2010 in Verse
What a year this was, this twenty-ten!
Wikileaks, iPads, a Beck named Glenn,
Tea Parties and miners in Chile,
A campaign that was strange and silly.
For Jews in the news it was a year
Of achievement and reason to cheer.
The Russians emerged, with Sergey Brin,
Sharansky and Misha Galperin.
Eric Cantor, second in the House,
A great story told by Nicole Krauss,
Elena Kagan, in high court gown,
Will Mayor Rahm rule Chicago town?
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Dennis Ross,
Kenneth Feinberg, parsing BP’s loss
A mosque near Ground Zero caused a stir
For Abe Foxman, Pamela Geller,
Michael Bloomberg and the blogosphere.
Jon Stewart became the nation’s seer.
Jeffrey Goldberg and Andrew Breitbart,
Dan Sieradski and Peter Beinart
Used the media in diff’rent ways,
But Helen Thomas wore out her days!
Steven M. Cohen and Leonard Saxe
Took sociology to the max.
Michael Rosenzweig, Gary Shteyngart,
Jeremiah Lockwood — now that’s art!
Dmitriy Salita’s in the ring,
And Debbie Friedman had songs to sing.
Foodies rejoiced with Gail Simmons’ show,
Shamu Sadeh’s organic to go!
Jacqueline Koch Ellenson, Gil Marks,
Rebecca Vilkomerson caused sparks.
Hannah Rosenthal, Ruth Messinger,
And a Henry who’s called Kissinger.
Mark Zuckerberg on cover of TIME,
Jesse Eisenberg’s movie sublime.
Alex Rapaport, he fed the poor,
Ruth Gruber, 99, gave us more!
Natalie Portman, the Maccabeats,
Josh Foer brought sukkahs to the streets.
Sara Berman, and Jenn Gorovitz,
Who has read all of Josh Cohen’s “Witz”?
Ike Davis proved that the Jews can play,
And Paul Rudd showed his moves as DJ.
While settlements grew, Bibi held firm,
Let’s see if he can last his whole term.
The FCC’s chair, Genachowski,
Struck a deal on net neutrality.
Randi Weingarten, Danny Sokatch,
Even Ivanka Trump found her match.
Marshall Breger, Jerry Silverman,
Naomi Levy, Lynn Schusterman.
Rabbinic edicts caused quite a stink,
But peace prevailed at Abraham Inc.
Philologos, our very own sage.
Shylock returned to the Broadway stage.
Arnie Eisen challenged JTS,
Shas’s rabbis challenged how we dress.
David Grossman and Larry Summers,
What happened to gas-guzzlin’ Hummers?
Russell Feingold and Arlen Specter,
Now are back in the private sector.
Eric Kandel and Harry Ostrer,
The scientists own Kosher Nostra.
Babs emerged with a book of design,
Jerry Seinfeld, and Bette the divine.
This yearly verse must make a mention
Of wedding that defied convention.
Under chuppah, Chelsea Clinton stood
With her Marc, didn’t they look so good?
He in prayer shawl and yarmulke,
Think they celebrated Hanukkah?
Farewell to all those whose seal was signed,
Dear Richard Holbrooke first comes to mind.
Then there’s Martin Ginsburg, Lou Henkin,
Mina Bern, history’s Howard Zinn.
British Jews adored their Lady J,
We are sure she charmed on judgment day.
We at the Forward had a great year,
Awards and accolades, lots to cheer.
From Jane, Lil, Laura, Dan and Daniel,
Allison, Nadja and Gabrielle,
Gal, Josh, Joy, Devra, Maia, Larry,
Kurt, Richard, Karen, Jeanette, Teri,
Two Nathans, in Israel and D.C.
And all our extended family,
Go our best wishes for the new year.
Look forward to more from us right here.
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