From the Executive Editor

In My Own Words: How much do you want to win? by Rabbi Rachel Esserman

Not every candidate I vote for wins. That’s the nature of democracy: sometimes your choice wins and sometimes he/she loses. When that happened, you used to have two options: 1) find a better way to present your candidate so more people will vote for her/him, or 2) find a better candidate t…

In My Own Words: Mixed feelings by Rabbi Rachel Esserman

I have mixed feeling about New York state’s legalization of marijuana. Before I write about those feelings I should make a few things clear:

1) I have never used marijuana in any form.
2) I have many friends who have used it with no harmful effects. 
3) I have long supported the medical …

In My Own Words: The first months by Rabbi Rachel Esserman

I suddenly realized that I hadn’t written anything about President Joe Biden since he’s taken office. That’s not because I agree with everything he’s done. I’m reserving judgment on some of his policies, particularly as they reference Israel and the Middle East. I do like the fact …

In My Own Words: Viewing immigration from the other side

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

The political debates about immigration continue and it’s unlikely the issue will ever be completely resolved – if only because each generation of Americans faces a different set of circumstances. What we rarely talk about during these debates is what these immi…

In My Own Words: Idealistic vs. realistic politics by Rabbi Rachel Esserman

The last time I wholeheartedly admired a politician was Robert F. Kennedy in 1968. That’s one reason I’ve never read any books about him: I don’t want to know anything that might tarnish his image in my mind. From that time on, I’ve admired people’s actions, but never expected them…