This Cursed Beautiful Land: A Russian-American Story is Evan Gershkovich’s memoir of his arrest, 16 months behind bars and release from a Russian prison.

The Talmud, in tractate Sukkah, discusses constructing a sukkah on an elephant. The Biblical Museum of Natural History in Israel made it happen. “It’s hard to avoid talking about the elephant in the room, which is literally the elephant in the room,” said Rabbi Natan Slifkin, the museum director known as the “zoo rabbi.”

I’ve been interviewing politicians and diplomats for over four decades and have a confession: I take a particular shine to those who show any interest in me at all. I know that sounds egocentric. Why, after all, should the prime minister of Israel, the senior senator from Arizona or the ambassador from India care anything about my personal story?

For 32 years, Esther Melamed has been the secular studies principal at Beth Jacob High School. That’s a lot of students she has seen and guided. Melamed estimates that over the years she has taught 800 to 900 graduates; a perfect background to bolster conversations about the 250th anniversary of the US and the future of America.

Rabbi Susan Miller Rheins’ passport has a lot of stamps: Eastern Europe, Morocco and Israel, of course.One place draws particular fascination. One place keeps calling her name. Cuba.

The NHL season is underway, as we approach the glorious period of the year where all five major sports overlap. The Jewish crop of talent in the league continues to grow, with at least 11 players beginning the season on an NHL roster, and more players waiting in the wings.