Blogging

I’ll Take You There

The Staple Singers reached number one in 1972 with their hit, “I’ll take you there.” I remembered this song while reading through Deuteronomy! The final book of the Torah recalls Moses’ leadership, taking the Hebrews to the edge of the…

Exam Nightmare

Do you still have nightmares about missing a test in school? Or failing out of a class? Amazing how these school time traumas continue to haunt us so many years later. Preparing for school exams was a traumatic test by itself. Now imagine if…

Follow the instructions

Italians are known for their carefree and willful spirit.  When the pandemic hit Italy early and hard, commentators wondered if the Italian people could abide a lockdown. They did. The “plague” abated. Americans aren’t so different in…

Reach Forward

The key to staying sane in the coming year is to find a sense of freedom even when confined. We can do that with some orderliness and control. That’s the best way through to the other side. The path to a promised land is always by way of…

An Excuse for Justice

We have been startled by the murder of African Americans who are victims of police brutality.  In years past, the offending Police Officer might have found refuge from prosecution.  The union, the municipality and white society offered…

And Then What Happened?

When listening to a stimulating story, a child may hasten the tale’s end by asking “and then what happened?” In these times, I feel like every day is a “then what happened sort of day.” The story of our times is grueling. Being perpetually…

Keep Singing

Those who expect an easy victory in a climate of complacency are going to be disappointed. Whether it is our reliance on medical professionals and scientists to rescue us, or on politicians to correct injustice, some have forgotten that all…

The Plague Started

The plague started before awareness gave way to authenticity. Being oblivious was excusable for a while. There was so much disruption; so many distractions and so much discord. Nothing seemed normal. People felt lost. But plagues spread when…

New Eyes to See

A time of crisis gives us new eyes to see truths hidden in plain sight. It took a pandemic to alert us to a failed public health system and racial injustice. It took the protests responding to the death of George Floyd and countless others to…

When Jews Were Black

After the first few days of black lives matter protests, I began to explore the Jewish relationship to blackness. I came to realize that the plight of African Americans remains my responsibility as long as blackness stays rooted in Jewish identity…