Community Connections - Local News

6/15/13 - Outside Summer Shabbat! Join us!

Thursday, June 13, 2013 5:02:20 PM

Through a 2011 Community Impact Grant, Federation helped to fund our community’s first Shabbat in the Park in an effort to bridge eastside and westside congregations. We are thrilled to see these and other programs continue throughout our entire Jewish community.

Grab a blanket and picnic dinner and join others under the stars to welcome Shabbat outside this summer at these events:

Shaarie Torah Shabbat in the Park
June 21 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Wallace Park, 1600 NW 25th Ave

July 19 from 6:00 to 6:30 PM
Portland Jewish Academy Playground
6651 SW Capitol Hwy

August 23 from 6:00 to 6:30 PM
Wallace Park, 1600 NW 25th Ave

Beth Israel Shabbat on the Plaza
June 28; July 12 & 26, and Aug 9 & 23 from 6:00 to 7:00 PM
Beth Israel Plaza, 1972 NW Flanders

Beit Haverim Pups in the Park & Potluck
July 12 from 5:30 to 9:00 PM
Willamette Park, 1100 12th St, West Linn

Neveh Shalom Shabbat in the Park
July 12 from 5:45 to 8:00 PM
Wilshire Park, NE 33rd & NE Skidmore

August 9 from 5:45 to 8:00 PM
Tabor Park, SE 60th & SE Salmon

Shabbat in the Park with Shir Tikvah
July 19 from 5:30 to 8:30 PM
Overlook Park, N Interstate & N Fremont

August 16 from 6:00 to 8:30 PM
Laurelhurst Park Athletic Field,
SE Stark & Cesar Chavez

6/15/13 - Temple Beth Tikvah Celebrates 5th Anniversary

Thursday, June 13, 2013 4:50:01 PM

By Jeanne Freeman, Temple Beth Tikvah

On June 1st, Temple Beth Tikvah celebrated the 5th anniversary of its founding with a dinner at the Mountain Room of the Deschutes Brewery. The evening honored the vision of the founding families that were instrumental in bringing the dream of a Reform Jewish congregation to Central Oregon.

In May 2008, a small group of 22 families had a dream of establishing a Reform Jewish congregation. Within the year, they were 40 families strong. Today, a membership of nearly 70 families meets regularly for Shabbat and holiday services at the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) in downtown Bend.

The evening celebration included entertainment by The Quons, Central Oregon’s husband and wife duo Kathy and Mark Quon and a slideshow highlighting events of the past five years. The event organizing committee included Diane Dober, chair, Vivian Freeman, Lorraine Schechter and Phyllis Greenbach.

6/15/13 - Registration is Now Open for TribeFest 2014

Thursday, June 13, 2013 4:38:13 PM

Join us at the premier event for North American Jews ages 22-45. Come to TribeFest and discover Jewish culture, food, music, spirituality and new friends.

TribeFest is an entertaining, interactive and educational celebration that will draw over 1,500 Jewish young adults (ages 22-45) from across North America.

TribeFest will reflect the vibrant setting of its host city, New Orleans, offering meaningful, fun, and top-quality content.

Through presentations by dynamic leaders in politics, entertainment, music, art, food, religion and other aspects of Jewish life, TribeFest will offer attendees many ways to connect to their own Judaism and how they see themselves as part of the community.

And if that wasn't incentive enough . . . Jewish Federation of Greater Portland is offering a $300 subsidy to the first 15 registrants from our area!

March 16 - 18, 2014 at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel

Use Code PORT300 at payment page.
Register here TODAY!

6/15/13 - NW Jewish Artist Guild is looking for Artists!

Thursday, June 13, 2013 4:34:29 PM

ORA is extending an opportunity to all Jewish Artists, of all levels, to join the NW Jewish Artist Guild, ORA or become guest artists for the annual art show, The Celebration of Art.

ORA is promoting and supporting creativity whether it be on Jewish themes or secular art. If you are interested in more information, please contact Ellen Shefi at 503-656-4732 or elfstudios@gmail.com.

Also check out www.northwestjewishartists.org

6/15/13 - Neveh Shalom Foundation School now Enrolling!

Thursday, June 13, 2013 4:17:30 PM

By Kathy Wolfson, Foundation School at Neveh Shalom

Congregation Neveh Shalom Foundation School is still accepting registration for ALL levels. Our pre-school program is for 2, 3 and 4 years old and goes from 9:00 to noon, with early care and afternoon options till 6:00 pm!

Contact Kathy Wolfson at 503-293-7307 or kwolfson@nevehshalom.org for more information and to request a registration form.

5/31/13 - Summer Fun for Little Ones with PJ Library & Friends

Friday, May 31, 2013 12:50:53 PM

The fun continues over the summer with PJ Library and Friends through several programs and events. We have special summer sessions for two of our ongoing programs:

- Mommy & Me with a Jewish Twist will be meeting outdoors on Tuesdays in June and July.

- Yad b’Yad: Jewish Music for Every Generation with Kim Palumbis has 3 FREE classes in June on FRIDAYS and a 4 class Summer Session on SUNDAYS (for working parents, yeah!) in July-August.

In addition, PJ Library will be joining with Beit Haverim to host a Day at Baggenstos Farm on July 14. It will be perfect for a family picnic and berry-picking, too!

In August, Havurah Shalom and PJ Library will host Shabbat at the Pool on the east side to celebrate the day of rest with a relaxing swim and family picnic.

Enrollment in PJ Library is ongoing so sign up today.

For details on enrolling or any of these summer programs log onto www.jewishportland.org/pjlibrary or check out our Facebook page.

5/31/13 - JFNA Support Grows for Victims of Oklahoma Tornado

Friday, May 31, 2013 12:46:38 PM

The Jewish Federations of Greater Portland has collected more than $9,500 in donations for the Oklahoma City Tornado Relief Fund it established last week, while checks are continuing to come in by mail. The generosity of this community is always amazing!

Last night, a Jewish Federation community in New Jersey, hard-hit by Hurricane Sandy, voted to contribute $5,000 to the JFNA fund because of the help its members received after the disaster last fall. "The Board’s feeling is that although we are not fully back on our feet, the community has a moral responsibility to participate in this small way… to acknowledge the support we received when the Jewish Community of Ocean County was in need," wrote Danny Goldberg, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Ocean County, N.J., on behalf of the board.

The tornado killed 24 people, damaged 13,000 homes and obliterated entire neighborhoods, and days later, Edie Roodman, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Oklahoma City, was still emotional in the face of what she described as an "overwhelming" situation. Roodman lives 12 minutes from Moore, the suburb that bore the brunt of the tornado’s wrath. She was spared, as was the Jewish community, which suffered no serious damage.

5/31/13 - Women's Philanthropy Enjoys Chit Chat & Chocolate

Friday, May 31, 2013 12:39:50 PM

The Women's Philanthropy Committe of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland brought together over 50 women to socialize, network, and connect to the community at the May 21st Chit Chat & Chocolate on the Eastside event. The women indulged in decadent treats, learnt about upcoming events, as well as resources for families and the community.

Click below to see a slideshow of all the wonderful women who attended.

Shavuot Offerings

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 4:18:52 PM

We are blessed to have many Shavuot-related learning and worship opportunities for adults across the greater Portland Jewish community. You can view many of them on the community calendar, www.jewishportland.org/calendar. In addition, please connect with our individual congregations http://www.jewishportland.org/page.aspx?id=238963 to see what late night learning offerings they have tonight through early tomorrow morning as well as worship services over the next 2 days. Wishing everyone a hag sameach--happy holiday!

5/15/13 - Shavuot This Week (plus tips for celebrating with kids)

Monday, May 13, 2013 4:44:34 PM

By Caron Rothstein, PJ Library

Shavuot is a 2-day holiday on which we celebrate our acceptance of the Torah on Mount Sinai. It begins at sundown on Tuesday, May 14 and continues through sunset, Thursday, May 16.

Literally translated as "weeks," Shavuot completes the counting of 7 weeks from Passover to the traditional start of the grain harvest. In Israel, it also marks the beginning of the spring Harvest festival. It is customary to eat dairy foods during the holiday.

For ideas on how to celebrate with children, check out suggestions from PJ Library here.

5/15/13 - Joie de Vivre: A Trip to Jewish Montreal & Quebec City with JFGP

Monday, May 13, 2013 4:24:50 PM

Travel with the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland! October 15 - 22, 2013 <IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 5px" border=0 name=canada_pics_1336406148 alt="" align=center src="http://www.jewishportland.org/getimage.asp?id=406148" width=400 height=78 originalHeight="78" originalWidth="400" caption> Experience the vibrant Jewish heritage of Montreal and Quebec City as we tour the historic and modern sites of these two diverse communities. Plan to join us June 5 for an informative meeting. For details, please contact Priscilla Kostiner at 503.892.3015 or at <A href="mailto:priscilla@jewishportland.org">priscilla@jewishportland.org</A>.

5/15/13 - OJCYF 10th Anniversary Celebration a Smash Success!

Monday, May 13, 2013 4:09:14 PM

By Janet Storm, Oregon Jewish Community Foundation

More than 200 teens, parents, grandparents, community leaders and educators turned out for the Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation’s (OJCYF) 10th Anniversary Celebration benefit dinner on May 2, 2013. The Harold and Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation was the event’s lead sponsor.

OJCYF’s mission is to secure the future of Jewish philanthropy and to develop a strong generation of future Jewish leaders. By involving Greater Portland area Jewish teenagers in the fundraising, allocation and distribution of money to both Jewish and secular nonprofit organizations, OJCYF teaches its youth the satisfaction of philanthropy while instilling in them a sense of responsibility in community. 39 Jewish teens from diverse high schools including OES, Sunset, Lake Oswego, Wilson, Lincoln, Beaverton, Riverdale and more participated in this 10th season of OJCYF.

Dinner co-chairs were seniors Danielle Spring and Maayan Agam, each of whom have been in OJCYF for 4 years. Teens ran the evening, beginning with a mock allocation activity, and acknowledgment of the generous support over 10 years by the OJCYF “Angel” funders and original founders of the program and a Mitzvah Moment paddle raise. The teen-led band, Surviving Yesterday, provided upbeat entertainment as guests dined on a buffet of cumin chicken and eggplant moussaka. The dinner also included a donation drive for Sunshine Pantry. The pantry’s founder, Sharon Straus, also attended the event.

5/15/13 - PSU offers Summer Hebrew Intensive Classes

Monday, May 13, 2013 4:05:30 PM

By Portland State University - World Languages and Literatures Department

PSU offers Summer Hebrew Intensive:
3 years of Modern Hebrew in 9 weeks – that’s summer learning!

If you answer ‘ken’ to any of the following questions, Portland State University’s Summer Hebrew Intensive is for you.

• Did you miss Modern Hebrew last summer?
• Want to finish one year of your college language requirement in nine weeks?
• Seeking to finish your college language requirement while in high school?

PSU’s World Languages and Literatures Department this summer is offering a Modern Hebrew “Summer Sequence” – levels 101, 102, and 103, from June 24 to August 24. Class meets Mondays through Thursdays, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Every class is worth 4 credits; enrolling in the entire sequence is 12 credits.
To enroll and for more registration information,
see www.pdx.edu/summer/.

Why study Hebrew in the first place?
Course instructor Professor Moshe Rachmuth has plenty of answers...

5/15/13 - Thoughtful Solomon's Legacy Event with Judge David Schuman

Monday, May 13, 2013 3:47:20 PM

By Kara Minnehan for Jewish Federation of Greater Portland

On Thursday, May 2nd, one of JFGP’s social groups, Solomon’s Legacy, hosted “Beyond the Wasteland: Being a Lawyer in the 2010s”, featuring the Honorable David Schuman, Judge of the Oregon Court of Appeals.

Judge Schuman discussed his career path, including the time he spent as a professor of law at the University of Oregon and his time as the Deputy Attorney General in the Oregon Department of Justice. Incorporating a Jewish perspective on law, Judge Schuman articulated how the practice of law can reinforce in attorneys a tendency to see the world as a hostile place, where survival, not to mention success, requires a combative personality.

4/30/13 - Summer Day Camp Listings for your Family

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 12:52:02 PM

Click here for a
list of Jewish Day Summer Camps
in the Greater Portland area.

Sign up your family today for a summer of fun & learning!

4/30/13 - New Program, Portland Mitzvah Network, promoting Volunteerism Launching May 1

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 12:07:22 PM

The Portland Mitzvah Network is a NEW program, hosted on behalf of the community by the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, working to improve lives and build a stronger, healthier and safer community. Our goal is to meet critical community needs by engaging people with volunteer opportunities in collaboration with others.

As Oregon Jewish Life Magazine described, "this online, easy-to-use, automated matchmaker provides one-stop shopping for hands- on volunteer opportunities... Volunteers and community organizations are encouraged to sign up and register their specific needs."

Read their full article here.

The Network (PMN) is a web-based portal and program, designed to coordinate and promote volunteer needs within the Jewish community, as well as fulfill needs identified in the broader community.

Who: Individuals & families seeking volunteer opportunities, one-time or ongoing Organizations seeking volunteers and/or volunteer opportunities for their constituents. Anyone seeking resources on framing their volunteerism in a Jewish context.

What: Portland Mitzvah Network Website Launch

Where: www.portlandmitzvah.org

When: May 1, 2013

Volunteer orientations available in May. Contact PMN for details.

More Info at volunteer@jewishportland.org or 503-245-6449.

4/30/13 - Community in Need: Mattresses and Box Springs

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 11:58:52 AM

By Roz Babener, Community Warehouse

Do your kids sleep on the floor at night?

Do you sleep on the floor at night?

What a silly question.

Well, not so fast…

Every week 60+ families are brought to the Community Warehouse, your local nonprofit furniture bank, by a case manager from one of 150 local social service agencies. They hope to leave with at least one bed (twin, double or queen mattress and box spring) and other essential household furnishings.

Maybe they have been homeless and are recently able to move into an apartment. Maybe they have been in a shelter and now have a home. Maybe their budget does not allow them to buy household furnishings.

Please think of Community Warehouse when you are getting rid of a bed you no longer need.

Our goal: people shouldn't have to sleep on the floor.

Call us at 503-235-8786, or go online to www.communitywarehouse.org.

4/30/13 - Wrapping Up Food for Thought: Over 6 tons donated to OFB!

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 11:50:42 AM

Thank you for joining us at the Food for Thought Festival, a community-wide celebration presented by Jewish Federation to benefit the Oregon Food Bank! The energy throughout the four days, the spirit of community, the conversations, the laughter, and the kindness were truly inspiring to us all.

Starting last Thursday and ending Sunday night, the Food for Thought Festival, a community-wide celebration presented by Jewish Federation to benefit the Oregon Food Bank, hosted 30 different events and programs throughout the Greater Portland area with over 2,500 participants.

This Festival was just one more step in the evolution of our Jewish community and the Jewish Federation. The four days included something for everyone. Most importantly, together with the event's generous sponsors, you rose up as a community to tackle the critical problem of hunger.

We estimate that nearly 13,000 lbs. (6 tons) of food was raised over the past 4 days - that's 9,525 meals!

Missed Out? Check out all the great coverage here:

- Photo slideshow of all the fun!

- Video of Dr. Stephen Trachtenberg, President Emeritus of George
Washington University, keynote address at Limmud PDX

- In the Jewish Telegraphic Agency:
“Secret history of Jewish Portland revealed”
By Gil Shefler · April 25, 2013

4/15/13 - Lifelong Learning at Limmud* PDX featuring Stephen Trachtenberg

Monday, April 15, 2013 12:52:29 PM

Limmud* PDX:
An Extraordinary Learning Experience

Sunday, April 21 from 9:30a - 1:30p
Mittleman Jewish Community Center
$5, Advance registration required

A morning of learning featuring keynote speaker Stephen Trachtenberg and a selection of Portland's most thought-provoking speakers!

One national Jewish Executive describes Stephen Tractenberg as “the best speaker I have ever heard - brilliant, humorous, informative, inspiring.” Seldom is a speaker of his caliber made available to our community.

And don't forget to bring a donation of non-perishable food for the Oregon Food Bank to every event you attend!

Visit www.FoodForThoughtPDX.org for schedule and tickets
or call 503.245.6219

Check out our Schedule of Events; we think you'll be interested!
9a-9:30a: REGISTRATION

9:45a-10:30a: KEYNOTE ADDRESS - A Jewish President or a Presidential Jew, President Emeritus Stephen Trachtenberg, University Professor George Washington University

BREAK-OUT SESSIONS - Please register to attend the presentation of your choice:

10:45a-11:30a: SESSION ONE

The Psychology of Modern Racism - Friderike Heuer, Cognitive Psychologist
The U. S. Supreme Court Confirmation Process - Robert Klonoff, Dean of Lewis & Clark Law School
Do Spreaders of Malicious Gossip Have Larger Obligations to their Communities? - Richard Meeker, Publisher, Willamette Week
Take Care to Be Well - Della Rae, Author of Little Book of Self Care
Where Being Tough Meets Doing Good: Growing and Leading a Socially Responsible Business - Alysa Rose, Business Leader and CEO Rejuvenation Inc., 2001-2013
Origins of Israeli Culture - Nina Spiegel, Rabbi Joshua Stampfer Assistant Professor of Israel Studies at Portland State University
The Power of Storytelling: From Torah to Business - Devorah Spilman, Professional Storyteller for 30 years
Art, Politics, and Talmud: A Clash of Egos - Francine Zorn Trachtenberg, Art Historian

4/15/13 - Dalai Lama to visit Portland, May 9

Monday, April 15, 2013 12:41:07 PM

<IMG style="MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 5px" border=0 name=BI_cahana.jpg_4442403178 alt="" align=left src="http://www.jewishportland.org/getimage.asp?id=403178" width=175 height=210 originalHeight="274" originalWidth="228" caption>Congregation Beth Israel's own Rabbi Micahel Cahana will be part of a panel with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 2013 visit to Portland begins on Thursday, May 9 at the University of Portland Chiles Center (5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland). His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be joined by a religious leader from the Archdiocese of Portland, Beth Israel's Senior Rabbi, Michael Z. Cahana, Imam Muhammed Najieb of the Muslim Community Center of Portland, and Grandmother Agnes Baker Pilgrim from the Confederated Tribes of Siletz in the interfaith dialogue “Spirituality and the Environment.” Laural Porter, host of KGW News Channel 8’s“Straight Talk,” will moderate the discussion. Our Clergy in our Community: Spirituality and the Environment - An Interfaith Dialogue Thursday, May 9, 9:30 AM Chiles Center, University of Portland For more information on His Holiness' visit, please go to <A href="http://www.dalailamaportland2013.net/" type=external target=_blank>www.dalailamaportland2013.net</A>. Tickets are still available through Ticketmaster here. Event co-sponsored by Maitripa College and the University of Portland.