Opinion

In My Own Words: Thoughts during a pandemic by Rabbi Rachel Esserman

The first draft of this column was written on January 27, the day that would have been my little brother Larry’s 59th birthday. I usually note the day, but this is the first time since he died in 2010 that I thought about how old he would be. I have to admit feeling teary at the thought. T…

From the Desk of the Federation Executive Director: With gratitute 2/12/21

By Shelley Hubal

I wept last night. I felt it coming for days and I am glad it finally bubbled up and spilled out. There were several reasons for the tears. The mid-winter blues are hitting hard this year. Not leaving the house for days because of the weather, a sore back and the pandemic h…

In My Own Words: America’s social contract by Rabbi Rachel Esserman

Social contract: “an implicit agreement among the members of a society to cooperate for social benefits, for example by sacrificing some individual freedom for state protection.” – Oxford Languages

The fundamental basis for American democracy is a social contract. That includes accept…

From the Desk of the Federation Executive Director: With gratitude 1/15/21

Editor’s note: This column was written before the January 6 events in Washington, DC. For Jewish Federation of North America’s response to those events, see the Federation Alert on page 1. The Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton is in agreement with JFNA’s response.

Looking for so…

In My Own Words: A new beginning? by Rabbi Rachel Esserman

Editor’s note: This column was written before the January 6 events in Washington, DC. 

A new beginning? Does anyone really believe that 2021 and a new presidency really means a new beginning? Americans believe that we can always start anew, leaving the old behind like clothes we discard.…