From the Executive Editor

In My Own Words: Music and noise

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

I have a music rotation on Youtube that I listen to while I’m working. For most people, that wouldn’t sound like anything special, but as someone who couldn’t listen to music for 15 years, it feels amazing. But I’m not always successful in hearing music as m…

In My Own Words: Happiness, according to Adam Gopnik

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

Years ago, I developed my own definition of happiness. The reason behind defining the term was that, at that time, many people were talking about their search for happiness, as if happiness were some object they could find if they only looked hard enough. For me, ha…

In My Own Words: Never retire?

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

“Whether it’s a conservative pundit saying retirement “is a stupid idea” or GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump talking about cutting Medicare and Social Security, one thing is clear: Republicans rightly recognize that all us Americans would be better of…

In My Own Words: Uninspired

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

I’m feeling totally uninspired and wondering why since I usually have more ideas for this column than I can write. Maybe it’s the cough that has taken up residence in my throat and doesn’t want to leave. Perhaps it’s political overload: even the most outrage…

In My Own Words: Rambling thoughts on self-checkouts, cheating and more

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

Am I the only person who hates self-checkout machines? My reasons are personal, at least at the grocery store. 1) The movement from cart to the self-checkout bothers my back. Grocery shopping is difficult enough without having it cause physical pain, in addition to …