Thank you for your sensitive and eloquent post on the death of Amy Winehouse. I had a similar reaction - I put on some of her songs and was again struck by their tonal richness and incredible soulfulness. As someone who also wrestled with demons, I can empathize somewhat with AW's struggles. Whatever the "community's" opinion, she will always be an (idiosyncratic and talented) Jewess to me. There is sometimes a great stigma attached to mental illness, particularly in the more observant sectors of the Jewish community. We would be better off embracing the talents and commiserating with the sorrows of someone like Amy Winehouse. All the best JWA!
Thank you for your sensitive and eloquent post on the death of Amy Winehouse. I had a similar reaction - I put on some of her songs and was again struck by their tonal richness and incredible soulfulness. As someone who also wrestled with demons, I can empathize somewhat with AW's struggles. Whatever the "community's" opinion, she will always be an (idiosyncratic and talented) Jewess to me. There is sometimes a great stigma attached to mental illness, particularly in the more observant sectors of the Jewish community. We would be better off embracing the talents and commiserating with the sorrows of someone like Amy Winehouse. All the best JWA!