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.
Tue, May 30 2023
10 Sivan 5783
Need Help? If you are a Havurah member in need of help, log in to find resources here.
Havurah Updates
Hineinu: Opportunities to Come Together, Opportunities to Engage
Shavuot Begins Next Thursday Night: Join Us! Celebrate the start of Shavuot with all-night learning and lots of cheesecake!
Upcoming Events
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Wednesday ,
MayMay 31 , 2023(HYB) Community Support Safety Briefing
Wednesday, May 31st 6:00p to 8:00p
We are holding two sessions of a community support safety briefing for Havurah members. The Wednesday, May 31 evening session will be hybrid. The Sunday, June 4 morning session will be held on Zoom only (Zoom Room Bet). Havurah members are invited to attend either session. -
Thursday ,
JunJune 1 , 2023(IP) B'nei Mitzvah Drash and Service Workshop
Thursday, Jun 1st 7:00p to 8:15p
Rabbi Benjamin will guide students and parents in responding to the text with their own questions and walk through the Shabbat morning service. -
Saturday ,
JunJune 3 , 2023(HYB) Community Minyan
Shabbat, Jun 3rd 10:00a to 12:00p
Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. We meet in person and in Zoom Room Aleph. Please email Rachel for Zoom info: rachel@havurahshalom.org. -
Sunday ,
JunJune 4 , 2023(IP) Bonim Retreat
Sunday, Jun 4th 10:00a to 4:00p
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Sunday ,
JunJune 4 , 2023(ZM) Community Support Safety Briefing
Sunday, Jun 4th 11:00a to 12:30p
We are holding two sessions of a community support safety briefing for Havurah members. The Wednesday, May 31 evening session will be hybrid. The Sunday, June 4 morning session will be held on Zoom only (Zoom Room Bet). Havurah members are invited to attend either session. -
Sunday ,
JunJune 4 , 2023B'nei Mitzvah run through
Sunday, Jun 4th 5:00p to 7:00p
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Sunday ,
JunJune 4 , 2023(ZM) Racial Justice Committee Movie Discussion: Judas and the Black Messiah
Sunday, Jun 4th 6:30p to 8:30p
Please join the Racial Justice Committee for a discussion of the movie Judas and the Black Messiah. (Please watch the film ahead of time; it's available on several platforms.) This is the second film in a series to commemorate Juneteenth. In the film, an FBI informant infiltrates the Black Panthers to keep tabs on its charismatic leader, Fred Hampton. Critics describe the movie as a offering insight into a man and a movement that has been overlooked far too long. Although it takes place in the late '60s, the movie is, unfortunately, very relevant today. -
Monday ,
JunJune 5 , 2023(IP) Mahjong Group
Monday, Jun 5th 1:00p to 4:00p
We are excited to bring mahjong back to Havurah. It 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. So please don't hesitate to join us! -
Monday ,
JunJune 5 , 2023(ZM) Climate Book Group: A Better Catastrophe
Monday, Jun 5th 5:00p to 6:00p
Please join Havurah Climate Action Team for ongoing discussion of how to face the climate crisis. We will read "I Want a Better Catastrophe, Navigating the Climate Crisis with Grief, Hope, and Gallows Humor," by Andrew Boyd. Through interviews with prominent climate scientists, indigenous teachers, and sociologists, Andrew Boyd takes us through the process of looking squarely at the crisis we are in, feeling our emotions, and using them to power our response to the climate crisis. Open to members and non-members. Discussions will follow the book. One need not attend all the discussions. For questions, reach out to Michael Heumann or Harriet Cooke. RSVP for updates. -
Monday ,
JunJune 5 , 2023(IP) Dismantling Racism from the Inside Out
Monday, Jun 5th 6:00p to 8:00p
A course for transforming our antiracism efforts through Jewish spiritual practice. Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin and María Lisa Johnson Learn concrete Jewish spiritual tools alongside other Havurah members to confront, subvert, and heal implicit and internalized racism within ourselves and others. This course explores the inner work necessary to change our habits of mind, body, and spirit to dismantle racism, in support of whatever organizing, advocacy, and service-work we’re each engaged in. Our core spiritual practice will be Mussar, the Jewish spiritual discipline designed to integrate what the head understands with what the heart feels through daily practice. Participants will be expected to attend every session (as much as possible) and commit to consistent practice in between sessions, including meeting with a learning partner once every other week. This is not an antiracism 101 course, but rather is intended to build on an existing antiracism foundation, so participants need to have an understanding of systemic racism in the United States. Please contact Rabbi Benjamin if you are interested in participating.