Café Ohev, begun over 20 years ago as a Sunday morning breakfast and speaker program at the former Congregation Ohev Sholom, is continuing at Congregation Beth Shalom under the new name of Café Shalom.
Since the start of this Jewish year, 5786, two programs have occurred.
Amy Tranin, a registered nurse whose career focused on cancer genetics, spends some of her retirement time volunteering for Heart to Heart International. This past Nov. 2, Tranin spoke at Café Shalom and described her work when she was deployed both nationally and internationally as part of a disaster relief team. Tranin described the conditions of the areas where she was deployed; hardships victims of disaster face, both expected and unexpected; and the very rugged accommodations that volunteers willingly accept so they can provide help. The audience learned of other opportunities to help Heart to Heart in its work that do not involve actual deployment.
On March 29, Sharon and Peter Loftspring spoke of their recent trip to Cuba that focused on Jewish life there. Through photos and stories, they described the Cuban Jewish community today. The Jewish population dates from 1492 and, over the centuries, grew to a peak of about 24,000. It diminished significantly after the Communist Revolution in 1959. Today, about 1,500 Jews and one synagogue remain. The travel photos showed Cuba as a land of contrasts with beautiful art museums but pervasive poverty. The Loftsprings were part of an Ayelet Jewish tour and were able to bring the Jewish community medicine and religious objects that the community needed. During their visit, they enjoyed the beautiful parts of the island, observed the culture that continues and noted the racial and religious tolerance, as well as very little crime.
Both these events, which were followed by brunch, are part of a series of four talks each year on a broad array of topics. These programs are open to the public. Anyone with a suggestion for a talk can contact Audrey Asher through Congregation Beth Shalom.
Audrey Asher with Café Shalom presenter Amy Tranin in November 2025.
