Art Is Home From The War
June 30, 2025 - News, Views and To-Dos for Democrats
What Art Friedson Has On His Mind
Sorry for the delay in getting out this issue of the NKC Update, but as you will see, a funny thing happened on the way from Jerusalem. If you’re interested in my experience during the war, read on. Click here to see my thoughts on the Israeli politics of the war.
It’s been ten months since my mother passed away, so I left for Israel on June 8th to visit my extensive family there and to move things along on her estate. Because of the ongoing war in Gaza and the 50 hostages, alive and dead, who remain in captivity, El Al is pretty much the only option for flying there. Even in the best of times, securing a seat is challenging.
I arrived in Tel Aviv in the early evening of the 9th and was met by my dear friend and regular driver, Yair, who took me to my regular AirBnb-like apartment in Jerusalem where I have stayed so many times that the Starbucks coffee mug I left there a few years ago still awaits me when I arrive.
Except for not being able to phone my anxiously-awaiting mother on the way from the airport (that stung!), it could not have been a more normal, routine trip for me.
The day after I arrived, we celebrated my sister’s 76th birthday with a party at her home, a few blocks away from my apartment in Center City Jerusalem. All five of her children and most of her 17 grandchildren were there, giving me a fabulous opportunity to see nearly the entire gang in one fell swoop. Despite fighting jet lag (which has become a much bigger annoyance as I get older), it was an absolutely delightful evening.
I spent Thursday working on the unfinished items having to do with my mother’s apartment and buying what I needed for Shabbat, since everything in Jerusalem is shut down from Friday afternoon until Saturday night. It was lucky I hadn’t put off my shopping until Friday, because late Thursday night, Israel attacked Iran.
Israeli airspace was immediately shut down. I knew right then my stay was going to be a lot longer than the nine days I had planned, but I had no way of knowing just how long it would be. I sent a WhatsApp message (which is how everyone in Israel communicates) to my landlord to extend my stay indefinitely.
The sirens started on Friday. Everyone in Israel has an app on their phone called Home Front Command. The app knows the phone's location, and presumably its owner, so it sends alerts and sirens tailored to that location. It also gives the rules in place for gatherings, schools and non-essential businesses. Obviously, they were all shut down for the duration, although more and more restaurants and stores opened as time went on. But synagogues remained closed. In the ultimate irony, the only place in the world where I was unable to attend a service to say kaddish -the memorial prayer- for my mother was Israel.
Unlike the Gaza-adjacent communities, where people have only seconds to find shelter, even the most sophisticated missiles fired from Iran take over ten minutes to arrive. In addition, Israel’s constant surveillance of Iran detects activity that precedes missile launches. As a result, a generalized warning that you should stick close to a shelter would go out country-wide about 30 minutes in advance of a potential strike. Then, ten minutes before, you get a harsh warning tone and message that missile strikes are expected in your area. Finally, a minute-and-a-half before the missiles arrive, the sirens go off both outside and on your phone, telling you to get to a shelter immediately.
The timing of the attacks became somewhat predictable. There would usually be one or two volleys of missiles in the middle of the night, around 2:00 or 3:00 a.m. Often, there would be another round around 7:00 in the morning, then things would be quiet for the rest of the day. It certainly wasn’t always true, but typical enough to help you structure your day.
Jerusalem was probably the safest place to be during the war. There are just too many Islamic holy sites that could be hit inadvertently, and the presence of important Israeli institutions like the Knesset and the Supreme Court (which, unlike here, is still an independent branch of government) means that the skies are particularly well protected. Although there were several sirens a day, I only heard the boom of a missile intercept one time throughout the war. For once, I was really glad that I was not cool enough to be part of the hip Tel Aviv scene given how many more missiles struck there.
Sleep-deprived and jet-lagged, I nevertheless found a routine. I’d go out after 9:00 a.m. to run my errands and tend to the matters I came to address. I was never more than ten minutes from either home or my destination, mostly on foot and occasionally using a taxi app on my phone.
My apartment was in a lovely, relatively new high-rise building. Each floor had six apartments, three on each side of an absolute fortress-like safe room tucked behind the elevator shafts in an inside corner of the building, making it a very difficult target to hit. It was a large room, about 25’ x 10’. In one corner was a ladder leading up to a hatch to the floor above, and below it, a hatch to the floor below. Two back-to-back steel doors allowed access to the room. There was cell phone service (two bars) and electrical outlets, but no water or bathroom, which weren’t necessary because we were usually only there for ten minutes at a time, thirty minutes at most.
Each night before going to bed, I would lay out clothes and sandals to put on when the 10-minute warning came. If the siren did not sound after 10 minutes, I would go back to bed. If the final warning went off on my phone, I would go to the safe room. I became friends with my neighbors, especially since we saw each other at our worst, rolling out of bed in the middle of the night. One family had a six-month-old puppy that made safe room time fun time. I probably visited the safe room more than 20 times during the war.
Safe rooms are really safe, and I was 100% compliant with all the warnings. I felt safe and protected; but it was a lot harder on Nancy back home in Chicago, whose phone pinged the same warnings that I received in real time.
As the days wore on, Nancy grew increasingly anxious, and I felt isolated and restless. I started looking for ways to get home. Waiting for the war to end meant competing with an estimated 35,000 Americans trying to get home. There were three available exit routes, none of which were great and all of which were absurdly expensive. One was to enter Egypt from Eilat and take a six-hour bus ride through the rather lawless Sinai desert to Sharm El-Sheik. Another was to take a 13-hour boat trip on an open-deck boat to Cyprus. And the third was to cross overland into Jordan and make your way to Amman.
I chose the last option. I arranged a car service that would take me from Jerusalem to the border and have another driver waiting for me on the Jordanian side. It sounded easy and seamless. The trip was supposed to take three hours door-to-door. On Tuesday, June 24th, I visited my brother and sister, and at the advice of the U.S. Embassy, left my religious items with them, which certainly felt uncomfortable. I was picked up the next morning at 6:00 a.m. by my Israeli-Arab driver for my trip through the West Bank to the border crossing, thinking I would have plenty of time to make my 12:20 flight from Amman.
Not even close. I will spare you the details, but it seems that Israel and Jordan were locked in a fierce competition to see whose border crossing could be more inefficient, slow, chaotic and unpleasant. It’s hard for me to declare a winner, but it took me almost five hours to get from one side of the border to the other.
My new best friend, and Jordanian driver, Mustafa, took me to the airport so I could try to rebook my flight. Alas, the next flight was 24 hours later. Mustafa took me to my hotel, and I passed an unexpected night in a hotel in Amman.
After a 12-hour flight with no Wi-Fi (way worse than dodging missiles in a safe room), I arrived at JFK in New York at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday to find my connecting flight to Chicago had been canceled. Try to book a flight to Chicago the night before Gay Pride. I dare you. Again, I’ll spare you all the details, but after a few false starts, I wound up arriving in Chicago after 10:00 p.m. on Friday, 73 hours after I had left Jerusalem!
What could be more appropriate on Gay Pride Weekend than to quote Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz? There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home.
Check It Out with Nancy Kohn
Too Soon. No one is better at hand-wringing than Democrats. I can’t count how many times I’ve heard good Dems complaining that the Party lacks leadership and worrying about who should run in 2028. Well, take a breath and consider this chart from Bruce Melman’s Six-Chart Sunday:
Hellcats FTW. Liz Crampton and Elena Schneider have a great piece in Politico titled, Why ‘Hellcats’ Could Be The Answer To Democrats’ Trouble. It highlights a chat group that includes a group of women veterans and national security officials who are winning over voters in difficult states and districts. Think about former Naval officer and federal prosecutor, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill who won a six-way race in the Democratic gubenatorial primary in New Jersey earlier this month and is likely to win the general election, or former Congresswoman and Naval Intelligence Officer Abigail Spanberger who is almost certain to win the governor’s race in Virginia, especially with all the laid-off federal workers who will be voting there. I like this trend.
I tolja so. Speaking of powerful women, I loved this editorial in the Chicago Tribune calling Eileen O’Neill Burke “a marvel so far as state’s attorney.” They note that in the short time since she took office, the rate at which Cook County judges now are detaining those accused of domestic violence while they await trial has increased to 81% from around 50%. They also call for increased funding so her office can develop badly needed technology improvements. Who knew we could agree so much with the Trib’s editorial board? Be sure to check the Events listing below for a special event in her honor on July 15th.
We love lists:
Does ketchup need to be refrigerated? Find the answer to this and all your condiment storage questions from the NYTimes Cooking newsletter, An A-to-Z Guide to Storing Condiments.
Be sure to check out this list of 65 Things You (Probably) Shouldn't Pay For from Consumers’ Checkbook.
And I know you’ll want to see the NYTimes’ list of The 25 Best Restaurants in Chicago Right Now.
What I’m reading.
I've got three fantastic audiobooks to recommend — each one worth a listen!
All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley
Narrated by the author himself, this is an unusual memoir. In 2008, at age 25, Bringley leaves his job at The New Yorker after the loss of his brother and becomes a guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. What follows is a decade-long meditation on grief, art, and finding calmness during chaos. It reminded me of my childhood favorite, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, but for grown-ups. A behind-the-scenes look at one of the world’s great museums, with small, meaningful moments. Thanks to Rachel Gubman for the recommendation.
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan
Jodi Picoult’s signature style is tackling significant social issues with gripping storytelling, and this is a prime example. Co-written with Jennifer Finney Boylan, Mad Honey follows Olivia McAfee, a beekeeper in a sleepy New Hampshire town. Her son Asher is a high school student and starts dating the new girl in town, Lily Campanello. Then Olivia receives the dreaded call – her son is being questioned by the police about the death of his girlfriend. I didn’t know what to expect with this one, and I ended up hooked. Narrated by the talented Carrie Coon (Steppenwolf) and Key Taw. Thanks to Wynne Baruch for the recommendation.
Ernie’s Ark by Monica Wood
A quick and rewarding listen, this linked story collection centers on a paper mill town in Maine. Ernie Whitten, a pipe fitter just shy of retirement, is grappling with his wife’s illness and a long-running strike. Out of nowhere, he starts building a massive ark in his backyard. We meet his neighbors, his family, the town inspector, each a character with character. It’s a small book with a big heart, read by Charlie Thurston.
In my last note I recommended Monica Wood’s newer book How to Read a Book and completely mangled her name. Sorry about that.
Happy listening! Please let me know if you try any of these — I'd love to hear your thoughts.
On The Calendar
State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke. Alumni of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office share a lasting bond, shaped by a deep commitment to justice, long hours, and a passion for public service. Over 100 of them will be joining Matt Walsh in an event in support of Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke on Tuesday, July 15th, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the offices of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in Chicago. Click here to RSVP.
Save the date for the No Kings. The No Kings Protest on June 14th totally eclipsed Trump’s snoozer military parade. Get ready to take to the streets again for the next No Kings Protest on July 17th. Click here to keep posted on a No Kings Protest near you.
Supporting Alderman Debra Silverstein. Please join Jeff Aeder, Joe Antunovich, Neil Book, Art Friedson & Nancy Kohn, Andrew Hochberg, Hon. Lucy Moog, Bhavesh Patel, Kerry Peck, Hon. Carol Ronen, and Ashur Shiba for a reception in support of Alderman Debra Silverstein on Monday, August 4th, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Summer House Santa Monica in Chicago. Click here to RSVP.
Brunch with Democrats: The Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association 2025 County Chairs’ Brunch is Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, 9:00 am, in Springfield. Click here to learn more.
Jobs and Internships
NEW! The Woods Fund Chicago has links to job openings at various organizations that they fund. Check out their newsletter and scroll down for the job listings.
Working Credit is a not-for-profit organization that helps people in any financial situation overcome the obstacles to good credit and reap the benefits that come with it. With the belief that good credit is the gateway to socio-economic opportunities that enable people and communities to thrive, Working Credit provides personalized programming that combines credit-building workshops and one-on-one counseling. They are seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead the organization and drive the programmatic, operational, and financial strategy and growth critical to its success. Get more information here. The deadline to apply is July 11th.
Impact for Equity has grown from a small, upstart public interest law firm into one of Chicago’s most respected law and policy centers, driving statewide change across Illinois in pursuit of racial, economic, and social justice. They are seeking an Executive Director who will provide leadership in developing and implementing a new strategic plan to address the evolving needs of Impact for Equity and its stakeholders; consistently engage in sophisticated/innovative strategic communications, public advocacy and visibility; and establish and maintain relationships with individual donors, donor organizations, universities, public officials, civic and partner organizations in a manner that promotes the mission and work of Impact for Equity. Get more information and apply here.
Advance Illinois is a not-for-profit policy and advocacy organization that works toward a healthy public education system that prepares students to achieve success in college, career, and civic life. They are currently seeking to fill two positions: a Senior Government Relations Associate to work on issues related to state education policy, and a Senior Development Associate to lead a comprehensive, growing, and sustainable year-round fundraising program to support and expand the general operations and programs of Advance Illinois. Click on the appropriate position for more information and to apply.
Nourishing Hope has connected people facing hunger with food for over 55 years. They are currently seeking an Executive Director who is a passionate, committed, and authentic leader with relevant professional experience in managing and leading an organization of similar complexity and scope. This person is driven to provide healthy solutions to alleviate hunger and promote mental well-being among our community. Get more information and apply here.
Internship! Ready to kickstart your career in politics? Apply for the IWIL Training Academy’s fall internship! If you’re passionate about empowering pro-choice Democratic women to lead, this is your chance to make a difference. You’ll gain hands-on experience and connect with inspiring leaders. Internships are hybrid and unpaid; school credit is an option. Interested applicants should email a cover letter and resume to Sofia Rodriguez at staff@iwiltrainingacademy.org
The Obama Foundation’s mission is to inspire people to take action, empower them to change their world for the better, and connect them so they can achieve more together than they can alone. They are now hiring for several positions. You can visit their Careers page here.
Illinois Tenth Congressional District Democrats (Tenth Dems) is accepting applications for its Summer 2025 Internship Program. The internship is designed for high school, college, graduate, and law students seeking to become deeply engaged in the political process. Residency in the 10th Congressional District is not required. Still, applicants should have an interest in electing Democrats in the area and a willingness to devote a minimum of 16 hours per week to the internship during the summer. Applicants should submit a brief paragraph explaining why they want to be part of the program, along with their resume. Neither needs to be formal. To apply or request more information, email info@tenthdems.org.
Brandon’s Internships Bulletin is now Brandon’s Hillternship Hub. The new site links to four tables, which contain the internship pages for every Democratic House office, House committee website, Senate office, and Senate committee. In addition, it includes info on whether the internship application is open, the application deadline, and key details on the position (dates, pay, time commitment, etc.). He also publishes a weekly email with the latest listings for internships in progressive politics, nonprofits, and foreign policy/international affairs. Subscribe at brandonsbulletin.substack.com.
Finally, here are some useful links to check out if you’re searching for a job in politics, policy, or advocacy:
Daybook is a great resource for political, policy, and government jobs around the country.
Want to work with progressive organizations or nonprofits doing good? Check out the listings at Democracy Partners, Grossman Solutions, NPAG, and Forefront.
Here are three good sites to land campaign jobs at the entry level and beyond: Emily’s List, Jobs That Are Left, and GainPower.
Thanks for reading and welcome to our new subscribers. Special thanks to the growing ranks of great folks who have demonstrated their support by becoming paid subscribers; you’re an exceptional bunch.
Who are we? Since 2003, we’ve been sharing our news, views and to-dos. The NKC Occasional Update is brought to you by Nancy Kohn, a seasoned political consultant in Chicago, and Art Friedson, a dedicated political enthusiast. We enjoy hearing from our readers, so feel free to post directly on this article or send us an email. Thank you for your support!
Nancy Kohn nkohn@kohnconsulting.com Art Friedson art.friedson@gmail.com
Glad Art is home - safe and sound.
Your newsletter is one I look forward to.
I'm glad you liked Mad Honey. You should also pick up The Planets her first novel when she was still Jim Boylan. It's a mind-blowing comedy which contains lots of clues to her (then) hidden identity. (I have to admit that Jim was a friend in high school and I had NO clue).
I'd love to see more of Art's thoughts on Israel/Gaza/Iran. Maybe a list of Substack links for those of us to lazy to search through all of them.