Opinion

In My Own Words: Meandering thoughts about...

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

Antisemitism and Jesus. Yes, I know some of you are shaking your heads, but a question about that connection was recently raised in Congress. (More on that in the next paragraph.) Antisemitism is a hot topic in the Jewish community, so much so that the larger commun…

From the Desk of the Federation Executive Director: With Gratitude 5/17/24

By Shelley Hubal

It’s like getting punched in the gut. Every time I tune into the news, my stomach drops. I’m sure I don’t need to explain why current events are so painful, but I do want to share some of what I have been thinking about regarding the war in Israel and the unrest in th…

In My Own Words: Music and noise

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

I have a music rotation on Youtube that I listen to while I’m working. For most people, that wouldn’t sound like anything special, but as someone who couldn’t listen to music for 15 years, it feels amazing. But I’m not always successful in hearing music as m…

In My Own Words: Happiness, according to Adam Gopnik

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

Years ago, I developed my own definition of happiness. The reason behind defining the term was that, at that time, many people were talking about their search for happiness, as if happiness were some object they could find if they only looked hard enough. For me, ha…

From the Desk of the Federation Executive Director: With Gratitude 4/19/24

By Shelley Hubal

One-hundred-ninety-eight days. If, God forbid, the hostages are not freed by the first night of Passover, it will mark 198 days since their torture and captivity began. The hostages include young men and women with their whole lives in front of them, a baby, innocent childr…