The Simplest and Hardest Question
At some point in each course, I ask a question that is one of the simplest and hardest questions of all. A hand may shoot up after I pose it, thus indicating an avid interest in…
Author: Mark J. Chmiel
How To Make a Decision
A friend shared this with me this evening. Some people out there may recognize their own process herein. Step 1: Recognize option A as a reality Step 2: Celebrate option A as the best possible choice in…
Two Pages
Your book arrived today, just a few days after I ordered it on Amazon (and on a Sunday no less!) It looks beautiful and I couldn’t be happier for you I opened up to the…
List/27
I recently read David Roskies’ book, The Search for a Usable Jewish Past, and from its pages I noted the following books or authors to read: Ahad Ha’am S. Y. Agnon, The Bridal Canopy, A Simple Story,…
Share the Wealth with Celine Dammond–Disability: Where Did It Come From and What Does It Mean?
What is the first image in your mind when you hear the word, “disability”? Take that image and imagine that disability can touch people anywhere, at any time, without boundaries. It is a part of…
Like When I quoted Jon Sobrino in “Dear Layla Welcome to Palestine”
The quote is always fascinating because it changes out of context, becomes different and sometimes more mysterious. It has a directness and assertiveness it may not have had in the original. — Susan Sontag
Because We Say So
Dear Kelley, I’m delighted that you inquired about where to start with reading Noam Chomsky. I look forward to discussing Hegemony or Survival with you in a couple of weeks. Back in 1986—those horrid years…
The Judge and the Jesuit
Judge: “Father Berrigan, regardless of the outcome of these hearings, will you promise the court that you will refrain from such acts in the future?” Berrigan: ”Your honor, it seems to me that you are…
A Poem by Dom Pedro
for Claire At the end of the road they will ask me –Have you lived? Have you loved? And not saying a word I Will open my heart full of names. –Pedro Casaldáliga, Brazil
My Relationship with the Dictionary by Claire Peterson
Last night in the Dear Layla Writing class, we considered the themes of “Words” and “Reading” as we read aloud part of the Lexicon and Reading series in my novel. Claire Peterson wrote the following…