H eadlines
Jewish Portland
PORTLAND IS THE center of Judaism in
the Willamette Valley and the entire state
of Oregon.

It boasts 17 congregations (about half
of the entire state’s Jewish congregations).

Among its prominent Jewish institutions are
two Jewish day schools, a Jewish Community
Center, a Jewish Federation, a Jewish home
for the elderly and the Oregon Jewish
Museum. The Jewish Federation’s website,
jewishportland.org, is a good resource for
local Jewish resources and culture.

Although the Public Religion Research
Institute noted that Portland is the least
religious city in the country because 42%
of city respondents identified as religiously
unaffiliated, 2% of the city’s residents are
Jews. It is estimated that there are more
than 45,000 Jews in the greater Portland
area, including a resurgent Orthodox
community. In the 19th century, its first Jewish
immigrants came mostly from Eastern
A typical downtown Portland scene includes the ubiquitous MAX light rail
system. Portlanders love it, and visitors should use it.

Courtesy of Jamies-Francis and Travel Portland
The downtown Embassy Suites hotel is very different from most chain
hotels and has a gorgeous lobby that shows its historic character.

Europe and Germany. Later waves of
Jewish immigration came from Turkey and
Rhodes, in the early 20th century. The first
synagogue building was built in the 1880s
and burned down in 1923.

During the last century, Greater
Portland’s Jews have become well-in-
tegrated into the community and most
have achieved solid middle-class respect-
ability and become part of the city’s social,
commercial and political fabric.

Aaron and Jeanette Meier and Emil
Frank, of the Meier and Frank department
stores; “Soda Pop King” Louis Albert; and
Sam Schnitzer of Schnitzer Steel are histor-
ical figures. Bernard Goldsmith became the
first of the city’s five Jewish mayors, serving
from 1869-’71, and the city’s most recent
Jewish mayor was Vera Katz, who was in
office from 1992 to 2004.

For more information, check travelport-
land.com/culture/jewish-community/. l
— Jeff and Virginia Orenstein
Courtesy of EmbassySuitesPortland
S TAY S O C I A L .

S TAY S A F E .

STAY Bright.

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Brightview residents are thriving in our active communities, where
highly trained associates provide around-the-clock support and strict
safety protocols continue to protect the health and happiness of all
who live and work here.

This spring, residents are enjoying delicious, chef-prepared meals,
socially distanced programs, recreation, entertainment, happy hours,
fitness classes, and so much more with friends and neighbors who
share their interests. Join them!
WE'RE VACCINATED AND WELCOMING NEW RESIDENTS.

SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT TODAY!
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484.519.0097 www.BrightviewDevon.com
300 East Germantown Pike | East Norriton
610.239.7700 www.BrightviewEastNorriton.com
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#1 BEST WORKPLACE
JUNE 24, 2021
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