We are thrilled to announce that Caroline Koster will be a new contributor to the Blog! Caroline and her husband James have lived in Brooklyn Heights since 1996, raising their two sons here. She is a co-founder of the Brooklyn Heights Community Fridge and a board member of BloomAgainBklyn. A former President of Plymouth Church, Caroline co-chaired the church’s 175th Anniversary Gala last year. Her essays and op-eds have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, New York Post, New York Daily News, NBC News Think, The Independent, and more. Of her newest (volunteer) gig at the Blog, Caroline said:
At a time when many are divided, our characters and stories unite us. Brooklyn Heights and its surroundings are rich with both. I look forward to sharing some things that I love about my neighborhood of over 25 years to celebrate our community and connect with each other.
Caroline will start posting in the near future. Meanwhile, do not miss her recent op-ed in the New York Daily News. It is a beautifully moving piece on managing fear and danger while living in the greatest City in the world. It isn’t a direct response to the discourse in the comments section of a recent Blog post, but it could be. Here’s an excerpt:
For many New Yorkers, faith is a kind of talisman. Most days, our poly-religions are complex, compassion competing with human misery in our complicated city. But facing Big Danger, it’s simple. Everyone whispers silent prayers on the LaGuardia tarmac. Circling Jamaica Bay, tiny missives help flip back our seats and release our tray tables.
We borrow each other’s rituals. One Bronx friend’s family palms a St. Christopher medal for journeys, even though they’re Jewish. I superstitiously simmer New Year’s black-eyed peas like my Appalachian Mamaw. The Brooklyn Heights Synagogue rabbi and Plymouth Church pastor swap pulpits. My Muslim doorman was equally delighted when I opened a lobby package containing a New Testament with rusty steel jacket stamped “God’s Weapon” my dad carried in World War II. Some combination of faith, taking risk and getting on with it is how every family thrives here.
We are so lucky that Caroline has joined the Blog. Let’s give her a big Brooklyn Heights welcome!
