Page 1 - JR APRIL 28 21
P. 1
Day camps – Portland
has many options – pages 4-5
Get screened for
cancer genes – page 6
Jobs, volunteers, obits – page 10
April 28, 2021 / Iyar 16, 5781 Volume 56, Issue 10
PJA expands focus on diversity
BY DEBORAH MOON PJA seventh and eighth grade
Social justice has long been a humanities and drama teacher
guiding principle for Portland Marcie Brewer facilitates the
Jewish Academy. The diver- staff diversity PLC and coordi-
sity, equity, inclusion lens the nated the students’ retreat par-
school has used in recent years ticipation. PJA was allotted 12
reached a tipping point over slots for the retreat and students
the past year as protests swept had to apply.
the globe after the murder of “We actually had quite a bit
George Floyd by police. of interest,” says Brewer. “Be-
Now the school is taking ac- cause we were hoping that this
tion. opportunity would be a launch-
In March, 12 PJA middle pad for developing and starting
school students participated in a up an ally group among our
virtual Student Diversity Lead- Last June, PJA held a community vigil to show support for racial students, we decided to focus
ership Retreat hosted by the justice. More than 130 students and families turned out to support on sixth and seventh graders.”
Northwest Association of Inde- the Black community and raise visibility of the violence and racism In addition to developing a
pendent Schools, PJA’s accred- Black people experience. This March, some of those students par- committee for students to talk
iting body. During the two-day ticipated in a virtual Student Diversity Leadership Retreat. about issues of diversity, equi-
event, students connected with ty and inclusion next year, she
student leaders from across the erated plans for bringing their committee, similar to the staff says the core group will likely
Northwest, explored the role of experiences and their learning diversity professional learning give a presentation to the en-
art in social movements, par- back to PJA. community that meets every tire middle school before this
ticipated in affinity spaces and Next year, that core dozen other week to discuss issues of school year ends June 11.
arts-based workshops, and gen- plan to create a PJA student ally diversity, equity and inclusion. See DIVERSITY, page 7
Appellate judge who “loves justice” to move to senior status
BY DEBORAH MOON “I plan to continue hearing
Judge Susan Graber, appointed by Presi- cases as a senior judge
dent Clinton to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court
of Appeals in 1998, has announced her in- for the indefinite future,
tention to move to senior status.
“My letter to President Biden states that I because I love the work.”
will retire from regular active service when
the Senate confirms my successor,” says ~ Judge Susan Graber
Judge Graber, who has lived in Portland
and been a member of Congregation Beth
Israel since 1978. “My best guess is that bit more time for travel and relaxation.”
this event will occur within the next year.” Despite her busy legal schedule, Judge
Federal appellate judges can take senior Graber has also found time to be active in
status, which gives them more autonomy Portland’s Jewish community.
over their caseload, if they are over 65 and “I served on the Board of Trustees of CBI
have served for at least 15 years. for several years, and I sing in the congre- Judge Susan Graber looks at a book of pho-
“I plan to continue hearing cases as a senior gational choir (including some of the Pu- tographs of Sauvie Island birds taken by her
judge for the indefinite future, because I love rim Schpiels!),” she says. husband, Bill June. The couple spends a lot
the work,” she says. “I expect to start out on She also has been an active member of of time at Sauvie Island watching the birds
close to a full-time basis but with, I hope, a See JUDGE, page 7 and walking Bolo, their Labrador retriever.