This past week, Lois Schnitzer (z”l) passed away. Lois was a kind and generous philanthropist and unassuming community leader. She was an incredible supporter of the Jewish Federation, including being one of the founders of our Lion of Judah program (women who contribute $5,000 or more annually). Moreover, Lois was generous to our entire Portland Jewish community as she helped launch the PJ Library program and provided major support to dozens of organizations through the Leonard and Lois Schnitzer Supporting Foundation of the OJCF.

One thing most evident was her deep love and care for family, especially her six daughters. As one said to me, “Family is like the spokes on a bicycle wheel. Each is connected and each is important. Respect, kindness, and love were ingrained in us.” I admire that!

Baruch Dayan HaEmet. May Lois’s memory be for a blessing and her family comforted among the mourners of Zion.

I hope everyone is enjoying the Purim holiday. Interestingly, if you live in Jerusalem, which normally marks Purim a day later than everywhere else, known as Shushan Purim, you will celebrate a “triple Purim.”

All over the world, Purim is celebrated on the 14^th of the Jewish month of Adar. However, cities surrounded by a wall at the time of Esther (5^th century BCE) mark the holiday a day later. This custom commemorates how the Jews of Shushan, the capital of the Persian Empire where the Purim story is set, fought their enemies for an extra day. This year, the 15^th of Adar falls on a Saturday, but we do not read the megillah on Shabbat.

Therefore, while usually the Jews of Jerusalem — the only city where Shushan Purim is observed in modern times — hear the megillah 24 hours later than the rest of the Jewish world, this year they will wait to mark Shushan Purim on Sunday. This last happened in 2021, but will not happen again for another 20 years.

This week is the launch of the World Zionist Congress elections, which continue through May 4. You can cast your vote for one of the many slates representing diverse political beliefs, religious denominations, and cultural traditions. The 152 delegates elected from the United States will join hundreds from Israel and around the Jewish world in October at the 39^th World Zionist Congress, the international “parliament of the Jewish people.” There, the delegates will make decisions and set policies regarding key institutions that support global Jewish life and which allocate over $1 billion annually to support Israel and world Jewry. These include the World Zionist Organization, Jewish Agency for Israel, and the Jewish National Fund in Israel. With more slates and candidates than ever before, American Jews have a rare opportunity to make a direct impact on the future direction of Israel and diaspora affairs.

Here is a short video explaining the elections. You can read this article and this article, which each provide more details.

Voting is a simple online process that takes five minutes and costs $5.00 for administrative fees. Any American Jew (by self-identification, while not identifying as a member of another religion) 18+ can vote in the election. Voting is the most powerful opportunity to have your voice heard in Israel, make an impact in Jewish communities worldwide, and stand up for Zionism. Vote here!

In the last election held in 2020 only 120,000 American Jews voted. This means less than 2% of American Jews made their voices heard. This is a real opportunity for Jews of all beliefs, thoughts, backgrounds to ensure their voices are heard in Israel and across the Jewish world to influence the future of the Jewish people. I hope you will vote.

On to lots of community news:

In two short weeks, we are 91% of the way to meeting our goal of $15,000 for Passover4All – a special initiative to provide 150 local families with food to make their own seder. Every contribution makes a difference – please donate here.

Many of you may have seen the flooding in Bahia Blanca, Argentina. The storm destroyed homes, roads, and key infrastructure and over a dozen people have died to date. Bahia Blanca is home to about 500 Jewish families. You may not realize that our annual campaign is helping these families. The community is part of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee’s (JDC) Kidum network in Argentina, a consortium of 14 peripheral communities that receive funding for services from Portland.

Immediately, JDC social workers were in touch with clients in the city to determine their needs. The JDC, in cooperation with other Jewish groups, quickly provided essential necessities such as food, medication, personal hygiene, and cleaning supplies and will support temporary accommodation for families that had to evacuate from their homes. You can learn more here.

The Jewish Federation is partnering with Moving Traditions and Jewish Family and Child Service to focus on teen mental health. Join us on Tuesday, March 18 for a webinar focused on Promoting Well-being in the Digital Lives of Jewish Teens. Gain expert insights on mental health, managing stress, building resilience, and supporting your teen’s growth. Register here for the zoom link.

The new movie, October 8, offers a look at the explosion of antisemitism on college campuses, social media, and in the streets of America starting the day after the October 7^th attacks by Hamas. The film uncovers how Hamas created sophisticated networks in America to permeate U.S. institutions and examines the wave of online antisemitism and misinformation. There will be a special showing at Congregation Neveh Shalom (co-sponsored by JNF-USA and StandWithUS) on April 2. It is also now showing at the Regal Fox Tower cinema until March 19. You can watch the trailer here.

Another movie of interest is the release of Centered: Joe Lieberman, which brings to life the remarkable journey of Senator Lieberman who made history as the first Jewish Vice-Presidential candidate. The documentary is playing at Regal Bridgeport Village in Tigard next Tuesday and Wednesday. You can watch the trailer here.

Finally, I know you have all been waiting to hear the results of last week's poll. Thank you to the 371 people who shared their favorite cereal. The winners – Rice Krispies and Captain Crunch, however several overly healthy cereals were high on the list. I appreciate people sharing – especially those who agreed with me -- no milk in cereal.

Shabbat shalom.