P’nai Or History

Rabbi Aryeh leads the celebration as Sari Telpner and Asha Slater arrive at PDX with the Torah loaned to P’nai Or by  Congregation Beth Shalom in Sioux City Iowa. Sept 8, 1997. Courtesy Robert Back/The Oregonian, 9/9/1997.

1991: P’nai Or of Portland started with a workshop led by Rabbi Aryeh Hirschfield of Ashland followed by visits each month. The group met in private homes.

1995: With 65 congregants, Rabbi Aryeh moved to Portland.

1998: The synagogue relocated to Koinonia House at Portland State University. Programs included children’s and adult education, a Tikkun Olam committee, Hebrew classes, music groups, and meditation circles.

2014: Relocated to Mark Presbyterian Church.

January 6, 2009, Rabbi Aryeh passed away in a swimming accident. Rabbi David Zaslow of Ashland Oregon led services for two years.

2011-2014: Rabbah D'vorah Kolodny became the spiritual leader.

2014-2019: Congregation was lay-led with the help of Hazzan Baruch Morris.

2018-2023: Relocated to Hillsdale Community Church with spiritual leader Rabbi Hannah Laner.

In this transitional year without an official Spiritual Leader, our Religious Life Committee has been organizing and leading our Shabbat and holiday celebrations. The  Religious Life Committee members are Cathy Zheutlin, Lynn Taylor, Mashpi'ah Zahavi, and Student Rabbi Zmira Lovejoy. Student Rabbi Zmira Lovejoy ("Reb Zmira") will be installed as P’nai Or’s next Spiritual Leader in August 2024.