“Hospitality Means the World” and Other Courageous Quotes of the Week

“So, when someone comes to the door?” Yeah, I’ll do the same kind of vision scan I did. And I’m going to assume that even if they don’t look like the stereotypical person who’s going to walk into a Jewish synagogue, I want them there. Whether it’s someone who’s Jewish…or they’re not Jewish, and maybe they’re exploring Judaism for the first time, or they just want to see what is a Jewish service because it’s curious and it’re asking, will I belong? And I want them to know that they are going to belong. Hospitality means the world. — Congregation Beth Israel Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, after being taken hostage by a stranger whom he had invited into the synagogue and served tea. Cytron-Walker led the group to escape, and the man was killed by law enforcement. (Thursday, NPR)

“My dad joined the Navy as an American to fight in World War II. He was 15! WE ARE AMERICAN! #MitchPlease” — Rosalind Chapman, one of hundreds of black people who posted photos of themselves or loved ones affirming their US citizenship in response to Senator Mitch McConnell, who when asked about protecting the right to vote for people of color, said, “Well, the concern is misplaced, because if you look at the statistics, African-American voters are voting in as high a percentage as Americans. (Thursday, Twitter)

“If you want to make housing affordable, you should be interested in immigration reform.” — Dallas Builders Association executive Phil Crone on the shortage of skilled construction workers to meet housing demand. (Thusday, The Dallas Morning News)

“It’s great if we have power plants that are winterized and able to withstand cold temperatures, but if our gas system can’t handle it, then we just have a bunch of power plants with no fuel. We didn’t have the time or the inclination to really solve the fuel problem. — Joshua Rhodes, energy researcher at the University of Texas (Friday, The Dallas Morning News)

“cold air” — WFAA meteorologist Jesse Hawila with accurate weather analysis (Thursday, Twitter)

“Beijing is finding it increasingly difficult to defend its Covid-zero policy. Costs are rising so high that they are starting to blame not only local authorities, but also foreigners — it is never the fault of central policy makers.” — Lynette H. Ong, professor of political science at the University of Toronto (Friday, The New York Times)

“I asked Wharton students what they thought the average American worker made per year and 25% of them thought it was over six figures. One of them thought it was $800,000. I really don’t know what to think about it (the real figure is $45,000)” — Nina Strohminger, professor of legal studies and business ethics at the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania (Wednesday, Twitter)

“If you don’t do anything in the playoffs, then you’re really at the end of the day. no different from the Jacksonville Jaguars or the New York Jets who did not enter. — Former Cowboys quarterback and Fox broadcaster Troy Aikman, on the Cowboys season. (Thusday, The Dallas Morning News)

“A big breakthrough for me was listening to the Ramones and hearing the beautiful kind of Joey Ramone sound and realizing I didn’t have to be that rock and roll singer. But I only became a singer recently. Maybe it hasn’t reached some people’s ears yet, and I understand that. — Bono, who said he didn’t like his voice on early U2 songs. Looks like he still hasn’t found what he’s looking for. (Tuesday, People)