In "How a girl named Yomaira became Yehudit" (The Jewish Star), we meet a beautiful young woman named Yehudit who was formerly known as Yomaira.
Because the Orthodox Jewish world, especially the one on Facebook, is "this big," I remember seeing Yehudit's wedding photos pop up on my "news feed" earlier this month. When I saw her face, I smiled as I often do when I see the happy, smiling, smugly married faces of other Jews of color. It adds some balance to my world, especially after getting so many, frequent letters from those who are struggling in the Jewish dating world. (Sorry, guys, I'm still not ready to try my hand at matchmaking!)
I also smiled because Yehudit's gorgeous face kinda reminded me of a couple of my Dominican relatives. I don't know that Yehudit is actually Dominican (though Yomaira's a pretty Dominican name) but she looks more "classically" Dominican than I do, since most people imagine that Dominicans are all dark-skinned. This last week someone asked me if there are any Dominicans with naturally straight hair and I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes. (Yes, there are plenty of Hispanics, even Dominicans, with naturally straight hair. Despite my Daddy's straight-haired genes, I'm just not one of them!)
Of course, I feel connected to all Jews but I do have a special place in my heart for Jewess of color, especially those who have walked the tough path of conversion and as this article notes come from particularly difficult, impoverished and violent homes. I guess what I mean is that I have a special place in my heart for Jewish survivors and I can only wish that many more of us are blessed with happy endings.
