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A Slice of Life
by Francine Brokaw
The Shiksa Syndrome by Laurie Graff
Aimee Albert knows about spinning things to work the way she wants them to. After all, she’s a publicist. But can she spin her life to get the man she wants?
Aimee is a typical Jewish American Princess living in Manhattan. Unfortunately, her boyfriend is not Jewish and soon the two come to a parting of the ways. They want different things out of life. He wants his acting career and she wants, well, she wants something different, including Jewish children.
With the influence of her friend Krista who is not Jewish but wants a Jewish husband, Aimee reluctantly joins JDate, a dating service for Jewish singles. Then she signs on to a site that is for non Jewish women (Shiksas) who want a Jewish man. What harm could that do?
After her breakup Aimee is sullen and depressed so to cheer her up her brother gets her a complete makeover. Even Krista doesn’t recognize her at first glance. She is a new woman. Well, a new woman on the outside, but inside she is still the sweet, warm, Jewish American Princess who wants to find the man of her dreams.
At the first Jewish singles soiree Aimee briefly meets Josh who doesn’t want anything to do with her. But they meet again, this time with her new appearance and at a gathering of Shiksas who want to meet Jewish men. Thinking she is not a Jew, Josh is immediately taken with her. He has had enough of Jewish girlfriends. He says they are controlling and not what he wants out of a woman. What could it hurt to keep up the charade for a little while? Aimee goes along with it and while they are seeing each other, well, they fall in love.
Unable to tell him the truth, Aimee keeps up the ruse. She takes him to “church” for Easter (something she’s never done before), and he “introduces” her to Jewish holidays. All the while she just cannot bring herself to tell him the truth.
What will happen when he finally learns the truth? What will happen to the love and trust they share?
Aimee misses living her Jewish life. She gives some of her Jewish belongings to her friend to keep for awhile so Josh won’t find them in her apartment. She learns what a Shiksa wears, what a Shiksa drinks, and how a Shiksa makes love, thanks to her best friend. But before that, she has to decide which kind of Shiksa she is pretending to be. Is she a Protostant? Catholic? Baptist? Apparently, each one of these behaves differently, according to Krista. Who would have thought?
This is a humorous story of one woman looking for true love, but can that be based on a lie? As Aimee is educated in the art of being a Shiksa, she must pretend to learn the ways of Judaism. Crazy? Of course it is. But it’s funny and entertaining too. On the one hand, you have this Jewish woman pretending to be a Shiksa to meet a nice Jewish man who doesn’t want a Jewish woman but prefers Shiksas, and you have Krista who is a Shiksa and who wants to meet and marry a Jewish man. On the other hand, you have some very funny circumstances as well as some interesting characters.
It’s a fun read.
For those readers who do not understand Yiddish or Jewish phrases, there is a glossary in the back of the book, but for the most part this book will be enjoyed by Jewish readers as well as non-Jewish readers. After all, Krista is learning these words too.
© 2008 Francine Brokaw
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