A. L. Kaplan

Author: A. L. Kaplan

  • Global Priorities

    It’s time to heed Mother Nature’s message.

  • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: An American Hero

    Martin Luther King Jr.

    January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968

    Today we honor Martin Luther King Jr., an American hero of the Civil Rights Movement. Before his life was cut short, King won the Nobel Peace Prize for combating racial inequality through nonviolent resistance.

    “Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence.”

  • Republican Book Bans

  • Cabbages Not Kings

    Jane Lindskold brings up some important thoughts on The Lord of the Rings. I love both books and movies.

    What say you?

  • Brady PAC Data on Gun Violence

    Great post by Tom Glenn about gun violence.

  • The Power of Magical Thinking

    I learn things every day.

  • The Barnett Menorah

    The first day of Hannukah sounds like the perfect time to share a small bit of my family history. I remember the beautiful silver menorah pictured above from my great grandma Celia Barnett’s apartment. Fast forward several decades, and the menorah made its way to my parent’s home. Last winter this little treasure came home with me.

    Thus began the great mystery.

    When I removed all the tarnish, I discovered an engraving on the base. Luckily, I happen to know someone who speaks both Hebrew and Yiddish fluently. They were able to give me this translation:

    From the board of directors
    of Machzikei Talmud Torah of Boro Park
    to Ahron Tzvi Barnett for his efforts for the good of the institution. 5684

    That puts it circa 1924. Machzikei Talmud Torah of Boro Park was founded in Brooklyn in 1908 and closed in 1941. Their focus was the Jewish religious education of children. They were located at 1319 43rd st., Brooklyn, NY. There is an article that mentions him being a Gabbai at the school.

    The menorah was manufactured by Victor Siedman Mfg.Co. Inc. (c. 1920-1934) of Brooklyn, NY. The same company that made the silver candlesticks given to Celia on her 25th wedding anniversary in 1926.

    But who was Ahron Tzvi Barnett? According to the family tree, Celia Barnett (1881-1978) married Isaac “Ike” Barnett (1876-1958). But her father’s name was Harris Barnett (1856-1944). Yes, a Barnett married a Barnett. No there was no family connection. So was the menorah given to her father, Harris, or her father-in-law, Marx “Max” Barnett (1855-1933). Neither of those names matched Ahron Tzvi Barnett. A bit more sleuthing, and a lot of help from friends and family solved the mystery.

    Tzvi is Hebrew for deer – Hirsh in Yiddish also mean deer

    Hirsh – got Americanized to – Harris

    The menorah belonged to my great great grandfather Harris Barnett.

  • Reading Fantasy and Science Fiction

    Check out this interview of my friend and fellow author, Andrew McDowell.

  • Book Review: Sons of Darkness – Gail Z. Martin

    Ex-priest Travis Dominick, and ex-special ops soldier Brent Lawson have both been disillusioned by their former employers and struck out on their own to battle demons, monsters, and nasty things that go bump in the night — Until they discover that they’re both working on the same case from different angles.

    Sons of Darkness is a fast-paced mystery/paranormal/adventure that keeps you on your toes. At its heart, it is about moving beyond the pain of the past and embracing who you’ve become. Not to mention learning that sometimes, having a friend at your back is not only a good idea, it’s essential.

    I can’t wait to read C.H.A.R.O.N., the next book in the series.

  • Spotlight