Organic CivilityIt’s a city of strangers, Some come to work, some to play. Some come to stare, some to stay. And, every day, some go away. And a hundred…Jan 2811Jan 2811
The Powers of light and darkChanukah menorahs- chanukia- that had been created and collected over the years covered the dining room table- from semi-intact, hand…Dec 30, 202412Dec 30, 202412
Presence, not presentsAfter I shut the kitchen lights, I turned back to look at the brightness of the eight memorial/Yahrzeit candles. Somehow, they seemed…Oct 14, 2024Oct 14, 2024
In the woods“Good news,” her doctor reported, “the infection is resolving, but you are not yet out of the woods.” After submitting the final draft of…Aug 17, 2024201Aug 17, 2024201
Latkes are like childrenIt was our first time at the iconic Monkey Bar in Manhattan- music from the thirties, the sprawling mural of Jazz Age musicians, actors…Dec 24, 2023522Dec 24, 2023522
Closing the gapsMany generations are represented at our Seder tables. We come together at Passover, to celebrate 157 generations- give or take a few- to…Apr 7, 202310Apr 7, 202310
Steppin’ OutPlagues, epidemics, and pandemics are not new phenomena. Evidence dating back to prehistoric times reveals infectious diseases that have…Apr 25, 202151Apr 25, 202151
Always something there to remind meBy now, most of us have seen the television ad — a teenage girl is being consoled by her mom after a recent break up with her boyfriend…Mar 4, 20216Mar 4, 20216
So you want to be an influencerIt was Malcolm Gladwell in his book The Tipping Point, who made the Yiddish word, maven, synonymous with experts, trend setters, and…Jan 18, 20214Jan 18, 20214
Put a little love in your heartThe Chicago Transit Authority, a jazz fusion band, was not the first to ask- Does anybody really know what time it is? Does anybody really…Jan 1, 20212Jan 1, 20212
Reclaiming my flagIt was early in the pandemic when deliveries were arriving at our doors. One delivery man noticed the American flag hanging at the front…Dec 6, 20202Dec 6, 20202
Just Another DayIn ancient Rome gladiators awaited thumbs up or down gestures that would determine life or death. Contrary to conventional lore, thumbs…Nov 22, 20202Nov 22, 20202
Guess who’s not coming to dinnerThe sound of the clambering, crashing iron gates is deafening. Stay focused- do not let fatigue, hunger, or thirst interfere with the…Oct 25, 20202Oct 25, 20202
OversubscribedDo you mind if I put you on a brief hold? Before the pandemic we had no objection waiting to be connected to a home repair service or…Sep 1, 20202Sep 1, 20202
Not on our watchWe exchange photos on Friday afternoons; it has become a tradition-somewhat of a friendly competition. This week, in honor of Independence…Jul 4, 20203Jul 4, 20203
Don’t OK Boomer UsWe should have seen it coming; dark skies provided cover for the ensuing pandemic and clouded our moods. It did not feel like the time to…Jun 15, 2020Jun 15, 2020
From Conversation to ActionDr. Atul Gawande’s The Checklist Manifesto is more important now than when it was published in 2009. Staying focused, getting things done…Jun 6, 20202Jun 6, 20202
Friends in High PlacesMemories of high school Latin teachers are vivid: serious, inflexible, rigid, humorless. We were told the rewards for taking Latin would…May 22, 2020May 22, 2020
Unrigging the SystemWhen we were young, we looked forward to going to the 5 & 10 to purchase boxes of Bubble Nix- later to be named Super Elastic Bubble…May 11, 20202May 11, 20202
Un Ballo En MascaraWhen we were children, television game shows advertised at-home versions. Excitedly we placed orders and eagerly awaited their arrivals in…May 2, 2020May 2, 2020
