Ryterband Symposium 2009 Dr. Jon Levenson, professor of Jewish studies at Harvard Divinity School, will present two lectures on the theme Exploring Judaism, Christianity and Islam for the 31st Annual Ryterband Symposium, held this year on Monday, Oct. 26 at United Theological Seminary, 4501 Denlinger Road in Trotwood. Dr. Jon

Religion, October 2009 By Rabbi David Sofian, Temple Israel October 2009 Let me begin by wishing you a happy, healthy, and wonderful new year of 5770. Even though we have completed the period of cleansing teshuvah (return) and are now looking forward to all the possibilities the New Year holds,

Martinis with Marti, October 2009 Martinis with Marti opens fair, Martha Moody’s last as chair  By Marshall Weiss, The Dayton Jewish Observer It’s not often that a Jewish book fair has a bestselling author as its chairperson. Martha Moody This year, local novelist Martha Moody will complete her third and

Style Observations, October 2009 Style Observations By Vicki Bernie Jean and Todd Bettman at Occasionally Yours at The Greene A few weeks ago, I spent a delightful morning sitting with Jean and Todd Bettman at a beautiful, European-style table in their shop. Sinatra, Streisand and other classic standards set the

How local organizations have navigated the recession By Marshall Weiss The Dayton Jewish Observer Doing more with less is a way of life in the nonprofit world. That was true before the greatest economic meltdown since the Great Depression hit, and the increased needs for help that came with it.

Esther Hertzog profile   Social anthropologist Esther Hertzog (standing) facilitates a program of Anuar, a leadership group of Israeli and Arab women, which she co-founded By Masada Siegel, Special To The Dayton Jewish Observer Sometimes a chance meet-ing with a like-minded person can bring change in the most unlikely manner.

Zimro project The Vogler Quartet World-class musicians familiar to Dayton chamber music lovers will offer a concert program of century-old Jewish Russian compositions as part of the Cultural Arts and Book Festival on Nov. 18 at Beth Abraham Synagogue. The Vogler Quartet from Berlin and clarinetist Alexander Fiterstein will team

By Abigail Pogrebin Abigail Pogrebin The Torah reading Vayera, which includes the banishment of Abraham’s son Ishmael, has a special acidity for me as an identical twin. In the portion, which we read this month, our patriarch shuns his first-born child. True, the text says “the matter distressed Abraham greatly,

Cory Kahaney profile By Scott Halasz, Special To The Dayton Jewish Observer Cory Kahaney was an up-and-coming catering manager in Manhattan who had a knack for whetting an appetite during the day and tickling a funny bone on the side. But one joke led to another and the funniest woman

The Zimro Project World-class musicians familiar to Dayton chamber music lovers will offer a concert program of century-old Jewish Russian compositions as part of the Cultural Arts and Book Festival on Nov. 18 at Beth Abraham Synagogue. The Vogler Quartet from Berlin and clarinetist Alexander Fiterstein will team up for