By Jessica Davis, JTNews Correspondent For local filmmaker Ann Coppel, Jewish vocalist and composer Debbie Friedman is an inspiration. Her current documentary film project, “A Journey of Spirit,” explores Friedman and a story of community building, spirituality and healing, as well as overcoming personal and professional obstacles along the way.Continue Reading

By Emily Moore, JTNews Correspondent Who better to receive a Mother’s Day food tribute than our Jewish mothers? Even outside Jewish culture, jokes and stories have long informed society of their attributed characteristics: Strong and loving, critical yet utterly compassionate, too worried about us and infuriatingly long suffering. Above all,Continue Reading

By Diana Brement, JTNews Correspondent Poetry The Transcript rarely receives poetry to review (poetry presses can rarely afford book promotion), so Circe’s Island (Silverfish Review, $12.96, softcover) by local writer and teacher Judith Skillman is a special treat. Skillman’s lyrical poems weave Jewish imagery with Greek mythology and visions ofContinue Reading

By Alex Lawson, Special to JTNews Like many members of the area’s Jewish community, they made their own Seder plates and hagaddot. They prepared their own charoset, boiled eggs and even made their own matzoh. These aren’t your typical family members preparing for Passover, however; they’re the children at twoContinue Reading

By Janis Siegel, JTNews Correspondent Dr. Ra’anan Gissin says the Israeli government welcomes a new Palestinian government. That was Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s senior advisor and the lead spokesperson’s message when he came to Seattle as a part of Caravan for Democracy on May 1. As Gissin took the podiumContinue Reading

By Joel Magalnick, Editor, JTNews It took some last minute scrambling and a lot of holding of breath, but the Federation’s campaign has closed ahead of last year’s results. The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle’s annual community campaign ended April 30, and the final tally, according to the Federation’s ExecutiveContinue Reading

By Jessica Davis, JTNews Correspondent “Is this Jessica Davis?” asks actor Tony Curtis as he phones from Delaware for his interview. “Yes,” I reply. “I’ve been waiting to talk to you my whole life,” he quips. At 77, Curtis is still the same charming heartthrob many admired in his youngerContinue Reading

By Manny Frishberg, JTNews Correspondent This is the second in a series on domestic violence in Seattle’s Jewish community. This article focuses on ways survivors of abuse have successfully gotten out of their situations. Deborah DeDonaldo is a survivor of domestic violence. Several years ago she was stuck and mostlyContinue Reading

By Joel Magalnick, JTNews Correspondent Eighty acres on Samish Hill in Bellingham have recently been purchased by Congregation Beth Israel. The congregation, Bellingham’s largest, had been searching for a new home for close to 10 years. The land was purchased in conjunction with the city of Bellingham from the WrightContinue Reading