By Rabbi Leibel Agar, Beth Jacob Congregation As Shavuot fades into the background of our minds, one cannot help but begin thinking of summer. For some of us, it means trips to the beach, amusement parks, and other fun-time destinations. For others, it means hot and sultry nights spent with

America 250 — In the news series Jewish Family Education with Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer Jews, Judaism, and the American Founding. The Jewish Impact on the Founding of America. Meet the Jews who played pivotal roles in American history. There is a common misconception that the Jewish

Playwright Michael London presents two readings of his new play, Those English Girls — 6:30 p.m., Thursday, June 25 at Wright Memorial Public Library in Oakwood, and 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 1 at the Boonshoft Center for Jewish Culture and Education in Centerville. Through their love of attending operas in

Mazel tov to Temple Israel’s 2026 confirmands (L to R): Beau Kleinholt, Jonah Halasz, Hillary Katchman, Jonah Dritz, and Matteo Chaiten. Four stalwart Temple Israel staffers retire this summer. Executive Director Suzanne Shaw completes 22 years of service at the end of June. Also retiring in June are 12-year employee

Only a month after President Julie Liss-Katz announced the launch of a special $300,000 campaign at Beth Abraham’s annual meeting May 13, the congregation had already raised $258,600, with 100% board participation. Liss-Katz said the campaign bridges the gap between insurance coverage and restoration needs from the Feb. 19 sprinkler

Declining membership and low attendance have led Temple Beth Sholom in Middletown to cut its service schedule beginning June 1 from every other Friday night to only the High Holidays, Chanukah, and Passover. Rabbi Haviva Horvitz, who serves the 123-year-old congregation on a part-time basis, will continue to lead those

Look for Bark Mitzvah Boy each month in The Dayton Jewish Observer and at this site!   To read the complete July 2026 Dayton Jewish Observer, click here.

Laura Michelle Holzinger, 58, beloved wife of Michael Levin, happily married for over 21 wonderful years; adored daughter of Martin and Joan Holzinger; much loved sister of Debbie (Kevin) Mattis; dear sister in-law of Robin Levin, Andrew (Ruchel) Levin and Ellen (Jeffery) Rasof; cherished aunt of Julia and Joey Mattis,

By Marshall Weiss, The Dayton Jewish Observer Peter H. Wells, who served as executive vice president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton from 1978 until his retirement in 2005, died June 3 in Indiana. He was 86. He and his wife, Joan, had recently moved from Sarasota, Fla. to

By Marshall Weiss, The Dayton Jewish Observer One fought at the Battle of Antietam. Another was an orderly and then worked in the U.S. Telegraph Office at Cumberland Gap. A third defended Cincinnati against the threat of a Confederate invasion. One went on to live a long life surrounded by