“Why be a second-rate version of someone else when you can be a first-rate version of yourself?” That’s just one of the brilliant soundbites from Karen’s conversation with Tony Westbrook, aka @frumjewishblackboy. Tony is so full of enthusiasm for joyful, non-judgmental Judaism, and his discussion with Karen about what it’s like being an Orthodox queer Black Jewish person, how he lives his most authentic Jewish life, and why the only constant in Judaism is change is one you won’t want to miss.

 

You’ll find out:

 

- How Tony became an accidental TikTok star

- What the next generation of Jews are looking for in communal life

- Why the butts-in-seats model of Jewish communal engagement is out of date 

- How he uses social media as a way to channel his lighthearted side despite spending most of his time dealing with serious Jewish communal issues on the job

- Why it’s important to bring out the fun side of Judaism

- How to deal when your Jewish identity don’t fit into a box

- Tony’s tips on finding the courage to live your most authentic life

- What it means to be a Jew and a person of color in today’s world

- How Jewish communities can make themselves more welcoming

LINKS:

 

Tony’s Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/frumjewishblackboy/?hl=en

Tony’s TikTok

https://www.tiktok.com/@frumjewishblackboy?lang=en

Karen and Tony in Tel Aviv on the Jews Talk Justice trip

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CbSmMjzAKkI/

Smashing Life, my private Jewish community

https://smashinglife.club/