We are delighted to welcome Yehuda Webster (in person) and Rabbi David Jaffe (on line) from the Inside Out Wisdom and Action Project (IOWA) for a weekend of learning and practice together. For years IOWA has supported social change makers “integrate deep spiritual wisdom into their justice work in order to lead from a place that is more visionary, creative, sustainable, and grounded.” Most recently, Rabbi David and Yehudah have developed a curriculum specifically focused on anti-racism: “Dismantling Racism from the Inside Out (DRIO) is a course and community of practice that equips participants with daily concrete Jewish spiritual tools of Mussar [applied Jewish ethical practice] to confront, subvert, and heal implicit and internalized racism within ourselves and others, supporting the collective organizing, advocacy and service-work efforts to dismantle racism systemically.” Click into the event to see the schedule and register.

We’ll meet the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month, until we finish Suzanne Simard's inspiring and illuminating exploration of the world of trees. She reveals that trees are a complex, interdependent circle of life; that forests are social, cooperative creatures connected through underground networks by which trees communicate their vitality and vulnerabilities with communal lives not that different from our own. We’ll start by reading the first 44 pages. Join us whenever you can. RSVP to get group updates.

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.

Nonfiction: 110 pages. Several members of the Portland Jewish community met and were impressed by Jonathan Kuttab last year (even if they did not necessarily agree with him). Kuttab explains that the two-state solution (that he supported) is no longer viable. He suggests that any solution be predicated on the basic existential needs of the two peoples, which he discusses in exceptional detail. He formulates a one-state solution that challenges both Zionism and Palestinian nationalism. This book invites readers to begin a new conversation based on reality: two peoples will need to live together. Separation is no longer possible or (for some) desirable. Discussion led by Joel Beinin. Nonmembers welcome. RSVP for Zoom info.

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.

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 us in welcoming Zeke Stein as a Bar Mitzvah and member of our community.