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Connections

Sep 21, 2026, 6:17 PM

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It’s 12:07 a.m.

I’m in bed, comfortable beneath white cotton sheets and blankets. The fan spins at high speed, filling the room with a steady hum. I hold my iPhone in my palm, and its glow creates a tiny pocket of light between my face and my hand.

And I am happy.

It’s a new day, and mine begins with the New York Times puzzles: Wordle and Connections.

For those who don’t know Connections, here’s the game: Sixteen words appear on the screen, and you have to group them into four sets of four, with each group sharing a secret connection.

I’ve already solved Wordle in four tries, and I’m feeling pretty proud of myself.

Now it’s time for Connections.

I scan the sixteen words.

Then I see them:

Gibson. Macklemore. Ye.

Three names. There must be a fourth.

I keep scanning.

And then I see it.

Ruffalo.

My synapses fire.

Wait.

It can’t be.

Enemies of my people—in a New York Times puzzle?

I click on the four names.

I’m right.

The category appears:

ASSOCIATED WITH CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN ANTISEMITES IN THE ARTS.

Gibson.
Macklemore.
Ye.
Ruffalo.

I stare at the screen.

And I feel good.

At my age, my brain is still capable of making the connections.

And the Times is calling out these bastards.

I turn off my iPhone, pull the covers a little higher, and smile.

And I am happy.

About the Author

Mort Laitner is a writer, storyteller, and lifelong observer of the wonderfully unpredictable human condition. His writing combines humor, Jewish wit, personal experience, and a healthy dose of curiosity about the rapidly changing world around us. A South Florida writer and longtime member of the writing community, Mort writes about everything from technology and artificial intelligence to Israel, Jewish life, aging, friendship, and the everyday absurdities of modern life. His stories often begin with a simple question—and then take the reader somewhere unexpected. Mort believes that good writing should make readers laugh, think, and occasionally say, “I never thought about it that way.” His work has appeared in The Times of Israel and in literary publications and anthologies. Whether writing about Moshe and Mordechai arguing over the latest news, an encounter with artificial intelligence, or the peculiarities of getting older, Mort brings his distinctive voice, humor, and humanity to every story.

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