An interview with Charlottesville temple’s assistant rabbi & her husband By Marc Katz, Special To The Dayton Jewish Observer Charlottesville clergy, including Rabbi Educator Rachel Schmelkin of Congregation Beth Israel, prepared for the worst prior to the Aug. 12 Unite the Right march through their town, and remained busy several

Story and Photos By Marshall Weiss, The Dayton Jewish Observer The Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce signed its fourth international memo of understanding — with the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce — in a ceremony at the Business Solutions Center on July 21. “In our 110 years, the chamber

By Marshall Weiss, The Observer If ever there were a need for Holocaust education, this is the time. With the new school year, about two dozen middle and high school groups from as far away as Indiana and Kentucky will likely visit Prejudice and Memory: A Holocaust Exhibit, on display

By Marshall Weiss, The Observer If your tradition at Passover is to include an orange on your Seder plate, you have Dr. Susannah Heschel to thank. More than 30 years ago, Heschel first added the orange, to champion inclusion of gays, lesbians, and all Jews who are marginalized. Heschel, chair

By Cantor Jenna Greenberg As we approach the High Holy Days season, many symbols come to mind: apples and honey, round challot, the white Torah covers and kittels (prayer robes). Among the many symbols that represent the Yamim Noraim, these Days of Awe, one of the most powerful and evocative

Turning to Spirituality Series Jewish Family Education with Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer Human beings are hardwired to recognize and tell stories, a fact first demonstrated scientifically in a notable 1944 study, An Experimental Study of Apparent Behavior by Fritz Heider and Marianne Simmel. Participants were shown a

With Rachel Haug Gilbert, The Dayton Jewish Observer Andy Fischer was the subject of Woodcraft Supply’s May blog post, Woodworking Grandma Never Stops Learning. Andy is a retired LPGA professional golfer and pro golf instructor; woodworking has been her hobby since she was a child. She’s been a member of

By Liz Rueven, The Nosher Pomegranates, or rimonim in Hebrew, are among the most recognizable and highly symbolic fruits in Jewish culture. Originating in Persia, these reddish, thick-skinned fruits begin to appear in markets at the end of summer and are readily available for holiday cooking by Rosh Hashanah. According

Look for The Adventures of Bark Mitzvah Boy each month in The Dayton Jewish Observer and at this site.     To read the complete September 2017 Dayton Jewish Observer, click here.

Violet Cohen, age 89, passed away on July 29. She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Sarah Kastner; husband, Jack Cohen; and older brother, Louie. She is survived by her daughters, Susan (David) Bender and Judi (Mark Koval) Cohen Mormol; and sons, Bennett (Lauren) Cohen and Robert