Posts by Rockne Roll

Preschool Educators Day brings deep dives to CBI

More than 90 early childhood educators and administrators gathered at The Jennifer Barnum Luria Early Childhood Center at Congregation Beth Israel for the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland's Third Annual Preschool Educators Day of Learning Wednesday, Aug. 20. Attendees heard a keynote ab…

Local leaders see French Jewry up close

Summer is the time for many activities – gardening, baseball, and the Jewish Federations of North America’s campaign leadership mission.

Wendy Kahn, the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland’s Chief Development Officer, and Jack Birnbach, the co-chair of the annual campaign, were prep…

Mother's goes grand with Bubbie's Deli menu

Jewish foodies rejoice – Portland once again has Jewish deli fare.

Bubbie’s Deli, a pop-up within Mother’s Bistro downtown, has rolled out a menu of deli favorites to fill the void that owner Lisa Schroeder saw and felt compelled to address.

I, too, have felt the lack,” Schroeder s…

Dignity Grows kicks off in Vancouver Aug. 17

Dignity Grows, the project of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland’s Women’s Philanthropy devoted to providing menstrual and basic hygiene supplies to those who need them most, is gearing up for a new year of new opportunities for volunteers.

Kicking off with a volunteer social in …

Rabbi Goldstein joins Shir Tikvah from Gonzaga

Rabbi Elizabeth Goldstein has been searching for the right pulpit for quite a while.

“I’ve had a lifelong dream to find the right congregation and to really serve like a multi-generational community,” she said, “and to take the skills from my teaching and to be more engaged in Torah…

CYP's Summer Festival is Aug. 20 in NW PDX

Back after a year’s absence, Portland’s Jewish Summer Festival returns with a new location and a new format but with the same long-held goal.

“The whole idea is that we’re celebrating life. We’re celebrating Jewish life, Jewish culture,” Sheina Posner with Chabad Young Professio…

Pride on Parade this weekend

The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland is marching in Portland’s Pride Parade this year – this time, there’s a pre-party!

Federation, along with A Wider Bridge, is sponsoring the pre-parade gathering Sunday, July 20 from 9:30-11:30 am.

“We’re excited for our LGBTQ+ community t…

Docu-series on Aigners moves toward launch

Many in Oregon know the stories of Eva Aigner and Leslie Aigner, z”l. Now an effort is underway to bring their story to a much wider audience.

“Plight” is the title of a documentary series being developed by their son, Rob Aigner, and Diane Harris, with a first season, “Love and the…

Keinon covers latest following Israel-Iran war

“I often wondered what it was like to be here during the Six Day War,” Herb Keinon, a senior contributing editor at The Jerusalem Post, explained to a webinar audience Thursday, July 10. “I think that to a certain extent, what it felt like during the Iranian operation gives you a sense…

OJCF unveils new brand at annual meeting

The Oregon Jewish Community Foundation had plenty to share at its annual meeting at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center Monday, June 16; A slate of new board members, new members of its executive committee and the induction of Robert and Ann Sacks into the Julie Diamond, z”l, Legacy…

Janove plays with a purpose at local facilities

Marjorie Janove has played piano with Joseph Silverstein and the Utah Symphony Orchestra. Today, she frequently plays for different audiences. “I really feel committed to bringing music to shut-ins, to people who otherwise wouldn’t have it or people who are either immobile altogether…

Comfort's marriage memoir stresses empathy

Dr. Bonnie Comfort knows a thing or two about being married.

Comfort, a Portland-based psychologist, has been practicing marriage therapy for more than 30 years. She was also married for 33 years – a marriage that weathered many storms and only ended with her husband’s passing. Those st…

Rohr's 'sincere care, enthusiasm' honored

For Sarah Rohr, her work has always come from her desire to connect with Jewish community. It’s a connection she’s built in a variety of ways, and one she’s now being recognized for by her community. Rohr, the outgoing Youth Empowerment Specialist at Congregation Neveh Shalom and…

Cohen, Zeitzer win Sussman-Shenker scholarships

Anouk Cohen and Noah Zeitzer were announced as the winners of the 2025 Sussman-Shenker Scholarship at the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland’s Annual Meeting Thursday, June 12. “Our two recipients this year not only excel academically, but both of them participated in numerous…

'...To listen to the people' - Federation group visits Israel

They had all visited before. When and how many times they had come before varied. For Kyle Mezrahi, it was his fourth trip. Carolyn Weinstein recalled that Laurie Rogoway guessed it was her 25th visit. But something called to all 13 people on the Jewish Federation of Greater…