Free with registration—This year’s program has shifted to a webinar format with Scholar in Residence Stav Meishar. The true stories of Jewish circus artists between the world wars are told with sensitivity and humor by Stav Meishar, a circus artist and academic. The lecture is based on over seven years of extensive research and combines photos from personal albums, recorded testimonies, and personal stories. Additionally, Meishar will present excerpts from her show "The Escape Act", based on one of the stories she uncovered–that of a Jewish acrobat who survived the Holocaust hiding in a German circus. Stav Meishar is a theatre maker, multidisciplinary performer, academic researcher and educator, working across circus, theatre, and contemporary performance. Register for Weekend in Quest at OJMCHE website. Within 24 hours after registering, participants will be sent a list of links to background articles and information to review prior to the program. 2021 Weekend in Quest is a free virtual program that honors the roots of the program as a Shabbaton Study Weekend.

An engaging and interactive presentation by Jewish Earth Alliance. Come away feeling empowered. Presented by the Climate Action Team, but appropriate for any person, even if not of voting age, who wants to make a difference by engaging with their elected officials. 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.

With Brandi Tuck, Executive Director of Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) and Kaia Sand, Street Roots Executive Director. Zoom in with the Havurah community to hear causes, effects, and solutions of homelessness. You'll be able to ask questions about this challenging issue and engage in dialogue about what we can do to help. RSVP for join info within.

Through readings, writing prompts and discussion, we will deepen our understanding of how we are impacted by the intersection of Jewishness and white supremacy. Facilitated by members of the IMIrJ Countering White Nationalism cohort. Limited to 20 participants. This class takes place in Zoom Room Gimel. Please see the weekly Hineinu newsletter for the link.

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.

One of the four names for Pesach is Hag ha-Herut (The Feast of Freedom). Jews in different historical contexts have understood Mitzrayim (the narrow space) differently and therefore freedom has looked different in different generations. We will look at this evolution; one focus will be on the liberation of gender, which has been a hallmark of contemporary seders. Taught by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. 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.

Welcome in Shabbat with service leaders Susan Brenner, Miriam Reshotko, Sarah Shine and Barbara Slader among others. Enjoy a peaceful and pleasant start to a beautiful Shabbat. 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.

Please join together for a morning of singing, storytelling, Torah, and connections. Especially for families with youth in Grades K–6 or those who want a boost of youthful energy. Led by Rabbi Benjamin, Leah Shoshana, and Adela Basayne, this Shabbat service is in place of Shabbat School -- there will be Hebrew classes as usual, but no Shabbat School this Saturday. Please contact the office to connect: info@havurahshalom.org.