Explore the virtual world

PHOTO: Kim Schneiderman wil be one of the musicians on PJ Library Havdalah-la-la.

The dark winter months in Portland are always a tough time for so many of us, and the social isolation will compound things. Many organizations have created wonderful virtual programs since the pandemic began. During the summer you may not have felt the need to partake, but with winter's arrival, maybe it's time to explore the virtual world. Below are some events  resources. 
But we need your help to share more online resources in a future issue: 
ORGANIZATIONS: What online programs, resources do you offer?
INDIVIDUALS: What online resources do you enjoy?
SEND TO: editor@jewishportland.org. (Include a link or website.)

Solomonov returns for free Chanukah cooking demo

Three-time James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Solomonov returns for a virtual Chanukah Cooking Demonstration Dec. 2, 5 pm, on Vimeo.
On Sept. 14, the chef cooked, joked and entertained thousands who Zoomed into the Sept. 14 Rosh Hashanah cooking program organized by Portland’s Federation and cosponsored by 32 Federations nationally. 
The event was so popular, Solomonov will return for another holiday class. The chef will teach attendees to make Apple Shrub, Abe Fisher’s Potato Latkes, Roman Artichokes with Arugula and Olive Oil, Poached Salmon, and Sfenj with Cinnamon and Sugar. Solomonov is the executive chef and co-owner of Zahav, the 2019 James Beard Foundation award winner for Outstanding Restaurant. He will dazzle in this virtual cooking event. The free program is a Chanukah gift to you from the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. Password, recipes and ingredient list will be sent to all who register at jewishportland.org/solomonov.

PJ Library hosts virtual Pacific NW Havdalah-la-la 

PJ Library invites kids of all ages to join friends from across the Pacific Northwest at 5:30 pm, Nov. 14, on Zoom to bid farewell to Shabbat and welcome the new week. Havdalah-la-la, a musical singalong, will feature popular PJ Library musicians including Portland’s Kim Schneiderman. 
“She started and ran Yad B’Yad, our wonderful intergenerational program at Cedar Sinai Park, for the last several years,” says Rachel Nelson, who oversees Portland’s PJ Library program. Kim also shares music at B’nai B’rith Camp and is the music specialist at Portland Jewish Academy.
The singalong also features popular PJ Library musicians Josh Niehaus and Monika Schwartzman. Rabbi Tamar Malino of Spokane will discuss the special place of Havdalah in Jewish tradition.
For registration and more information, visit jewishportland.org/pjhavdalah.

Tour campuses virtually with Hillel College Fair

With traditional college visits limited and in some cases cancelled altogether this year, Hillel recognizes that the college search process is more difficult than ever.
That’s why Hillel created the first-ever virtual Hillel College Fair Nov. 22-24, 2020, to give Jewish high school students and their families the chance to meet students and staff from nearly 200 campuses. 
The Hillel College Fair is a completely online event, and is free for anyone who wants to learn about Jewish college life.
Meet with current students and Hillel staff from schools that you’re considering and ask the questions that matter most to you. Join a session with an admissions counselor to get tips on your application. Learn about scholarships. If you are considering taking a gap year, hear from Masa Israel Journey about their programs. Create your own itinerary and attend as many info sessions as you like for free.
Sign up at welcome.hillel.org/virtual-college-fair/

OneTable sets Vegan Shabbat Friendsgiving
OneTable, an organization created to bring young adults together for Shabbat dinner, has broadened its outreach during the pandemic to include virtual holiday gatherings and resources. At 2 pm, Nov. 13, OneTable presents a pre-Thanksgiving program for vegans. 
Can it still be Thanksgiving if you eat Tofurkey instead of turkey? If your mashed potatoes have almond milk instead of cow’s milk? The answer is, of course, yes. Join OneTable for a panel discussion with Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz (founder and CEO, SHAMAYIM: Jewish Animal Advocacy), Sara Eifler, program director at Jewish Veg, and Laura Williams (@veganjewishbaker) for a moderated discussion about vegan recipes for Thanksgiving. The discussion will feature how to talk to your friends about what is acceptable in your home, Jewish teachings about vegetarianism/veganism, and how we reconcile all the “meat stuff” found in the Torah and elsewhere in our tradition. 
RSVP at onetable.org.

Portland Jewish Academy Auction is Dec. 6

Portland Jewish Academy’s annual auction is going VIRTUAL this year. Wear your favorite hat and join the virtual fun at 5:30 pm, Dec. 6, with the theme Hats Off to PJA! 
RSVP is free. All are welcome. After you RSVP, you’ll receive an email to set up your bidding account. Click the link that says “Start Bidding” to set up your account. Bidding opens on Dec. 2. 
The online event will also feature a virtual costume contest and auction raffle.
Pre-ordered meals ($40/each) can be picked up on auction day. Century Catering offers brisket, chicken, salmon or stuffed portobella mushroom with sides and choice of dessert.
The annual auction benefits the scholarship fund and provides essential operating support. 
For more information, reservations and meal orders, visit pjaproud.org/auction.

PDXBIZ lunchtime series presents Business of Cannabis Nov. 19

PThe Mittleman Jewish Community Center’s #PDXBIZ Business Series presents The Business of Cannabis at noon, Thursday, Nov. 19, on Zoom. Panelists are Jeanette Ward Horton, Jeff Mazer and Geoff Sugerman.
Jeanette co-founded NuLeaf Project, a Portland nonprofit that works to address the hurdles that people of color face when entering the cannabis industry. Portland is the first U.S. municipality to invest tax revenue from the legalized cannabis industry into the communities most negatively impacted by cannabis criminalization. NuLeaf Project is funded in part by this historic initiative to rebalance the detrimental economic impacts of the war on drugs.
Jeff is the CFO of Wyld, the largest cannabis edibles company in the country. Jeff has more than 30 years of experience in financial management, strategic analysis, capital market transactions, and corporate and business law. Jeff is a returnee to the series; previously he was a presenter for the PDXBIZ programs on Smart Cities and blockchain technology.
Geoff ran the campaign to pass Oregon’s Medical Marijuana Act in 1998 and served on advisory committees to set up the program. In 2013, he wrote legislation to regulate and license medical dispensaries, paving the way for legalization. As lobbyist for the Oregon Cannabis Association, he’s been involved in laws and rules developed to implement the industry. Now he is chief compliance officer for GW, a vertically integrated cannabis company holding 30 licenses in Oregon and California. He serves on the board of the NuLeaf Project. 
Created four years ago as an in-person business breakfast, the series has transitioned to a lunchtime Zoom program on the third Thursday of each month. Events are free with a requested donation of $18. Sponsorships are available. For more information, contact Saul Korin at 503-452-3427  or skorin@oregonjcc.org. Register at oregonjcc.org/pdxbiz.

 Next Generations to host Rob Aigner
Rob Aigner, the son of Portland Holocaust survivors Les and Eva Aigner, will speak at the Next Generations virtual get-together 4 to 5 pm, Nov. 19. The community is invited to hear Rob discuss how his second-generation perspective has changed over time, what keeps him energized, and how to keep the stories and important lessons of the Holocaust alive and relevant now and into the future.
Rob lives in Los Angeles and works in the real estate industry. He is a certified trainer and coach for real estate professionals. In addition to sharing his family story, Rob produces a podcast called Clear Choices that features conversations with ordinary people who have overcome extraordinary challenges.  
Rob holds a degree in journalism from the University of Oregon and completed graduate work in psychology at New York University. 
The Next Generations Group, formed in 2011, comprises descendants of Holocaust survivors and refugees and includes survivors, refugees and other supporters impacted by the Holocaust who want to keep the stories and lessons alive and relevant. The group meets (mostly online now) for social, educational and service projects. Sue Wendel and Diana Lindemann are co-coordinators. To attend the get-together and receive a Zoom link, please email Sue at suemwendel@gmail.com.

PJA sets virtual open houses Nov. 18 & Dec. 8
Portland Jewish Academy wants to help families considering PJA for their children’s schooling learn about the school. Although the admission office has gone virtual this year, two open houses are planned so families can get to know the community day school. 
The Lower School Open House (kindergarten through fifth grade) will be at 6 pm, Nov. 18. The Middle School Open House (sixth to eighth grade) will be at 6 pm, Dec. 8.
For more information or to register for one of the virtual programs, visit pjaproud.org/admission.

MORE VIRTUAL OPTIONS

LOCAL ONLINE EVENTS

Many organizations and congregations have online cultural, educational and social programs. Find contact information: jewishportland.org/community-directory
Community calendar for all Jewish events:
jewishportland.org/community-calendar/online-events
Mittleman Jewish Community Center:
oregonjcc.org/at-home-programs/at-home-resources
Congregation Neveh Shalom streams services: 
nevehshalom.org/virtual-services/
Congregation Beth Israel streams services: 
bethisrael-pdx.org/worship/watch-services-live/
Congregation Shaarie Torah streams services:
shaarietorah.org/streamingservices/
Congregation Kesser Israel holds online classes/events:
kesserisrael.org/events
NATIONAL ONLINE RESOURCES
Jewish Together: Virtual resource from the Jewish Federations of North America: jewishtogether.org
OneTable for young adults: onetable.org
Hillel International has Hillel@Home: welcome.hillel.org/hillelathome/
PJ Library: pjlibrary.org/familyactivities

 

 

 

 

 

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