Rabbi Dianne Cohler-Esses

Dianne Cohler-Esses is the first Syrian Jewish woman to be ordained as a rabbi. She was ordained in 1995 at the Jewish Theological Seminary. She is currently a freelance educator and writer, teaching and writing about a wide range of Jewish subjects. She lives in New York City with her journalist husband and their three children.


Articles by Rabbi Dianne Cohler-Esses

Bullying and Name Calling

In his anger, Moses uses a destructive label for his people in public.

Igniting Curiosity’s Flame

It's important to encourage a child's natural ability and his or her own way of discovering the world.

Parents as Models

For better or worse, children learn how to be in the world from their parents.

Learning from Adversity

Before the Israelites were ready to fulfill their dreams, they needed to face themselves in the wilderness and grow up as a people.

Not Misrepresenting

Your relationships with others can only be real if they rest on honest assumptions.

When Should Patience Trump Passion?

Like Moses, we need to transform our natural impulses into something higher.

What’s the Use of Complaining?

Even if hardship or illness has visited us or those we love, we can still be grateful for the many blessings we have.

Family Stories

From generation to generation

Women As Heroes

When to have the courage to defy.

Speak Softly

By speaking softly at home we can teach children that shouting is not the most effective way.