Explore every episode of the podcast The Jewish Review Podcast

On the Season Two Premier of The Jewish Review Podcast, host Rockne Roll talks with Rabbi Josh Rose of Co/Lab PDX about the meaning of the month of Elul, which leads into Judaism's High Holidays. They discuss practices to add significance to this time, texts that examine Elul's purpose and connection to Jewish spirituality, and why studying Jewish texts is so valuable even for the least religious among us.

Learn more about Co/Lab's programs at colabpdx.org.

On the season one finale of The Jewish Review Podcast, host Rockne Roll talks with Jewish Federation of Greater Portland Chief Development Officer Wendy Kahn and Campaign Co-Chair Jack Birnbach about their recent journey to Germany and Israel as part of the Jewish Federations of North America's FRD Leadership Mission. The pair visited work funded by contributions from Federation donors in both countries, as well as seeing and hearing how the effects of Oct. 7 remain a part of daily life in Israel.

On this episode, host Rockne Roll chats with Tali Greenfield, a senior at Lakeridge High School in the Portland suburb of Lake Oswego and a member of the Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation board about the experience of philanthropy as a young adult and what's its like to be a Jewish teen in 2024.

Learn more about OJCYF's work at ojcf.org/programs/ojcyf.

For more information about OJCYF's upcoming annual benefit, check out today's edition of The Jewish Review at jewishportland.org/jewishreview or email OJCF's Susan Berniker at susanb@ojcf.org.

Learn more about the Laurie Rogoway Outstanding Jewish Professional Award and nominate a deserving Jewish professional in Portland at jewishportland.org/rogoway.

Host Rockne Roll talks to Jewish Free Loan of Oregon chair Les Gutfreund about the Torah's edict to lend without interest and how that has manifested as Jewish Free Loan programs in Portland and elsewhere.

Learn more about Jewish Free Loan of Oregon at jewishportland.org/ourcommunity/jewish-free-loan.

Nominate a deserving Jewish professional in Portland for the 2024 Laurie Rogoway Outstanding Jewish Professional Award at jewishportland.org/rogoway.

On this episode, host Rockne Roll chats with a delegation from Sharaka. With a name that means "partnership" in Arabic, Sharaka works to promote the Abraham Accords treaties as a model for a peaceful, prosperous Middle East. In part one, Ahmed Khuzaie, Naveen Elias and Dan Feferman discuss the political situation in the region. Later, Fatima Al Harbi and Youssef Elazhari talk about how social media affects perceptions within the Arab world.

Read more about Sharaka's visit to Portland as part of their North American speaking tour in today's edition of The Jewish Review at jewishportland.org/jewishreview.

Learn more about Sharaka at sharakango.com.

Host Rockne Roll discusses the New Year of the Trees with arborist and Moishe Pod West PDX co-leader David Stein. They dig into the origins of Tu B'Shevat and the opportunity to slow down and connect with nature.

Check out David and his cousin, Sam, on Instagram at @moishepodwestpdx

Need an arborist? Contact David's Tranquility Tree Care at tranquilitytreecare@gmail.com.

On this second of a two-part series about Antisemitism in post-Oct. 7 Oregon, host Rockne Roll chats with the executive directors of Oregon's Hillel chapters; Andy Gitelson of Oregon Hillel and Hannah Sherman from Greater Portland Hillel.

Oregon Hillel serves the University of Oregon in Eugene and Oregon State University in Corvallis. Learn more at oregonhillel.org.

Greater Portland Hillel serves campuses throughout the Portland area, including Lewis and Clark College and Portland State University. Learn more at pdxhillel.org.

Host Rockne Roll explores the onslaught of antisemitism with Bob Horenstein and Rachel Nelson from the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland.

This is the first of a two-part series on antisemitism.

Email Horenstein at bob@jewishportland.org

Email Nelson at rachel@jewishportland.org

Learn more about the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's Working Definition of Antisemitism here.

On this episode, host Rockne Roll talks latkes (and more) with chef and writer Sonya Sanford, author of "Braids: Recipes from my Pacific Northwest Jewish kitchen." Sanford discusses her ideal latke, new twists on Chanukah's classic tastes and how cooking connects her with her Jewish roots.

Pre-order "Braids" online at sonyasanford.com/book.

Read about "Braids" in the Oct. 18 edition of The Jewish Review at jewishportland.org/jewishreview/jr-stories/braids-a-lifelong-dream-for-sanford

Host Rockne Roll talks with Portland's Jewish Community Chaplain, Rabbi Barry Cohen, about how loss and tragedy affects us and the importance of community and hope in difficult times.

Rabbi Cohen's recent columns in The Jewish Review:

"A time to embrace nuance" - from the Nov. 1, 2023 issue: https://jewishportland.org/jewishreview/jr-stories/embrace-nuance

"An antidote to spiritual fatigue" from the Nov. 15, 2023 issue: https://jewishportland.org/jewishreview/jr-stories/an-antidote-to-spiritual-fatigue

The Jewish Review's profile of Rabbi Cohen's work in Portland's Jewish Community, "Being present with people," published Oct. 4, 2023: https://jewishportland.org/jewishreview/jr-stories/being-present-with-people

On this episode, host Rockne Roll talks with Aaron Henne, artistic director of theatre dybbuk. Based in Los Angeles, theatre dybbuk takes a unique approach to developing theatre, creative workshops and leadership training through a Jewish lens. Learn more about their work at theatredybbuk.org. Subscribe to The Jewish Review for FREE at jewishportland.org/subscribe. Questions, comments, or suggestions? Email editor@jewishportland.org

On this episode, host Rockne Roll talks with Dr. Rick Hodes, the Medical Director in Ethiopia for the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. Dr. Hodes has changed countless lives in Ethiopia, treating scores of the world's worst spinal deformities. This conversation, recorded in September, is presented in hope of being an inspiration in challenging times. Learn more about JDC's work in over 70 countries at JDC.org. More about Dr. Hodes can be found at rickhodes.org.

On the occasion of the 30th yahrzeit (anniversary of passing) of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, z"l, known around the world as The Rebbe, host Rockne Roll talks to Chabad of Oregon's Rabbi Motti Wilhelm. They discuss the growth of Chabad, how The Rebbe's vision still shapes Chabad's work today, and the sense of urgency that is integral to everything Chabad does.

On a holiday episode of The Jewish Review Podcast, host Rockne Roll talks with Scott McKinley, a prolific sukkah builder in Portland, about what makes his sukkot unique and what makes the holiday special for him. Hebrew words used in this episode: teshuvah - lit. "returning," often meaning repentance but also describing those coming into Judaism; sukkah - "booth" or "hut;" sukkot - the plural of sukkah, also the name of the seven-day festival in which Jews dwell in such structures.

On the very first Jewish Review Podcast, host Rockne Roll talks with Julie Platt, the board chair for the Jewish Federations of North America, about her family legacy in Jewish communal work, her favorite parts of the High Holidays, and having a family in show business. Hebrew words in this episode: shloshim -The 30-day period of mourning following the death of a close family member. simcha - literally "happiness," it also refers to celebration. Pesach - Passover.

Host Rockne Roll talks with Rabbi Avi Orlow from the Foundation for Jewish Camp about how Jewish overnight camp took on its modern form, how essential the experience is to the Jewish community as a whole and how to address the barriers that keep kids from going to camp.

Learn more about the Foundation for Jewish Camp at jewishcamp.org

Check out local resources to help find the right camp and make camp more affordable at jewishportland.org/inclusion-camping.

Read the first of The Jewish Review's "Letters From Camp" series in today's edition at jewishportland.org/jewishreview.

On this Pride-themed episode, host Rockne Roll talks with Rabbi Rachel Joseph of Congregation Beth Israel in Portland about her experiences as a leader in Jewish and LGBTQ+ spaces. They look at the history of queer Jews in organized Jewish life and how important representation is in leadership roles, how far equal rights have come and what's left to be done.

Get involved with Jewish Pride Greater PDX - learn more at jewishportland.org/pdxjewishpride.

On this episode, host Rockne Roll sits down with Jewish Federation of Greater Portland CEO Marc Blattner, who recently passed 30 years working in Jewish Federations in the United States. From Baltimore, Atlanta and Philadelphia to Portland, Marc discusses his career thus far, his ideas on Jewish community in the future, and the secret to the perfect corned beef sandwich.

Read more on Marc's career thus far in today's Jewish Review - online at jewishportland.org/jewishreview.

Your gift to the Federation's 2024 Campaign for Community Needs supports all the things that put the "community" in Portland's Jewish community - including this Podcast. Donate before June 30 online at jewishportland.org/give.

On this episode, host Rockne Roll speaks with Rabbi Meir Goldstein, Senior Jewish Educator at Oregon Hillel in Eugene, about the protest encampment that has popped up at the University of Oregon, how these occupations are impacting Jewish students and how they differ from protest movements of the past.

Register for the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland's 104th annual meeting today at jewishportland.org/jfgpannual24.

In this episode, host Rockne Roll talks with Leora Troper, the librarian of the Feldstein Library at Portland's Congregation Neveh Shalom, about haggadot - the plural of haggadah, the book that lays out the events of a Passover seder. They discuss the history and diversity of haggadot, as well as ideas for personalizing a haggadah for your own seder.

The Feldstein Library at Congregation Neveh Shalom is open to the public for a small membership fee. Learn more at nevehshalom.org/feldstein-library.

Haggadot.com is a great resource for getting started crafting your own haggadah.

Greater Portland Hillel is looking to borrow haggadot of all kinds from Portlanders for their upcoming Pluralistic Passover Seder. If you have some you're willing to loan, email info@pdxhillel.org.

On this episode, host Rockne Roll digs into the nuts and bolts of b'nai mitzvah ceremonies and the work that goes into preparing for them. First, Cantor Rayna Green of Congregation Beth Israel talks about the history and process of becoming b'nai mitzvah. Then, Alicia Jo Rabins discusses her work as a b'nai mitzvah tutor and what becoming b'nai mitzvah outside of a synagogue looks like.

Get tickets to Rabins' performance with the Camas High School Choir at Revolution Hall online at revolutionhall.com

Read about Rabins' new web series, "Girls In Trouble TV," in today's edition of The Jewish Review at jewishportland.org/jewishreview.

Help provide a celebratory Passover meal for local families in need through the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland's Passover 4 All campaign - donate online at jewishportland.org/passover4all24.

Check out The Braid: The Go-To Jewish Story Company's new work, "Yearning To Breathe Free" in two live Zoom performances - visit tinyurl.com/BraidJFGP and use code portlandjf2 to get your free tickets courtesy of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland.

In this special episode, host Rockne Roll is joined by panelists Laura Jeser and David Fuks for a public radio-inspired Purim party.

Check out all of Portland's Purim happenings at jewishportland.org/purim.

David Fuks appears in Mask and Mirror Community Theater's "Inherit The Wind" through Mar. 17 - tickets at maskandmirror.com. His latest work, “True Life – A Shooter’s Story,” will appear at Portland's Fertile Ground Festival in April - tickets at fertilegroundpdx.org.

Mar. 17 is Super Sunday, the biggest day of the year for the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland's annual Campaign for Community Needs. Answer the call to support Jewish life in Portland or donate now at jewishportland.org/give.

On this episode, host Rockne Roll talks with Maddie Herrup, a rabbinic student and former Springboard Social Justice Fellow at Greater Portland Hillel, about the intersection of Jewish fast days and disordered eating. Herrup shares her personal story and offers insight and resources for those in similar circumstances, as well as discussing what draws her to pursuing life as a rabbi.

On this episode, host Rockne Roll explores the foundations of Jewish early childhood education with Dr. Tamar Andrews of American Jewish University's Masor School for Jewish Education and Leadership. They discuss how Jewish communities got involved in preschool, why early childhood education is so valuable, and how to find the right preschool for your family.

Learn more about AJU's programs training the next generation of Jewish educators at aju.edu/early-childhood-education.

Find the details on all of Portland's High Holy Day festivities at jewishportland.org/highholydayshappenings.

In this special episode, host Rockne Roll speaks with Jewish Federations of North America President and CEO Eric Fingerhut on the aftermath of the Oct. 7 terror attacks and how they've reshaped, and continued to reshape, Jewish life in North America. They discuss the radicalization of college campuses, how conversations have shifted around Israel, and why community engagement is the crucial action for the future of Jewish communities.

On this episode, host Rockne Roll goes over the basics of Kabbalah with Dr. Yosef Rosen, the recently-appointed Director of Jewish Life and Learning at the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. They discuss the history of Jewish mysticism, where it can be found today and how to bring a small spark of the mystical into your Jewish practice.

Reach Dr. Rosen by email at yosef@jewishportland.org.

Check out the Federation's Chanukah Happenings page online at jewishportland.org/ourcommunity/chanukahresources24.

On this episode, host Rockne Roll chats with Naomi Malka, a long-time mikvah manager who consulted on the construction and operation of Rachel's Well Community Mikvah in Portland, Oregon. They discussed what makes a mikvah a mikvah, its many uses and why immersing in its sacred waters hast the potential to be a truly profound spiritual experience.

Learn more about Rachel's Well in the Nov. 6 edition of The Jewish Review at https://jewishportland.org/jewishreview/jr-stories/rachels-well-celebrates-seven-years, and at the mikvah's website, https://jewishportland.org/ourcommunity/rachels-well-portland-mikvah.

On this episode, host Rockne Roll chats with Professor Ellen Eisenberg, the Dwight & Margaret Lear Professor of American History at Willamette University, about the history of Jewish involvement in Oregon politics. They discuss the three distinct phases of Jewish participation in the state's elections and how Portland's progressive streak evolved hand-in-hand with Jewish community engagement in progressive causes.

On this episode, host Rockne Roll speaks with Adinah Miller, a veteran Jewish educator and the program manager of Tivnu: Building Justice in Portland about the festival of Sukkot. They cover the basics, examine the connections between Tivnu's work and the messages of the holiday, and go over some ways to add meaning and richness to one's own Sukkot observance.

On the Season Two Finale, host Rockne Roll speaks with Ahava Northwest co-founders Beni Henig and Whitney Jacobson on the history of Jewish matchmaking and the realities of modern Jewish dating. They discuss frustrations with dating apps, why dating in a Jewish context can be so complicated and ways to navigate those challenges. They also explore the holiday celebrating Jewish love, Tu B'Av.

Learn more about Ahava Northwest's work and their upcoming Pints and Possibilities event at ahavanorthwest.com.

Learn more about how the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland's Gather Grants can help you do Jewish your way and apply for a grant for a fall event at Jewishportland.org/ourcommunity/gathergrants.

On this episode, host Rockne Roll chats with Portland City Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney, the lone Jewish member of Portland's recently-enlarged city council. They discuss how the changes brought on by the city's revised charter have gone, how her career in policy informs her outlook on her Judaism and whether all politics are still local.

Roll also talks with Randy Kessler, the Northwest Regional Director of StandWithUs, about the NEA Representative Assembly's vote to cut ties with the Anti-Defamation League, how anti-Israel advocacy has become a part of conversations around education at the highest levels and how parents can get involved.

Contact Kessler at northwest@standwithus.com

Learn more about Jewish Free Loan of Oregon at jewishportland.org/ourcommunity/jewish-free-loan.

On this episode, host Rockne Roll talks with Jewish Federation of Greater Portland Volunteer Coordinator Merit Pinker. They discuss the centrality of volunteerism to both Jewish values and to Pinker's own personal experience, as well as some new opportunities to volunteer within the Jewish community here in Portland.

Want to get involved? Complete the Federation's Volunteer Interest Form to get started!

On this episode, host Rockne Roll talks with Arielle Goranson, the chair of Portland's chapter of Dignity Grows, a national Jewish organization working to alleviate period poverty. They discuss what period poverty is, what volunteering at one of Dignity Grows' packing parties is like, and why this problem is a Jewish issue.

Learn more about Dignity Grows' work in Portland at jewishportland.org/dignitygrows.

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Rogoway Award. Learn more and nominate a deserving Jewish professional at jewishportland.org/rogoway.

On this episode, host Rockne Roll talks with Pamela Barkley and Rabbi Daniel Brenner at Moving Traditions, a non-profit focused on improving Jewish teen wellbeing, about the challenges facing today's teenagers. They discuss how the reverberations of the COVID pandemic are still being felt, how big a stressor antisemitism is for today's Jewish teens, and what they need from the adults in their lives.

Also, Dr. Yosef Rosen from the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland presents a playlist of songs for celebrating Tu B'Shevat, the Jewish New Year of the Trees.

Find Dr. Rosen's mix at tinyurl.com/tubshevattunes.

Register for the Federation's upcoming Tu B'Shevat event Sunday, Feb. 23, at jewishportland.org/tubshevat.

Host Rockne Roll talks with Rebecca Caspi, the Jewish Federations of North America's Senior Vice President for Global Operations and Director-General of their Israel Office, about how Israel is responding to the ceasefire agreements with Hamas and Hezbollah. They discuss the mood in the country, how the recovery process is going for those hardest hit, and how JFNA's work in Pre-Oct. 7 Israel laid the foundation for their support of Israeli society today.

Learn more at Jewishfederations.org.

Check out JFGP's new Gather Grants program for support doing Judaism your way at jewishportland.org/ourcommunity/gathergrants.

On this episode, host Rockne Roll talks with Oregon Jewish Community Foundation Director of Community Relations Noah Rosenberg. They discuss the history of Oregon's Jewish philanthropic resource, how the foundation works to support Jewish life throughout the area and why wealth isn't a prerequisite for philanthropy.

Learn more at ojcf.org.

Support wildfire relief in Los Angeles County through the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland's Los Angeles Fires Relief Fund at jewishportland.org/lacountyfires.

On this episode, host Rockne Roll speaks with Rabbi Eve Posen, Associate Rabbi of Congregation Neveh Shalom in Portland and a former Rukin Rabbinic Fellow with 18 Doors, about how interfaith families can constructively approach multiple holiday traditions in the late stages of the year. They discuss the importance of communication, how Jewish institutions can support interfaith families, and the joys of Chanukah-themed pajamas.

Learn more about the Rukin Fellowship and find resources for mixed-heritage Jewish families at 18doors.org.

Find resources and events to celebrate Chanukah in Portland at the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland's Chanukah Happenings page at https://jewishportland.org/ourcommunity/chanukahresources24.

In this final installment of a series of conversations with departing Portland clergy, host Rockne Roll visits Rabbi Ariel Stone of Congregation Shir Tikvah. They discuss the journey of founding the synagogue, the delight Rabbi Stone still finds in Torah study and her new summer hobby of llama-packing.

Apply for the eighth cohort of PDX Pathways by Friday, July 11 at https://jewishportland.org/ourcommunity/young-adults/pdx-pathways

In the second of a series of interviews with departing longtime Portland clergy, host Rockne Roll welcomes Congregation Beth Israel Senior Cantor Ida Rae Cahana. They discuss the foundational role Jewish music has played in her life, the moments that have made her time at Beth Israel memorable, and what sets Jewish life in Portland apart.

On this first of a series of "exit interviews" for departing senior clergy in Portland, host Rockne Roll welcomes outgoing Congregation Neveh Shalom Senior Rabbi David Kosak. They discuss what brought Rabbi Kosak to Portland, the importance of serving the homeless and how inclusion has been a hallmark of his rabbinate.

On this episode, host Rockne Roll welcomes Mindy Zeitzer, the outgoing chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland's Board of Directors. They discuss how much goes into being the volunteer chair of a community organization, the advice she’d go back and give herself when she took on this role and how her experiences in nursing education have impacted her outlook on her Judaism.

Register for JFGP's 105th Annual Meeting at jewishportland.org/annual25.

On this episode, host Rockne Roll speaks with Anouk Cohen and Ben Luria, Portland high school students who are participating in the inaugural Portland cohort of the Student to Student program. They talk about their experiences sharing their Jewish experiences with other students, many of whom have no prior experience with even meeting Jews, and what they hope to gain from the process. Additionally, Roll visits with author and speaker Dorice Horenstein about her forthcoming book, "Choose to Be Your Own Champion," and how the choices we make - and how we make them - affect who we are.

Learn more about Student to Student and apply for next year's cohort at https://jewishportland.org/studenttostudent.

Learn more about Horenstein's work and her new book at https://doricehorenstein.com.

Learn about Dignity Grows and their upcoming packing party in Portland at https://jewishportland.org/dignitygrows.

On this episode, the name for which includes a Hebrew phrase which translates to "from generation to generation," host Rockne Roll talks with Sue Wendel, Debbi Montrose and Naomi Derner - all are descendants of Holocaust survivors. Each discusses their experience growing up in a survivor family, the idea of generational trauma and how the after effects of the Holocaust still show up in their lives.

Learn more about Portland's Next Generations group at nextgenerationsgroup.wordpress.com.

Learn more about 3GPNW at 3gpnw.org.

Learn more about Dignity Grows and their upcoming Packing Party at jewishportland.org/dignitygrows.

On this Passover episode, host Rockne Roll talks with Noah Jacob, a luminary of Portland's Jewish culinary scene, about the makings of a top-tier seder dinner. They discuss how traditional seder dinner entrees came about, how to liven up the holiday meal and the secrets of the perfect roast chicken. Dr. Yosef Rosen also stops by to talk about how and - and why - to make your own matzah this year and ways to make your seder your own.

Find a recording of Dr. Rosen's recent webinar on Seder hosting at jewishportland.org/pastevents.

Check out Dr. Rosen's essay on homemade matzah in the Apr 2 edition of The Jewish Review at jewishportland.org/jewishreview/jr-stories/the-how-and-why-of-self-made-matzah.

On this episode, host Rockne Roll first speaks with Danielle Frandina, a curriculum developer at Facing History and Ourselves, about Facing History’s approach to teaching about contemporary antisemitism and how parents can get involved supporting their students. Later, Roll connects with Celia Janoff and Reuben Cohen from the Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation about why philanthropy can also be a young person’s undertaking and why working together to support their community means so much more than going it alone.

Frandina will be speaking at the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland’s upcoming K-12 Parent Advocacy Night Monday, Apr. 7 at 7 pm at Congregation Neveh Shalom in Portland. Registration is free and available at jewishportland.org/aprilparentadvocacynight.

Learn more about Facing history and their work at facinghistory.org.

Tickets for the OJCYF Benefit Dinner are available at ojcf.org/programs/benefit-event. Learn more about OJCYF at ojcf.org/programs/ojcyf.

Sign up for JFGP’s free “How to Host a Passover Seder” webinar, scheduled for Thursday, Apr. 3 at 7 pm, at jewishportland.org/passoversederwebinar.

Check out JFGP’s Passover Happenings page at jewishportland.org/passoverhappenings.