Blog

My running commentary on events: local, national, and international. Areas of special interest include Israel, Iraq, and dissidents in the Muslim world.

As race for coronavirus vaccine intensifies, Americans think back to Salk

August 21, 2020

by Heather Robinson

From The Jewish News Syndicate

Peter Salk, son of Dr. Jonas Salk and an infectious-disease expert, believes his father’s legacy can guide modern medicine as it pertains to COVID-19.

Each year in the 1940s and ’50s, more than 15,000...

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Remember the Innocent – and Speak Up for Them

July 27, 2020

by Heather Robinson

This has been a brutal summer in America. We should remember what happened, all that happened. All of the unjust death and grievous injury, all of the violence, starting, but not ending, with the killing of George Floyd.

We should remember...

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COVID-19 and the Jewish elderly: Report from Miami, Pittsburgh and New York

July 18, 2020

by Heather Robinson

From The Jewish News Syndicate

As America’s battle with the novel coronavirus has raged America’s Jewish community has suffered its share of losses, particularly early on when COVID-19 swept through the boroughs of New York City and...

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Battling rare illness, journalist forges ahead with musical tribute to Jewish moms

June 17, 2020

by Heather Robinson

From The Jewish News Syndicate

“Artists are free to perform what they want, but the themes are love, healing and mothers,” said Alan Zeitlin.

Sometimes, even the most adult person just wishes their mom could make it stop...

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Mira Rosenblatt: A story of leadership, resilience and survival

April 26, 2020

by Heather Robinson

From The Jewish News Syndicate

At 96, she has eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She is a reminder that a strong legacy will live on after the Holocaust.

Mira Rosenblatt will never forget Aug. 12, 1942. On that day, the...

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Interview With a Coronavirus Survivor

April 20, 2020

by Heather Robinson

Shawn Cochran, 44, of Charleston, S.C. is fully recovered from coronavirus, and hopes to share his plasma with patients who have severe or life-threatening cases of Covid19. He is also sharing his story to provide others with hope and information...

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Top hotels should all be hosting health care workers now

April 13, 2020

by Heather Robinson

From The New York Post

The Four Seasons Hotel in New York recently opened its doors to first responders battling the novel coronavirus. A handful of other hotels, including the Plaza and the St. Regis, have followed suit, and this week...

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Hotel Chronicles: Pittsburgh

March 30, 2020

by Heather Robinson

I arrived a little over a week ago in my hometown, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, after a family member, I’ll call him Kevin, pushed me to leave my adopted city, New York. Kevin was certain things were about to get worse there, and predicted...

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Bracing for the Virus, New Yorkers Carry On

March 21, 2020

by Heather Robinson

Sunday March 15th New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that due to coronavirus, the city’s public schools were to be closed, as would bars and restaurants for all but takeout and delivery of food. Prior to the closures, I spoke – from...

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Sick of (or now possibly from) Jewish dating? There’s another option …

March 13, 2020

by Heather Robinson

From The Jewish News Syndicate

“We envision a virtual dating experience that mirrors the authenticity of a night out—daters will still dress up, have stimulating conversations. … The only difference will be the screen...

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