A Mother Who Died With Her Daughters at Auschwitz — Ernie Hollander’s Story
Ernie Hollander’s mother died at Auschwitz, but she was not defeated by her tormentors. Her story lives on. Read more.
A Dream About Wrestling With — Uh, Who Was That Anyway?
I had a dream about wrestling the other night. Was it a message from my deep psyche — or the heights of heaven? Read more.
At the Feet of Annie Dillard, Memoirist, Essayist, Observer of the Real
What draws me to author Annie Dillard — what makes me want to turn off the TV and grab one of her books — is her eagle-sharp eye for the world as it truly is. Read more.
Matthias Church — Budapest’s Splashy, Gorgeous, Over-the-Top Church of Kings
The spectacular painted interiors of Budapest’s beloved Matthias Church make it a must-see for lovers of folk art and art nouveau. Read more.
A Lost Child in Wartime Detroit — A Headscarf Story
I couldn’t see the point of my mother’s skimpy yellow babushka — until the day I found myself a lost child in a cavernous Detroit department store. Read more.
Autumn in the Garden, When Sensible Plants Pack It In for the Winter . . . And a Healing Ankle
It was autumn in the garden and all the grim stuff that happens as winter sets in — death, rot, shrivel and retreat — made for a thing of beauty. Read more.
Huston Smith Dies at 97: A Mentor to Me . . . and Millions
Huston Smith doesn’t know it, but he’s been my mentor for the past decade and a half – ever since I took a job as religion reporter at a local newspaper. Read more.
Christmas Is Big. Bigger Than Christianity — And Donald Trump
Christmas is big. Christianity’s biggest holiday is leaving the religion in the dust with 15 times the Internet mentions of Christianity. Read more.
Oakland’s Ghost Ship — A Vigil
I keep thinking, if only the makeshift stairways of the Ghost Ship warehouse had been closer to the exits. If only there had been fire escapes . . . . Read more.
I Decided to Stop Bad-Mouthing Donald Trump. But Will I?
Last Tuesday night I made a decision. I decided to stop bad-mouthing Donald Trump. I would give him a chance. I’d keep an open mind. But could I? Read more.