Moshe and Mordechai sat in Starbucks, chewing the fat.
Moshe sighed. “Mordechai, how do you know when you’re getting old?”
Mordechai rubbed his unshaven chin and replied, “You know you’re old when you’ve got a reputation for kvetching about every ache and pain—and when you travel with two Dopp kits. One for your toiletries, the other for your meds, hearing aids, and Ozempic pens.”
Moshe chuckled, nodding. “Since we’re on the subject of reputations, what do you think Bibi’s is these days?”
Mordechai leaned in, eyes narrowing as if he’d been waiting months for the question. Then, in one long breath, he let it spill:
“He’s a pit bull who doesn’t know how to unclench his jaws. To him, every hostage’s life is sacred—family, even. He craves justice and revenge at any cost. He mourns the fallen, but he won’t stop sharpening the spear. Bibi wants total victory over Hamas. Compromise, to him, is weakness. He believes Hamas is an existential threat, and he doesn’t give a damn what the world thinks. He’s a modern-day Spartan.”
Moshe took a long sip of his latte. “That’s some analysis of Bibi’s beliefs and character.”
But even as he spoke, Moshe wondered: Is Bibi really the right man to lead the nation in this time of crisis?
White Stag Sign, Old Town District, Portland, Oregon—Logo of OIFF
We got some more great news for “The Totally Mind-Blowing Show” and its cast and crew. We’re having our Oregon premiere, and Blake’s throwing a party for all the folks who were part of his team.
TTMBS has been accepted into Oregon’s Independent Film Festival.
This win is especially significant because in 2022, our movie, “We Need Rent Money,” had its Oregon Premiere at the Oregon Independent Film Festival, and Blake threw a great premiere party.
And we’re going to do it again in 2025 for “The Totally Mind Blowing Show.”
Yes, you read that right, we’re throwing a Cast and Crew Reunion Party;
Here’s part of the email Oregon Independent Film Festival (OIFF) sent us:
Dear Blake, Congratulations! The Judging Status of your submission to the Oregon Independent Film Festival has been updated to ACCEPTED. Your submission is also currently in competition for our Oregon Film Awards and will have a screening at this year’s film festival. Stay tuned for future announcements about OIFF Award Winners.
FESTIVAL UPDATE Our festival’s focus has always been on being a multi-city film festival devoted to showcasing the unique and beautiful cities, towns, and cinemas across the state of Oregon, while screening the best new and independent films. Over the years, we have watched as our annual event transformed from a small & humble festival into a large, multi-city film celebration event that also became more and more connected with the city of Portland.
Our festival is as dedicated as ever to celebrating the spirit of independent cinema and supporting local independent filmmakers and cinemas across Oregon. As the festival marches on to regain footing, we will be returning to Portland again this year, but only in a very limited capacity. This year, the festival will be focused on screening events held in our home city of Eugene. Our judges and programmers will be selecting and honoring all Award Winners. To all those from out-of-state and out-of-town, Eugene, Oregon, is a wonderful town that you will find is a vacation paradise in September, and home to some of the best independent cinemas in the state of Oregon.
Congratulations on being selected to the Oregon Independent Film Fest! Sincerely, Veronica Sanderson, on behalf of everyone at the Oregon Independent Film Festival Programming & Submissions Dept.
Totally Mind-Blowing Show: The selected project has been chosen to be included in the festival.
This year marks the 15th season of the OIFF. Here are some of the stars that were part of its history:
Oregon Independent Film Festival special event premieres have included films from directors Paul Schrader, Nicolas Winding Refn, John Krasinski, Trey Edward Shults, Charlie McDowell, Jason Stutter, Demetri Martin, Sion Sono, Michael Showalter, Jake Paltrow, Thomas Vinterberg & Noah Baumbach.
Premiere screenings have included new work from Nicole Kidman, Elisabeth Moss, Ethan Hawke, Keanu Reeves, Emily Blunt, Charlize Theron, Gillian Jacobs, Kevin Kline, Benedict Cumberbatch, Laura Linney, Jude Law, Holly Hunter, Elle Fanning, Carmen Ejogo, Kumail Nanjiani, Colin Firth, Cheech Marin, Ashley Judd, Tilda Swinton, Christina Hendricks, Tom Hardy, and Ray Romano.
In these times of rising antisemitism and anti Zionism, finding Jewish bright spots in my life is difficult.
So, when I find one, I like to blog about it. Yes, share my enthusiasm by crowing out loud, “Good News Jews!”
And today’s Bright Spot Award goes to the US Postal Service.
Yup, on September 17, 2025, the USPS is issuing an Elie Wiesel (1928-2016) stamp.
And I am going to order a sheet of them.
So, you want a refresher course on Elie.
Well, here’s how ChatGPT summarized Elie’s stamp:
The stamp features a portrait of Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor, author, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Author’s comment: What a great photo. Look how Elie’s eyes sparkle. He has the look of a man who knows he has met the goal of why he was put on earth.
It honors Wiesel’s contributions to literature and human rights advocacy, particularly his efforts to educate others about the Holocaust.
Wiesel is best known for his memoir “Night,” which recounts his experiences in Nazi concentration camps. (I recall reading this chilling story and how it was seared into my memory.)
He dedicated his life to speaking out against oppression and advocating for peace and human dignity. (I remember how impressed I was that Elie had the testicular fortitude to tell President Reagan not to visit the Bitburg German Military Cemetery, where SS soldiers were buried. But Elie’s efforts came to naught.)
And here’s part of the JTA article about Elie and his stamp.
“As a teenager, Wiesel was sent with his father, Shlomo, to the Buna Werke labor camp in the Auschwitz complex. He went on to become an international human rights advocate, publishing several books, essays, and educational projects, including “Night,” a 1960 memoir about his experience during the Holocaust.
Wiesel was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, the National Humanities Medal, and the Medal of Liberty in the United States.
Wiesel joins several other notable Jews featured in the Distinguished Americans series, including Jonas Salk, who developed the first influenza and polio vaccines, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and playwright Edna Ferber and Albert Sabin, who developed the oral polio vaccine. Jewish author and illustrator Shel Silverstein and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg have also been featured on stamps, and the postal service has issued several stamps marking Hanukkah. (Albert Einstein was the first American Jew on a US postage stamp issued in 1964.)
Thanks, USPS, for making my day and putting a bright spot in my life.
About the Author
About the Author Florida’s Jewish short-story writer, speaker, film producer, and retired attorney. Mort is the co-editor of “Sea of Tranquility—A Literary Anthology.” The book is scheduled to land on the Moon in December of 2025 as part of the Lunar Codex Project. The Earthbound editions are now on sale on Amazon. He has also authored “A Hebraic Obsession”, “The Hanukkah Bunny,” and “The Greatest Gift.” Mort has produced an award-winning short film titled “The Stairs.” The movie is available to view for free online. ChatGPT says, “Mort is known for his works that often explore themes of love, loss, and the human connection. Laitner has published several books, including “A Hebraic Obsession.” His writing style is characterized by its emotional depth and introspection. Laitner’s works have garnered praise for their heartfelt expression and keen insight into the human experience.” Mort was the president of the South Florida Writers Association and a correspondent for the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel Jewish Journal.
Totally Mind-Blowing Show: The selected project has been chosen to be included in the festival.
