A series of essays written to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim.   The essays address a wide range of issues that are intended to be of interest to a general audience, but especially to Jews. 

Essays written about the philosopher Baruch Spinoza as well as other, more contemporary thinkers who Spinoza has influenced or whose work complements Spinoza’s teachings.    

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Writings involving the field of education -- e.g.,   articles arguing that our educational system should be reformed so as to address religious issues in a more neutral and enlightening way.  

Writings involving peace and polarization, two related topics that represent , respectively, one of our greatest values and the scourge that makes realizing this value so elusive.  

Photo credits -- Hamentashen:   www.flickr.com/photos/14537151@N06/2351982403; Spinoza statue: www.flickr.com/photos/roel1943/3016691330; Young Daniel Spiro and his father at a Walter Johnson HS PTSA meeting:  Walter Johnson High School 1977 yearbook; Stop War photo by Tim Ereneta