It is a testament to the level of security, staff preparation, and good fortune that the potential terrorist attack against Temple Israel in suburban Detroit was not worse. I know many here in Portland have family ties to the synagogue and community. 

The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed Ayman Ghazali as the suspect who drove his truck into the synagogue and opened fire. Law enforcement is investigating the attack as a "targeted act of violence against the Jewish community." Gov. Gretchen Whitmer this morning was more direct stating this was "antisemitism plain and simple." You can learn more here.

Later today, you may be randomly selected to receive an email survey from me at "[email protected]." It will take 10 minutes to complete. If you receive the survey, your input is critical -- please participate. All survey responses are collected anonymously by a third-party firm, CCS Fundraising.  

The Jewish Federation and OJCF are exploring a fundraising initiative to establish additional permanent endowments to benefit and sustain Jewish life. Attached to the survey will be a background statement, which outlines the potential campaign. Please review it before filling out the survey. Thank you in advance for your insights. 

 

"If you want something said, ask a man;
if you want something done, ask a woman."
-- Margaret Thatcher

March is dedicated to honoring the enduring strength, resilience, and achievements of women throughout history. Women’s History Month is a moment to recognize the vital role women have played in shaping our society across every domain: politics and public service, science and medicine, literature and culture, and, of course, the fabric of Jewish communal life.

In Jewish tradition, we have always known the power of a woman’s voice. Our history is replete with stories of formidable women -- Sarah, Rebeccah, Leah, Rachel, Deborah, Miriam, Esther, Golda -- who did not stand on the sidelines. They guided, challenged, and shaped the destiny of the Jewish people through their strength, wisdom, and moral clarity.

Jewish history also reveals a powerful legacy of resistance and courage. In times of oppression, Jewish women have often been at the forefront of social and political movements, standing up for justice, equality, education, and self-determination. And today, that same spirit is felt in the hearts and actions of Jewish women across our Jewish community.

When we look back at the foundations of Portland, we see the fingerprints of Jewish women everywhere.

In 1893, a 17 year-old aspiring journalist, Alice Friedlander, spoke at the Portland Press Club and proclaimed, "This is women’s golden era...when every walk of life requiring intellectual rather than manual force is wide open to the women of America." She insisted that education, knowledge, and skill did not make a woman less suited to home and family; instead, they enhanced her capacity to contribute in all spheres of life.

In 1896, the Portland Section of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), the oldest national Jewish women’s organization in the United States, started here. They built Neighborhood House in South Portland to support the educational and social needs of newly arriving immigrants. Eventually, their philanthropic impact would be felt across the Jewish community.

Hannah Robison offered a quiet example of generosity. Like many women of her era, she divided her time between raising children, running her household, and working in the family’s dry goods store in South Portland. Hannah’s legacy lives in her acts of everyday chesed -- kindness. Every Friday morning, she left her home carrying two shopping bags: one empty, the other filled with food staples for Shabbat. She walked through the neighborhood, knocking on doors. Those in need quietly took what they required; others slipped in their own contributions. No one knew who was giving or receiving. Hannah preserved the dignity of her neighbors while ensuring no one went without. (Later, her sons helped establish the Robison Home.)

Mildred Schwab was the first woman to serve on the Portland City Council. She helped develop the Portland Center for the Performing Arts and played a key role fighting against exclusionary practices and opening influential civic institutions like the City Club of Portland to women.

We cannot talk about Portland’s story without mentioning the late Vera Katz, an immigrant whose family fled Nazi Germany. She became the first person in Oregon history to serve three consecutive terms as Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives and later our city’s first female Jewish mayor.

We continue to see Jewish women stepping into leadership roles -- from city councils to school boards, from nonprofit boards to statewide offices -- bringing Jewish values of justice, compassion, and responsibility into the public square.

People like State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner and former Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, each being the first woman to hold those respective offices. And Elana Pirtle-Guiney, who currently serves on the Portland City Council.

Leadership is also the lifeblood of our Jewish organizations. Our community has been blessed with six female Jewish Federation Chairs who have guided us with wisdom and grace: Liz Menashe, Priscilla Kostiner, Gayle Romain, Lauren Goldstein, Mindy Zeitzer, and Leslie Beard. Plus, for over 60 years, Women’s Philanthropy leaders have mobilized resources, inspired giving, and ensured that we care for the most vulnerable among us. Elaine Cogan and Bernadine Brenner served as the first female presidents of Congregation Neveh Shalom and Congregation Beth Israel, respectively.

Today, we have multiple women serving as volunteer chairs, board members, rabbis and cantors, and executive directors of our communal organizations. They are joined by many others -- past and present -- who have provided leadership and dedication (forgive me for not mentioning everyone). We should acknowledge how women have shaped our community through strategic vision, collaboration, and tireless effort.

Here are a few ideas going forward:

• We must be intentional about mentorship. We recognize that women lead from the front in our boardrooms, on the bimah, in the legislature, and at every table where decisions are made. Their wisdom is a precious resource and we should create structured pathways to sit with, learn from, and ultimately stand on the shoulders of these women.
• Our future depends on making sure every woman’s perspective is welcomed, valued, and heard. Women from all backgrounds -- Jews of Color, LGBTQ+ Jews, Jews by choice, Jews with disabilities, single mothers, elders, and young professionals -- must see themselves reflected in our institutions.
• While we honor the well-known names, we must also uplift the many “unsung” heroes who keep Jewish life thriving day after day. Their quiet acts of kindness, generosity, and effort are the glue of our community.

As we mark Women’s History Month, we recognize the women leading today -- juggling careers, families, community commitments, and personal challenges with remarkable strength and grace. To these women we say -- THANK YOU. We are grateful for your resilience, your wisdom, and your leadership. You are the backbone of our shared history and the drivers of our future.

Shabbat Shalom and thank you to everyone who contributed to our Passover4All campaign and helped us reach our $18,000 goal.