I had a feeling that it might be a phishing call, but the caller ID said “Floral Park” and I have a client in Floral Park, so I answered. Perhaps I should have hung up when a voice I didn't recognize asked to speak to Benjamin. When I asked who's calling, the man answered “Audi lease protection”. “What’s this about.” I asked. “Your 2012 Q5. Do you …
It is a nice bistro-style restaurant on West 44th Street where we often enjoy a pre-theatre meal. We have recommended Saju to friends and relatives. We were a bit disappointed when we were seated there last Saturday evening. Our favorite table was taken and we were brought to a table in the room off to the side. We asked to be moved and ended up a …
Today is Yom Ha’Shoah - Holocaust Remebrance Day, which commemorates the lives and heroism of those who perished in the Holocaust. I would be remiss to let the day go by without the appropriate recognition. Last Sunday, we attended the annual commemoration held at Temple Emanu-El in New York. My mother was invited to give the remarks reserved for a …
Another fall from grace. Another moment to reflect upon those who have been in positions of power, or positions of public admiration and fallen. Dennis Hastert, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and second in succession for the presidency, was sentenced to more than one year in prison for violating banking laws in a hush money scheme t …
Here's how the story came to me. My brother-in-law was waiting in his car on line at his local gas station. Apparently, there is a time honored method to the queue at this particular station. My brother-in-law is very mild mannered, so I imagine that he never expected what was to come next. A car pulled up next to him and the driver rolled down hi …
I can't remember a presidential primary in New York that made a difference. Usually, the nomination is decided well before the New York primary. Not this year. We're actually getting the TV ads, the campaigning, the candidates, even a debate in Brooklyn! I have a premonition, perhaps a concern, that New York will make a difference. We will look bac …
We were in Washington last weekend and visited a wonderful exhibit at the Renwick Gallery, a small gallery near the White House dedicated to the crafts. The exhibit was "Wonder" and explored and evoked in me (and, if the purpose of the exhibit was realized, in others), the reaction, response, and significance of wonder. "It is not understanding tha …
I am pleased by the outcome of the Apple case -- when the FBI sought to compel Apple to assist in breaking into the iPhone of the San Bernardino terrorists. Although I was leaning toward upholding privacy even in the face of national security, I was not completely comfortable with the prospect of a Judge deciding and establishing a rule of law betw …
The refugee crisis is on everyone’s mind. Discussed. Debated. The topic brings out the best, and the worst. Recently, Flo and I were at the Public Theatre on Lafayette Street. There’s a plaque on the building: “This plaque is dedicated to HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, which occupied this building from 1921 to 1965. As the international m …
Sometimes there are things that are right before your eyes, but you never notice. Or you never realize what you're looking at...or exactly what it means. Also, you're never too old to learn something new. That's how I felt a few months ago when I learned that the little gas pump symbol on your car's dashboard has a little arrow that tells you wh …
There is no doubt that the picture accompanying this blog is worth a thousand words. It is a picture of my mother holding her newest great grandson a few days ago. Four generations in a single picture. (Yes, although not immediately visible, I am in that chain from my mother to my grandson.) It is a beautiful picture. One that I will cherish foreve …
Sidney Rosen passed away last weekend, a day after his 92nd birthday. Many in our Gotham family had met Sidney over the years as he accompanied my mother to Gotham events. Mom and Sidney had twelve wonderful years together -- sharing their love, companionship, friends and families. They both grew and blossomed over those years. There ought to be a …
While we were in Hawaii recently, we were told that there is no word for “hate” in the Hawaiian language. I am not sure whether it's true. But we heard it several times. Nevertheless, the notion that there is no word for “hate” in a language is a beautiful thing. Imagine (with a nod to John Lennon) a culture developing without the need to find a …
As the family took up the chairs next to me at the pool, I focused on the children. Three of them - ages about four to seven. As I looked over at the parents, they appeared to be a little younger than me. Flo and I had been away for about a week and I missed our grandson, Jackson, and the upcoming birth of another grandson was foremost on my …
I like beaches. And I like walking on beaches. During such walks, I often pick up beach rock, shells, and, occasionally, a piece of beach glass. A recent walk on the beach in Kaua’i yielded a few small pieces of lava stone. One in particular resembled a miniature volcano. A perfect momento of our trip. Then I learned of a Hawaiian legend -- perhaps …
