A Tad About Me
I was born in 1946 and am feeling a little posterity minded. So here’s how I want to be remembered: a writer and an Israeli Jew deeply involved in peace and human rights activism. In my 60s and 70s, we lived in Uganda, Kenya, Spain, and the US. In Uganda, we established a project to promote education. For me, that has been perhaps the more gratifying form of activism—having not achieved an end to the Israeli occupation or peace between Israel and the Palestinians despite decades of effort. Above all, I have a great family. This website is dedicated to the three women in my life: Judy, Mieka, and Denna. Here they are in that Kodak sort of way. And if you are curious about more details…
My life and love partner – Judy Kirshner and me
On a trip to Mexico
Judy worked for the UN, which enabled us to spend a decade in several amazing countries: Uganda, Kenya, Spain, and Nepal. Judy is an IT maven following a career in market research.
Daughter #1: Mieka Brand Polanco
A joint mother-daughter demonstration
Mieka is a professor of anthropology, a proud former employee of USAID, and a political activist. She’s the mother of Omer Polanco and Eitan Polanco, twin boys.
Daughter #2: Denna Brand
Hanging out together
Denna is a gifted teacher of elementary school, a SCUBA instructor, and mother of Gal Brand.
Our Grandchildren: Eitan (left) and Omer (their mom Mieka in the middle). And Gal (with her mom Denna), still in nursery school, but aspiring to college.
Mieka’s husband, Tony Polanco – a talented chef!
Mieka & Tony’s family (and us)
My oldest brother and & sister-in-law: Eli and Cookie Schwartz
My older brother and sister-in-law: Paul Schwartz and Diana Schiowitz
Eli is a talented musician. Sadly, Cookie passed away in 2025.
Paul the “mitzvah man” – always doing good deeds.
Sadly, two first wives passed away much earlier:
Paul’s first wife, Sara Schwartz, who passed away in 2004.
Eli’s first wife, Judy Schwartz, who passed away in 1993 – she was so young!