By Bill Simons
From adolescence onward, I have experienced feelings of anger, violation and apprehension at the misdeeds of Jewish criminals and miscreants. They give renewed life to antisemitic canards, heightening Jewish American vulnerability. Through my writing, teaching and public lect…
By Shelley Hubal
For several years now, the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton has been in partnership with local Jewish leadership and the national organization Secure Community Network. Together, we have created an active team that is focused on improving safety and security for the …
By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
The Talmud is pretty clear that Jews are forbidden to gamble. The Mishnah notes that gamblers are forbidden to be witnesses in court cases because they are considered unreliable. Later Jewish texts note that one reason for prohibiting gambling is because the winning…
By Bill Simons
Our semiquincentennial – America at 250 – prompts reflection on the centrality of Jews to the nation since its 1776 founding. Hence, this columnist’s eclectic selections of America’s 25 most impactful Jews, listed alphabetically, follow. Nearly half were immigrants or …
By Shelley Hubal
The world was recently stunned and heartbroken as we witnessed the senseless shooting death of Alex Pretti at the hands of federal law enforcement in Minnesota. Jewish tradition teaches that life is sacred. We are all created in the image of the Divine and we weep as one wh…
