Editorial

We complete 2013 with a smaller issue, but with high quality contents: Fred Alford, a widely experienced philosopher and analyst gives a Winnicottian view of forgiveness in contrast with other views that see it as an escapist tactic to avoid the aim of mourning. He deftly places it in a developmental perspective. Paul Coombe gives an unusual theory of Shakespeare's role, not only as a describer of his own experiences and conflicts, but also, as if his works outline a way for the human race to help itself. The Baird certainly had a remarkable capacity for deep human understanding as, for example, in Romeo and Juliet in which he outlined the psychology of love sickness, as an “illness”. Peri, in a complex but brief piece, introduces us to an understanding of biblical figures through use of psychoanalytic concepts aided by ancient rabbinic midrash to explicate details, and also, includes a clinical case. The issue concludes with an international news report by Pamela Nathan, director of the CASSE (Creating a Safe Supportive Environment) program's work with the Australian Aboriginal Congress in Northern Territory. This piece is vividly and compassionately written to give an idea of the work of our journal and its members in communities outside USA. There will be an account of the CASSE school program in Melbourne, in the next issue. Agnes Fazekasour, in charge live wire in Hungary, has given permission to publish her letter about conditions for their school program. You might remember that this enthusiastic group under the leadership of Csaba Horvath translated our school handbook into Hungarian! I (Twemlow) intend to write an open letter to the Prime Minister in support of this special needs school.

Our Special issues are coming along. Any ideas from readers would be very helpful. 2014 will have an issue edited by Gil Kliman on his work in Haiti and in the USA with very traumatized children. He is a remarkably creative man with enormous resilience and capacity to make g