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Where We Were

For more than 150 years, Jewish life in Oregon has been characterized by dreamers, doers and those devoted to a cause. The pioneer Jews who came to the Western Frontier sank deep roots. Those first Oregon Jews, who came from Germany in the mid-1850s, often lived in other places in America before finding their way out West….

Back to School

With Rosh Hashanah beginning the evening of Sept. 4, school start dates this year are a challenge. Portland Jewish Academy won’t start primary and middle school instruction until Sept. 9, although sixth-grade orientation and kindergarten and first-grade classroom visits are on Sept. 3. The infant- toddler classes also begin Sept. 3. Maayan Torah Day School also…

Break the Fast Monkey Bread Recipe

It is always difficult to come up with new and interesting recipes for yontif meals, especially for break the fast when family and friends need to be fed NOW! This year make something absolutely delicious and perfect for grabbing and popping into your mouth just as soon as the 26 hours are up. Consider making…

How Do You Use Honey for a Sweet New Year?

Jennifer Greenberg & Carlos the dog, Program Director, Congregation Neveh Shalom “We actually keep a beehive in our backyard. This year we will harvest some honey and enjoy it, comb and all. We will reflect on all the hard work we watched the bees do, and will be thankful for their role in pollinating our vegetable…

Eugene Sukkah Crawl

When Shmuel Shalom Cohen moved to eugene in 2010, he easily located synagogues to pray in, but found it wasn’t quite as simple for him to track down adult classes on Judaism, social gatherings for all nature of Jewish people or even kosher bread for Shabbat. after months of searching, he discovered where to buy…

Kosher Quest in the Beaver State

Oregon has cultivated a national reputation for culinary excellence. Portland in particular has become the darling of the foodies. As Eric Asimov wrote in The New York Times, “Portland has emerged from its chrysalis as a full-fledged dining destination.” With the advent of the city’s burgeoning foodcart culture, Portland has taken its love affair with food to the next level. U.S. News…

Ahavath Achim Rabbi Puts Computer Skills to Good Use

Two years ago Rabbi Michael and Mira Kaplan were looking for a place where they could make a difference. They found it in Portland. Rabbi Kaplan, then a rabbinic associate at the Riverdale Jewish Center in the Bronx, NY, accepted an invitation from Congregation Ahavath Achim to become its spiritual leader. “There is a tremendous potential for growth here,” he…

Sephardic Jews Celebrate Century of Life in Portland

For more than 100 years, Sephardic Jews have been an important part of the Portland Jewish community. Next year, beginning in June, they will celebrate their rich history and hopes for the future with “A Hundred Years of Sephardic Life in Portland.” This ambitious project will feature a gala kickoff dinner and a four-month historical exhibit, documentary DVD and catalog. “We’ve…

Modern Orthodox Invited to Experience Adventure in Oregon

Modern Orthodox young professionals ages 26-42 are invited to Oregon June 26-July 1 for Portland’s third MoDox Outdoor Adventure Shabbaton. The first Shabbaton in 2011 drew 56 participants, with 74 young adults turning out in 2012. Portland’s third MoDox Outdoor Adventure Shabbaton already has attracted registrants from Israel, Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, New…

Looking for Love: Dating is a Meet Market

Marketing and dating – they’re not so different! After all, aren’t both of these about clearly communicating with another person in an attempt to forge a relationship? Let me review the 12 most persuasive words used in marketing – discovery, easy, guarantee, health, caring, money, new, proven, results, safety, savings and you – and illustrate…