Adult Learning
Adult Learning
Our community offers us the opportunity to learn together. Havurah's adult learning opportunities are available to all members free of charge, though a materials fee may apply. See our online calendar for details.
Non-members are welcome, though we ask that you consider making a donation to Havurah Shalom. Materials fees may also apply. Classes with participant limits will open to non-members one week before the start of class, if space is available.
If you're interested in a multi-year learning process focused on Torah and prayer, please see our Adult B'nei Mitzvah program by clicking here.
Adult Learning in 2020-21
Please check our online calendar for updates and to register. Classes are free to members; others may attend, but a $10 donation is requested.
Social Action Poetry—For Those Who Seek Justice and Love Literature
We'll read and discuss poems across diverse cultures—poetry of witness that breaks silence, raises awareness and powers social justice. Taught by poets Frances Payne Adler and Herman Asarnow. 7-8:30 pm, Thursdays, Sept. 10, 17, 24; Oct. 1
The Torah of Our Lives: Havurah Spiritual Writing Group
Explore stories in Torah and use the writing process to personally understand the significance of Torah stories in your life. Facilitated by Harriet Cooke and Jenni Besen. 10-person maximum. 7-9 pm, Wednesdays, Oct. 14, 21, 28; Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25; Dec. 2
Beginning Conversational Hebrew
For those who can already read Hebrew but want to expand your vocabulary to hold a conversation. Led by Racheli Ross. 7 pm, Thursdays, Oct. 15, 22, 29; Nov. 5, 12, 19; Dec. 3, 10, 17
Crochet Your Own Kippah
Create a kippah using single crochet. Learn to crochet in the first class, make a kippah in the second. Taught by Sarah Rosenberg. Morning session 10:30 am; evening session 7:30 pm, Wednesdays, Oct. 21, 28
Step into the Living Torah
Beginning in text, we’ll play with voice, movement, story, stillness and a bissel silliness to encourage and cultivate personal midrash (Torah-based narrative). Led by Cassandra Sagan. 2-4 pm, Sunday, Nov. 8
“My Word is Like Fire”: The Vision, Theology and Voice of the Prophets
We will explore the prophets’ theology and worldview, and we’ll 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. 7-8:30 pm, Wednesdays, Jan. 13, 20, 27; Feb 3
Writers’ Workshop (for Non-Writers!)
Explore your interest in memoir writing through guided reflection, engaging prompts and supportive group feedback. Develop a short piece and challenge yourself to read at a wonderful Friday Oneg for the Havurah community. Led by David Kertzner. 7-9 pm, Thursdays, Jan. 14, 21, 28; Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25; Mar. 4; Oneg Reading 7:30 pm, Friday, Mar. 19
Grappling with White Supremacy and White Nationalism as Jews
We will explore and grapple with where Jews fit, as individuals and as a community, on the minority/majority and oppressed/privileged continuums. Facilitated by members of the IMIrJ Countering White Nationalism cohort. 7 pm, Tuesdays, Jan. 19; Feb. 2, 16; Mar. 2
Intergenerational Conflict and Sexuality in Yiddish Poetry
Using sexuality as a focal point, we will see how Jewish language and culture are used to explore themes of generational conflict, identity and cultural transition. Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. 12 pm, Thursdays, Jan. 21, 28; Feb. 4, 11
Jews of the Middle East and North Africa
This class will focus on the modern history of the Jewish communities of the Middle East and North Africa, 1860 to the present. We’ll examine the complex relationship between these 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. 7-8:30 pm, Mondays, Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22; Mar. 1, 8, 15, 22
Mountains of Evidence?
We will examine the rise and fall of Masada as history and its uses as a founding myth of Israel. Taught by David Feder. 11-12:30, Sunday, Feb 14
Jewish Understandings of Slavery and Freedom: The Passover Seder Evolves
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. 7-8:30 pm, Wednesdays, Feb. 24; Mar. 3, 10, 17
Knitting Kippot
For intermediate knitters wanting to get to know other knitters in the community. Yarn and pattern will be provided, along with instruction regarding three skills: double pointed cast on and increase, diamond lace motif and I-cord bind-off. Taught by Marsha Green. 10-12 pm, Sundays, Apr. 4, 11, 18
Begin with Aleph: Learn to Read Hebrew
This course is for beginners. Focusing on basic reading competency, we will uncover bits of Judaism that are only accessible through its original language. Taught by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, 7-8:30 pm, Wednesdays, Apr. 7, 14, 21, 28; May 5, 12
Adult B’nei Mitzvah
Interested in expanding your Jewish literacy skills, confidence and sense of connection with Judaism? Want to enjoy this process with others and celebrate your Jewish learning in our community? Join a group of adults who will begin a 2.5-year process of learning this spring. Contact Deborah Eisenbach-Budner for more information. Wednesday evenings starting Apr. 7
Jewish Genealogy/Getting Started in Jewish Genealogy
There is much evidence remaining to discover about your own family history. You will leave with tools to continue gathering your own family history and with a mind opened to the possibilities ahead. Taught by Barbara Hershey. 10 am, Sundays, Apr. 11, 18, 25
Sacred Action: Spiritual Tools for Justice Work
In these cohorts, we will explore together Jewish spiritual wisdom that can anchor and guide our work for justice. Drawing from a wide range of texts and various practices, our focus will be on middot, qualities or character traits, that are vital to our engagement in the world. In trusted community, we will examine each middah and its role in our relationships, our vision and our action. In addition to the weekly meetings, guidance will be given for practice and reflection in between sessions. Please contact Rabbi Benjamin if you are interested in participating in a cohort. Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin. Six sessions, groups meeting throughout the year. Dates TBA
Thu, March 4 2021
20 Adar 5781
Upcoming Events
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Thursday ,
MarMarch 4 , 2021
Thursday, Mar 4th 7:00p to 8:00p
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. -
Thursday ,
MarMarch 4 , 2021
Thursday, Mar 4th 7:00p to 9:00p
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. -
Thursday ,
MarMarch 4 , 2021
Thursday, Mar 4th 7:00p to 9:00p
Have you ever wanted to explore stories in Torah and use the writing process to personally understand the significance of Torah stories in your life? Join a small group of Havurahniks to delve into Torah using the writing process to explore and record our journey. Each evening will include a summary of that week's Torah portion and pearls from commentary. We will then begin two free-writes from prompts from the portion. All that is required is a journal. There is an optional opportunity to choose one portion to study, summarize and use to create writing prompts. Facilitated by Harriet Cooke and Jenni Besen. Harriet trained and led groups with Portland's Write Around Portland, then led an eight-year writing group on Torah. 10-person maximum. -
Friday ,
MarMarch 5 , 2021
Friday, Mar 5th 7:00p to 8:00p
Havurah Shalom will participate in HIAS’ Refugee Shabbat, during which Jews in the United States and around the world will take action for refugees and asylum seekers. Please join Rabbi Benjamin, Leah Shoshanna and community members for services on Friday, March 5 at 7 pm as we integrate themes of refugees and asylum seekers into the readings, prayers and music of our service, and learn how we can take action. -
Saturday ,
MarMarch 6 , 2021
Shabbat, Mar 6th 10:00a to 11:30a
Join us for an uplifting morning service. For the time being, all services will take place on Zoom in Room Aleph. Please contact the office to connect: info@havurahshalom.org. -
Saturday ,
MarMarch 6 , 2021
Shabbat, Mar 6th 3:00p to 5:15p
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Saturday ,
MarMarch 6 , 2021
Shabbat, Mar 6th 5:00p to 5:15p
Join Shabbat School for a community celebration of Havdallah, led by Leah Shoshanah, Rabbi Benjamin and Deborah Eisenbach-Budner in Room Aleph. -
Saturday ,
MarMarch 6 , 2021
Shabbat, Mar 6th 5:30p to 8:30p
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Saturday ,
MarMarch 6 , 2021
Motzei Shabbat, Mar 6th 8:30p to 9:30p
A Kaddish for Bernie Madoff, the acclaimed one-woman show by Alicia Jo Rabins, has been adapted into a film, to be featured in Portland International Film Festival. Join us as Havurah Shalom hosts the Jewish community in a talk-back and Q&A with Alicia Jo and her director, Alicia J. Rose! To participate, purchase a ticket through PIFF for virtual viewing. The film will be available to you Friday, March 5, to Sunday, March 14. Consider watching it individually or in a group you organize at 7 pm on March 6, then join our Havurah-hosted Zoom Room at 8:30 pm for the talkback. RSVP below. Zoom join info will be included in your confirmation email. Questions? Email info@havurahshalom.org. -
Sunday ,
MarMarch 7 , 2021
Sunday, Mar 7th 11:00a to 2:00p
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.