Russian Jews

Why do Russians love Ferrero Rocher?

January 31, 2012

If you’ve ever been to a Russian house, you know what I’m talking about.  The tea set comes out, the fruits and nuts come out, and out comes the Ferrero Rocher. Ferrero Rocher is the currency of Russian households.  We received at least three Ferrero Rocher gift boxes this holiday season, and gave out at least two. What is it about this candy that makes it the Mercedes of the Russian community? Is it because it’s just expensive enough ($9.99 ...

14 comments

How I misinterpret Russian song lyrics

January 12, 2012

A couple weeks ago, Mr. B and I ordered Russian cable , because all the best concerts and shows are on in time for New Year and, honestly, watching American TV for New Year is like spending Christmas in Florida, a la Home Alone 2. When you order Russian TV, you get three channels: Perviy Kanal (Channel 1), RTV, and RTV+, I believe.  While these are three Russian channels, they are Russian channels in the same way that mall sushi ...

4 comments

Scotland the Brave: It’s about to get a little anti-Semitic up in Edinburgh. Also, rainy.

January 10, 2012

As you last recall, we were by the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. When we got back to Edinburgh in the evening, we were cold, rainy,and exhausted. But,tough luck, because that night was the first night of Hanukah, and, as you guys know by now, the first Rule of Russian Tourism is : “if you’re here you might as well see OMGEVERYTHING POSSIBLE.” The day before while walking around St. Andrew Square, I spotted the tell-tale Chabad menorah, and ...

3 comments

Jewish Carols

December 19, 2011

I actually wrote this post two years ago but haven’t been brave enough to publish it until now. It’s about a secret love of mine: Christmas carols. Technically, as  a (nonobservant) Jew, I know I shouldn’t enjoy them or sing them, a knowledge that was imparted on me by my mom who, when I was learning Silent Night in third grade, acted as if she was personally experiencing the Inquisition when it gets to the part about yon Virgin and ...

6 comments

Book Review: A Short History of Tractors in Ukranian

November 8, 2011

  Nowadays, everything Soviet is cool again. But, growing up, everything immigrant that my parents did was horrifyingly embarrassing. They packed lunch for me not in Ziploc bags, but in the plastic bags you get from the grocery store.  They didn’t pack Mac n Cheese, and they would NEVER let me buy Lunchables, but there was Russian food. How do you show up to lunch when you have a kelbasa sandwich with Russian rye bread and all your friends have BP and ...

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