
Dayton Hungarians highlights significant Jewish connections
By Marshall Weiss, The Dayton Jewish Observer Of the hundreds of interviews Mike Sakal conducted over three decades for his just published two-volume book, Dayton Hungarians: Their Stories, Glories and Folklore, it was Rose Vegso’s that set the tone for the project. Vegso came to the United States from Hungary

Columbus Kosher BBQ truck for PJ Library/Chabad Shabbat in the Park
If you’ve been dreaming of kosher barbecue — and at a family-friendly price — things are looking up. For its next Shabbat in the Park, PJ Library in partnership with Chabad of Greater Dayton will bring in Smoked on Chai Kosher BBQ food truck from Columbus, Friday, Aug. 22 from

The opportunity of the Three Weeks
By Rabbi Levi Simon Chabad of Greater Dayton Each summer, in the Jewish calendar, we mark a period of national mourning called the Three Weeks, recalling the siege of Jerusalem leading to the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash, the Holy Temple. From the 17th of Tammuz (this year July 13)

A lot of promise
Sacred Speech Series Jewish Family Education with Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer Elkanah was disheartened. His second wife, Peninnah, had many sons and daughters, but his beloved first wife, Hannah, was constantly distraught over her childlessness and Peninnah’s merciless taunting. Every year, the entire household would go to

Mazel Tov!
Rabbi Schneur Mangel, son of Devorah and Rabbi Nochum Mangel, has received his rabbinic ordination from Achei Tmimim – Chovevei Torah in Crown Heights. Dr. Joanne Yacobovich, head of hematology/oncology at Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Petah Tikva, Israel — the sister of Springboro resident Joyce Lucht — was interviewed

Bark Mitzvah Boy
Look for Bark Mitzvah Boy each month in The Dayton Jewish Observer and at this site! To read the complete August 2025 Dayton Jewish Observer, click here.

Obituaries
Dr. Alvin S. Charme, age 88, passed away June 18. Alvin was an optometrist for nearly 60 years and an active member of Beth Abraham Synagogue. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donn and Claire Charme, and his wife, Diana Charme. He is survived by his children Judy

Observer honored for best religion reporting — and as best monthly — in Ohio
Ohio’s Best Journalism Contest, sponsored by the Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus Society of Professional Journalists chapters statewide, announced July 7 that Dayton Jewish Observer Editor and Publisher Marshall Weiss received its 2025 first-place award for Best Religion Reporting in its small newspaper category (circulation below 40,000), and named The Observer

Antisemitic swatting hoax of hostages, armed threats in Richmond, Ind. leads to standoff situation
Police dept. has received more than a dozen similar calls from swatter since first incident. By Marshall Weiss, The Dayton Jewish Observer The Richmond Indiana Police Department blocked off the area surrounding the 700 block of East Main Street for nearly four hours, Tuesday, June 24 when it received a

Three awards for The Dayton Jewish Observer from American Jewish Press Association
The Dayton Jewish Observer received three Simon Rockower Awards for Excellence in Jewish Journalism at the American Jewish Press Association’s annual conference in Pittsburgh, June 23. Observer Editor and Publisher Marshall Weiss received the first-place award for excellence in news reporting by monthly newspapers and magazines for his coverage of