The Yellow Star

The Yellow Star

I wish I could say that I was shocked and surprised when a friend forwarded me a tweet showing Gigi Gaskins, owner of Nashville HATWRKS, wearing the Yellow Star emblazoned with the text “not vaccinated.” She has a smugly satisfied almost-grin on her face in the...
The Defense of Israel

The Defense of Israel

The skies over Gaza and the State of Israel are quiet. At 2:00 am local time Friday, Hamas and the government of the State of Israel agreed to a ceasefire. After almost two weeks, there is silence; Israelis can breathe easier without fearing the sirens announcing a...
Israel’s Dirty War

Israel’s Dirty War

After speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the telephone last week, President Biden affirmed that the State of Israel “has the right to defend itself” against rocket attacks from Gaza. Taking the president’s comments as confirmation that the...
A Quantum of Justice?

A Quantum of Justice?

The courtroom was silent when the jury returned from its deliberations and delivered its verdict: guilty. Tensions had been rising across the country as the trial of this murderer-in-uniform reached its climax. Advocates for the defendant had objected to the...
A Hope for Spring Renewal

A Hope for Spring Renewal

Easter falls on the last day of Pesach this year, and the symmetry seems so perfect in my bicultural home. My Irish-American spouse has arranged an impressive Easter basket full of goodies that evoke the Catholic syncretism that brought bunnies and eggs into...