A Message From Our Editor
Written by Penina Taylor
When I told this month’s featured personality, Andrea Herzog, that she embodied so much of what UNORTHOBOXED is, she responded, “In other words, I’m weird”. So I stopped and asked myself – is that really what we are all about? Being weird? And while I’m sure there are plenty of people out there who definitely think that I am weird, I honestly don’t believe that’s an accurate picture of what UNORTHOBOXED is. Yes, we use the term, “out-of-the-box” as a euphemism for “weird”, but in the context of Orthodox Judaism, the concept is so much more nuanced than that.
o my mind, being unorthoboxed means that we have the confidence to be true to our own individual relationship with God, while also having the courage to be part of the greater Jewish community, but in a way that is authentic to our own unique way of being.
Owning and living your truth is a concept that feels new in our world, it’s become trendy and the older we get the more we resist “trendy”. But also, we’ve spent so much time trying to fit into the mold, to be accepted and not to stand out – and there’s good reason for that. Ancient man’s survival depended on being a part of the tribe (the original “it takes a village”) and so it’s hard-wired into us not to make too many waves, not to stray too far from “normal”. It’s also one of the basic human needs to be loved and have connection with others. Being “weird” makes it hard to make and keep those connections. And yet, living our truth – when done in a kind and accepting way – is something that actually enhances our connections and creates strong bonds in our relationships – whether they be with other people or with God.
So no, UNORTHOBOXED doesn’t mean weird – it means authentic. It means we refuse to allow the fear of not being accepted to deter us from living our truth – the truth. It means we address areas that need to change, sometimes shedding light in dark corners. But it also means that we educate ourselves on issues that, though uncomfortable, are part of the reality of the world we live in.
March is Women’s History Month and what better time to focus on women and authenticity than Adar – the month we celebrate Purim? In addition, we’ve put a focus on the importance of self-care, something far too many women think they don’t have time for, but don’t realize just how vital that time is to making the rest of our time more effective. It’s hard to live your authentic truth if you’ve lost yourself. So here’s to the March edition of UNORTHOBOXED, and to learning to live our authentic truth!
