By Michele Alperin, Special To The Dayton Jewish Observer Ask American Jews about the origins of monotheism, and the first thing that probably comes to mind is the midrashic story of Abraham breaking idols in his father’s house. But Bible scholar Richard Elliott Friedman, professor of Jewish Studies at the

With Charlotte Golden, The Dayton Jewish Observer At the end of the summer, Dr. Charlie Knoll, age 86, retired from his medical practice after 52 years of service to his patients. Charlie and Joan’s son, Aaron, recalls that “Charlie wrote his first prescription for Moses. Joe Bettman filled it.” Joan

Jewish Family Identity Forum With Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer Abraham. Moses. Joshua. Solomon. Larger-than-life heroes of the Bible, they embody many of the traits we seek in our leaders today. A dedication to truth and justice, like Abraham destroying idols and arguing with God about the destruction

The Jewish Internet with Mark Mietkiewicz, Special To The Dayton Jewish Observer Sukkot is almost here and like most Jewish holidays, it’s time to get stuffed. But I’m not just talking about the revelers. I’m referring to the foods themselves. Sukkot — along with Hoshanah Rabah and Simchat Torah —

Dr. Benjamin Schuster, age 89, of Dayton, passed away Aug. 24 after a long illness. Dr. Schuster was a native of Milwaukee and a resident of Dayton since 1957. He was the medical director of the Kettering Cardiovascular Institute, a clinical professor of medicine at the Wright State University School

By Jack Forman San Diego Jewish World Joel Fendelman is a young independent film producer and director whose feature-length documentary film Needle Through Brick — about the development of Kung Fu —  recently won the Silver Palm award at the Mexico International Film Festival. In making David, his first feature

The Jewish Internet With Mark Mietkiewicz Traditionally, fewer weddings are held between Passover and Shavuot, a period of semi-mourning. But after Shavuot, the Jewish wedding dam bursts. That means that right now, there are countless couples counting down the days as they plan their special ceremony. And that means choosing

With Charlotte Golden Can we kvell! Rachel Wynne, daughter of Ron and Mindi Wynne and granddaughter of Rochelle Wynne, will intern this summer as a technical apprentice at the Hangar Theater in Ithaca, N.Y. Rachel is an active freshman in the Theatre Arts Department at Wright State University. She is

Jewish Family Identity Forum Rituals in Jewish life series By Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer “How incredible is it that a teen leads the worship service for the whole congregation and everyone takes such pride and joy in it!” exclaimed a friend during my son’s Bar Mitzvah luncheon.

Bernice Berkenfield, age 96 of Kettering, passed away on Feb. 25 at The Suites at Walnut Creek, Kettering. “Barney” was born June 28, 1915 in Pittsburgh, Pa. to the late Benjamin and Rhea (Klineman) Steinberg. She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Morton R. Dworken of