By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
Sometimes an idea for a review doesn’t work out the way I planned. For example, I decided to discuss “Inside Information” by Eshkol Nevo (Other Press) and “The House of Love and Prayer and other stories” by Tova Reich (Seven Stories Press) in one review be…
By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
When reading the opening pages of Paul Goldberg’s first novel “The Yid,” I groaned because it seemed clear it was going to be so depressing. Instead, it turned into a crazy, joyous, wonderful ride. I wasn’t the only person to love the book: it was a finalis…
By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
I find the development of cultural ideas fascinating, which is one of the reasons I asked for a review copy of “Sons of Saviors: The Red Jews in Yiddish Culture” by Rebekka Voß (University of Pennsylvania Press). The other is that I’d never before heard the t…
By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
“Every other week, my rabbi and I would meet to read ancient Jewish texts that proscribe how to atone and reconcile after a harm has been committed, even and especially one that a person didn’t cause directly but did benefit from... [we learned] before you can f…
By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
When reviewing books by Orthodox and Conservative rabbis, I frequently comment that, while I may disagree with the author’s theology, his/her practical suggestions have a great deal to offer readers. What a pleasure, then, to feel differently about “Judaism Disr…
