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On what would have been Alisa’s 50th birthday this week, I, her mother, sisters and brother will pause and spend a few minutes looking back.

(Nov. 4, 2024 / JNS) Doesn’t it seem like yesterday when your first child was born? To me, it does, and decades later, you recall the excitement—more appropriately called nervousness—that had been building as the “due date” approached. Lamaze birth classes are attended, a “go bag” in anticipation of the onset of serious labor is prepared, you might even practice driving to the hospital, the mother-to-be buys a neutral color layette of onesies, blankets, booties and caps because there were no “gender reveal” parties in those days.

In the final week of the campaign, Former President Donald Trump decided to have the biggest rally at the most famous arena in the largest city in the country. For some reason, people are very confused by this. People on the Right were confused because, by all available data, Trump is not going to win New York. People on the Left were confused because, by all available data, Trump is not going to win New York. The Right reacted by attending the rally and being genuinely impressed that Trump would go to an unfriendly city. The Left reacted by calling Trump a Nazi.

The High Holiday season for 2024 recently concluded. After two weeks of introspection, heartrending prayers and fasting, eight days of festive family time were spent in a flimsy hut (sukkah).  In Israel, the holidays of Sukkos and Shmini Atzeres culminated a challenging year.

We have just gone through the month of Tishrei, filled with Yomim Tovim, and are about to begin the month of Cheshvan, which has none. Why doesn’t Cheshvan have any Yom Tov? Isn’t this a sort of let-down after such a full month of Yom Tov?

To the last moment, I’ve never faced an election as difficult as this year. Like many voters who found themselves “politically homeless,” there were many flaws with both leading presidential candidates, Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris. With the future of the country at hand, I cannot imagine sitting out the 2024 election.

In the course of the last year, there have been a number of politicians, pundits, and celebrities who have earned fame and notoriety on the back of speaking about Israel, Gaza, and the Jewish community.  Some, like John Fetterman and Ritchie Torres, earned it by being staunch defenders of Israel.  Others, like Candace Owens, earned it by attacking Israel.  All stood out because they were aberrations from what was expected from people on their political side of the aisle.  What we hear less about are those who are taking strong moral stances and becoming leaders within the expected political party.  One of those leaders is New York Congressman Anthony D’Esposito.