The Balagan
by Alan Feiler, Editor-in-Chief | Dec 15, 2020 | Blogs, Blogs & Opinion, The Balagan
When considering the word tzedakah, we tend to think of it in terms of the Almighty Dollar. After all, many of us have an array of “tzedakah boxes” — from ubiquitous blue tin pushkes to glitter-covered coffee cans made by children, to unique works of art — lining the... read more
by Alan Feiler, Editor-in-Chief | Nov 18, 2020 | Blogs, Blogs & Opinion, The Balagan
I’m not trying to look at the proverbial glass half-empty, but there’s precious little coming out of this pandemic that I’d personally characterize as a so-called “positive.” After all, hundreds of thousands of lives have been snuffed out by COVID-19 in our country... read more
by Alan Feiler, Editor-in-Chief | Sep 16, 2020 | Blogs, Blogs & Opinion, Opinion, The Balagan
I’m not trying to pat myself on the back. But over the years, I’ve developed a capacity for something that my younger self, as a cub reporter, would never believe possible: I can listen to someone rant and rave about nearly anything, and still keep my big yap shut.... read more
by Alan Feiler, Editor-in-Chief | Sep 4, 2020 | Blogs, Blogs & Opinion, The Balagan
Years ago, I heard about a colleague in the Jewish journalism field who spoke about the Middle East conflict at a local private school’s foreign affairs club. Most of the students there were Jewish and wanted to gain insights from an American journalist who’d lived in... read more
by Alan Feiler, Editor-in-Chief | Jul 31, 2020 | Blogs, Blogs & Opinion, The Balagan
Over the past few months since the George Floyd tragedy in Minneapolis, we’ve all been reminded of our nation’s troubling legacy regarding race, police brutality and social justice issues. The culture war has kicked into high gear as statues of Confederate leaders and... read more
by Rabbi Eli Yoggev | Jul 8, 2020 | Blogs, Blogs & Opinion, Spirituality During The Pandemic, The Balagan
The National Basketball Association’s G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) debate was rekindled earlier this summer as ESPN rolled out its riveting, 10-part documentary series titled “The Last Dance.” It came just in time for us basketball junkies who are desperate for any... read more
by Alan Feiler, Editor-in-Chief | Jun 12, 2020 | Blogs, Blogs & Opinion, Coronavirus Opinion & Commentary, The Balagan
It seems like several years ago now. But back at the start of this pandemic, I spoke with a good friend who seemed a bit clueless about what we were potentially in for. He seemed to confuse my concern about the coronavirus with hysteria brought on by watching too many... read more
by Laura Black | Jun 2, 2020 | Blogs, Blogs & Opinion, The Balagan
Last Chanukah, my husband and I bought four-wheeled rolling suitcases for our then-11-year-old, curly-headed granddaughter and 8-year-old, cherub-faced twin grandsons. Mickey Mouse luggage tags hung from the handles. The kids tore off the wrapping paper as we shouted,... read more
by Alan Feiler, Editor-in-Chief | Apr 7, 2020 | Blogs, Blogs & Opinion, The Balagan
It doesn’t happen often. But every now and then, I’ll walk into my bedroom and be transported to a time more than two decades ago. I was standing in a completely empty master bedroom on an ancient, threadbare carpet. I could hear the voices of a real estate agent and... read more
by Alan Feiler, Editor-in-Chief | Feb 4, 2020 | Blogs, Blogs & Opinion, The Balagan
There was a time years ago when my wife made a peculiar observation about me. I was in the midst of blathering on about a venerable friend of mine when she said, rather abruptly, “You know, you collect old guys.” I stopped yapping and thought about it for a moment. It... read more