(NOTE: In future issues, this space will be available for community leaders and others to share views on issues affecting our community. For this first issue of the Jewish Review, as editor I am sharing my views on the need for this community publication.)

BY DEBORAH MOON
Jewish Review Editor

For the past 27 years, I have attended, written about and photographed events and programs in Oregon’s Jewish community. During that time, I have gotten to know so many wonderful people who have made this a vibrant, welcoming community. I am delighted to be able to again provide news for the Greater Portland Jewish community and beyond.
When the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland suspended publication of the Jewish Review after the Jan. 1, 2012, issue, many in the community were upset at the loss of the biweekly newspaper. I served as city editor of that newspaper from 1992 until the final issue.
The rebooted Jewish Review will address important issues and report on the activities of local Jewish organizations, programs and individuals. Beyond local news, this e-newsletter will provide local agencies and synagogues the opportunity to share their programs and events with community members beyond their core memberships.
Over the past eight years, I have heard from so many people who missed the newspaper. I can’t tell you how many people lamented no longer seeing announcements of births, deaths and all the life-cycle events in between. So of course, obituaries and other life-cycle announcements are making a return. I’ll keep both of those updated on our website as I receive them, so visit    jewishportland.org/obituaries or jewishportland.org/lifecycle to see current announcements.
The Federation has committed to a six-month trial to see if and how the Jewish Review can fill the niche. During this six-month trial, please be sure to let us know how we can make the Review best serve the community. Do you like the printable option? Is clicking on individual articles your thing? Do you check the website between issues for updates? Community members, please open the e-newsletter and click on links to articles or the printable version. Synagogues and organizations, please be sure to send us your news, enter your events on the Community Calendar and let us know how we can help. Also, please email me, at editor@jewishportland.org, or Jewish Federation CEO and President Marc N. Blattner at marc@jewishportland.org and let us know what you think of the rebooted Jewish Review.
By the way, this first issue may be a bit longer than most – we had a lot of news to catch up on! And please bear with us for the next two issues:

so the first issue in April will go out a day later than usual – on Thursday, April 2.