‘For me, it’s very real and very personal.’ By Marshall Weiss, The Dayton Jewish Observer Martin Fletcher says he’s been to Gaza at least 50-60 times and to the West Bank a hundred times or more as a journalist. He was NBC’s Israel correspondent for 26 years until his retirement

By Rabbi Tina Sobo, Temple Israel One of my children just received Simon and the Bear: A Hanukkah Tale as their PJ Library book for the month. The tale starts out introducing Simon, a boy who is on his way to immigrate to America, when the boat he is on

Judaism’s Worldview Series Jewish Family Education with Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer In Lionel Shriver’s fascinating novel Should We Stay or Should We Go, Kay and Cyril relive the last decades of their lives together in a dozen distinct but parallel universes, each based on varying life circumstances

The Columbus Jewish News reported that in October, Jeff and Meagan Buren collected and transported more than 2,200 pounds of non-military items for adult children of Columbus families who serve or have been called up to serve in the Israel Defense Forces for the Israel-Hamas war. The Burens also coordinated

Look for Bark Mitzvah Boy each month in The Dayton Jewish Observer and at this site!     To read the complete December 2023 Dayton Jewish Observer, click here.

David Lawrence Char, age 59, of Dayton, died Nov. 12. He was preceded in death by parents, Helaine and Anthony Char; mother-in-law, Joan Chesler; and guide dog Hershey. He leaves behind to mourn, his loving wife of 23 years, Deb; and guide dog, Claudette; son Jonathan Simmons (Ashley); and grandchildren

The Observer has heard from area residents who have been affected by the Israel-Hamas War and from Israelis with close ties to the Miami Valley. We share some of those stories here. Through a child’s eyes Just a few Jewish families have children enrolled at a public elementary school in

Federation president urges local Jews to help the Jewish state through the crisis of Hamas’ massacre and war. By Marshall Weiss, The Dayton Jewish Observer Three days after the brutal Hamas massacre that left 1,400 mostly civilian Israelis dead, thousands wounded, and more than 220 captive, members of the Miami

By Rabbi Leibel Agar, Beth Jacob Congregation For most of us, Oct. 7 started off like every other Saturday. Even though it was both Shabbat and Shemini Atzeret, my routine did not waiver a single iota. As with every other Shabbat, I got up, dressed, and settled down to play

Judaism’s Worldview Series Jewish Family Education with Candace R. Kwaiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer Just a few weeks ago, two teenagers were arrested for the fatal hit-and-run of a cyclist. The car’s passenger recorded the teens laughing and chanting “Bump him!” as the driver deliberately entered the bike lane and