Page 10 - JR March 3 21 FINAL

PDX Hillel b’nai mitzvah to celebrate creating leaders

BY DEBORAH MOON
Greater Portland Hillel will PDX HILLEL
celebrate 13 years of creating B’NAI MITZVAH
connections and future Jewish WHAT: Join PDX
leaders as it honors the achieve-
ments of one of those leaders. Hillel for a festive
PDX Hillel programs are hour of celebrating
open to all Portland-area col- and reflecting on
lege students. Hillel staff work 13 wonderful years
on a weekly basis with Jewish of community build-
student groups at Portland State
University and Lewis & Clark ing, Jewish learning
College. Staff also support Jew- and leadership devel-
ish students at Reed, Univer- opment. Meet current
sity of Portland and Portland students and support
Community College to plan Hillel’s continued
programs for their campus or
learn what support they need accomplishments. Lewis and Clark students enjoy PDX Hillel’s annual Welcome
from Hillel. WHEN: 7-8 pm, Back Shabbat, which was held on Zoom at the start of this school
Over 13 years, PDX has en- Thursday, March 4 year. “Attendance at our virtual New Student Orientation Shabbat
gaged 1,000 students who have at Lewis and Clark was up 48 percent over last year’s in-person
interacted with programs con- WHERE: Zoom Shabbat, proving that even though we are mostly virtual, students
stantly and many more at big RSVP: pdxhillel.org are looking for a Jewish community on campus (and keep coming
outreach events such as the PSU back!),” says PDX Hillel Executive Director Hannah Sherman.
Purim Party, LC Passover Seder
and Ethiopia Night, which have 1,000 future Jewish leaders.” Jewish community has been a expand and elevate our Hillel
drawn hundreds of students. One of those students is grad- shining light and an example work on campus today, but will
“Now at 13 years old, we uating senior Zack Dworkin, for his fellow students.” graduate from college and con-
have an amazing team with just who will receive the Future Hannah has served as exec- tinue to positively shape and
the right skills and abilities to Leaders Award at PDX Hillel’s utive director since 2018. In contribute to their local Jewish
spark the next generation of March 4 celebration (see box). December 2019, PDX Hillel communities.”
Jewish leaders,” says PDX Hil- “He has served as a constant received Hillel International’s More information about the
lel Board Chair Debbie Plawn- ner tamid or eternal flame for Philip H. and Susan Rudd Co- Future Leaders Campaign will
er, who has been on the board Hillel at Lewis & Clark Col- hen Outstanding Campus Award be shared at the event or can be
about seven years. lege,” says PDX Hillel Execu- for growth in engaging students. found on pdxhillel.org.
“Hannah and her team cre- tive Director Hannah Sherman. “As children ascend into “I am very excited about PDX
ate such warm, inviting and “Zach’s organization keeps staff adulthood with their b’nai Hillel’s growth and reach in the
fun opportunities for stu- and students alike on track for mitzvah, we, too, are ascending last 13 years,” says Rob Shlach-
dents to engage in Jewish life successful programming and into our next stage of growth,” ter, who served as the group’s
during their college years. I engagement (for example, he says Hannah. “We are so excit- first board chair. “The future
am most in awe of the stories begins brainstorming and plan- ed to be launching our Future also looks good under the guid-
I hear every year of students ning for Passover before school Leaders Campaign to inspire ance of outstanding Executive
who, after their time with PDX even starts!). From Zach’s the Jewish future by investing Director Hannah Sherman and
Hillel, go on to study in Isra- first Shabbat as a freshman, to in student leadership. We be- talented Board Chair Debbie
el, intern or work for a Jewish where he is now as the presi- lieve that by investing in the Plawner. The frosting on the
organization or formally con- dent of Lewis & Clark Hillel, professional development and cake is our diverse and proac-
vert to Judaism,” says Debbie. Zach’s commitment to creating growth of our student leaders tive board of directors. Onward
“Basically, we have graduated a consistent, fun and engaging now, these leaders will not only and upward!”
Heart is Where the Home Is (CSP)

Cedar Sinai Park’s Virtual Annual Bene- one of Portland’s most famous voices, Ari
fit “Heart Is Where The Home Is” will be Shapiro, host of NPR’s All Things Consid-
Saturday, March 13, 2021. We’ve extended ered. Ari will serve as our emcee for the
our RSVP deadline to March 5 to accom- evening. There will also be musical en-
modate more friends. tertainment and inspirational videos high-
The party starts at 6:30 pm with a craft lighting Cedar Sinai Park’s residents and
mixology lesson with Daniel Shoemaker, programs.
owner of the renowned Teardrop Lounge. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to show
(Guests in the Portland metro area who your love and commitment to the people
RSVP by March 5 will receive the makings who live and work at Cedar Sinai Park.
of two cocktails/mocktails!) The event is free. RSVP at
NPR's Ari Shapiro will emcee CSP's benefit. Then spend an exclusive evening with cedarsinaipark.org/giving/benefit.
10 Jewish Review March 3, 2021