The Jewish Review Podcast

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.

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.

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.