Volume 51, Issue 6
Tikkun Olam part of daily life at newly open Beit Kayam, the Jewish eco-house
Shoshanna Krall used to navigate different worlds—but she doesn’t need to anymore. By founding Beit Kayam, a Jewish eco-house in Portland, her passions combined into one inclusive community. read more »
Portland’s First Annual Jewish Medical Ethics Conference
Organ donation and moment of death, which are intimately related, are the focus of what organizers hope will become an annual lecture on Jewish medical ethics. read more »
Don't defend religion by silencing free speech
NEW YORK (JTA)—A draft resolution scheduled for consideration by a committee of the United Nations General Assembly threatens to silence criticism of religion. read more »
To the editor:
Regarding Victor Sharpe’s article in the Nov. 1 Jewish Review, to speak of my ignorance of history, my delusional foolishness, and my horribly confused mind is not the same thing as a rebuttal of what I said. read more »
Shimon Peres confident about new U.S. president
JERUSALEM (JTA)—Israeli President Shimon Peres told the annual gathering of the North American Jewish federation system in Jerusalem that he has no fears about the new U.S. president. read more »
Jewish Agency adopts conversion resolutions
JERUSALEM (JTA)—The Jewish Agency Assembly adopted resolutions calling on the Israeli government to establish an independent authority on Jewish conversions and special courts of Jewish law to “allow the conversion process to move forward.” read more »
The latke variations: Move over potatoes
NEW YORK (JTA)—My brother-in-law asked me a surprising question: “How many different kinds of latkes do you make at Hanukah?” read more »
Women gather to learn about next year’s women-only group trip to Israel
Women planning to join Dorice Horenstein’s fourth group tour to Israel, this time a women-only trip, gather at Horenstein’s home last month to learn trip details. read more »
Emotions run deep during the Caplans’ enlightening tour of Eastern Europe
When Barbara and Barry Caplan reached their 46th wedding anniversary, they decided now was the time. read more »
Mittleman Center hosts film, discussion on intermarriage
With Jewish intermarriage rates in the western United States exceeding 50 percent, the Mittleman Jewish Community Center will present a Dec. 9 program that looks at issues that reach far beyond whether to have a Christmas tree next to the menorah. read more »
Heuer’s art arose from cancer encounter
Photographer Friderike Heuer hopes her upcoming exhibit reaches beyond visual art. read more »
Beth Israel hosts Michael Chabon
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon spoke before a crowd of 625 at Congregation Beth Israel Nov. 23, as a part of a series commemorating the 150th anniversary of the congregation. read more »
Economic crisis calls for a new Hanukah miracle
LOS ANGELES (JTA)—This Hanukah, the miracle may need to come from your wallet. What with eight nights of family gift-giving, many recession-year budgets might have only enough cash for five or six. read more »
Building bridges between Jews and Muslims
LOS ANGELES (JTA)—There was nothing unusual about some 20 devout Muslims from the King Fahad Mosque bowing and prostrating themselves as they recited the Isha, or night prayer. read more »
Home humble over perfect score
When Robison Jewish Health Center received its fifth perfect nursing home state survey in seven years, RJHC Administrator Kim Fuson said, “We are humble, this is not the time to sit on our laurels. It’s time to raise the bar again.” read more »
Neveh Shalom welcomes interfaith members
Three weeks after inviting the Jewish community to explore its expanded and renovated home, Congregation Neveh Shalom invited its Christian neighbors to do the same. read more »
Federation's Opening Night event holds its own
A preliminary tabulation of pledges made at the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland’s recent Opening Night event totaled approximately $361,000, with additional delayed pledges yet to be tabulated. read more »
Temple Beth Shalom pleased with ‘Greene’ rabbi
Four months after Rabbi James Greene arrived at Temple Beth Sholom in Salem, all factions seem to agree it’s a good fit. read more »
Kol Shalom marks 15 years of Humanistic Judaism here
When Kol Shalom President Roberta Hellman spoke at the congregation’s 15th anniversary celebration, she noted the Community for Humanistic Judaism had not only survived, but also thrived. read more »
After ashram, Rigler found spirituality in Judaism
Sara Yocheved Rigler meditated three times a day for 17 years, much of which she spent in an ashram studying and teaching Eastern philosophy. read more »
Dec. 14 Super Sunday chance to help or be helped
Reeling in the wake of the financial hurricane? Alarmed by the avalanche of need? read more »
PJA Auction slated Dec. 7
In honor of becoming an International Baccalaureate Candidate School, Portland Jewish Academy has created an auction with an international flair to raise money for scholarships. read more »
Postville Jews struggle in fallout of Rubashkin debacle
POSTVILLE, Iowa (JTA)—After former Agriprocessors executive Sholom Rubashkin was arrested last month, Rashi Raices joined several dozen members of this town’s Jewish community in volunteering the equity on their homes to guarantee his return to face trial. read more »
Fiscal crisis dominates fundraisers' gathering
JERUSALEM (JTA)—When the United Jewish Communities began planning last year for its 2008 General Assembly in Israel, the goal was to highlight and strengthen the federation system’s support for philanthropic efforts in the Jewish state. read more »
Schiffmans tour Sderot
PORTLANDERS Charlie and Marsha Schiffman attended the recent United Jewish Communities General Assembly in Jerusalem. read more »
How many Jews live here?
The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland is engaged in a scientific demographic study—the first ever known to be carried out here read more »
Portland teens lobby for Israel
Eight Portland teenagers know they don’t have to wait until they are old enough to vote to have their voice heard by the nation’s lawmakers. read more »
Limping toward finish line, Olmert sees peace accord
WASHINGTON (JTA)—Lame duck or not, Ehud Olmert is determined to make it to the finish line. read more »
Pained but resolute, Chabad buries emissaries
KFAR CHABAD, Israel (JTA) – Rabbis wept, women wailed and Chabad faithful called for avenging the tragedy in Mumbai with holiness and love as thousands gathered here Tuesday for the funerals of the two Chabad emissaries killed in the Mumbai terrorist attacks. read more »
Israelis stress while stranded in Bangkok
BANGKOK (JTA) -- Shmulik Masa frowns and rolls his salad with a fork in a Jewish-run restaurant in this city's backpacker district. "It's been a double whammy for me in Thailand," the young Israeli traveler says, clearly frustrated. read more »
