I stood inches from the pealing wail of the Shofar during last week’s Rosh Ha-shanah services at East Side Synagogue. This commencement of the Jewish High Holidays and the welcomed entrance of the year 5778 reminded a full room of people of their purpose and God’s presence. In the Jewish tradition, the loud bleating of a... more...

I confess Donald Trump's ascension to the presidency threw me for a loop. His regime required me to review all my priorities, choosing again what I devote my time, talent and treasure to.  After years of primary attention to LGBTQ well-being, my focus shifted. Our community was not the first to land in Trump's crosshairs.... more...

When I was young, I would often ask my mother stories about why we came to America. I wondered why we didn’t stay in the Philippines with many of our other family members. I was curious about why my mom would want to leave a place that she grew up in and established her life within. After all, these were the beautiful lands that held many of her fondest memories.

Since Trump’s 2016 election victory we have witnessed a drastic increase in the number of hate crimes committed on American soil. According to one study undertaken in nine areas across the US, there is an overall increase of 23.3% in hate crimes from the previous year. This same phenomenon can also be observed in the UK post-Brexit... more...