Black Lives Matter Resources
Black Lives Matter Resources
Listening, Education, and Support
Educating Ourselves About Police Accountability & Funding
The Portland African American Leadership Forum has teamed up with Unite Oregon to articulate demands for change regarding the Portland Police Bureau. You can read an analysis from PAALF here, and see details of the campaign here.
Reconstructing Judaism: Standing Up for Racial Justice & Against Racial Violence
Read RJ's statement on the death of George Floyd and the protests here.
Listening to Jews of Color
Be’chol Lashon
13 Jews of Color to Follow Right Now
I’m a black rabbi. I’ve never been in a Jewish space where I wasn’t questioned
Black Jews Are Grieving, and We Need You to Help Us Mourn
‘Believe us’: Black Jews respond to the George Floyd protests, in their own words
Jews of Color and the Policing of White Space
Recent article in Medium by Havurahnik Emily Weltman – open to talking with folks about white - and specifically Jewish - privilege, fear, and blindspots.
From Sandy Bacharach:
This moment is about practicing with our own words. It's not a one time conversation. This is an ongoing dialogue — for our nation and within our families and with our children.
Questions to consider:
- What is your why? Why is it important for you to talk to your kids about race?
- What are you afraid of?
- What are you afraid will happen when you talk to your kids about race? What's at stake? What will happen if you don't?
- What race are your peers? Your kids' peers?
- Have you taken your child/ren to a rally/protest? Why/why not? What does the in/action teach your children about social action?
- Are the books you read with Black people and people of color in them only in relation to civil rights or are they just regular people/kids doing regular things?
- What were your experiences growing up around race? How did your parents talk to you about race? What was the impact?
- What is the last conversation you had with your child/ren about race/racism/privilege/culture etc.? What prompted that conversation? What did you take away from that conversation? If you haven’t had one yet, what is stopping you or what support would you need to engage that conversation?
Videos and Books
- ‘Video - https://youtu.be/sBuGmxSrcdg Kali Thorne-Ladd is the Executive Director of KairosPDX, a non-profit organization focused on delivering excellent, equitable education to underserved children… “It was moving to hear her speak about her own children. And to be reminded how much we model for our kids: how "they are watching what we do and don't do - and what we say and don't say." That when we stay silent about racism that is a data point for them. She says she is hopeful despite the pain of this moment, because she has studied neuroscience and child brain development, and she knows that by changing the narrative we can affect neural pathways in our children's minds as they develop their worldview.” - from Holly Telerant
- Fabulous, succinct list of books, toys, studies and articles for families, children, and adults https://www.prettygooddesign.org/blog/Blog%20Post%20Title%20One-5new4
- For another list of anti-racist books to share with your children, here is a link from Molly Sloan, Portland Jewish Academy librarian.
- Books for children ages 8-15, including some Middle Grade reading suggestions
- Teaching Materials
- 15 Classroom Resources for Discussing Racism, Policing, and Protest
- Written for white children, Not My Idea by Anastasia Higginbotham tackles the tough realities of racism and explains why white people should care. The title, Not My Idea, comes from the defensiveness can arise when we white folks are confronted with our own privilege — no, racism and police violence were not our idea, but we still have a role to play in ending them. 7 years old and up.
- Talking About Racism for Parents and Caregivers
- Articles on Whiteness, White Supremacy, and White Fragility
- Teaching Tolerance
Community Resources
- Care Not Cops
- Don't Shoot Portland
- Unite Oregon
- Black owned businesses and media outlets, social justice organizations, workshops and many books for adults and children - resources available here, compiled by Michael Hyde from PJA.
Environmental Racism
Ideas for Kids
Things you can do from Leyah Boussi (Grade 6 Shabbat School) and her friends:
- Make a sign about standing up to racism and put it in your window.
- Go to protests or make your own protest.
- Read Books about racism.
- Talk to your family members and make sure they are going to vote.
- Draw with chalk outside your house or apartment messages about stopping racism and helping each other out.
- Talk to people you know about racism and how it is messing up our country.
- If you are on social media then create posts about Black Lives Matter and like other peoples posts about Black Lives Matter.
- Write a letter to a politician asking them to work harder on solving racism.
- Hold a fundraiser and give the money to an organization run by people of color.
- Use your allowance at a black owned business or restaurant and ask your parents to spend their money there.
- Spread as much love as you can.
AND a whole little book about children organizing a protest that Leyah and her friends wrote after organizing a protest in front of their school, with 750+ people
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AeJ3q0wXWlQYKM3PuYfsf3LNyit8h-BN/view?usp=sharing
Conversation Starters
Short clips to watch with your children
- A 12-year-old gospel singer named Keedron Bryant posted an original song about the realities of being a young black man. https://www.instagram.com/tv/CAtM4MCgEdN/?utm_source=ig_embed
- A Kid's Book about Racism, by Jelani Memory https://safeYouTube.net/w/M1C."
Thu, March 28 2024
18 Adar II 5784
Need Help? If you are a Havurah member in need of help, log in to find resources here.
Havurah Updates
Hineinu: Nosh and Learn, Rosh Ḥodesh, Havurahniks Around Town
Thanks for celebrating Purim together!
A Seat at Your Seder?
Pesach is coming soon! As you are planning your seder, p
Hineinu: Seder Hosts Wanted, Purim Celebration is Saturday, and More
Havurah Purim Celebration
6 pm to 8 pm on Saturday, March 23 at Havurah Shalom
Come as you aren't! All are welcome! Fun f
Upcoming Events
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Saturday ,
MarMarch 30 , 2024
Shabbat, Mar 30th 10:00a to 12:00p
Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. For Zoom link (Zoom Room Aleph), email info@havurahshalom.org. -
Saturday ,
MarMarch 30 , 2024
Shabbat, Mar 30th 10:30a to 11:30a
Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. All are welcome. -
Sunday ,
MarMarch 31 , 2024
Sunday, Mar 31st 10:00a to 12:00p
Email Rachel (info@havurahshalom.org) for more information. -
Monday ,
AprApril 1 , 2024
Monday, Apr 1st 1:00p to 4:00p
We are excited to bring mahjong back to Havurah. It is a fun, social activity that builds community, encouraging new friendships and cementing old ones. And while some of us may play elsewhere as well, we all agreed that restoring its place as an ongoing congregational activity will be a good fit for Havurah and those of us who play or want to learn the game. So please don't hesitate to join us! -
Tuesday ,
AprApril 2 , 2024
Tuesday, Apr 2nd 7:30p to 8:30p
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Wednesday ,
AprApril 3 , 2024
Wednesday, Apr 3rd 7:00p to 8:30p
Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin. In this class, we’ll be exploring various ways in which the Divine is represented and imagined in Jewish tradition. Beyond simply the intellectual, our lens will be more one of spiritual reflection and practice. In other words: As we encounter and interact with the metaphors that the tradition offers for experiencing and connecting with God/Spirit/Life, what do we notice within our hearts and minds? How do particular images shape our consciousness and perception? As a guide for this exploration we will read Rabbi Toba Spitzer’s book, God is Here, which should be purchased for the class (contact Rabbi Benjamin for a free copy if needed). RSVP here by March 1. -
Thursday ,
AprApril 4 , 2024
Thursday, Apr 4th 7:00p to 8:30p
Rabbi Benjamin and Joel Beinin will offer three sessions on “Understanding October 7, 2023” – the Hamas attack on Israel and Israel’s response. The class will offer space for people to express their personal feelings about the events as well as explore the historical context of the events of October 7. Integrated into our examination of this moment, we will engage with a variety of Jewish texts: on grief and loss, on holding multiple truths, and on questions of fundamentalism and fixed views. -
Saturday ,
AprApril 6 , 2024
Shabbat, Apr 6th 10:00a to 12:00p
Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. For Zoom link (Zoom Room Aleph), email info@havurahshalom.org. -
Saturday ,
AprApril 6 , 2024
Shabbat, Apr 6th 3:00p to 5:15p
This program gives children a foundation for lifelong Jewish learning and engagement while integrating parents and children in a caring Jewish community. -
Saturday ,
AprApril 6 , 2024
Shabbat, Apr 6th 3:10p to 4:00p
Parents explore the hopes and fears that inspire, inform, and complicate the planning process. Led by Adela Basayne and Laura Orgel, psychologist and child/family therapist.