Opinion

In My Own Words: Culture shock

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

I couldn’t believe it. That one sentence completely overthrew what I’d known as a fact since childhood. What could have caused such culture shock? It was a simple statement in the latest issue of the AARP’s magazine. I was skimming an article about dentistry …

From the Desk of the Federation Executive Director: With Gratitude 9/23/22

By Shelley Hubal

I will never forget standing in the hotel room and saying, “I don’t want to do this.” Then Mark and Rae wrapped me in their arms while I sobbed. That was the morning of my father’s funeral in 2019. The grief was overwhelming, and so was the tenderness and love from…

In My Own Words: Divide and conquer

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

“We need to grab our piece of the pie.” That worldview suggests that there are limited resources and, if someone else gets a piece of that pie, there will be less for us. It also means that we are always in competition for every resource, and therefore we shoul…

From the Desk of the Federation President: Fed preparing for the fall

By Suzanne Holwitt

As summer draws to a close and we prepare for the Holy Days, we want to assure you that the Federation is doing well and is busily preparing for several upcoming programs. Shelley Hubal, our executive director, is doing a wonderful job. The office continues to be in the c…

In My Own Words: My continuing journey with a CI

By Rabbi Rachel Esserman

If I ever doubted I had a computer attached to my skull, the letter I received in June 2021 made it clear. Cochlear, the company that makes my cochlear implant, sent a letter to everyone who used a particular version of one of its CIs that it was no longer going to…