by Matthew Friedman | Jul 31, 2022 | Essays
“Il ne faut pas toucher aux idoles,” Gustave Flaubert wrote in Madame Bovary, “la dorure en reste aux mains.” We must not touch our idols, lest the gilt comes off on our hands. Flaubert’s warning has been echoing in my mind as I have repeatedly scrolled past Annie...
by Matthew Friedman | May 27, 2022 | Essays, Jewish Life
I am not an optimist by inclination. I was raised Jewish in the 1960s and 1970s, and learned about the full enormity of the Shoah from people who experienced it. There were Nella Lacks, and Mr. Preisler at summer camp, who had the numbers on their arms; so did Mr....
by Matthew Friedman | May 25, 2022 | Commentary
At this point, I really don’t have much to say or add about the mass shooting in Uvalde, and all I can do is look at everyone’s posts in social media and nod, or sit there considering whether I like, hug react, cry react, or anger react. I’ll read passionate articles...
by Matthew Friedman | May 22, 2022 | Books, Jewish Life, Reviews
The Canvas and Other StoriesSalomea Perl, translated by Ruth MurphyBen Yehuda Press There is always great pleasure in the discovery of a new author – the rush of jouissance upon hearing a new literary voice for the first time, the delicious anticipation of hearing it...
by Matthew Friedman | May 15, 2022 | Commentary, Politics
What’s in a label? That question has been on my mind since Audie Wood’s most recent column first landed in my email in-box. “We have to call it what it is,” Wood wrote. We have to recognize that the reactionary right-wing movement that is driving the Republican Party...
