Opinion

In My Own Words: Countdown

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

My last day as executive editor of The Reporter is scheduled to be December 31 of this year. As of the date of this issue (January 24), I have 11 months and one week remaining before I retire. (When I talk to people, I usually add the number of hours and minutes, bu…

The Jewish dimension of Gershkovich’s imprisonment

By Bill Simons

As an undergraduate at Colby College in Waterville, ME, I attended on-campus Lovejoy Convocation ceremonies where annually a journalist, invariably well-known and impactful, was honored for excellence in craft and professional courage. Following the award ceremony, the recipi…

In My Own Words: Personal life, crime and privacy

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

Recent events have left me puzzling the connections between several things that, at first, may not seem connected. They are the results of the U.S. House Ethics Committee’s report on former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, the increasing restrictions being placed o…

From the Desk of the Federation Executive Director: With Gratitude 01/10/24

By Shelley Hubal

Generosity of time, attention, talent or resources: there are many special ways to give. As Federation director, I am lucky to witness acts of generosity with frequency.

Because of its dedicated Board of Directors and Executive Committee, many of whom have been giving gene…

In My Own Words: Holding two contradictory ideas

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

The USA Today headline said, “Subway killing divides country.” The article announced the acquittal of Daniel Penny. For those unaware of the trial, Penny was found not guilty of the killing of Jordan Neely, an unhoused person who suffered from mental illness. Th…