Molovinsky On Istanbul

Since I revealed yesterday in a comment that I studied in Jerusalem, I will fess up to recently taking a self refresher on archaeology in Istanbul. If you have an interest in the post biblical era, Türkiye is about as close as you might want to be now, but even there Trump switched planes to fly out of that country.

Erdogan and Türkiye continue to profit from being the safest place near the Middle East. Even though he occasionally rattles the saber against Israel, Trump hinted about selling him F-35's. Erdogan takes defense seriously, he even gave the NATO delegates Turkish made revolvers as departing gifts.

Trump seems to be still searching for an exit strategy from Iran. He doesn't seem to have any working knowledge of diplomacy, nor are any of his sycophants so equipped. MAGA is still defending him, but they're leaving the red hats at home.

Independents For Israel

Recently, I have been researching the two major American Jewish lobbies for Israel,  AIPAC and J Street. I hold with the belief that the partition of the British Mandate into two states in 1947/48 was just. Up to several years ago, the Arab/Palestinian faction was the main obstacle to a 2 STATE solution/peace. Since October 7th, 2023, Israelis have for the most part lost heart with peace efforts. That portion that remains Peace Now is about 23%.

AIPAC is the older, more established of the two American groups. However, with Israel's hard right response in both Gaza and the West Bank, its reputation with the American public might become a political liability for Congress. I personally find J-Street's positions much more aligned with my current feelings about Israel.*

I'm penning this post because of an observation about J-Street. While AIPAC is now aligned with the Republicans and Democrats who staunchly support the current Israeli government, J-Street targets those  considerably more to the left. I believe that they would benefit from a bigger tent. IMO, they need to understand that there are independents, and even Republicans, who still see 2 STATES as the only long term solution. While we support a very strong Israeli defense, we would like to see the offense governed by being the proverbial light  As an independent, I'm more than a group of one, and hope that  J Street becomes more inclusive.

the above misleading graphic was on Facebook. J Street does not want America to end support for Israel.   

*Those interested in knowing about these groups should explore their respective websites

A Molovinsky Memoir

I put yesterday's post about Harry Molovinsky on the Allentown Chronicles Facebook page. A woman whose father also worked for the park department commented that Harry took some harassment being the only Jew working for the park department in the 1940's.

Jews attending William Allen twenty years later were still frequently reminded that they were Jewish. Although I grew up spending time with my father's siblings and their children, I knew virtually nothing of my father's cousins. 

It is my understanding that my grandfather Aaron came to Allentown first in 1891, and when he had earned enough, sent for his parents and siblings from Lithuania. A butcher like my grandfather, his brother Jacob opened a meat market on 2nd Street. Harry also was a meat cutter before getting a job cutting grass with the parks. Sisters included Florence, Bessie and Annie. The entire family, including my great grandparents, lived on 2nd Street.

shown above are my father's cousins, sons of Jacob, who all served (WW2) at the same time

City Of Allentown Hires Molovinsky

No, rest assured that they didn't hire me. On the contrary, because of this blog, they would like to drag me in front of an eager district magistrate, and throw the book at me. 

However, they did hire my father's Uncle Harry in about 1935.  At that time, same time that they were building the magnificent WPA structures which the city is now allowing to go to seed, Earl Price was the City Forester, and in charge of maintaining the parks. 

By 1900,  my great grandparents and all their offspring were living in the Ward.  I'm now the last Molovinsky left in Allentown, so this blog cannot embarrass any family members.  It can, however, if I do my job correctly, cause some distress among those who are failing to properly honor the city's history.

Harry Molovinsky is in the back row, fifth from the right, in the light colored jacket.

use of photo courtesy of the Price family

reprinted from September of 2022

Allentown, A Forgiving City

On Friday night Ed Pawlowski put up on Facebook that he's back in town, and by Saturday morning he had over 700 likes and 250 positive comments. Someone recently said that if he could run again, he would win. Never mind that he was convicted for pay to play, and every contract was awarded on contributions to his political ambitions, not value to the city.

I have no issue with his return, he has served his time. He remains so popular because he empowered a lot of people with appointments to committees and authorities. Those appointments weren't based on merit, but to put together a coalition to get re-elected. I assume many of the congratulatory comments are from renters as opposed to homeowners, who are less impacted by real estate taxes.

I know someone who keeps complaining that we have become a one party town, and suffer from the consequences of that reality...There is nothing about this post that will make him doubt that conclusion.

ADDENDUM JULY13, 2026:As of Monday morning, Pawlowski's post has 1.3K likes and 413 positive comments.

Mackenzie Truth Bending

Ryan Mackenzie was photo-opting in Bethlehem about affordable housing. He is confident that the bill will pass, but omitted details that his Commander and Boss was holding it hostage trying to pass a Voter ID law before the midterms.

Meanwhile in Turkey, the boss was double talking that he was flying out on the old Air Force One so that the troops in Europe could get a peek at his new toy. He wants the new toy in the foyer of his library in Miami, and Ryan wants a second term.

Mackenzie may well not get my vote. For my vote he will have to elaborate on how Trump has refused to sign it, and has held it hostage. Mackenzie can't have it both ways, wanting credit for affordable housing, but not reprimanding Trump for his interference. Mackenzie refers to working with both sides of the aisle, but my concern is about talking out of both sides of one's mouth.

The Franklin Park Windfall

Allentown (Partnership) is receiving $4mil from the Bezos Foundation, and will pony up another $mil toward making over Franklin Park. Everyone is happy about it, except this blogger. My issue is the imbalance between the excesses and the neglect. 

Neglect is city wide, from the crumbling steps in Lehigh Parkway to the meager pool schedules. Excesses are city wide, from the Destination Playground to the new dual skateboard bowls. Politics, political correctness and delusion are not in short supply. Less than a decade ago, contractual corruption resulted in a short shelf life for some projects. The current crumbling Rose Garden Ponds were in better shape before they were rebuilt than now, only a decade later.

Perhaps the Bezos Foundation will allow the Park Department to keep some funds in escrow for future maintenance of whatever is built. At any rate, the city should not be dependent on grants for maintaining existing facilities, as was the case with Bogert's Bridge. The Park Department should concentrate on maintenance rather than always looking to build another shiny object.