Category Archives: NEW YORK

G’MAR CHATIMA TOVA ET OI VEY by Peter Nolan Smith

October 11, 2024 – 4:17 am

Several years ago I rode my bike down Kent Street to Williamsburg. Scores of Hassidim were flocking out of the Brooklyn shtel. They congregated by the East River to atone for their sins and the Expulsion from Eden. Men and women were separated by a fence and I thought about taking a photo, but realized […]

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ROSH A HOMA by Peter Nolan Smith

October 2, 2024 – 7:14 am

Eight years ago I sat in Frank’s Lounge with Vince. The owner’s nephew and I discussed a teaching position as a creative writer. The offer sounded good and the Fort Greene native said, “Hell, I have a four day weekend thanks to Rush a homa.” “You mean Rosh Hashanah?” My boss from the Diamond District […]

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CRAZY MUSLIMS by Peter Nolan Smith

October 2, 2024 – 3:37 am

Yesterday I called my ‘niece’ Andy to wish her Jewish Happy New Year. She had already left the diamond exchange for the day and explained that she was having a post-work drink at the Plaza Hotel bar. “I’m meeting my sister and her wife for Rosh Hashanah.” “Nice, I’m in Brooklyn, otherwise I’d come and […]

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SUKKOT / BET ON CRAZY

September 23, 2024 – 12:34 pm

Ten years ago the Hassidim were hurrying home from the Diamond District. The High Holidays had come early this year with Sukkor coinciding with the ancient pagan festival of Mabon, which commemorates the autumnal equinox. Sukkor is not only a bridge across the Indus, but the festival honoring the 40 years during which the Hebrews […]

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Hoegaarten Beer End of Summer

September 22, 2024 – 10:49 pm

Written 2010 Beer is better than good in Belgium. Back in the 80s I drank in a bar behind the Gallerie des Reines. A small bar. No one of consequences frequented the back street bar. Seats for 10. Draft beer. Le Mort Subite and Hoegaarten. One great for winter. The other superb for summer. The […]

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