By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
How ironic to be reading a book about a country that passed a law making it illegal to mention that its population helped exterminate Jews at the conclusion of World War II and then read a newspaper article showing something similar happening in our country. Howeve…
By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
I didn’t go. I also didn’t go to any of my prior high school reunions so this really shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who knows me well. My reasons for not going? I am not nostalgic about my teenager years and have no desire to talk to people I haven’t see…
By Shelley Hubal
There is a narrow bend on the Lilly Lake Trail at Chenango Valley State Park where the Pine trees stand like giants, their fallen needles soften the path below. In the summer, the lilies crowd the lake and, on a sunny day, there are lazy turtles sunning themselves on a log…
By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
I love reading books about social psychology, particularly ones that not only give me a greater understanding of human nature, but make me question my own behavior. But rarely do I have the opportunity to read a news story that highlights the idea under discussion …
By Shelley Hubal
One of the challenges of living in a small Jewish community is having adequate resources. Our few “big donors” are called on frequently to support a plethora of institutions and initiatives.
However, small-town living has many advantages. There is comfort in knowing y…
