Tanya Hoshovsky, at The Blogs

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Apr 1, 2021, 12:22 AM

The fatal mistake of dismissing questions

I’m open to correction on this topic. I'm not a psychologist, educator or parent and I cannot claim any expertise or wisdom. Yet, time and time again, I see the following philosophy expressed: people who are not “really” asking...

Mar 9, 2021, 6:42 PM

Stop apologising for being a man

Yesterday was International Women's Day and as important as it is to celebrate women, there is a problematic aspect within its representation of the fight against gender inequality. The statistics are clear on the unbalanced parity between men and...

Mar 1, 2021, 4:53 PM

Why We Need to “Blame the System”

Blame is often seen as a bad thing and "blaming the system" is construed as an excuse to avoid taking responsibility. The moment I say "you did this", I make it your fault and your responsibility. In other words,...

Feb 26, 2021, 4:41 PM

‘For he had told him that he was a Jew’

In this year’s more peaceful and quieter Purim, I found a particular passage that struck me: ‘For he had told him that he was a Jew’ (Esther, 3:4). These words appear at the first incident where Mordechai refuses to...

Feb 14, 2021, 9:23 AM

St. Valentine killed Jews – the lie I was told about Valentine’s Day

Making hearts from clay for Valentine's Day. (iStock)

My teacher lied about Valentine’s Day to steer us away from the secular world; I think she went way too far

Dec 31, 2020, 10:17 AM

A Candle in Tribute for Those Sacrificed

"Let us each light a candle in memory of those who have lost their lives, in tribute to those on the frontline who are working tirelessly to protect us from harm, in appreciation of the great sacrifices that have...

Dec 27, 2020, 2:33 PM

I cry for understanding, not forgiveness

It’s been a rough 2020. In some surprising twist of fate, while cases of depression have rocketed, my chronic depression lifted as the enforced quietness of lockdown led to reconnecting with myself. But the problem with having chronic mental...

Dec 11, 2020, 6:40 PM

A Chance to Remember

Throughout the Jewish year, we adjust certain phrases in our daily prayers for specific occasions and times. In this time of Chanukah, we add specific insertions to celebrate the festival: Al HaNissim (regarding the miracles), “BiMei” (in the days)...

Nov 3, 2020, 10:07 AM

Ashamed to be a Jew on Campus?

University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
Copyright: Tanya Hoshovsky

University is overwhelming for any first-year student and most excruciatingly so for someone who had been in a cozy Jewish school of less than 60. Less than university was a culture shock, it was culture alienation. There were less...

Oct 27, 2020, 12:26 PM

Making a Career out of Religion

“I’m planning on making a career out of religion.” Apparently, you shouldn’t say that to a rabbi. Even one with a good sense of humour. What resulted was about 30 minutes of an explanation of the dangers of approaching Judaism...

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About Me

Raised in South Africa, Tanya graduated cum laude with a BA in French and Philosophy in 2020. An aspiring academic, she hopes to continue her studies in philosophy by pursuing a MA in Jewish Studies at Hebrew University this upcoming fall.