Two longtime Jewish Federation staff members have died in recent weeks: Mel Caplan at age 86 on June 23, and Karen Steiger at age 74 on July 7. Each was a steady presence during the eras in which they served the Jewish community. Mel Caplan arrived in Dayton in fall

Richard “Ric” Blum, age 69 of Clayton, passed away on July 3 after a courageous battle against cancer. Ric was vice president of Ohio Loan Company, a longstanding family-owned business. He served in many capacities at the state and national level of pawnbroker associations, including being named the National Pawnbrokers

Since the Covid pandemic has receded, some area congregations have seen an uptick in conversions. By Marshall Weiss, The Dayton Jewish Observer Israeli American Ofir Ravin, 27, beams from the front row of Beth Abraham Synagogue’s main sanctuary as her husband, Ryan Lechich, 25, is called for an aliyah to

Four veterans of World War II — which ended 78 years ago this September — attended Jewish War Veterans Dayton Post #587’s 75th Anniversary Brunch, held May 28 at Temple Beth Or. The oldest among them was Robert Kahn, 99, who escaped Nazi Germany following Kristallnacht. After his arrival in

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force honored Dave London of Beavercreek as its 2022 Museum Volunteer of the Year for his dedication and excellence in serving the museum and the Air Force. Dave received the honor at the museum’s 41st Annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet. The museum’s exhibits division

By Elliot Ratzman “In the scriptures, it says that children are a reward, they’re a heritage, they’re a blessing,” is how Ohio Rep. Melanie Miller explained her opposition to abortion. “They are not a burden, but they are a gift from God.” We have come to expect such anodyne sentiments

The Power of Stories Series Jewish Family Education with Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer Every day, the renowned medieval scholar Maimonides visited Egypt’s sultan, whom he served as a court physician. During the long donkey ride, Maimonides voiced his thoughts aloud and the donkey would listen and reflect.

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

By Marshall Weiss, The Dayton Jewish Observer The traveling version of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Americans and the Holocaust exhibit, on display through June 21 at the Dayton Metro Library’s main library, poses questions to those who take it in — What did Americans know? What more could have

By Rabbi Levi Simon Chabad of Greater Dayton On Shavuot, this year on May 25-27, Jews around the world commemorate the monumental event of the Giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. However, the significance of this event reaches far beyond the past; it is an experience that is relived