Wandering Jew

My Journey Through the World as a Jewish Person

  • Happy Hanukkah?

    Hanukkah this year presents challenges to many Jews. The one I want to discuss involves those who want to hide menorahs. Avoid standing out. A menorah is specifically supposed to be lit and seen in the public sphere. The lights are supposed to shine proudly. There is the iconic photograph of the Posner family from Continue reading

  • Standing on the Corner in Winslow, Arizona

    Yes, today we begin with an Eagles’ song. And yes, I was on the corner in Winslow. I started the day in Flagstaff, Arizona. It felt a bit more user-friendly, maybe because it is a college town. The internet said there had been a menorah lighting at both the City Hall and at a local Continue reading

  • Leaving the LA area. Passing by the intersection where Paul Kessler was killed, located between my old office and old residence. The area once felt a safe place to be Jewish. Now, not so much. Following the route (approximately) of the old Route 66. The is also the route from LA to Vegas, much traveled Continue reading

  • My Old School

    https://www.bing.com/search?q=my+old+school+steely+dan&form=EX0050&refig=76f417e217b841e4a70a7c6351f76bc1&shtp=GetUrl&shid=4c36fb18-2038-4790-a636-cce5153e094d&shtk=TXkgT2xkIFNjaG9vbA%3D%3D&shdk=U29uZyBieSBTdGVlbHkgRGFu&shhk=87VMu7SOLFPhhAyoZeKnytjxeclPqva5rTmjGaGYOug%3D&shth=OSK.acdb5b17f8c06a950ac334d0a1c5e082 So let’s start with a little Steely Dan and then get serious. I am an alumna of the University of Pennsylvania. Some of you might have heard about the controversy surrounding University President Magill’s testimony to Congress. [1] Genocide of the Jews as rhetoric depends on “context.” (If you want you can mentally insert Continue reading

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  • What I Want To Write About (About What I Want To Write?)

    Thirty years ago, two French vulcanologists, a husband and wife team, died during a catastrophic eruption doing what they loved. I am imagining that their last thoughts during the observation of this event were something along the lines of, “Holy cow, we were right, this is what happens.” Perhaps this is not a great analogy, Continue reading

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  • This is me. I am about to embark on a journey of sorts. It will start on Friday, December 8, 2023 with a cross country trip. As a Jewish person, Hanukkah is an interesting time to travel. As an American, I am both curious and terrified about the current atmosphere of antisemitism. As a sort-of Continue reading

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