Shalom! Welcome to Newish Jewish, formerly Gay Goy Doing Jewish.

This is a personal blog foremost; I’m Bobby, and I write about my Jewish journey from 2019 (5779) to my conversion in 2020 (5781).

But now it’s 2021 and I’m looking to the future, as is my country. America has a new President and Vice-President today, and we have a moral obligation to reverse the staggering creep toward fascism and remove the violent, racist stain of Trumpism from America.

America was founded with that stain, the mark of white supremacy. The work will be difficult. The work began long before me and will continue long after. I am just one white guy.

I recognize that I am blessed to live in a country and at a time where I can speak out against our government and failed leadership. Even in the “best” times and under progressive leadership, too many BIPOC have languished in prisons, in slums, and been killed by our police.

In past generations Jews were on the receiving end of this, too, and I speak out because they could not. I have an individual moral obligation to do so, but also a larger one per Torah.

And lastly, I speak up because this is my country. Past Jews were considered guests in their own countries, even after centuries as integral parts of their cultures. They were never citizens*, and could not openly criticize their failed national leadership. I owe it to them to speak up when I see injustice. They are my spiritual ancestors.

I hope this becomes a place to share ideas, to learn, and welcome all feedback and contributions. A site redesign and re-format helps empower me to think bigger as I continue to learn. I’ll keep posting about Jewish concepts, torah (and Torah), justice and Tikkun Olam, and views from Jews, activists, and artists of all backgrounds and colors.

Together, our voices carry.

Also there will be memes and puns. But first a prayer for new beginnings:

.בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ, מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה

Baruch atah,
Adonai Eloheinu,
Melech haolam,
shehecheyanu,
v’kiy’manu,
v’higiyanu
laz’man hazeh.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God,
Sovereign of all,
who has kept us alive,
sustained us, and
brought us to this season.

Bobby Apperson
January 20, 2021

*this changed in the late 1800s, but Jews were quickly expelled from those countries, including Germany.