Maybe because of my exposure to things Jewish before coming to live in London (in 2004) was practically non-existent, I can’t help having a heightened sensibility to notice Jewish things around.
It’s the good thing about having an outsider’s view; it makes you be more receptive, more aware. Although, in saying that, it makes me think also of how many other things I might be taking for granted, for I’m probably as much an outsider as an insider here.
Anyway, here you are a testimony of ethnic identity, Jewish in this case, still playing a defining role for many people. Also, by the way, a visual record of advertising performing phagocytosis on a black cab.
Apart than that, want to hear the latest (and hyperlinked) Jewish news of this blogger’s life? Probably not, but I’m telling you nonetheless:
- A colleague has recently moved to Stamford Hill to find he was among the largest Hasidic community in Europe.
- The same colleague told me of his surprise at having spotted an overtly camp “black hat” (colloquial term for orthodox Jewish geezers) walking around Soho. Or was he maybe a bearded hipster?
- A non-Jewish acquaintance has just married a Jewish man.
- I’m becoming a big fan of bagels; maybe it all started with the hot salt-beef bagels of Brick Lane.
- I’m also a big fan of Larry David, from whom I've learned more about Jewish things.
- But if you heard the story about the hole in the sheet through which to have sex (and you may have if you are a fan of Larry David too), know it’s a myth, sorry.
Shalom now.
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