Everything changed on October 7th, 2023. The world felt different; more frightening, more chaotic, more imbalanced. Collectively, Jews all over the globe felt the horrific pain that Hamas had inflicted. At first, we felt the world had our backs. We believed any civilized culture supported us after the worst genocidal attack against Jews since the holocaust.  After all our devotion to social justice, our loyalty to those in pain, our commitment to support those without a voice, it was time for the world to stand with us, to make sure every hostage would be released. But as time marched on ..read more

Zoe Muller, MSW, CSWA (she/her), is an experienced, dedicated, culturally sensitive and competent social worker who works with children, adolescents and their families, including people with mental and/or intellectual disabilities, and older adults and their families. She also is JFCS’ Intake Manager. Zoe’s Ideal Client Working with young children and adolescents – and their families – is Zoe’s forté. She leans on decades of counseling experience and the philosophies of Alfred Adler, Martin Buber and Janusz Korczak. If you believe, as she does, that play is the best way children express themse ..read more

  via Rentcafe The good news: Utility bills in Portland ($345) cost less than the national averages, making it easier for renters to manage their disposable income compared to their peers in other regional markets such as Eugene, OR. In fact, after paying rent, the median income in Portland ($53,589) is enough to cover 7.9 times the value of basic utility bills — such as phone and energy — or 38.5 times the value of essential food products at the supermarket.  ..read more

WITH SOCIAL PRACTICE ARTIST, SHOSHANA GUGENHEIM KEDEM AND WIKIPEDIA EDITOR, RAYMOND “PEACERAY” LEONARD March 10, 2024 | 11am-3pm OJMCHE, in partnership with social practice artist Shoshana Gugenheim Kedem and as part of the Art + Feminism Project, will host the 3rd Annual International Women’s Day Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon to edit and/or create Wiki pages for Jewish women artists in all genres. We aim to collaboratively edit/enter 36 Jewish women artists into the canon. Support will be provided by an experienced Wikipedian, Raymond “Peaceray” Leonard, who will be on-site to teach and guide t ..read more

In celebration of Jewish Disability Advocacy Day 2024, the Union for Reform Judaism, Jewish Federations of North America, Network of Jewish Human Services Agencies, and 107 additional national, state, and local Jewish organizations sent the following letter to the 118th Congress: Dear Members of the 118th Congress, Representing the collective voice of 110 undersigned Jewish national, state, and local organizations, we thank you for the bipartisan strides achieved so far in the 118th Congress for people with disabilities. As the second session of the 118th Congress begins, we urge you to contin ..read more

New Program Provides Educators With Skills and Approaches to Engage with ‘Complexities Around Conflicts’  Amid new challenges and realities facing Israel and Jewish communities around the world, educators are seeking new skills and approaches to engage with the complexities around conflicts. To meet this demand, The iCenter’s Conflict of Interest (COI) Certificate Program gathers educators from around North America to provide them with the necessary competencies to educate about conflicts in their unique educational setting. “We need to approach the conflict and not avoid it. In our ..read more

March 3, 2024 | 2pm ADMISSION: This program is free for all as part of Free First Sundays. LOCATION: OJMCHE Auditorium Join us to celebrate the release of chef Sonya Sanford’s debut cookbook, Braids: Recipes From My Pacific Northwest Jewish Kitchen. Sonya will share the inspiration behind her recipes, reminisce on the Jewish food scene in Portland, and weave in stories of family, creativity, and community. The Braids cookbook will be available for purchase in the gift shop before the event. While you’re here, we encourage you to enjoy OJMCHE’s newest exhibition&nb ..read more

T PPhoto credit Leila Wice Making Makom 5: Safely Glass   TThis event is co-sponsored by Co/Lab: Reimagine Jewish, Eastside Jewish Commons and the Oregons Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education Members of Portland’s overlapping Jewish communities are invited to join together in making art in order to mourn, and to make sense of senseless acts. This event, led by current and past Art/Lab Fellows, will be a Jewish space for introspection and respectful discussion. We will have two simultaneous workshops: one using writing, and the other involving clay. No experience is required f ..read more

By Romie Avivi Stuhl On Oct. 7, Ana Sazonov awoke to messages from her family and friends asking if she was okay. She had just flown to the United States after volunteering on the front lines in Ukraine. Unaware of what had happened overnight, she quickly called her friend in Ukraine who was still on the front lines. “This time it’s not Ukraine,” her friend said. “This time it’s Israel.” Andy Gitelson, executive director of Oregon Hillel, invited Sazonov to speak at Hillel on Feb. 1 as part of her “speaking tour” to raise funds for Ukrainian Patriot. Approximately 20 students attended the even ..read more

  By Lubavitgch.com In Episode 42 of Lamplighters: Stories From Chabad Emissaries On The Jewish Frontier, reporter/producer Gary Waleik presents the story of Rabbi Chayim and Rebbetzin Simi Mishulovin, Chabad emissaries to Portland, Oregon. The Mishulovins have parlayed their knowledge of their city with their creativity to create an innovative storefront/shmooze center for Jews in their home city. But two near total disasters almost put an end to their Shlichus. Lamplighters: Stories From Chabad Emissaries On The Jewish Frontier is producing a series of moving, beautifully produced ..read more