The Rogovoy Report 10.30.23

From around the corner to around the globe...

Oct 29, 2023

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REQUIRED READING

The Decolonization Narrative Is Dangerous and False

(The Atlantic) - The decolonization narrative has dehumanized Israelis to the extent that otherwise rational people excuse, deny, or support barbarity. It holds that Israel is an “imperialist-colonialist” force, that Israelis are “settler-colonialists,” and that Palestinians have a right to eliminate their oppressors. (On October 7, we all learned what that meant.) It casts Israelis as “white” or “white-adjacent” and Palestinians as “people of color.” This ideology, powerful in the academy but long overdue for serious challenge, is a toxic, historically nonsensical mix of Marxist theory, Soviet propaganda, and traditional anti-Semitism from the Middle Ages and the 19th century. But its current engine is the new identity analysis, which sees history through a concept of race that derives from the American experience. The argument is that it is almost impossible for the “oppressed” to be themselves racist, just as it is impossible for an “oppressor” to be the subject of racism. Jews therefore cannot suffer racism, because they are regarded as “white” and “privileged”; although they cannot be victims, they can and do exploit other, less privileged people, in the West through the sins of “exploitative capitalism” and in the Middle East through “colonialism.” Contrary to the decolonizing narrative, Gaza is not technically occupied by Israel—not in the usual sense of soldiers on the ground. Israel evacuated the Strip in 2005, removing its settlements. In 2007, Hamas seized power, killing its Fatah rivals in a short civil war. Hamas set up a one-party state that crushes Palestinian opposition within its territory, bans same-sex relationships, represses women, and openly espouses the killing of all Jews. Of course, some protesters chanting “from the river to the sea” may have no idea what they’re calling for; they are ignorant and believe that they are simply endorsing “freedom.”

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America’s Most Famous Neurosurgeon Thinks You Should Take a Nap: People who nap regularly and had a specific length of nap had increased brain volume versus those who did not nap regularly (WSJ)

The path to reducing pedestrian deaths is steep but straight (NYT)

FOOD & DINING

More Than Fare

(RI) - Rural Intelligence surveys a bevy of new and unique restaurants in the greater region, including Bondhu in New Ashford, Mass., Kip's Tavern in Rhinecliff, N.Y., the Gnome Bistro in East Chatham, N.Y., and Geppetto Osteria e Bisteccheria in Torrington, Conn.

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Dream Away Lodge offers artful food in a unique setting (Berkshire Week)

Brick House in Housatonic to be revived as Scottish-inspired pub (Berkshire Edge)

Pittsfield’s Hot Dog Ranch on market for $2.3M (Berkshire Eagle)

Charlie’s Bistro Bus serves up global menu from food truck in Lee (B Eagle)

El Sabor Dominicano, a new restaurant featuring cuisine from the Dominican Republic, is coming to Tyler Street in Pittsfield (B Eagle)

Kitty's Restaurant in Hudson to reopen with a new chef and event space (Chronogram)

Zak Pelaccio returns to launch Kingston restaurant’s fall menu (Chronogram)

Julia's Local in Round Top, N.Y.: A Scandinavian twist on American comfort food (Chronogram)

The crimes behind the seafood you eat (New Yorker)

The salmon on your plate has a troubling cost. These farms offer hope. (NYT)

A brief history of a problematic appetizer: Squid (NYT)

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Bodytraffic Dance Ensemble to Bring Celebration of Ideas and Spirit to Mahaiwe

(Berkshire Edge) GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. - Of all the artists who took strategic advantage of pandemic restrictions, one of the foremost must be Tina Finkelman Berkett, artistic director of Los Angeles-based contemporary dance troupe BODYTRAFFIC, appearing November 10 and 11 at the Mahaiwe. Berkett used her down time in 2020 to make wishes and reinvent her company, which performed at Jacob’s Pillow in the summer of 2022 with a group of new dancers who now constitute the company Berkett had always dreamed of, dancers whose discovery she calls a “gift from the universe.”

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WAM Theatre’s ‘Me and The Sky’ cabaret will end 4-night run with farewell celebration fundraiser honoring founder Kristen van Ginhoven (Berkshire Eagle)

Carrie Holland, interim director of Hancock Shaker Village, named permanent executive director and CEO (B Eagle)

West Stockbridge Chamber Players perform Mozart, Klein, Martinů, and more at Old Town Hall today (Berkshire Edge)

Sculptor Andrew DeVries casts his work in bronze. His wife helps turn those pieces into gold. (B Eagle)

REVIEW: The spirit of punk runs through R.B. Schlather’s ‘Rodelinda’ by Handel at Hudson Hall (by Seth Rogovoy/Everything Is Broken)

Hudson’s Park Theater: A 1921 movie house is now a vibrant performance space (RI)

Arts an economic success despite funding cuts, report shows (ATU)

We’re Going to Lenox This Fall. (Again.) Here’s Why You Should, Too.

(Boston Globe) LENOX, Mass. - For the ultimate mix of fun and beauty, one New England town draws us back, again and again: Lenox. One of 30 small towns and two cities in the Berkshires, this former Gilded Age summer escape has morphed into a cultural destination that has basically everything you need for a grown-up getaway: art, museums, nature, food, shopping, spas. We visited on a recent sparkly September weekend, and sure enough, Lenox was as lovely as ever. It happened to be Fall Art Walk Weekend, meaning 50 artisans (and some hot dog carts) were clustered around Main Street selling their wares. We saw some great stuff — sculpture, photography, handmade clothing, raffia bags, even cheeseboards made from melted wine bottles.

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Town meeting voters reject school district merger for southern Berkshire County (WAMC)

Voters at Great Barrington town meeting reject attempt to sideline W.E.B. Du Bois statue (WAMC)

Never-ending dispute between Truc Orient Express, The Foundry continues (Berkshire Edge)

Lenox man's Holocaust survival story part of exhibit at NYC's Museum of Jewish Heritage (B Eagle)

Pittsfield-based ‘innovation center’ opens ‘satellite campus’ at MASS MoCA (B Eagle)

NEWS FROM THE HUDSON VALLEY

How to Spend a Long Weekend in Hudson

(Observer) HUDSON, N.Y. - If you’re debating where to go for a long weekend this fall, look no further than Hudson, New York. Whether you’re a nature lover and hardcore hiker or more of a consummate foodie and cocktails and boutique shopping type, the sweet town truly has something for everyone. It helps that it’s supremely walkable, making it an easy, quick getaway via Amtrak from New York City, which is especially helpful for those without cars. Before you book your next long weekend, check out the best spots to stay, the funkiest places to dine and the chicest shops to peruse.

READ MORE:

Hudson Valley & Catskills tourism is booming post-pandemic (Chronogram)

After decade, Antigo antiques shop in Hudson closing doors for good (HV360)

Cohotate Preserve in Athens to receive million-dollar makeover (HV360)

Please Buy Me This: Willem Dafoe lists quaint Hudson Valley property — complete with writer’s cabin and yoga room — for $1.3M (AD)

New concerns about Hudson River barge dangers emerge (WAMC)

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