Families with Children 0-5
Havurah Shalom provides a variety of programs that address the interests and needs of people in different stages of life. Some of our programs are organized by Havurah staff, some by members, and many through a partnership between staff and members. Our participatory structure allows Havurah to be responsive and expansive.
Some programs are available to just show up at (because parents with young children are really busy!) and some engage parents in planning so that they can help create the community that they seek for themselves!
To see our upcoming events for kids, view our calendar here.
Shabbat Services Especially for Families
Tot Shabbat
Young children (0-5) and their parents celebrate Shabbat with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. We will touch on the main highlights of the Shabbat morning service: wonder, fun, song, listening to the world, dancing, and Torah.
Holiday Services for Families
High Holidays
Rosh Hashanah Family Service
This upbeat, brief and participatory holiday service is for the whole family! Enjoy stories and skits around the themes of the holiday, visuals, and lots of singing of prayers and contemporary songs.
Tashlich Service and Potluck
This Tashlich celebration is in addition to, not instead of, the service at Willamette Park, below. We’ll gather at the picnic tables on the east side of SW Huntington, next to the play structure. Bring a snack or finger food to share if you’d like to but it’s not necessary. RSVP through link below or to Beth Shreve (shreves5@frontier.com). In case of extreme weather, call or text (971) 212-0904 for up-to-the minute changes.
Tashlich
We’ll begin at noon with a vegetarian (and kosher fish) potluck lunch, followed by a musical Tashlich service and walk to the river. (Last names A-J bring salads, appetizers, fruit and drinks, K-Z bring main dishes.) Dessert will be provided by Havurah back at the tables after the Tashlich ritual. A Tikkun Olam fair, sponsored by the Tikkun Olam committee, will feature table displays of projects that people can get involved with in the new year.
Yom Kippur Family Service
This upbeat, brief and participatory holiday service is for the whole family! Enjoy stories and skits around the themes of the holiday, visuals, and lots of singing of prayers and contemporary songs.
Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Chanukah, Purim & Passover
We have holiday celebrations for families with young children and people of all ages for Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Chanukah, Purim and Passover. Pease check our calendar for details.
Jewish Parenting Books
Havurah’s Education Director, Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, has compiled this helpful resource list for Jewish parenting.
Jewish Play Groups
Our Jewish play groups are for parents and their 0-4 year olds. Contact Deborah Eisenbach-Budner for information.
Fri, November 14 2025
23 Cheshvan 5786
Need Help? If you are a Havurah member in need of help, log in to find resources here.
Upcoming Events
IP = In person only (normally at Havurah Shalom);
ZM = On Zoom/online only;
HYB = In person and online; and
ANN = In person at Havurah's Annex.
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Friday ,
NovNovember 14 , 2025(IP) Kabbalat Shabbat Rehearsal
Friday, Nov 14th 4:00p to 6:00p
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Friday ,
NovNovember 14 , 2025(HYB) Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration
Friday, Nov 14th 5:45p to 8:00p
A musical, all-ages Friday night service with family-friendly dessert and hearty nosh before and after. All are welcome! 5:45 pm Hearty Nosh, 6:30 Service, 7:30 Oneg. Free childcare is provided. Those joining on Zoom, please come at 6:30; the in-person hearty nosh portion and oneg will not be televised. For Zoom information, please email info@havurhshalom.org. -
Saturday ,
NovNovember 15 , 2025(HYB) Discovering Shabbat Morning: Learners' Minyan
Shabbat, Nov 15th 10:30a to 12:00p
This upbeat, interactive service especially for Grades 5-7 focuses on the structure, key themes, and prayers of the morning service. -
Sunday ,
NovNovember 16 , 2025(HYB) Chanukah: Not Just For Kids Anymore
Sunday, Nov 16th 10:30a to 12:00p
We all think of kids, gelt and dreidels when we think of Chanukah. But in reality, is Chanukah just a kids holyday? Join us as we discover the ways in which Chanukah is a holyday for adults! Emily Simon will lead us as we study sections of the Book of Macabees and other Chanukah-related texts. We will learn things about Chanukah that Hebrew school did not teach us. All are welcome. Please RSVP below. Our class will include participants from a variety of congregations around Oregon, Washington and the USA. Facilitated by Emily Simon with assistance by David Dropkin. Please note that the start date for this class has been changed to Nov. 2. -
Monday ,
NovNovember 17 , 2025Havurahnik Mahjong Group
Monday, Nov 17th 1:00p to 4:00p
Just for Havurah members, our Mahjong Group is a fun, social activity that builds community, encouraging new friendships and cementing old ones. And while some of us may play elsewhere as well, we all agreed that restoring its place as an ongoing congregational activity will be a good fit for Havurah and those of us who play or want to learn the game. -
Monday ,
NovNovember 17 , 2025(ZM) Climate Change Book Group Slow Reading of "Not Too Late"
Monday, Nov 17th 5:30p to 6:30p
All are welcome! Havurah members and non-members alike are invited to join us in this slow, section-by-section reading of "Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility." Click and RSVP. Attend any or all of these HCAT (Havurah's Climate Action Team) Book Group discussions about "Not Too Late." -
Monday ,
NovNovember 17 , 2025(IP) Thinking About Palestine and Israel After the Destruction of Gaza [CLASS IS FULL]
Monday, Nov 17th 7:00p to 8:30p
Learn about the historical contexts behind Oct. 7, 2023, as well as the response that has resulted in massive destruction of life and society in Gaza. Led by Joel Beinin. -
Tuesday ,
NovNovember 18 , 2025Hakol Deadline is Tuesday, November 18
Tuesday, Nov 18th (All day)
Havurah members, click to learn how to submit your contributions to our monthly newsletter, Hakol. -
Tuesday ,
NovNovember 18 , 2025(HYB) Steering Meeting (Nov. 18)
Tuesday, Nov 18th 6:30p to 8:30p
Steering members and staff will meet to consider matters of governance. All Havurah Shalom members are invited to attend Steering Committee meetings. A link to a draft agenda, accessible only to logged-in members, will be posted here in advance of the meeting. -
Tuesday ,
NovNovember 18 , 2025MACG Action Team Meeting
Tuesday, Nov 18th 7:00p to 8:30p
Address: 825 NW 18th Ave, Portland OR 97209 Phone: 503-248-4662
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