As the son of a Conservative rabbi, Austin Clar expected to find many connections and insights when he spent a year studying in a yeshiva in Jerusalem. What he didn’t expect to find were some wonderful Israeli craft beers and the key to his career when he returned to the United States. Thanks to that…
Israeli Fellow Shiran Halfon has spent the school year increasing Portland-area college students’ understanding of and connection with Israel. Now she hopes to promote those same values for the greater Jewish community with the May 5 communitywide Yom Ha’aztmaut celebration. The Israeli Independence Day event will begin at 5 pm at the Mittleman Jewish Community…
Recently we were delighted to receive news that my niece and nephew are expecting a baby this fall. Becoming a mother for the first time is one of life’s most miraculous gifts. Being a new parent will seem like a monumental undertaking and will surely be overwhelming for a while. But soon, like the rest…
Growing up in Seattle Naomi Malka attended Hebrew School and Hebrew High, but she doesn’t recall anyone mentioning the mikvah. “I knew Judaism said something about marital sex and how the mikvah connected with that – I thought it sounded like a cool secret ritual,” says Naomi of her reaction to hearing about the mikvah…
In an age when no self-respecting American would be caught without a dietary restriction, from low-fat and high-protein to vegan or gluten-free, Jews have the proud distinction of being the first group to claim an Official Food Fixation. Since biblical times, the Jewish relationship to food has been more than an awareness of its necessity…
Dear Helen: I have a position to fill that involves a mix of high-level quantitative and technical skill and also helping with office support. The high-end functions are specialized, but a smart person could learn them with a good trainer. The office skills are simplistic and tedious – answering phones and doing filing, which sounds…
As a new season begins to bud and I start to plan for sunny days, lazy afternoons outside and springtime events, I start to consider packing up my dark, thick winter wear, boxing up the boots and sweaters, and doing a little online pre-shopping. Then I’ll be ready to hit the mall or stores for…
Even a devoted restaurantgoer likes to dine in once in awhile. The most discriminating palates are sure to be satisfied by Gaela Witter’s Persimmon Personal Chef Service. Chef/owner Witter thrives on culinary challenges; one of her specialities is substituting ingredients. For example, if a kosher client requires dairy-free creations, she might use silken tofu or…
About the only thing I recognize about weddings in Israel com- pared to weddings in the U.S. is the stomping of the glass and the loud chorus of “Mazel Tov!” The rest – OH MY GOD! Let’s start with the time. When the invitation says 8 pm with chuppah at 9 pm, you can be…
For the last 3+ years, I have written weekly remarks sharing thoughts about Jewish life and other subjects. Here I will share thoughts on Jewish Portland Tomorrow – a potential future vision for meeting the interests and needs of Jewish life in Portland. I am sure these Marc’s Remarks will generate plenty of conversation –…
