We are responding to the Oct. 15 letter by Katherine Head regarding the Montgomery County Council’s proposed adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. The definition itself is very simple: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Read more » »

Illustration by Brian Taylor In 1955, Carl Bernstein turned 11 on Valentine’s Day and received a Brownie box camera as a gift from his parents. It came in handy for what Bernstein says was “the worst day” of his life up to that point: The Bernsteins were leaving their home in Northwest Washington, D.C., and moving north to Silver Spring. Read more » »

Photo by Joseph Tran Elizabeth Qiu Senior, Winston Churchill High School Growing up, Elizabeth Qiu was set on becoming a concert pianist and a music teacher. In her freshman year at Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, she decided to expand her interests. “I explored every single club,” says Elizabeth, 17, a senior who lives in Potomac. Read more » »

Photo illustration by Alice Kresse Bethesda in the early 20th century was built in part on restrictive covenants. Land deeds in some suburban neighborhoods barred property ownership by any Black family—no surprise to people who faced segregation in every corner of county life, from schools to restaurants to movie theaters. Read more » »