By Rabbi David M. Sofian, Temple Israel, Dayton, Ohio Special To The Dayton Jewish Observer First of all, let me wish everyone — one last time — a happy and healthy new year. With the completion of Simchat Torah we find our weekly Torah readings bringing us back to the

By Julie Wiener, Special To The Dayton Jewish Observer Israeli Knesset Member Einat Wilf has authored two books and served in various senior positions in the business and nonprofit worlds before entering politics. She also has an 8-month-old son and an international commuter marriage that entails flying to Europe once

If you have ever had the chance to float on the Dead Sea supported by its salty waters, you now have the opportunity to support the Dead Sea. The unique body of water is a finalist in an international competition, to be named as one of the New Seven Wonders

Sarah Y. Alpert, age 86 of Dayton, passed away Oct. 6. Mrs. Alpert was a member of Temple Israel and Hadassah. She was preceded in death by her husband, Murray. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Mary Ann and Paul Prichard; daughter Janice Linda Alpert; five grandchildren, Joseph

By Marshall Weiss, The Dayton Jewish Observer Cantor Joyce Dumtschin, who was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic syndrome in 2009, is scheduled to receive a stem cell transplant at James Cancer Hospital in Columbus on Sept. 27, the day before the eve of Rosh Hashanah. “Only 30 percent of people who need

By Marshall Weiss, The Dayton Jewish Observer Judy Grampp, a paramedic who works in the ER at Good Samaritan Hospital, lost her 31/2-year-old grandson, Joey Cross, to Tay-Sachs disease on Oct. 17, 2010. Grampp is now the driving force behind an educational panel for the community about Tay-Sachs and other

By Marshall Weiss, The Dayton Jewish Observer With results of the Jewish Federation’s online community survey and focus groups in hand, Federation’s strategic planning committee has launched three work groups to devise strategies to improve Federation’s performance based on community priorities. Those priorities as indicated in the survey and focus

Author wrestles with challenges, rewards of Sabbath By Michelle Tedford, Special To The Dayton Jewish Observer Judith Shulevitz tells stories. There are ones about her father, who would take his children on Saturdays to the movies against the wishes of their mother, a rabbi. And there are recent stories, like

By Masada Siegel, Special To The Dayton Jewish Observer   Performers are ultimately storytellers, weaving a tale, expressing emotions, creating joy. They can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. Sarge — a comedian, singer and pianist with a story to tell — will perform at the 2012 United Jewish Campaign

By Jennie Szink, Special to The Dayton Jewish Observer When Jim Axelrod commutes home to Montclair, N.J. from Manhattan, he studies the looks on people’s faces around him. They don’t reflect relief at the end of the work day or anticipation of seeing their families. Instead, they’re what Axelrod describes