Don’t Die Until You’re Dead: Remembering Jerry
Jerry Witkovsky was my long-time creative partner and an amazing inspiration for learning, creating, and contributing across the lifespan.
‘How Many Bushels Am I Worth?’ to Make January 2020 Debut in Providence, NYC
The play “How Many Bushels Am I Worth?” will debut in January 2020 in Providence, Rhode Island, and New York City, marking five decades since the first wave of immigration of Soviet Jews to the United States. Through the lens of the Shklyanoys’ emigration, the play highlights a unique time in Jewish history: when establishment organizations and grass-roots advocacy groups coalesced to secure the release of Soviet Jews.
Shakespeare + Pop Music = WOW
Here’s a scene you wouldn’t typically associate with Shakespearean theatre: People ages 8 to 80 whoopin’ it up as they learn about the six wives of Henry VIII. That was just the scene during Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s production of Six. How? The historical characters were presented as pop stars, mimicking the likes of Beyoncé and…
Three Lessons for Marketing and Interculturalism Gleaned from a Road Trip
I once read that if you want to foster nostalgic memories for your child, you need to create and repeat annual traditions. For my son and me, it’s our epic road trips from Chicago to St. Louis to visit Grandma and Grandpa. My husband can do this drive in four hours. The longest it’s…
The Elixir of a Teaching and Learning Culture
A Teaching-and-Learning culture is one in which knowledge and experience are shared in all directions, from young to old or old to young; where individuals draw on what they do and what they care about and teach it to those around them. All involved not only learn new skills and gain new knowledge, but…
Do we have age bias or has technology made us too impatient?
I asked a male-millennial-something to take a picture of me at a recent event. I was merely closing another app before opening the camera when he starts giving multiple instructions, reaching over to tap things, and telling me which buttons to push as though it were my first time holding such a ‘newfangled doohickey.’ “Thank…
Lollapalooza Aqua Aerobics Playlist
I had a ridiculous amount of fun yesterday putting together a Lollapalooza playlist for my Aqua Bootcamp class. As I told the class, made up of mostly women and a few men ages 40+ to 80, “I don’t want you just to look good. I want you to be hip and cool, too!” I knew…
What Kind of Technology Tourist are You?
If I asked about new technology two years ago, you would have lamented (or relished) diminishing face-to-face connections, with the growth of Facebook and LinkedIn. A year ago you would have cried (or celebrated) the intrusion of mobile devices into everyday life. Today you might tell me how you shout out loud (Hey, Alexa!) that…
Artificial Intelligence Explained for Non-Digital Natives
“The Fourth Industrial Revolution of Machine Intelligence is real. It will define which businesses live and die in the next decade. And the first casualties will be those who fail to adopt and adapt.” Okay, before you start to hyperventilate or call your artificial intelligence wallpaper doctor, the quote above is from Hypergiant, a company that…
Eat, Drink and Be Jerry
At 89, grandparenting activist, author and visionary Jerry Witkovsky may be eating less and drinking only water. But “being Jerry” is an inspiration and goal. Because at 89, Jerry is filled with a driving mission and purpose; a passion for his belief that Grandparents can have a transformational effect on their families when they unleash…