Now that I'm back home, several people have asked to what extent has the brainwashing efforts of Aish HaTorah seeped into my head. Well, not enough that I'm ready to turn into a culture-mocking halloween caricature but I will admit I'm digging my splotchy new beard, even if it's mainly out of laziness. It's also up in the air if I can comfortably rock the Neatzit, which I bought solely for my Bar Mitzvah, back in New York without coming across too much like a four-cornered poser. (Frankly I'm surprised the look hasn't ended up in Misshapes or Cobrasnake photos. Message to Dov Charney: AA should be making these.)

I more formally answered these questions in a Jewish Week interview "Gawker Frums Out?" (hmm, sounds familiar) where I pledge in print that I would at least give up pork. I just hope science can manufacture a cud-chewing pig.

I'll save my full defense of Aish for another time. I know many in the yeshiva-educated community have varying opinions and I want to prepare my statements accordingly, but I have no problem with unabashedly attesting to the great experience offered in their Essentials program. I am amazed by the breadth and depth of material I learned there in a short amount of time (I was in classes on and off for about 3 weeks) and more importantly, it scared the shit out of my Post Modern Orthodox girlfriend which is always a fun side-effect.