When summer arrives, Oregonians flock to the outdoors to enjoy hiking, biking, beachcombing, paddling, windsurfing, picnicking, playing and a host of other traditional outdoor activities. But that doesn’t mean we abandon our cultural pastimes from the rainy months. Concerts, plays and art all find venues under the sun. Even Shabbat observance heads outside. Congregation Beth…
A Nosh of Jewish Wisdom: A fool is a person who trusts another fool. Dear Helen: I started my current job 325 days ago, doing fun engineering work, though for employers who flaunt their political conservatism. My wife and I got a sudden chance to go on an amazing 10-day tandem bike trip because two…
Backpacking with a family can make for a great staycation, even though it’s not always easy; especially (or so it may seem) if you keep kosher and are otherwise religiously observant. My husband, Charlie, and I recently moved to Oregon – my home state – after a couple of spells in Colorado and Montana. Hiking…
With summer now here, it is vacation time! Wherever you are headed, there is bound to be a Jewish community waiting to welcome you. And summer is a great time to explore those communities with your family. We have put together a sampling of Jewish events in popular vacation destinations this summer. Orange County, CA…
Whether you spend your summer lounging by the pool or on the beach, camping in the mountains or relaxing at home, a good book can enhance your pleasure. Here is a selection of the books that have come across my desk in recent months. I’ve dipped into a few while compiling this listing and have…
God and Politics in Esther by Yoran Hazony, 2016, Cambridge University Press, 288 pages, paperback, $29.99. By Victor Chudowsky The Jewish holiday of Purim is a joyous one. We get a little drunk, dress the kids up in costumes, and celebrate Esther and Mordechai’s cunning. It’s a funny, racy, over-the-top story that omits any mention…
CONGREGATION SHIR TIKVAH SHABBAT IN THE PARK July 8, 6 pm, at Laurelhurst Concert Pad Aug. 18, 6 pm, at Overlook Park shirtikvahpdx.org Rabbi Ariel Stone and Congregation Shir Tikvah will celebrate both Shabbat and the beauty of the Portland summer. Bring a picnic and enjoy the live music, challah and dancing. There are two…
Photos courtesy of Portland Parks & Recreation Those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are back again. The days are long and the kids are home, so it must be time for some Oregon summer fun! Here are 10 family friendly destinations that won’t break the bank. Grant Park: NE 33rd Ave. and U.S. Grant…
All 362 miles of Oregon’s coast make up one of the most remarkable public recreation settings in the United States. Since the Oregon State Park system manages the Ocean Shore State Recreation Area, the entire coastline from the Oregon/California border north to the Columbia River is open to the public and waiting for you to…
William Shakespeare lived in a time when Jewish people in England were still very much outsiders. Works like “The Merchant of Venice” reflect that, yet Shylock’s famous “If you prick us, do we not bleed?” speech demonstrates the complexity of The Bard’s sensitivity to the Jewish situation. What’s never been in dispute is Shakespeare’s genius…
