Next Monthly Letter Writing Party topic: “It’s time for 100% Zero-Emission Vehicles.” We provide you with the Jewish connection to this topic, background information and sample letters, along with good company. We will write letters to our U.S. Senators and Representatives, bringing in policy, Jewish values and our own perspectives. These letters are bundled and sent to our elected officials to maximize their impact. More info: Jewish Earth Alliance https://www.jewishearthalliance.org/alerts/its-time-for-100-zero-emission-vehicles-february. We'll be in a special Zoom Room. RSVP for join info.

Monthly meeting for the Teen Engagement Committee leadership. Havurah teens and their parents are welcome. We meet in Zoom Room Bet.

This class will focus on the modern history of the Jewish communities of the Middle East and North Africa, roughly from 1860 to the present. To orient ourselves, we will begin with a brief discussion of Spanish Jewry (Sephardim) and the Jewish communities of Iraq, Iran, Yemen and Ethiopia. We will devote particular attention to the communities of Morocco, Algeria, Iraq and Egypt. We will examine the complex relationship between these Jewish communities, the local cultures and European colonialism. We will also discuss the sociology, politics and culture of these communities in Israel today. Taught by Joel Beinin. This class takes place in Zoom Room Bet. Please see the weekly Hineinu newsletter for the link.

We gather to find some moments of quiet and shalom. Led by Rabbi Benjamin, Adela Basayne, Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, Nancy Becker, or Ria de Neeve. We will meet both in-person (Havurah Sanctuary or Library) and in Zoom Room Bet. Log in to the website and then visit havurahshalom.org/zoom or call the office for join info (503-248-4662). All are welcome.

For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish. We meet both in person and streaming online in Zoom Room Aleph. All are welcome. Please email info@havurahshalom.org for join info.

The biblical prophets left us a legacy of clarion calls opposing inequity and demanding a more just society. Their vision and poetic voice has inspired Jews and others throughout the generations. In this class we will explore the prophets’ theology and worldview, and the language they used to express them. In particular, we will consider the role of the prophetic voice and approach in our own pursuits of justice, examining tensions between truth and compassion, activism and organizing, and confrontation and relationship-building. Taught by Rabbi Benjamin. Non-members are welcome, though we ask that you consider making a donation to Havurah Shalom. This class takes place in Zoom Room Bet. Please see the weekly Hineinu newsletter for the link.

Havurah members, join the Racial Justice Committee for our monthly meeting (2nd Thursdays, 7 pm to 8:30 pm, Zoom Room Bet). We will make plans to create learning opportunities for our community and engage in learning together during the meeting. Questions? Contact Julia Lager Mesulam. *Log in to your Havurah member account on our website and look under the Contact tab for the Member Directory and Zoom Room login info.*

Would you like to improve your ability to speak conversational Hebrew? Can you already read Hebrew but don't always know what you're reading? Did you take Hebrew lessons ages ago or did you participate in an Ulpan experience in Israel but have forgotten all you learned? Would you like to laugh and learn with fellow Havurahniks? Come join Racheli Ross as she continues a beginning Hebrew class in which the focus is on functional Hebrew conversations and vocabulary development. Thursdays, 7-8:00 pm, with an optional 8-8:30 practice session, starting on January 14, and continuing until March 18. This will be in Zoom Room Heh.

Have you thought about trying to write prose? Do you want to try with others? This year’s Havurah Adult Writers Workshop (for Non-Writers!) begins January 14 and continues for the next 7 Thursdays, through March 4. The workshop is for anyone who wants to explore prose writing – and is NOT a published writer or working on a big writing project. The focus is memoir writing generated through reflection, engaging prompts, discussion and feedback. While the Jewish experience often comes up in memoir writing in a Jewish community, our focus is the writer’s personal exploration from any perspective. Participants develop one piece from the workshop and may choose to read at a culminating Friday Oneg Reading for the Havurah community. Led by David Kertzner. Group size limited to 8.

Please join us for our spirited and joy-filled Kabbalat Shabbat Service, led by Leah Shoshanah and Rabbi Benjamin. Music will be provided by our talented Havurah musicians. This service will take place in Zoom Room Aleph. Please email info@havurahshalom.org if you need Zoom join info.

An in-depth look at the weekly Torah reading, led by congregants. No prior knowledge or study is necessary. At Havurah Shalom and in Zoom Room Bet. Email info@havurahshalom.org for Zoom link.

Text & Torah Study session. Shabbat Shekalim is the first special Shabbat leading up to Pesach. Join us as we explore together what these special days are, how we observe them in modern times and what they meant historically. One-hour of study and discussion followed by short Shacharit and Torah service. Study lead by Diane Chaplin. This service will take place in Room Aleph.

Facilitated by Tivona Reith and Rabbi Benjamin. We will gather via Zoom to create sacred space and time to focus on healing and wholeness. Through contemplative teachings, meditation, prayer, and sharing, we encircle ourselves with healing energy—however it is needed in our lives, our families, our communities, our planet. There will be a hand-washing ritual during the gathering, so please have a bowl of water, small pitcher or cup, and towel if you would like. This event will take place in Room Aleph.