Jewish Family Identity Forum Rituals in Jewish life series By Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer As I awaited the birth of my first grandchild with joyous anticipation, I came across an intriguing question posed by Esther Jungreis in her book The Committed Life: “We plan all the details

With Charlotte Golden, The Dayton Jewish Observer Stephanie Jarvis, daughter of Ted and Linda Jarvis, has been named general counsel for the Fiesta Bowl. David Katz, son of Allan and Linda Katz, has been promoted to assistant director of the Hillel Jewish University Center of Pittsburgh, which serves the University

By Masada Siegel, Special To The Dayton Jewish Observer Dating is a lot like hiking; there are highs, lows, beauty and snakes to behold. The weather can change in an instant, you can get stuck in a downpour or get a sunburn. Basically, it’s unpredictable. Wouldn’t it be nice to

By Mark Mietkiewicz, Special To The Dayton Jewish Observer On Shemini Atzeret, Jews around the world recited the beautiful Tefillat Geshem, the Prayer for Rain: “…for blessing and not for curse. For life and not for death. For plenty and not for scarcity (http://bit.ly/isrwat1).” But scarce it is. Israel’s perennial

Ilya Golub, age 53 of Englewood, passed away suddenly Dec. 22. Mr. Golub was the manager of the Cash to Go Pawn Shop on Salem Avenue. He is survived by his beloved wife, Sarina; parents, Shmil and Lyubov of Brooklyn, N.Y.; he was a loving father to his daughter and

By Pearl Salkin, Special To The Dayton Jewish Observer Planning a child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration can be a rough roller coaster ride that requires a lot of antacid pills and a truckload of patience. But that terrific and somewhat terrifying experience is just basic training for the real

By Helen Zegerman Schwimmer, Special To The Dayton Jewish Observer Lilly Friedman doesn’t remember the last name of the woman who designed and sewed the wedding gown she wore when she walked down the aisle more than 60 years ago. But the grandmother of seven does recall that when she

The first Jewish mayor of Tucson, Ariz., Charles Strauss, and Charles Jr. photographed by Camillus S. Fly, 1884. Courtesy Jewish History Museum, Tucson Charles Strauss, the first Jewish mayor of Tucson, Arizona Territory, and his son, Charles Jr., were gun enthusiasts of a different sort. According to Dr. Eileen R.

By Rabbi David Burstein, Temple Beth Or, Washington Township, Ohio Special To The Dayton Jewish Observer Philosopher Edmund Burke is believed to have said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” As the weeks pass, the sordid tale of accused child

Look for The Adventures of Bark Mitzvah Boy each month in The Observer and at this site!