By Talia Doninger, Special to The Dayton Jewish Observer
Samantha A. Vinokor-Meinrath never intended to become an expert on antisemitism.
“I wish we were talking about anything else,” she tells The Observer. “I wish for all of us that antisemitism would be the realm of historians and not of contemporary educators and those thinking of their contemporary Jewish identity.”
Yet the Jewish educator and author stands at the forefront of a critical conversation. In her book, #antisemitism: Coming of A...

Sharing its name with the iconic Dragonfly Inn from Gilmore Girls, this Hudson Valley estate evokes a similar sense of charm. While not directly connected to the beloved series, the home’s idyllic Northeast location and warm design can’t help but remind you of the feel-good mood it fosters.


“Dragonfly” is a 130-acre property in Claverack that merges Normandy-inspired elegance with the pastoral beauty of Upstate New York, while being nice and close to the Berkshires. With such a cool yet tailo...

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Mean Girls, the cult classic that defined a generation and introduced audiences to unforgettable characters like Janis Ian, played by Lizzy Caplan. Caplan has acted in tons of roles since then, including Truth Be Told and Fleishman Is in Trouble, but is now making headlines for other reasons. The actress just listed her lively midcentury modern in Hollywood Hills, specifically the The Oaks neighborhood, for $2.8 million.


The 2,000-square-foot home, buil...

High-fashion model Shannan Click’s East Village residence is ready for its close-up. Known for gracing the runways of Chanel, Alexander McQueen, Prada, and Victoria’s Secret and starring in campaigns for Burberry and Dolce & Gabbana, Click has worn creations from some of the world’s top designers. Her timeless two-bedroom, two-bath NYC condo, priced at $2.9 million and currently in contract, showcases chic and well-edited taste, too.


Click poured love into this property, combining two units i...

In the heart of Southampton’s Art Village enclave, 9 Briar Lane presents a blend of timeless elegance and contemporary luxury. Originally designed by architect Stanford White in 1910, this shingle-style residence harkens back to the area’s turn-of-the-century “artist colony” era largely funded by NYC high society, imbuing the property with a distinct character that has been carefully preserved.


“This home comes with a rich history,” says the listing agent, Adam Hofer. “It exemplifies a tradit...

Story and Photos by Talia Doninger, Special to The Dayton Jewish Observer
Local Native Americans visited children with Beth Abraham Synagogue’s religious school Oct. 13 to share the art of their traditional storytelling.
The Conservative congregation’s new religious school director, Elyssa Wortzman, organized the program to explore how Native Americans and Jews use stories to connect generations and preserve histories.
“Storytelling is essential to the identity of both cultures,” Wortzman said....

By Talia Doninger, Special to The Dayton Jewish Observer
Lolita set the literary world of 1955 on fire. Controversial, provocative, and polarizing, Vladimir Nabokov’s novel was rejected by multiple publishers before George Weidenfeld took a chance on it.
Critics called it obscene, bookstores hesitated to display it. But for Weidenfeld, it was the kind of work that defined his audacious career.
He saw the tension between public outrage and literary merit as the heart of publishing’s true purpose....