Perplexed Jew
Thomas P. BalazsWriter, English professor, late-life dad. Second-generation Holocaust survivor raised as a Christian, living as a Jew, dabbling in religion, philosophy, politics, and culture.
| Platform |  | Pricing | Only free issues | Publishes | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issues | 102 | Founded | 3 years ago | Last Issue | 17 days ago |
| Active | |||||
Read this Newsletter
perplexedjew.substack.comLatest Issues
Yes, Your Kid Should (Probably) Go to College
Yes, I have a dog in this fight. Several actually. So I won’t pretend I’m disinterested.
On the contrary, I’m deep in the weeds trying to make sense of this not so much for you as for me—and my kid. But maybe my perplexity will shed some l...
Six-Hour Cheese and the Ba'al Teshuva's Dilemma
I overheard the following conversation at a Shavuot1 lunch this Friday between two rabbis.
“Is this parmesan?” one rabbi asked, looking down at his Caesar salad. “Is this six-hour cheese?”
What he meant was: was the grated cheese on his...
No, the MFA Workshop Model Is Not the Problem
OK, here’s the problem with MFA programs. The problem is not with the workshop model. The problem is with the institutional program model.
The problem is definitely not that workshop encourages conformity to some abstract ideal.
Here’s...
The Eagles: Troubadours of Modern Love
The Eagles performing in Atlanta on their 2026 “Long Goodbye Tour.”
Well I’m a-running down the road trying to loosen my load
Got seven women on my mind,
Four that want to own me, two that want to stone me
One says she’s a fr...
Photographs and Memories
Back in 2015, my wife, son, and I took an amazing year-long road trip across the country. The following is a very slightly revised blog post I wrote at the time that I thought readers might still enjoy.
We didn’t have a lot of family photo...
Audience Metrics
Subscribers, engagement, traffic and sponsorship for Perplexed Jew.
| Subscribers | Engagement | 74 | Monthly Web Visits | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accepts Sponsors | Estimated Cost per Ad | ||||
Explore More
Authors
The writers behind this newsletter.
Thomas P. Balázs is a cultural critic, storyteller, and “perplexed Jew” writing on faith, fiction, and keeping kosher and its discontents. His work appears in Quillette, Tablet, Horror Library, and other picture postcards.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I access the email archive for Perplexed Jew?
You can find recent issues that have been published by Perplexed Jew on Reletter by scrolling up to where it says Latest Issues. Tap on the link for any of the most recent emails or hit More Issues to see older ones.
How many subscribers does Perplexed Jew have?
To see how many people subscribe to Perplexed Jew, simply upgrade your Reletter account. We provide readership numbers and lots of other stats for this newsletter so you can decide if it's worth reaching out to.
How can I advertise in Perplexed Jew?
Newsletter advertising can be extremely effective when it's done right. Before you pitch Perplexed Jew as a potential sponsor or partner, make sure that you've done your research and checked its newsletter stats with Reletter.
Then, personalize one of our winning pitching templates and send it to the right person using the contact info provided.
How much does it cost to sponsor a publication like Perplexed Jew?
Newsletter ad rates (or CPM) vary depending on many factors, including industry, number of subscribers, open rate, ad placement and more.
To find out how much an ad will cost, contact Perplexed Jew using the contact information provided and ask for a copy of their media kit.
How can I find newsletters related to Perplexed Jew?
Scroll up to where it says Related Newsletters to see other publications like Perplexed Jew. You can also search our email newsletter directory to discover other newsletters that cover the topics you're interested in.
How do I contact Perplexed Jew?
Reletter provides this newsletter's website URL above, where you will often find their contact information. We also provide links to associated social media accounts and pitching templates so you can reach out fast.