Who plants trees knowing they’ll never eat the fruit themselves? The Jewish people, that’s who. Jewish tradition exhorts us since our earliest days to recount the story of a man who plants selflessly for the generations to come. When we give through bequests and estate gifts to our Jewish community, we plant not just trees…
In the first weeks of World War I, Jews throughout the world prepared to celebrate the New Year of 5675 with fervent prayers for peace and the safety of Jews in Europe. The war would embroil countries that were home to more than four million Jews, and life for them – and the world order…
Congregation Beth Israel 1972 NW Flanders St. 503-222-2037 www.bethisrael-pdx.org Congregation Beth Israel’s Religious School creates an environment where students in kindergarten through 12th grade learn to be comfortable being Jewish. Younger students (K-5th grade) experience Judaism through their senses; music, art, cooking and stories expose them to the richness of Jewish culture. Intermediate students search…
Next month Portland’s Sephardic community will be celebrating “A Centennial of Sephardic Life in Portland,” with a major exhibit at the Oregon Jewish Museum and other activities. But before there was a Portland Sephardic community, there were individual Sephardic Jews who made their way to Oregon – and who became important leaders both in the…
Friendly House’s mission is “to create a thriving community for people of all ages and backgrounds through quality educational, recreational and other life-sustaining services.” A Portland institution since 1930, Friendly House in Northwest Portland has three core service areas: children’s programs, community recreation and education, and community services. According to Mya Chamberlin, director of community…
Music has always been a constant for Cantor Ida Rae Cahana. Cahana, who officially begins her tenure as Congregation Beth Israel’s new senior cantor on Sept. 8, reflects that music, particularly Jewish liturgical music, has defined both her career and her personal life. “My way into Judaism had always been through music,” she says. Cahana…
Newly ordained Rabbi Rachel Joseph aims to “connect young Jews to something greater” when she assumes the position of assistant rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel on July 1. CBI leaders had identified the need for an assistant rabbi when the congregation exceeded 825 families. Senior Rabbi Michael Cahana explains, “We wanted every family to have…
Every day you hear about a 100th anniversary commemorating this or that. It’s the smaller blocks of time though – the decades or quarter-centuries – that truly impact us. With all the celebrations of her 32-year career at Congregation Beth Israel over the past nine months and with preparations for a final party in late…
A quarter century ago, Congregation Beth Israel decided to organize volunteers to do something Jewish for Christmas. Over the years, the effort has included delivering Meals on Wheels and serving Christmas dinner for low-income residents in the area. For many years, Alan Rosenfeld co-chaired the committee that organized the dinner. Rosenfeld and Beth Israel volunteers…
