Portlander Bill Cohen is a grand champion fundraiser dedicated to ending the disease that stole his mother’s memory, creativity and, ultimately, her life. Sheila Cohen Springer, z”l, was an artist, teacher and printmaker all her life. When Hurricane Katrina struck, she lost both her house in Biloxi, MS, and her health. “The trauma tipped her…
When Michael Weiner and Kathy Davis-Weiner decided to downsize from a 4,300-square-foot Lake Oswego home to a 1,972-square-foot urban condo, they had an unusual quandary. It wasn’t that they wouldn’t have room when their children visited with their families. “We have occasional visits from our four kids and two grandkids, who live in four different…
In a country where accessibility to buildings and youth groups is limited, children with mobility issues or special needs are learning to soar with Krembo Wings. Founded in 2002, Krembo Wings is Israel’s only youth movement for children with special needs. Children with severe psychological, motor and cognitive disabilities are able to participate in a…
Whether it’s the haunting tones of the shofar that stir Jews’ souls or some other phenomenon, synagogues are traditionally flooded with worshippers during the Days of Awe. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services are so full that most congregations require tickets to ensure regular attendees can find a seat in the congregation they support all…
The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education will have a permanent home thanks to the purchase of the former Museum of Contemporary Craft, 724 NW Davis in Portland. The purchase agreement was announced July 6. The museum will remain open until Sept. 25 in its leased space at 1953 NW Kearney St. with…
Over the past 18 years, artist Susan Kuznitsky has watched a timeless peace descend on people as they visit her neighbor, Alpenrose Dairy. Now as the family-owned dairy celebrates its 100th anniversary, Susan is capturing this slice of a bygone era in oils and pastels. She has created a series of 14 oil paintings and…
Nearly 20 years ago I sat with a group of parents and community members concerned about the lack of support and Jewish opportunities for children with learning, developmental or physical differences. This summer I attended a retirement party for the woman who spent 18 years ensuring the community included and supported everyone. About a year…
“From strength to strength, from mikvah to mikvah,” said Rabbi Ariel Stone at the July 24 desanctification ceremony to close the Portland Ritualarium (aka Portland Community Mikvah), which has served the full spectrum of the Jewish community since 1962. The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, in partnership with the Oregon Board of Rabbis and others,…
PHOTO: Camp Solomon Executive Director Schechter Sam Perlin welcomes the campers from Sephardic Adventure Camp to the CSS facility. Photo by Kaia D’Albora On Monday, Aug. 1, the Sephardic Adventure Camp, an Orthodox Jewish camp from Washington State, was evacuated from their campsite in eastern Washington due to a nearby forest fire. Consistent with…
Activists in the Boycott, Divest and Sanction campaign against Israel frequently inject their cause into diverse social justice campaigns implying that those who stand for the oppressed should also stand for Palestinians. LGBT and animal rights groups, as well as churches, have had their debate or even official platforms appropriated by the BDS Movement. The…
