Features

Spotlight: Rabbi writes synagogue murder mystery

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

Rabbi Suzanne Brody will hold a book signing for her murder mystery “Body on the Bima” at All My Friends Books, 51 Main St., Cortland, on Sunday, August 10, from 1-3 pm.
As a writer, Rabbi Suzanne Brody is best known for her books of poetry. That’s why her lat…

Off the Shelf: Science, fantasy and Israeli life

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

There is something wonderful about watching an author’s work blossom and grow. In my review* of Iddo Gefen’s “Jerusalem Beach: Stories,” I noted that the stories “prove Gefen is a talent to watch.” There is, of course, always a danger that a work will no…

Jewish Resources 7/25/25

By Reporter staff

A variety of Jewish groups are offering educational and recreational online resources. Below is a sampling of those. The Reporter will publish additional listings as they become available. 

The Museum of Jewish Heritage will hold the “Virtual Walking Tour: Tarnów, Pol…

On the Jewish food scene: Tomatoes, cucumbers, mint leaves and more

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

I had to laugh when I saw the link to an article about how to make an Israeli salad. It brought back memories of my 10 months in Be’er-sheva (Beersheva), Israel during the mid-1990s, and my three 24-year-old Israeli roommates who had some very different ideas abou…

Celebrating Jewish ballplayers: “Why do we care about this?”

By Bill Simons

In late August 2004, the American Jewish Historical Society hosted a conference, “A Celebration of 143 American Jews in America’s Game 1871-2004,” at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. At the time, 143 appeared a legitimate count of Jews who had appe…