Living Jewishly

Connect in Dayton | Networking & Social Groups

Young Adult Division
Programs and networking for young Jewish adults in the Dayton area.

J-Shoft
Connect with Jewish Students at the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University through community service, cultural, and social events.

Chabad Women’s Circle
Join local women from all Jewish backgrounds at monthly events, holiday celebrations, and volunteer programs.

Hadassah (Local Chapter)
The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, is a volunteer organization that inspires a passion for and commitment to its partnership with the land and people of Israel.

Active Adults
Dine Arounds, volunteer work, and holiday celebrations for older adults.

Jewish War Veterans (Local Chapter)
As the oldest veterans’ organization in the United States, Jewish War Veterans advocates nationally on behalf of all veterans.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The following places of worship and community organizations coordinate many volunteer programs throughout the Dayton region: Beth Abraham Synagogue; Chabad of Greater Dayton; Temple Beth Or; Temple Israel; Hadassah; The Holocaust Education Committee; the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton, the Jewish Community Center; and Jewish Family Services of Greater Dayton.

Grow in Dayton | Youth, Teen, & Family

SUMMER CAMPS
Summer and Winter Day Camp Gan Israel (Chabad of Greater Dayton)
Summer and Winter Day Camp Shalom (JCC of Greater Dayton)
Camp Livingston (JCC Overnight Camp) Bennington, Indiana
GUCI (URJ Overnight Camp) Zionsville, Indiana
Camp Wise (JCC Overnight Camp) Chardon, Ohio
Camp Ramah (USCJ Overnight Camp) Conover, Wisconsin

YOUTH LEADERSHIP
Locally, there are many opportunities for teen leadership: Jewish Boy Scouts; BBYO KIO (JCC); NFTY Ohio Valley (Temple Beth Or & Temple Israel); USY Central Region (Beth Abraham Synagogue).

Learn in Dayton | Education & Resources

EARLY EDUCATION
JCC Early Childhood Education: Childcare and preschool with a Jewish-centered curriculum for children ages 6 weeks to 6 years old.

Hillel Academy of Greater Dayton: Kindergarten and Elementary
Jewish Day School through 6th Grade with individualized atmosphere that offers an exemplary secular and Judaic education.

LIFE CYCLES
The following places of worship offer diverse and in-depth education regarding life cycle events: Beth Abraham Synagogue; Chabad of Greater Dayton; Temple Beth Or; and Temple Israel

SUNDAY SCHOOL
The following places of worship offer engaging and spiritually educational Sunday Schools: Beth Abraham Synagogue; Chabad of Greater Dayton; Temple Beth Or; and Temple Israel

LIFELONG EDUCATION
The following places of worship offer a wealth of Torah study classes as well as lecture series and programs for all ages throughout the year: Beth Abraham Synagogue; Chabad of Greater Dayton; Temple Beth Or; and Temple Israel

DAYTON HOLOCAUST RESOURCE CENTER
Dayton’s Holocaust Resource Center provides local school districts, colleges, universities, and parents with tools and workshops to combat anti-Semitism, racism, and bullying.

WRIGHT STATE RYTERBAND SYMPOSIUM
An annual Judaics Symposium that promotes mutual understanding between religious traditions, and works to advance social justice by exploring the interface between religious communities and society as a whole.

Celebrate in Dayton | Culture & Events

HOLIDAY SERVICES & ACTIVITIES
Dayton’s local Jewish places of worship hold welcoming and culturally rich holiday services and activities throughout the year. Beth Jacob Synagogue; Beth Abraham Synagogue; Chabad of Greater Dayton; Temple Beth Or; and Temple Israel.

COMMUNITY YOM HASHOAH SERVICE
Organized on a yearly basis to honor those who have perished in the Holocaust, this service is a collaboration between the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton’s Yom Hashoah Committee, and the Dayton Holocaust Education Committee. Art from local students from all backgrounds is featured through the Max and Lydia May Holocaust Art & Writing contest.

COMMUNITY YOM HA’AZMAUT CELEBRATION
Coordinated on a yearly basis to celebrate the anniversary of Israel’s birthday, Israel Independence Day is a collaborative effort between the Jewish Community Center of Greater Dayton and the following Jewish Community Groups: Beth Jacob Synagogue; Beth Abraham Synagogue; Chabad of Greater Dayton; Temple Beth Or; Temple Israel; Hadassah; Hillel Academy of Greater Dayton; Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton; and Jewish Family Services of Greater Dayton.

JEWISH CULTURAL FESTIVAL
Every summer, Temple Israel invites the entire Greater Dayton area to share Jewish traditions and learn about Judaism, Israel, and the Jewish faith.

JCC JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
The JCC Jewish Film Festival brings world-class documentary and feature films and speakers to the Dayton region every spring.

JCC CULTURAL ARTS & BOOK FESTIVAL
Every fall, the JCC in partnership with the Jewish Book Council showcases award-winning Jewish authors paired with culturally engaging events.

Would you like more information?

Contact Kate Elder

Jewish Observer

WSU Muslim Student Assoc. speakers: Hamas’ massacre & aim of destroying Israel justified on religious grounds

By Marshall Weiss, The Dayton Jewish Observer With two Wright State University uniformed security officers standing visibly at the entrance of the Student Union’s Apollo Room, about 50 students attended the Palestine Diaspora Movement’s Resistance 101 Community Teach-In, Nov. 20, hosted by the university’s Muslim Student Association. The Palestine Diaspora The post WSU Muslim Student Assoc. speakers: Hamas’ massacre & aim of destroying Israel justified on religious grounds appeared first on The Dayton Jewish Observer. [...]

As Beth Jacob approaches 150 years, congregation returns to Orthodoxy

Members vote for synagogue to become Modern Orthodox and to affiliate with Orthodox Union By Marshall Weiss, The Observer As of Nov. 10, Beth Jacob Congregation now identifies as a Modern Orthodox synagogue, with separate seating for men and women on either side of a mechitzah (physical divider). That was The post As Beth Jacob approaches 150 years, congregation returns to Orthodoxy appeared first on The Dayton Jewish Observer. [...]

Native Daytonian’s activism brings Hamas tunnel simulation to D.C.’s National Mall

By Marshall Weiss, The Observer Boston-based attorney Doug Hauer says he and his spouse of 30 years, Jack, were “100-percent destroyed” when Jack’s family in Israel called them at 4 in the morning, Oct. 7, 2023. “His entire family is in Israel,” says Doug, who was born and raised in The post Native Daytonian’s activism brings Hamas tunnel simulation to D.C.’s National Mall appeared first on The Dayton Jewish Observer. [...]