Kathryn Ruth Bloom

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Sep 19, 2023, 12:08 AM

A Freshman Dorm and a Senior Living Community

The architect who designed my college campus tried to encompass the entire world. The chapel was classic New England, the oldest dormitory clearly based on an Oxbridge quad, and the library resembled Frank Lloyd Wright’s international-style Farnsworth House. The...

Jul 6, 2023, 7:57 AM

A Poem about Sincerity…and Fear

To his face, we called him “Mr. Friedman,” but behind his back my 10th grade English teacher was known as “Sincere Sidney,” a nickname given to him by Donny Smyth, whose hobby was writing funny limericks about our teachers....

Feb 4, 2023, 5:51 PM

Growing Young Again to Classical Music

Today, of course, we include them among the giants of classical music, old timers who have set the standards of excellence for decades. But there was a time long ago, back in the 1970s, when they were starting out,...

Jan 2, 2022, 6:15 PM

Having It Both Ways: My First Act of Rebellion

In my 11th grade American history class, we studied the Bill of Rights. And it says in the First Amendment, right: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” So why...

Jul 29, 2021, 6:55 PM

A memory from another epidemic

Red ribbons, symbolizing support and solidarity for people living with HIV and to remember those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses, on November 30, 2006. (Facebook)

How could I tell the West African with beautiful handwriting and a full-blown case of AIDS that the anti-viral treatment he wanted was still in early research phases?

Dec 22, 2020, 6:30 PM

‘The Big Chill’ goes live

If you’re a Baby Boomer like me, you’ll probably remember the 1980s movie “The Big Chill.” It’s the story of a group friends in their late thirties who gather to mourn the suicide of a college buddy. They are...

Jun 15, 2020, 9:08 PM

Jewish Humor or Constant Micro-Aggression?

As the coronavirus pandemic goes on—and on—I’ve become aware of how different friends reach out to make contact with others. Byron forwards comments about news reporting that he posts on the New York Times website. From Toronto, Brian emails...

Aug 29, 2019, 11:52 PM

A lesson from Mount Sinai in the 21st century

The rabbi was upset. Very upset. "I don't have time to talk to someone's angry daughter. How dare you call a major theological seminary to complain about a rabbi? What have you ever done for the Jewish people? We get calls from...

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About Me

PhD in English literature, retired public-relations professional, and author whose fiction, columns, reviews and literary criticism have appeared in a variety of publications.