2020 is a big year for the Portland Jewish community. It marks the 100th anniversary of significant initiatives undertaken by Jewish leaders that came before us. In 1920, the community came together and formed the Jewish Federation in Portland. That same year, leaders also opened a home for elders in need. Originally called the “Jewish…
By Claire Delman (sixth-generation Portland Nudelman descendant) Gatherings of the Nudelman family have been happening in Portland since the early 1900s. The tradition continued this past summer when 90 descendants attended a family picnic. Eleven children of Mordechai Nudelman immigrated to the United States from Russia (modern-day Ukraine) between 1882-1901. All of them had different…
Pictured above: The Oregon Hillel Foundation’s University of Oregon staff, from left to right, Loren Murphy, Andy Gitelson, Rabbi Meir Goldstein, Kaya Rubinstein & Maddie Schaeffer and Oregon State University staff Evana Kvasnick, right. By Will Rubin A cadre of new staff members at Oregon Hillel are making their presence known on the campuses of…
The pseudo-scientific term, coined by a German racist, obscures the rising tide of hatred. We need to use the J word. By Shulamit S. Magnus With the disturbing increase of attacks on Jewish sites and on Jews in the US, Europe, and elsewhere, the term “anti-Semitism” is much in use. What to call the phenomenon…
Rabbi Stampfer has left us. For more than six and a half decades he has been our rabbi, our confidant, our friend and our teacher. He has built community and institutions. He has been ourdugma, our role model for how to live an engaged and purposeful life. And now he has left us for what…
Hillel International, the largest Jewish campus organization in the world, last week presented awards to recognize individuals and campus Hillels that are creating innovative experiences and meaningful connections to help students develop stronger ties to their Jewish identities. Greater Portland Hillel, serving Portland State University, Lewis & Clark College, and Reed College received Hillel’s highest…
Maimonides Jewish Day School in Southwest Portland announced the two winners of Oregon’s 3rd annual Chanukah Essay Contest. Oregon Poet Laureate Kim Stafford provided the guiding question that inspired nearly 50 students from nine schools – more than twice as many as last year – to vie for meaningful words and prizes. The students –…
Maimonides Jewish Day School in Southwest Portland presents Oregon’s 3rd annual Chanukah Essay Contest. Oregon Poet Laureate Kim Stafford’s question encourages young Oregonians in third through eighth grades to reflect upon the power of their own words. How can I use words to be a helpful person, or a good citizen, or a friend to…
The Portland Sephardic Film Series is embarking on its 14th season of showcasing films of Sephardic content and Jewish interest. The series begins Nov. 12 and is sponsored by Sephardic Congregation Ahavath Achim, Oregon’s original Sephardic synagogue since 1911. For the first time, the screenings for the films will be held at the Congregation’s new synagogue building…
Photo: From left, Bill and Carolyn Owens, Vern Freel, Carl Saltveit and Cay Kershner During its recent 20th anniversary celebration, Courtyard Village recognized residents and employees that have been with the community since its opening in September 1999. This also included the ladies running the beauty shop on the third floor called “Diane’s at the Courtyard.” Staff…
