Miscellaneous Features

Isaac Karp chosen as BHS valedictorian by Rabbi Rachel Esserman

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

People might not expect Isaac Karp, the 2020 Binghamton High School valedictorian, to be modest, but the son of Jonathan Karp (associate professor and undergraduate director of Judaic studies at Binghamton University) and Gina Glasman (a lecturer in the same departm…

On the Jewish food scene: Thoughts on noodles and potatoes

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

When I was a child, noodle kugel was the ultimate comfort food. In fact, I didn’t realize there was any other kind of kugel until I was far into my adult years. Certainly no other kugel ever appeared on our dinner table. In fact, it’s still difficult for me to t…

Bess Greenberg's driving force: rhythm by Rabbi Rachel Esserman

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

On her website, www.KidBess.com, Bess Greenberg describes herself as a “professional basketball player turned documentary photographer, turned curator, turned visual artist, turned musician.” What do all these different activities have in common? During an e-mai…