Welcome to Litsy!

By far the most exciting read is The Chosen... to hear the familiar streets of Williamsburg described in the opening chapter as "cracked squares of cement,.. softened in the stifling summers,'... my small, crowded district of Brooklyn.... A book about my home! ...

What a wonderful new sensation, to delve into the pages of a book and realize that the familiar sense of alienation, of confusion, was gone.

"Don't you see, girls," Mrs. Meizlish proclaims, "how easy it is to fall into that category of choteh umachteh es harabim, the sinner who makes others sin, the worst sinner of all, simply by failing to uphold the highest standards of modesty? Every time a man catches a glimpse of any part of your body that the Torah says should be covered, he is sinning. But worse, you have caused him to sin. It is you who will bear the responsibility..."

I brought a bunch of books to our local used bookstore, clearing out some shelf space. So it was clear what I had to do next, right?? 🤣 I need some help, though, Littens. I‘m not a #romance reader, but I‘m trying to venture out of my comfort zone lately so I brought a few home with me. Which one should I start with? #shoplocal #bookhaul

@BarbaraJean I want to read The Promise from your list (and The Chosen, the book that precedes it)…but I‘m also hyper-conscious of the fact that I need to increase my awareness about our current political reality & the history that‘s gotten us here. It feels daunting…and it feels important.

A friend recommended some resources (which I‘ll link to in the comments). If anyone has additional (or contrary) suggestions or advice, please let me know.💞

I waited so long for this to actually come to the library and then for it to be my turn to listen to it
I loved it and now I can watch the Netflix series
Men shouldn‘t be allowed to be in charge of anything imo

I took a mental health day ❤️ I made a big breakfast for my husband who still went to school, I puttered, I went to the post office and finally mailed a package that‘s been waiting for months to get sent ( I have beat the baby‘s arrival so yay me) I bought my sister a Christmas present, got McDonald‘s for lunch and I‘m making chicken stew for dinner. I feel like a human being instead of a crazy educator for once

I have waited for this forever

This was about Deborah‘s experiences growing up in a strict Hasidic sect in Williamsburg, NY. Her discovery of books and reading, learning to think for herself and what lead to her decision to leave.

The Promise is a sequel to Potok‘s The Chosen, and it‘s just as thought-provoking & reflective. It follows Reuven Malter, a young Orthodox Jew in post-WWII NYC, during his time in seminary, as he struggles to define his faith in contrast to more conservative and more liberal sects within his community. I was fascinated by parallels to contemporary debates between fundamentalist/evangelical Christians & more progressive versions of Christianity.⤵️

@DinoMom is doing a fun giveaway, and to enter for an opportunity you only need to fill out a short Google form linked on her post. Enter before August 1st.
#AThingADay
#HappyMail