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."
Sat, July 12 2025
16 Tammuz 5785
Need Help? If you are a Havurah member in need of help, log in to find resources here.
Havurah Updates
Hineinu: Kabbalat Shabbat & More Musical Shabbaton, New(ish) Member Welcome Brunch, Shavuot Approaches!
Join Our Musical Shabbaton, May 9 to 10,
with Musician-in-Residence Aly Halpert
- On Friday evening, May 9, all are welcome
Upcoming Events
IP = In person only (normally at Havurah Shalom);
ZM = On Zoom/online only;
HYB = In person and online; and
ANN = In person at Havurah's Annex.
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Saturday ,
JulJuly 12 , 2025
Shabbat, Jul 12th 10:00a to 12:00p
Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin (who is on sabbatical until July 1, 2025), this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. Join us afterward for a light community brunch provided by the Lunches and Noshes Committee! Free childcare is provided. For Zoom information, please email info@havurahshalom.org. -
Monday ,
JulJuly 14 , 2025
Monday, Jul 14th 11:00a to 2:00p
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Tuesday ,
JulJuly 15 , 2025
Tuesday, Jul 15th 6:30p to 8:30p
**Our Steering Meeting this month will be held on Tuesday, July 15 instead of on the usual day (second Tuesdays).** Steering members and staff will meet to consider matters of governance. All Havurah Shalom members are invited to attend Steering Committee meetings. For Zoom join links, visit havurahshalom.org/zoom (must be logged in) or call the office in advance for assistance (503-248-4662). -
Tuesday ,
JulJuly 15 , 2025
Tuesday, Jul 15th 7:00p to 8:30p
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Wednesday ,
JulJuly 16 , 2025
Wednesday, Jul 16th 1:00p to 2:00p
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Saturday ,
JulJuly 19 , 2025
Shabbat, Jul 19th 10:00a to 12:00p
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Sylvia Hartman as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community. -
Sunday ,
JulJuly 20 , 2025
Sunday, Jul 20th 10:30a to 2:00p
Havurah Shalom and Congregation Shir Tikvah are marching in the Portland Pride Parade! ***Havurah Shalom members, Shir Tikvah members, and friends, please RSVP ASAP.*** We'll meet up at our contingent's starting point (NW Davis, between NW 9th & 10th) at/by 10:45 am on Sunday, July 20. Questions? Email tara@havurahshalom.org. -
Monday ,
JulJuly 21 , 2025
Monday, Jul 21st 7:00p to 8:00p
Join us for our first meeting for the book "Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility." -
Tuesday ,
JulJuly 22 , 2025
Tuesday, Jul 22nd (All day)
Click to learn how to submit your contributions to our monthly newsletter, Hakol. -
Friday ,
JulJuly 25 , 2025
Friday, Jul 25th 5:45p to 8:00p
Join Havurah members and friends for a Solidarity Shabbat service and potluck nosh. This is a spiritual space for community members working in solidarity with Palestinians - and for the liberation of all peoples - to come together to pray, build connections, and renew ourselves on Shabbat to continue our justice work. Please review Havurah's Brit Kavod for our community guidelines. Masks strongly encouraged and provided.
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