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 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.