jr091521

INSIDE




High Holiday
resources; Area
congregations – page 2

Growing kindness
– page 3
Sept. 15, 2021 / Tishri 9, 5782 Volume 56, Issue 20 Sukkot harvest &

A yearlong journey of kindness other events – page 3


BY DEBORAH MOON Parent ambassadors
In his first Rosh Hashanah ser- connect PJ Library
mon at Congregation Shaarie families – page 4
Torah, Rabbi Gary Ezra Oren
challenged congregants to per- PJA hires diversity
form 18,000 mitzvot or “regu-
lar acts of kindness” in 5782. consultant – page 4
“In our world, a little kindness
can really make someone’s day, BB Camp
and a lot of kindness can restore Congregation Shaarie Torah’s kindness webpage features videos concert
hope, joy and possibility,” says of President Joe Biden speaking about the need for acts of kind-
Rabbi Oren, who took the reins ness during a message about the High Holidays, and of Rabbi Gary and
of the 116-year-old Conserva- Owen issuing a kindness challenge to the congregation in his first barbecue
tive congregation July 1. Rosh Hashanah sermon since becoming Shaarie Torah rabbi. – page 5
“When I said 18,000 in 5782,
there was a ‘wow’ gasp in the the page. By Sept. 10, several COVID Corner: Hope,
sanctuary,” says the rabbi. “It’s Rabbi Stone also people had posted kindness
a lot, but it’s not that much for calls for kindness in acts. One teen picked up books required vaccines,
our whole community.” and supplies a schoolmate telehealth – page 6
The pandemic has limited dark times – page 11 dropped and said they could
in-person attendance at ser- tell that the person was having Shorts: Cafe at J
vices. On the first day of Rosh emailed all congregants. a really bad day, and it seemed
Hashanah, about 70 people The webpage notes: We’ve to help. Another congregant reopens; Restart
spread out in the sanctuary that all heard of Random Acts of smiled and complimented ev- kits for Afghans;
holds more than 700. About Kindness, but we want these eryone they saw in the grocery Survivor film talk;
315 streamed the services on to become part of the fabric of store. One person paid for the
the website with 150 clicking our everyday experience and coffee of the person in line be- Anti-Semitism Zoom
on the Facebook stream. So to to acknowledge the power of hind them at the drive-through. for teens – page 7
ensure all congregants know this work in the world, so we’re Rabbi Oren says he was in-
about the challenge, the con- choosing to call them Regu- spired to issue the challenge Grief Group – page 8
gregation is promoting it on its lar instead of Random.” because, “The world seems so
website at shaarietorah.org/reg- Everyone is encouraged to log uncertain and scary right now, History prize – page 8
ular-acts-of-kindness and has each regular act of kindness on See KINDNESS, page 3
Hillel and Repair the World team up Security Corner:
Time to prep for
BY DEBORAH MOON Oregon Hillel and PDX Hillel choice of six issue area-based emergencies – page 10
For the second year, Oregon both participated. This year, education cohorts – Environ-
Hillel will participate in the the program will support 150 mental Justice, Disability In- Rabbi's Corner: Rabbi
Repair Campus Corps Program college student corps members clusion/Justice, Racial Justice, Ariel Stone – page 11
from Repair the World and Hil- around the world to engage Food Justice, Housing Justice
lel International. their peers in service, civic en- and Education Justice. Starting Jobs board: Solomon
A press release notes that in gagement, Jewish learning and in October, each cohort will par-
year one, 100 Campus Corps social justice work during the ticipate in a four-part virtual ed- Schechter – page 12
Members from 96 local Hillels 2021-2022 school year. ucational series related to their
recruited 4,843 peers in service, Student Corps Members will issue area. The education series Obituaries: Cogan,
catalyzing 5,312 acts of service participate in a full-year cohort will introduce the topic and its Weinstein, Anchel,
and learning and contributing experience run by Hillel Interna- connection to Jewish values and
26,299 hours of service to part- tional with support from Repair Hersh – page 12
ner organizations. Last year, the World. Students will get their See CAMPUS CORPS, page 5

UPCOMING HIGH HOLIDAYS 5782

(Jewish holidays start at sunset the evening before the first day of the holiday)

Sept. 16: Yom Kippur | Sept. 21-27: Sukkot | Sept. 28-29: Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah
High Holiday Resources



The High Holiday season continues at The page also features links for holiday
sundown tonight, Sept. 15, when Kol Nidre recipes and activities for families with
ushers in Yom Kippur. The Jewish Federa- young children, DIY Yom Kippur and Suk-
tion of Greater Portland has curated a web- kot resources and projects, online offerings,
page jampacked with resources to help you service projects, and general information
observe this year’s High Holidays. about Yom Kippur and Sukkot.
Jewishportland.org/highholidayhappenings One link provides A Guide to Improve
features links to several resources includ- Mental Health in the New Year from the
ing the High Holiday Community Cal- Blue Dove Foundation. That site features
endar, which includes High Holiday ser- resources for individuals to reflect on and
vices, classes and programs presented by improve their own mental health as well as
congregations and Jewish organizations in gation (see list below) as plans continue to to contribute to the mental wellness of the
the greater Portland region. For in-person evolve almost daily with the recent surge of Jewish community as we look forward to a
events, be sure to check with the congre- COVID cases. sweet new year.

Congregations in Greater Portland area



Ahavath Achim (Sephardic) Chabad of Hillsboro Chabad Young Professionals/ Kol Shalom (Humanistic)
6686 Capitol Hwy. 965 SW Brookwood Ave. Chabad NW 1509 SW Sunset Blvd. #1E
Portland, OR 97219 Hillsboro, OR 97123 Rabbi Meir & Sheina Posner Portland, OR 97239
Rabbi Skolnik Rabbi Menachem & Chaya 503-583-2025 | Pdxcyp.org 503-459-4210 | kolshalom.org
503-227-0010 Rivkin Neveh Shalom (Conservative)
ahavathachim.com 503-747-5363 | chabadh.com Tigard Chabad 2900 SW Peaceful Lane
12555 SW Summer Crest Dr.
The Alberta Shul Chabad of Gresham/East Tigard, OR 97223 Portland, OR 97239
503-703-5205 | albertashul.org County Rabbi Menachem & Chaya Rabbi David Kosak
Rabbi Avrohom & Cheina Dyce Orenstein Cantor Eyal Bitton
Beit Haverim (Reform) 503-389-0312 Rabbi Eve Posen
111 Country Club Dr. facebook.com/JewishGresham 971-329-6661 503-246-8831
Mail: PO Box 311 jewishtigard.com nevehshalom.org
Lake Oswego, OR 97034 Chabad of Lake Oswego Gesher - A Bridge Home
Rabbi Alan Berg Rabbi Shimon & Etty Wilhelm 503-246-5070 P’nai Or of Portland
503-568-1241 | beithav.org www-jewishlo.com Rabbi Laurie Rutenberg & (Renewal)
c/o Hillsdale Com Church
Congregation Beit Yosef Chabad of NE Portland Rabbi Gary Schoenberg 6948 SW Capitol Hwy.
4200 SW Vermont St. Rabbi Chaim & Mushka ourjewishhome.org Portland, OR 97219
Portland, OR 97219 Wilhelm Rabbi Hannah Laner
Rabbi Eliyahu Weisman 503-309-4490 Havurah Shalom 503-248-4500 | pnaiorpdx.org
971-220-8152 jewishnortheast.com (Reconstructionist) Shaarie Torah (Conservative)
825 NW 18th Ave.
Beth Israel (Reform) Chabad Center for Jewish Portland, OR 97209 920 NW 25th Ave.
1972 NW Flanders St. Life SW Portland Rabbi Benjamin Barnett Portland, OR 97210
Portland, OR 97209 2317 SW Vermont St. 503-248-4662 Rabbi Gary Ezra Oren
Rabbi Michael Cahana Portland, OR 97219 havurahshalom.org Cantor Aaron Vitells
Cantor Ida Rae Cahana Rabbi Moshe & Devora 503-226-6131
Rabbi Rachel Joseph Wilhelm Kesser Israel (Orthodox) shaarietorah.org
Cantor Rayna Green Rabbi Motti & Mimi Wilhelm 6698 SW Capitol Hwy. Shir Tikvah (Independent)
503-222-1069 Rabbi Chayim & Simi Mishu- Portland, OR 97219 2420 NE Sandy Blvd.
bethisrael-pdx.org lovin Rabbi Ken Brodkin Portland, OR 97232
503-381-7119 | jportland.com 503-222-1239 | kesserisrael.org
Chabad of Clark County Rabbi Ariel Stone
9604 NE 126th Ave. # 2340 Chabad at Reed College & Kol Ami (Reform) 503-473-8227
Vancouver, WA 98682 SE Portland 7800 NE 119th St. shirtikvahpdx.org
Rabbi Shmulik & Tzivie 3355 SE Steele St. Vancouver, WA 98662 Community Chaplain
Greenberg Portland, OR 97202 Rabbi Elizabeth Dunsker Rabbi Barry Cohen
360-993-5222 Rabbi Dov & Chani Bialo 360-896-8088 971-361-6124
jewishvancouverwa.com 503-752-2258 | jewishreed.com jewishvancouverusa.org [email protected]
2 Jewish Review Sept. 15, 2021

Enjoy Sukkot at the MJCC Growing kindness: PJA
Mittleman Jewish Community Center
is hosting two events to bring the com- volunteers at Kindness Farm
munity together outdoors for Sukkot.
Help build the Community Sukkah at
10 am, Sunday, Sept. 19, at the MJCC. Want to help the Earth, feed the hungry, of working outside in the dirt – these are
Then at 4 pm, Sunday, Sept. 26, come learn gardening tips, enjoy the outdoors, all things I want my own children and my
and enjoy Pizza in the Sukkah at the schmooze and teach Jewish values all at students to appreciate.”
MJCC. Masks will be required when once? As many Portland Jewish Academy Volunteers weeded existing garden beds
not actively drinking or eating. Enjoy families have discovered, Kindness Farm is and laid compost for new ones.
an evening of great food, schmoozing, the place to do it. “The summer event
singing and storytelling. Cost is $5/ Kindness Farm is a non- was great, because it
person with children 3 and under free. profit located on a 1-acre was mostly families new
Register at oregonjcc.org/pizza. plot off Southeast 127th to PJA,” says Ben. “The
Avenue in Portland. Found- kids were either digging
ed and run by Lou Levit up weeds or watching
KINDNESS this past January, the farm caterpillars and worms,
while the adults were
uses volunteer labor and
(continued from page 1) sustainable agricultural able to converse and
practices to grow produce connect.”
and I know that sometimes that means we that is then donated to those Ben was so struck by
can close down and circle the wagons.” He in need. “Kindness Farm Kindness Farm he has
adds that he already has received positive aims to care for people and returned to volunteer be-
feedback. “People have said that a little Earth by regeneratively yond PJA events.
moments of goodness go a long way, and and sustainably growing “The PJA crews have
that they’re going to find ways to do it.” nutrient-full vegetables and done a lot of meaningful
He also was inspired by the Gidi Kind- fruits; cultivating commu- work at the farm, but
ness Project, started by friends after their nity education of balanced we’ve never harvested
son, Gidi, died in a tragic boating accident farming practices; and the food (which mostly
5 years ago just a few days before his 5th providing freshly harvest- happens on Fridays),”
birthday. Every year at his yarhzeit the ed nutriments to houseless he says. “I wanted to see
family asks friends to perform random acts and low-income neighbors how all this work trans-
of kindness to spread love and joy and Gidi in need,” according to its lated into the actual pro-
magic. website. duce the farm donates.”
In his sermon and on the website, Rab- PJA has organized sever- A PJA preschooler harvests a Founder Lou Levit
bi Oren references the poem U’netanah al volunteering events for carrot at Kindness Farm. reflects on the impact
Tokef, which is read on Rosh Hashanah. families at Kindness Farm, Kindness Farm has al-
The poem asks many questions about what including last spring and during the summer. ready had on the Portland community: “In
will befall us humans in this next year. “Because of COVID, many of our tra- such a short time, this year alone, we’ve
“U’nataneh Tokef teaches that the decree ditional service opportunities weren’t been able to feed over 5,000 of our house-
is written – it is called being human – with available, so we were looking for outdoor less and low-income neighbors fresh, vi-
all the good parts and all the hard parts, service opportunities,” says PJA Service brant produce.”
including the fact that we are vulnerable Learning Coordinator Elana Cohn-Rozan- Lou also expresses gratitude for those
and have limited control over such huge sky. “We connected with Lou through the who have pitched in to help: “This couldn’t
forces in our lives,” says Rabbi Oren. “The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and happen without the amazing contributions
prayer insists that while we don’t have total have kept it going since.” of our donors and volunteers. PJA families
control, we do have power to mitigate the PJA organized two volunteer events in have been so amazing in spending their
decree for some through teshuvah (kind late spring, and then two more during sum- time on our beautiful farm, helping us cre-
responses), tefillah (mindful introspection) mer. “Kindness Farm is doing so much that ate growing beds and gardens. I am truly
and tzedakah (pursuing justice with our we want to teach our children,” says PJA grateful to the families that come out and
time, talents and treasure).” parent and Middle School Jewish Studies support the farm and hope to see more com-
The webpage contains an extract from Teacher Ben Foote. “Treating the Earth munity members as we grow and evolve.”
the rabbi’s sermon about the poem. “This with respect, helping those in need, the joy www.thekindnessmodel.org
poem also reminds us that what we can
control is how we act and respond to life Harvesting Chesed: Sukkot Shabbat at Kindness Farm
in and around those big moments. We get
an opportunity every day to be someone Celebrate Shabbat and harvest season munity through reflective conversations. In
who is kind, who is helpful and thoughtful, with OneTable and the Kindness Farm the spirit of Sukkot, we invite you to bring
and there are thousands of little moments (read about the farm above). OneTable your intentions and goals for how you
to do this. These little moments can add up promotes Shabbat and holiday dinners for want to engage in more radical hospitality
to changing these bigger moments, possi- and by young adults. throughout this Jewish New Year, 5782.
bly even altering/mitigating the intensity At 5:30 pm, Sept. 24, young adults Suggested cost for catered dinner is $10/
of the human condition for ourselves and (20s-30s) are invited to spend a fun evening person. Limited capacity to the first 15
for others. Sometimes we can impact those volunteering and learning more about the RSVPs (address provided with RSVP). For
around us with our acts that ripple bigger farm, partaking in a delicious plant-based details and to RSVP, go to bit.ly/38TIEPr or
than anything we can know.” dinner from Aviv and connecting in com- onetable.org/portland.
Jewish Review Sept. 15, 2021 3

Parent ambassadors connect PJ Library families


BY DEBORAH MOON books he receives will grow in
PJ Library has hired two part- number, and our home library
time parent ambassadors – So- will have Jewish characters that
nia Marie Leikam and Ilana reflect my son and his life.”
Jaffe-Lewis – to help create Rachel notes that the recent
experiences and connections surge in COVID with the Delta
among the 1,020 young fami- variant has made the in-person
lies across the Greater Portland gatherings the three women dis-
area who receive free PJ Li- cussed initially impractical until
brary books each month. children can be vaccinated.
PJ Library sends more than However, Ilana says she has
230,000 books a month to many ideas that she feels can
families across North Amer- work well in a virtual setting –
ica. Portland was one of the Sonia Marie Leikam Ilana Jaffe-Lewis a monthly Shabbat picnic, story
first communities to adopt PJ hours, mask-making for Purim,
Library when the Harold Grin- 12 who have received PJ Li- and to watch the children of a Hanukkah dreidel tournament
spoon Foundation offered the brary books all the years they these families grow over this and, her favorite, a Rosh Cho-
program nationally. The pro- have been eligible. The older next year,” she says. She adds desh group for moms. Literally,
gram has been run in partner- two are now enrolled in PJ Our connection will be her primary head of the month, the holiday
ship with the Jewish Federation Way since they aged out of the goal: “Parenthood can be lone- of the new moon has long been
of Greater Portland since 2011. PJ Library. ly at times. And parenthood celebrated by women.
“Each ambassador will build “I love connecting people to- during a pandemic has been “Jewish feminists have been
authentic relationships, create gether and hope I am able to very isolating for many. My using this holiday to gather,
new, barrier-free Jewish experi- help bring families together,” hope is to offer opportunities connect and learn together,”
ences, expand communities and says Sonia Marie. for authentic and compassion- says Ilana. “This is something
impart relevant Jewish content She adds her own family has ate connection.” that I think mothers desperately
to Jewish families with children benefited so much from the pro- Ilana worked in Jewish ed- deserve right now.”
receiving PJ Library books,” gram, she felt this role would ucation for 10 years and ear- Sonia Marie plans to use the
says Rachel Nelson. Rachel be a good way to give back. ly childhood education for fall to get to know families and
oversees the local program in “Because we are an interfaith the past four years. Raised in reach out to families new to
her role as JFGP Director of home, PJ Library books have southern California, she has the program. “Due to the vari-
Educational Initiatives & As- allowed my partner the opportu- lived in Portland since 2017. ant, we will be restricting our
sociate Director of Community nity to learn about holidays and Ilana and her husband, Steven, large events, but may be meet-
Relations. traditions alongside my kids and have a 5-month-old son who ing with families at the park if
Sonia Marie will focus on be an active participant in creat- has been receiving PJ Library weather permits,” she says.
families on Portland’s eastside. ing a Jewish home,” she says. books since he was born. PJ Library also is creating
A longtime Jewish professional As the new west side ambas- As a PJ Library parent, she Shabbat bags for the ambassa-
and community organizer, she sador, Ilana looks forward to says, “I most enjoy the element dors to deliver to local families
is currently focused on growing forging new connections. “I’m of surprise that PJ brings into our new to PJ Library.
her family business, Leikam most excited to connect with life. It’s fun to receive a mystery For more information on
Brewing, a Kosher craft brew- and learn from other parents, to book every month. And it’s a PJ Library, contact Rachel at
ery. She and her husband Theo raise my child within a close, gift that we can share together. [email protected] or
have three boys ages 7, 10 and local community of families I also deeply appreciate that the visit pjlibrary.org.

PJA engages diversity, equity, inclusion and access consultant

Portland Jewish Academy has engaged a plore the changes that take place when new fronting specific situations and analyzed
consultant, Heather Clark, Ph.D., to work people are introduced into the culture. real-life scenarios. Heather's work with the
with the school on Diversity, Equity, Inclu- PJA began planning its work with Heath- PJA faculty, staff and board will continue
sion and Access. er in the fall of 2019, but the pandemic throughout this school year.
Heather holds delayed the launch. In the fall of 2020, Undertaken as a follow-up to PJA’s most
a Ph.D. in an- Heather worked with teachers, adminis- recent reaccreditation, the work is a natu-
thropology and trators and board members to reflect on ral extension of previous efforts. In 2015,
serves as a Lec- the impact of the pandemic as well as the the school began to examine its curriculum
turer at the Uni- racial reckoning of the spring of 2020. In through an anti-bias lens. In 2016-17, PJA
versity of Wash- May, Heather met with the same group. identified a need to expand its anti-bias edu-
ington and an Her workshops provided an opportunity cation work, review hiring practices and im-
Instructor in the to discuss key racial literacy terms, estab- prove accessibility. In March 2018, a visit-
Rainier Scholars lishing a shared foundation and language ing team from the Northwest Association of
program. She has on which to base future work. In August Independent Schools spent several days on
broad experience working with schools 2021, Heather joined the faculty during campus and issued a reaccreditation report
and other organizations on DEIA. Her ap- the in-service week on campus to contin- that recommended PJA “clearly define what
proach is to help organizations understand ue important discussions about DEIA. PJA constitutes a diverse school community
their cultural values and norms, and to ex- staff identified their comfort level with con- within the context of a Jewish day school.”
4 Jewish Review Sept. 15, 2021

BB Camp to raise funds with BBQ and concert


B’nai B’rith Camp will host support of the Lincoln Coun- More than two-thirds of the
the first fundraiser concert at ty community, home of BB children attending the BB Day
its new amphitheater on Sept. Camp’s Jewish overnight camp Camp Lincoln City receive fi-
26. Renowned pianist and BB and conference center. nancial assistance.
Camp supporter Michael Allen The BB Camp BBQ and Con- Since 2013, BB Camp has
Harrison and his All-Star Band cert will support BB Camp’s provided free meals to nearby
will perform. work in the community near Lincoln County children eligi-
The event begins at 3 pm the camp, particularly the pop- ble for free and reduced lunch
with a picnic-style barbecue ular BB Day Camp Lincoln through the USDA Summer
and tours of BB Camp’s cam- City and the Lincoln City Food Food Services Program. With
pus, including the newly built program. COVID-19 impacting school
northside cabins and amphithe- Since 2006, BB Day Camp food programs and increasing
ater/aquatics center. The con- Composer and pianist Michael Lincoln City has provided chil- food insecurity in the state, BB
cert will begin at 4 pm. Allen Harrison is a longtime dren with the opportunity to Camp expanded the effort to
Tickets are $20 a person or supporter of BB Camp and a have an amazing week at camp, serve meals daily at three lo-
$40 a family, including lunch B'nai B B'rith Men's Camper. which includes hydro-tubing on cations in Lincoln County. BB
and concert. Tickets can be pur- Devil’s Lake, canoeing, swim Camp has served over 165,000
chased at bbcamp.org/bbq. BB Camp will continue to fol- lessons, a ropes course, music, meals to food-insecure children
“Serving our community low current OHA COVID-19 arts & crafts, sports, drama and since June 2020.
during this extraordinarily chal- guidance for this event. Con- team-building games that foster In September 2020 when
lenging time has been a true certgoers ages 12 and up will be independence and cooperation. wildfires hit Oregon, firefight-
blessing,” says BB Camp CEO required to show proof of vac- Children are fed delicious and ers stopped the Echo Mountain
Michelle Koplan. “Thanks to cination. Everyone must wear nutritious breakfasts, hot lunch- Complex Wildfire just blocks
our committed community and masks during the event when es and snacks as part of their away from camp. Since then,
many donors, we have been not eating or drinking. day camp experience and given BB Camp has provided free, de-
able to continue to do this im- The fundraiser will contrib- books to take home weekly as livered meals to evacuees from
portant work.” ute to BB Camp’s continued part of the BB Reads program. that wildfire.

CAMPUS CORPS (continued from page 1) Akiva on Campus to
become Olami Oregon
Akiva on Campus has served
help students create tangible next steps to partici- more than 1,000 University
pate in service around this issue. of Oregon students and young
“Last year, we had two interns – one at Univer- professionals with innovative
sity of Oregon and one at Oregon State Univer- programming, inspiring inter-
sity,” says Talia Leider, Oregon Hillel’s second national trips and community
year Springboard Social Justice Fellow at UO. nity. About 12 students gathered with one intern building over the past eight
“This year, we’re going to follow a different for- outside and made 300 sandwiches. Some were years. This has been made
mat, and we’re going to be piloting it just at the donated to nonprofit partners who regularly help possible by Olami – an organi-
University of Oregon. We are hoping for three feed Eugene’s growing houseless population. But zation that funds and nurtures
interns and will try to get them spread out across many students also walked around the communi- more than 300 similar chapters
different grade levels … (so) we can have differ- ty and engaged with people who are unhoused in 28 countries. Olami Oregon
ent points of view, different perspectives, differ- and offered them sandwiches. Talia says some will operate from the same
ent time commitments.” of the unhoused “just wanted to sit and have a premises with the same team.
Each of the three interns will lead a cohort to conversation and share their experiences with us. Programming and opportuni-
learn about and perform social justice with local It humanizes people in a beautiful way to actu- ties will increase to include
nonprofit partners. ally sit down and have a conversation and not more trips overseas with Olami
“A lot of internships don’t compensate students, just have it be a statistic or something you see as Explore; access to internation-
which creates marginalization between students you’re walking to class.” al career networks in business,
who can afford to engage in different activi- This year, Talia says they want to “learn from technology and health through
ties that they’re not being compensated for and the fact that our sandwich-making was really campus clubs including Ola-
students who really want to participate in this fantastic and, at the same time, there are so many mi JBiz, Olami JHealth and
programming, but they have to be working to more opportunities for different community feeds Olami JTech; and well-being
support their academic career,” says Talia. She that have already been established by nonprofits and mindfulness programming
notes that interns do receive support from Repair like Food for Lane County. So how do we join through Olami Connect.
the World, but she hopes to extend that. “We’re them in support and bring our students to them “We are very proud and hon-
hoping to provide stipends for our cohort partic- as opposed to separating our students and just ored to have been selected as
ipants.” having it be them alone doing a service activity?” one of the first chapters to carry
Talia and the interns will work to connect co- Oregon Hillel is now accepting applications for the Olami brand in Oregon,”
horts with local nonprofits doing service projects the internships from interested UO undergrads. says Rabbi Moshe Drukman.
that fit each cohort’s area of interest. Applications close Sept. 27. For more informa- For more information, contact
For instance, last year a favorite project was tion about the internship application, contact Rabbi Drukman at 404-532-
making sandwiches for the unhoused commu- Talia at [email protected]. 8763 or [email protected].

Jewish Review Sept. 15, 2021 5

COVID Corner PDX Biz explores

Telehealth & Pandemic
In the midst of chaos, there’s hope senting PDX Business events,
Entering its fifth year of pre-
the Mittleman Jewish Com-
BY JOANNA WENDEL WHAT ABOUT THE KIDS? munity Center plans to use a
We’re nearly two years into the COVID-19 Unfortunately, the story isn’t over for those who hybrid format. Some events,
pandemic, and the news seems pretty chaotic. can’t be vaccinated, especially kids younger than including its first program of
But despite the scary headlines, the future is not 12. The head of the National Institutes of Health, the year, will be only via Zoom,
without hope. Francis Collins, has said that emergency use au- while others will be both in per-
According to the Oregon Health Authority, Ore- thorization for COVID-19 vaccines for young kids son and on Zoom.
gon is now seeing more cases per day than the last may not happen until late in 2021, several months Up first at noon, Thursday,
large surge before vaccinations were released. For after school starts. Many parents are afraid for Sept. 30, is “Telehealth and the
instance, the highest number of cases in Oregon, their kids’ lives as Oregon maintains that school Pandemic: What is the future
pre-vaccines, was on Nov. 30, 2020. On that day, districts must return to in-person learning. of medicine?” Discussions will
OHA counted 1,712 cases. On Aug. 16, 2021, I’m not a parent, so I can’t possibly know the fear range from telehealth to medical
OHA recorded 2,600 cases. Hospitalizations and in parents’ minds, but I do want to offer some facts records, cybersecurity and more.
deaths have also been rising, while the average that will hopefully assuage some of those fears: Panelists will be Dr. Andy Bar-
age for cases and deaths is decreasing. the risk of death in children with COVID-19 is nett, Dr. Ariel Z. Salzman and
still low, even with the Delta variant. According to Dr. Mark Zeitzer. Dr. Barnett
VACCINATED VS. UNVACCINATED RISK OPB, the hospitalization rate among kids 10-19 is currently serves as a strategic
However, it’s important to remember that the just 0.8%, the lowest of any age group. consultant to Oregon Health &
populations of people being infected and hospi- Portland pediatrician Malaika Little said in an Science University for its Im-
talized have also changed in a dramatic way. The interview with OPB that “We have millions of mediate Care Services. He is the
vast majority of all cases, hospitalizations and kids at this point that have been tested for COVID. Senior Research Editor for the
deaths are among unvaccinated individuals. We have lots of experience with test-positive Journal of Urgent Care Medi-
We’ve entered a new age of COVID-19, with un- kids, and overall, it’s milder in children.” She is cine and is a frequent contributor
vaccinated and vaccinated groups facing entirely a single mother herself, with a 7-year-old starting to HIPPO Education's podcasts
different risk levels. According to a CDC report second grade this year. She said the most im- on Urgent Care. Dr. Salzman,
released in late August, unvaccinated people are portant thing is that schools take a multi-tiered DPT, OCS, CMPT, is the owner
five times more likely to be infected by COVID-19 approach to reducing transmission; children are of Move Strong Physical Thera-
and 29 times more likely to require hospitalization more likely to contract the disease from adults. py, located inside of the MJCC.
compared to vaccinated people. If you’re vacci- Portland Public Schools released its “Back To She enjoys treating members of
nated, you’re much less likely to become infect- School” guide for 2021, which includes a sum- the community as well as com-
ed, and if you do become infected, you’re much, mary of its approach to student safety. They’ll use petitive and professional ath-
much less likely to require hospitalization. a combination of vaccine mandates for all staff, letes. She also works at Pacific
Breakthrough cases are possible. Every week, physical distancing, newly installed air filters, University, teaching orthopedic
OHA releases a breakthrough case report detail- contact tracing and more to keep transmission low. techniques to physical therapy
ing how many people that week tested positive Reopening schools with a low COVID-19 trans- students. Dr. Zeitzer is the Med-
for COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated. mission is possible. For some hopeful reading, ical Director for Acute Care Ser-
Since they began releasing that weekly report, check out data scientist Elizabeth Ladyzhets’s vices at ZoomCare, a pioneering
breakthrough cases have hovered between 12 “Opening Profiles” on her COVID-19 Data Dis- health-care company based in
and 16 percent of the week’s total COVID-19 patch blog about schools that reopened and kept the Pacific Northwest. In his
cases. But the vast majority of these people do transmission low. role at ZoomCare, Dr. Zeitzer
not end up in the hospital and do not die. This The pandemic isn’t over, and it won’t be over engineers integrated behavioral
means the vaccines are working. anytime soon, but there is hope for the future. health, urgent, primary, tele-
Vaccination rates, which stagnated over the As more people get vaccinated, we creep closer medicine and specialty care ser-
summer, are again rising as more people realize toward the end. vices to coincide with advanced,
that they’re not safe from the Delta variant. Av- Find testing events at govstatus.egov.com/ chronic care models.
erage vaccination rates are up to 8,000+ per day, or-oha-covid-19-testing and vaccine sites and The cost of the program is free,
compared with 1,000-2,000 per day rates over events at getvaccinated.oregon.gov. but a donation of $18 is sug-
the summer. And now that the Pfizer and BioN- JoAnna Wendel is the lead communications gested. RSVP: oregonjcc.org/
Tech vaccine has received full FDA approval, consultant for the Congregation Neveh Shalom pdxbiz. For questions, contact
there’s hope that more vaccine-hesitant folks will COVID-19 Outreach and Services team funded Saul Korin at 503-452-3427 or
get the jab. by the Oregon Health Authority. [email protected].
JFCS requires all employees and volunteers receive COVID vaccine
Jewish Family & Child Ser- ployment and of volunteering. recommendations, and in some agency’s updated policy.
vice prioritizes its clients, JFCS provides counseling, cases requirements, of the U.S. “To take care of everyone in the
volunteers and staff members’ disability support services, Centers for Disease Control JFCS family, we must demon-
health and care. Due to the emergency aid and Holocaust and Prevention, the World strate best practices to support
highly transmissible Delta vari- survivor services to over 1,000 Health Organization, Oregon the greater community,” says
ant of the ongoing COVID-19 clients in greater Portland in ac- Health Authority and Oregon Executive Director Ruth Scott.
virus, JFCS has made receiving cordance with Jewish values. Governor Kate Brown. JFCS’ “In this time of the pandemic,
the vaccine a condition of em- JFCS is following the strong Board of Directors supports the this means getting vaccinated.”
6 Jewish Review Sept. 15, 2021

Donate restart kits for Afghans

Refugee families from Afghanistan are settling in Portland. The
Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education and the
Jewish Federation of Greater Portland are partnering with the Ref-
ugee Care Collective to collect restart kits for these new arrivals.
The Refugee Care Collective (refugeecarecollective.org) is a
nonprofit that mobilizes the city of Portland to come alongside
refugee families as they work to rebuild their lives. The collective
expects 300-400 Afghan arrivals over the next couple months.
A variety of kits are needed such as kitchen, bedding, personal care
and cleaning kits. Select a kit, go shopping for the listed items (they
need to be new), then place the items in a clear plastic tub that can
close and label the top of the container with the restart kit type.
“We are glad to be partnering with the Jewish Federation of Great-
er Portland on this worthy endeavor to provide essential items to
Afghan refugees, who have been forced to flee their homelands be-
cause of who they are,” says OJMCHE Director Judy Margles. “At
OJMCHE, our mission drives us to teach our audiences that we all
have a responsibility to one another, (and) that indifference, passivi-
ty and inaction can result in public disaster. Holocaust history, while
speaking to a specifically Jewish experience, also addresses broader,
universal issues of injustice and the dangers of denying people the
freedom to pursue a living and a livelihood free from oppression.”
When Jews from the former Soviet Union arrived in Portland in
the 1990s, Roz Babener launched an effort to collect household
items for the new arrivals. “It is our heritage,” says Roz of the
restart kits. “It is in our DNA. We are supporting people who are Allen Levin has reopened the Café at the J.
fleeing in the same way many of our grandparents fled and helping
You can drop off your kit at the Refugee Care Collective ware- Café at the J reopens
them be welcomed into a new community.”
house in Tigard (10160 SW Nimbus Ave., Suite F-3): noon-3 pm, The Café at the J has reopened with indoor and outdoor dining,
Sept. 18, Oct. 23 and Nov. 20. Or drop kits at OJMCHE (724 NW online and phone ordering, and curbside pickup all available.
Davis St.) 11 am-4 pm, Wednesday-Saturday until Nov. 19. “We are doing whatever we can so people will come in or pick
“Our tradition teaches us to always ‘welcome the stranger,’” says up from the comfort of their car,” says Allen Levin of Café at the
JFGP CEO and President Marc Blattner. “When Jews came to the J and Century Catering.
United States as immigrants and refugees, it was not always easy. During the pandemic, the café has been closed, but Allen kept
We should work to help these refugees as they begin their new kosher food options available with his Garbonzo’s Food Cart in
lives and make this difficult transition as easy as possible. I am the parking lot of the Mittleman Jewish Community Center. The
proud of our community’s role.” food cart’s final day was Sept. 5, with the Café at the J reopening
Survivors’ daughter to speak on family film the day after Rosh Hashanah, Sept. 9.
The Next Generations Group will host Yvonne Cohen, daughter The café opens at 8 am weekdays offering coffee, tea, bagels and
of Dutch Holocaust survivors, for a talk about the film, “Cohen snacks. From 10 am to 6:30 pm weekdays, the café offers Gar-
Legacy Family Film,” at 3-4 pm, Sunday, Sept. 19, via Zoom. bonzo’s menu, which features falafel pita and platters and a host
Those who register for the talk will receive a link to view the film of vegan options including eggplant, vegetarian kafta, portobel-
before the event if they choose. lo mushrooms and hummus. Allen says he won’t be going back
Yvonne was born in Rotterdam, Holland, and was inspired to write to the full café menu anytime soon, but he does plan to add tuna
a book about her parents, Izaak and Bertie Cohen, but because of melts, grilled cheese and pizzas, which were all popular items pre-
the vast collection of primary resources, she was encouraged to COVID. All are under the supervision of Oregon Kosher.
create the powerful legacy film instead. As a speaker, Yvonne has The café is open to everyone, though you do need to show ID if
addressed countless students and groups about discrimination in you enter the MJCC.
its many forms, drawing on her parents’ experience. Order online at garbonzos.square.site. You can also phone your
Family documents, letters, photos and other artifacts (her father order to 503-475-4875. Specify if you want curbside pickup.
being an impeccable collector of items and data, including creating
handmade puppets), and conversations with her parents and Gien Zoom anti-Semitism symposium set for teens
Dane, the woman who saved her parents, have allowed Yvonne High school students are invited to participate in the Antisem-
and her brother Tommy to reconstruct the story of their parents’ itism Symposium for Teens, sponsored by Lappin Foundation’s
life in Rotterdam before, during and after the Holocaust. Teen Antisemitism Task Force and the Jewish Teen Initiative. The
Their parents hid to survive, creating an amazing hidden life that free symposium will be facilitated by Dr. Noam Weissman at 4:30
included building a hideaway room and putting on puppet shows pm PT, Tuesdays, Oct. 12, 19 and 26, on Zoom.
for children, an extremely risky endeavor at the time. Their surviv- The interactive sessions are designed to deepen teens’ knowledge
al was made possible by the brave and righteous Dutch family they of anti-Semitism; develop skills and build confidence to respond
lived with in secrecy for more than 2½ years. to it; and identify resources to support students if they experience
On Sunday, Sept.19, Yvonne will speak about her family’s sur- anti-Semitism.
vival, how it impacted her and answer questions about the film. Register at LappinFoundation.org. For details, contact Sharon
To attend, email Sue Wendel at [email protected]. Wyner at 978-565-4450 or email [email protected].
Jewish Review Sept. 15, 2021 7

JFCS and JFGP Will Walk Beside You



BY JENN DIRECTOR KNUDSEN
Grief affects every part of our lives and GRIEF PROCESSING GROUP
can be a lonely road to travel. Due to the WALKING BESIDE YOU
ongoing pandemic, coping with grief has
been more isolating than at any time in re- WHEN: 3-4 pm, Oct, 7, 14, 21 & 28,
cent memory. and Nov. 4 & 11
To address individuals’ grief and shore WHERE: Zoom
up their ability to cope, Jewish Family &
Child Service created a grief-processing COST: JFCS requests a donation
group for adults over the course of six ses- for participation, however no one
sions (see box for dates, registration). Missy Fry Rabbi Barry Cohen will be turned away thanks to a
Walking Beside You is co-facilitated grant from the Jewish Federation of
by Missy Fry, LCSW, a JFCS behavior- as being with loved ones or participating in Greater Portland.
al health social worker and certified ad- traditional rituals.” INFORMATION: jfcs-portland.org/
vanced grief counseling specialist, and Walking Beside You provides a path walking-beside-you
Rabbi Barry Cohen, Jewish community through grief. For example, while the
chaplain of the greater Portland area. grieving process is individualized, a group REGISTRATION: Missy Fry, LCSW,
The sessions will take place online; group helps foster community and allows one to 503-226-7079, ext. 133 or
members will have the opportunity to share build connections – both antidotes to isola- [email protected]
their own experiences with grief, connect tion, Missy explains.
with others, learn about the grieving pro- She says the group’s name – Walking Be-
cess and explore strategies for moving side You – is very purposeful. tion that publishes studies and articles by
through loss. “We’re not going to cure grief, but we’re academic experts in numerous fields, to
In summer 2020, both Rabbi Cohen and going to accompany you so you are not underline the need for the grief-processing
Missy recognized the need for Walking alone during this experience,” she says. group, now.
Beside You, a debut program that could be Rabbi Cohen acknowledges that while an “Social distancing is different from so-
offered again as the need continues to grow. in-person group would be ideal, Zoom is a cial isolation, which leads to a sense of
Shortly after the start of the pandemic, necessary tool and has its advantages. disconnection from the community. …
Rabbi Cohen began noticing people feeling “It still amazes me how strong a connec- Socially isolated people have higher rates
increasingly emotionally untethered. tion one can make over Zoom, and that of not only dementia, but heart disease,
“Something is going on here that we need connection can be so powerful, even if only high blood pressure, depression, cognitive
to address,” says Rabbi Cohen, reflecting in 2-D,” he says. Plus the co-facilitators are decline and death,” writes a University of
on spring 2020 visits with the dying and aware that many people feel safer in an Virginia associate professor of medicine.
their loved ones, both within and outside online rather than a shared physical space, Missy believes Walking Beside You is
the Jewish community, in retirement facili- and meeting via a Zoom link mitigates bar- one of the only nonprofits offering a gen-
ties, in hospitals, in their homes. riers to traffic, transportation and parking. eralized grief-processing group, and it is
“The toll of isolation, concern about the Ultimately, Missy says, she and the rabbi not exclusive to members of the Jewish
unknown, pain over lost expectations and agreed the time for their grief-processing community.
plans left unfulfilled” have contributed to group is now. “We said, ‘Let’s not wait a The co-facilitators consider their role a
a number of challenges, including coping moment longer.’” privilege. “We get to be part of these really
skills when death enters the picture, he says. Statistics shore up their observations, both delicate moments,” Missy says.
Missy adds: “COVID-19 has impacted so real and anecdotal. For more about Walking Beside You and
much in our lives, including grief, which is Rabbi Cohen cites an article from the “The JFCS’ other programs and services, follow
a natural response to any kind of loss such Conversation,” a nonprofit news organiza- JFCS on Instagram and on Facebook.
History scholars, practitioners invited to apply for prize by Nov. 1

Early- and mid-career scholars and prac- can include researchers from a wide range in contemporary discourse at a time when
titioners who study the human past are in- of fields, including history, archaeology, political transformations underscore the
vited to apply for a $300,000 Dan David anthropology and art history, and also prac- importance of studying and remembering
Prize. Beginning in May 2022, the Prize titioners such as archivists, curators, public the past. The decision to shift the full Prize
will award up to nine $300,000 prizes each historians and documentary filmmakers. purse of $3 million to scholars of the past
year to early- and mid-career scholars and “We live in a world in which investment in comes at a challenging moment for the
practitioners around the world to recognize the humanities, particularly in the historical humanities. In addition to the nine prizes
outstanding achievements in the study of disciplines, is declining, even though we of $300,000 for individuals, the remaining
the human past and to support the winners’ know how important studying the past is $300,000 will go to establish a new inter-
future endeavors. for understanding the present and building national program for postdoctoral fellows
First established in 2001 by the late en- the future,” says Ariel David, board mem- who study the historical disciplines at Tel
trepreneur and philanthropist Dan David to ber of the Dan David Foundation and son Aviv University, where the foundation is
recognize achievements in the sciences and of the Prize founder. “For these reasons, we headquartered.
the humanities, the Prize will now cham- have decided to focus our resources on this Nominations for the new Prize are due
pion a spectrum of emerging and more field and help catalyze the next generation Nov. 1, 2021. Winners will be announced
established scholars of the past, active of scholars.” in early 2022. For the nomination process
within and beyond the academy. Winners The Prize aims to advance history’s place visit dandavidprize.org.
8 Jewish Review Sept. 15, 2021

Refugee families from Afghanistan will soon be settling in Portland.
Refugee Care Collective is coordinating Restart Kits for these new

arrivals and Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education
and the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland invite our community to
participate.


Would you like to create a Restart Kit to help these refugee families?


There are three upcoming dates to drop your kit off in Tigard.
Take your Restart Kits to Tigard Warehouse,
10160 SW Nimbus Ave, Suite F-3, 97223 on one of the following dates:

9/18 from 12-3 PM . 10/23 from 12-3 PM . 11/20 from 12-3 PM
If you cannot make one of those dates, please drop kits off at the Oregon
Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education during museum hours:
Wednesday-Saturday, 11am-4pm.



















Jewish Review Sept. 15, 2021 9

Security Corner



Now is the time to prepare



BY GENE MOSS
Since its inception in 2004 by A Partnership for Community Security
the Federal Emergency Man- In 2019, the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland collab-
agement Agency (FEMA), Na- orated with the Secure Community Network to implement a
Published biweekly by tional Preparedness Month has communal security program to ensure the continued safety
Jewish Federation of been observed each September and security of the Greater Portland Jewish community. The
Greater Portland with the intent of raising aware- partnership between JFGP and SCN ensures that Jewish or-
9900 SW Greenburg Road, ness about the importance of ganizations, communities, life and culture are safe, secure
Suite 220 preparing for emergencies. and able to flourish.
Tigard, OR 97223 In September and throughout The partnership has focused on developing a manageable
503-245-6219 the rest of the year, the Jewish and effective security framework for JFGP. This framework
JewishPortland.org Federation of Greater Portland enhances security through collaborative partnerships with lo-
recognizes the importance of cal, state and national public safety stakeholders. It assesses
Editor emergency preparedness in risks, measures vulnerabilities, defines community security
needs, and provides critical training, incident and crisis re-
limiting impacts and creating
Deborah Moon improved outcomes of inci- sponse. In addition, the partnership provides education pro-
[email protected] dents that affect the community. grams and fosters security awareness across the community.
503-892-7404 (message) As the JFGP’s Regional Secu- To design and implement this program, Gene Moss was
rity Director, I support and im- hired in May 2019 as the Regional Security Advisor to en-
Circulation plement this effort. Federation sure the local community could leverage SCN’s national
To receive the Jewish also recognizes that emergency resources and tools, as well as effectively coordinate with
Review in your email inbox, preparedness is a multi-faceted key partners. Gene brings more than 30 years of law en-
email your name and email effort. Highlighted below are forcement and security expertise to this role.
address to some of the activities that I Since the inception of the program, he has focused on estab-
[email protected] work on with Federation, local lishing a proactive security program covering more than 40 or-
Jewish community organiza- ganizations across the Federation’s catchment area and creat-
OPINIONS printed in the tions and public safety partners ing a “security culture” across our entire community.
Jewish Review do not to develop and implement a munity members build these
necessarily reflect those wholistic emergency prepared- skill sets by providing best
ness program.
of the Jewish Review PLANNING practice trainings developed
Committee, the Jewish The foundation of any emer- by the Secure Community Net-
Federation of Greater gency preparedness program is work. These trainings cover a
Portland, its governing planning. While organizations wide variety of topics, from ac-
board or the staffs of either cannot choose when or where tive threat response with Coun-
the newspaper or the an incident will occur, they can tering Active Threat Training to
Federation. be proactive by pre-identifying Stop the Bleed, which equips
courses of action that can be participants with the skills nec-
Upcoming implemented when responding essary to recognize and respond Gene Moss has served as
to life-threatening bleeding.
to an incident. I work with Fed-
the Director of Community
HIGH HOLIDAYS
issues eration leadership to develop PREPAREDNESS Security for our Jewish
emergency plans that address
community since May 2019.
Issue date Deadline not only incidents that directly The High Holidays are an
impact Federation facilities, but incredibly important time of
also those that impact commu- year for the Jewish community for target hardening and other
Sept. 30 Sept. 23 nity organizations. I also pro- and a time when community physical security enhancements
members should feel free to and activities to nonprofit orga-
(Thursday) vide support to community or- nizations that are at high risk
ganizations wishing to develop worship without fear. In an ef-
emergency plans such as Emer- fort to ensure this, I work with of terrorist attack. In FY2021,
Oct. 13 Oct. 7 gency Operations Plans and local congregations to develop I conducted assessments for 21
Crisis Communication Plans. special event security plans and Jewish organizations. The effort
Oct. 27 Oct. 21 TRAINING encourage community mem- resulted in more than $800,000
Training is another critical bers to attend the SCN High being allocated to enhance the
Nov. 10 Nov. 4 component of emergency pre- Holidays Safety & Security safety and security of seven
paredness. Training allows or- Webinar Series. Jewish organizations.
ganization members to develop NONPROFIT SECURITY For more information on
Submit news, photos and practice the skills necessary GRANT PROGRAM implementing emergency pre-
and obituaries to to prevent or limit the impacts Each year, FEMA offers the paredness efforts at your orga-
nization, contact me at gmoss@
of incidents in a low stress, no Nonprofit Security Grant Pro-
[email protected] fault environment. I help com- gram, which provides funding securecommunitynetwork.org.
10 Jewish Review Sept. 15, 2021

Rabbi's Corner



Walk with each other in new year



BY RABBI ARIEL STONE “I try not to hate anyone. To be sure, I
I admit it, I’m afraid of the
dark. The dark I’m afraid of fight them (Nazis) any way I can, and I
is the kind that our ancestors
used to associate with the pri- fight their evil. But hate only hurts me.”
meval forests of Europe. They ~ Les Aigner, z”l
were deep and pathless, thick
and disorienting. The darkness
within which we mark the In the morning you shall say, quiet garden full of light and
New Year of 5782 is caused “If only it were evening!” and warmth and hope.
by a vast, fearful and growing in the evening you shall say, “If Rosh Hashanah, curiously, is a
expanse of human cruelty, in- only it were morning!” – be- holy day of darkness. In Psalm
competence and stupidity. It is cause of what your heart shall 81.4, we read tik’u bahodesh Rabbi Ariel Stone, the longest
a darkness caused by human dread and your eyes shall see. shofar bakeseh l’yom hageynu, serving congregational rabbi
greed, arrogance and fear. (Devarim 28.67-68) “sound the shofar at the cov- in Portland, is privileged to
As I write this, we have en- “Lo ta’amin b’khayekha” – ering of our holy day.” This support the emergence of
dured 542 days of pandemic. you will not have faith in your “covering” is of the light of the 21st century Judaism with
White supremacist reactions life. For 200 years, the West- moon, invisible to us at the new Shir Tikvah in the Commons,
to portents of social change ern world has encouraged us month. TischPDX and the Clergy
exacerbate endemic racism; to believe that we should “go What, then, brings us light Leadership Incubator.
national and local governments it alone” and be “individuals” during this dark time?
seem hardly up to the challenge who make our own way in the Just a few weeks ago, I was for the wandering of Abraham:
of deferred moral maintenance; world. Yet as social psycholo- privileged to accompany to To what may Abraham be
the recent Supreme Court sup- gy teaches, the self is not de- the grave Les Aigner, z”l, compared? To a king’s friend
port of Texas’ criminalization signed to carry its own weight. the last living Auschwitz who saw the king walking in
of abortion after six weeks of How are we to have faith in the survivor residing in Oregon. a dark alleyway. The friend
pregnancy deliberately tears individual, as unpredictably Les survived a darkness that began to show the king a light
down protections for all of us and unfathomably callous as swallowed the light of mil- through the window. The king
who have a uterus and use it; some are? lions. Les used to speak about looked up and saw the friend
wildfires, hurricanes, flooding Our Jewish tradition is decid- his survival of the Holocaust and said, “come, and light the
and extreme heat and cold all edly not individualistic. The in schools, and once he was way for me.” (Bereshit Rabbah
mock the “once in a hundred common wisdom of our people asked if he hated Nazis. “I 30.10)
years” description. is that we are and must be in re- try not to hate anyone,” he No great power will gift us
Like the wildfire smoke that lationship with others. The only answered. “To be sure, I fight from on high with the relief of
appears in the distance and question left is how we are in them any way I can, and I light we need so badly. That
turns the sky into a hellscape, that relationship? How will we fight their evil. But hate only power comes from us ourselves,
everywhere we look we see treat the other? Jewish tradition hurts me.” and our way forward will be lit
the encroaching darkness of urges us to see we must stand The Zohar tells us that what by us, sharing the little light we
fear and uncertainty. We find together and relieve each oth- illuminates the darkness of this have with one another.
ourselves living in a time of er’s fearful isolation. holy time is the act of turning, We don’t know where we
Biblical plagues – and Bib- If life is a journey, then it is in each of us to each other, and in are going or whether we will
lical curses. The Torah de- the very nature of life that we so doing, to HaShem. Turning be OK. The lesson we need
scribed the anxiety we suffer must make our way through toward others, as Les showed to learn, the lesson that Les
in ancient terms that are too the darkness of an untracked us by his gentle, courteous, Aigner taught by the way he
terribly relevant: wilderness. But this is no joyful beautiful life, is the only way lived every day of his life, is
The life you face shall be pre- voyage of discovery; the fear is to dispel the darkness of human this: shine the light you have;
carious; you shall be in terror, paralyzing, and the darkness is hatred and callousness. share it at every opportunity.
night and day, with no assur- deep. We have no guarantees In this turning toward what With kindness be profligate; be
ance of survival. that we will emerge into some ultimately matters, we see that superfluous; be the biggest of
light is a quality of the heart. spenders. Whatever joy we will
Kindness is the light we need. find in life, taught Rabbi Abra-
Rabbi's Corner In the great insight of the Jew- ham Joshua Heschel, is the joy
The Jewish Review offers space for a Rabbi's ish mystics, this light is not we help others to find.
Corner each issue. Our community's rabbis are something that will be gifted Wherever we are going – and
to us out of nowhere. There whether we are going to get
invited to share their thoughts on the week's parsha is within each of us a light of there – does not matter nearly
or current events. For more information or to holiness that the world needs as much as whether we will
schedule a column, email [email protected]. desperately. It’s the reason giv- kindly, gently and thoughtfully
en by the rabbis of the Talmud walk with each other.
Jewish Review Sept. 15, 2021 11

Jobs board Obituaries thusiastic supporter of Demo- and made it his project to be-
Gerald was an active and en-
come skilled at baking anything
cratic party politics, serving as and everything with blueberries
Submit job openings to: GERALD COGAN campaign manager for several – muffins, pies and more.
[email protected] Gerald Cogan, z”l, a long-time Democratic candidates. He In lieu of flowers, donations in
resident of Portland, passed also represented Oregon on the his honor may be made to the
CAMP SOLOMON away on Sept. 10, 2021, about Democratic National Commit- ACLU Foundation of Oregon,
SCHECHTER one month shy of his 92nd tee for eight years and attend- or Emily’s List.
Camp Solomon Schechter is birthday. Gerry is survived by ed three Democratic National SANDY WEINSTEIN
Conventions. He was a member
a 67-year old Jewish overnight his children, Laurie, Deborah, of an organization called The Sandy (Sanford) Weinstein,
camp on a 175-acre wooded Marjorie and Daniel Cogan; his Campaigners, with whom he z”l, passed away Sept. 6, 2021,
facility an hour south of Seattle siblings, Arnold Cogan, Carol wrote and performed in satirical at age 70. He was the husband
with winter offices in Seattle. Koranda and Judy Ross; and comedy songs and sketches put of Elaine Weinstein; father of
Associate Summer two grandchildren, Cory Hoff- on to raise funds for Democrat- Jerry (Bhing), Marty and Ro-
man and Emma Cogan.
Camp Director Gerald Lee Cogan was born ic causes. He was also a strong berta Weinstein; grandfather of
Full time with benefits (vision, on Oct. 7, 1929, the third of supporter of the creation of Em- David Weinstein; and uncle of
dental, health, sick and vaca- six children of Anne and Da- ily’s List, which raises funds for Penny Lewis, Alison Phillips
tion). Salary is competitive/ vid Cogan of Bath, Maine. women in the Democratic Party and Karen Page.
commensurate with experience The family belonged to Beth who are running for office. Donations in Sandy’s memo-
and other qualifications. Israel Congregation where He contributed to the commu- ry may be made to the Oregon
Camp Solomon Schechter Gerald became a bar mitzvah. nity in numerous other ways. Jewish Museum & Center for
is seeking an energetic and Gerald graduated from Morse He was a leader in the suc- Holocaust Education, Congre-
self-motivated camp profes- High School in 1946 and then cessful campaign to fluoridate gation Beth Israel and the Ore-
sional for the Associate Sum- attended Bowdoin College in the water in Portland to reduce gon Food Bank.
mer Camp Director position. Brunswick, Maine, for two tooth decay. He practiced pro Congregation Beth Israel
The person should be interest- years and continued his studies bono dentistry in low-income sends condolences to the entire
ed in quickly moving into the at the University of Portland communities. He was active Weinstein family.
Summer Camp Director role after the whole family moved in the Portland City Club. He
within a year once they get to to Portland, Ore., in 1948. He served as president of his syn- EDWARD ANCHEL
know CSS and demonstrate a went on to pursue a career in agogue, Congregation Neveh Edward Anchel (Yisrael ben
love of Jewish summer camp dentistry, receiving his DMD Shalom, for two years (1974- Yona), z”l, passed away the
and all it has to offer. This posi- from OHSU School of Dentist- 76). He was an early opponent evening of Aug. 30 in Naples,
tion will report to the Executive ry in 1953. He married Zadell of the Vietnam War and partici- Fla. He is loved and remem-
Director and will help him en- Joy Myerson in 1952. In 1953, pated in several protests. bered by his sons, Congregation
sure the mission and vision of he joined the army and served Gerald had a great apprecia- Neveh Shalom member David
the summer camp program, as as an army dentist in Texas and tion of the English language. (Debra) Anchel, and Michael
defined by the Board of Direc- Maryland. He enjoyed writing and tried Anchel; daughter, Jennifer
tors, is successfully achieved. After his army service, Ger- his hand at writing plays and Lightner; and granddaughter,
Core responsibilities include ald returned to Portland and screenplays. He has been writ- Keryn Anchel.
year-round leadership, admin- started a dental practice with ing a book exploring the sig- Congregation Neveh Shalom
istration and oversight of the Dr. Duane Paulson. Dr. Eugene nificance of the Preamble to extends our deepest condo-
summer camp program oper- Skourtes later joined the prac- the U.S. Constitution. In earlier lences to the extended Anchel
ations; camper retention and tice. In 1970, the three dentists years, he acted in several plays family.
recruitment; summer camp founded Willamette Dental in Portland theater venues. He
staff recruitment, training and Group. Gerald was a pioneer also competed in the State of (LELAND) LEE HERSH
supervision; program devel- in creating dental plans that Oregon Senior Spelling Bee (Leland) Lee Hersh, z”l,
opment; summer camp budget emphasized preventive care, and won first place in 2000. passed away on Aug. 29 in Los
development and monitoring which was a departure from the He loved Oregon’s outdoors Angeles, Calif., at the age of
in conjunction with the Exec- traditional fee-for-service mod- and often took his children on 83. Lee is loved and remem-
utive Director and Director of el of care. The first freestanding hikes in nearby Macleay Park bered by his younger sister,
Operations; and summer camp Willamette Dental clinic was and greater Portland area parks Congregation Neveh Shalom
marketing and public relations built on Jefferson Street in Port- such as Eagle Creek, as well as member Hilarie (Joel) Wasser-
management in conjunction land and opened in 1976. The cross-country skiing on Mount man; his treasured wife of 62
with the Executive Director and practice expanded to the large Hood. He spent vacations with years, Betty; sons Marc, Ross
Director of Development. clinic system it is today, with his family at Rockaway Beach and Loren; six grandchildren;
Camp Solomon Schechter more than 50 clinics in multiple and Crescent Lake and looked brother, Robert Hersh; and sev-
also still seeks a full-time states. forward to the many fly-fishing eral nieces and nephews.
Development Director. Gerald was part of a large ex- trips he took over the years. Congregation Neveh Shalom
For details and instructions tended family on both east and As a sports fan, Gerald en- extends our deepest condolenc-
on how to apply for either po- west coasts, and together with joyed taking his children to see es to the extended Hersh family.
sition, visit campschechter.org/ Zadell raised four children in the Portland Beavers, Bucka-
about/employment/. their house in northwest Port- roos and Trailblazers. He was a SUBMISSIONS
For questions, contact CSS land: Laurie Cogan, Deborah lover of opera, Broadway musi-
Director of Operations Jef Nob- Cogan, Marjorie Cogan and cals and comedy. Submit obituaries to:
be, [email protected] Daniel Cogan. Gerald also loved blueberries [email protected].
12 Jewish Review Sept. 15, 2021