Molovinsky Rebuilding Staff

As I reported previously, my entire female staff resigned after the Washington march. It wasn't enough to be non-partisan, they insisted that I condemn everything about Trump. One of the things that I complimented Trump on was his pick of Rex Tillerson, for Secretary of State. Here is a man who is giving up a $25million dollar salary to serve his country. Here is a man who was CEO of Exxon/Mobile, one of the biggest companies in the world.  Do you suppose that he just might be as smart and qualified as John Kerry, or Hillary Clinton, for that position.

My hope for my former staff is that they can calm down somewhat, and resume life. Presently, they're just besides themselves about Trump. Although, it's apparent that the man has no notion of diplomacy, he has only been president for less than two weeks. Barack Obama was given the Nobel Peace Prize in between being elected and being sworn in, just on the basis of his ability to speak eloquently. He didn't receive another one as president, nor should he have received the first one. This isn't a pro Trump site. He will be readily criticized here, as warranted. Although, additional vetting is prudent, his recent ban on certain countries was poorly implemented.  Shown above is Brigitte,  our new copy editor.

photo of Brigitte Bardot, French actress and activist

The Pawlowski Plan

Readers of this blog know that I have posted previously that Pawlowski is ingratiating himself with the smaller minority congregations and businesses.  It was apparent to me that his strategy was to cobble together enough votes to win, in a very crowded Democratic primary.  I learned on Monday from a hispanic activist, that he is busier at this task than I imagined.  He is attending every event that he hears about, including family birthday parties.  This source told me that for the most part these people are oblivious to the corruption investigation,  but are flattered that the mayor is visiting with them.

Another interesting phenomena is the Pawlowski freelance goons.  I call them freelance, because I have no reason to believe that Pawlowski is behind their actions.  One young man attacks me on facebook as a jealous hate blogger, because I criticize Allentown policy.  Ironically, he feels justified in attacking a person, because that person takes city policy to task.  I didn't know that cities had feelings, or were that sensitive.  Another person has been bullying for Pawlowski since before his first election, in 2005.  Talking of irony, Pawlowski, in addition to putting up photos of the small businesses and congregations, keeps also posting about being kind. Those of us who have taken his city policy to task, have often been personally insulted and smeared by that very advocate of kindness.

Whitehall Inherits Allentown's Syrians

Back in day, when demolition began to build the arena and Reillytown, Whitehall's Ed Hozza was cutting the ribbons with Ed Pawlowski. At the time, I questioned what he was doing there. Hozza's enthusiasm for Allentown's project quickly waned, as he realized truck after truck was dumping the former ground up buildings into  Whitehall's quarry. If that wasn't insult enough for Hozza's support, within two years Pawlowski would be supporting Hozza's current opponent. Although Hozza may have lost Pawlowski's support, there's a new power broker in Whitehall, the former Allentown Syrian community. The Syrians in Allentown developed their political influence back in the days of District Attorney George Joseph. Voting as a block, the Democratic Club in the ward could be counted on in local elections, and numerous Syrians ended up working in various departments of Allentown City government. Through inter-marriage and relationships, many non-Syrian names became part of the base, even including extended members of my family. Although that power base has shifted north in the last 15 years, it took Pawlowski's refusal to raise the Syrian flag to make the move official. In the future, the flags will be raised in Whitehall.

reprinted from April of 2015

UPDATE January 31,2017: While much of the older Syrian Christian community has migrated to Whitehall, many of the newer Muslim immigrants from Syria are moving into the 6th Ward,  a traditional starting spot for many immigrants to our city.  The last two years have made the story of the Syrians complex.  The same can be said for Pawlowski, Allentown and even the country.  The older Syrian community remain staunch Democrats. The newer immigrants will of course be preoccupied with their new surroundings.  According to the paper, the local Syrian population is under 4,000. I was surprised, their influence is much larger.

A Jew At St. George

This weekend I had the pleasure to attend the Heritage Festival at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, and the privilege to met Khouria Minerva Sabbagh, wife of Rev. Fr. Anthony Sabbagh. Khouria is a term of honor, conveying the significant role she plays in the life of the church. The numerous children delighted in the kiddie rides, adding smiles and giggles to their heritage experience. Needless to say, the middle eastern food was lovingly made by doting grandmothers. Although the Syrian community was out in force, the annual festival attracts a large, diverse crowd. During high school, I would occasionally attend midnight mass with a Syrian friend. In the small world of Allentown, one of Khouria Minerva's daughters is now married into that family. Although the festival was  joyous, with current events, we must keep the Syrian community in our thoughts and prayers. 

reprinted from June 2013

UPDATE January31,2017: Today's Morning Call has an article and video in which Rev. Sabbagh supports the concept of Trump's ban, but criticizes the way it was implemented. The article accurately explains that the Syrian Christian community generally supports Assad. Both he and his father defended the Christian minority in Syria. While the article even mentions the tension between Allentown's older Christian community, and the newer Muslim immigrants, it overlooks another fact about the community in Allentown. The older Syrian Christian community referred to in my two posts, were a united Democratic block in this city.

Today at noon I will reprint a post on the large political influence of the small Syrian community. You're welcome to return.

Allentown's Historic Syrian Community

When my grandfather first arrived in Allentown he lived in the Ward, on 2nd. Street. It was around 1895 and the neighborhood was full of immigrants. Some groups came from the same area in the old country, most noticeably the Syrians, from the village of Amar*. They were Antiochian Orthodox, a minority in a Muslim country. The congregation of St. George's Church on Catasauqua Ave., largely is descended from those immigrants. Well known names in Allentown, such as Atiyeh, Haddad, Hanna, Makoul, Koury and Joseph are among their members. They were among one of the first groups to organize, and those organizations still exist. The photo above was organized by the Syrian American Organization in 1944. Note that Jewish, on the left, is treated as a nationality.

* hopefully my Syrian friends will correct any historical errors I have made.

click on photo to enlarge

reprinted from previous years

Another Park Mistake In Allentown

Mayor Pawlowski is patting himself for having the 100 year old fountain refurbished in West Park. Actually, the fountain is less than 30 years old, and is a reproduction of the original fountain, which was scrapped in the 1950's, for a modern brick monstrosity.

 This is what happens when you have a mayor from out of town, and a park director from out of town; There is no institutional memory, whatsoever, of the park system.  We are paying to refurbish a fountain which is probably still in excellent shape.  Meanwhile,  the WPA structures,  which really do need attention, are allowed to crumble away.  We have a mayor who is more political than ever,  wasting our resources on photo opportunities.  His highness deleted my corrected history off his facebook page in about 30 seconds.


At noon today, this blog will be reprinting a short history of the Syrian community in Allentown. Your return visit is welcome.

High Culture Available

Jessica Lenard, who was an important part of Allentown's art scene in the 70's and 80's, died from an accident in December of 2016. I will make pieces available to discerning collectors and institutions, with proceeds to her memory with her favorite institutions. shown All Day Sucker, oil on canvas, 5'x6'