I picked up a free copy of the Dayton Jewish Observer at All The Best Deli and ended up spending a chunk of time flipping through it. My issue was the 30th anniversary edition, complete with a cover showing some of their earlier front pages, which was a fun touch. It bills itself as "The Miami Valley's Jewish Monthly" and the mix of local reporting, cultural pieces and community history makes it an easy read even if you're just passing through. There were plenty of interesting articles, many with a clear Jewish slant but broad enough to appeal to anyone curious about regional stories. A review of a graphic novel about the first synagogue in the United States (in New York - I thought it was in Charleston South Carolina), reflections on three decades of publishing, and updates on their digitization project that includes predecessor papers going back to 1944 all stood out. It's a surprising rich little publication and worth grabbing if you see a copy around town. [Review 965 of 2026 - 341 in Ohio - 26144 overall] read more

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