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 …
As the elevator doors opened, I saw the smoke billowing in the distance through the wide windows facing south behind the receptionist’s desk. It was the morning of September 11, 2001.As I take a few moments today to commemorate and contemplate, my thoughts begin with the memory of where I was and those first and following moments, hours and days.
Thursday, July 3rd … and we’re in Great Barrington (Massachusetts) awaiting the arrival of our children and grandchildren for our third annual July Fourth family reunion.From Washington D.C., Alexandria, Virginia, Brooklyn and Manhattan, they will journey to the Berkshires for a weekend of fun, sushi at Bizen (our cousin’s famous restaurant), and, …
Juneteenth. Realizing the significance of the day - and that it has finally received the appropriate official national recognition it deserves - I search for its meaning to me.Do we take freedom for granted? I pause and consider the significance of realizing that you are free.I am reminded of my mother’s story. After being restricted in the Lodz gh …
I have an old leather “weekender” bag. Leather hand and shoulder strap—no wheels.We have dear friends with whom we have celebrated New Year’s Eve for over twenty years (save one). Our tradition is to have new year’s dinner out east on Long Island, where our friends have a home.And when I pack for new year’s to go out east, I always use my “weekende …
Tomorrow evening, we light the third candle for Hanukkah. The third night of Hanukkah will forever have a special significance for me. Tomorrow evening is the second anniversary of my mother’s passing.Lighting the third candle at the same time that I light a Yahrzeit (remembrance) candle is bittersweet.However, it most appropriate for my mother who …
I wonder whether the turkeys pardoned by the President and really thankful. However, we enjoy this day, may we find a moment to be thankful. Happy Thanksgiving.
On July 4th, James Taylor celebrated his fiftieth anniversary of Fourth of July concerts at Tanglewood - the renowned music venue in Lenox Massachusetts.I love traditions. Although we’ve seen James Taylor at Tanglewood many times, we were not there last week. Instead, we’ve were extending our own tradition - in its third year - of having our family …
Yesterday we celebrated Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when the Union troops reached Galveston Texas with the news (belated by over two years) of the Emancipation Proclamation abolishing slavery and granting freedom to all.Freedom. Individual freedom. I wonder how the news was received and how the concept must have been incorporated into the psyche of …
Did you continue a tradition for celebrating Valentine’s Day?The other day the New York Times reported on an alternate Valentine’s Day tradition. The San Antonio Zoo runs a fundraiser in which you can symbolically name a roach or rodent that would be fed to one of the zoo’s animals. The opportunity to acknowledge someone on Valentine’s Day to whom …
One of the great things about blogging on Thursdays I that I always get to blog on Thanksgiving...... To all in the Gotham Family..... Surround yourselves with people you love, give Thanks, and take an extra moment to pray for Peace. Happy Thanksgiving
Since I blog on Thursdays, I have the honor of continuing the annual tradition of wishing the Gotham family a very Happy Thanksgiving. May we surround yourselves - in person and in spirit - with those we love.... and give thanks ......
There’s an expression in Yiddish to the effect that “ Man plans and God laughs”. In these times, I think the expression could be “Man plans and Covid laughs”.And so it was as our extended family planned for the return to the traditional in person Seder that had been so evasive over the last two years. All vaxxed and ready to test.And there was a di …
Happy Thanksgiving to the Gotham Family ! Whatever you are doing and whomever your are sharing with..... Take at least one moment to be thankful ...and be safe
Three weeks from today is Thanksgiving. Time to start considering the holiday seriously, if you haven’t already.The Thanksgiving Day Parade will be back - perhaps a sign that things are getting back to PC normal.And after the parade are families gathering for dinner as they did before?With three weeks to go, our family is in discussions. Concerns o …
