Last week's blog was about freedom of speech. This one is about restrictions. We don’t let 13-year-olds buy alcohol, cigarettes, or lottery tickets because those products carry risks that require a certain level of maturity. So why are they allowed to sign up for social media? Social platforms aren’t harmless playgrounds; they’re engineered to …
All around me, I hear people (on both sides of the aisle) voicing their angst with our turbulent state of politics and, although empathetic, I calm myself by thoughts of how, historically, the pendulum usually swings. As we approach next year's midterm congressional elections, I know that in 22 of the last 24 midterm elections the President's part …
Rosh Hashanah— the Jewish New Year—was celebrated earlier this week. And next week is Yom Kippur-the Day of Repentance. During the ten days between the holidays it is traditional (for some more obligatory than tradition) to apologize and ask forgiveness from those whom we have wronged during the past year.As a child raised in this tradition, it was …
Last night started the celebration of the Jewish New Year. We say L’Shanah Tova to wish others a good year. For me this night has always been about family and food with lots of tradition folded in. We start with apples dipped in honey to symbolize the hope for a sweet and fruitful new year. From there we move on to a menu so packed that it cou …
Last week the news reported that a thirty-two-year-old man had died after riding the “Stardust Racers” extreme roller coaster at Epic Universe. So far, investigators have ruled the manner of death an accident. The victim, according to the medical examiner had sustained “multiple blunt impact injuries.” While I can appreciate and enjoy smaller rol …
Almost every morning my breakfast includes a banana. Thus the title of comic Jeff Ross’ Broadway Show struck a nerve when I read about it: “ Jeff Ross: Take A Banana For The Ride.” I had to attend the show, which Shelly and I did last weekend at the Nederlander Theatre, to learn the connection: his grandfather would always tell Jeff to take a bana …
I grew up in a household where having a different opinion was okay. You had to justify what you believe, but it was okay that you felt different. I remember countless arguments between my Sister and my Dad. Today, we live in a culture where silencing voices with whom you disagree has become the norm. Instead of debating ideas, too many resort to …
Recent tragic events hark back to the Civil War when there were innumerable instances of brothers fighting brothers on the battle field. As unimaginable and horrible as this may have been, I sense and fear a reoccurrence. In his blog last Saturday, Mitch mentioned the anger and division engendered by current events and the political climate. Why …
I first learned this as a young student reading the Hebrew text of the “Ethics of the Fathers”. My loose translation from the Hebrew is “Who is rich? (One who) is happy with their lot.” It is an adage that I have carried with me my whole life and, I think, has served me well. Recently I learned that the adage was also worthy to Benjamin Franklin w …
As I write this blog on my phone due to my technology nightmare, please forgive any spelling or gramtical errors. I had been in NY last week to enjoy the Gotham golf dinner as well as visiting some of my clients and prospects. On my last day on Thursday, with plans of catching up on data entries from the visits I made as well as a few last minute c …
Well done. Having grown up with Billy Joel as his music career grew up, I thoroughly enjoyed this “backstage” story of a man born and raised in Hicksville, Long Island – the town from which I commute every day. This two-part documentary had Billy, and the people closest to him, take us through his life in an often unflattering, but brutally h …
A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog about a question an author raised, through her characters, in a novel I recently read. Here’s another question one of the characters asked in the book that made me stop reading and think: Does your perception of a book change when and where we read them? I would have to answer that question yes. One of my favor …
Last week GOtham GREEN®, at a joint meeting with the aptly named New York Health and Longevity, we released the applications for the 2025 Gotham Green Awards®. The current cut off for applications is October 24. Gotham announces the 2025 award recipients when GOtham GREEN® next meets ahead of Thanksgiving on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. Sinc …
Political violence is, unfortunately, increasing. Each incident raises questions for me that go way beyond the individual at the center of the story. These moments are not just about one politician, commentator, or activist; they’re about the climate we’re all living in and the direction we’re sadly heading. Reuters has reported about 150 politic …
Last weekend Joanne made me one of her perfect sandwiches. So perfect that I was compelled to blog its (her) praise. It was a turkey and cheese sandwich: Boar's Head Turkey breast, Muenster cheese on Dave's Killer (21 Whole Grains And Seeds) organic bread with romaine lettuce (for the crunch) supplemented by Hellmann's Mayonnaise (secret ingredi …
