Book Reviews

Off the Shelf: Life in India by Rabbi Rachel Esserman

Rachel Meyer already hates the phrase she’s heard far too many times since she moved to Mumbai, India, with her husband, Dhruv: “Get used to it.” It’s as if India demands that she change her basic nature in order to make a home there. It doesn’t help that she and Dhruv married and …

Off the Shelf: Relationships and money by Rabbi Rachel Esserman

Money: it plays a major role in our relationships, even if we hesitate to admit it. Our sensibilities are offended if someone suggests we made a decision based on anything other than love. However, what we do for our family – or what we allow our family members to do – is often influence…

Off the Shelf: The adventure continues by Rabbi Rachel Esserman

Judaism, magic and dragons: how could I not love a novel that combines those three elements? They explain not only my reaction to Sofiya Pasternack’s first tween novel “Anya and the Dragon” (see the review at www.thereportergroup.org/past-articles/feature-book-review/feature-book-revie…

Off the Shelf: Displaced persons looking for a home

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

When we study history, we often view the result of an action as inevitable. We forget that there was no guarantee that a revolution would succeed or fail, or that any particular country would win a war. That can make it harder to understand the decisions people make…

Off the Shelf: The Bible through Jewish and Christian eyes


By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

When someone who doesn’t understand Hebrew asks me what is the most accurate translation of the Bible, I find it difficult to suggest just one work. If you are really interested in the meaning of the words, the best way to study is to compare two or three transla…