By Manny Frishberg, JTNews Correspondent Finding new ways to promote Jewish culture has moved two prominent members of the local Jewish community in new directions. Matthew Brogan and Michele Yanow will steer the direction of Nextbook, a project promoting a deeper understanding of Jewish culture in the Puget Sound areaContinue Reading

By Joel Magalnick, JTNews Correspondent With Wednesday’s approval of the two-year budget by state lawmakers, many social service agencies can breathe a small sigh of relief. Tens of millions of dollars that had been slashed from Gov. Gary Locke’s budget proposal in January were put back on the table, whichContinue Reading

By Joel Magalnick, JTNews Correspondent On May 14, approximately 30 members of the Jewish community picked up their signs and marched outside of National Public Radio affiliate KUOW’s headquarters in Seattle’s University District. The demonstration, one of nearly three dozen nationwide, protested NPR’s coverage of Israel. Organizers say that overContinue Reading

By Joel Magalnick, JTNews Correspondent When Tipper Gore gives a slide show, she likes to cover her entire life as a jumping-off point for telling her stories. She also likes a large audience. In the case of her recent Seattle visit, that audience was 850 well-dressed members of the SeattleContinue Reading

By Jessica Davis, JTNews Correspondent Playwright Lee Blessing’s 1988 political drama, Two Rooms, about Middle East policy, terrorism and the disconnect between government and the media, is as pertinent now as when it was written. “I think that, given the focus of the world on that region right now andContinue Reading

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