Federation Archives Federation’s history preserved through new endowment fund If you’re enjoying the Ten Decades of Tzedakah page in The Observer during Federation’s centennial year, you’re benefiting from the Federation Archives and the valuable information it contains about the history of our Federation. Thanks to the generosity of the Clarence

Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton Archives About the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton Archives Collection The Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton Archives Collection was established in January 2009 in anticipation of the Federation’s 2010 centennial. In February 2011, the collection became part of Wright State University’s Special Collections and Archives. The

Dennis Prager “Jews who live in affluence without any threat of suicide bombers should be visiting Israel in droves.” -Dennis Prager- Come September, my son David will embark on a year of Torah study in Israel, before he begins his college career in the States. This would not be worthy

Reverse Kefiada Heather Cole   “Americans should come and see Israel how it really is,” says Israeli Shirley Poran.  She hopes to encourage Americans to visit Israel during her three weeks in Dayton as a part of the Partnership With Israel program, formerly known as Partnership 2000. Along with Poran,

Birthright Israel Heather Cole   For three Jewish students, Israel has become more than an image in a textbook or on the news. And it’s not difficult to get them to talk about their experiences. Martin Foster, Dori Handel and Allie London — all Dayton residents and students at Miami

UTS-Jewish Federation Marshall Weiss   On Aug. 11, United Theological Seminary and the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton signed a contract to explore the sale of the federation’s Jesse Philips Building and the land adjacent to the facility. If the purchase is finalized, the site would become the new campus

Project Yitzhak Heather Cole   The Torah tells us that Sarah laughed with joy when she learned she was pregnant at the age of 90. She named her son Isaac, or Yitzhak, after this joyous laughter. This is the inspiration for a new visual arts collaboration involving artists in Dayton

Federation President’s Message Deborah A. Feldman   As I look back on my first year as president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton, I am amazed at how fast the year has gone and how much has occurred. The theme of this year’s annual meeting is taken from the

An interview with Joan Rivers Marshall Weiss   Few entertainers have worked harder for their success than Joan Rivers. For more than a decade, she worked her way up, performing her comedy in seedy clubs, Borscht Belt hotels, and Greenwich Village cabarets — sometimes without pay — just for the

The Love Letters Marc Katz   David Moss explored creativity until he found his calling Jack Moss always insisted of his children: be curious and creative. David Moss has certainly followed that advice. At first, he didn’t want to go to college. He not only ended up in college, but