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A Legacy of Jewish Connection and Learning Under the FISCHER (continued from page 2)

Kollel's Rabbi Fischer vah opened 3 1/2 years ago. I’ve had apology tours to fix community, chesed (kindness), myself, about three years ago as
Rabbi Fischer joined the team situations; it’s not all glam-
By Jenn Director Knudsen ed – indeed came up. of founders as one of its Ortho- our and glory,” he says with a mutual support. We are ... deep- the High Holidays approached,
ly saddened by this parting. But I contacted Rabbi Fischer.
In a recent Zoom interview dox representatives to ensure laugh. we rejoice in a new chapter, He’d forgotten about the inci-
Rabbi Tzvi and Esther Fischer from his nearly empty home, the mikvah was kosher and Ultimately, the Kollel main- with renewed promise, in our dent, appreciated my sentiment
and their children depart July Rabbi Fischer reflected on the available to all Jews regard- tains a very powerful legacy beloved friends’ lives.” and noted it was time to let go
7 for Detroit, where they will Kollel’s story to date. less of their level of practice here in Portland of the big and Rabbi Spivak says his long- of the guilt. Would I allow an
resettle after 16 extremely pro- The Kollel is meticulous in the or denomination. “He did this the small stuff. time colleague “has become elephant to put its full weight
ductive years here in Portland. numbers it keeps on individuals in the most subtle and kindest Haselton, who retired as Or- like a brother to me.” on my back, let alone carry
Their six children range from availing themselves of the or- of ways,” Malka says. “He also egon Appeals Chief Judge in I’ll close with a personal refer- it around all of my days? Of
7 to 20 years of age with the ganization, he says. Its goal re- brought humor to the team and 2015, says the rabbi helped set ence. More than a decade ago, course not. With that message,
youngest three born here. mains to reach people seeking a real sense of inclusivity for all a legal precedent for confiden- Rabbi Fischer helped a young I could finally slough off the
Rabbi Fischer and colleague programming and meaningful in the community.” tial communications between woman find her way back to Ju- guilt.
Rabbi Chanan Spivak founded and inspirational ways to con- Ever humble about the Kol- community members and rab- daism after a significant rough Another lesson greatly appre-
the Portland Kollel 16 years nect to Judaism. The Kollel patch. Privileged to tell her ciated by a community member.
ago. Rabbi Fischer’s departure strives “to let them know they lel’s accomplishments on his bis’ wives, similar to communi- A new fund with the Oregon
watch, Rabbi Fischer says, cations between clergy and lay story, I messed up by providing
is a great loss, but it’s also an have a way to be Jewish in their too many details to the commu- Jewish Community Foundation
opportunity to reflect on the own lives and in their experi- “More than 50 percent of things people. has been created in honor of the
Oregon Board of Rabbis (now former) Chair Eve Posen, left, bids we tried or did were duds.” He “So much beyond that, so nity about her identity despite Fischers.
a fond farewell to Portland Kollel founders Esther and Rabbi Tzvi points to the cleverly named much more that we will never her request for anonymity. Learn more about the Rabbi
Fischer at a June 13 going away event that drew about 225 peo- Y-Fi, or Young Families Ini- know: the relationships re- At the time, I apologized to her Tzvi and Esther Fischer Kollel
ple. The Fischers move to Detroit this month. tiative. “It didn’t go anywhere paired, the marriages saved,” and to Rabbi Fischer, and I then Future Fund at https://portland-
despite its great logo and cute he says. “Rabbi Fischer and Es- proceeded to carry a weight kollel.org/support/.
apt given his family starts its of Daf Yomi, reading a page of name; there were several things ther’s gift to all of us (is) a last- of guilt for years thereafter. In
cross-country trek on July 7 Talmud every day for its sev- like that. ing, immutable connection of an attempt to finally unburden
with a number of stops along en-year cycle.
the way at national parks and Among the roughly 14 classes
Mount Rushmore.) he taught each week was Tal-
For example, Rabbi Fischer mud study. Eight years ago, a
recounts a call just before the small group approached Rabbi
pandemic set in from a young Fischer asking to engage in Daf
family who’d just had their Yomi. When he began leading
second child. The parents had the 6 am sessions, he thought
grown up in the Reform Move- the group soon would drop the
ment on the East Coast where daily practice of engaging in a
Shabbat was present in their page of Talmud for seven years
Rabbis Tzvi Fischer (left) and Chanan Spivak (right) of the Portland lives as children, but once they straight.
Kollel, with Rabbi Ken Brodkin of Kesser Israel at the Farewell BBQ went to college, their Jewish Instead, he says, “the com-
for the Fischer Family. The three rabbis have worked closely with
each other and others to strengthen Jewish life in Portland and practice dwindled. munity and its members really
Oregon since they all arrived 16 years ago. They’d become interested surprised me,” with up to 35
in Eastern philosophies, but regulars studying Talmud prior
Kollel’s many accomplish- ence of mitzvot.” the birth of their second child to COVID-19, even before the
sparked a realization. They roosters roused. “Their desire to
ments (and maybe a few les- “We had roughly 1,000 indi- were not interested in syna- learn, connect, bring it alive for
sons learned along the way). viduals who were engaged in gogue life, but wanted to cre- the future. That really is what
Rosh Kollel and CEO Rabbi one way or another” in a given ate a Shabbat experience for community is, I’ve learned.”
Spivak assures the community year, he says. themselves and their growing Rick Haselton, in a speech
that he and staff will carry the “There were some people family. at a mid-June farewell event,
Kollel’s mantle into the future. who’d only pop in two, three Rabbi Fischer helped the cou- said Daf Yomi is “the ultimate
“There is most definitely a times a year to get guidance,” on ple create their own tradition – teaching challenge,” likening it
challenge in taking over Rabbi say Shabbat practice or kashrut, a special Friday evening meal to a marathon, and but one ex-
Fischer's responsibilities, since says Rabbi Fischer, who was that includes candlelighting, ample that Rabbi Fischer was
he undoubtedly has big shoes ordained in 2002. Other folks two challot and unplugging born to teach.
to fill,” says Rabbi Spivak. became regular course attend- from all media to focus solely And to lead. Rick Haselton addresses the some 225 people who turned out June 13 to bid a fond farewell to Rabbi Tzvi and Esther Fischer.
“That being said, I do feel very ees or participated in the three on family time. “Rabbi Fischer played a huge
confident and poised to do so years it took to launch Rachel’s “It was very individualized, it role in making sure the mikvah
… (we) closely conferred on Well Community Mikvah. works for them, for that fami- (ritual bath) was a place for all
nearly all programs, communal Rabbi Fischer emphasizes that ly,” Rabbi Fischer says. “It’s Jews,” says Ronnie Malka of
issues and rabbinical questions every interaction was import- important because it provides Rachel’s Well Community Mi-
that have come up.” ant, whether a one-time inqui- for them an access to what they vkah, with which she also was
More questions – from a great- ry – a “splash,” as he describes wanted but didn’t know how to intimately involved. The mik-
er cross section of Portland’s it – or something more monu- get.”
diverse Jewish community than mental, equivalent to a Mount One long-term accomplish- See FISCHER, page 3
Rabbi Fischer at first anticipat- Rushmore. (The comparison is ment was adopting the practice

2 Jewish Review July 7, 2021 Jewish Review July 7, 2021 3