JR stories

DG's Goranson receives Song of Miriam nod

“I try really hard as a parent to model,” Arielle Goranson, chair of Portland’s chapter of Dignity Grows, said. “I don’t tell them to be involved. I show them what it looks like to be involved so that they can look for ways to be involved that are meaningful for them.”

Her work …

Looking at best practices... again

I’ve fielded a lot of questions in the past week following the car ramming at the Michigan synagogue. You’ve probably read that Temple Israel is one of, if not the, largest Reform synagogues in the U.S. It has a huge campus, over 12,000 members, and I’m sure it’s a challenge to keep …

PDX Hillel celebrates 18 years

In the days leading up to the founding of Greater Portland Hillel eighteen years ago, a study examined the number and needs of Jewish students at Portland State University, Lewis & Clark College and Reed College. “Students felt isolated on campus with few opportunities for connecting…

Slater's latest is three stories in one

David Michael Slater has written 40 books, but he describes his newest as “my first big book.”

The book, “Ugly,” released last October by Library Tales Publishing, derives its length, in part, from the three distinct stories that weave together across its pages.

“It’s three gen…

Jewlandia offers community with "Portland flavor"

Rabbi Zalmy Berkowitz is building a synagogue. Sort of. A photographer by trade, Rabbi Berkowitz doesn’t use his title in everyday conversation and perhaps saying he’s building a synagogue conjures the wrong impression. “It’s hard to define because I’m not sure exactly what…