Thoughts on being Jewish

A lot has been written in recent days about the man behind the "mosque" in lower NYC. And he's about as radical as any New York City Real Estate tycoon, with a rather interesting background. His name: Sharif el-Gamal. His age: 37. His mother (now deceased) was Polish-Catholic (and, with his blue eyes and blond hair, he favors her), his father, Egyptian. el-Gamal had an epiphany while he was shlepping (his word) his little daughter from downtown to the Upper West Side JCC (yes, the Jewish... Sign in to see full entry.

Please watch this YouTube video of Keith Olbermann who cuts through the hysteria surrounding the "Ground Zero Mosque" which is not at Ground Zero and not a Mosque but a community center open to all. From the start, all this blowback and fanning the flames of bigotry and hatred made me uncomfortable, and, ironically (or maybe not so ironically), many Jews are standing behind the Muslim's right to build this center. Watch the video to see why. Sign in to see full entry.

I went to Louis Felders funeral yesterday, expressed my pathetic and meager sympathies to his wife (and my friend), Helen and their three teenagers. Helen and I used to tag-team when our kids were in Kindergarten/1st grade; rolling the lunch cart down to "the babies" as Helen called them. She was always smiling, always had something good or kind to say. I've heard the same thing about Louis and their kids. Yesterday, I can't explain in words how Helen looked. Shell shocked, in agony, like her... Sign in to see full entry.

Louis Felder, father of 3 teens, Stamford resident, Orthodox Jew, was one of nine people gunned down at his workplace in CT yesterday. His oldest son, Gabe, was in the grade between my two boys in a small Jewish Day School where everyone - including the very involved parents - knew each other. I knew Louis tangentially, but enough to know that he was a generous, amiable, lovable father, husband and community member who will be sorely missed. What kind of sense can be made of the fact that a man,... Sign in to see full entry.

Pete was one of my most memorable interviews. He was 83 and still robust when I sat at his dining room table and sang "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" with the man who wrote it. A landmark event in my life. THIS is his newest song - and shows that the 91 year old still has what it takes to be our American treasure. I love what he sings about the "young folk." Enjoy..... Sign in to see full entry.