By Rabbi Judy Chessin, Temple Beth Or, and Chair, Synagogue Forum of Dayton We cheered when gymnast Aly Raisman wowed the crowd with her floor performance to the strains of Hava Nagila at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. It was with less enthusiasm that critics hailed the 15-year-old Russian ice

A look at the Holy Book Series The Jewish Family Identity Forum with Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer You probably think most people in Western society should be able to answer, “Who was Moses?” with at least a tale or two about this bigger-than-life biblical character. But, in

With Rachel Haug Gilbert, The Dayton Jewish Observer Jack Jacobs, son of Martin and Martha Moody Jacobs, was awarded his Eagle badge in an honor court held Jan. 11. Jack was a member of Troop 516 in Centerville. For his Eagle project, he oversaw the building of a bridge on

  Leshon Ima – Mother Tongue with Dr. Rachel Zohar Dulin, Special To The Dayton Jewish Observer Pesach is approaching and as we do every year, we are about to gather as a family to celebrate the Seder night. At the center of the celebration is the reading of the

The Jewish Internet with Mark Mietkiewicz, Special To The Dayton Jewish Observer Sure, it’s known as the holiday of national liberation. Just don’t try to convince anyone who’s been spending countless hours cleaning for Passover. But just remember you’re not alone: there are plenty of people who want to share

Raymond L. Smith, 92, of Atlanta, passed away peacefully on March 6. A 12-year survivor of lung cancer, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Esther; and his younger siblings, Vern Smith and Mildred Smith Byrne. Born in Dayton to Frieda and Ben Smith of

Everyone’s talking about Pew. Since the Pew Center released the results of its survey of U.S. Jews in September, Jewish community leaders on the local and national level have plunged into parsing the data, absorbing and debating their significance, and beginning to shape priorities for the future. On the whole,

By Marshall Weiss, The Dayton Jewish Observer For 20 years, Chabad of Greater Dayton Co-Director Devorah Mangel has been preparing Shabbat meals for individuals in hospitals or at home following surgery or illness, or when they are in mourning. Now, she and volunteers with the Chabad Women’s Circle will expand

By Marc Katz, Special To The Dayton Jewish Observer In the early 1970s, Rinaldo’s Bake Shoppe on West Fairview Avenue in Dayton used to turn out 180 to 200 challahs a week – along with counter shelves full of other goodies – selling out long before Shabbos lights were kindled.

  By Marc Katz, Special To The Dayton Jewish Observer Within the structure of a writing class, Elizabeth Weizman teaches more than just writing to a group of eager fifth and sixth graders at Hillel Academy, housed on the expansive third floor of Beth Abraham Synagogue at Sugar Camp in