Daniel Lubetzky

And here is a song by John Lennon that Gil Shamy from OneVoice Israel sent to me celebrating baby Romy’s arrival…

[Read more →]

Susan Collin Marks, a dear friend and John Marks’ partner at Search for Common Ground, sent a beautiful note to baby Roman when he was born last December (which also explains why I have not gotten a chance to blog for a while – and may have less in the future also).  It is worth sharing:

Welcome dear Roman. I am so grateful to you for coming to our planet at this critical time in the development of human consciousness. I know your lineage through your mother and father so I know that you bring purpose and love. I will know of you as you grow. Meantime, you are small … this is what the great Persian poet and mystic Rumi has to say about that.

     I am so small I can barely be seen
     How can this great love be inside me?
     Look at your eyes. They are small,
     But they see enormous things.

You will soon grow into your eyes, and see this amazing world in all its beauty and difficulty. Here is what we are being called to do, and what you may want to remember when you are old enough to choose your life:

We have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour
Now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour
And there are things to be considered.
Where are you living?
  What are you doing?
  What are your relationships?
  Are you in the right relation?
  Where is your water?
Know your garden.
  It is time to speak your truth
  Create your community.
  Be good to each other.
  And do not look outside yourself for the leader.
  This could be a good time!
  There is a river flowing now very fast
  It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid.
  They will try to hold onto the shore.
  They will feel they are being torn apart and they will suffer greatly.
  Know the river has its destination.
The elders say we must let go of the shore, and push off and into the river,
  Keep our eyes open, and our head above the water.
  See who is in there with you and Celebrate.
  At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally.
  Least of all ourselves.
  For the moment that we do,
Our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.
The time of the lone wolf is over, Gather yourselves!
  Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary.
  All that you do now must be done in a sacred manner
  And in celebration.
"We are the ones we’ve been waiting for…"
          The Elders, Hopi Nati

This gripping article from Michael Lewis (Liars’ Poker) and David Einhorn is a must-read:

THE END OF THE FINANCIAL WORLD AS WE KNOW IT

[Read more →]

Steven Heydt from Elite Island Resorts came up with a creative promotion that not only aligns investors’ depressed moods to the plus of a vacation in his chain, but also landed them broad media coverage, like this story in the New York Times.

[Read more →]

We saw this movie last week and it is still on my mind.  My favorite this year, and certainly among my all-time favorites. I recommend it to all.

In another development showing a rising tide against pseudo-Islamic terrorists, throngs of Indian Muslims marched to condemn the Mumbai terrorist attacks and dissociate Islam from the actions of the perpetrators.

"Muslim leaders have refused to allow the bodies of the nine militants killed in the attacks to be buried in Islamic cemeteries, saying the men were not true Muslims."

[Read more →]

This may be one of the most entrancingly beautiful compilations I have ever seen: Women in Art (also available here and below):

I just got this book for my wife (eh, well, and for me).  Paul Simon is a real genius.  I strongly recommend this book.

Here is another good article on the misaligned incentives that came about when Wall Street went public.

[Read more →]

Something I’ve noticed this year about the irony of American Exceptionalism: Those who trumpet it most have it least.

American exceptionalism is about being a nation rooted not in shared backgrounds but in shared values: freedom, democracy, the rule of law, equality for all. We thrive because we recognize our diversity as a strength, and respect to each other as an imperative.

It is ironic that many who proclaim American Exceptionalism as their badge of honor tend to use it to foment divisions.