https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/30/style/arielle-angel-jewish-currents-magazine.html Amazing New York Times piece about Jewish Currents and Arielle Angel in last Sunday’s paper, written by Emma Goldberg, daughter of J.J. Goldberg, writer and former editor of The Forward. JJ is a contemporary of us Altes.
I, too, wish Esther had written this utterly ageist article. Little recognition or respect for the work done by Larry and the past generation of writers, artists, journalists, historians (stop me anytime) as JC was “schlepped” along for decades. Abidor’s quote was also unfortunate as it reduced serious work on class, labor and civil rights to a groan fest in a Miami retirement center. As I was late to the party as a contributing writer and as I live in Maine (far from NYC gatherings), I personally did not see JC in that insignificant light. And the silly and dismissive term “boomer” was used as contemptuously as it sounds. Arielle is not the culprit, she expressing pride in her mother’s renewed activism for reproductive rights. The reporter and NYT are for banning all forms of bigotry except ageism (and in some quarters, antisemitic sentiment). Sorry, Bernie Sanders is not the ONLY elder actively devoted to tikkun olam. To make him so is to see him as an abstraction rather than as a real human elder, like so many of us, who have wisdom and energy to give. My work in labor organization, refugee absorption (Afghans and Ukrainians at this time) and civil rights education go forth with greater time and vigor since I retired from full time work. And (Baruch HaShem) I hope to continue until at least Bernie’s age. NYT and the ‘journalist should be held accountable for this ageist crap. Late night hosts and media generally as well. Larry deserves better than how JC was characterized prior to the ‘great revival’ by this talented (if absolutist) new radical Jewish generation. Arielle and I don’t see eye-to-eye on a few things, but overall I regard her as a talent and a force to be respected, and argued with.
I read the NY Times piece with a sense of hope and also a twinge of sadness. While I applaud the energy and vision of the new editorial staff, I wish they would pay more attention to the rich history of Jewish Currents. Of course my perspective is skewed because Morris was my uncle, but it felt like the NYT article glossed over a lot of what made Jewish Currents what it is today. And the characterization of the magazine under Larry's leadership as "schlepping along" was kind of insulting, IMHO. But what do I know, I'm just a cranky old boomer.
The nice aspect of the article for me has been the messages of support that I've received from folks who saw my work at Jewish Currents as a lot more than "shlepping along." Otherwise it's a profile of Arielle (and she does deserve the attention), an exercise in ageism, and a mostly ahistorical piece about a historically fascinating magazine.
I, too, wish Esther had written this utterly ageist article. Little recognition or respect for the work done by Larry and the past generation of writers, artists, journalists, historians (stop me anytime) as JC was “schlepped” along for decades. Abidor’s quote was also unfortunate as it reduced serious work on class, labor and civil rights to a groan fest in a Miami retirement center. As I was late to the party as a contributing writer and as I live in Maine (far from NYC gatherings), I personally did not see JC in that insignificant light. And the silly and dismissive term “boomer” was used as contemptuously as it sounds. Arielle is not the culprit, she expressing pride in her mother’s renewed activism for reproductive rights. The reporter and NYT are for banning all forms of bigotry except ageism (and in some quarters, antisemitic sentiment). Sorry, Bernie Sanders is not the ONLY elder actively devoted to tikkun olam. To make him so is to see him as an abstraction rather than as a real human elder, like so many of us, who have wisdom and energy to give. My work in labor organization, refugee absorption (Afghans and Ukrainians at this time) and civil rights education go forth with greater time and vigor since I retired from full time work. And (Baruch HaShem) I hope to continue until at least Bernie’s age. NYT and the ‘journalist should be held accountable for this ageist crap. Late night hosts and media generally as well. Larry deserves better than how JC was characterized prior to the ‘great revival’ by this talented (if absolutist) new radical Jewish generation. Arielle and I don’t see eye-to-eye on a few things, but overall I regard her as a talent and a force to be respected, and argued with.
Everything you said PLUS the dismissal of the Secular movement, for which the magazine was produced.
Great, Esther! Wish YOU had written that NY Times article...
thanks Ellen x
I read the NY Times piece with a sense of hope and also a twinge of sadness. While I applaud the energy and vision of the new editorial staff, I wish they would pay more attention to the rich history of Jewish Currents. Of course my perspective is skewed because Morris was my uncle, but it felt like the NYT article glossed over a lot of what made Jewish Currents what it is today. And the characterization of the magazine under Larry's leadership as "schlepping along" was kind of insulting, IMHO. But what do I know, I'm just a cranky old boomer.
thanks Nina. Your uncle and Larry both amazing of course. So many of us know that.
It was not "kind of" insulting. It was ignorant and vile.
I wonder if Emma treats her ‘boomer’ dad, JJ Goldberg with equal ‘humorous’ (not so funny) contempt.
The nice aspect of the article for me has been the messages of support that I've received from folks who saw my work at Jewish Currents as a lot more than "shlepping along." Otherwise it's a profile of Arielle (and she does deserve the attention), an exercise in ageism, and a mostly ahistorical piece about a historically fascinating magazine.