In words that form images of light and darkness, waters receding from the firmament and stars separating day and night, the hebrew Bible (torah) describes the separation of the seventh day from all the others. this is the Sabbath – the day G-d desisted from the work of creation. the hebrew word Shabbat comes from…
Nationally and locally, the organized Jewish community has striven to embrace and engage an increasingly diverse and diffuse population. The so-called big Tent approach has been spurred in part by Jewish population studies, such as the 1990 national study that revealed a 52% intermarriage rate and the 2008-09 Portland study that found an astonishing 47,500…
For more than 150 years, Jewish life in Oregon has been characterized by dreamers, doers and those devoted to a cause. The pioneer Jews who came to the Western Frontier sank deep roots. Those first Oregon Jews, who came from Germany in the mid-1850s, often lived in other places in America before finding their way out West….
The greatest 20th century leader, who looked eye to eye with the greatest evil of the world at that time and did not blink, understood very well the tactical and strategic danger of lies to open democratic societies. In his typical fashion, Winston Churchill said, “A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth…
No, you are not imagining it. The shofar will be calling Jews to New Year services earlier this year. The earliest the first day of Rosh Hashanah can fall is Sept. 5. It happened in 1899 and again this year. Since days begin at sundown of the previous day, Erev Rosh Hashanah services are Wednesday…
It’s that time again – time to get back to school! Outside of fall holiday shopping, it’s one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year, filled with sales and savings. So shake off the summer sand from your beach vacations and trade in those flip-flops for back to school styles! My must haves for back…
Ah, shopping for school supplies. Is there anything … worse? First of all, why do they need so darn much stuff ? I mean, honestly, are they really gonna use one pencil a week for the next 36 weeks? Plus, this school supply stuff really adds up fast. It was probably wrong to tell my…
Maimonides Jewish Day School Maimonides expands child-centered campus Maimonides Jewish Day School will begin the school year Aug. 28 with a newly expanded and renovated building. The Lokshin Pavilion of Jewish Learning includes more than 3,000 square feet with room for four classrooms that can open together for large assemblies, an office, and a…
With Rosh Hashanah beginning the evening of Sept. 4, school start dates this year are a challenge. Portland Jewish Academy won’t start primary and middle school instruction until Sept. 9, although sixth-grade orientation and kindergarten and first-grade classroom visits are on Sept. 3. The infant- toddler classes also begin Sept. 3. Maayan Torah Day School also…
Harold Floom used his skills to help ensure the Jewish future 65 years ago. Now his sons Tobin and Jay are following in his footsteps, using their skills to do the same. After serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II, Harold put his skills as an airplane mechanic/flight engineer to use…
