California journalist and Forward contributor Lisa Alcalay Klug has authored the new book Cool Jew: The Ultimate Guide for Every Member of the Tribe (Andrews McMeel Publishing), a funny compendium of Jews in pop culture, holiday survival guides, fashion and style tips, crash courses in “Kabba Lah Lah” and more. Klug’s self-proclaimed “pride in Jewish culture, schmaltz and a reverent irreverence” shines through on every page. The Forward’s Josh Richman caught up with Klug on topics ranging from her own upbringing to her love of the Mani-Tini (a concoction involving vodka, fruit juice and Manischewitz Blackberry) and more.
Josh Richman: Being the daughter of an Ashkenazic Holocaust survivor and the descendant of a Sephardic chief rabbi of Sarajevo doesn’t immediately sound like a recipe for religious irreverence. Tell us a little about your upbringing.
Lisa Alcalay Klug: Actually, being the product of an Ashkenazic-Sephardic home lends itself well to irreverence. Our home was like a cultural Cuisinart. My mom’s accent is a bit like Ricky Ricardo’s, and my dad’s is more like Dr. Ruth’s. My book is in no way autobiographical, but once you know my background, you can read some of that between the lines. My parents’ rich Jewish experiences took root in other countries and cultures. And “Cool Jew” grew out of all the ways I’ve sought to create meaningful Jewish experiences of my own. I’m not fond of labels, but you might say I’m an Ashkefardic Neo-Hasidish Shomeret Shabbat Carlebachian Post-Labelficationist Sheebster. (more)
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