Local

With Appointment of New President, the 'Circle' Now Comes Full Circle

By:

Maddy Braun hardly spent any time in synagogues when she was growing up. Despite that, the Lafayette Hill resident says Jewish values are reflected in everything she does. That, she says, comes from her family's longstanding commitment to Der Arbeter Ring -- the Workmen's Circle. Like her parents, she grew up learning Jewish customs, songs and even Yiddish at a...

Local

Working to Build From the Ground Up

By:

Rachel Vigoda, JE Feature

Carpenter David Campbell originally wanted to name his new business "From Sperm to Worm." But decorum prevailed. Still, the rejected name, eventually replaced with "The WoodsMyth" ( www.thewoodsmyth.com ) , does do a good job summing up the man's calling: He creates unusual wood items for every step in the life cycle, from cradles to his most popular item, caskets...

Local

In West Philly, Hummus Stands In for a Sword

By:

Deborah Hirsch

University of Pennsylvania freshman Josh Cooper says that he's tired of always hearing about politics every time Israel comes up in news or conversation. So when the 19-year-old heard that local Palestinian-rights activists were attempting to turn hummus into a political pawn, he knew he had to do something. The activists, about two dozen members of the newly formed Philadelphia...

National

Dems Still Favored by Local Voters

By:

Bryan Schwartzman

Soon after casting his ballot at Temple Beth Hillel/Beth El in Wynnewood, Larry Rubin, 69, stood in the brisk autumn air and reflected on his vote. "I'm very disappointed with the way our government is going," Rubin said, explaining why he'd voted a straight Republican ticket. "I'm very concerned about my grandchildren and the future they are going to face...

Local

Terrorist Threat Prompts Exam of Security

In response to last week's revelation of terrorist plots involving synagogues in Chicago through air-mailed explosives, a number of Philadelphia Jewish facilities have enhanced slightly or maintained the status quo of their security standards, according to a random sampling of area synagogues and organizations. At Beth Sholom Congregation in Elkins Park, "we have had in place a package-receipt system for...