The PJA community returned to school on Tuesday and walked beneath the beautiful installation of our 2023/24 Kehillah community art project. Doves of Hope and Peace is Kehillah’s third school-wide art project. The entire PJA community, from Early Childhood to Middle School, was invited to write a message and fold it into an origami dove. The final…
Kimberly Fuson to Lead Cedar Sinai Park On Aug. 6, long-time Portland resident Kimberly Fuson returned to Oregon to serve as interim executive director for Cedar Sinai Park. Martin Baicker, who has led the organization since October 2017, is stepping down as CEO to pursue other opportunities in the senior health care industry. Kimberly has…
Kimberly Fuson to Lead Cedar Sinai Park Beginning Aug. 6, long-time Portland resident Kimberly Fuson will return to Oregon to serve as interim executive director for Cedar Sinai Park. Martin Baicker, who has led the organization since October 2017, is stepping down as CEO to pursue other opportunities in the senior health care industry. Kimberly…
PHOTO: Every day PJA toddler teacher Drew Calhoun wears a different costume – and while his expression and posture change too, what doesn’t change is the care he gives his students. Drew says, “A large part of my intention is to show them that the people who are capable of loving them and caring for…
PHOTOS: Sadie Drucker runs through the mud to take third in the 4K race for 13/14-year-olds at the USA Track & Field National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships. Portland Jewish Academy eighth-grader Sadie Drucker won a bronze medal in the 4-kilometer race for 13/14-years-olds at the USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships in…
The federal government shutdown is impacting thousands of our friends and neighbors. Uncertainty over the length of the furlough is causing additional anxiety and stress for those who are not getting paid during this time. We have heard from several Jewish agencies, groups and congregations about steps they are taking to help alleviate the stress…
PHOTO: PJA student Liana Kressel with Wholistic Peace Institute Executive Director Nancy Spanovich and event guest speaker Rabbi Arik W. Ascherman. By Elana Cohn-Rozansky First there was a letter. Next was a play. Then there was a friendship. Portland Jewish Academy seventh-grader Liana Kressel fondly remembers the first note she received from her pen…
Julie Diamond leads community foundation as it helps ensure Jewish future As it approaches its 30th birthday, the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation has far exceeded the dreams of its “parents.” At age 10, the foundation had already far surpassed the founders’ goals. When Julie Diamond was hired as director of development in 2007, OJCF had…
By Saul Korin The Portland Jewish Academy Family Giving Circle expanded in 2017-18 and had more funds to disperse for this school year thanks to a generous match. At its June meeting, the PJA Family Giving Circle reviewed requests and made funding decisions. Chaired for the second year by Rob La Forte and Carol…
JFCS needs help to shore up safety net Jewish Family & Child Service recently launched a campaign to raise $100,000 over the next six months to benefit vulnerable people in metropolitan Portland’s Jewish community and beyond. JFCS will distribute the funds as follows: $35,000 to help individuals and families with rent assistance; $29,000 to help…
