Why Jewlandia?

Portland is a wonderful and magical place, home to wonderful and magical Jews. We’re coming together to create a Jewish community that reflects the soul of this city: zany, loving, spiritual, artsy, kind, outdoorsy, intentional, and deeply real.

We (with you) aim to build that. Together.

Our Philosophy

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1. Halacha is our guide

Halacha – Torah and Rabbinic law – guides our practice and decision-making. We take Jewish law seriously and approach it with integrity, responsibility, and care, while recognizing that living Halacha happens in real lives, not in abstractions.

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2. Judaism is for all Jews

Judaism belongs to every Jew. We are committed to creating a community that is open, welcoming, and grounded in love. Where Jews of all backgrounds, levels of observance, and experiences are met with respect and belonging.

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3. We’re all on a journey

For many of us, Portland is home because we love its particular mix of creativity, nature, strangeness, sincerity, and soul.

We want a Jewish community that reflects and embraces this.

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4. We live here for a reason

Every Jew is on a journey, shaped by personal history, challenges, growth, and change. We honor where people are, where they’ve been, and where they may be heading; without pressure, judgment, or assumptions.

meet the crew

(photos coming soon)

Estee + Zalmy + Fam

Estee is a radical unschooling mama of seven. She grew up straddling various streams of Judaism eventually becoming a baal teshuva and embracing chassidic ideology and philosophy. Estee has a background in Torah education and has spent much of her adult life in the holistic healing and educational fields.

Zalmy is a rabbi by degree and photographer by trade. He grew up on “shlichus,” his parents running a Chabad house/shul in Southern California, going through the yeshiva system and eventually getting his Rabbinic ordination in Pretoria South Africa. Coming from a illustrious line of rabbis, alongside a small but significant string of rebels, Zalmy finds himself in this strange and wonderful place where tradition and seekers meet.

Together they are raising a wonderful brood of holy monster angels.

Eva + Ben + Fam

(under construction)