Andrew Esensten
@esensten.bsky.social
Journalist. Working on a book about Israel's African Hebrew Israelite community. יה חי andrewesensten.net
Reposted by Andrew Esensten
The guy who owns Amazon shutting down the books section of the Washington Post is beyond parody
WaPo also closing Books section and downsizing International and Metro sections
February 4, 2026 at 2:05 PM
The guy who owns Amazon shutting down the books section of the Washington Post is beyond parody
Reposted by Andrew Esensten
A new PBS documentary series, which premieres tonight at 9 p.m. EST, traces the history between Black and Jewish Americans, examining their connection through shared experiences of persecution and tests to the relationship involving politics and societal dynamics.
February 4, 2026 at 12:00 AM
A new PBS documentary series, which premieres tonight at 9 p.m. EST, traces the history between Black and Jewish Americans, examining their connection through shared experiences of persecution and tests to the relationship involving politics and societal dynamics.
“Black and Jewish America” starts tonight on PBS. For @rns.org, I spoke with the filmmakers and some of the folks who participated in this nuanced and timely docuseries.
New PBS docuseries examines the ‘interwoven history’ of Black and Jewish Americans
(RNS) — Despite both having a history of persecution, the groups’ alliance has repeatedly been tested.
religionnews.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:46 PM
“Black and Jewish America” starts tonight on PBS. For @rns.org, I spoke with the filmmakers and some of the folks who participated in this nuanced and timely docuseries.
“What unites the gods of every spiritual tradition is that they are capable of communicating with us. Now we are faced with another invisible, nonhuman form of intelligence that communicates linguistically with us. The slippage into describing A.I. religiously feels almost inevitable.”
It Makes Sense That People See A.I. as God
www.nytimes.com
January 31, 2026 at 4:16 PM
“What unites the gods of every spiritual tradition is that they are capable of communicating with us. Now we are faced with another invisible, nonhuman form of intelligence that communicates linguistically with us. The slippage into describing A.I. religiously feels almost inevitable.”
NYT app broken, too much news
January 29, 2026 at 2:38 AM
NYT app broken, too much news
Reposted by Andrew Esensten
In Druski's video captioned “Mega Church Pastors LOVE Money,” the 31-year-old comedian impersonates a rowdy megachurch preacher ostentatiously displaying his wealth.
religionnews.com/2026/01/20/d...
religionnews.com/2026/01/20/d...
Druski's viral parody of flashy preachers renews debate over wealth in the pulpit
(RNS) — Christian rapper and singer Lecrae defended the skit and called on Christians to reflect on the video’s critique of churches.
religionnews.com
January 26, 2026 at 6:00 PM
In Druski's video captioned “Mega Church Pastors LOVE Money,” the 31-year-old comedian impersonates a rowdy megachurch preacher ostentatiously displaying his wealth.
religionnews.com/2026/01/20/d...
religionnews.com/2026/01/20/d...
“Coltrane Consciousness is acknowledging that the music and the sound of John Coltrane is that anointed sound that leaped down from the throne of heaven.”
Inside the San Francisco Church Where John Coltrane is a Saint | KQED
There’s a church in the Bay Area that’s been worshiping the jazz legend's music for 60 years.
www.kqed.org
January 25, 2026 at 6:40 PM
“Coltrane Consciousness is acknowledging that the music and the sound of John Coltrane is that anointed sound that leaped down from the throne of heaven.”
"Siiiiiiiick." - Alex Honnold #SkyscraperLive
January 25, 2026 at 2:58 AM
"Siiiiiiiick." - Alex Honnold #SkyscraperLive
Reposted by Andrew Esensten
"Your contract allows for a modest structure in the prevailing style of the neighborhood. It does not allow for a big tall house with rooms by the dozen."
Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof, Now a Rich Man, Receives a Letter from His HOA
Dear Tevye, This letter is to inform you that you are in gross violation of the rules of this Homeowners’ Association (HOA). Please note the follow...
buff.ly
January 24, 2026 at 2:20 AM
"Your contract allows for a modest structure in the prevailing style of the neighborhood. It does not allow for a big tall house with rooms by the dozen."
The press coverage leading up to Alex Honnold’s skyscraper free solo climb has been pretty gross, playing up the fact that he could die on live TV. He could also NOT die!
January 24, 2026 at 12:54 AM
The press coverage leading up to Alex Honnold’s skyscraper free solo climb has been pretty gross, playing up the fact that he could die on live TV. He could also NOT die!
"Newsom stopped by Gatti’s studio and saw him casting the I Ching, a traditional Chinese method of divination that uses coins or yarrow stalks. Newsom wanted to try it. 'The I Ching said, If you’re thinking about running for political, public office—don’t,' Gatti told me."
The Front-Runner
California’s Gavin Newsom would rather be wrong than weak.
www.theatlantic.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:57 PM
"Newsom stopped by Gatti’s studio and saw him casting the I Ching, a traditional Chinese method of divination that uses coins or yarrow stalks. Newsom wanted to try it. 'The I Ching said, If you’re thinking about running for political, public office—don’t,' Gatti told me."
Ahmed al-Ahmed said "he felt he had been placed [at Bondi Beach] by God, with a moral choice: whether to turn away or act on God’s intention."
For the Hero of the Bondi Beach Attack, a Whirlwind Visit to America
www.nytimes.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Ahmed al-Ahmed said "he felt he had been placed [at Bondi Beach] by God, with a moral choice: whether to turn away or act on God’s intention."
One of the cool things about writing for @rns.org is seeing your stories reprinted in publications like Anabaptist World.
Religious-themed brick sets hold appeal for both children and adults in digital age | Anabaptist World
Bible Bricks is one of a number of Lego-compatible bricks tapping a market for offline toys inspired by biblical figures and events.
anabaptistworld.org
January 7, 2026 at 6:49 PM
One of the cool things about writing for @rns.org is seeing your stories reprinted in publications like Anabaptist World.
“Whether you call it an intentional community, a micromonastery or a commune, our home is unusual.”
Opinion | Your Social Muscles Are Wasting Away. Here Is How to Retrain Them.
www.nytimes.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:00 AM
“Whether you call it an intentional community, a micromonastery or a commune, our home is unusual.”
“Find your Waymoment”? Absolutely not.
January 3, 2026 at 9:30 PM
“Find your Waymoment”? Absolutely not.
“As a young man in Texas, Willie Nelson taught Sunday school and considered the ministry. On the bus in Weehawken, I asked if he saw his work as akin to a preacher’s. ‘Oh, I don’t know about that,’ Nelson said. ‘I don’t try to preach to nobody.’ Annie Nelson disagreed: ‘I think he’s a shaman.’”
How Willie Nelson Sees America
On the road with the musician, his band, and his family.
www.newyorker.com
January 3, 2026 at 3:46 AM
“As a young man in Texas, Willie Nelson taught Sunday school and considered the ministry. On the bus in Weehawken, I asked if he saw his work as akin to a preacher’s. ‘Oh, I don’t know about that,’ Nelson said. ‘I don’t try to preach to nobody.’ Annie Nelson disagreed: ‘I think he’s a shaman.’”
Chevy Chase, what on earth does this mean? www.nytimes.com/2026/01/01/a...
January 2, 2026 at 12:26 AM
Chevy Chase, what on earth does this mean? www.nytimes.com/2026/01/01/a...
Greetings from the Oakland LDS Temple.
December 31, 2025 at 5:08 AM
Greetings from the Oakland LDS Temple.
Reposted by Andrew Esensten
"I’ll assume you’ll be finding us a new hotel or, as a bare minimum, refunding our donkey expenses."
Joseph of Nazareth Has Had It with Hotels.com
July 3, 1 BC Dear Joseph of Nazareth, Your booking is confirmed for HILTON GARDEN INN BETHLEHEM. Hotels.com confirmation number: 483949011 Check-in...
buff.ly
December 26, 2025 at 2:00 AM
"I’ll assume you’ll be finding us a new hotel or, as a bare minimum, refunding our donkey expenses."
Reposted by Andrew Esensten
Extremely funny to call the pope “holier-than-thou”
December 25, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Extremely funny to call the pope “holier-than-thou”
“The film is based on the history of the Shakers, an offshoot of Quakerism that began in the 18th century. Amanda Seyfried plays [Ann] Lee, the founder of the movement, who possesses a hunger for the divine. She finds it inside a British prison cell, where she has a vision in which God is female.”
Amanda Seyfried Had a ‘Complete Spiritual Awakening’
www.nytimes.com
December 24, 2025 at 12:16 PM
“The film is based on the history of the Shakers, an offshoot of Quakerism that began in the 18th century. Amanda Seyfried plays [Ann] Lee, the founder of the movement, who possesses a hunger for the divine. She finds it inside a British prison cell, where she has a vision in which God is female.”
Reposted by Andrew Esensten
“A lot of us grew up with Legos and understand how fun they are,” said Sean Sutton, a 28-year-old entrepreneur who was raised in the Southern Baptist church. “I think people are hungry for high-quality religious sets.”
religionnews.com/2025/12/22/r...
religionnews.com/2025/12/22/r...
Religious-themed brick sets hold appeal for both children and adults in digital age
(RNS) — Faith-based companies making Lego-compatible building blocks are tapping a market for offline toys inspired by biblical figures and events.
religionnews.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:00 PM
“A lot of us grew up with Legos and understand how fun they are,” said Sean Sutton, a 28-year-old entrepreneur who was raised in the Southern Baptist church. “I think people are hungry for high-quality religious sets.”
religionnews.com/2025/12/22/r...
religionnews.com/2025/12/22/r...