By Jenn Director Knudsen A defining event, the Holocaust does not define four Holocaust Survivor Services clients who first and foremost are artists. Boris Uan-Zo-li has a painting genre named after him. Sidonie Caron created a piece that hangs in the Empire State Building in New York City. Georgette Hancock believes her colorful images are…
Photo: Photo taken when the Gloria Bacharach Judaica Gift Shop was named for her, at the behest of Max Birnbach, pictured to Gloria’s left, alongside Rabbi Daniel Isaak, now emeritus, of Neveh Shalom. “The gum. That gum and those kids.” Sue Axel was referring to the individually wrapped Bazooka chewing gum sold for decades…
Many Americans in late-November 2008 were preparing their Thanksgiving turkeys and seasonal accoutrements when news broke of a terrorist attack in distant Mumbai, India. One of the targets was the Chabad House. Hundreds died and hundreds more were injured in the aftermath of the widespread and prolonged terrorist attack. Inside the five-story Chabad House six…
Rabbi Yosef Chaiton has a reputation for putting a positive spin on everything. Even the weather. He and his wife, Rochel, recently relocated to Las Vegas after 32 years in Portland. They leave behind a legacy of advancing Jewish education and learning across all denominations and among the unaffiliated, joy in their work and general…
In Oregon, one in 10 residents is an immigrant according to the American Immigration Council. Our state – and Portland, in particular – also is home to increasing numbers of refugees, people fleeing unimaginable hardships including war, persecution and natural disasters. Cheryl Coon has made it her life’s work to represent the most traumatized among…
A lifelong social-justice advocate and activist, Ruth Messinger 20 years ago rose above a defeat to effect great social change. Ever since, she’s helped women all over the globe do the same. Hoping to become the first female mayor of New York City, Messinger ran in 1997 for the post against Rudy Giuliani. She lost…
Sharon Fendrich is like so many moms: She, too, sings to herself while idling in the school pickup line. But unlike most moms, Fendrich – a professional musician and vocalist – is truly inspired. She uses her precious few moments before welcoming her two children into her minivan to record a few bars into her…
