Food Stamped: A Deep Look at America’s Broken Food System with Congressman Earl Blumenauer, Monday, Feb. 20, 7-9 pm at the Bagdad Theater

This evening will include a screening of the hour-long documentary ‘Food Stamped,’ an informative, entertaining and inspiring film about the challenges to low-income families and individuals trying to eat healthy while living on food stamps. (view trailer at www.foodstamped.com)
Congressman Earl Blumenauer, a leading advocate of shifting farm subsidies away from agribusiness to the small farmer, is the guest speaker. He will discuss one of the most important pieces of legislation to counter hunger that very few Americans know anything about: The Farm Bill.
There will also be a brief video presentation about Southeast Portland’s Abernathy Elementary: “Planting Seeds of Change, Growing Healthy Kids”.
Sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland,  Oregon Faith Roundtable Against Hunger, Tuv Ha’Aretz, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and Oregon Area Jewish Committee.

Film: Ahead of Time: The Extraordinary Journey of Ruth Gruber, Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 12 pm and Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7 pm, at OJM

Born in Brooklyn in 1911, Ruth Gruber became the youngest PhD in the world before going on to become an international foreign correspondent and photojournalist at age 24. She emerged as the eyes and conscience of the world. Ahead of Time tells the story of Gruber’s remarkable journalism career, including escorting 1,000 Holocaust refugees from Naples to New York in a secret war-time mission in 1944 and the heart-wrenching ordeal of the refugees aboard the ship Exodus. General Public: $10;  Members: $8  While 50 seats last. Select this link to reserve online or call 503-226-3600

Lecture: The Jewish Community of Tomorrow, by Sanford R. Cardin, Thursday, February 23 at 7 pm, Lincoln Hall 75, Portland State University

The 7^th Annual Gus & Libby Solomon Lecture.  Sanford (Sandy) R. Cardin is a frequent presenter and panelist in global forums on topics related to catalytic grantmaking, innovative program-building, Jewish identity, young adult engagement, Israel, and more.  His published works include a chapter in What We Now Know About Jewish Education (2008) and a reflective essay on trends in contemporary American Judaism in Synagogues in a Time of Change (2009).  Sandy currently serves as a director of several organizations, including Hillel Russia, and has served in the past on the boards of such groups as the Council on Foundations and the Jewish Funders Network.  A native of Baltimore, Sandy is a graduate of Harvard University and the University of Maryland School of Law. Lincoln Hall 75, Portland State University, 1620 SW Park Ave. Admission Free.

This event is made possible by generous support from Richard Solomon and Alyce Flitcraft, and is co-sponsored by the Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies at PSU, the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation and the office of Dean Susan Beatty of the College of Liberal Arts & Science.

Nashir N’shama: A Jewish Kirtan! Sunday, Feb. 26th, 5-6:30 pm, Yoga Shala Southeast, 3249 SE Division St

Nashir N’shema weaves Jewish texts into an inviting and simple form of call-and-response chanting to invoke the meditational spirit that is at the heart of all Jewish prayer.  As usual, all are welcome, and no prior exposure to kirtan, Hebrew, or any Jewish music or rituals is required.  Song sheets with transliteration will be provided.
Just wear comfortable clothing and your best dancing socks; as with many kirtans, many may be inspired to dance! Donations welcome; all net proceeds go to J Street, a non-profit working for a practical and peaceful two-state solution in Israel.
And please bring a snack to share afterwards.  It will be dark when we’re done…and everything will still be closed!
Nashir N’shama – let us sing our soul!

Book Release:Blue Thread, by Ruth Feldman, February 27, 5 pm, Oregon Historical Society

Ooligan Press, the student-run publishing press at PSU, will be hosting the launch of their newest title, Blue Thread by Ruth Tenzer Feldman on February 27th, at 5pm at the Oregon Historical Society. Released in line with the Oregon Women’s Suffrage Centennial, Blue Thread, a young adult novel, is a unique blend of history, politics, Jewish culture, and fantasy woven into a classic coming-of-age story.

Benefit Concert for Harper’s Playground, March 14, 7 pm at the Crystal Ballroom

The fundraising drive for Harper’s playground is almost over, but there’s still a ways to go. Come see great music and help push the money line towards the goal! The concert is for adults only. Keegan Smith, among others, will be playing.  Tickets are $25 a person, and are available through the Crystal Ballroom web page.

Author’s Talk: Ruth Feldman on Blue Thread, Sun, March 18 at 2 pm, at OJM

Author Ruth Feldman will read from and discuss her recently published young adult fiction book, Blue Thread. The book takes place about a century ago in Portland and more than 3000 years ago in the Middle East. Sixteen year-old Miriam Josefsohn inherits her great-grandmother’s prayer shawl, thrusting her into a time-traveling adventure, the outcome of which will resonate for generations. Free with Museum admission. Registration at www.ojm.org or call 503-226-3600

Film: Painted Life, Wednesday, March 21 at 12 noon and Thursday, March 22 at 7 pm, at the OJM

History, transformation, death, and reverence are some of the themes explored in Painted Life, a cross-generational, cross-cultural portrait of Dutch immigrant artist Henk Pander. Painted Life follows the familial thread that links early 20th century Netherlands to 21st century America. The artist Henk Pander will be present. General Public: $10;  Members: $8  While 50 seats last. Select this link to reserve online or call 503-226-3600

Ongoing

Exhibit: The Dawn of Tomorrow: Oregon Jews and Woman Suffrage, January 19 – May 6, at OJM

The Dawn of Tomorrow: Oregon Jews and Woman Suffrage explores the sometimes equivocal participation of Oregon’s Jewish community in the six campaigns that ultimately gave Oregon women the right to vote in 1912. From views voiced by local rabbis to the anti-suffrage sentiment expressed in Portland’s Jewish press— the exhibit uses local newspaper accounts and photographs to weave together an intriguing story. At the Oregon Jewish Museum.

Exhibit: Transport –Works by Henk Pander and Esther Podemski, January 19 – May 20, at the OJM

In Transport – Works by Henk Pander and Esther Podemski, the artists use World War II as the backdrop from which to explore the remembered realities of wartime. Dutch born Pander’s work delves into the world of his difficult and dangerous childhood. Podemski grew up in Portland listening to her parent’s tales of surviving ghettos, concentration camps, and a daring post-war escape. Both artists root their connection to the past in childhood memories and family connections. Pander and Podemski explore complex relationships–between time and memory and truth and the subjectivity of the mind–with intellectual rigor and brilliant rendering. At the Oregon Jewish Museum.