This week I got a phone call from my daughter in San Francisco, the very same daughter who, six months ago, was struggling to figure out what to do post-college with a degree in anthropology. She is interning at a nonprofit agency by day and waitressing at night, having the time of her life as…
The Jewish holiday of Sukkot, or as The Daily Show host John Stewart calls it, “The Hebrew word meaning how many holidays can the Jews fit into one month?” follows so quickly on the heels of the 10 Days of Awe from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur that it seldom gets the love it deserves….
“Let all who are hungry come and eat” is not just a part of the Passover Haggadah – it’s a community imperative. Every Jewish community is obligated to ensure that everyone has the food they need to celebrate a joyous Passover, and this year – as in years past – Portland’s Jewish community is stepping…
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…
This Hanukkah 20- and 30-somethings can join fellow Jews at a variety of fun events including the Portland Trailblazers Hanukkah celebration. Young adults are also welcome to join family events around the community. Check the calendar on the next page for more holiday fun. Be sure to check Portland Young Adult Shabbat and Jews Next…
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…
Even though Thanksgiving isn’t a religious holiday, foodies like me think it is pretty close. I look forward to coming up with the menu for our Thanksgiving feast every year. As soon as the leaves begin to turn, I start poring through articles and recipes, trying to put a new spin on this holiday’s meal….
Oregon Jewish Life asked congregations in Oregon and Southwest Washington to supply information about their services during the High Holy Days. This year the holidays fall on the following dates: Erev Rosh Hashanah, Sept. 16; Rosh Hashanah I, Sept. 17; Rosh Hashanah II, Sept. 18, Erev Yom Kippur (Kol Nidre service), Sept. 25; Yom Kippur,…
by Liz Rabiner Lippoff “Taking the path less traveled by exploring your spirituality can lead to a clearer life purpose, better personal relationships and enhanced stress management skills.” Is that quote from a learned rabbi? Robert Frost? The Dalai Lama? It’s actually from the staff at the Mayo Clinic. (“Spirituality and Stress Relief: Make the…
Oregon’s Jewish pioneers may have come to the far reaches of the frontier, but they, too, remembered their traditions. Almost as soon as enough Jewish men came to a town to constitute a minyan, they began organizing, at least for major services. Although the earliest Jewish settlers in Oregon, according to most accounts, were Jacob…
