December 26 “This is easier than the last time,” I said to myself as I climbed Masada. “Don’t jinx yourself. Keep quiet,” I would then mutter. Turned out it was easier. I attributed it to my “sprint” work at the Meadowbrook pool. “But it was 20 degrees warmer the last time …more >
December 27 We had just visited the archaeological site at Zippori, the capital of Israel after the Second Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. “When this was a flourishing city, Nazareth was an obscure town on a nearby hill,” our guide told us. Now it was time for lunch. I …more >
December 28 “I’m sitting in a bomb shelter near the Syrian border so that people in Tel Aviv can sit in cafes,” an Israeli famously told CNN 30+ years ago. Israeli military history has been marked by the element of surprise (Arab troops massed for the Yom Kippur attack unbeknownst to …more >
December 29 Tel Aviv is a new city – even by American terms. It’s barely one hundred years old. Nonetheless, layers of ideologies can be found at the same site. We stopped at a modern complex that was once two separate buildings for boys and girls education, then housed two rival factions of the pre-1948 …more >
December 30 We began our day at a kindegarten. Most of the kids are Ethiopian immigrants, but not all. “Everything has to be about integration,” we were told. “We never do just an Ethiopian group of kids.” This program will be replicated in the Hopkins Hospital neighborhood in East Baltimore. Integration will be difficult to …more >
December 31 The layers of complexity and contention in this holy land are aptly summarized by the text accompanying the artifacts and documents of “Breaking Ground: Pioneers of Biblical Archaeology” at the Israel Museum. Israel has been home to peoples of different cultures and faiths for more than 1.5 million years. Lt. Charles warren …more >
I’ll be blogging from Israel starting December 23. It will be my 14th trip there and the first for my older brother, Stewart.
This is the photo for the feature race on Jim McKay Maryland Million Day. I’m in it. I may still be playing baseball, but I’m not riding thoroughbreds on the weekends. It was my idea to name this day in memory of the renowned sportscaster, who founded the event in 1986. I’m standing next to …more >
Embryonic stem cell research has extraordinary potential for treating several diseases. When Governor Ehrlich first funded this research, Senator Hollinger and I introduced a bill to maximize the scientific benefits we would receive. In an interview with the Jewish Times, the former governor’s recollection of his role in this process strayed from the truth. Here’s …more >
I’m already working on several issues for the 2011 legislative session. The topics include criminal justice, public education, voting rights, and workplace discrimination. But as you may recall from reading my diary, since we’re still in the drafting stage, it’s premature to discuss the details. But there’s one thing I can tell you for sure. …more >
