Rich Geller works at the Beaverton Trader Joe's and is a freelance writer living in Portland, OR. He has written for The Bloomfield Journal, The Hometown Crier, The Hood River News, The Rosette Gazette, The Jewish Review, Art and Artifact, Oregon Jewish Life, Arizona Jewish Life, and Metro Parent. As a student at Portland State University, Rich worked at both Ooligan and Collectors Press while pursuing a Masters in Writing with a concentration in Publishing. In the Spring of 2011, Rich's first book, WonderDads Portland - The Best Dad/Child Activities in Portland was published. Rich is married to Leslie Geller, and has three children, Leo, Ethan, and Sela.
In these hard times that have come to be known as the Great Recession, many Americans have been scaling back their travel plans. The staycation, or vacationing near or even at home, has steadily gained in popularity. It may not be as glamorous as a traditional vacation, but there’s no reason it can’t be a…
The crack of that first piece of matzah, destined to become the afikomen. Homemade matzah ball soup simmering on the stove, its magical aroma evocative of days of Pesach past. The warmth of family gathered together. Is it any wonder that Passover is the most widely observed Jewish holiday in America? Why is this night…
For young adults, going off to college can be a thrilling journey into the unknown. As exciting and liberating as that journey can be, it can also be a disorienting shift, and having a home away from home can be a big help. For many Jewish students, Hillel is that home. The largest Jewish campus…
It’s hard to believe, but Hanukkah is upon us once again. As Charlie Brown’s little sister Sally might say, “I haven’t even finished eating all my Halloween candy!” My kids can barely contain their excitement. “Daddy, how many more days until Hanukkah?” is the constant refrain around the house these days. Hanukkah in Oregon is…
The tradition of leaving gaps in the thatched roof of a sukkah sufficient to allow natural light to pass through makes the week-long harvest festival of Sukkot a natural time to speculate about space and the people who explore it. As my family gazed contentedly at the Portland night sky from our sukkah, the clear…
Make the High Holidays meaningful for children The Days of Awe are an auspicious time of year for parents to connect with their children. The contrast of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and the days of reflection that bind them together present parent and child alike with a profusion of opportunities for joy, growth and…
Classic sci-fi beams down to Portland’s Cathedral Park this August as Atomic Arts presents Trek in the Park. For the past three years the talented players of Atomic Arts have brought Gene Roddenberry’s iconic 1960s TV series Star Trek to life through adaptations of classic episodes. Star Trek, best remembered for presenting a hopeful vision…
Bagels have been a hot topic in Portland lately, so here’s a baker’s dozen of fun places where dads and kids can bond over a quick nosh. Father’s Day is a great day to thank the dads in your life with something local and delicious. Just remember to keep Portland schmeared! Tastebud Bagels 3220 SE…
