More than two decades ago I began the path to becoming an author, using my knowledge as a journalist to create a story that began with facts and developed into a novel. I took a break from full-time newspaper writing to raise my two young children and write a book based on cassette tapes my grandfather left about his life,… Read More »Career Transition: From Journalist to Author
Roni Robbins shares why her Dad is the best, coolest or funniest in town. Steve Kayne – Asheville, N.C. My dad is cool in a nontraditional way. How many Long Island Jewish girls have a father who’s a blacksmith? He started in our Hauppauge, N.Y., garage pounding iron into artwork, decorative pieces, fireplace tools and hardware. And he still crafts… Read More »2021 Father’s Day Tribute: Steve Kayne
‘The Takeaway Men’ brings Holocaust and 1950s New York City to life with powerful relevance to those who grew up in a similar environment post World War II. Anyone who grew up in New York in the shadow of the Holocaust with immigrant relatives will most likely feel the power of the newly published “The Takeaway Men.” That includes me,… Read More »When Historical Fiction Meets Reality
Two Jewish community event organizers played matchmaker for their parents. It ended in wedded bliss. Little did Howard Fagin know — when he was trying to honor his deceased wife several years ago — that he would be led to his future spouse. The love story mirrors the biblical narrative of Abraham and Sarah, which Rabbi Ron Segal of Temple… Read More »Never Too Late for Love
Roni Robbins shares why her mom, Shirley Kayne, should win. Sitting across from my Mom this Passover and hearing her read the Hebrew and sing the melodies we grew up with, I realized what a treasure she is. Will I ever be able to duplicate the precision with which she chants? It brought back memories of the way her father… Read More »Mother’s Day Tribute: Shirley Kayne