JR stories

Spertus Center to host Oct. 29 workshops

The Spertus Center for Jewish Learning and Leadership, the Chicago-based center for Jewish adult education, is bringing Dr. Dean Bell to Portland for a pair of presentations Wednesday, Oct. 29 at Congregation Neveh Shalom. The first, a Lunch and Learn session for Jewish communal…

What's your emergency plan?

I ran a similar version of this article back in 2023, and it seems like a good time to revisit the topic. Organizations and individuals are deep in the High Holidays, and it’s not the time to stop mid-stream and re-vamp your safety plans. But it is time to assess if you are finding any gap…

JFGP 2026 Campaign to highlight 'joys'

The High Holy Days begins with Rosh Hashana, marking the beginning of the new year according to Jewish calendar reckoning.

This season also marks the beginning of another new annual cycle, one which so much of the other events chronicled in these pages relies on: the Jewish Federation of Gr…

Rabbi Rensin launches chaplaincy non-profit Nehamah

It was estimated in the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland’s 2023 Community Study that 80 percent of Portland’s Jews are not members of a synagogue or congregation. But everyone needs a rabbi from time to time.

For Portlanders, that rabbi is Rabbi Sarah Rensin, who became Portland’…

Bees bring the season's sweetness

One of the classic traditions of Rosh Hashana is enjoying apples dipped in honey – a physical manifestation of the traditional wish for a happy and sweet new year. The liquid half of this treat occupies a unique space in kashrut, the dietary laws expounded in the Torah.

Jessica Anderson, …