A maqam -- cognate with Hebrew MAKOM, literally PLACE -- is an Arabic and Ottoman Turkish musical mode. Mizraḥi and Sephardic Jewish communities traditionally made religious and secular music using these modes. This class will give a short background to maqams and how they work and explore some examples from Jewish communities in the Middle East, North Africa, Turkey, and Greece. The instructor will demonstrate some of the music on the oud. There will be opportunities for singing, and musicians who want to join in are encouraged to bring an instrument. -- Guitars will work for some pieces, but instruments that can play microtones such as the violin family, clarinet, etc. are recommended.-- Led by Channing Dodson.

Childcare available.

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.

The Havurah Racial Justice Committee is pleased to offer a class on reparations. We hope it will spark interest in this extremely important and complex issue. The 5-session class offers an opportunity to study and reflect on some of the writings of prominent thought leaders on the topic of reparations for Black Americans as a path to restorative justice. An important objective of these discussions will be to gain a more accurate historical narrative about intentional government policies that led to the wealth gap, the lack of equity in housing and education, and the over-representation of people of color in the criminal legal systems. Jewish values and texts will be integrated throughout. We hope that a deeper understanding of the issue may lead to action.

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.

A three-part series on the history, beliefs, and practices of the Reconstructing Judaism movement with which Havurah Shalom is affiliated. Led by Rabbi Maurice Harris, Associate Director for Thriving Communities and Israel Affairs Specialist at Reconstructing Judaism. Click into event for more information!

Youths being called to the Torah this year will build community and ask, “What does being Jewish and becoming bar, bat, or b’nei mitzvah mean to me?” Led by Rabbi Benjamin.

Planning and setup at Havurah—a walk through the B’nei Mitzvah Handbook with Carrie Kirschner, Havurah’s Madricha, or Youth Education & B’nei Mitzvah Program Coordinator.

Tap into your creative side with this writing workshop open to writers and non-writers alike. Writing prompts and short writing sessions will get your creative juices flowing in this non-judgmental environment. You can use these prompts to discover important things about yourself and your family, or you can just have some fun writing a zany story about Jewish robots and matzoh. Participants can (optionally) develop a piece from the workshop and share it at a reading at the end of the session. Group size limited to 8. Led by Yuvi Zalkow, author of two novels and a bunch of stories.

Join us in practicing Hebrew and learning new vocabulary through listening to Israeli songs and watching short video clips. In class, we will discuss lyrics, make connections to different topics, and practice using the new vocabulary through games and conversations. Requirement: Reading and writing Hebrew. Can hold basic conversations and understand the three tenses. Led by Racheli Ross.

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.

Tailored to families with students who are in the B’nei Mitzvah learning process, Grades 5 - 7, Discovering Shabbat Morning is an informal and upbeat service, filled with interaction and a chance to ask questions. We will focus on the themes, structure, songs and prayers of the Shabbat morning service, with a spotlight on parts that B’nei Mitzvah students often learn to lead.