Specialize in crisis & strategic communications and complex project management.

"MY PASHTUN RABBI" named to Kirkus Reviews' Best Books of 2018."My Pashtun Rabbi," which was awarded a coveted STAR review, has been selected as one of the Indie Best Books of the Month for October 2018 by KIRKUS REVIEWS. Only 4 to 6 books each month, out of thousands reviewed each year, are selected. The Kirkus Star is one of the most prestigious designations in the book industry and is awarded only to Books of Exceptional Merit.Here’s what Kirkus said about "My Pashtun Rabbi":“A Jewish American working in the United Arab Emirates fears hostility but finds humanity in this debut memoir.” – Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“An entertaining fish-out-of-water (and gasping-in-the-desert) saga, with an inspiring message of inclusion and understanding.” -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)Before I joined Hillel International in 2013 as its Chief Administrative Officer, I was a professor -- the so-called "journalism expert" -- at United Arab Emirates University in the oasis city of Al Ain in the Abu Dhabi emirate. “My Pashtun Rabbi” is the book that resulted from that experience. It's the story of an American Jew hired as the "journalism expert" at a major national Arab university -- and nobody knew I was Jewish (except the American who hired me). This all takes place during 2008/09 when the world's economy collapsed, Obama was elected president, and there was war in Gaza. I am a veteran journalist who was an Emmy Award-winning Managing Editor and Executive Producer at Cleveland's CBS TV station and the former Editor-in-Chief of the Cleveland Free Times. I have worked as a top-level editor, columnist, and critic for the Dallas Times Herald, Detroit News, The Minneapolis Star, Cleveland Plain Dealer, and Albuquerque Journal. Those jobs included: Assistant Managing Editor, National & Foreign Editor, Sports Editor, Features Editor, Sunday Magazine Editor, Columnist, TV Columnist, Film Critic, Media Critic, reporter and copy editor.

As the first-ever Chief Administrative Officer and the No. 2 executive at the global non-profit organization, I managed day-to-day activities and directly supervised communications/marketing, including rebranding the organization as Hillel International, and conferences and events. I rejuvenated Hillel's Birthright program, wrote and edited "The Drive to Excellence," the foundation's strategic implementation plan, created the Global Assembly (HIGA), brokered the deal to have Washington Jewish Week publish Hillel's Official College Guide, handled BDS issues and other crises, wrote major speeches, organized and deployed the Ari Shavit tour, conceived the role of VP for Social Entrepreneurship, liased with other organizations, and much more.

Taught: Computer-Assisted Reporting; Writing for Media; Introduction to Language and Communication

Television newsroom management

Editor-in-Chief of award-winning alternative weekly newspaper. Managed all editorial functions.

Managed all aspects of this permission-based email and Internet marketing company, including raising start-up capital, managing budgets, hiring personnel and leading creative efforts on behalf of clients.

Top 50 independent PR firm specializing in strategic and crisis communications, healthcare PR & marketing, real estate, bankruptcy, and public affairs.

Wrote a daily TV column and Sunday takeouts.

Wrote about and critiqued TV news and entertainment, newspapers, and the popular media culture.