A Message From Our CEO

January 17, 2025:

First and foremost, I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone in the JCA community who has reached out to me since my husband passed away. It has meant so much to my family and to me to feel the love and support from our new community. We are still reeling, but all the messages, the meal train, the cards, the visits have all made things much more bearable. Particularly for my children, who don’t yet have a social support network here, it has been wonderful for them to feel the welcome of the Portland Jewish community. Todah rabah, truly.

I’m sure everyone has seen the news of the ceasefire, which Israel formally approved today. Although there are still many unknowns ahead, we're hopeful that this agreement will be fully implemented so that all remaining hostages can be safely returned to their families, the war can end, and we can begin the difficult work of moving toward a future that involves a lasting peace in the region and ensures the safety and dignity of both the Israeli and Palestinian people.

Here in Portland we continue the work of helping Jewish live thrive, locally and around the world. There is much work to

be done, and the staff and board are dedicated to carrying out that work. Your support makes that possible, and we’re grateful for all those in the community who support us financially as well as with their time.

Shabbat Shalom

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JCA Committees

May 30, 2025

The JCA's Jewish Community Relations Council, Michael Klahr Jewish Family Services, and Program Committees are recruiting new members to support the J’s staff in planning, reviewing, and volunteering for events. We are seeking to diversify our committees and would welcome your input and experience. Jewish Community Relations Council Committee: Our newly reconstituted Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) will be focused around a series of working groups: an antisemitism working group to assist in developing plans to proactively address antisemitism statewide, as well as respond to incidents when they happen; an intercultural working group to support outreach to other faith and cultural groups in our area for community-building and dialogue; a social action working group to work in conjunction with KJFS on community social action in line with our values; and, an Israel working group to support Israel-related education and programming If you are interested in participating in these working groups, please email our JCRC Director, Zach Schwartz Michael Klahr Jewish Family Services Committee: Our newly reconstituted Klahr Jewish Family Services (KJFS) committee is also looking for new members. With our refugee work decreasing due to changes in immigration policies, KJFS will be building out new programs to serve our community. This is a chance to get in on the ground floor for planning the next steps to support and care for those in need. If you are interested in joining the KJFS committee, please email our KJFS Director, Margaret Mailander . Program Committee: The Program Committee is recruiting new members to support the JCA’s Program Director in planning, reviewing, and volunteering for events in arts, culture, and well-being. We are seeking to further diversify our committee and are keen to have representation from: the Israeli community; the twenty-something community; the LGBTQ+ community, the Young Jewish Professionals social group, and men (not mutually exclusive!). We would also love to have someone with a marketing background join us. For more information, please contact Program Committee Chair Janet Marstine .

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