev Passover synagogue services were handed flyers demanding they “register” their religion and property with the government. In an extremely volatile political... Read more

Invocation

April 13, 2014 By Aliza Worthington

As a Jew, I’ve sat through my share of interminable sermons. I’ve endured excruciatingly long bar mitzvah services and naming ceremonies. Having a Catholic husband has also exposed me to long masses and wordy pre-meal prayers. Now, I’m not really the praying type. However, I’m very happy to respect the prayer rituals of those around me and bow my head to contemplate what is being said. After all – I figure, “There’s gotta be something in here I can agree... Read more

American Blogger – A Trailer Review

April 9, 2014 By Aliza Worthington

I recently watched a trailer for the new “documentary” coming out called “American Blogger.” Documentary is in quotation marks because it should really be called an “advertisement.” No, no, I realize a trailer is an advertisement for a movie, but based on the trailer’s impression, what I’m saying is that it seems the actual movie will be more of an advertisement of their cross-country “journey” and “brand” than a documentary… Read the rest of my review of the trailer over at Lefty Pop, and... Read more

Quiz Me.

March 14, 2014 By Aliza Worthington

“Who am I, at this stage in my life?” I wondered. I was feeling that middle-aged malaise…dissatisfied, reaching for something but I didn’t quite know what. So I did what any rational, college-educated woman of my stature would do. I took quizzes on Facebook to figure it out. Scary Mommy quizzes, Buzzfeed quizzes, Zimbio quizzes – you name it. Here are the conclusive, if surprising results. According to the Scary Mommy quiz, I should have only two children. This is... Read more

Spider Meets Winshield.

February 24, 2014 By Aliza Worthington

Once upon a time, I was driving to pick up my son from baseball tryouts. Then I had company looking at me from the other side of the windshield. Here is the poorly drawn story of our relationship. We were at a red light. She seemed happy to see me. Then the light turned green. Red light. Green light. Red light. Green light. The end. Read more

Say It With Me: “I Believe You.” (trigger warning – child molestation)

February 18, 2014 By Aliza Worthington

I don’t pretend to know what happened in the colossally fucked-up family dynamic into which Dylan Farrow had the misfortune of being born. I realize our legal system was originally set up to make it harder to convict someone than to acquit him or her. In practice, this allows for great travesties of justice unserved, but in theory, I believe that is still how it should be. All I have is my gut feeling – this is all ANYONE has,... Read more

Mama Mika and Papa Joe

February 15, 2014 By Aliza Worthington

Here’s how I imagine the conversation between Mika and Joe (of Morning Joe) and Governor Chris Christie went. It’s over on Lefty Pop. 🙂 Read more

Bizarre Love Triangle – Baseball Edition*

February 6, 2014 By Aliza Worthington

*This piece was originally published on September 3, 2012. In honor of Ralph Kiner’s passing and his voice, here is an edited version of that post. I was born in May 1969. The New York Mets went on to defeat the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series that year. Coincidence? I think NOT. My dad took me to many games at Shea Stadium. Rain delays and extra innings meant extra time at the ballpark. I spent hours watching Mets... Read more

Let Us Pray – Or Not

February 5, 2014 By Aliza Worthington

“…Prayer and I have a complicated relationship — I’m sure I’m not alone in this. I regard it with a mix of condescension, skepticism, and respect. ‘Pfft. Like PRAYING is gonna help make something happen,’ to ‘Wow. Look at the comfort and peace she gets from prayer.’ Of course, this was based on which type of prayer I considered the ‘right’ kind…” Read the rest over at Purple Clover! Read more

Guest Posting at LeftyPop!

February 1, 2014 By Aliza Worthington

In honor? keeping? line? with the upcoming Olympics, I’ve written about my favorite sport – Political Gymnastics! Thanks, LeftyPop, for inviting me to write over at your place! And, heyyyyy! Where’s my sucker??? Click here to read the score Elie Wiesel gave Tom Perkins on the balance beam. Read more