Jewish life revolves around the cycle of life.
In the Jewish tradition, lifecycle moments from birth to death carry specific rituals, most of which have been used for centuries. These moments truly center us.
Following are the resources that will help you celebrate and mark each stage of life.
MOHELS
A mohel is the person who performs the circumcision in the brit milah ceremony for a male child on the eighth day after his birth. For more information, contact your local congregation.
STATEWIDE
Rabbi Tzvi Fischer, Oregon Bris Center
rtf@portlandkollel.org | 503-757- 0606 | oregonbris.com
A seventh-generation Mohel, performs ceremonies throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Rabbi Gadi Levy, Oregon Mohel
rabbig@oregonkosher.org | 720-315-4266 | oregonmohel.com
Rabbi Levy, trained in Jerusalem, has been a certified Mohel since 2007. He serves the greater Portland area as well as many surrounding cities.
PORTLAND METRO
Dr. Larry L. Veltman, obstetrician, certified as a mohel by Conservative Movement in Judaism, 503-292-5227.
Dr. Wendy Smith, Ob-gyn, certified by the Reform movement, 503-241-9528. Limited availability.
Dr. Bruce Birk, a Portland pediatrician, certification through Hebrew Union College. birkbrucemd@gmail.com, portlandmohel.com or 503-799-2794.
CENTRAL OREGON/BEND AREA:
No certified mohels, but some pediatricians will perform circumcisions in the synagogue or home: info@bethtikvahbend.org, or 541-388-8826; or info@jccobend.com
MIKVAHS/MIKVOT
A mikvah is a ritual bath satisfying
specific requirements that incorporate “living water” (running or moving water from a God-given source such as rain, snow, ice or a spring). Immersion in a mikvah is performed for ritual purification and a change in status, including conversion. It is used by Jews who wish to observe the Jewish laws concerning family purity or sanctification before a Jewish holiday, wedding or conversion ceremony. The purpose of immersion is not physical, but spiritual, cleanliness. Today, mikvah use has taken on some modern spiritually satisfying meanings. Immersion is often a way of celebrating both happy milestones and the pains of overcoming losses.
JACKSON WELLSPRINGS
2253 Highway 99 N
Ashland, OR
541-482-3776
MIKVAH MEI MENACHEM
Ashland, OR
541-482-2778
MIKVAH SHOSHANA/WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTER
6612 SW Capitol Hwy.
Portland, OR
503-309-4185
Mikvah Shoshanah-Portland’s Women’s Mikvah and resource center, serves women in a sensitive fashion that enhances the meaning of mikvah. It enables each woman to discover the spiritual mystery in this lifefulfilling mitzvah in a tranquil and supportive setting.
RACHEL’S WELL COMMUNITY MIKVAH
Schnitzer Family Campus, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy.
Mail: 6680 SW Capitol Hwy.,
Portland, OR
971-220-5580
Community Mikvah owned and operated by the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland with supervision by the Oregon Board of Rabbis. Available for traditional and contemporary ritual immersions by all Jews in the Greater Portland area and beyond. Open by appointment only.
SIMCHA VENUES
B’NAI B’RITH RETREAT CENTER
Lincoln City, OR
503-496-7445
BB Camp Retreat Center is located just a mile from the Oregon Coast and nestled right on the waterfront of Devil’s Lake. With various lodging options, facilities, amenities and delicious catering prepared on site, BB Camp Retreat Center is the perfect venue for weddings, conferences, family reunions, employee appreciation parties and everything in between. Overnight accommodations available for up to 300 guests.
MARK SPENCER HOTEL
Cydelle Higa-Johnston, Director of Sales
409 SW 11th Ave.
Portland, OR
503-224-3293 or 800-548-3934
The Mark Spencer Hotel is a historic hotel located in Downtown’s newest West End District. With 101 guest rooms and suites and over 2,200 square feet of meeting and event space, guests can experience the true essence of Portland and what it’s like to “Stay Like a Local.”
MITTLEMAN JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
6651 SW Capitol Hwy.
Portland, OR
503-244-0111
From bar/bat mitzvah celebrations to auctions, parties, weddings, and meetings, the MJCC offers an ideal setting for your event. With a variety of flexible event spaces at very reasonable rates, the MJCC is available seven days a week along with free parking. Come check out our options – there’s something for everybody, and everybody is welcome. Our friendly, professional staff works with you to create the perfect atmosphere for you and your guests.
PORTLAND SPIRIT CRUISES & EVENTS
Nathan Boese, Manager
110 SE Caruthers
Portland, OR
503-224-3900 | 800-224-3901
Each of our four vessels has its own flair to set the stage for your magical day. Fresh northwest cuisine, outstanding service and attention to detail ensure every moment of your wedding is filled with romance.
THE STAMPFER RETREAT CENTER AT CAMP SOLOMON SCHECHTER
Mail: 117 East Louisa St., #110
Seattle, WA
206-447-1967
retreatcenter@campschechter.org
Our 180-acre retreat center is nestled in the woods by a private lake near Olympia, WA. It is perfect for conferences, retreats and special events with a Challenge Course, Zipline, climbing tower, waterfront, fire pits and other camp facilities.
SIMCHA VENDORS
EVERYTHING JEWISH
Rabbi Chayim Mishulovin
6684 SW Capitol Hwy.
Portland, OR
503-246-5437
MoreThanAStore. Everything Jewish is Portland’s Jewish resource and community engagement center. On site rabbi to answer questions and discuss Jewish perspectives. Come browse and learn more about Judaism and Judaic items!
PACKOUZ JEWELERS
Rick Mahler, Owner
Ian Mahler, Sales
Kari Mason, Sales
522 SW Broadway
Portland, OR
503-228-3111
rick.mahler@packouzjewelers.com
Established in 1917, Packouz Jewelers is a family owned and operated business located in the heart of downtown Portland’s historic Broadway district. With a continued legacy of offering the finest timepieces and jewelry combined with unsurpassed customer service, Packouz Jewelers has continued to bring a tradition of elegance and sophistication to Portland for 100 years.
CHEVRA KADISHA/ JEWISH BURIAL SOCIETIES
Chevra kadisha, literally holy society, performs the traditional ritual of preparing individuals for burial. Volunteers carry out the ritual of washing, purifying and dressing the deceased, with men caring for men and women caring for women to maintain modesty even in death. Since Judaism promotes the dignity of all with all being treated equally in death, the deceased is dressed in simple shrouds and buried in a plain wooden (usually pine) box.
PORTLAND AREA
CHEVRA KAVOD HAMET
chevrakavodhamet.org or 503-481-6716
Includes volunteers from Congregations Neveh Shalom, Havurah Shalom, Shir Tikvah, P’nai Or, Beth Israel, Shaarie Torah, Kol Ami and Beit Haverim as well as unaffiliated.
HEVRA KADDISHA OF PORTLAND
Michael Rosenberg, michael@cashcoloan.com or 503-519-2454
Includes volunteers from Congregations Kesser Israel, Chabad of Oregon, Beit Yosef, Shaarie Torah, and other congregations, as well as unaffiliated.
CORVALLIS AND SALEM
WILLAMETTE VALLEY JEWISH COMMUNITY BURIAL SOCIETY
beitam.org, email office@beitam. org, or 541-753-0067
EUGENE
TEMPLE BETH ISRAEL
tbieugene.org , info@tbieugene.org or 541-485-7218
AHAVAS TORAH
Contact Rabbi Ozer Moskowski, ozer@akivaoncampus.com or 503-261-3850
MEDFORD/ASHLAND AREA
CHEVRA KADISHA OF THE ROGUE VALLEY
Daniel Greenblatt, Daniel@greenleafrestaurant.com or 541-941-1428
CENTRAL OREGON
Through the local congregations:
Temple Beth Tikvah, Bend, info@bethtikvahbend.org or 541-388-8826
Jewish Community of Central Oregon, Bend; Rabbi Jay Shupack, jshupack@juno.com, info@jccobend.com
FUNERAL SERVICES
HESED SHEL EMET
Oregon Jewish Indigent Burial Society
Jemi Kostiner Mansfield, 503-805-1630
jewishportland.org/ourcommunity/hesed-shel-emet
HOWELL EDWARDS DOERKSEN FUNERAL HOME
with Rigdon Ransom Funeral Directors
1350 Commercial St. SE
Salem, OR
503-581-3911
Open 7 days a week with staff able to answer phones 24 hours a day. Our beautiful building accommodates shomer and tahara rituals. In addition, our network of funeral homes provides immediate assistance for out of state burials in a timely fashion
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RIVER VIEW CEMETERY FUNERAL HOME
Gary Sands, Funeral Director
Christina Westin, Funeral Director
Steve Moore, Managing Director
8421 SW Macadam Ave.
Portland, OR
503-246-6488
info@riverviewcemeteryfuneralhome.com
riverviewcemeteryfuneralhome.com
River View Cemetery Funeral Home was established in 2004 and is conveniently located on the grounds of River View Cemetery in Southwest Portland. The staff of this full-service funeral home is experienced in Jewish burial customs and committed to providing the highest level of quality service to the Jewish community.
YOUNG’S FUNERAL HOME
11831 SW Pacific Hwy.
Tigard, OR
503-639-1206
Open 7 days a week with staff able to answer phones 24 hours a day. Our beautiful building accommodates shomer and tahara rituals. In addition, our network of funeral homes provides immediate assistance for out of state burials in a timely fashion.
CEMETERIES
Many congregations maintain their own cemeteries; see congregations section for contact information.
JEWISH CEMETERY AT RIVER VIEW CEMETERY
0300 SW Taylors Ferry Road,
Section 142
Portland, OR 97219
503-287-0066 | 503-246-4251
