Everyone clapped when Luda Isakharov, 10, finished her presentation. Proud parents and children filled the bright, cozy room. It was the end-of-the year Hebrew school celebration, and each child talked about what he or she had learned during the year. Outside, a sunlit courtyard filled with children’s toys had the remains of the day’s festive…
by Deborah Moon Ashland’s Temple Emek Shalom has hired Rabbi Joshua Boettiger as the congregation’s new rabbi effective Aug. 1. “This past year was one of transition for the congregation, but we see 2012/2013 as a year of exciting new beginnings,” says TES President Michael Schames, who took office July 1. “As a congregation, we are…
Portland seems to be on the tip of everyone’s tongue these days. You’ll often find our great city and state featured in national and international travel magazines and publications as one of the top places to visit and live in the world. This year alone, Great Britain’s The Guardian put Portland on the top of…
After hitting the New York Times best seller list with all 16 of his novels, Portland author and attorney Phillip Margolin is eager to publish the historical novel he has worked on for 30 years. “It’s the best thing I’ve ever written,” says Margolin of the yet-to-be named novel due to be published by HarperCollins…
A hero of our time and for the ages, Natan Sharansky shone a bright light on the plight of Soviet Jewry from his dark cell in a Soviet prison. Now, as chairman of the executive of the Jewish Agency for Israel, Sharansky uses his experiences to illuminate the importance of strong identities and the role…
Have you ever walked, run or petitioned for a good cause? This time, you’re in for a treat. The second annual Pamper for a Purpose lets you help Darfur and Congolese refugees by basking in the ultimate spa. Join hair stylists, hypnotists, massage therapists and more at Lake Oswego’s Millennium Park Plaza on July 1…
Newly appointed principal flutist Jessica Sindell’s honeymoon period with the Oregon Symphony has spawned a surprising new passion: Playing pops. “I thought they’d be a breeze, but rhythmically it’s more challenging to learn than a classical piece,” said Sindell, 23, an Eastman School of Music graduate who began her gig with the Portland orchestra in…
By Lauren Murphy A glance at Dr. Sharon Meieran’s resume brings one word to mind: Superwoman. She’s a doctor, a lawyer and a mother of two; and this year Meieran is looking to add state representative to her long list of accomplishments. “I can’t remember a time when I haven’t done a lot of things…
The mosaic of Israeli faces on this month’s Oregon Jewish Life cover depicts the diversity of this modern nation as it prepares for its 64th birthday. The following pages offer glimpses of different aspects of the miracle that is the state of Israel.
Actor Daniel Benzali began his quest to bring painter Mark Rothko to life onstage in 2004, about the same time Harold Schnitzer began his quest to bring the Portland-raised artist’s famed works back to the Portland Art Museum, where his first exhibit appeared in 1933-34. Though Schnitzer died last April, it was his drive to…
