Oregon Jewish Life Sept Oct 2023

OJMCHE takes you on a Jewish journey from Rembrandt to Rye Bread

Comfort on a plate with

Chef Sonya Sanford

CHAIFLICKS

The hottest Jewish streaming platform

TIRED OF THE DATING SCENE?

Meet the perfect millennial with OneTable this Shabbat.

CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR

With apples, honey and Fido?

SEPT/OCT 2023

OREGON JEWISH LIFE

HOW TO REACH US

PUBLISHER/EDITOR

Cindy Saltzman

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Debra Rich Gettleman

ART DIRECTOR

Tamara Kopper

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Debra Rich Gettleman

Tara Dublin

Masada Siegel

Allison Mintz

Eva Trieger

602-538-2955

EDITORIAL editor@ojlife.com

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EVENTS editor@ojlife.com

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The content and opinions in Oregon Jewish Life do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers, staff or contractors. Articles and columns are for informational purposes only and not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, Arizona Jewish Life, and its agents, publishers, employees and contractors will not be held responsible for the misuse of any information contained herein. The publishers reserve the right to refuse any advertisement. Publication of advertisements does not constitute endorsement of products or services.

Congregation Neveh Shalom welcomes new B'nai Mitzvah Coordinator

In an effort to elevate the B’nai Mitzvah program at Congregation Neveh Shalom, they recently welcomed, Leora Lubliner as the B'nai Mitzvah Coordinator.

Leora's responsibilities include coordinating all aspects of communication and preparation for our students and families as they embark on this transformative journey, starting from the fifth grade. She will ensure that all necessary materials, instructional resources, and orientation packets are well-prepared and distributed promptly.

Leora will be there to provide support and guidance throughout each student's B'nai Mitzvah process, addressing any questions or concerns parents may have. Her fluency with the B'nai Mitzvah process, with Torah and Haftarah chanting, with tutoring students, and with teaching tefillah (prayer) will be a tremendous asset in understanding the scope of the program and in assisting families.

nevehshalom.org

Calling all cat lovers!

On October 7 & 8, The Portland Cat Extravaganza & Rescue Awareness Event , will take place at the Portland Expo Center. This international event showcases the most gorgeous cats in the world. These beautiful felines will be competing for Best Kitten, Best Cat, Best Alter and Best Household Pet.

Local rescues and charities will also be attending to

educate the visitors on cat adoption as well. For details about this "furry" (couldn't resist) event), visit: https://www.expocenter.org/events/fall-portlandcat-extravaganza-rescue-awareness-event

To learn more about the host of this event, Loving Cats WorldWide website visit: https://www.lcwwgroup.us/

The Next Generations Group welcomes

2 new members to their executive committee

Estelle Golden is a member of the OJMCHE Speakers Bureau and was this year’s NGG’s Song of Miriam award recipient.

Tanya Weber , an active member, is coordinating the 3rd annual “living tour” of the Oregon Holocaust Memorial that uses survivors and descendants as guides.

The Next Generations Group – now in its 14th year, was founded in 2009 by Diana Lindemann, then board member of the Oregon Holocaust Resource Center. NGG serves Portland metro descendants of/and Holocaust survivors, Jewish refugees, and friends in the community who support our mission to keep the personal histories and important lessons alive and relevant for today's world.

nextgenerationsgroup.wordpress.com

PDX Hillel announces a new Mishelanu student group

A new year also means new student leaders. This group of dedicated students plan and execute hundreds of fun and engaging programs throughout the year, bringing new energy and enthusiasm to our Hillel. This year PDX Hillel

Leora Lubliner

Portland Cat Extravaganza

Linoy Yechieli, Hannah Sherman, The Next Generations Group

had the largest leadership group ever, including a brandnew Mishelanu student group for Israelis at Portland Community College campuses supervised by our Israel Fellow, Linoy, and a revitalized Jewish Student Union at Reed supervised by our Springboard Social Justice Fellow, Maddie!

PDX Hillel staff members Linoy Yechieli (left), Hannah Sherman (middle) and Maddie Herrup (right). www.pdxhillel.org

OPEN HOUSE

THURSDAY, NOV. 2 • 6–8 P.M. PRE-K TO GRADE 5 (PARENTS/GUARDIANS ONLY)

SUNDAY, NOV. 5 • 1–4 P.M. GRADES 6 TO 12 (PARENTS/GUARDIANS & STUDENTS)

oes.edu/openhouse-jl 503-768-3115

Sherman, Maddie Herrup

One of the many mouth-watering desserts available at Arrow Coffee & Desserts.

Arrow Coffee & Desserts Brewing and Chasing Dreams on Wheels

Owners Aimee and Neil Kerner.

Opposite page: The Arrow Coffee & Dessert mobile truck.

By Allison Mintz

Arrow Coffee & Desserts, a women and family-owned mobile coffee cart and trailer business, has taken Beaverton, Oregon, by storm since its opening just one month ago. Founded by Aimee and Neal Kerner, this venture brings forth a lifelong passion for coffee, inspired by Aimee’s father’s morning ritual of grinding fresh coffee beans.

Aimee left behind a 13-year corporate job in recruiting to follow her dream after a friend told her to, “stop chasing the money, and start chasing the dream.” This wise advice gave Aimee the confidence to take a risk and start this business.

As a mobile business, Arrow Coffee & Desserts brings excellent coffee and delectable treats to various locations across the community. Whether it’s at farmers’ markets, car shows, swim meets, or the renowned Portland Rose Festival, they make sure to provide a full range of specialty coffee drinks, including lattes, Americanos, and Mochas. Aimee and Neal shared that the secret to their exceptional coffee lies in sourcing beans from the finest roasters and grinding them on-site, ensuring a perfect cup every time.

Arrow Coffee & Desserts boasts a delightful selection of desserts and pastries. Their treats are a tempting choice and offer a sweet indulgence, making them a favorite among locals.

While the journey has been exciting, it hasn’t been without its challenges. On their third day in business, the air conditioning and the refrigerator/ice maker stopped working, creating a setback for the Kerner family. However, Aimee’s positive outlook and adaptability have been instrumental in navigating through such hurdles. “You always have to plan for the unexpected,” she shared, emphasizing the importance of flexibility in the face of adversity.

Looking to the future, Aimee and Neal aspire to turn their mobile venture into a brick-and-mortar store. Despite their long-term dreams, their current focus is on sharing their passion for coffee and desserts with the community through their mobile cart and trailer. “Being able to bring people together, build a community, and provide a safe and comfortable space is definitely one of the most rewarding parts of opening this business” shared Aimee. And that fits into the Jewish value of welcoming guests. Which isn’t surprising since Aimee, whose mother is Jewish, grew up as a member of the small Salem, Oregon Jewish Community. The ability to reach different locations and engage with a diverse audience has been a rewarding experience for the Kerners.

As they continue to expand their presence and participate in various events, Arrow Coffee & Desserts has become an integral part of Beaverton’s social fabric. Their presence at local gatherings and festivities adds an extra layer of excitement and joy, making them a welcomed sight for coffee aficionados and dessert lovers alike.

The success of Arrow Coffee & Desserts serves as a reminder that pursuing one’s passion and taking risks can lead to fulfilling rewards. Aimee and Neal’s journey exemplifies the power of believing in oneself and embracing change, even when the path may be uncertain.

To connect with Arrow Coffee & Desserts, visit their website and explore their monthly online calendar: https://arrowcoffeeanddesserts. com. You can also find them, Monday-Friday from 6:30 am – 3:00 pm at 17300 SW Baseline Rd., Beaverton, Oregon.

“Being able to bring people together, build a community, and provide a safe and comfortable space is definitely one of the most rewarding parts of opening this business.”

~ Aimee Kerner

Jewish Dog Creates Cultural Phenomenon

Shayna Maydele opens up about Jewish life, love, and standing up to hate

By Debra Rich Gettleman

Wait, you don’t want to talk to me?”

Heidi Silverstone asks at the onset of our interview.

“Well, it’s not that.” I gently explain. “I appreciate your translating. But I really need to talk to her; to look into her eyes and see how she feels and what she’s experiencing in order to best tell her story. Plus, I can only tell if she’s being honest by direct eye-to-eye connection.”

With a bit of disappointment, Heidi fades into the background and allows Shayna Maydele to step into the camera lens.”

DEBRA RICH GETTLEMAN (DRG): Hello Shayna Maydele. You are really so beautiful. Shayna Maydele looks away with a coy sense of knowing and humility.

DRG: Shayna, let’s start with the question on everyone’s mind. Are you in a relationship right now?

SHAYNA MAYDELE (SM): Maydele.

DRG: Pardon?

SM: My name. It’s Shayna Maydele. That’s what I prefer. A lot of people call me Shayna. So, it’s fine. But I like to go by my full name, Debbie.

I cringe at the diminutive version of “Debra”, the name I insist people use when addressing me

DRG: Touché, my insightful friend. Touché. But back to the question of romance.

SM: Well, there is one dog in particular.

C-H-A-R-L-I-E.

DRG: I’m curiuos why you are spelling his name, Shayna Maydele. Although it is impressive that you can spell that well.

TRANSLATOR/HEIDI: Sorry. That’s on me. I spelled his name because if I say it out loud, she’ll go crazy.

DRG: Understood.

SM: I love him. When I go to the dog park, I will stare at the gate until he gets there.

DRG: How sweet.

SM: I’m also a very…amorous dog. I do what a lot of us do at the dog park, which I probably shouldn’t. I do that a lot.

DRG: I so appreciate your honesty. I’m only seeking the truth, what readers really want to know.

SM: I enjoy physical intimacy. I’m not going to lie.

DRG: Is it hard though, being a star like yourself? Is it hard when you go to the dog park, and everyone wants to get close to you and be with you? Do you like “common folk?”

SM: Absolutely. I love dogs. But I really love people. It’s so cute. A lot of people stand around the edge of the park, just inside the fence. People who don’t even have dogs. They watch me. Sometimes, I’ll run right over and let them pick me up. Heidi will ask them if they’d like to pet me. I’ve never had anyone say no.

DRG: I love knowing that Shayna. I mean Shayna Maydele. Because some of the stars that I

talk to, they just…they don’t like people gawking at them. It makes them feel disconnected.

SM: When I first got to Heidi’s home in NY, we would walk down the street, and you know, there are people everywhere. I can just tell when I’ve caught someone’s eye, I see the desire to touch me. And I always encourage it. I just love attention from people. It takes us forever to walk even one block. It’s especially fun to walk by restaurants and see people look up lovingly.

DRG: That brings me to the question of food. What is your favorite food?

SM: Well, I’m an extremely picky eater. But I love anything with feathers in it. Fowl is my fave; chicken, turkey, you name it. I just adore Thanksgiving.

DRG: Speaking of holidays. What is your favorite Jewish holiday?

SM: Definitely Passover. I mean it’s so food intense and Heidi always makes turkey on Passover because it feeds a lot of people. She also cooks a fabulous brisket which I love. And gefilte fish is another winner in my book.

DRG: Red or White horseradish?

SM: I’ve tried both. Not a fan. I’m more of a purist.

DRG: This is all fascinating. But what I really want to know is what does being Jewish really mean to you?

SM: Debra, that’s an excellent question. I came out of my Jewish shell the first time I put on a kippah (yarmulke). It was overwhelming. I was glowing. The cameras began to flash and suddenly I was wishing people all across the world a Shabbat Shalom on Instagram. The reaction was palpable. So, I continued to do that for Shabbat and other Jewish holidays.

DRG: I understand you enjoy photo shoots.

SM: Full disclosure, I love when all of the attention is focused on me. I have a great staff with Heidi who is a fabulous stylist and very accomplished amateur photographer. She works with her husband Rob. They think he’s the “dog wrangler,” so I play along and let him think he’s in charge.

DRG: I’ve heard though that you tease a lot

during those shoots, looking away when they want you to smile at the camera.

SM: Between you and me, I do that to make things a little more fun. When Rob and Heidi have to work a little to get the shot, it’s like a game to me. And the photos are so much more engaging and real. But the bottom line is that I love sharing my Judaism through photos. It really allows me to connect to Jews all around the globe. And it’s all about building community with us Jews, don’t you think?

DRG: I do. For sure. But I do have a delicate issue to raise. Have you ever experienced anti-semitism in response to your posts?

SM: I’m sorry to say that, yes, I have. As you know, I’m a very proud Jewish doggy.  Sadly, my cuteness and explanations of Jewish customs are not immune to antisemitic comments.  Luckily, those comments are rare, but each time I receive one, it hurts.  I want my postings to be lighthearted, fun and a safe place to share my Jewishness. So, when I see an antisemitic comment, I delete it and block the account that posted it.  There is no room for hate on my Instagram account.

DRG: What about future plans. Are you considering plans for a tv pilot or a film?

SM: Not at the moment. But I wouldn’t be against it. If there’s an agent out there who’s

Shayna Maydele celebrates Shabbat.

Shayna Maydele

interested, feel free to reach out.

DRG:Well, I think that’s the next natural step in your progression. I mean, Benji was just some dog when he started.

Shayna Maydele looks at me blankly.

SM: Benji?

Another one of those “I’m old” moments washes over me.

DRG: Never mind. He was a big star back in the day.

SM: What I really love, Debra, is the way I’ve been able to meet so many wonderful people through Instagram. I just got a private message from a person in England who saw my picture in the newspaper and reached out. We had such a charming conversation. I love how this allows me to create Jewish community connection. And it’s not only Jews who follow me. A lot of people associate Jews with Orthodox Jews. But I’m conservative. And I so enjoy explaining things about conservative and reform Judaism. For example, yes, I’m a female. But I wear a kippah. And that’s okay.

DRG: You’re like a cultural ambassador. You break down old stereotypes and show a really cool Jewish canine doing really cool stuff. That’s what we do at Jewish Life Now, only with humans…mostly. And you’ve formed some lifelong friendships through Instagram, haven’t you?

SM: I have. There’s a non-Jewish woman in

Greece who is so fascinated by our religion that she sends me things she comes across that are Jewish and shares things with me about her religion. This one woman noticed on Instagram that I was in Baltimore and she had two cousins of mine (both Coton deTulears). We met up and have become dear friends. I met another family in Costa Rica who now live in Florida and we’ve stayed close.

DRG: I have to ask you. Do you know how many followers you have?

Again Shayna Maydele humbly smiles and gazes down.

SM: It’s hard to say. But I’d guestimate a bit over 18,000.

DRG: 18? That’s meaningful Shayna Maydele laughs.

DRG: And what about merch?

SM: No plans at the moment. But I’m considering a line of sweaters. Maybe other clothing.

DRG: Tiaras?

SM: Too pretentious. But, maybe a kippah collection.

DRG: Speaking of pretentious, I understand you have the same breeder as Barbra Streisand.

SM: Yes, I do. But Babs’ dogs are just ordinary folk like me. Frankly, it’s the owners who get giddy about stuff like that. ▲

celebrates Passover with charoset. Shayna Maydele celebrates Simchat Torah. Shayna Maydele always learning.

TO LIFE, TO LIFE,

By Debra Rich Gettleman

My first question for Neil Friedman, founder of Menemsha films and co-founder of the Jewish and Israeli streaming service ChaiFlicks, was, “What started this passion for Jewish media, specifically film and television?”

I was expecting the usual answer about going to the movies back in the day with a parent or friend and getting hooked. What I didn’t expect was to hear that it all started with Neil’s mom’s brother, uncle Allen, and his second wedding. You see, Uncle Allen (Allen Susman) was a hot shot Harvard attorney working for Universal pictures. He represented the studio and a host of A-list Hollywood biggies.

When Al’s friend, Marlon (Brando, that is), hosted Al’s wedding reception at his home in the Hollywood Hills, 12 year old middle class Neil from Queens found himself pretty impressed at the star-studded guest list which included Wally Cox, Andy Williams, and Elke Sommer, to name a few. Neil’s folks were not in the entertainment biz at all. They were kitchen equipment suppliers to hospitals and restaurants in New York. Mom was originally from Boston and Dad from New York. The family biz was known as the Bloomingdale’s of the Bowery because they were housed in Manhattan’s Cooper Square. But Neil’s mom discouraged him from sticking with the family business. So, Neil went the road of many young Jewish men at the time. A double major in ethnic

“The New Black” (original Hebrew title “Shababnikim”), a hit Israeli series following four rebellious students at a Jerusalem yeshiva.

L'CHAIFLICKS

CHAIFLICKS continued

studies and film from University of Pennsylvania, followed by a law degree.

After a stint in corporate law, Neil ended up as an entertainment attorney. He ultimately decided to move into the film distribution biz. and founded Menemsha films in 2003. Influenced by his heritage and passion for film, he gathered 10 films and sent them to his “advisors,” mom and dad. They all agreed that his first acquisition should be a film called “Gloomy Sunday.”

“My parents were instrumental in the beginning,” Neil explains. “At that point, I didn’t have the confidence to trust what I liked without their insights. I was selftaught for sure, and ‘Gloomy Sunday’ was beginners luck.” Well, he also did his due diligence.

“Gloomy Sunday” had run for two years straight in Christchurch New Zealand. It ended up running for 70 weeks in Boston and a whopping 54 weeks in LA.

“Gloomy Sunday” turned into a bright spot and to date

Chaiflicks

Co-founders: Bill Weiner, Neil Friedman and Heidi Bogin Oshin

holds the record as Menemsha film’s greatest success.

After building Menemsha into a major distributor of Jewish and Israeli art films and collecting a cadre of film festival awards around the globe, Friedman decided to expand into other areas of media. In 2020, he and co-founders

Heidi Bogin Oshin and Bill Weiner launched ChaiFlicks, the hottest new Jewish and Israeli entertainment streaming service, which showcases award-winning and critically acclaimed Jewish films, TV series, and documentaries.

With over 1700 hours of content, ChaiFlicks is building audiences and gaining notoriety around the world. Their latest TV hit, “The Lesson,” which originally aired on Israel's public broadcaster Kan11, made it into the top 10 list of most watched shows on Netflix Israel two weeks in a row. ▲

TOP 10 SERIES ON ChaiFlicks

5 1 4 3 2

"Shababnikim” a/k/a

The New Black"Seasons 1 and 2 on the channel with Season 3 scheduled for launch first quarter 2024

"The Lesson"recently launched to great success

"Checkout"Seasons 1,2 and 3 on the channel with Season 4 launching 4th quarter 2023

"Unchained" "Asylum City"

9 8 7 6 10

"Significant Other" Seasons 1 and 2

"Labyrinth of Peace" Swiss series

"Wartime Girls"Polish series with Seasons 1,2 and 3 already launched with Season 4 to be launched in November 2023

"Yid-Life Crisis"

Canadian series "Srugim"

The number one classic Israeli series

“Humanity & Dignity”:

The Oregon Jewish Museum Serves Both History & Challah in Its Permanent Home

By Tara Dublin

“Would you like to check your rye bread?”

The two radiantly friendly women who greet guests at the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education are genuinely warm and welcoming, but they also run a tidy ship.

That means no noshing on any of the fabulous choices from Lefty’s Cafe by Jacob & Sons, the tiny Jewish deli tucked away next to the Museum’s impressive Gift Shop, while walking through the various exhibits.

The rye bread was indeed checked by its bemused owner, who then joined our group on a Wednesday afternoon in July for a tour led by Adjunct Curator of Special Exhibitions, Bruce Guenther, and OJM Director Judy Margles.

We first stopped at a joint exhibit called The Jews of Amsterdam: Rembrandt & Pander.

Centered on the 400-year history of Jews living in Amsterdam, the exhibit focuses on two different master artists from two radically different time periods.

Rembrandt lived in the Jewish quarter of the city in the 17th Century and took inspiration from his Jewish neighbors for his works. He consulted with Jewish theologians to seek better understanding to nuance his Biblical paintings. As a result, Rembrandt painted Jews with a sympathetic eye, clearly seeing them as his fellow human beings at a time when they were being dehumanized.

Along with Rembrandt’s sketches hang the large cityscapes of Henk Pander, who passed away in April 2023 at the age of 85. Pander, who was aware of the upcoming exhibit in the months prior to his death, was delighted by the show. But with a twinkle in his eye, he asked Margles and Guenther why not “Pander and Rembrandt?”

Pander witnessed the Nazis destruction of the Haarlem Temple, and his paintings are emotional vivid streetscapes of fiery buildings and crumbling homes.

Guenther spoke to how each artist–neither of them Jews–were able to convey the Jewish experience through both their own eyes as well as through the eyes of their Jewish neighbors.

From there, we moved on to a more contemporary artist better known for his surrealism than his alignment with Judaism.

“From the sublime to the ridiculous,” Judy Margles said

Some of the delicoius fare served at Lefty's Cafe by Jacob & Sons.

as she took the helm of the tour and led us into the next exhibit, But A Dream: Salvador Dali.

In 1966, New York publisher Samuel Shore commissioned Dali to create a series of 25 paintings to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the state of Israel. Dali based the works on the Hebrew word for “rebirth” and delivered a series called Aliyah, The Rebirth of Israel.

While Dali had a controversial belief system and expressed fascist sympathies and openly admired Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, accusations of antisemitism were considered purely “circumstantial,” as Dali was an artist who absorbed the world’s ills and turned them back around in the most absurdist ways.

The last stop on the tour was the most emotionally powerful. Human Rights After the Holocaust is a vitally important educational tool for anyone who cares about the future of our planet and the people who inhabit it.

Exploring why and how human rights abuses, hatred, racial injustice, and genocide continue to happen. At the same time, the exhibit finds ways to illustrate how hope and civil action are essential to the future of the human race.

After that, it was definitely time for a nosh! While our friend from earlier grabbed his rye bread, I swung back by Jacob and Sons to take home a bialy, some sour pickles, and an ice-cold Diet Dr. Brown’s Cream Soda. Now that I know it’s there, I plan to become a regular!

If you’re planning a visit to Portand, I can’t recommend a visit to the Oregon Jewish Museum enough. It’s for non-Jews as well as Jews, as more education always leads to better understanding. ▲

Artist Hank Pander sits in his studio in Southeast Portland in between two large oil paintings he painted depicted the scenes from the nightly protests in downtown Portland.

Memoir Offers Lessons in the Journey from Coping to Thriving

By Eva Trieger

Ialways find it serendipitous when things fall into my lap when I’m needing them most. Allow me to explain. I’ve just finished reading an autobiographical book by broadcast journalist and talk show host, Joanne Greene.

Greene, a take-charge, fully present go-getter was humbled by a traumatic and devastating car accident. By Accident: A Memoir of Letting Go, provides not only a highly personal account of the pain, suffering, and acceptance associated with the event but offers lessons in coping and eventually, thriving. Greene has courageously and graciously invited the reader to grow with her and overcome the obstacles beyond her control. What perfect timing as we perch on the cusp of the month of Elul! The book is the perfect reminder that our Jewish lives are in the hands of Hashem, regardless of how much we believe we’re in charge!

Greene’s memoir opens with her stepping

into the crosswalk in front of the JCC, where she works, and the synagogue where she worships, when she is slammed by a car and sent up into the air before landing on the ground. Amazingly, she did not suffer head injuries from the impact but did sustain four breaks in her pelvis. What follows is her journey of healing that required so much more than just knitting bones and physical therapy. Greene had to learn to rely on her husband, friends, family, and community. Fortunately, her Jewish values and faith, and connection to the Jewish community, provided her with tools to handle that which initially seemed incomprehensible and intolerable.

I was struck by Greene’s acknowledgment that this cataclysmic occurrence did not only affect her life. Fred, her husband of more than 34 years, stepped up to the plate in ways she could not have imagined. He was with her through every torturous step, providing nourishment, moral support, and creative problem-solving for mobility and positioning issues. The two had met in 1978 when both had worked for San Francisco radio station, KSAN FM. The pair raised two sons, both of whom observed the love, commitment, and devotion of their parents to one another and to their family.

The book is much more about resilience, determination, and the realization that life cannot be lived at 100 mph. It must be savored slowly, taking time to really experience every morsel of the savory banquet that is uniquely catered just for us. Greene, though not of her volition, was forced to pace herself and acknowledge her need for occasional time-outs. While she loves her friends, at times the energy required was just too much.

While the trauma of being hit by a car may have been the catalyst for Greene’s memoir, her sojourn brought her to a new reality and required great introspection enabling her to tune into her purpose, her connection to life, and the creation of a legacy. Along the way, Greene experienced additional health hurdles, a few simchot, and an ever-increasing appreciation for staying present and open to the full range of experiences, viewed through the lens of uplifting Jewish values. While we enter into Elul and take stock of who we are and where we’re going, By Accident, reminds us of the gift of looking inward in order to grow outward.

From our Home to yours...

To attend Joanne’s book signing at Annie Bloom’s, visit page 46

L'Shanah Tovah U'Metukah

With love, honor, and respect, All of us at Cedar Sinai Park

The book is the perfect reminder that our Jewish lives are in the hands of Hashem, regardless of how much we believe we’re in charge!

COMFORT ON A PLATE:

How Pacific NW Chef Sonya Sanford braids the Jewish diaspora Into every dish

By Tara Dublin

That may be the underlying theme of all Jewish holidays, which is perhaps why every traditional holiday meal is focused on the pure comfort and pleasure of tucking into a plate full of food prepared with and surrounded by love.

In her new cookbook, Braids: Recipes From My Pacific Northwest Jewish Kitchen, Chef Sonya Sanford explores those feelings as she weaves her unique life experiences with the traditional recipes handed down for generations from our ancestors.

The recipes in Braids are inspired by Sanford’s experience growing up in a Soviet Jewish immigrant home in the Pacific Northwest, by her adventures in living and cooking in cities along the West Coast and Hawaii, and running her own restaurant, Beetroot Market & Deli, in Portland, Oregon.

Born in Seattle to Soviet-immigrant parents, Sonya graduated from Reed College in Portland and spent her early professional life working in the film industry in Los Angeles before pivoting to a career as a chef.

Soon after moving back to Portland, Sonya opened Beetroot. Specializing in Jewish diasporic cuisine, Ukrainian and Soviet food, and Pacific Northwest seasonal cooking, she regularly contributes to The Nosher.

“They tried to kill us, we survived, let’s eat!”

Chef Sonya Sanford

“I would say that Jewish food, in its essence across the Diaspora, is centered on comfort.”

~Sonya Sanford

Zakuski — an assortment of small dishes and appetizers. This includes a spread of smoked and cured fish like

pickled herring, smoked mackerel, homemade gravlax or gefilte fish. There would also be salads and spreads,

like pashtet (chopped liver), eggplant caviar, pickled mushrooms, marinated red peppers and salad Olivier.

A golden loaf of challah was then sliced and shared, served alongside thick pieces of dark Russian brown bread.

She also co-hosts Food Friends , a weekly podcast all about home cooking, with her close friend, Kari Lauritzen .

Ahead of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Jewish Life Now spoke to Sonya about her love for both cooking and teaching others just how simple it can be to start making their own food memories. (some answers have been edited for clarity)

JEWISH LIFE NOW: What is your favorite food memory centered around the High Holidays?

SONYA SANFORD: When I think about the High Holidays, I immediately recall sitting around my grandmother’s table. She came from Ukraine, and in our family, it was traditional to have a four-course meal that always started with “zakuski” -- a huge spread of salads and dips, gefilte fish and smoked fish, and/or chopped liver. I always piled my plate full of eggplant caviar, homemade gravlax, and her marinated peppers... and challah of course.

JLN: That sounds so good, I can taste it right now. What is it about Jewish food that makes it just so comforting, even for non-Jews?

SS: I would say that Jewish food, in its essence across the Diaspora, is centered on comfort. Many Jewish dishes are designed to be shared, and often there’s a spiritual purpose behind certain mainstay foods ‒whether that’s a meal eaten around the Shabbat table, prepared for Pesach, or even one that’s dropped off at a community member’s doorstep during a time of need.

Additionally, whether you’re making Ashkenazi-style brisket or a Sephardic hamin, the roots of most Jewish cuisine is rooted in simple ingredients, done well. It’s hard for that not to be comforting? To be fair, this is true of many cuisines — who doesn’t like a good dumpling, a bowl of saucy pasta, a heartwarming curry... and also, who doesn’t like a lox and bagel or a potato boureka?

JLN: People who have never tried them! Which is a great lead in to my next question: If you could cook one Jewish meal as an example of what our history would look like on a plate, what would it be?

SS: The most wonderful thing about Jewish food is how incredibly varied it is across the diaspora. For me, one of Jewish food’s only defining traits is the laws of kashrut; and even that has evolved in recent years.

I love our rich culinary diversity; and it’s hard for me to pinpoint a meal that defines all of Jewish cuisine. I love that a Jewish meal can mean bourekas and harira, kneidlach and gefilte fish, gondi and tahdig, schnitzel

and salatim, or a fish masala and malpua. Perhaps the one meal I would cook would attempt to include many of these dishes.

That said, if I were to cook one meal that was an example of my own Jewish lineage and family’s story it would be a feast of challah and brown bread, borscht, smoked fish, latkes, and honey cake served with fruit preserves.

JLN: Which all sounds amazing, if not a bit intimidating for a novice chef. What would you recommend as a “starter Jewish meal” for anyone who might be a bit overwhelmed by such a deep and delicious history?

SS: I think one of the best meals a novice chef can master is chicken soup. It’s endlessly versatile and foundational to so many Jewish folks. It’s also very hard to mess up. Once you learn to make a basic chicken soup, you can start building from there – add-on noodles, matzo balls, and eventually even homemade kreplach.

I also think challah is a wonderful gateway bread if you’re learning to bake. It’s far more forgiving and simpler than many other bread recipes, and even if your loaf ends up a little misshapen or under-proofed, or any number of “imperfections”, everyone is always thrilled to share a homebaked braided bread.

JLN: If only I had enough stomachs to eat everything we’ve talked about! Since we’re coming up on the New Year, who would be sitting around your table at your dream Rosh Hashanah dinner?

SS: Rosh Hashanah is my favorite holiday, and almost every year my table is filled with friends and family; some are Jewish, some are not, some are local, and some come to visit from afar.

If I could invite anyone on the planet to join our annual gathering it would be Mel Brooks, Ina and Jeffrey Garten, and Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi. ▲

Learn more about Chef Sonya Sanford on her website: www.sonyasanford.com

COMFORT ON A PLATE

Sami Tamimi

Mel Brooks

Ina and Jeffrey Garten

Yotam Ottolenghi

Opposite page: Matzo Ball Soup, Instant Pot Georgian Pomegranate Chicken.

This page: Apple and Honey Ruffle Milk Pie, Challahs

SHANA TOVA

A New Year. A New Season. A chance to start over and write your next chapter. The shofar calls us to wake up and pay attention to life, to mend broken relationships, to live intentionally. May the sweetness of apples and honey bring you a year overflowing with the sweetness of life’s moments. #RoshHashanah #Newyear #shanatova.

SWEET TOOTH

POMEGRANATE SORBET

5-10 minutes prep time • 2-3 hours in freezer • 5 minutes to process/serve

INGREDIENTS

1 3/ cups water

1 3/ cups sugar

2 tablespoons honey

Few sprigs fresh mint

2 cups freshly squeezed

pomegranate juice (from 4 large pomegranates) or bottled juice

Juice of half a lemon

Mint to garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

MAKE SYRUP: Combine water, sugar, honey and mint. Boil 2-3 minutes until sugar dissolves. Turn off heat and set aside to cool.

Squeeze pomegranates and lemon half. Combine syrup with juices and let cool.

Extract the mint and pour the liquid into a 9×13 baking dish. Transfer to freezer.

Let freeze for 1.5 hours. Mix with a fork and put back in freezer. Repeat process until firm, then process in food processor and pour back into the dish. Freeze 4-6 hours.

Serve garnished with mint.

By Haim Silberstein • israel21c.org

TAYGLACH

TAYGLACH

Crunchy dough boiled in honey.

Crunchy dough boiled in honey.

1 cup candied cherries

1 cup almonds

1 cup broken walnut pieces

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/4 cup water

1 lb. honey

2 Tablespoons lemon juice

A pinch of salt

1 teaspoon ginger

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3 1/2 cups unbleached flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

6 eggs

3 Tablespoons oil

INGREDIENTS INSTRUCTIONS

Place the honey, water, lemon juice and sugar in a very large, heavy pot, about 6 quarts. Heat to boiling and continue to simmer gently.

While the honey syrup is heating, Mix the eggs, oil, spices and salt together. Sift the baking powder and flour and add to the liquid. Mix together until the mixture forms a sticky dough. Dust with flour and roll out into 8 or 9 ropes about 3/4 inch thick, cut into pieces about 3/4

inch long. Drop the pieces of dough into the boiling syrup and simmer slowly for about an hour. Stir every 10 minutes and add more boiling water as needed, about 1/3 cup at a time.

While the tayglach is cooking, place aluminum foil on a cookie sheet and grease the foil.

Set aside.

Ten minutes before the hour is up, add the nuts and cherries. Stir well and add more water if needed. The tayglach is done when it is a deep mahogany color, a rich, golden

brown. Spoon the tayglach on the greased cookie sheet and spread out. Let cool and form the tayglach into small groups of a few tayglach and some nuts and cherries. Let cool and put into a bowl. Cover lightly.

By Joni Schockett myjewishlearning.com

MOIST CHOCOLATE APPLE CAKE WITH COCONUT CREAM GANACHE*

INGREDIENTS INSTRUCTIONS

APPLE MIXTURE:

3 apples, preferably green or pink lady, peeled, cored, and roughly chopped

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

pinch of cloves

CAKE BATTER:

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup safflower oil

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

3/4 cup water

1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup cocoa

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground espresso coffee

COCONUT GANACHE

GLAZE:

1 cup room temperature

coconut cream, mixed well

200 grams (7 ounces)

dark chocolate

1 tablespoon honey

Preheat oven to 350F(175C).

In a medium bowl, combine chopped apples with brown sugar and spices. Mix well and set aside.

Line a 10-inch tube pan with baking paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla and water.

Sift in dry ingredients

and whisk to combine. Fold in apple mixture, and pour into pan.

Bake 55-60 minutes.

For ganache: Heat coconut cream in the microwave for one minute. Break chocolate up into squares and let sit in the hot cream. Stir until fully dissolved. Add honey for a shiny finish.

Flip cake out of the pan when it is cool enough to touch.

Let cool completely and drizzle with the coconut ganache.

*The coconut flavor isn’t detectable here and is used for parve reasons. You can also swap out the coconut cream for regular whipping cream.

By Haim Silberstein israel21c.org

FISH OR FOWL?

Mix up your menu this Rosh Hashanah.

INGREDIENTS

Meatballs

1 egg

GROUND CHICKEN SWEET AND SOUR MEATBALLS

2 tbsp bread crumb or matzo meal

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp back pepper

1 1/2 lbs ground chicken, white or dark meat

Sauce

1 1/2 cups ketchup

2 cups Ginger ale

INSTRUCTIONS

1. PREPARE GROUND CHICKEN MIXTURE: In a large bowl, mix together the egg, breadcrumbs, garlic, salt and pepper. Add ground chicken and combine evenly but lightly. Don't over mix or meatballs will be tough. I shape one clean hand like an open claw and mix it that way.

2. BOIL SAUCE: Add ketchup and ginger ale to a medium to large pot. Bring to boil over medium high heat.

3. FORM MEATBALLS AND ADD TO SAUCE: Have a bowl of water nearby to wet your hands. as the mixture is sticky. Grab a little blob of chicken mixture and flop it back and forth between your two hands to lightly form a ball – about 1 1/2 inches/3.8 cm. Doesn't have to be perfectly round. Try not to handle too much. Gently drop the meatball in the boiling sauce. Repeat using the entire mixture. You will get about 25-30 meatballs. Alternatively, form all meatballs and then drop them in one at a time. Gently swirl the pot on the stove top to 'stir' the meatballs and sauce. Stirring with a spoon can break them apart. After 5 minutes they will be solid enough to stir.

4.COOK MEATBALLS: Lower heat to medium-low heat and simmer for 1 hour, covered. Partially uncover the pot and cook another 30 minutes. Stir, then uncover pot and cook another 30 minutes. Sauce will thicken (it will coat the back of a spoon) and even thicken more with standing or in the fridge. Total cook time is 2 hours. If you're in a rush, 90 minutes will be fine with the cover off for the last 45 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed e.g. a squeeze of lemon juice if too sweet or a bit more salt.

CANADIAN MAPLE CEDAR PLANK SALMON

EQUIPMENT

Untreated cedar plank

INGREDIENTS

2 salmon fillets with skin on one side – 3/4 to 1 pound (about 1-1.5 inch thick) chopped parsley for garnish (optional) sea salt for finishing

Glaze

2 tablespoon butter

3 tablespoon pure Maple Syrup (or brown sugar)

2 tablespoon grainy or old fashioned mustard

2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon minced garlic (1 clove)

1 teaspoon cornstarch (this will help glaze adhere to salmon)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. SOAK THE PLANK: Soak a plank in cold water for 10 minutes for a 1/4 inch plank (or 30-60 minutes for 1/2 inch plank). I use a thin plank and just toss it out when I'm done. Cedar planks are great for salmon as they provide a gentle smoky taste.

2. HEAT THE GRILL TO HIGH.

3. MAKE THE GLAZE: Place all glaze ingredients in a microwaveable bowl or measuring cup. Stir. Microwave for 1 minute on high. Glaze will be slightly thickened. Let cool for 5 minutes if using part as a marinade (Note 1). Alternatively, place ingredients in a small saucepan and simmer on medium heat for a few minutes until thickened.

3. GRILL PLANKED SALMON: Note 2. Pat plank dry. Spray with oil. Place salmon on top of plank, skin side down. Brush salmon with 1/3 of glaze. Place plank on grate of barbecue, close cover and grill for 3 minutes for

thinner plank (a little longer if using a thicker plank) until plank starts charring and smoking. Have a glass of water on hand in case of flare ups. Brush 1/3 more glaze on top of salmon. Turn off burner/heat under the salmon (salmon should now be on indirect heat) and close lid. The other burner(s) should still be left on high or med-high heat with the temperature of the BBQ at about 425F-450F/218232C.

Cook for another 7 minutes or until salmon just begins to turn opaque. ideas

Instant thermometer will show an internal core temperature of 130-135F/54.4-57C (temp will rise while resting). Salmon should be a warm pink in the thickest part. Drizzle with remaining glaze. Rest salmon for 5 minutes loosely covered with a foil.

4. SERVE: Slide a spatula between the skin and the salmon. The salmon will lift right off leaving the skin on the charred wood plank. Transfer to a plate. Sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired and some good sea salt and/ or lemon zest.

For further ideas and tips see:

TWO KOOKS IN A KITCHEN

twokooksinthekitchen.com

TIKUN OLAM

may be the best cure for holiday loneliness

‘REPAIRING THE WORLD” or Tikkun

Olam, is such a well-known concept in Jewish life that it almost borders on being a cliché. But of course, it is not. The importance of making the world a better place through acts of kindness and compassion is taught to us from an early age and is a tenant of Judaism. And though helping others is admirable, by helping  others, you can also help yourself as Tikkun Olam is  a powerful antidote to loneliness.

While many anticipate the holidays as a time to rejoice with family and friends, others dread the loneliness that can accompany the holiday season, particularly for those who may be separated from loved ones or who do not have a strong support network. However, Tikkun Olam provides a way to transcend this sense of isolation and build bridges with others, creating a sense of connection and community that can last long after the holiday season has ended.

By focusing on the needs of others, one can also gain perspective on their own challenges and struggles, and find a new sense of meaning and purpose in their lives. While many find fulfillment by volunteering at non-profit organizations, even a call to a friend or family member who may be struggling or lonely is equally important. The important thing is to do something.  It’s not about thinking about ways to improve the world or help others. It’s about taking action in the here and now. Helping others is free, but the reward is priceless.

Here are a few suggestions of Tikkun Olam that you can do during Rosh Hashanah or any time of the year:

1. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or food bank to help provide meals to those in need.

2. Visit elderly residents at a nursing home or assisted living facility to brighten their day and offer companionship.

3. Collect and donate clothes, blankets, or other items to a homeless shelter or organization that supports those experiencing homelessness.

4. Participate in a community clean-up effort to help keep your local area clean and attractive.

5. Volunteer at a charitable organization or find a cause that aligns with your values and passions and start contributing.

6. Write letters or make phone calls to elected representatives or government officials to voice your concerns about issues affecting your community.

7. Plant trees or participate in an environmental restoration project to help improve the health of the planet.

8. Participate in a march or rally to support a cause you believe in, such as racial justice, climate action, or immigrant rights.

9. Volunteer at an animal shelter or rescue.

10. Volunteer at a hotline serving those with mental health emergencies.

Lesser Known Facts About Rosh Hashanah

HEAD OF THE YEAR

Although considered to be the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah does not mean “New Year” in Hebrew. The translation is actually “Head of the Year.” Just like your head (or more specifically,

your brain) tells your body what to do, your actions and behavior on Rosh Hashanah have farreaching consequences for the entire year.

Among the many blessings in Deuteronomy

28 we read, “God will make you the head, not the tail,” and it is customary in some communities at the meal on the night of Rosh Hashanah to recite this blessing, ending it with

the words, “may it be so.”

It is also customary to then eat the head of a fish, but for those who are squeamish you can substitute gummy fish or fish-shaped crackers for the real thing.

HAPPY NOT BOISTEROUS

PASS THE POMEGRANATE, NOT THE PICKLES NEVER ON SUNDAY, WEDNESDAY OR FRIDAY

The first morning of Rosh Hashanah can be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Shabbat – never Sunday, Wednesday or Friday. If Rosh Hashanah were to fall on a Friday, Yom Kippur would fall on a Sunday. But since Yom Kippur shouldn’t fall on the day before or after Shabbat, as two consecutive days when preparing food and burying the dead is prohibited, this could be problematic.

While Rosh Hashanah is considered a happy holiday, it is also a time for renewal, reflection and thanks. So while in many ways it is an uplifting holiday, and many attend synagogue, it is not celebrated with raucous parties as is often the case on the December 31  New Year’s Eve.

Pomegranates, apples and honey are all foods that are symbolic to the holiday of Rosh Hashanah. Every pomegranate is believed to contain 613 seeds. This number just happens to be identical to the number of mitzvot (commandments) in the Torah. So, eating a pomegranate can be a symbolic way to display the desire to fulfill the mitzvot.

The pomegranate is also written about in the Bible as one of the seven species identified within the land of Israel, and the fruit is depicted on the Temple King Solomon built in Jerusalem. We all know that eating apples dipped in honey helps make the new year a sweet one. But did you know that the opposite holds true as well? If you refrain from eating pickles, lemons and other sour foods at this time, you most certainly will avoid an unpleasant year ahead.

NO NAPPING

Even though napping on Shabbat is considered a physical pleasure and therefore a mitzvah (and a proper way to celebrate the day of rest), on Rosh Hashanah we make a point of not napping. Some people will even stay awake at night so as not to waste a precious moment on something as trivial as shuteye. The Talmud states that if one sleeps at the beginning of the year – i.e., on Rosh Hashanah – his good fortune also sleeps.

PET APPRECIATION this Rosh Hashanah

By Debra Rich Gettleman

In the category of “more is more,” Jewish tradition not only celebrates Rosh Hashana, our most renowned new year’s holiday, but we actually have four distinct new year celebrations. In addition to Rosh Hashanah, we recognize Tu B’Shevat, the New Year of the Trees, the first day of

Nisan, The New Year of Kings, when Passover takes place, and a fourth New Year of the Hebrew calendar that has been steadily gaining recognition is Rosh Hashanah

La’Behemot, the New Year for Domesticated Animals.

Rosh Hashanah

La’Behemot is a day to reflect on our relationships with our

domesticated animals. It offers us a chance to consider how we take care of them, how we nurture them, how we love them, and how we can improve on all counts. The holiday encourages us to examine the lives we provide for the animals who depend on us for survival.

We’re not just talking about Fido either. The

category of behemah (domesticated animals) includes livestock and all work animals we employ. In fact, Jewish texts tell us to allow our animals the same Shabbat rest and rewards we enjoy ourselves, including feeding them first, before we sit down for our own Shabbat feast.

EXPLORE ALL AVENUES Traversing the city of Jerusalem

By Masada Siegel

The Jaffa Gate as seen at night.

AVENUES

Would you like to go to the ‘Ninja Park’?” former Arizona resident and Jerusalem based Rabbi Ian Pear of Shir Hadash asked my son Jacob on his first trip to Jerusalem.

Jacob enthusiastically responded, “Yes.”

Moments later, after spending time at his warm and inclusive synagogue, he and his six-year-old son BJ dropped us off in the center of the new city.

Jerusalem is known for taking people to new heights, and our experience at Sacher Park, which has the best playground I have ever seen filled with rope bridges, sky high towers, stringy thingies and even a DJ booth was supernatural.

Needless to say, much in the Jerusalem spirit, I reached new levels as I found myself wearing a dress, climbing up an intricate rope ladder and sliding down much to the delight of my son.

Jerusalem is filled with a myriad of historical sites, activities and adventures that capture the attention of all age groups. The city is constantly discovering new ancient sites and building new modern ones, making it is a multilayered city in every respect.

The Old City of Jerusalem has always made me feel as if I was falling into a fairytale, walking through the pages of a living vibrant history that comes alive the moment I walk through the Jaffa gate.

There are a few ways to wander towards the Jewish Quarter, either walk through the Shuk, walk along the inside walls of the city, or try the Ramparts walk.

The Ramparts walk was built by Suleiman the Magnificent about 485 years ago and two areas are accessible to tourists. One side will take you towards the Jewish Quarter, where you will exit right near the Western Wall. The other direction leads visitors through the rooftops of the Muslim Quarter where you will exit right into the Muslim section of the Shuk.

The place to buy tickets is at a store right near the entrance of the Jaffa Gate.

Once you have entered the Jewish Quarter, there are a myriad of alleyways to wander and discover history right beneath your feet.

Walk through the shops at the Cardo and head towards Hurva Square, a great place to relax and grab a bite to eat. The square provides plenty of places to sit as well as elegant jewelry stores and Judaica shops. Be sure to check out Esther’s Gallery store also known as Silver Point Judaica.

1

I bought a few items from the owner Esther who then gave me some red strings to bring back to Arizona. I asked her to also bless them, and all the recipients have reported unusual good luck after putting them on.

I then stopped by Jeff Seidel’s Student Center right off the main square of the Jewish Quarter. Seidel caters to student travelers, and young people studying abroad primarily at Hebrew University, Tel Aviv University, and IDC University. If anyone wants a Shabbat dinner or to study more about Judaism, he is the man to speak with as he has been doing Jewish outreach for decades and his exuberance for all aspects of Judaism is inspiring and infectious. As you make your way towards the Western Wall, stop in at Off the Wall Spice Shop. It is located in the narrow alleyway that takes visitors towards the Kotel and it has an excellent array of spices and teas and the packaging makes them travel friendly.

Mere steps aways and often overlooked is the Burnt House Museum which showcases an excavated house from the Second temple period. The museum takes visitors on a time travel experience with a short but poignant movie explaining the history prior and when the house was burned down. After a brief tour head down the steps towards the Western Wall where the world truly opens up and the intersection of history unfolds.

One of my favorite activities was taking the Western Wall Tunnel Tours. I have walked through them at three different times, and each experience is vastly different because the excavations are ongoing and each day new discoveries are being made. It is truly remarkable to be able to touch the past. (Be sure to get tickets online or at least 24 hours before as tours sell out quickly.)

3 2

Visitors can hurl themselves back into the future when leaving the Old City, and a favorite way to travel was on the light rail, just be sure to get transit passes at a drugstore before you go for a ride.

There are a myriad of places to explore from the famous Mahane Yehudah, where the shopkeepers will tempt you with tantalizing treats ranging from fruits to the bakery Marzipan where the freshly baked goods are mouthwatering and the prices excellent.

Jerusalem boasts many meaningful places to visit, from the Israel museum which is always impressive to the somber 9/11 Living Memorial Monument that was created in 2009 by JNF-USA. It is the only memorial outside of the United States that includes all the names of the victims. This 30-foot bronze sculpture depicts an American flag waving and transforming into a flame, and a metal shard from the ruins of the Twin Towers is shown at the bottom of the monument.

No trip to Israel is complete without a visit to Yad Vashem. While incredibly sad, it is also a testament to the will, tenacity and true superheroes that emerged from the ashes of World War II, many of whom participated in fighting for the creation of the State of Israel.

Jerusalem presents endless activities for all ages; the hardest part is deciding what to do first. ▲

1. Colorful umbrellas float magically above pedestrian Yoel Moshe Salomon Street with galleries, ceramics, arts jewelry and clothing shops.

2. Western Wall Tunnel

3. Yad Vashem

HEY MILLENIALS, Welcome to Better Friday Nights

By Tara Dublin

It’s hard enough to get Gen Z to look up from TikTok, let alone regularly sit down to share a proper meal and interact with others.

So, imagine how much harder it might be to get younger generations of Jewish Americans to come together every Friday night for Shabbat.

Welcome to OneTable, “A better way to Friday,” shana kinder!

Taking the negativity out of your oneg, One Table is a national non-profit inspired by ancient Jewish wisdom and empowers young folks (21-39ish) to find, share, and enjoy Shabbat to make the most of their Friday nights.

By meeting in person instead of over Zoom, OneTable fosters connection for a generation of young people who are often too electronically plugged in to truly connect offline.

Just this year alone, OneTable has supported 3,600 unique hosts across the country in creating nearly 20,000 dinners and 112,000 seats at the table for over 33,000 Shabbat diners.

At a OneTable Shabbat dinner, people can get together to slow down and unplug from the previous week. It’s about creating a new intention in their lives to build meaningful communities fostered by connections made in person.

Held in private homes, the dinner menus and guests may vary, but the message remains the same: everyone is welcome to join the conversation and share in the amazing meals.

OneTable takes a DIY approach to Shabbat while offering custom-tailored support, coaching, and online resources to make the Shabbat dinner ritual personally meaningful.

Hosts can receive financial boosts in the form of “Nourishment Credits” if cost is an issue.

The OneTable formula is definitely having an impact across the country. A recent in-house survey of respondents said that because of OneTable:

87% find meaning in spending time with community on Shabbat.

72% say Shabbat adds a spiritual dimension to their Friday night.

65% try to pause and relax at the end of the week.

53% eel Friday night is different from the rest of the week. ▲

If you’re interested in hosting your own OneTable Shabbat dinner, or finding one you can join in your city, please https://dinners.onetable.org/

READING

Joanne Greene

By Accident: A Memoir of Letting Go

Annie Bloom’s welcomes California author Joanne Greene for an in-store reading from her debut book,  By Accident: A Memoir of Letting Go .

EVENT DATE:

Thursday, September 21, 2023 7:00pm  to  8:00pm 7834 SW Capitol Hwy Portland, OR97219

The reading is co-sponsored by the  Mittleman Jewish Community Center

In Loving Memory of Leni Reiss z"l

Beloved wife, mother, journalist, involved community member and contributing editor for Oregon Jewish Life.

We continue to grow from your insights, talents and advice.

®

May her name forever be a blessing.