Andrew Esensten

Andrew Esensten

Andrew Esensten is a writer and researcher from Pasadena, CA. He majored in African and African American Studies at Harvard, where he sang with the Kuumba Singers of Harvard College. He researches the Hebrew Israelite movement and is currently writing a book on the history of the African Hebrew Israelite community in Dimona, Israel.

Articles

Asian Synagogue President Leads Community During Turbulent Time

Asian Synagogue President Leads Community During Turbulent Time

03/18/2021
Andy Cheng is first non-white president of Congregation Beth Am in Northern California.
Ethiopian-Israeli Sisters Celebrate Heritage Through Art

Ethiopian-Israeli Sisters Celebrate Heritage Through Art

11/12/2020
Tigist Yoseph Ron and Hirut Yoseph channel their trauma and creativity into drawings, paintings, photography, fashion design, and other media.
From the Marines to Montana, Rabbi-To-Be Embraces Challenges

From the Marines to Montana, Rabbi-To-Be Embraces Challenges

07/31/2020
“Being a Jew of color in a rural environment in an incredibly white state is really difficult at times, and yet it’s exactly where I want to be.”
Black Jewish Educator Advocates for More Inclusive Classrooms

Black Jewish Educator Advocates for More Inclusive Classrooms

07/09/2020
Former district school leader and author of forthcoming book on “identity safe classrooms” shares best practices.
Meet Kendell Pinkney of “Saturday Night Seder”

Meet Kendell Pinkney of “Saturday Night Seder”

04/22/2020
WATCH: Rabbinical student talks about identity, Passover, and the arts.
First Persian Female Rabbi Finds Her Voice

First Persian Female Rabbi Finds Her Voice

03/06/2020
Rabbi Tarlan Rabizadeh, a Jewish Emergent Network rabbinic fellow at the Kitchen in San Francisco, identifies with Queen Esther.
Meet the Hardest Working Sephardic Man in Show Business

Meet the Hardest Working Sephardic Man in Show Business

11/14/2019
David Serero draws on his Moroccan Jewish heritage in his adaptations of classic plays.
Teff Matzah: A Passover Experiment

Teff Matzah: A Passover Experiment

04/26/2019
A kosher for Passover alternative to injera…that we don’t recommend.
What Would Historical African American-Jewish Music Sound Like?

What Would Historical African American-Jewish Music Sound Like?

10/16/2018
Anthony Russell’s brilliant new album attempts to answer that question.
Abayudaya Leader to Israelis: “We Are Your Brothers and Sisters”

Abayudaya Leader to Israelis: “We Are Your Brothers and Sisters”

02/01/2018
Rabbi Gershom Sizomu reflects on his recent visit to Israel.