You know, we write these dates, never really considering that they are not quite as descriptive as we think. Because the date to which I refer is not five years from now, but 95 years ago.
Tomorrow is election day. For Virginia and New Jersey, as well as the City of New York, these are big days. We (in Virginia) are going to elect new governors, as well as legislators that will make laws we will have to live with for years, if not decades. And, that’s the point. Too many of you (I have only missed one election- a primary that was held in March- since the first time I have been allowed to vote) only vote in Presidential elections. Which means that you let other folks pick your Congresspersons and state officers- that pass rules with which you vehemently disagree. Or let them move district boundaries to insure that their favorites get elected time and time again, or to insure the opposite party has no chance of gaining a seat. 
The bubble has burst on the American Dream. We have lost sight of our vision, our mission. As President Clinton said, “If we become ideological, then we’re blind to evidence.” So, I guess we are totally blind, because we have become inimically ideological.
Continue reading It’s YOUR job!
This is not something I normally do. No, this is something that my friend, Janette Fuller does. She reviews books you- or your children- should read. But, I am going to recommend a book for you today. One written by the child (Sorry, Ilana, you are younger than mine- so you will forever be a child) of my good friends. A woman (see, I can change) that I have known for most of her life.
Continue reading Not my normal post…
Thursday, 26 September 2013 (or Friday, depending where you were in the world) was Simchat Tora- the rejoicing of and in the Tora. On that holiday, we read the last section of the Tora and immediately start anew with the first. From Zot HaBracha (Deuteronomy 33-34) to Breishit (Genesis 1-6:8).
Continue reading A little perspective?
So, it turns out that at least some of us are turned out to help others. fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) is being used to prove that fact. But, the goal of most of the studies has not been to see if we are generous to a fault, but to determine how (if?) we can help folks who lack empathy or want to improve on their generosity.
I’ve written about distracted driving a lot. Because too many folks try to escalate the practice of talking on the phone (hands-free) to a national calamity. When it is clear that talking on the phone is no different than talking to a compatriot in the same car or listening to talk radio, and certainly less of an issue than turning around to deal with one’s children in the car.
Continue reading Music to my ears?
This is nearing the end of my annual introspective season. Today is the last of the 30 days of Elul. Tonight (all Jewish days begin at night; the Tora says, “There was evening, there was morning, one day”) is Rosh Hashana (the Jewish New Year). The first day of Elul was the anniversary of my mom’s death and the coming of age of my eldest daughter. Elul or Rosh Hashana are normally associated with the advent of the academic year. Plenty of reasons to wonder: Am I where I want to be? But, the questions I will pose today are ones we all need to examine each and every day….“How much do we really need?”
If you have been reading my blog- or visited my house, you know that I enjoy my art. My dining room has no open wall space- it even has easels to hold more art. Same with my living room. And, the staircase wall. And, my bedroom. And, my office. And, my family room…
We all want to help. But, most of us have limited funds. Even as an advisor/director of trusts, there never are unlimited funds to help every charity that deserves it. (Professional advisors- who we do not employ- never answer that question directly, either. Instead, they offer you categories of charities that meet their specifications. You still have to choose!) How do you decide? Continue reading Tzedaka
It was 50 years ago today. A. Philip Randolph and Bayard Rustin organized the day’s March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. To strike a blow for freedom and the ability of everyone to have a job that paid reasonable wages. A problem that still exists today- perhaps, even more so.
Continue reading Progress…but a long way to go!