By Marshall Weiss, The Dayton Jewish Observer Becoming a Jew, living as a Jew, and surviving as a Jew are themes at the core of this year’s Cultural Arts & Book Fest, which the JCC presents from Oct. 7 through Nov. 7. Toward Judaism Though Judaism is not a proselytizing

At its 108th annual meeting, held Aug. 15, the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton elected Bruce Feldman its new president. Feldman’s election marks the first time in the Federation’s history that spouses have served as Federation presidents: his wife, Debbie, was president of the Federation from 2003 to 2006. Bruce

By Rabbi Levi Simon, Chabad of Greater Dayton The joy in the synagogue on the holiday of Simchat Torah eve is one that must be seen to be believed. Young and old sing, dance, and celebrate the joyous gift from God — the Torah! Simchat Torah takes place at the

With Rachel Haug Gilbert, The Dayton Jewish Observer Dottie Engelhardt celebrated her 90th birthday. Joni Watson was appointed to the National Education Association Internal Language Review Stakeholder Task Force, to review NEA’s language through a racial-equity lens. Springboro High School senior Seth Conte has earned his Eagle Scout rank. For

By Sonya Sanford, The Nosher Growing up in Seattle, it’s easy to fall in love with pho. Nearly as ubiquitous as coffee shops or teriyaki spots (yes, teriyaki), pho restaurants seem to be just around every corner of the city. They welcome you in from the cold and the rain

Chabad of Greater Dayton will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a gala dinner at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at The Dayton Art Institute. Honorees for the gala are Sylvia and Ralph Heyman, Rabbi Shmuel Klatzkin, and Mimi and Stuart Rose. Entertainment for the evening will feature speedpainting with

The Synagogue Forum of Greater Dayton will present its 16-session course, From Door to Door: Introduction to Judaism, on Mondays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. beginning Oct. 8. The annual class opens Dayton’s synagogues to anyone interested in Jewish learning, dialogue, and exploration. From Door to Door offers an in-depth

Jewish Family Services and Rainbow Elder Care are co-sponsoring the screening of the documentary Dear Fredy for the Dayton LGBT Film Festival, at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14 at The Neon, 130 E. Fifth St., Dayton. An openly gay Jew, Fredy Hirsch set up a daycare center for Jewish

Daniel Kory Weckstein of Oakwood, passed away on Aug. 28 after a resilient battle with brain cancer at the young age of 44. Mr. Weckstein is survived by his wife, Kellie; children, Collin and Casey; parents, Donald and Caryl Weckstein; sister, Debbie (Larry) Frank; and brother Jerry (Caryn) Weckstein. Mr.

Look for The Adventures of Bark Mitzvah Boy each month in The Dayton Jewish Observer and at this site.     To read the complete October 2018 Dayton Jewish Observer, click here.