By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
After a depressing Hanukkah during the first year of the pandemic, I worked hard to make certain I had a good holiday in 2021 and ‘22. That included getting presents all eight nights (something that never happened when I was a kid) and lighting all my menorahs th…
By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
I looked at the list of people who had signed the petition: many of them were rabbis I greatly admire and whose thoughts I cherish. However, something in me said, “No, I can’t sign a petition calling for a ceasefire in the war against Hamas until the hostages a…
By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
The Associated Press article talked about the legislation being passed in states across the country that bans centers/groups dedicated to “diversity, equity and inclusion” at colleges and universities. The underlying idea is to rid campuses of organizations tha…
By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
When choosing subjects for this column, I try to write only when I have something new or relevant to add to the discussion. That’s particularly true when it comes to political issues: my column may put a Jewish spin on the subject or focus on the issue from a diff…
By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
Are they really serious?
Imagine if you are in third grade and are not allowed to talk about your parents. Why? Because talking about them would somehow corrupt your classmates. Am I speaking of mass murderers or pedophiles? Nope. I’m talking about children wi…
