The Columbus Jewish News reported that in October, Jeff and Meagan Buren collected and transported more than 2,200 pounds of non-military items for adult children of Columbus families who serve or have been called up to serve in the Israel Defense Forces for the Israel-Hamas war. The Burens also coordinated packing events across Columbus. Jeff, who was raised in Dayton, drove to Miami, stopping in Fort Lauderdale to pick up more items from cousins who couldn’t meet the delivery deadline. He then flew on El Al from Miami to Israel with the supplies in 35 carry-on bags.

Rabbi Jack Riemer has written a new book with Rabbi Elie Spitz, Duets on Psalms: Drawing New Meaning From Ancient Words, published by Ben Yehuda Press. It’s a deep exploration of the Psalms, with contemporary translations. Rabbi Riemer served Dayton’s Beth Abraham Synagogue from 1964 to 1978.

In November, Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton CEO Cathy Gardner was elected to a two-year term as chair of Small Cities Jewish Federation Executives. She’ll oversee its institute for learning. Currently, 65 Jewish Federations comprise the small city group out of the 146 Jewish Federations across North America.

As part of New and Olde Pages Bookshoppe’s Holiday Story Time at 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 1, Rachel Estep will read The Hanukkah Hamster by Michelle Markel. Rachel works at the Englewood store. Milk and cookies will be provided too.

Joshua M. Harris, son of Garrison and Staci Harris (Jennings) of Tampa, Fla. and grandson of the late Lisa Jennings, will become a Bar Mitzvah on Dec. 15. Joshua will be called to the Torah during Shabbat morning services at Young Israel of Tampa. Joshua is an eighth grader at Hillel Academy of Tampa, where he participates in the National Junior Honor Society and plays on four different sports teams. Joshua will also lead Friday night services as part of his Bar Mitzvah at Kol Ami Synagogue, also in Tampa, where he is an active member of their Gesher USY group.

Send your Mazel Tov announcements to mweiss@jfgd.net.

To read the complete December 2023 Dayton Jewish Observer, click here.