Life, Love, Lox: Real-World Advice for the Modern Jewish Girl

by Carin Davis

Like Manischewitz with a twist, this saucy book will show the young Chosen Ones how to mix their Jewish roots with their happenin’ lifestyles. Bursting with playful anecdotes and amusing advice, Life, Love, Lox is the essential companion for any Jew looking to squeeze a little style out of the ol’ Torah. Ten chapters in all—like “Challapalooza,” “How to Lose a Guy in Ten Plagues,” and “Lox, Stock, and Bagel”—dish on how to put together Shabbat dinner for the real world, how to meet the (observant) parents, and how to embrace the high holy days with style. Covering everything from Kosher Kissing and making matzah balls to Speed-Dating and the Dayenu Diet, Life, Love, Lox is the best thing to happen to modern Jews since the Glatt Kosher hot dog cart at Yankee Stadium. This is a humorous girlfriend’s guide to living the hip life while keeping it Jewish.

Genres: Nonfiction, Judaism

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Carin Davis, an award-winning singles columnist and feature writer for The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles, was first introduced to the plight of the single Jewish girl at age nine, when no one asked her to the B’nai Tikvah Purim Carnival. Brian asked Andrea, Evan asked Rachel, and poor Carin spent the night alone, trying to win a goldfish in a plastic bag. Over the years, she sharpened her social skills slow dancing at Bar Mitzvahs and flirting at AE Phi formals. In 2001, she began sharing her Of Mice and Mensch dating adventures with Jewish Journal readers. In addition to her work in The Journal, Carin’s feature and sports articles have appeared in Jewish newspapers across the country.
Carin graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude from UCLA, with a BA in Communication Studies. Before sundown, she works as the Vice-President of an animation company. In her free time, she hosts Iron Chef: Matzah parties, Torah and Tonic Shabbats, and volunteers with The Jewish Federation.

From: http://www.lifelovelox.com/html/bio.html

Reviews

[Lenny · Rating 1 out of 5]

LOL! "Life, Love, Lox" tries to present as a cheeky, witty guide for "modern Jewish girls," with a generous helping of Yiddish and Jewish inside-jokes meant to disarm us.

There is nothing remotely feminist or inclusive here. Jewish feminism isn't even discussed, nor are new rituals and prayers for women's lifecycle events, or modern Jewish heroines. A bris (circumcision) is included in lifecycle events, but not the nearly ubiquitous girl's baby naming - nice to see where us Jewish girls stand from birth according to Carin Davis! And the "Jewish dating" chapter assumes only straight couples exist. This book doesn't represent my Jewish values as a modern Jew and I cringe to think what a non-Jew, or potential convert, would think of us if they pick this up.

This book's thin coat of paint as a fun and flirty how-to-Jew for girls instead hides something far more insidious: women are second class citizens in traditional Judaism. Less important than sons on day one, we should know every Yiddish word, only marry nice Jewish boys, effortlessly prepare seven course meals for Shabbat, and leave the questioning to the men. LGBTQ and nonbinary Jews aren't welcome, nor is an actual serious conversation of Jewish feminism, which had to rebuild tradition from the ground up in progressive movements.

Refuting what this book tries to peddle as authentic Judaism is why I'm a proud Reform Jew.

Will happily toss like chametz before Pesach. Good riddance.

[ahava · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I’ve had it in my possession for a while and finally dove in to read and I read it all in one day. I’m a Jewish convert that’s no longer in a big Jewish community where there’s an over abundance of things to do or learn. This book helped me remember things I’ve already forgotten or didn’t know or just made me laugh. She includes an everything you need to know chapter about each holiday big or small. I love the extra touch of recipes, some I’ll be making eventually, as well as all the words you must know in Yiddish or “heebonics”. I also appreciate the rich girl humor and pop culture references. It made me want to be in the Catskills.

[Rachel Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical advice delivered in a humorous way. This was a fun book to read.

[Shanarachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smart, clever, witty information about being Jewish told with a refreshing and humorous perspective.