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, September 13 2025
20 Elul 5785
Need Help? If you are a Havurah member in need of help, log in to find resources here.
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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Sunday ,
SepSeptember 14 , 2025
Sunday, Sep 14th (All day)
Hear the Sound of the Shofar each day of Elul (except Shabbat): Andrine, Diane & Howard (& sometimes Dominic & Wesley) help prepare us for Rosh Hashanah with shofar, deep thoughts, and a touch of kavanah (intention). Videos will be posted daily on Havurah's YouTube and Facebook pages. -
Sunday ,
SepSeptember 14 , 2025
Sunday, Sep 14th 9:30a to 11:30p
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Sunday ,
SepSeptember 14 , 2025
Sunday, Sep 14th 10:00a to 12:00p
Join experienced birders Cindy and Andrew Merrill to see how many different bird species we can find and identify at Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge in Sherwood. We’ll meet behind the Visitor Center, and then take a leisurely walk on the gravel/dirt trails. Birding expertise is not required. Bikes and pets are not permitted. -
Sunday ,
SepSeptember 14 , 2025
Sunday, Sep 14th 2:00p to 4:00p
Join us for our annual Teen Engagement Committee Teen Picnic and Volunteer Kick-Off. We’ll have snacks, drinks, games, and kehillah-building icebreakers. Feel free to bring sports equipment to enjoy. -
Sunday ,
SepSeptember 14 , 2025
Sunday, Sep 14th 2:00p to 3:30p
Sarah Stein takes her audience back to the bustling streets and colorful characters of the famous Lower East Side of New York City during the 1930s and 1940s as seen through the eyes of her family. Her performance is an inspiring blend of laughter and grace. Recorded music and slides accompany the performance. -
Monday ,
SepSeptember 15 , 2025
Monday, Sep 15th 1:00p to 4:00p
Just for Havurah members, our Mahjong Group 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. -
Monday ,
SepSeptember 15 , 2025
Monday, Sep 15th 6:30p to 7:30p
All Havurah members are invited to this important safety training. High Holidays event manager Rachel Pollak will cover the procedures and practices that keep us safe at the Tiffany Center and at the Havurah building, and Secure Community Network Regional Security Advisor Jessica Anderson will teach us situational awareness and de-scalation. There will be time for questions at the end. All High Holiday greeters, ushers and event monitors are especially encouraged to attend this training. It will be recorded for those not able to attend. -
Tuesday ,
SepSeptember 16 , 2025
Tuesday, Sep 16th 5:30p to 6:30p
All are welcome! Havurah members and non-members alike are invited to join us in this slow, section-by-section reading of "Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility." Click and RSVP. Attend any or all of these HCAT (Havurah's Climate Action Team) Book Group discussions about "Not Too Late." -
Tuesday ,
SepSeptember 16 , 2025
Tuesday, Sep 16th 7:00p to 8:15p
Teshuvah is the ongoing process of Turning and Returning. Using brief, simple, playful forms: sound, movement, story, stillness—which EVERYONE can do—we'll discover and shape our own tales of transformation and renewal. Together we’ll play with a few classic Jewish tales and find our own voices, visions, ancestors, light, and revelations. This is not a performance class. No experience is required, just a willingness to be curious and a little silly. Led by Cassandra Sagan, a twice-ordained Maggid (Jewish storyteller/teacher), and a lifetime creative process/poetry/arts educator. -
Tuesday ,
SepSeptember 16 , 2025
Tuesday, Sep 16th 7:00p to 8:30p
Address: 825 NW 18th Ave, Portland OR 97209 Phone: 503-248-4662
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