The Autistic Serenity of a Surgical Social Cull
Any autistic will tell you: quieter is better.
Latest
20 Years of CHICAGO CARLESS
Boy, that went by fast.
Why I Returned My Amazon Kindle Colorsoft
I loved my Amazon Kindle Colorsoft until I hated it. But once you see the faulty yellow stripe across the bottom of the screen, you can't unsee it.
"On 9/11 I Lost New York" - But I'll Always Remember
It's time to admit to myself it will always be a part of me. And I don't want to forget. I want to remember. An evergreen version of my long-ago 9/11 story lives here for posterity.
On My 21st Chicagoversary, I No Longer Have Faith in Chicago
Progressive mayoral tantrums trying to class-shame people to stay just remind Chicagoans who've decided to leave why they're leaving.
When the Rabbi Shows You Their Backside, Show Yourself Out
When the synagogue Membership Director asked why we were leaving, I felt bad giving an honest response. But I should have.
A Republican Jew on Passover
A friend used to say neither party was truly on the side of actual Americans. But after 10/7, Republicans didn’t come for the Jews. Democrats did.
If Not Now, Later Is Okay Too
Two months since the October 7th massacre, many Jews feel torn between a need for self-care and urgings by some to continue the work of social justice.
A Jew with Corrective Lenses
I'm a Jew who never expected my identity, worldview, and politics to suddenly shift in the course of a single, awful day. And I know I'm not alone.
Why I've Stayed in Chicago for 20 Years
It's not easy or pretty, but life isn't without challenge anywhere else in America either. We stay because so many things about this place make us care enough to stay. And that's something I think outside observers always miss about Chicago.
“I Bet Your Blog Becomes All About Autism”
I thought coming out only happened once. Then 2020 proved me wrong. Hi, I'm Michael. And I'm autistic.
Passing on Passover: The Pandemic Edition
On why we're choosing not to observe Pesach during the COVID-19 crisis.
Life
And Not Another Shit Was Given That Day
The difference between me and a native Chicagoan? I always say what others only dare to think.
Judaism
Hebreo Rizado
Sometimes when you're 'Jewish and' you just have to lead with the 'and.' I'm a Hispanic Jew who's taking off his kippah.
Family
The Shit That Weighs You Down
I may have started my forties yearning for my father, but I'm ending them leaving him behind.
Disney Parks
When Bad Things Happen at Walt Disney World
Oh, the ass-hattery of people jealous that for a few days your family's at Walt Disney World and theirs isn't.
Disney Parks
The Racism of Coronado Springs
At the newly "reimagined" Coronado Springs Resort, Disney took a a resort themed to ancient Mexican cultural motifs and implanted on top of it a giant tower themed to conquering Spain. Colonialism much?
Judaism
Off with the Show
I will never understand why Reform synagogues can become so aggressively ambivalent about leading their congregations into Shabbat.
Judaism
My Rabbi and Katharine Hepburn
A mensch simply being themselves is perhaps the greatest Jewish lesson of all.
Judaism
Passover from the Archives 2018
A new roundup of my Passover lessons since the beginning of my Jewish journey, from marching myself like a fool straight into Egypt--to finding the courage to finally leave it behind.
Food and Drink
Why New Yorkers Don't Understand Chicago Pizza
New Yorkers always seem to completely misunderstand Chicago pizza. There's a reason for that.
My Conversion Journey
Seven Years After Converting, How's It Going?
Recently, I was asked how my Jew-by-choice life was going now seven years since I converted. That's a great question. Here's my answer.
Judaism
The Anger and Emanuel
How do you apologize to an entire synagogue? With love. On Emanuel Congregation and the teshuvah I've owed for a long, long time.
Elsewhere
Some Like It (Alarmingly) Hot
Does anyone really like obnoxiously hot, humid Central Florida summer weather? Yes. Me.