From the Executive Editor

In My Own Words: Book banning, review bombing and censorship

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

“The right to speak and the right to publish under the First Amendment has been interpreted widely to protect individuals and society from government attempts to suppress ideas and information, and to forbid government censorship of books, magazines, and newspaper…

In My Own Words: For the good of the nation or the individual?

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
I’d already read and reviewed one non-fiction work about the Kindertransport – when more than 10,000 Jewish and non-Jewish minors were able to escape from areas controlled by Nazi Germany and receive shelter in England between November 1938 and September 1939* …

In My Own Words: A look at my personal 2023

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

I recently read “The Man Who Died Twice,” the second book in Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series. The four main characters are in their 70s and, when referring to their ages, acknowledge that they are old. After reading the book (which was very funny,…

In My Own Words: Kissinger and the Cambodian genocide

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

If you are an admirer of Henry Kissinger, you might not want to read this column because it will tarnish his image for you. But after his recent death, I feel compelled to share what I have long thought: Kissinger should have stood trial as a war criminal for the il…

In My Own Words: My cultural ignorance

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

I admit it: I am not hip or in tune with current times. Actually, I’ve never been, but it’s gotten worse. When reading novels about contemporary teens, I’ve had to do online searches for photos of actors/singers who are used to describe a character’s looks.…