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Song of Miriam 2020-21 honorees, part 3 Josh Foster spent five months Dignity Grows reschedules

volunteering at this day care
center in Yafo, Israel, while on party to pack hygiene totes
ROBIN ELLISON erously funds projects that support faculty and the Young Judaea Year Course. You can volunteer with Dignity Grows
Honored by Temple Beth Sholom, Salem students in the two programs. Here Josh and Israeli counsel- on July 11 to pack Dignity Totes. The totes
Robin Ellison She has worked tirelessly on the PJA auction, or Ophir are shown with three provide monthly personal and menstrual
is the “volun- procuring items, working closely with auction youth he worked closely with, hygiene products to women, girls and in-
teer-event ma- staff and co-chairing the event for a number of Adisu, Adisu and Adam. “This dividuals assigned female at birth who can-
ven” at Temple years. day was really special, because not afford them.
Beth Sholom in Carol has served on the PJA Board of Directors we celebrated an America Day Totes assembled will be donated to Outside
Salem. during this very challenging time and has, along led by me and another girl on In, an organization supporting youth ages
Events that with fellow board members, helped provide the Year Course,” says Josh. “We 18-24 experiencing homelessness and other
used to be co- resources needed to give students a quality edu- played games like pin the tail on marginalized people as they move toward
ordinated by the cation during the time of quarantine. the donkey, cornhole and bas- improved health and self-sufficiency.
congregation’s PJA says Carol’s caring and generous spirit is ketball, did face painting, and The July 11 Dignity Grows Packing Party
Holiday Obser- deeply felt by them, and they thank her for her made peanut butter and jelly has two shifts available (see below). Orig-
vance Commit- heartfelt generosity, saying they are honored to sandwiches.” inally scheduled for June 27, the packing
tee have now know her and have her as a member of the PJA party was postponed.
been organized kehilla – community. GAP YEAR (continued from page 1) “The leadership of Dignity Grows and ev-
(and often paid eryone at the Jewish Federation takes pub-
for) by Robin SHARI RAIDER fact that we live with a group of Tzofim (Is- him Hebrew. lic health and safety seriously. Therefore,
Josh was a member of Congregation Shaa-
raeli Scouts) who are our age and are doing
For 27 years, the Jewish and her family. Honored by Havurah Shalom a year of service before serving in the IDF,” rie Torah in high school and served on the due to the extreme heat, we canceled the
She has organized Hanukkah parties such as the
Shari
Raider
Women’s Round Table has “Latkes and Vodka” events and has helped plan has been a key says Josh. “Having that connection with Is- chapter and Regional Boards for Pinwheel pack,” says JFGP Campaign Director Wen-
dy Kahn. “We rescheduled as quickly as
recognized women volunteers and prepare community seders (most recently, an part of the Ha- raeli teens really helped me feel like an ‘in- USY from his freshman to junior year of possible in July because Outside In distrib-
in the community at its Song of outdoor seder this year because of COVID). sider’ in Israel. They are super friendly and high school. Being in a majority Jewish utes approximately 70 Dignity Totes every
vurah
Shalom
Miriam Awards Brunch. In addition, Robin usually prepares much of the community very informative.” country after grow- six to eight weeks. We want to keep them in
In the face of the pandemic, food at these events (including all of the Pesach since 2007, Josh spent one ing up in Portland hygiene totes, especially knowing that the
the brunch was cancelled last desserts at the recent seder). Further, she helped when she start- Shabbat with a felt “powerful,” yet needs increase in the summer months.”
year. This year, JWRT leaders prepare take-home seder meals for those who ed welcoming Scout and his fam- he still felt at home. In the spirit of tikkun olam and tzedakah,
still believed it would not be could not attend the in-person seder. Havurah fami- ily in Ra’anana. “The amount of Women’s Philanthropy of Greater Portland
safe to hold an indoor event Robin is always available and willing to help lies to her farm He also went on a Jewish diversity in this spring created the 15th chapter of Dig-
that often draws more than 300 any congregant in need, no matter how big or on Sauvie Island camping trip near Israel (both cultural/ nity Grows, a national nonprofit launched
people. small the task is. for “Shabbat the Dead Sea one ethnic and level of by the federation system’s National Wom-
Since the first brunch in In short, the congregation says Robin is a dedi- on the Farm.” weekend with a religiousness) was a en’s Philanthropy.
June 1993, between 15 and cated volunteer who makes Temple Beth Sholom This commu- couple of the Scouts Josh and his Year Course roommates enjoy difference that sur- Dignity Grows provides a hands-on op-
prised and impressed
and some friends.
23 women have received the a better place to be. nity-building “If you’re consid- rafting on the Jordan River. me the most about portunity for women (and men) to engage
annual award. Honorees have activity was a ering a gap year, Israel,” says Josh. “I with their philanthropy and community. At
been selected by more than 25 CAROL RAY RICHMOND program that want to try something different, make some am convinced that Israel’s diversity, a pillar each pack in Portland, volunteers will have a
congregations and organiza- Honored by Portland Jewish Academy young families lifelong connections, learn more about of Israeli society, is one of the main reasons chance to learn about period poverty and the
tions. Nearly 500 women have Portland Jew- looked forward to every year. yourself and have an immeasurable amount why the country, despite its size and age, has Judaic reason for engaging in this social jus-
been honored since the award ish Academy is A few years ago, Shari and her family moved of fun, Young Judaea Year Course is for thrived and flourished.” tice effort, and of course, pack Dignity Totes.
was created. pleased to hon- to Northwest Portland, and she quickly took on you,” Josh says. Josh hasn’t decided on a major when he What is period poverty? It is the lack of
JWRT and the Jewish Review or Carol Ray leadership roles at Havurah. She has co-chaired Josh wasn’t the only teenager who went starts college at Occidental this fall. But access to menstrual products, clean and
have united to ensure Song of Richmond as its the Tikkun Olam Sanctuary Committee since it in search of a gap year last spring. The pan- he says, “I love learning languages and safe toilets, handwashing facilities and
waste disposal, and education about repro-
Miriam Award nominees from Song of Miriam was established and is a leader in Havurah’s part- demic that closed many college campuses am eager to continue educating myself and ductive biology.
2020 and 2021 get the recogni- honoree. Carol’s nership with the Interfaith Movement for Immi- drove many first-year students to defer deepening my connection with the land of You can support Dignity Grows by volun-
tion they deserve. Throughout quiet leadership grant Justice, serving as part of the core team that their admission for a year. Twenty percent Israel and my Jewish identity.” teering at packs and by purchasing a tote(s).
the next few issues, the Review does not go un- guides Havurah in supporting a family seeking of Harvard first-year students opted to de- He has some advice for parents of high Each $10 tote contains a one-month supply
asylum.
will feature pictures of honor- noticed and has Shari shares her accounting skills as the congre- fer, more than double the usual rate; Penn school graduates: “If you wish for your of hygiene and menstrual products. To learn
ees along with a description helped to sup- gation’s treasurer. She has an amazing ability to State saw a 300% increase in freshman child to develop a deeper connection to more, donate or volunteer – all genders wel-
of their work and why they are port the school mold the budget within the context of Havurah’s choosing to take a gap year. This year’s both their Jewish identity and the land of come – email wendy@jewishportland.org
valuable to their organizations. in numerous values and to explain those decision points in a Young Judaea program was especially Israel, as well as allow your child to expe- or visit jewishportland.org/dignitygrows.
ways.
Following is the third group In her years as way that is easily understandable. large, with 130 kids from the United States, rience the beautiful contrast that Israel has
of three women whose organi- a parent in the Shari is not only open to new ways of seeing England, Scotland and Holland who spent between modern, high-tech innovation and DIGNITY GROWS PARTY
zations selected them to receive school, Carol has things, she gently challenges members to be open nine months in Israel. powerful religious energy/pivotal historic WHEN: 10-11 am or 11:30 am-12:30, July 11.
Josh’s uncle, David Hershberg, told him sites, I strongly recommend you send them
the Song of Miriam. been a tremendous supporter of her daughters’ to possibilities that will enable Havurah to contin- about his experience on Year Course when on Young Judaea Year Course.” WHERE: Outdoors at the Mittleman Jewish
More honorees will be pro- teachers in the early childhood and day school ue to evolve into a more transparent, value-based he was 19 and suggested Josh check it out. The Jewish Federation of Greater Port- Community Center, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy.,
filed in issues throughout the programs. In addition, Carol helped spearhead community. Havurah Shalom says it is blessed to After a 14-day quarantine on arriving in land offers Chai Israel scholarships for high Portland.
summer. and lead the Family Giving Circle, which gen- have her participation and commitment. Israel, Josh began volunteering at a day school, summer or gap year programs in WHO: The event is open to participants ages
13 and older. All participants must wear a
care center in Yafo, which has a huge Ethi- Israel. Gap year scholarships are for high mask unless they bring proof of vaccination.
You can read about the six recipients already profiled in this series: Marni Glick, Eliana opian and Arab presence. He made food for school graduates who have not yet started Arrive 10 minutes prior to shift if you are
Temkin, Sam Perrin, Hannah Berkowitz, Joni Plotkin and Kathleen Doctor. Find Part 1 and the kids, did art projects and helped them college. For details, contact Rachel Nelson bringing your vaccination card.
Part 2 of the series at jewishportland.org/jewishreview/jr-stories/song-of-miriam-awards-part-1 with math. But his favorite activity was at rachel@jewishportland.org or 503-892- RSVP (required): jewishportland.org/
teaching the kids English while they taught 7415 or visit jewishportland.org/travelisrael. dignity-grows-volunteer-registration.
4 Jewish Review July 7, 2021 Jewish Review July 7, 2021 5