Oh Thank Heaven for 2011
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What a year it was, this two-oh-one-one,
Uprisings, protests, regimes on the run.
A year when “occupy” became a noun,
And millions tried to imitate Kate’s gown.
Bin Laden is gone, we’re out of Iraq.
Here at the Forward, it’s time to look back.
It was a year of Jacobs — Jill, Leslie,
And Rick, who now heads Reform’s polity.
Gabby Giffords displayed courage unique,
And the Brewer’s Ryan Braun reached his peak,
‘Till charges he had help throwing the ball.
The higher they go, the harder they fall.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Eric Cantor,
Already started their campaign banter.
Poet Philip Levine and James Levine,
The spelling’s the same, but the names don’t rhyme!
Poor Anthony Weiner texted too much
Queens voters said “bye, don’t stay in touch.”
Thanks to Michael Hirsch, the Triangle fire
Is a history that serves to inspire.
It was also a year to remember
The horrible attacks of September,
Michael Arad for his stunning design
And Daniel Libeskind for his vision so fine.
Birthright got more from Sheldon Adelson.
The New York Times promoted Jill Abramson.
John Zorn made music, Bill Kristol bought ads,
Adam Mansbach had fun with moms and dads.
Rabbi Pinto’s charity made headlines.
Was its luxury spending out of line?
David Yerushalmi launched his crusade.
Ruth Messinger brought Africa aid.
Michael Solomonov wowed with his food.
New Square noticed when Michael Sussman sued.
Mark Cuban, Fred Wilpon — yes, Jews do sports.
Does Joy Levitt have any tennis courts?
David Graeber spawned Occupy Wall Street
Mark Bittman opined on what we should eat.
Murdoch was defended by our Joel Klein.
MacArthur picked Alisa Weilerstein.
For Google ideas, Jared Cohen was your guy.
Want to live longer? Call Nir Barzilai!
Sharon Kleinbaum fought for same-sex unions.
Art Spiegelman drew a Maus reunion.
Natalie Portman had baby Aleph,
And Caryl Stern championed UNICEF.
Rahm Emanuel earned Chicago’s crown
While the Hasidic world dealt with Judy Brown.
Chaya Mushka, Chaya Mushka — what’s in a name?
For Lubavitcher girls, it was one and the same.
Tony Kushner courted controversy,
While his new play told its own history.
Dovid Katz challenged Lithuania.
Jaron Lanier warned about techno-mania.
Social justice was the theme for Simon Greer.
Michael Tilson Thomas delighted the ear.
Outreach was strengthened by Burt Visotzky.
Israel Project’s Jennifer Mizrahi
Turned a small group into a powerhouse.
Who says Jewish women are like Minnie Mouse?
Look at Sheryl Sandberg running Facebook.
And as she retires, don’t overlook
The contribution of Joan Rosenbaum
Leading a museum of great renown.
Jay Sanderson made changes in L.A.,
And the cops made trouble for DSK.
The Forward found George Washington’s letter
To Jews in Newport, pledging a better
United States shorn of all bigotry.
Now Richard Morgenstern holds the key
To showing the letter for all to see.
Will he do the right thing, and set it free?
As we light candles and greet the new year
We send our best wishes from everyone here:
Paul, Nathan, Nathan, Josh, Rex and Larry
Laura, Lil, Richard, Kurt, Nate and Barry
Sam, Janet, Sharon, Gal, Jane and Naomi
J.J., Maia, Eileen, Devra, Teri
Dan, Jeanette, Ezra, Dave and Gabrielle
And all of the writers whose work is so swell.
We follow in a great Forward tradition
And thank you for reading our next edition!
