New-York

As any reporter knows, there exists between the press and government at best uneasy peace, at worst open conflict. Some tension is inevitable, because without the press, government is free of scrutiny (and corruption is not far off), and...

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...

A few thoughts on the death, last week, of screenwriter, journalist, essayist, film director, and playwright Nora Ephron at age 71. Nora Ephron defied the conventional wisdom that you can only do one thing well in life.

Born into a...

Last night I was fortunate to attend the yearly gala for Jewish International Connection New York (JICNY). Founded by Gavin and Jodi Samuels and Steve Eisenberg, the organization holds over 200 free and low-cost events a year and provides a...

The world sparkles a bit less brightly this week with the passing of a true individual. Last Thursday August 4, Walter Monheit, bon vivant and man for all seasons, died. He was 85. Michael Musto of the Village Voice eulogized him this week...

For every woman who’s been fixed up once too many with a man who needed fixing, for every man who’s ever been fixed up with a woman in need of a psychiatric evaluation, for everyone who needs a laugh: have I got a treat for you! This...

March 5, 2008

“When you look at the news, they don’t talk about different African communities in the U.S. unless something bad happens.”

On the third floor of the Harlem State Office Building, groups of young Africans and...

July 23-25, 2004

On the New York City nightclub scene, Walter Monheit is a fixture, an icon even.

Since the days of ballroom dancing clubs in the 1950’s, this now-78-year-old man has been clubbing two to three nights per week from around...

Why do I doubt that this story in which a Muslim risked his safety for Jews could have taken place in Paris?

Of course, it is a remarkable story and is therefore unlikely to have taken place anywhere. But what I mean is, it is extremely difficult...

October 3rd 2007

It’s Wednesday afternoon, and Shadin Hossain is surrounded by people. A friend named Joe runs in to ask if anyone wants coffee.

Alam, Hossain’s brother and his co-manager of Galleria – an art and framing store in...