Biography
Awards and Honors
- NYNATAS, 2022, Emmy nomination
- NYNATAS, 2017, Emmy nomination
- NYNATAS, 2012, Two Emmy nominations
- NYNATAS, 2004, Emmy nomination
- NYNATAS, 2001, Emmy winner and additional Emmy nomination
- Press Club, 1999, Best TV Features
Education
BA, Queens College of CUNY, New York, NY
Psychology
MS, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, New York, NY
Magazine Writing
Research and Creative Works
Research Interest
Researched, produced and presented three public television documentaries that continue to air nationally as well as television works on the history of Madison Square Garden, the history of New York City, the history of Long Island, and specialized in arts and human-interest features for print and broadcast.
Artistic and Professional Performances and Exhibits
"A Day In The Life of Silence"
[Documentary] Independent production airing on PBS, National"The Four Sons and All Their Sons: A Passover Tale"
[Documentary] PBS nationally"18 Voices Sing Kol Nidre"
[Documentary] Independent production airing on PBS, USA
Courses Taught
Past Courses
COM 200: Public Speaking
JRN 101: Introduction to News Media
JRN 102: History of Journalism
JRN 203: Feature Writing
JRN 210: Journalism at the Movies
JRN 211: Arts and Enter. Journalism
MCA 226: Writing for Electronic Media
Professional Contributions and Service
Media Contributions
"A Day In The Life of Silence" [TV], 2019
This independent documentary is unusual in topic and treatment. It explores the virtues of silence in whatever form we each prefer. It's presented mainly in silence, so it informs viewers about the subject and allows them to experience it simultaneously. I wrote, researched and produced the piece, which is airing on PBS stations nationally and was nominated for an Emmy.
"The Four Sons and All Their Sons: A Passover Tale" documentary [Other], 2015
“The Four Sons” piece, a one-hour work that I produced, wrote, researched, and narrated, has continuesd to air on PBS stations nationally for six years.
The Four Sons are the focus of one of the most beloved and intriguing stories in the Haggadah, the book read and sung at the Passover Seder.
The story is beloved despite being just a short fable about four boys at the Seder table and how they’re treated by their father.
The fable is intriguing because it has been revised relentlessly over the centuries--in words, in art, in music--until it must be right up there with Shakespeare's plays among the most re-interpreted tales ever told.
The documentary, nominated for an Emmy, shows 34 unique versions of the story.
"18 Voices Sing Kol Nidre" documentary [Other], 2009
I produced, directed and researched the independent documentary “18 Voices Sing Kol Nidre,” which has aired on PBS each fall from 2010 to the present. The piece tells the story of Judaism’s most sacred prayer, the Kol Nidre, chanted on Yom Kippur. It was nominated for two Emmys after airing in 90 PBS markets nationally and receiving very positive reviews. Also produced related DVD, museum concert, and cineplex program.
MSG Network [TV], 2006
Produced, reported, and hosted history pieces at MSG Sports Network. Won an Emmy and an additional Emmy nomination for a series on the history of Madison Square Garden, "Digging In the Garden," and an Emmy nomination for the historical documentary, “The World’s Most Famous Arena And How It Got That Way.”
News 12 Network [TV], 2004
At News 12 Network, the all-news channel in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey, served as Entertainment Critic, presenting arts features and reviews that won top press awards. Also hosted and produced two history series, "This Old Town" and "Long Island: Our Story," both later released on video, with "Our Story" winning a top press award.
US and Israeli print media [Newspaper], 1984
At USA Today, Chicago Sun-Times, Boston Herald, and Charlotte Observer published feature and arts pieces as full-time editor or critic, and at Jerusalem Post, Israel Magazine, and Ha’aretz newspaper in Israel published features as freelance reporter.