30 years after Operation Solomon, a painting stirs memories of rescue

PHOTO: Nirit Takele was only 6 years old when she was one of 14,300 Ethiopian Jews who were airlifted on 35 aircrafts from Addis Ababa (Ethiopia’s capital) to Israel in less than 36 hours. Steve "Rosy" Rosenberg, who was board president of Portland's Jewish Federation at the time, recently…

Glen Coblens named Maccabiah head coach

Portlander Glen Coblens has been named head coach of the Team USA Men’s Over 45 Basketball Team for the 21st Maccabiah Games in Israel in July 2022. The Maccabiah Games, also known as the Jewish Olympics, are the third-largest international multi-sport event in the world.
“My first …

Departing MJDS principal reflects on successes; new principal named

BY DEBORAH MOON
Maimonides Jewish Day School Principal Rabbi Shneur Wilhelm leaves Portland this summer to serve as vice principal of the Desert Torah Academy in Las Vegas, Nev., a school with more than 250 students.
Karen DeNardo will take the reins of Maimonides as principal this summer. (…

Surprise! Gap year rewards

PHOTO: Oregonian Josh Foster spent five months volunteering at this day care center in Yafo, Israel, while on the Young Judaea Year Course. Here Josh and Israeli counselor Ophir are shown with three youth he worked closely with, Adisu, Adisu and Adam. “This day was really special, because …

A Legacy of Jewish Connection and Learning Under the Kollel's Rabbi Fischer

PHOTO: Oregon Board of Rabbis (now former) Chair Eve Posen, left, bids a fond farewell to Portland Kollel founders Esther and Rabbi Tzvi Fischer at a June 13 going away event that drew about 225 people. The Fischers move to Detroit this month.

By Jenn Director Knudsen

Rabbi Tzvi and Esther…