JFCS Gets Grant for Groundbreaking Holocaust Survivor Care Portland’s Jewish Holocaust survivors will soon receive innovative services designed to reduce trauma and isolation thanks to a grant to Jewish Family & Child Service by the Jewish Federations of North America. Combined with matching funds from the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, the award will provide…
UPDATE: Because of several Spring break conflicts, Congregation Beth Israel has changed the date of the “Crossing Over” performance from March 30 to April 12. “We are all very excited with the change and our presentation will be on the third night of Passover giving the celebration deeper meaning,” says Michael Allen Harrison. Crossing Over…
Collaborators Explore How Two Jewish Women and Five Black Singers Changed Music History The seeds for “Soul Harmony” were planted four years ago when Portland pianist and composer Michael Allen Harrison and Rabbi Alan Berg collaborated on their first musical theater creation, “Crossing Over: A Musical Passover Story.” As the pair worked on that musical,…
Rabbi Yossi Chaiton and Rabbi Alan Berg help answer the question, “What does Jewish tradition say about our responsibility to take care of our body?” Rabbi Yossi Chaiton Chabad of Oregon, shaliach, associate rabbi Portland Jewish Academy, Hebrew and Jewish studies director “Maintaining a healthy and sound body is among the ways of G-d,” but…
Throughout history, humanity has instinctively understood the power of music to heighten emotions. The strident beat of war drums, melodious Torah chants, ethereal church hymns and the ominous rhythm of the Jaws movie theme have all used the language of the soul. Yet Rabbi Alan Berg says that he has never heard a liturgical composition…
