Jewish weddings have always been a community priority. The patriarch Abraham went to great lengths to arrange the marriage of his son, Isaac, to Rebekah. And the great medieval sage Maimonides included marriage in his listing of the 613 commandments incumbent upon Jews. Closer to home, no sooner had the first Jewish young men arrived…
Weddings are always a joy, and when it comes to buying gifts to celebrate that joy, the options are endless. A great present is one selected with a great deal of thought for the happy couple. It is always good to check out the registry and perhaps think of giving cash. But if you would…
First-time Newlyweds: When and how should we start budgeting and combining finances? Discussion about finances is a process best started when you commit to marry and should continue indefinitely. A good way to start is by sharing each of your specific short-, mid- and long-term goals. Then, together, prioritize the goals, giving relevant details like…
Thanks to the TV show “Portlandia,” Oregonians west of the Cascades are now famous for their highly developed food sensibilities, militant bike activism, flowing long gray hair and ever-intensifying addictions to locally produced artisan coffees, oh-so-perfect pinots and craft beers. What “Portlandia hasn’t touched on – yet (hint) – is the amount of buzz generated…
When I got engaged, I thought reading a few books and skimming wedding blogs would adequately prepare me to plan my wedding. Despite all the research, there were still a few things I wish someone had told me before my big day: 1. Give Your Phone Away – I should have coordinated with someone to…
Mazel tov to you, new bride! You may have been waiting for this day for a long time, and finally it has arrived. Get ready for your entire world to change because with the word “yes,” the whirlwind of happy, excited energy has just begun. There are a million and one things to think about,…
Local anesthesiologist Dr. Sam Metz has long supported the concept of universal health care. But when a relative lost his home about three years ago as the result of large medical bills, Metz became very active in the push to put Oregon on the front lines of health care reform. Metz says he awakened to…
Dear Helen: My life is stuck. I need 2013 advice that’s more than just join a gym and change your job. I need those but I also need a deeper makeover! Ready Dear Ready: Virtually no big change is linear, consistent or fast. Most folks start with some simple prayers: Make it easy. Make it…
Neveh Shalom’s ALIYAH Jewish Learning program meets the needs of children from kindergarten through 12th grade. My favorite challenge is hitting the right balance of strong Jewish content and good fun. From many years of experience in Jewish education, I have seen that a strong, positive Jewish identity is built on skills and knowledge. Kids…
One of the greatest gifts of Jewish learning is how, in the hands of a gifted teacher, texts that were formulated centuries ago can be made relevant to modern lives. Case in point: “Overcoming Your Inner Pharaoh,” an interactive workshop series taught by Eugene’s Shmuel Shalom Cohen. The premise is simple but elegant. Shmuel posits…
