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Kibbitznik

Alyssa Goldstein
April 6, 2011
by Alyssa Goldstein Greetings, millions of potential readers. Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Alyssa Goldstein, a Bard student, majoring in Sociology and Middle Eastern studies, where I’m the head of a group called Students for a Just Peace in Israel/Palestine and the former head of the Jewish Students Organization. I’m from an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood in Brooklyn. I can bake the meanest vegan cupcakes you’ve ever tasted. I love organic vegetable gardens. I’m a sex educator in training. I’m an alumna of the Hashomer Hatzair youth movement, where I explored the joys and pitfalls of communitarian Socialism and informal education. My half-siblings are Israeli. I’ve lived in Israel — few months on Kibbutz, few months in a commune, and I’ve been there numerous times besides. Last summer I visited the West Bank to see my boyfriend, who is from Ramallah. We are not Romeo and Juliet. I am a feminist, and behind that word is a commitment to standing against all forms of oppression, be it racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, classism, etc. My politics are considered very left in America — even more so in Israel. If you try watching movies or TV shows with me, you will find me insufferable because I will sociologically critique EVERYTHING. Give me some piece of media you love and I will ruin it for you. You will never be able to enjoy anything ever again. You’re welcome. Blogging here is going to be super exciting, y’all.