Jeff Kelly Lowenstein’s Blog

About Me

I am a 43-year-old husband, father and writer who lives in Evanston, IL.

This is my third time getting a blog going, and I’m optimistic that I’ll stick with it this time.

My plan is to write about hot current events and books related to them.  Depending on the day, what is “hot” can include anything from Desmond Tutu’s call for armed intervention in Zimbabwe to the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers doing battle on Christmas Day!

I am still learning about the format and welcome any suggestions people have about how to improve the blog and/or comments about what I discuss.

Thanks for reading!

Jeff

35 Comments

35 responses so far ↓

  • Dan Prusaitis // January 11, 2009 at 1:33 pm | Reply

    Jeff Kelly Lowenstein: Cool Blog!! I am so jealous you are putting away so many books. Paper versions too!! I have been feeling so grown up that I am getting through a couple audio books a month. I put them on my telephone and click them on anytime other verbal communiques are not coming my way. I am going to keep track of your Cliff notes versions here though.

    I read about how Martin Luther King Jr. spent lots of late nights listening to guys in the Blackstone Rangers as he was working on getting them to march with him. I want to write a song about it to use in motivational trainings in high schools. I taught high school in Lawndale for nine years. I suspect that you could steer me towards some of the guys MLK talked with, given one of the books you wrote. Thanks for any help.

    • jeffkellylowenstein3 // January 11, 2009 at 4:12 pm | Reply

      Thanks, Dan, for your kind words. I just took a look at the Institute for Basic Change site; you and your team are doing very exciting work!

      I don’t know if you know about Facing History and Ourselves, but you might want to check it out, given your teaching, non-profit and holistic approach to education, community and emotional healing. My wife is the associate program director for the Chicago office and I would be happy to put the two of you in touch.

  • Dan Prusaitis // January 11, 2009 at 10:55 pm | Reply

    I would like that. I checked out their site. I just finished an audio version of the story of the Bielski patriots (fantastic) and Facing History is doing something with that story. Sure I would be glad to talk to her.

  • sonjanita l. moore // January 21, 2009 at 12:12 am | Reply

    Looks great! I just started a new blog today…

    http://sonja2009obamatime.blogspot.com/

  • Josh // January 26, 2009 at 11:47 pm | Reply

    Great start! I’ll add it to my favorites, and share it with Wrecka.

  • paul hendrickson // February 21, 2009 at 9:49 pm | Reply

    thank you for the kind words about my book; it’s clear you read it with a sensitive intelligence.

    • jeffkellylowenstein3 // February 21, 2009 at 11:06 pm | Reply

      Thanks very much for your comment. I have recommended it to my wife, who works for Facing History and Ourselves, a non profit educational organization that has students reflect on their choices through thinking making connections between the past and present. I also heard from a friend after writing the post that he has read Sons twice and loved it.

      Do you have a new book coming out anytime soon? If not, I’ll content myself with reading some of your other work!

      Thanks again.

      Jeff

  • Hisao // February 24, 2009 at 5:58 pm | Reply

    Fun to read. I’d tell you my top 10 books of 2008 as well, but then I’d have to read at least 6 more. Maybe it’s time I took Evelyn Wood….

  • knowledgetoday // March 29, 2009 at 3:17 pm | Reply

    I love your site. Keep it up !

  • Judd Holzman // June 1, 2009 at 11:06 pm | Reply

    Jeff,

    Great blog! I look forward to following it. Hope you are well!

    Cheers,

    Judd

    • jeffkellylowenstein3 // June 2, 2009 at 7:49 pm | Reply

      Thanks, Judd. Hope you and Lindsay are doing well. Let’s get together soon!

      Jeff

  • Edgar Howe // June 10, 2009 at 5:19 pm | Reply

    Jeff,
    Interesting Blog site. I am thinking of doing my own and would love to talk with you soon about it. I researched WordPress and may choose this site to launch my Blog. I will try and give you a call this week. Keep at it and I am following you on twitter…

    • jeffkellylowenstein3 // June 10, 2009 at 7:39 pm | Reply

      Thanks, Ed. It was great to ‘chat’ with you earlier today. I’m psyched to hear that you are thinking about a blog and look forward to talking with you about the pluses and minuses of WordPress. I’ll start following you on Twitter, too!

      Love from our family to yours.

      Jeff

  • Roy Madron // October 2, 2009 at 10:06 pm | Reply

    If you want to read and comment on my book i can let you have an e-version.

    • jeffkellylowenstein3 // October 3, 2009 at 4:40 am | Reply

      Thanks for the second McNamara tip and recommendation. I’d be more than happy to read your e-book.

      Jeff

  • Ilene G. // October 6, 2009 at 3:58 pm | Reply

    Hi Jeff,

    I stumbled upon your blog while researching a film by the nephew of Marjorie Agosin. I’m dying with curiousity to learn how you know her, but am guessing from comments here that you met her through your wife.

    I’d like to recommend the book Zeitoun by David Eggers about one Muslim family’s experience after Katrina. It’s heart-wrenching. I’ve written about it on my Facebook page. (My blog is totally other!)

    Keep reading!
    Ilene

    • jeffkellylowenstein3 // October 6, 2009 at 7:29 pm | Reply

      Thanks, Charlotte, for your note. I look forward to checking out your blog! :)

      I met Marjorie through Facing History and Ourselves, an educational non profit magazine where I used to work, and where my wife currently works. My wife has become very close to Marjorie and is indeed the reason why we were invited to her lovely home in Oqunquit!

      Thanks for the recommendation of Zeitoun. Cheryl Flack, a dear friend and reader, has recommended it, too, so I’ll have to get there soon.

      Hope all is well with you. I look forward to continuing the conversation and to finding out more about the film.

      Jeff

  • Dawn Reiss // October 8, 2009 at 5:48 pm | Reply

    Hi Jeff,

    Glad to find your blog…I’m interested to see what you’ll be reading next.

    Dawn

  • Nabiyah // October 10, 2009 at 8:51 pm | Reply

    Namasté Jeff,

    I have read through a few of your articles/post and I love the energy and perspective that you are bringing to the online community. Keep doing what you do. I for one enjoy your writing ;)

    • jeffkellylowenstein3 // October 10, 2009 at 8:57 pm | Reply

      Thanks very much Nabiyah. I enjoyed your site and wish your luck with the synergy lounge. Where are you located?

      Jeff

  • Kelsey Swanekamp // October 20, 2009 at 6:01 am | Reply

    Hi Jeff Kelly Lowenstein,
    I’m a journalism student at Northwestern, and I have an assignment to profile a local journalist for one of my classes. I would love to profile you. Do you think you’d be available for this?

    • jeffkellylowenstein3 // October 20, 2009 at 11:28 pm | Reply

      Thanks, Kelsey. This sounds great! Please let me know what you need from me when you have a chance and we’ll move things forward.

      Jeff

  • Kelsey Swanekamp // October 21, 2009 at 12:45 am | Reply

    Great, I’m so glad you are interested! It would be great if we could chat sometime this week about your journalism career. If you e-mail me at kelseyalexis@u.northwestern.edu, maybe we could set something up?

  • Emma Sepulveda // October 31, 2009 at 5:48 am | Reply

    Great articles!

    • jeffkellylowenstein3 // October 31, 2009 at 4:08 pm | Reply

      Thanks, Emma. I hope all is well with you. I enjoyed reading the book of letters between Marjorie and you.

      Jeff

  • David Weindling // November 18, 2009 at 6:58 pm | Reply

    Jeff,

    I came across your name and subsequently your blog while compiling a media list for my organization, Farther Foundation. We provide scholarships for economically disadvantaged high school students in the Chicago area to participate in educational travel programs. It was interesting to follow the various links from the things you write about through to the ideas and organizations that relate to our mission as well — cross cultural understanding, equality of educational opportunity, experiential learning. I appreciate any opportunity to make connections with people in related fields and the chance to raise awareness about our organization, its mission and programs.

    David

    • jeffkellylowenstein3 // November 19, 2009 at 3:02 am | Reply

      Thanks, David, for your note and kind words. As you can see, I’ve put your comment up as its own post. Please keep me abreast of what you and the other folks involved with the Farther Foundation are doing.

      Thanks again. I look forward to continuing the conversation.

      Jeff

  • Mariann Nogrady // December 1, 2009 at 5:41 pm | Reply

    Hi Jeff,
    I was just listening to NPR and heard a piece about Mothers for Peace. Robin Young mentioned South Chicago, my home neighborhood, so I decided to Google the group. Image my surprise when I found your blog, complete with picture. People are always referencing South Chicago incorrectly. Apparently the case once again on the NPR segment. Hope all is well with you!
    Mariann

    • jeffkellylowenstein3 // December 2, 2009 at 3:38 am | Reply

      Mariann!

      What a treat to hear from you! How are Mike, Lizzie and Nick? Are you still teaching at Brown? I remembered your talking about being from Chicago when Hoop Dreams came out, but did not know that you were from South Chicago.

      I’ll write you an email to give you more of an update, and I appreciate your taking the time to comment on the blog!

      Jeff

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