Todd Krieger

Reboot Network member Todd Krieger offers us a spirited reflection on the enduring genius of Mel Brooks, sparked by HBO’s Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! In it, Krieger explores how Brooks didn’t just shape American comedy; he transformed Jewish survival into an act of joyful defiance. From the Borscht Belt to Blazing Saddles and The Producers, Brooks reframed fear and persecution as objects of ridicule, wielding satire not as self-deprecation but as a bold assertion of power. More than a tribute, the essay argues that Brooks’ greatest legacy is permission: the courage to mock what terrifies us, to commit fully to absurdity and to meet darkness with laughter. In heavy times, Krieger suggests, Brooks’ life and work offer more than entertainment, they model resilience as an art form. Read Krieger’s reflection on Brooks.

The recent passing of Grateful Dead bassist, Phil Lesh, has been felt deeply by the music world at large. At a time when society is so divided, it is cathartic to think about Lesh’s approach to community. He wasn’t Jewish, but he hosted several Passover seders at his now-closed music venue Terrapin Crossroads, telling the J. The Jewish News of Northern California in 2014, “We want to honor all traditions of our fans — as what is community without its traditions and world view?” Reboot Network member Todd Krieger has insightful reflections on Lesh’s contributions to bridging divides in this heartfelt farewell to a music legend. Read his full piece here.

We are all works in progress. 10Q reminds me of this annually. It is a gift. And a gift I am grateful for. That is why I 10Q. What will you do with your reassessment of your past to inform your future? Learn more and sign up!