Mazel tov to us! OOTOB has reached 50,000 pageviews since its inception in July.
I have no idea if that is a cool milestone in the world of blogging, but it’s sure exciting to me! So here’s what I’m gonna do to say thank you to all of you, my dear readers, for bringing us to this moment: I’m giving away a Maccabeats CD!
Why?
I feel that the Maccabeats are totally in sync with my mission of Jewish unity. When their CD came out last year, Jews from all over the place were suddenly overcome with Jewish pride. It was such an amazing Jewish unifier, and I am proud to promote them. They are proud Jews, talented Jews, and Jews that know how to unify Jews with a positive message.
So here’s what you need to do: leave me a comment telling me how OOTOB has made a difference to you. Big or small, general or personal, an overriding feeling or a specific post. And/or, leave a comment about the Maccabeats! Do you love them? Have they made a difference in your Jewish indentity, or in your kids’? In 3 days I will randomly choose a winner!
Woohoo!
I LOVE the Maccabeats, and their Chanukah song has been played countless times in my family — getting non-observant and more observant members bobbing their heads together. OOTOB has helped me to better understand some aspects of Orthodox life that one of my dearest friends leads, and for that I am thankful.
wow! it's amazing to be part of the bloggeing world and meet someone like you…
I love your blog Ruchi! Your blog has been a place where I get to think about my Yiddishkeit in a positive and thoughtful way, and read all the great comments you get, too. Thank you!
In addition to your clear, caring, and light-hearted discussions about Judaism, I love the range of comments you get on this blog. I come from a family that ranges across the spectrum, and I like having multiple perspectives join in the conversation. I am grateful a FB friend pointed me to your blog. Love it!
OOTOB has opened up to me a world of Judaism and also of ways I can be a better person. Your thoughtful posts remind me to be mindful in every day life.
And the Maccabeats? I love them! A Capella singing is wonderful when done well and the Maccabeats really put their hearts into their songs.
Your blog has helped to facilitate conversations between myself, my husband and friends (as conversation starters). It's also enabled some really interesting dialogue and furthered my own thoughts on many of the ideas you write about and the stories you tell.
The Maccabeats have opened up some new ways of teaching my Sunday school kids about Judaism and using their songs as ways of introducing Jewish holidays and concepts to kids who are still learning about these concepts. Music is an awesome way to teach Judaism!
Keep up the fabulous work Ruchi!
Thank you for your blog. It's given me a much better vision of orthodox Judaism.
Your blog is the only one I know that has Orthodox and non Orthodox alike reading about Orthodox Judaism and all commenters respecting each other– no nasty debates! 🙂 It's got fun topics covered with a sense of humor and a love for Judaism! Maccabeats– I've only heard a couple of their songs but I'm generally a huge fan of Jewish acapella music so our whole family would enjoy this cd for sure.
okay, hi, I totally agree with your take on the Maccabeats (and have little patience with people who nitpick about this or that observance or the other they or anyone else may or may not observe) (if that was too negative, you're welcome to edit it out). My kids know EVERY WORD of their youTube videos by heart!
As for this blog, the fact that I can comfortably recommend it to ANYONE without worrying about offending is pretty darn impressive! Bravo to you, dear mentor. 😉
I appreciate how you welcome questions and observations from people with different styles and levels of observance, and also how you take great care to answer thoughtfully.
Your blog always gives me (an Orthodox woman from birth) lots of food for thought. I'm still thinking about how we meet people in Chapter 3..what a concept! I love how you manage to connect and not insult all segments of Judaism, a rarity for sure. Keep up the great work! Maccabeats are so much a part of my kids life that the people of the Chanukah story became the Maccabeats instead of the Maccabim. And hey, it doesn't hurt that they are from my Alma Mater 🙂
I'm not even sure how to put into words how your blog has affected me. The Maccabeats, heck, they're easy– the music is unity personnified- Jews of all backgrounds come together over it. You, you're not so simple. I mean, Jews of all backgrounds can come together over it, but it's not just that. It's that this blog may well be the first time I've seen a public forum of true, honest, nonjudgmental Torah Judaism put out there. Viewed by all, commented on respectfully by all (or all that make it through the filter, but it really hurts me to think there are negative comments that you have to see and delete), internalized by all. You are truly a Kiddush Hashem, my friend and teacher, and my one sadness is that I don't live in Cleveland where you can be my rebbitzen as well.
Your blog is very important to me. I love having Jews from different backgrounds and outlooks sharing thoughts and feelings in a sincere and respectful manner. And the Maccabeats are great! I love their energy and their ability to reach Jews who might not usually enjoy "Jewish music", and I also appreciate that they make their videos "kosher" so all can enjoy [ loved it that they used a toddler Queen Esther for Purim ].
You always have something to say that makes me think and strive to be a better person
Ruchi,
Not to kiss up to get a Maccabeats CD, which I'm not above doing, but I thoroughly enjoy your blog. It's funny, thought-provoking and engaging. I like that you don't just go over the same theme again and again, as many blogs do. And you answered my burning question about the correlation between Orthodox Jews and Slurpees. For that alone, I thank you.
The Maccabeats are genius. I love watching the videos with my kids; I use them as a special treat when they finish a job like picking up their clothes. We love it when the "Greeks" throw down their weapons and run away!
The recent post about meeting in Chapter 3 was significant for me for several reasons. One, is that I have learned from you that we are here to have a positive impact. Just this morning, I was able to paraphase your post to help someone else look at a situation differently because it didn't occur to her that there were chapters 1 and 2 that would have provided her greater insight. She left my office feeling as though she learned something and will think about things differently in the future.
I love the Maccabeats. They're music is so fun – my kids are learning a lot more about Judaism through their music. And watching them dance to it is hilarious!!
Ruchi,
I love your blog – I have Jewish ancestry and have always been interested in Orthodox practices even though I am a Christian. one question – I notice that you never type out the last letter of the alphabet if it is capitalized – can you please explain that if you don't mind. You sound like a great mother – that's something I admire in women of all cultures and belief systems.
Emily
Hi Emily! Thank you so much for your great feedback. I'm not sure what you mean by "you never type out the last letter of the alphabet if it is capitalized" – can you give me an example? And thanks for the parenting compliment – you'll have to ask my kids if that's true 🙂
Ruchi,
I didn't want to type it out in case it was offensive to you, but what I meant was when you were talking about someone named "Zack" you typed " ack" but when the letter z is in the middle of a word you spell it out the regular way. There's another place in your blog where you had typed out "SNOO E" instead of "SNOOZE".
By the way, my kids are grown up now, and they are really starting to show appreciation, and even sometimes tell me that they were so glad I made them do something tough even though they complained at the time – so hang in there!
Thanks,
Emily
Emily, trust me when I tell you it was a total typo! Although I do try to proof my work… I'm only human!
And thanks for the encouraging words 🙂 And for being a loyal reader!
Ruchi, I love your blog because it keeps me honest in a way that I don't often demand from myself. And I love the new improved honest me!
Thanks so much everyone!!!
many thx to you, ruchi, for being "out there" and offering great insights and to all of us, from anywhere on the wide spectrum of Judaism, the chance for honest discussion and introspection.
and all the best to everyone "out there" in cyberspace.
Mazel Tov on making it to 50,000 views! You are doing great work!
Thanks all!!
Mazel tov to Erica Lemberger, the lucky winner! Email me your contact info and I will send you your CD! Thanks all for participating, for all your kind words, and most importantly, for being part of an historic conversation between Jews of all kinds that is respectful and educational.
Mazel tov to Erica! enjoy.
How exciting! Thank you Ruchi for your wonderful blog, sharing of information, and Maccabeats CD!