I have always been composing sentences in my head: descriptions of scenes, relationships, and experiences. I just never had the courage to put them anywhere but in a personal journal. I was afraid of revealing myself as a fraud (I’m not a real writer!) or hurting someone’s feelings (sorry, family, in advance). I spent most of my professional life writing memos, policy position papers, and reports. Not the type of writing I had in mind. Sometime after I turned 50, I realized that I wasn’t so afraid. I began to write as my authentic self, with the intention of sharing it. My kids signed me up for my first writing workshop, as a retirement gift, and I have been plugging away at it since (10 years ago– time flies!)
This has led me to my first published book, More Than Matzoh Balls: My Search for Jewish-American Identity. You can order it on Bookshop.org, Amazon, or from your local bookseller.
I will continue writing this blog to provide a space to put my reflections on growing up in Brooklyn in the ‘60s and ‘70s as part of an extended Jewish family. I think there are more stories to tell. In fact, I am working on another book that focuses more on memories of Canarsie. It will also explore race relations and public education. Stay tuned for that!
As the years have gone on, I realize that my interest in public policy is as much a part of me as childhood memories. I write the occasional op-ed pieces (or maybe more than occasional), too.
I look forward your comments! Welcome to the conversation.
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