“’The Gospel According to Jerry’ has informed, inspired and enlightened me to a rich history of this place from a perspective not often shared.”
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“’The Gospel According to Jerry’ has informed, inspired and enlightened me to a rich history of this place from a perspective not often shared.”
“He told me that he was relentlessly bullied as a child and swore that if he ever had the chance, he would do everything in his power to make sure that no other person had to feel that way.”
“He always wanted what was best for the community, but like me, he felt that local government often overstepped its bounds, and he didn’t mind letting you know how he felt.”
“As the piece noted, Jerry’s ‘healthy dose of humor’ came shining through, as well as his decades of wide experience.”
“Jerry believed in the cause of providing assistance to domestic violence survivors in Buncombe County.”
“Very few people contribute as much to our community, especially for people in need, as long and as much as Asheville native Jerry Sternberg did.”
Reflections on the life of Asheville native and longtime Xpress columnist Jerry Sternberg.
“It also seems fitting to remember — in his own words — the man who started writing ‘The Gospel According to Jerry’ for this newspaper three decades ago.”
Local reactions to the Israel-Hamas war have stirred strong feelings from Zionists and pro-Palestinian activists. Underlying their disagreement is Asheville’s history of long-simmering antisemitism.
“I especially support his recommendation that selected street offenders be housed in the jail’s ‘annex,’ currently unused, next to the jail building.”
“Another watershed moment in the evolution of Jewish social acceptance came in 1992, when the Biltmore Forest Country Club accepted its first Jewish member.”
“For the next 24 hours, we had armed agents guarding the gate and the driveway, and lookouts toting automatic weapons were posted on the roof.”
“Meanwhile, despite the new respect that worldwide Jewry received after the war, antisemitism continued to rear its ugly head in Asheville, as demonstrated by two stories that community members shared with me.”
“Non-Jewish friends and even people I hardly knew were saying things like ‘I didn’t know Jews would fight’ and ‘You guys really kicked those guys’ ass.’”
“In addition to emotional pain and suffering, selective membership based on race, color or religion can result in egregious restraint of trade.”
“I want to encourage all my Asheville friends who have been disparaging downtown to please come back. It’s beautiful and clean, and you need to be part of all this.”
“It shouldn’t have to be that way, but antisemitism is constantly rearing its ugly head, even in liberal Asheville.”
“Until the professed advocates of affordable housing and assistance for the homeless get off their BUTS and honestly attack these issues, nothing significant will happen.”
“She rode into town on her white steed. And immediately found this silver serpent slithering slowly through the valley, passing the city and sorely in need.”
“Hopefully, all the dedication, caring, support and love nurtured by the Arthur Edington Center will help these wonderful youngsters survive the racism, crime, drugs and poverty that they encounter almost daily and go on to become professionals, businesspeople and/or social and community workers.”
Xpress readers and writers share their own true tales of adventure — from unexpected encounters with nature to wild career rides and more.