Today, we celebrate America turning 250 years old. That is not just a milestone, it's a reminder that this country began as a bold and dangerous experiment, born out of resistance to a king’s oppression and the belief that people should not be ruled without representation, dignity, or consent. The founding generation did not simply complain about tyranny. They took a stand against it, knowing full well that the cost could be their fortunes, their freedom, and their lives.

Even if you are not a sports fan, I bet you are aware of the World Cup, which is currently being held in the continental Americas.  A prime example is my wife Joanne who has caught World Cup fever.  How could one help it?  It is everywhere and all consuming, around the clock, eg, on FOX television.

I’ve been watching the World Cup. It is not surprising that soccer, a/k/a football, is so popular all over the world.As the tournament enters into the “knock-out” phase there can be no draws. If teams end tied in regulation time, they play another two fifteen minute periods. If they are still tied, they go to a shootout.In my view, the penalty kick shootout is, simply, the most exciting thing in all of sports. (With the exception of some of the Knicks recent games.)

I love July. When I was a kid, it felt like the true start of summer: school was out, the beach was nearby, and the Fourth of July was just around the corner. I loved watching fireworks and setting them off. As a young teenager, I even practiced my sales skills by buying fireworks (names and places withheld), riding my bike home, and selling them to my neighnor's kids at a 50% markup, depending on the item. I never sold anything too powerful, but it was a good summer gig for several years leading up to the Fourth.

I know it may sound strange, but I have never taken a car out for a test drive.In our early married years, I refused to drive a big car.  I had learned and grown comfortable on small cars and that is where my comfort level stayed.  Once that second child arrived, however, we happened to be in a van on vacation with the whole family.  I was taken with how comfortable – and necessary – the extra space felt.  And so, right there on the spot, I decided that when we arrived home, we would buy a minivan.

We all have them, but do not often admit to them; pet peeves. Pet peeves are those little things that seem too small to matter, until they happen repeatedly and suddenly feel very personal. Mine include people who feel that there is no need to put a car blinker on before making a right turn. Is it a small indiscretion? Absolutely. Does it make me crazy and lead to me cursing in my car with the windows closed? Yes it does, every single time. 

Last’s week’s commentary sharing wishes appropriate to Father’s Day, meant a delay in sharing a proud parent moment involving our daughter Marisa, assistant director at the American Jewish Committee (AJC) in New York.  Ten days ago (June 18, 2026), amNY featured Marisa’s op-ed, Jews Should Not Have to Explain Themselves Just for Being Jewish.  

Golf has a funny way of keeping you humble.After 40 years of playing, I finally had my first hole-in-one last Tuesday, June 23, 2026, on the 14th hole at Engineers Country Club on Long Island. The odds for a non-professional golfer are 1 in 12,500. (professionals are 1 in 2,500)I was playing in an outing with Neil Seiden, who I’ve known for about 20 years, his wife Janet, and Becky from Peapack. I wasn’t having the round of my life, but I was hanging in there.