Posts by Rockne Roll

JCRC spotlights local elections in forum

Twelve people arranged themselves in a row at the front of a room at Beaverton’s Elsie Stuhr Center last Wednesday evening to ask for the same thing – votes.

The 12 were candidates in six different municipal races on the May 19 ballot: the Board of Commissioners Chair for Washington Cou…

Kay, community remember fallen on Yom HaZikaron

Yom HaZikaron, literally “Remembrance Day,” honors those who have fallen in battle to create and defend the modern State of Israel and those civilians who have died in terror attacks. They number more than 25,000 soldiers and 5300 civilians as of this year, and that number grows with a s…

Horenstein hypes up OJCYF's "Night in Tel Aviv"

The Mittleman Jewish Community Center was dressed up Israeli-style for the Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation’s “A Night in Tel Aviv” fundraiser Thursday, Apr. 16. The white and blue Magen David flag adorned each table, along with signs bearing the names of streets in Israel’s …

Mussar Institute's Morinis to visit Shaarie Torah

Dr. Alan Morinis’ first book in 12 years takes a little explaining.

“I’ve written a book about Shabbat, and also not about Shabbat,” he said. “The part that’s not about Shabbat is about the intersection of religion and spirituality in the Jewish world.”

“The Shabbat Effect:…

Portland Jewish Festival is Aug. 30

The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland will host the Portland Jewish Festival Sunday, Aug. 30 at Zidell Yards in Portland’s South Waterfront neighborhood.

“It is going to be filled with food, kids’ activities, Israeli dancing, musical performances, organizational booths, Jewish art…

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 …

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…

Eisen explains Israel's neighborhood

Retired Israel Defense Forces Col. Miri Eisen has some experience with war due to a lengthy career in military intelligence followed by her work with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

“War is not pretty. It’s not nice. There’s nothing good about it,” Eisen explained to the crowd a…

Mikvah lift donation marks new era of accessibility at Rachel's Well

“According to Jewish law, you’re supposed to build a mikvah before you build a synagogue,” Oregon Board of Rabbis President Rabbi Abby Cohen pointed out.

It is a testament to the centrality of a mikvah, the rainwater-fed pool used for numerous Jewish rituals, to the life of a Jewish c…

Dream Deli awakens in Southeast Portland

Jessie Levine and John Bissell have had a dream for most of their relationship – a dream that has now come true in Southeast Portland. The aptly-named Dream Deli is not just their dream – but a reawakening of Portland’s deli tradition. This dream is a merger of two culinary…

JFGP's Pinker named to national Catalyst cohort

Jewish Federation of Greater Portland Volunteer Coordinator Merit Pinker has been selected for the fourth cohort of The Catalyst professional development initiative for Federation leaders working in volunteer service spaces.

Pinker joins 10 other Federation professionals from across North A…

Tisch PDX hosts Jews of Color Initiative tour

When the Jews of Color Initiative planned out their national listening tour, Portland was a natural stop. “We’ve been working with the Jews of Color Initiative since 2022 when they gave us a grant to help fund what we think is one of the first surveys of Jews of Color in the Pacific…

Shirtzenpantz' kicks rock, grows quickly

One transplanted Jew’s quest to make clothing resale more fun turned into an online phenomenon and a growing business here in Portland. Owen Gail, raised in Wilsonville, came to Portland following his studies at Brandeis University. He was already selling used clothing online but…