Co/Lab is a new initiative for Portland’s Jewish community: Live and interactive public events, wide-ranging cultural presentations and performances, and rich educational opportunities.
Co/Lab gives you a new way to explore Jewish ideas and values. This is not your grandmother’s Judaism – but we bet she’d love it. Whatever your background or wherever you’re going: If you’re interested in exploring what Judaism has to say about our lives and our world, connecting with others and discovering something new, Co/Lab is for you.
Our Programs
Explore our current slate
of events, gatherings, classes, and more
Good/Food
May 21, 2023 / Tickets coming soon
At this special gathering we’ll come together to discover, connect, learn about, discover and literally taste the delicious food. Among others, we’ll hear from Portland Jewish food heroes Jessie Aron of legendary Portland restaurant Malka, Noah Jacob of Jacob and sons, journalist Deena Prichep (NPR, Salon.com and elsewhere), chef and author Sonya Sanford, a host of rabbi/teachers, food activists, and more.
An Oral History of the Jewish Future
An Oral History of the Jewish Future is done in partnership with the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education. The project will highlight the work of Portland change-leaders and regular folks who are redefining what “Jewish” looks like in the 21st century.
This 9-month creative laboratory for Portland area contemporary Jewish artists explores Jewish and contemporary themes and presents artists’ work at dynamic, public facing events. You can learn more about our fabulous ’22-’23 cohort of artists by clicking below.
Learning/Lab is a range of one-time and ongoing classes with that distinctively Co/Lab mix of creativity, insight and fun, moving beyond the page to Jewish cooking, baking, art, music.
Our new series Pub Torah continues! Click below to learn more and register
Judaism and the Psychedelic Renaissance: A Portland Gathering
We’re gearing up for our 2nd gathering exploring the resonance between psychedelic and religious experience, ancestral trauma and psychedelic therapy and Judaism’s psychedelic roots. Click below to see presentations and photos from the first gathering – and let us know if you’d like to be involved this year (Summer ’23).
Purim Celebration
We had another incredible Purim celebration this year in that special Co/Lab style. Over 300 people came to celebrate, take in some incredible drag performance, and dance the night away. A portion of the proceeds will go to Taking Ownership PDX a fabulous organization doing Righteous work here in Portland. Check out pics from this fun event by clicking below, or read about it in the Oregonian’s article (front page in the print edition!) here.
Jump in to the Lab!
There are three ways to get involved in Co/Lab.
- Attend events that interest you! It’s that simple. Sign up to hop on our email list, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
- Share an idea! All of our programs come from people in the Portland community like you who sit and brainstorm with Rabbi Josh. Have an idea for an event? Curious about a Jewish take on an important topic? Email rabbijosh@colabpdx.org or fill out our contact form whether you have the next great Co/Lab concept, or just want to sit down over coffee to schmooze.
- Collaborate with others building these great events. At least 1/2 the fun is connecting with other people like you, adding your voice to the mix, and helping us create. Email rabbijosh@colabpdx.org or fill out our contact form to get involved.
For you. Your mother was Jewish. Your dad was. Or your friend’s parents growing up were Jewish. Your partner is Jewish or even … some of your best friends are Jewish. Or, you’re just you and you’re interested in what’s happening at Co/Lab. You get the idea: if you want to connect to Co/Lab we want you to hang out with us. Join the conversation!
Who is Co/Lab for?
Where is Co/Lab?
Co/Lab is everywhere! We’ve hosted programs at the East Side Jewish Commons, in parks and open spaces, local bars, and funky restored warehouse spaces, among others. Check each event for location and registration information.
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