Mikey Weinstein event, February 2011 Military Religious Freedom Foundation Pres. Mikey Weinstein (Center) with his son and daughter-in-law Casey and Amanda Weinstein, members of Temple Israel Mikey Weinstein, founder and president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, will be the guest speaker for a program presented by Temple Beth Or

What’s ahead in Columbus, February 2011 The Ohio Statehouse, Columbus With 129th General Assembly and new governor, legislative priorities of Ohio Jewish Communities continue to focus on care for the elderly By Marshall Weiss, The Dayton Jewish Observer Joyce Garver Keller, executive director of Ohio Jewish Communities, says she’s optimistic

Mike-sell’s makes kosher products, February 2011 Mike-sell’s employees with a few of their 29 kosher products (L to R): Marketing Dir. Luke Mapp, Plant Manager John Hines, Purchasing/Regulatory Manager Jennifer Terrell, Lab Technician Laura Trego, and Operations Exec. V.P. David J. Smith By Marshall Weiss, The Dayton Jewish Observer Not

Feinstein challenge, March 2011 For the 14th year, The Feinstein Foundation of Cranston, R.I. will divide $1 million among anti-hunger agencies nationwide to spur food donations during March and April. The Jewish Federation Food Pantry, through its Hametz for the Hungry campaign, will take part in this challenge for the

Passover recipes, April 2011 By Linda Morel, JTA Chocolate Mousse Meringue Layer Cake is one of the Passover goodies featured in Paula Shoyer’s The Kosher Baker With all the restrictions, are decent desserts even possible during Passover? “My particular talent is working around restriction,” says Paula Shoyer, author of The

Dramatis personae, April 2011 Some of the key players in the Jewish stories of the Civil War Judah P. Benjamin (1811-1884) The first openly Jewish member of the U.S. Senate, Benjamin was the only member of the Confederate Cabinet who wasn’t a slave owner (he sold his sugar plantation and

Books about Jews and the Civil War, April 2011 April marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. There’s more gray surrounding the Jews in Blue and Gray than we might think at first glance. Here are some excellent books to learn more and help bridge the

Lincoln on the penny, April 2011 Victor David Brenner If you look carefully at the bottom left of the engraving of Abraham Lincoln on a penny, you’ll find the initials VDB. President Theodore Roosevelt commissioned Lithuanian Jewish immigrant Victor David Brenner to craft the engraving of Lincoln for a 1909

Jews and the Civil War, April 2011 Links between Passover and the Civil War — narratives of national deliverance — are inseparable. For Jews and the descendants of American slaves, spring is the season of freedom. The Civil War began 10 days after Passover 1861 and ended on the eve

Newcomers, May 2011 Amenities, hospitality key to encourage new arrivals to stay By Scott Halasz, Special To The Dayton Jewish Observer Ever hear someone in the Jewish community say, “Nobody’s moving to Dayton,” or, “Nobody’s staying?” Don’t necessarily believe it. Newcomers Lucy and Mike Birnkrant with pet Sidney While it’s