I see the American experience as being defined by the immigrant paradigm of rupture and renewal: rupture with the old world, the old ways, and renewal of the self in a bright but difficult New World.

I have no interest in problematizing things. So what I am writing to is that simple sense of being human in myself.

I see the American experience as being defined by the immigrant paradigm of rupture and renewal: rupture with the old world, the old ways, and renewal of the self in a bright but difficult New World.

Religion has been an important part of my understanding, my inquiry into what it means to be human.

I don't have an ideal reader. I'm trying to reach something simple and, I believe, universal, in every single person.

I think there is a lot of continuity between the Jewish and the Islamic traditions. We know this historically, though people don't want to talk about that - especially Muslims. There is a common source for both Judaism and Islam, or let's say that Islam finds its source in Judaism. The commonalities of practice and sensibility, ethos and mythos, create a lot of overlap.

The secret of a happy life is respect. Respect for yourself and respect for others.