Bridal fashionista ready for the challenge By Karen McDonough, JNS.org It’s already known as the “start-up nation.” But can bridal fashionista Berta Balilti turn Israel into the dress-up nation? Balilti, owner of Berta Bridal, presides over an internationally successful business, creating luxurious, glamorous wedding gowns sold worldwide. From her fashion house

With Rachel Haug Gilbert, The Dayton Jewish Observer Meaghan Malloy, daughter of Elisheva Malloy, competed on the U.S. college-level women’s volleyball team at the 13th Pan Am Maccabi games in Santiago, Chile, Dec. 28-Jan. 4. This was her third Maccabi delegation. During their off time, the U.S. participants gave free

Jew in the Christian world By Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer During a recent conversation, a Jewish friend criticized a Forward article highlighting the wealthiest Jews in America, concerned that it would validate stereotypes of Jews as greedy, wealthy controllers of the economy. Her concern is not unfounded,

The Jewish Internet with Mark Mietkiewicz, Special To The Dayton Jewish Observer We continue our look at Israel’s emergency workers this month with a focus on the dedicated volunteers who deal with the heartbreaking aftermath. But first a look at those who risk their lives to prevent a tragedy. Members

Leshon Ima – Mother Tongue with Dr. Rachel Zohar Dulin, Special To The Dayton Jewish Observer In 1968, when Congress created a uniform system of federal holidays, it declared Presidents Day as an official holiday, to be celebrated on the third Monday in February. Although it became the law of

Richard Flagel, 76, a native of Dayton, passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 27. A graduate of Fairview High School and Indiana University, Mr. Flagel got his start in commercial real estate with Beerman Realty and went on to open Richard Flagel Realty, which he ran for more than 40 years.

Look for The Adventures of Bark Mitzvah Boy each month at this site and in The Dayton Jewish Observer.

By Marshall Weiss, The Dayton Jewish Observer At its meeting on Jan. 20, the board of the Jewish Federation approved Jewish Family Services’ three-year strategic plan, which aims to meet newly-identified needs in the Dayton Jewish community. Specifics of the plan — which grew out of a community survey and

Following intense public pressure, Kettering man provides Jewish bill of divorce to ‘chained woman’ in Israel By Marshall Weiss, The Dayton Jewish Observer After more than eight years of waiting, Adina Porat finally received her get — a Jewish bill of divorce — in a ceremony with the Israeli Rabbinate

Steve Stuhlbarg, the convivial frontman of the Cincinnati Klezmer Project — who charmed audiences with his guitar playing, Yiddish singing, and gentle storytelling — died Jan. 3 after a brief illness. A lawyer with his own practice in Cincinnati by day, Stuhlbarg joined the Klezmer Project in 1994, a year after