Zoe Bell

1 week ago | washingtonfamily.com | Zoe Bell

The Japanese docuseries “Old Enough!” follows children ages 2 to 5 as they navigate the city on their own. The kids toddle to the grocery store and do other errands, demonstrating an independence that is far above what we’re used to in the United States. Some can recall the days of playing outside until a parent hollered at us to come home for dinner. But instances of kids being allowed to play freely, sans adults, nowadays seem to be few and far between.

1 week ago | washingtonjewishweek.com | Zoe Bell

Some of Samson Rabinowitz’s earliest memories are being surrounded by family, friends and fellow Jewish community members at Cacapon Resort State Park. The Rabinowitz family has stayed at this West Virginia lodge dotted with rustic cabins every Shavuot for the past two decades or so. “It’s my favorite place on Earth,” said Rabinowitz, who has gone to Cacapon every summer — except in 2020 — since he was 2 years old.

1 week ago | washingtonjewishweek.com | Zoe Bell

Started in a couple’s living room, Kol Ami: Northern Virginia Reconstructionist Community is now celebrating its 25th anniversary. Rabbi Gilah Langner and the community commemorated this milestone with a celebratory Shabbat service and musical performance on May 17 and 18, chaired by Jane Schulman.

1 week ago | washingtonjewishweek.com | Zoe Bell

The Bender Jewish Community Center’s annual spring event this year honoring “transformational leadership” will recognize local philanthropists Drs. Stuart and Ellen Lessans and fundraise for scholarships at the Bender JCC. The June 5 event will feature Israeli actor Lior Raz and CNN’s Dana Bash, according to Josh Bender, the CEO of the Bender JCC. Once called “IMAGINE,” the fundraising event is now rebranded as “Voices of Leadership” to better reflect its purpose.

2 weeks ago | washingtonjewishweek.com | Zoe Bell

These three Jewish American World War II veterans may be upwards of 100 years old — or months away from the big centennial — but they’re full of life and stories to tell. In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, WWII veterans Al Jacobs, Frank Cohn and Harold Terens shared their experiences as Jewish American servicemen in a panel discussion moderated by CNN’s Wolf Blitzer in the nation’s capital May 20.