My son and I spend a lot of time in the car. Between 7 am and 7 pm I may drive 20-30 miles while schlepping him to and from his various commitments. I don’t complain because I know soon he’ll be driving himself, and we’ll never see him! My son is quite an accomplished musician,…
When the Portland Chamber Orchestra presents George Frideric Handel’s “Judas Maccabaeus” this month, Israeli- born conductor Yaacov Bergman says, “It will take us into our holiday story in a way that portrays Hanukkah vividly.” The PCO, of which Maestro Bergman has been music director/conductor for a decade, will offer four performances of its ecumenical holiday…
The long, cold, rain-soaked nights, suffused with the aroma of organic, locally sourced, cruelty-free, artisan latkes can mean only one thing – it’s Hanukkah in Oregon! For Jewish families with young children, Hanukkah is a special time to come together and share the history of our people. Hanukkah, or dedication in Hebrew, commemorates the rededication…
Hanukkah has all the ingredients for a wonderful family holiday – a good story, strong rituals, fun songs, delicious (fried!) food, a kid-friendly gambling game, colorful candles and, of course, presents. Despite all the potentially delightful parts of the holiday, oftentimes the presents become the dominant focus, which can be unpleasant and stressful for parents….
Come celebrate Sukkot in one of six sukkahs created by design teams from Italy, California, Maine and Oregon for the annual SukkahPDX exhibit. These sukkahs evoke the best of the Sukkot holiday: the opportunity to welcome guests into the sukkah. Events include a Shabbat dinner, an event for families and a music concert centered around…
Dr. Dale Oller never thought about the mikvah outside of one Neveh Shalom Sunday school field trip. Life went by, marriage, children, medical school, her psychiatric practice, and then one New Year something changed. “Only after reading an article in a Jewish Women’s Magazine from Mayim Hayyim, the Mikvah project in Boston, did I find…
High Holy Days 5775 Congregations around the state hold services throughout the High Holy Day season. Check our online calendar (ojlife.com/calendar) for services near you. Erev Rosh Hashanah: Sept. 24 Rosh Hashanah: Sept. 25-26 The Jewish New Year begins at sundown Sept. 24 and continues for the next two days. The holiday celebrates the creation…
A Guide to Jewish Holidays Note: Jewish holidays start at sundown the day before the first day of the holiday. Rosh Hashanah (Sept. 25-26, 2014) Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is celebrated each year on the first day of Tishrei, early in the fall. The day is a special time of rejoicing as we…
The first program funded by the Emily Georges Gottfried Fund is a black/Jewish dialogue, which began on Feb. 6 with the first in a series of four planned sessions. The dialogue was a fitting first recipient to be selected by the fund named in memory of Emily Gottfried, z”l, who created and led numerous programs…
Among Polish Jews looking forward to Passover, Karina Sokolowska stands out. As manager of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee in Poland, she knows holidays offer the perfect opportunity to reach out to her often hidden community and invite them back to their religion and roots. This year JDC caravans will spread out to small…
