By Rabbi Karen Bodney-Halasz, Temple Israel The Hebrew month of Elul is dedicated to spiritual renewal and preparations for the High Holidays. During this month, as well as in Tishri, we are encouraged to recalibrate our souls, engage thoughtfully in the work of teshuva (returning), and redirect our life choices

Spouses Heather Wright and Michael Anes — both associate professors at Wittenberg University — are looking for seven Ohio high school history/ social studies teachers to join their 24-day study trip to Poland next summer. Heather and Michael have been awarded a Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Grant through the U.S.

The Power of Stories Series Jewish Family Education with Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer Although he lived alone in a New York City apartment, Jacob Leibman was much beloved by his neighbors as a welcoming host for Jewish holidays. The only person who didn’t get along with Jacob

The Synagogue Forum of Greater Dayton presents its 14-session Introduction to Judaism course on Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. beginning Oct. 24 and running through March 12. The annual class is open to anyone interested in Jewish learning, dialogue, and exploration. A hybrid course, some sessions are held at

Austin Reid, who has documented the histories of more than a dozen small Jewish communities across Ohio, will lead the Ohio Genealogical Society webinar, Exploring Ohio’s Outlying and Vanished Jewish Communities, at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 21. A native of Lancaster, Reid began researching the histories of Ohio’s small Jewish

Cantor Andrea Raizen, who has led services on the bima (stage) at Beth Abraham Synagogue since 2007, has announced she will retire on June 30, 2024, at the end of her current contract. She arrived at the Conservative synagogue eight months before its move from Salem Avenue and Cornell Drive

Beth Abraham Synagogue, Beth Jacob Congregation, Temple Beth Or, and Temple Israel will join together for a community Selichot service beginning with dessert at 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 9 at Temple Israel, 130 Riverside Dr., Dayton. The service will feature the Dayton Jewish Chorale and will be led by the

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

Joyce Abromowitz, age 89, passed away on Aug. 4. She was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin and Edith Kovner; and brother, Richard (Arlene) Kovner. She is survived by her husband, Herman Abromowitz; daughter, Leslie (Daniel) Chase; son, David (Cathy) Abromowitz; brother, Robert (Selma) Kovner; grandchildren, Emily (Akiva Schick)

Day school anticipates increased enrollment, stronger footing By Marshall Weiss, The Dayton Jewish Observer With a significantly expanded EdChoice Scholarship student voucher program as part of Ohio’s 2024-25 two-year budget, all families in the state are eligible to receive vouchers toward kindergarten through 12th-grade private school tuition beginning with the