Happy New Year 2015 To All: Health Happiness and Good Cheer

Upbeat Quote of the Day: Celebrating the life and legacy of Naturalist John Muir (1838-1914)

"The Power of the imagination makes us infinite."

John Muir, the naturalist and author died on this day, 

100 years ago on Dec. 24, 1914: (1838-1914)

John Muir Trail Collage

from wikipedia

Muir was a passionate conservationist who spearheaded the founding of Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. There is a trail named after him that traverses over 200 miles in Southern California.

The Pacific Crest Trail, which runs from the Canadian border down the Sierras to Mexico (over 2500 miles in length)  joins up with the JMT in the Southern Sierras. The peaks are as high as 13,500 feet.

The Pacific Crest Trail in the

Ansel Adams Wilderness

with a view of the Ritter Range​

from wikipedia

My home in Paradise California,in the Northern Sierras (3,000 foot level), was about a 20 minute drive to the Pacific Crest Trail.

 The views from the trails, which I often traversed, are spectacular and definitely opened up and stimulated my imagination--- and obviously continue to do so---to infinite possibilities-- to a better world.......

Have a great day!

An intriguing novel about an American/Chinese double agent: A Map of Betrayal by Ha Jin

Ha Jin author of A Map of Betrayal

In Ha Jin's latest novel (Jin, who teachers English  at Brandeis University, has won numerous book awards for his writings), he presents with convincing accuracy the life of a Chinese- born double agent, Gary Shang, working concurrently for the CIA, and for the Chinese Government's espionage arm.

He is a bigamist, who is torn between his allegiance to two wives and two countries: in the late 1940's, he married a country lady in northern  Shandong Province, fathered twins with her and then never saw her again.  He is recruited by the Chinese Communists to infiltrate the spy networks of the retreating Nationalists under Chiang Kai- Shek.

He is living with separation pains from his first family as his espionage takes him far away to Okinawa where he gains recognition as a translator of key Chinese documents for US intelligence.

He then settles in the US, marries his second wife and fathers a daughter, who is key to the novel. Here, as a Chinese mole, and then a naturalized citizen, he shows his mettle to the C.I.A as one of the best deciphers of Chinese intelligence.

He meets with his Chinese handler occasionally in Hong Kong passing along valuable information.

His intelligence is so vital to the Chinese that at one point Chairman Mao declares that Gary's work is equal in value to four armored divisions.

Jin alternates chapters of the chronological story of Gary's life with chapters in which his American born daughter, a college teacher of History, travels to China as an exchange Professor; here she
unravels the secretive life of her father as well as that of her siblings.

The novel is an intriguing fast read-- against a background that covers 30 years of Chinese American relations.

If you enjoy spy novels, this is one not to miss.

Kudos to Ha Jin.

Eric Pleskow, onetime holocaust refugee then Head of Orion Pictures and producer of many Academy Award winning films is interviewed at Stamford's Bartlett Arboretum

The Stamford Arboretum was packed with an audience of over 100 people to hear nonagenerian Eric Pleskow highlight his amazing career which saw him rise from a refugee of the Holocaust to head a top Hollywood motion picture studio. He was interviewed by his son Tony and daughter Michelle.

Eric Pleskow at the Stamford Arboretum
Sunday, December 14th

He described his escape from Vienna on the last train to depart just days before the Nazi Anschluss in 1938. At the border of Germany and France, Nazi officials pulled a Jewish family off the train only to physically mar them (including gouging out eyes) in front of Pleskow and others.

Once in New York, he attended George Washington High School in NYC's Washington Heights (at the same time as Henry Kissinger) without understanding a word of English.  He got an early break by working at a firm that was making documentary films. He enlisted in the Army and after the war he was assigned to Munich. Here, he was instrumental in opening up over 800 movie theaters in Germany to disseminate US films and propaganda.

Back in the States he rose very quickly at United Artists (UA) and became president in 1973. His studio won the Academy Award for best picture three years in a row (1975, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest: 1976, Rocky: 1977, Annie Hall).  Cuckoo's Nest garnered five Academy Awards.

He left UA in 1978 to build up Orion Picture where he presided until 1992. Under his aegis, his successes included Amadeus, Dances with Wolves and The Silence of the Lambs.

Movie Posters of Pleskow's 

successful films 

He ascribes his success by always agreeing to do jobs that he knew might be beyond his grasp. He succeeded at these projects by teaching himself on- the- job skills needed to succeed.

Ironically, after being entreated over many years by a Viennese journalist to return to Vienna, Pleskow assumed the Presidency of the annual Viennese movie festival, the Viennale, beginning in 1998.

You will be able to watch the entire interview on the Jewish Broadcasting Network (formerly Shalom TV) as soon as they air it. (Check with them).  DVD copies will also be available at the Harry Rosenbaum JHS Judaica Library at the Stamford JCC in the near future.

Kudos to the Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County and Selah, the Reconstructionist Synagogue, for this stimulating and excellent program.

The 2nd of Kislev: and 15th Mar Cheshvan : R. Aharon Kotler, Z"L, My Mom, Z"L and the Pike Street Synagogue and its Rabbi, Moses Kalonymus Skinder from 1922-1947.

Ha Rav Aharon Kotler (1891-1962)

from wikipedia​

On this day, the second of Kislev in 1962/5722, the Hesped of rosh yeshivas Bais Medrash Govoah in Lakewoood, Rav Aharon Kotler was held at the Pike Street Synagogue in lower Manhattan. Tens of thousands of mourners packed the Synagogue and the adjoining streets.

On this day in 1980/5740 my mother Nahama Hadassah bas Ha Rav Moshe Kalonymus Skinder passed away.

​My grandfather Rav Moshe Kalonymus Skinder Z"L

Graduate Yeshiva of Lutsk, Rabbi in four countries,

Knew Torah b'al peh. (Died on the 15th of Mar Cheshvan)

Her dad, my grandfather, was Rav at the well known Pike Street Synagogue in the lower East Side of Manhattan from 1922 until 1947.  He resigned his post and emigrated to Palestine to build housing in Cholon for Jews settling in Palestine from the European DP camps. His development is known as Givat Cholon.

​The Pike Street Synagogue, also known as the Sons of Israel Kalwarie

His synagogue was one of the 7 Great Synagogues in lower Manhattan. On January 10, 1913,  a crowd of 5,000 people jammed the Synagogue to hear the first of many lectures delivered by the noted Rabbi Judah L. Magnes. 

​The Interior of the Pike Street Synagogue

Rabbi Magnes  had resigned  his post at Temple Emanu-El. and embraced  a more traditional approach and practice of Judaism.

Rabbi Judah Leon Magnes, (1877-1948)

First Chancellor (1925) and
President of the Hebrew University (1935-1948)

Photo courtesy of wikimedia

​

The reason for the near riot that occurred that night was the announcement of the birth of the  Young Israel Movement. A formidable speaker, he aroused his largely unobservant audience to observe the sabbath and kashruth by making the Synagogue a hub of  fun social activities buttressed by traditional  weekday and sabbath prayer. 

The building  of the the Pike Street Synagogue in 1903, also known as the Sons Of Israel Kalwarie, occurred at a time when there were in excess of 350 Shuls serving lower Manhattan--based on an actual count. . 

It has been estimated that between 1880 and 1915  as many as 500  "Jewish houses of worship"  were founded in the Lower East Side. (The Synagogues of New York's Lower East Side , p.31)

In summary, the second day of Kislev reverberates strongly for me and is a inspiration to continue to add to the unstinting and tireless contributions of our  generational greats, Judaic forefathers and fore mothers as well.

My mom (1910-1980) exuding pride standing next to me

Let it be remembered that my mom was an inspirational teacher of Torah and Tehillim at our local Synagogue in Mt. Vernon, NY,  Emanu-El Jewish Center, and served as PTA President of the Ramaz School. Here at Ramaz, she was inspired by its founder Rabbi Joseph Lookstein and was herself a firebrand in inspiring many Ramaz parents (including my dad who taught the ABC's of Sexuality for many years) to actively participate in school activities as well as in their education of their own children. Thank you, mom, for igniting the spark of  seeking out the Ways of Torah and simultaneously instill a love of poetry, especially in its unique role in connecting us to a higher source. 

Second A.B. Davis '58-60 reunion is a smashing success

Standing l. to r. Dick Schwartz, Elaine Einhorn, Carolyn Cohn, Barbara Hutnik
seated l. to r. Miriam Rapp, Jesse Shereff and wife Rochelle 

No matter that the day was cloudy and drizzly along the L.I. Sound in New Roc 'City', our second reunion was an unqualified success.

First off, many many thanks to our organizers Kathy Delany, Fred Diringer, Charles Siegel and  Rich Barnett, DJ extraordinaire.   Many hours of behind the scenes coordination: maintaining up- to- date email lists, sending email announcements, collecting checks, coordinating with the Davenport caterers, etc.

We welcomed Elaine Einhorn this year. She is in great spirits, starting a fresh life  full of energy and grace on the dance floor. Elaine is looking great--seems she has hardly aged in these 50+ years since we last parted ways.

Also joining us this year was Carolyn Cohn Newman who continues to pursue her passions of golf and physical education. Great to connect with you, Carolyn, after so many years and we all enjoy your vibrancy.

Do you recognize some of our classmates:  Jesse Shereff, Judy Petrillo, Kathy Delany, Bettina diVito, Barbara Hutnik, Carol Russo, Miriam Raff, Jean Figliuzzi, just to name a few?

Here is the link to this years photo and videos (as well as last year's as well)

http://s1061.photobucket.com/user/rjs36/library/AB%20Davis%201958%20Class%20reunion%20at%20Davenport%20Club

Special thanks to Kathy Delany for all her unheralded contributions over the years and for her bringing our memories of the Beehive up to date. They are still going strong and have moved to Armonk!

What ever happened to Perry Martin? Anybody know?  If so, contact Jesse Shereff.

In case you missed last year's blog, here is the link as well.

http://rjschwartz.blogspot.com/search?q=Davenport+Club

Happy holidays to all, good health and good cheers.

I am looking forward to next year's event,...our 57th.

P.S. Eli Newberger: pediatrician, musician and teacher.  I am enjoying your YouTube jazz postings by the Jazz Tuber Trio (and those from Sherborn Inn)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iadnxNHk9to

Celebrating Election Day 2014 in Connecticut. Henry Wordsworth Longfellow sheds his grace on US.

Electioneering placards at one of  many

 the polling places in Stamford, CT

Today, Americans across the U.S.A from Connecticut to California, from Minnesota to Texas are exercising their privilege to vote for the candidates of their choice ranging from US Senators and Governors to Congressmen /Congresswomen and Board of Education representatives. 

Too often we take our rights for granted as we tend to forget recent rigged elections in Afghanistan, Iran and Russia. 

For nearly 250 years we the citizens of Connecticut, the Constitution State, by exercising our freedoms, have kept our Ship of State upright, on even keel as she sails forward through challenging waters.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, (1807-1882) photographed by

Julia Margaret Cameron in 1868

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Wadsworth_Longfellow

Henry Wadsworth  Longfellow said it right when he penned these words in his metaphoric poem "O Ship of State"

Thou, too, sail, O Ship of State!

Sail on, O Union, strong and great!

Humanity with all its fears,

With all the hopes of future years,

Is hanging breathless on thy fate!