Dear friends and colleagues,

I appreciate your taking time to read this, as I know your time is limited.  What follows is an “ask” for a contribution to an upcoming vital Philly offering at a crucial time.  I well realize that solicitations are endless. What follows frames this request and describes why I'm reaching out to you.  Please know, any amount, such as 20 or 25 dollars will be deeply appreciated. Please read on.  I will be as brief as possible….

In 2005 veteran journalist Dan Rottenberg acted with prescience.  Dan founded the Broad Street Review (https://www.broadstreetreview.com), a nonprofit, online outlet dedicated to arts coverage and cultural criticism at a time when very few digital publications were investing seriously in the arts, and print journalism was entering the struggle for survival you know so well.  Dan Rottenberg's innovation was met with great appreciation and gratitude.  Before his launch it was next to impossible for information about the epidemic of sexual abuse of women to be placed in major newspapers. Dan accepted these submissions, giving them life in a special section devoted to societal issues.  BSR has evolved into a major relied upon media ecosystem, publishing in-depth reporting, reviews, and essays as arts coverage has largely disappeared from many local and national outlets.

We are now approaching this year’s Philadelphia Fringe Festival, which will run from September 8-27.  Our extraordinary world recognized Philly Fringe, which began in 1997, offers over one thousand creative gifts by new and seasoned artists.  We attract an audience from vastly different backgrounds and cultures, some from far away destinations, who relish the opportunity to bond through this unique experience. Can you think of a more important time in our lifetimes for this to happen!

The BSR, which has always operated on a shoe-string budget, offers modest payment to the devoted, talented journalists who review Philly art all year. (In full disclosure, although not a journalist, I sometimes cover productions that speak to my profession and am honored when these opportunities are offered.) This year, led by our deeply respected, widely recognized editor Alaina Johns, BSR hopes to cover as many of the Fringe productions as possible.  But without your input, this cannot happen.

We currently have 257 Friends and 62 Local Media Champions.  If we can add at least 30 new Friends and five new Champions, our 2026 Fringe coverage will move forward.  Please consider an online gift. To become a Friend, make a one-time donation of $72, or commit to an automatic monthly gift of $5. Local Media Champions step up even more, with a one-time gift of $240 or a monthly gift of $20. https://donorbox.org/fringe-coverage-2026-friends-drive

This said, please know: Any amount you can offer will help enormously and be very deeply appreciated.   Checks can be mailed to Broad Street Review, Box 9475, 700 S. 7th St. Philadelphia, PA, 19147.  Perhaps you will consider a donation in honor of a good friend or relative who is devoted to the arts.   (When sending a check for security purposes place paper around it before putting it in an envelope.)  
Please reach out to BSR executive director Neil Bardhan (nbardhan@broadstreetreview.com) with any questions.

My deepest thanks for giving time and thought to this outreach.

SaraKay Smullens
Philadelphia

Published in The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 25, 2026

I am heartened that The Philadelphia Inquirer printed my letter that concentrated on today’s dangerous, growing epidemic of antisemitism and other evil isms.

To the editor:

You don't need to search too far to find examples of distrust and dislike among Americans. At a recent conference I attended, a white woman fingered her cross necklace, telling me she was shaken when a prominent speaker said twice, "Some of my best friends are white," a statement that led to a nodding, laughing agreement from hundreds of audience members. "This is the statement traditionally used by those who hate Jews…the word Jew is used, rather than white," she explained. An unnecessary explanation, as I am Jewish. Soon after, I heard about the Cornell University student who turned down a potential job at a tech start-up because the founders are Jewish. He has received more than $19,000 from supporters who blame Jewish people for trying to "ruin" his reputation. I was even more sickened by the vicious remarks made about Michelle Obama by one of the fighters brought to the White House lawn in celebration of Donald Trump's 80th birthday, as our 47th president sat silently.

Following the conference, I contacted a Black colleague, asking how best to address entrenched hatred. We spoke about the necessity of intense, far-reaching grassroots efforts to bring people together, including truthful examinations of our history. We also agreed on the necessity of deep listening to the experiences of others, in which we all do our best to free ourselves from bias and assumptions.

A neighbor recently asked if I thought today's ugliness and dangers were new. My response was that the potential toward hate, a virulent, contagious, ever-sleeping monster, has always been there. The difference today is that the monster is being awakened, courted, and embraced by officials who will do all possible to destroy a precious, hard-won, ever-vulnerable democracy. They will stop at nothing to maintain their power and control, including the use of a war they instigated to call off a forthcoming presidential election.

SaraKay Smullens
Philadelphia

Published in The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 25, 2026

I am grateful that Linda Grobman printed what follows. The commentary is not only meant for those in mental health professions. I hope you will find it holds relevance.

Read the full article on socialworker.com

Read the full article on socialworker.com

by SaraKay Smullens, MSW, LCSW, DCSW, CGP, CFLE, BCD

    (Editor’s note: This is the third “What I Wish” article by SaraKay Smullens. These articles address far-reaching issues affecting the social work profession.)

How has an anti-immigrant, specifically anti-Muslim, anti-BIPOC, antisemitic, anti-women’s choice conspiracy theory become U.S. policy, deeply threatening our precious rule of law and supporting the determination to bring back white male domination of America?

In preparing for a 2025 NASW-PA presentation entitled, “Staying Sane in a Time of Insanity,” I turned for guidance to America’s founding roots, our Declaration of Independence. In doing so, I found it interesting that this document does not say all men are born equal—it says, instead, that we are created equal—speaking I believe in theological terms, equality in relationship with our Creator, not in birth opportunities provided. Nothing in this brave declaration specified a God who favors one religion over another. Or, in fact, that one must adopt a faith.

In Matthew 22:21, when Jesus says, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s”—to me, Jesus references the distinction between our relationship with God and the inequalities of birth, surroundings, and opportunities. This underscores that life is neither fair nor just, that some are born with far more opportunities for success and fulfillment than others. But God wants justice and opportunity for each of us. It is up to the officials we elect to create these opportunities for safety and fulfillment. Social workers must be central in this quest, moving forward with knowledge, awareness, maturity and wisdom.

Read the full article on socialworker.com