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Zooms show education can ease discrimination

Recordings of two October Zoom programs that address discrim- cy and anti-Black racism in the United States has led to our failure
ination – and the power of knowledge and education to change to make significant, lasting progress on the issue of racial justice.
society for the better – are now available on the Jewish Federation Knowledge can change people’s views, people’s opinions and their
of Greater Portland website at jewishportland.org/pastevents: behavior.”
• “Chronicle of Racism” a talkback with Jeffery Robinson, pro- Similarly, Kamal-Mreeh credited education as “the most import-
ducer of the documentary “Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism ant tool to connect people.”
in America” “It’s trendy to criticize Israel,” she said. “Educate yourself and
• “Lunch and Learn Zoom” with Gadeer Kamal-Mreeh, Israel’s others about what is really happening in Israel.”
first Druze shlicha for The Jewish Agency for Israel. As a minority within a minority – an Israeli who is not a Jew, an
The film “Who We Are” (available on Netflix) and the talkback Arab who is not Muslim – Kamal-Mreeh said she “symbolizes the
with Robinson are a continuation of the Black/Jewish collabora- complexity and beauty of Israel society.”
tion between the JFGP Community Relations Council and the Van- Noting she respects her country as the ancient homeland of the
couver Avenue First Baptist Church. The two groups organized a Jewish people, she said she does have a problem with “what is not
civil rights mission to Georgia and Alabama this past April. written in law.”
“The trip was powerful, emotional and inspiring, just like the While Israel’s Declaration of Independence ensures “complete
film that we’ll be discussing tonight,” said Bob Horenstein, JFGP equality … of residents irrespective of religion, race or sex,” the
Community Relations Director. “The two communities have many Supreme Court has ruled the guarantees are “guiding principles,”
shared interests, including combating hate and discrimination and not law.
insidious efforts to erase or at least obscure our country’s history “It is important to be able to talk about Israel, warts and all,” she
of racism and slavery. So this evening, we are thrilled to have with said. “There are solutions. We are a young state that is learning.”
us Jeffery Robinson.” “We are still a vibrant democracy with legitimate tools to stabi-
Robison said, “A false narrative about the role of White suprema- lize the system,” she said.
Obituaries

LEORA LILY WERNER tions to her community. She served as a for academic programs and facilities ulti-
Leora Lily Werner (Stein), z”l, died Oct. 28, board member for the Portland Fruit Tree mately totaled more than $150 million. He
2022, at age 35 due to complications from Project, volunteered with Zenger Farm and embarked on a rescue mission in 2004 that
bacterial meningitis in her hometown, sang in the ViVoce Choir to name but a few. led him to jump-start six urgently needed
Portland. She is building projects. Although he was never a
survived by her MELANIE GOODMAN ECKSTEIN student there, Lokey treated the UO as gen-
husband, Ben Wer- Melanie Goodman Eckstein, z”l, passed erously as his alma mater Stanford Univer-
ner; children, Lilah away Oct. 30, 2022, at the age of 99½. She sity and three of Israel’s leading universities.
(age 4) and Asa (9 is loved and remembered by Congregation Lokey attended Stanford University, from
months); sister, Jo- Neveh Shalom members; her son, Jerome which he attained a bachelor’s degree in
anna Stein; mother, (Lisa) Eckstein; and her granddaughter, journalism in 1949. He also served in the
Shera Sinell; father, Laura Eckstein. U.S. Army during World War II. One con-
Randy Stein; step- stant in his life was his love of journalism,
father, Andrew Eh- LORRY LOKEY from being an editor of the Stanford Daily to
rlich; and stepmoth- Lorry Lokey, z”l, died Oct. 1, 2022, at his his work on the Pacific Stars & Stripes to an
er, Susan Steindler. Atherton, Calif., home. He was 95. He is early job for United Press. Combining his
A memorial service will be at 1:30 pm, survived by daughters, Basya Lokey, Mir- journalism and public relations experience
Dec. 4, at Havurah Shalom. iam Khaka and Ann Lokey; seven grand- led him to start Business Wire.
Leora was born Nov. 23, 1986. She lived children; and 10 great-grandchildren. Over the years, Lokey gave hundreds of
a rich and beautiful life pursuing her pas- Lokey was born in Portland Oct. 27, 1927. millions of dollars to charity, much of it
sions for family, music, good food, the Lokey was a longtime supporter of the centered on education, medical advances
environment and gardening. Her smile Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Ju- and the Jewish community. His largesse
and open-hearted nature drew people to daic Studies at Portland State University. stemmed from the success of his company,
her, and she had a gift for nurturing lov- He played a hugely significant role in the Business Wire, a press release distribution
ing relationships, with many friendships development of the program at a crucial service he founded in San Francisco in 1961.
lasting decades. Leora adored building a moment of growth. Not only did he create The 2006 sale of that company to Warren
joyful home with Ben for Lilah and Asa, the Lorry I. Lokey Chair in Judaic Studies Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway for $600 mil-
filled with love, music, singing, laughter, at PSU, held by Natan Meir since the estab- lion allowed Lokey to become one of the
cooking and silliness. Leora was an accom- lishment of the position, he also established Bay Area’s most generous philanthropists.
plished violinist and avid cyclist. two other very important funds in Judaic
After graduating from Whitman College, Studies at PSU, one for library acquisitions SUBMISSIONS
Leora’s career began with AmeriCorps, and the other to enable students and facul- Submit obituaries to
working to combat food insecurity, and ty to study and do research in Israel. His
progressed to Marketing Manager at Whole generosity has had a huge and lasting im- editor@jewishportland.org
Foods Market and finally Marketing Direc- pact on the work of PSU’s Judaic Studies Obituaries are posted at
tor at FLO Analytics. Leora was a beloved department.
colleague who made countless contribu- At the University of Oregon, his gifts jewishportland.org/obituaries
14 Jewish Review Nov. 9, 2022