Nations start out as ideas before they’re anything else: writing history is about the future of the nation as much as it is about the past. There’s no better example than the state of Israel, and no more classically Israeli story than the fall and rise of Masada. But this founding myth of Israel is not always what it seems, and history and political storytelling can be pretty strange bedfellows. We’ll take a hard look at fact and fantasy and ask the difficult questions about what Israel’s 20th Century history needed, and whether those needs are the same today. Taught by David Feder. This class takes place in Zoom Room Bet.

Use the Submit tab on the website menu to send in news, photos, and announcements. For questions, email Brad Pector (brad@havurahshalom.org).

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.

DUE TO POWER OUTAGES, 2/16 SESSION RESCHEDULED TO 2/23 Beginning January 19th, and continuing every other week until March 9th, through readings, writing prompts, and discussion, this class will explore and help us grapple with where Jews fit, as individuals and as a community, on the minority/majority and oppressed/privileged continuums. The class is limited to 16, with hevrutah groups meeting in the intervening weeks, facilitated by members of the IMIrJ Countering White Nationalism Cohort. Please bring your openness to new ideas and your capacity to engage in experiential learning. This class takes place in Zoom Room Gimel.

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.

Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin We will come together for an evening of contemplative practice, chanting interspersed with silence, guided by teachings from the tradition. While clearly different over Zoom, we will still gather in community and lift our voices as we draw strength from one another through the practice. Everyone is welcome, no experience or musical ability required. Please note room change: This will take place in Room Aleph.

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 J.D. Kleinke. 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. **Note that Multi-Synagogue Torah Study, led by Emily Simon, will be on February 22 and March 22 this year. In April 2025, Multi-Synagogue Torah Study will again be held on the third Shabbat morning (third Saturday) of the month**

Please join us for Shabbat morning! This service includes davening, Torah reading and discussion. For the time being, all services will take place on Zoom in Room Aleph. Please contact the office for help connecting: info@havurahshalom.org.