Hineinu, May 7, 2025

Join Our Musical Shabbaton, May 9 to 10,
with Musician-in-Residence Aly Halpert
- On Friday evening, May 9, all are welcome to join for our Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration (second Fridays, with a break for summer).
- On Saturday morning, May 10, all are welcome to join for our Shabbat Morning with Musical Shabbaton; Aly will also deliver the drash (10 am to noon). Learn more.
- On Saturday afternoon, May 10, Havurah members are welcome to join for a Songs of Liberation Song Circle. Havurahniks, be sure to RSVP as soon as possible; the gathering is just for Havurah members and is capped at 80 attendees.
(Learn more about our May 9 and 10 Musical Shabbaton with Aly Halpert in our April 2025 Hakol.)

New(ish) Member Welcome Brunch at Havurah Shalom on Sunday morning, May 18
Please RSVP by May 13
A schmear & schmooze brunch at Havurah Shalom from the Havurah Welcoming Committee for new members, newish members, and any Havurahniks who would appreciate being welcomed in again and learning about new ways to become more connected within the community. Learn more & RSVP.

Save the Date & RSVP for Shavuot
7 pm to 11 pm, Sunday, June 1 at Havurah Shalom & in Zoom Room Aleph
Join us on June 1 for a night of noshing, music, and learning!
Plan to bring a dairy dessert, or some other sweet noshing, or just yourself! All are welcome and childcare is available too!
More details to come. Please save the date and RSVP for Tikkun Leyl Shavuot as soon as you'd like.

We are Here for Each Other, Reach Out to Get Better Connected
Havurah Shalom leadership and staff are here for you; as members, we are here for each other. Amidst assaults on our values, our livelihoods, our communities, our identities, our safety, and our sense peace and well-being, know that we are in solidarity with you. If you are a Havurahnik seeking to plug in and make connections within our community, reach out to Tara Anderson, Havurah Participation & Publications Coordinator, at tara.anderson@havurahshalom.org or (503) 278-4634 (phone calls & voicemails). Feel free to be in touch with any staff member or other Havurahnik you'd like to turn to at this time. Reaching out to connect with one another helps stengthen our whole community.

June 2025 Hakol Update
Havurah members, for the June 2025 issue of Hakol, please send your questions and requests to Rachel Pollak (rachel@havurahshalom.org).
The Hakol submission deadline is Monday, May 19.

Cemetery Committee Announcement
The Cemetery Committee, after many years of wise leadership by Dave Weil, will now be headed up by Cindy Merrill! To get in touch about the cemetery or purchasing a grave, please reach out to info@havurahshalom.org.

General Info

Havurah members, are you having difficulty logging in to our website? Click here.

Thank you for following our COVID safety guidelines for in-person gatherings, which were updated on June 15, 2023. 

Gmail users may find that this email message is truncated. Please be sure to click or tap the option at the bottom to extend the cotent and see all our news!

Contacting your fellow Havurah members: If a member's name is hyperlinked, you can go directly to their contact page in the directory by clicking on their name and then logging into your Havurah account. Or search in the online Havurah member directory (log into the website and go to the Contact tab). 

Zoom Room links can be found near the end of this email.

Coming to Havurah Shalom by bicycle? Feel free to bring your bike inside our building while you're at Havurah.

Regular Havurah Happenings

Weekly Torah Study​ 
9 am, Saturdays — Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
An in-depth look at the weekly Torah reading, led by congregants. No prior knowledge or study is necessary. All viewpoints are welcome as we try to draw lessons from our holy books. All are welcome. We also have a monthly Multi-synagogue Torah Study, next taking place on Saturday, May 24. Led by Emily Simon. 

Shabbat Morning
10 am, Saturdays — Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
All are welcome at our Shabbat services, including b'nei mitzvah services. Upcoming b'nei mitzvah (Dora Fortgang, April 26) are listed below and in the website calendar. (On Saturday, May 10, there will be a special Shabbat Morning and Music Shabbaton with musician-in-residence Aly Halpert  (learn more) . Also on Saturday, May 10, we have Tot Shabbat, for ages 0-5 and families, at 10:30 am (RSVP). And on Saturday, May 14, there will be a special Text & Torah: "Forgotten" Rituals, led by Diane Chaplin.)

Mahjong Group
1 pm, first and third Mondays — Havurah Shalom
For Havurah members. Mahjong is a fun, social activity that builds community, encouraging new friendships and cementing old ones. Reach out to Leah Hershey to be added to the email list.

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
12 pm, Tuesdays — Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
We gather to find moments of quiet and shalom in a welcoming space. Various styles of Jewish meditation are explored. No meditation experience necessary. All are welcome to drop in. Led by Adela Basayne, Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, Nancy Becker, or Ria de Neeve.

Morning Minyan
8:30 am, Wednesdays — Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
For all who want a regular prayer practice and those saying Kaddish. All are welcome.

Upcoming Havurah Events

Monthly Racial Justice Committee Meeting

7 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursday, May 8 — Zoom Room Bet
Havurah members, join the Racial Justice Committee for our monthly meeting (second Thursdays). We will make plans to create learning opportunities for our community and engage in learning together during the meeting. We welcome all members to join us even if you have not joined before or it has been awhile since you attended a meeting. Questions? Contact Julia Lager Mesulam. (Havurah members, click for our Zoom room login info page; log in to your Havurah member account for access.)

Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration
5:45 pm Hearty Nosh, 6:30 pm Service, 7:30 pm Continued Hearty Nosh, Plus Dessert, Friday, May 9 — Havurah Shalom (w/ 6:30 pm Service also in Zoom Room Aleph)
A musical, all-ages Friday night service with hearty nosh before the service and continued hearty nosh plus dessert after. Adela Basayne will deliver the drash. Aly Halpert, musician-in-residence, will join the Havurah musicians for our musical, family-friendly Kabbalat Shabbat service. No RSVPs. All are welcome! Learn more. (Havurahniks, consider signing up for a volunteer shift; many shifts that are just ten or fifteen minutes.Thank you!) Note that we'll take a break from these Kabbalat Shabbat Celebrations during the summer. 

Shabbat Morning with Musical Shabbaton (w/ Aly Halpert)
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, May 10 — Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
On Shabbat morning, May 10, Aly will partner with Ken Lerner and Susan Brenner, infusing music into our Community Minyan and offering a drash. All are welcome. Learn more.

Tot Shabbat
10:30 am to 11:15 pm, Saturday, May 10 — Havurah Shalom

Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. All are welcome! We provide free childcare for those staying to enjoy the full Shabbat service that ends at noon. Email info@havurahshalom.org to learn more. RSVP

[Havurah members, RSVP ASAP] Songs for Liberation Song Circle with Musician-in-residence Aly Halpert
4:30 pm to 6:30 pm (closing with the Havdalah ritual), Saturday, May 10 — Havurah Shalom
Songs for Liberation. How can songs help us create a liberated world? Join Aly Halpert for a session exploring how song can ground us, hold us, heal us, and expand our imagination, especially in times where liberation seems furthest from reach. We will sing together, connect with each other, and resource ourselves for the times ahead. Music is especially important at this critical time of struggle that we are all facing. Questions? Contact Sacha Reich, avodah@havurahshalom.org. 
Havurah members, if you plan to attend this Songs of Liberation Song Circle, please RSVP now. Note that Song Circle is currently just for Havurah members, as it caps at 80 registrants.

**You can learn more about our May 9 and 10 Musical Shabbaton with musician-in-residence Aly Halpert on page 8 of our April 2025 issue of Hakol.**

Register on Rose Haven Website for "Reigning Roses Walk"
10 am check-in, 11 am begin walking until about 1 pm, Sunday, May 11 — The Eleanor (1605 NW Everett St., Portland) 
Rose Haven supporters and guests will unite to stride a beautiful route through NW Portland on Mother’s Day at the 12th Annual Reigning Roses Walk. You can register for the walk on the Rose Haven site. Havurahniks, to reach out to the Havurah Poverty & Homelessness Committee liason to Rose Haven, reach out to Marcia Suttenberg. 
(Note that the Havurah teen meet-up for this event has been cancelled.)

Teen Engagement Committee
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Monday, May 12 — Zoom Room Bet
Monthly meeting for the Teen Engagement Committee leadership. Havurah teens and their parents are welcome. Questions? Contact Andy Waxman and Michelle Bobowick. (*Havurah members: For Zoom room info, go to HavurahShalom.org/Zoom and log in to your member account.*)

Steering Meeting
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, May 13 (second Tuesdays) — Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Gimel
Steering members and staff will meet to consider matters of govern-ance. All Havurah Shalom members are invited to attend Steering Committee meetings.(*Havurah members: For Zoom room info, go to HavurahShalom.org/Zoom and log in to your member account.*)

Text & Torah: "Forgotten" Jewish Rituals
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, May 17 — Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph

One hour of text study with Diane Chaplin on special topics, followed by a brief service. 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@havurhshalom.org.

[RSVP by May 13] New(ish) Member Brunch
10 am to 12 pm, Sunday, May 18  — Havurah Shalom
A schmear & schmooze brunch at Havurah Shalom from the Havurah Welcoming Committee for new members, newish members, and any Havurahniks who would appreciate being welcomed in again and learning about new ways to become more connected within the community. Questions? Email Wendy Castineira. You can also reach out to Tara Anderson, Havurah's Participation and Publications Coordinator (503-248-4662, ext. 4; tara@havurahshalom.org). RSVP

Annual Cemetery Beautification Day
1 pm to 3:30 pm, Sunday, May 18 — Havurah Shalom Cemetery, 5656 SW Humphrey Blvd

To beautify our cemetery, please bring garden implements and wear appropriate clothing.

B'khol Levav'kha Gathering (Being Together Wholeheartedly)

7 pm to 8 pm, Monday, May 19 (third Mondays) — Havurah Shalom
All Havurah members are invited to come together for our B’khol Levav’kha gatherings. In these unprecedented and unsettling times, we are each invited to check in with ourselves, get quiet, name what we need, and have our group hear and acknowledge us. These gatherings are an opportunity to take care of be taken care of by our community. All this is followed by noshing. Read the full event description & RSVP. Facilitated by Ben Anderson-Nathe and Cara Ungar. Questions? Contact Cara Ungar.

Last Music Jam of the Season
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Monday, May 19 (third Mondays) — Havurah Shalom
Join your fellow Havurah musicians for our last jam of the season. We'll play and sing Jewish and secular songs, just for the joy of it! Everyone has the opportunity to choose and lead songs from a wide range of artists and eras. Hope to see you there! RSVP.

Hakol Deadline is Monday, May 19
Havurahniks, Monday, May 19 is the submissions deadline for the June 2025 issue of our monthly newsletter, Hakol.
(For the June 2025 issue of Hakol, please direct questions and requests to Rachel Pollak, rachel@havurahshalom.org.)

Solidarity Kabbalat Shabbat
5:45 pm Hearty Potluck Nosh; 6:15 pm Grounding & Introduction; 6:30 pm Service; 7:30 pm Kiddush & Shmooze, Friday, May 23 (and fourth Fridays) — Havurah Shalom (w/ Zoom Room Aleph option starting at 6:30 pm for Grounding & Intro and Service)
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. All are welcome. Learn more & RSVP. 
(Havurahniks, consider helping out at this May 23  gathering. Most shifts just 10 or 15 minutes.)

Shabbat Morning with Bat Mitzvah of Maya Rosenbaum
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, May 24 -– Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Maya Rosenbaum as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community. All are welcome.

Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual (Nisan)
7 pm to 8:15 pm, Sunday, May 25 — RSVP for location updates (either in Zoom Room Heh or North Portland)
A gender-inclusive New Moon group, learning and celebrating each Rosh Ḥodesh with ancient and contemporary ritual. Led by Andrine de la Rocha. RSVP

Office Closed for Memorial Day on May 26
The Havurah Shalom office will be closed for Memorial Day on Monday, May 26

Palestinian Justice Letter Writing Group
6 pm to 7:30 pm, Monday, May 26 — Zoom Room Heh
We hold monthly letter-writing group Zoom gatherings (last Mondays) to write letters to our lawmakers for Israel/Palestine justice. Feel free to drop in any time! There’s no need to RSVP; however, please do RSVP/register if you need the Zoom login. Non-Havurah-members very welcome to join as well.

Havurah's Book Group: A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: Anatomy of a Jerusalem Tragedy by Nathan Thrall
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, May 27 — Zoom Room Bet
Join with Havurah's Book Group to discuss A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: Anatomy of a Jerusalem Tragedy by Nathan Thrall (nonfiction, 272 pages)
Immersive and gripping, an intimate story of a deadly accident outside Jerusalem that unravels a tangle of lives, loves, enmities, and histories over the course of one revealing, heartbreaking day. Discussion led by Joel Beinin. Non-Havurah members welcome as well. Learn more & RSVP for Zoom info. (*This is the last Havurah Book Group meeting for the year. We will start up again in September 2025.*)

Tikkun Olam Corner

Havurah Shalom Tikkun Olam Partners:
Rose Haven (day shelter for women, children, and marginalized genders) | Path Home (family transitional shelter) |
Interfaith Alliance on Poverty (IAP) | Lift UP | MACG |Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice NW ​​​​​​| Jewish Earth Alliance | IMIrJ (Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice)

Out in the Community

Parking Available for Havurah Events

Legacy has generously given us permission to park in its lot at 1919 NW Lovejoy on weekdays after 5 pm and all day on weekends. We can park in any spot except spots 1 through 10. We hope this will make it easier to come for services and other programming! Please help us maintain our relationship with Legacy by honoring these guidelines.

Havurah Zoom Rooms

Havurah Zoom Rooms

Zoom Room Aleph
PC/Mac/Smartphone: Click here to join.
Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 604560503 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5472.
Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 604560503.
 
Zoom Room Bet
PC/Mac/Smartphone: Click here to join.
Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 291215092 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5472.
Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 291215092.
 
Zoom Room Gimel
PC/Mac/Smartphone: Click here to join.
Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 502586440 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5472.
Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 502586440.

Zoom Room Dalet
PC/Mac/Smartphone: Click here to join. 
Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 472484392 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5472.
Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 472484392.

Zoom Room Heh
PC/Mac/Smartphone: Click here to join.
Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 87852542099 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5472.
Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 87852542099.

To see our full Zoom room instructions, click here. Member sign-in required.

Resources

Do You Need Support?
If you are facing emotional, financial, or health challenges and would welcome support, please consider contacting (a) Bikkur Holim (Visiting the Sick) Committee for spiritual support, (b) Lotsa Helping Hands for help with food, transportation, or errands, or (c) Rabbi Benjamin*, for spiritual and moral support. *Note that Rabbi Benjamin will be on sabbatical until July 1, 2025. For pastoral needs during this time, please contact the Havurah Shalom office (info@havurahshalom.org, 503-248-4662) and Rachel Pollak will make the appropriate connection for you.

If you're interested in being on a list of people who support others in concrete ways, such as grocery shopping or running other errands, please contact Lotsa Helping Hands. To request that the name of a relative or Havurah member be read during the Misheberach (healing prayer) at Shabbat services, please use this Misheberach Request Form.

Questions About Havurah?
The Transparency & Inclusivity Committee is an avenue within Havurah Shalom to help members find the answers to questions or concerns they have wondered about. Please send your questions to transparency@havurahshalom.org. We will anonymously answer your question in Hakol. Everyone in our community benefits from this clarity.

Hineinu, April 23, 2025

Solidarity Kabbalat Shabbat Service and Potluck Nosh on Friday, April 25
A reminder that our next Solidarity Kabbalat Shabbat service and potluck nosh (fourth Fridays) will take place in person and on Zoom this Friday. Learn more about this gathering, including masking requests, the potluck sign-up, the volunteer sign-up (for Havurah members), the Zoom and in-person schedule, and more. All are welcome, Havurah members and non-members alike. Learn more & RSVP.

Jewish Ethical Responses to Racism:
A Four-Session Curriculum
6:30 pm to 7:45 pm, May 5, 12, 19, and June 5 — Havurah Shalom
We will address topics such as countering white nationalism and antisemitism, Jewish perspectives on reparations, repairing Jewish pioneer memory, and responding to racial microaggressions. Facilitated by Karen Sherman and Adela Basayne. Please RSVP ASAP to help make this opportunity a success! Questions? Contact Adela Basayne at adela@havurahshalom.org.


Join Our Musical Shabbaton, May 9 to 10,
with Musician-in-Residence Aly Halpert
- On Friday evening, May 9, all are welcome to join for our Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration (second Fridays, with a break for summer).
- On Saturday morning, May 10, all are welcome to join for our Shabbat Morning with Musical Shabbaton (10 am to noon, followed by kiddush lunch). If you plan to stay for lunch after the service, please RSVP for that soon.
- On Saturday afternoon, May 10, Havurah members are welcome to join for a Songs of Liberation Song Circle with Aly Halpert. Havurahniks, be sure to RSVP very soon if you would like to join for this song circle; registration capped at 80 Havurah members.
(Learn more about our May 9 and 10 Musical Shabbaton with Aly Halpert in our April 2025 Hakol.)

General Info

Havurah members, are you having difficulty logging in to our website? Click here.

Thank you for following our COVID safety guidelines for in-person gatherings, which were updated on June 15, 2023. 

Gmail users may find that this email message is truncated. Please be sure to click or tap the option at the bottom to extend the cotent and see all our news!

Contacting your fellow Havurah members: If a member's name is hyperlinked, you can go directly to their contact page in the directory by clicking on their name and then logging into your Havurah account. Or search in the online Havurah member directory (log into the website and go to the Contact tab). 

Zoom Room links can be found near the end of this email.

Coming to Havurah Shalom by bicycle? Feel free to bring your bike inside our building while you're at Havurah.

Regular Havurah Happenings

Weekly Torah Study​ 
9 am, Saturdays — Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
An in-depth look at the weekly Torah reading, led by congregants. No prior knowledge or study is necessary. All viewpoints are welcome as we try to draw lessons from our holy books. All are welcome. We also have a monthly Multi-synagogue Torah Study on Saturday, April 26 (normally held on third Saturdays). Led by Emily Simon. 

Shabbat Morning
10 am, Saturdays — Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
All are welcome at our Shabbat services, including b'nei mitzvah services. Upcoming b'nei mitzvah (Dora Fortgang, April 26) are listed below and in the website calendar. (On Saturday, May 10, there will be a special Shabbat Morning and Music Shabbaton with musician-in-residence Aly Halpert; please RSVP in advance if you'd like to stay for the kiddush lunch after the service on May 10.)

Mahjong Group
1 pm, first and third Mondays — Havurah Shalom
For Havurah members. Mahjong is a fun, social activity that builds community, encouraging new friendships and cementing old ones. Reach out to Leah Hershey to be added to the email list.

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
12 pm, Tuesdays — Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
We gather to find moments of quiet and shalom in a welcoming space. Various styles of Jewish meditation are explored. No meditation experience necessary. All are welcome to drop in. Led by Adela Basayne, Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, Nancy Becker, or Ria de Neeve.

Morning Minyan
8:30 am, Wednesdays — Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
For all who want a regular prayer practice and those saying Kaddish. All are welcome.

Upcoming Havurah Events

Solidarity Kabbalat Shabbat
5:45 pm Hearty Potluck Nosh; 6:15 pm Grounding & Introduction; 6:30 pm Service; 7:30 pm Kiddush & Shmooze, Friday, April 25 (and fourth Fridays) — Havurah Shalom (w/ Zoom Room Aleph option starting at 6:30 pm for Grounding & Intro and Service)
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. All are welcome. Learn more & RSVP. (Havurahniks, consider helping out at this April 25 gathering. Most shifts just 10 or 15 minutes.)

Multi-synagogue Torah Study
9 am to 10 am, Saturday, April 26 — Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
We will again have our monthly multi-synagogue Torah Study, led by Emily Simon. Other congregations joining Havurah Shalom include Temple Sholom in Monticello New York, Emek Shalom in Ashland, Oregon, and Mayim Shalom in Coos Bay, Oregon. We may even have some folks joining us from other parts of the country and maybe the world. No prior knowledge or study is necessary. All viewpoints are welcome as we try to draw lessons from our holy books. (Normally held on the third Saturday of the month, Multi-Synagogue Torah Study will be held on April 26 this month.)

Shabbat Morning with Bat Mitzvah of Dora Fortgang
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, April 26 -– Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Dora Fortgang as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community. All are welcome.

Progressive Israel Network (PIN) Sessions
April 27 (at 3 pm) and May 4 (at 11 am) — Zoom Room Bet
Havurah members, join for any or all of the remaining Zoom gatherings in this four-session series to learn about the Progressive Israel Network. Ask questions and learn how we can plug in. The April 27 speakers are from Reconstructing Judaism and New Israel Fund and the May 4 speaker is from New Jewish Narrative. Learn more and RSVP

Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual (Nisan)
7 pm to 8:15 pm, Sunday, April 27 — RSVP for location updates (either in Zoom Room Heh or North Portland)
A gender-inclusive New Moon group, learning and celebrating each Rosh Ḥodesh with ancient and contemporary ritual. Led by Andrine de la Rocha. RSVP

Havurah's Climate Action Team's Monthly Meeting (HCAT)
5 pm to 6:30 pm, Monday, April 28 — Zoom Room Bet Zoom Room Gimel
Havurahniks, join the Climate Action Team's monthly meeting on last Mondays. (Havurah members, click for our Zoom room login info page; log in to your Havurah member account for access.)

Palestinian Justice Letter Writing Group
6 pm to 7:30 pm, Monday, April 28 — Zoom Room Heh
We hold monthly letter-writing group Zoom gatherings (last Mondays) to write letters to our lawmakers for Israel/Palestine justice. Feel free to drop in any time! There’s no need to RSVP; however, please do RSVP/register if you need the Zoom login. Non-Havurah-members very welcome to join as well.

Steering Meeting (Budget)
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Monday, April 28 — Havurah Shalom
Havurah Shalom's Steering Committee will meet an extra time this month to discuss the budget. All Havurah members are welcome to attend this Steering Meeting. See the calendar for updates as the meeting date approaches.

Havurah Teens and Havurah's Poverty and Homelessness Committee: Supporting Rose Haven
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Wednesday, April 30 — Havurah Shalom
Havurah Teens help Rose Haven prepare for their 12th annual 'Reigning Roses Walk' by making ribbon rosettes! Drinks and snacks will be provided! RSVP ​​​​​​

Jewish Ethical Responses to the Problem of Racism
6:30 pm to 7:45 pm, Monday, May 5, 12, 19, and June 9 — Havurah Shalom
Following the curriculum developed by the Program in Jewish Ethics at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, each class will address a different topic, and be accompanied by videos and readings. Facilitated by Karen Sherman and Adela Basayne. Topics addressed in the four sessions include: Countering White Nationalism and Antisemitism; Jewish Perspectives on Reparations; Repairing Jewish Pioneer Memory; Responding to Racial Microaggressions.
(https://jewsandrace.com/about/). If you'd like to join this course, please RSVP as soon as possible. Questions? Reach out to Adela Basayne (adela.basayne@havurahshalom.org).
 
Monthly Racial Justice Committee Meeting

7 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursday, May 8 — Zoom Room Bet
Havurah members, join the Racial Justice Committee for our monthly meeting (second Thursdays). We will make plans to create learning opportunities for our community and engage in learning together during the meeting. We welcome all members to join us even if you have not joined before or it has been awhile since you attended a meeting. Questions? Contact Julia Lager Mesulam. (Log in to your Havurah member account on our website and look under the Contact tab for Havurah's Member Directory and Zoom Room login info.)

Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration
5:45 pm Hearty Nosh, 6:30 pm Service, 7:30 pm Continued Hearty Nosh, Plus Dessert, Friday, May 9 — Havurah Shalom (w/ 6:30 pm Service also in Zoom Room Aleph)
A musical, all-ages Friday night service with hearty nosh before the service and continued hearty nosh plus dessert after. Aly Halpert, musician-in-residence, will join the Havurah musicians for our musical, family-friendly Kabbalat Shabbat service. No RSVPs. All are welcome! Learn more. (Havurahniks, consider signing up for a volunteer shift; many shifts that are just ten or fifteen minutes.Thank you!) Note that we'll take a break from these Kabbalat Shabbat Celebrations during the summer. 

Shabbat Morning with Musical Shabbaton (w/ Aly Halpert)
10 am to 12 pm (with kiddush lunch afterward, please RSVP for lunch ASAP) — Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
On Shabbat morning, May 10, Aly will partner with Ken Lerner and Susan Brenner, infusing music into our Community Minyan and offering a drash. All are welcome. Planning to join for the kiddush lunch after the service? RSVP for that ASAP/by Monday, May 5.

Songs for Liberation Song Circle with Musician-in-residence Aly Halpert
4:30 pm to 6:30 pm (closing with the Havdalah ritual), Saturday, May 10 — Havurah Shalom
Songs for Liberation. How can songs help us create a liberated world? Join Aly Halpert for a session exploring how song can ground us, hold us, heal us, and expand our imagination, especially in times where liberation seems furthest from reach. We will sing together, connect with each other, and resource ourselves for the times ahead. Music is especially important at this critical time of struggle that we are all facing. Havurah members, if you plan to attend this Songs of Liberation Song Circle, please RSVP now. (The Saturday afternoon Song Circle is currently specifically for Havurah members, as it caps at 80 people.)  Questions? Contact Sacha Reich (avodah@havurahshalom.org). RSVP

You can learn more about our May 9 and 10 Musical Shabbaton with musician-in-residence Aly Halpert on page 8 of our April 2025 issue of Hakol.

Safety Corner

Tikkun Olam Corner

Havurah Shalom Tikkun Olam Partners:
Rose Haven (day shelter for women, children, and marginalized genders) | Path Home (family transitional shelter) |
Interfaith Alliance on Poverty (IAP) | Lift UP | MACG |Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice NW ​​​​​​| Jewish Earth Alliance | IMIrJ (Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice)

Out in the Community

Parking Available for Havurah Events

Havurah Zoom Rooms

Havurah Zoom Rooms

To see our full Zoom room instructions, click here. Member sign-in required.

Resources

Do You Need Support?
If you are facing emotional, financial, or health challenges and would welcome support, please consider contacting (a) Bikkur Holim (Visiting the Sick) Committee for spiritual support, (b) Lotsa Helping Hands for help with food, transportation, or errands, or (c) Rabbi Benjamin*, for spiritual and moral support. *Note that Rabbi Benjamin will be on sabbatical until July 1, 2025. For pastoral needs during this time, please contact the Havurah Shalom office (info@havurahshalom.org, 503-248-4662) and Rachel Pollak will make the appropriate connection for you.

If you're interested in being on a list of people who support others in concrete ways, such as grocery shopping or running other errands, please contact Lotsa Helping Hands. To request that the name of a relative or Havurah member be read during the Misheberach (healing prayer) at Shabbat services, please use this Misheberach Request Form.

Questions About Havurah?
The Transparency & Inclusivity Committee is an avenue within Havurah Shalom to help members find the answers to questions or concerns they have wondered about. Please send your questions to transparency@havurahshalom.org. We will anonymously answer your question in Hakol. Everyone in our community benefits from this clarity.

Hineinu, April 9, 2025

Seder Matching Finishing Up
Havurahniks, for those still looking for a seder, we may very well be able to connect you with a warm, mixed-ages home seder in NW Portland/Hillside (Sunday, April 13), a family-friendly/everyone-friendly community potluck seder in SE Portland/Sellwood (Friday, April 18), or a welcoming, non-traditional virtual Zoom seder (Friday, April 18).
If you're a Havurah member looking for a seder match, please reach out to Tara Anderson (tara@havurahshalom.org) ASAP.
(For inquiries about seders taking place this weekend, it will be best to contact Tara Anderson by 3 pm or sooner on Thursday, April 10, although you can try after that too.)

Passover Seder Resources
Social Justice themed resources for your Seder are available here, on our Havurah website. Havurah Shalom's Tikkun Olam Committees are updating with the latest to add to your Seder from organizations working on Climate Change, Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Racial Justice and other Social Justice areas. Havurahniks, if you have a suggestion of something to add, please email tikkunolam@havurahshalom.org.

A Sweet Pesach Opportunity to Support Refugee and Immigrants
If you're at Havurah this week, pick up a sweet treat for Passover made by Havurah's middle and high schoolers and help support the Refugee and Immigrant Fund! Look for the poster about the Refugee and Immigrant Fund in the entranceway, pick up a bundle of chocolate matzo, and scan the QR code to make a donation. (You can also click here to visit our Refugee and Immigrant Fund donation page.)

Commemorate the Last Day of Pesach and Yitzkor in Community
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Sunday, April 20 and May 4 (joining for at least the first session is recommended) — Havurah Shalom
Passover not only invites us to retell our ancient story but to look at our current reality and ask: what is our mitzrayim today? The obstacle in our personal and communal life? Where can we break through in an act of courage and compassion? Join Harriet Cooke for an in-person writing/drawing group to explore this theme along with Yitzkor, the Sephirot and Counting the Omer. All are welcome. Learn more & RSVP . 

General Info

Havurah members, are you having difficulty logging in to our website? Click here.

Thank you for following our COVID safety guidelines for in-person gatherings, which were updated on June 15, 2023. 

Gmail users may find that this email message is truncated. Please be sure to click or tap the option at the bottom to extend the cotent and see all our news!

Contacting your fellow Havurah members: If a member's name is hyperlinked, you can go directly to their contact page in the directory by clicking on their name and then logging into your Havurah account. Or search in the online Havurah member directory (log into the website and go to the Contact tab). 

Zoom Room links can be found near the end of this email.

Coming to Havurah Shalom by bicycle? Feel free to bring your bike inside our building while you're at Havurah.

Regular Havurah Happenings

Weekly Torah Study​ 
9 am, Saturdays – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
An in-depth look at the weekly Torah reading, led by congregants. No prior knowledge or study is necessary. All viewpoints are welcome as we try to draw lessons from our holy books. All are welcome. We also have a monthly Multi-synagogue Torah Study on Saturday, April 26 (normally held on third Saturdays). Led by Emily Simon. 

Shabbat Morning
10 am, Saturdays – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
All are welcome at our Shabbat services, including b'nei mitzvah services. Upcoming b'nei mitzvah are listed below and in the website calendar. (On Saturday, April 19, there will be a Yizkhor during our Shabbat Morning services.)

Mahjong Group
1 pm, first and third Mondays – Havurah Shalom
For Havurah members. Mahjong is a fun, social activity that builds community, encouraging new friendships and cementing old ones. Reach out to Leah Hershey to be added to the email list.

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
12 pm, Tuesdays – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
We gather to find moments of quiet and shalom in a welcoming space. Various styles of Jewish meditation are explored. No meditation experience necessary. All are welcome to drop in. Led by Adela Basayne, Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, Nancy Becker, or Ria de Neeve.

Morning Minyan
8:30 am, Wednesdays – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
For all who want a regular prayer practice and those saying Kaddish. All are welcome.

Upcoming Havurah Events

Monthly Racial Justice Meeting
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursday, April 10 — Zoom Room Bet

Havurah members, join the Racial Justice Committee for our monthly meeting (2nd Thursdays). We will make plans to create learning opportunities for our community and engage in learning together during the meeting. We welcome all members to join us even if you have not joined before or it has been awhile since you attended a meeting. Questions? Contact Julia Lager Mesulam. (Log in to your Havurah member account on our website and look under the Contact tab for Havurah's Member Directory and Zoom Room login info.)

Office Closed for Passover on Monday, April 14
On Monday, April 14, the Havurah Shalom office will be closed for Pesach.

Parenting Huddle: How Do We Parent/GrandParent Right Now?
3:10 to 4:35 pm, Saturday, April 19 — Havurah Shalom
How do we parent/grandparent right now? How do we sustain our strength, values, and connections when they are being attacked? We gather to share ourselves, wisdom, and support. (This gathering takes place during Shabbat School at Havurah Shalom; all Havurah Shalom parents/grandparents welcome.) RSVP

Progressive Israel Network (PIN) Sessions
Sundays, April 20 (at 3 pm), April 27 (at 3 pm), and May 4 (at 11 am) — Zoom Room Bet
Havurah members, join for any or all of the remaining Zoom gatherings in this four-session series to learn about the Progressive Israel Network. Ask questions and learn how we can plug in. (The April 20 speakers are from T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights and J Street.) Learn more and RSVP

Writing (and Drawing) for Peace and Reconciliation, Within and Between Us
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Sundays, April 20 and May 4 — Havurah Shalom 
Commemorate the last day of Pesach and Yitzkor in community. Passover not only invites us to retell our ancient story but to look at our current reality and ask: what is our mitzrayim today? The obstacle in our personal and communal life? Where can we break through in an act of courage and compassion? Join Harriet Cooke for a writing/drawing group to explore this theme along with Yitzkor, the Sephirot and Counting the Omer. All are welcome, Havurah members and non-members alike. It is recommended to attend either just the first session (April 20) or both sessions (April 20 and May 4). Learn more and RSVP

B'Khol Levav'kha Gathering (Being Together Wholeheartedly)
7 pm to 8 pm, Monday, April 21 (third Mondays) – Havurah Shalom

Havurah members, we welcome you to gather at Havurah Shalom for B'khol Levav'kha ("With All Your Heart"). "On January 21, just after the inauguration, a number of Havurahniks gathered for B’khol Levav’kha—a moment to simply be together wholeheartedly. ... Together, we named and acknowledged our feelings and needs ... Now, we're in the thick of it. And "it" is hard, painful, and confusing. It feels overwhelming and urgent. And still, I know that to be okay and to be wholehearted, I need to be held in calm, patience, and tenderness."  Read the full event description & RSVP. Questions? Contact Cara Ungar.

Submissions Deadline for the May 2025 Issue of Hakol
Havurahniks, Monday, April 21 is the submissions deadline for the May 2025 issue of our monthly newsletter, Hakol.

Havurah's Book Group: Slavery's Capitalism, edited by Sven Beckert and Seth Rockman
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, April 22 — Zoom Room Bet
Join with Havurah's Book Group to discuss Slavery’s Capitalism: A New History of American Economic Development edited by Sven Beckert and Seth Rockman (nonfiction, 416 pages). Discussion led by Holly Hoffnung. Non-Havurah members welcome; Learn more & RSVP for Zoom info.

Solidarity Kabbalat Shabbat
5:45 pm Hearty Potluck Nosh; 6:15 pm Grounding & Introduction; 6:30 pm Service; 7:30 pm Kiddush & Shmooze, Friday, April 25 (and fourth Fridays) — Havurah Shalom (w/ Zoom Room Aleph option starting at 6:30 pm for Grounding & Intro and Service)
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. All are welcome. Learn more & RSVP. (Havurahniks, consider helping out at this April 25 gathering. Most shifts just 10 or 15 minutes.)

Multi-synagogue Torah Study
9 am to 10 am, Saturday, April 26 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
We will again have our monthly multi-synagogue Torah Study, led by Emily Simon. Other congregations joining Havurah Shalom include Temple Sholom in Monticello New York, Emek Shalom in Ashland, Oregon, and Mayim Shalom in Coos Bay, Oregon. We may even have some folks joining us from other parts of the country and maybe the world. No prior knowledge or study is necessary. All viewpoints are welcome as we try to draw lessons from our holy books. (Normally held on the third Saturday of the month, Multi-Synagogue Torah Study will be held on April 26 this month.)

Shabbat Morning with Bat Mitzvah of Dora Fortgang
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, April 26 -– Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Dora Fortgang as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community. All are welcome.

***

[RSVP Ahead of Time] Jewish Ethical Responses to the Problem of Racism
6:30 pm to 7:45 pm, Monday, May 5 — Havurah Shalom
We will address topics such as countering white nationalism and antisemitism, Jewish perspectives on reparations, repairing Jewish pioneer memory, and responding to racial microaggressions. Facilitated by Karen Sherman and Adela Basayne. RSVP

Tikkun Olam Corner

Havurah Shalom Tikkun Olam Partners:
Rose Haven (day shelter for women, children, and marginalized genders) | Path Home (family transitional shelter) |
Interfaith Alliance on Poverty (IAP) | Lift UP | MACG |Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice NW ​​​​​​| Jewish Earth Alliance | IMIrJ (Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice)

Out in the Community

Chag Pesach Sameach!

Havurah Zoom Rooms

Havurah Zoom Rooms

To see our full Zoom room instructions, click here. Member sign-in required.

Resources

Do You Need Support?
If you are facing emotional, financial, or health challenges and would welcome support, please consider contacting (a) Bikkur Holim (Visiting the Sick) Committee for spiritual support, (b) Lotsa Helping Hands for help with food, transportation, or errands, or (c) Rabbi Benjamin*, for spiritual and moral support. *Note that Rabbi Benjamin will be on sabbatical until July 1, 2025. For pastoral needs during this time, please contact the Havurah Shalom office (info@havurahshalom.org, 503-248-4662) and Rachel Pollak will make the appropriate connection for you.

If you're interested in being on a list of people who support others in concrete ways, such as grocery shopping or running other errands, please contact Lotsa Helping Hands. To request that the name of a relative or Havurah member be read during the Misheberach (healing prayer) at Shabbat services, please use this Misheberach Request Form.

Questions About Havurah?
The Transparency & Inclusivity Committee is an avenue within Havurah Shalom to help members find the answers to questions or concerns they have wondered about. Please send your questions to transparency@havurahshalom.org. We will anonymously answer your question in Hakol. Everyone in our community benefits from this clarity.

Hineinu, March 27, 2025

Passover Seder Matching
Havurahniks, can you share a seat at your seder table?
Or, are you a Havurahnik looking to join a seder?
Pesach is coming soon! As you are planning your seder, please let Tara Anderson (tara@havurahshalom.org) know if you are able to host one, two or more guests at your table this year for our 5785 seder matching effort. Also, let Tara know if you are seeking a seat at a seder. Thank you! (Non-Havurah members, you can reach out too, and we'll try to help connect you with seder opportunities as well.)

Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration: Friday, April 4
Spread the word to friends and family! Our April Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration will be on Friday evening, April 4 (to leave lots of time to prep for Pesach). Deborah Eisenbach-Budner will present the drash and the service will be led by Sarah Shine and Havurah musicians! 
Learn more about our April 4 Kabbalat Shabbat. All are welcome at our Kabblat Shabbat Celebrations. No RSVPs.
(Havurah members, consider signing up to help out at our April 4 Kabbalat Shabbat; many volunteer shifts are just 15 minutes. Thanks!)
Also, everyone, be sure to save the date for our May 9 Kabblaat Shabbat Celebration, the last one before the summer break.

Key Due Dates for Havurah's Shabbat School
Shabbat School is for Havurah families with children in grades K-6. Shabbat School gives our children a basis for Jewish learning and fosters a strong sense of community amongst families. To ensure a spot for the 2025-26 (5786) school year, families must (1) be members of Havurah Shalom by mid-April 2025 and (2) enroll their children in Shabbat School by May 1, 2025. Please visit our Shabbat School page under Learning on Havurah’s website for more information. If you have friends or family who are interested in participating in Shabbat School, please pass along this information.

Havurah Seeking Child Care Provider
Havurah Shalom offers childcare at all our Shabbat services as well as other events at the request of the event organizers. We are seeking a new person to fill the position of child care provider. Must be responsible, always on time, a good communicator, and of course great with children and families. The child care provider also helps facilitate Tot Shabbat with Program Staff and helps reset the space afterward. Minimal lifting required. This staff person is an essential part of our Saturday morning community, and beyond. Pays $25/hr., weekly shifts 2.25 hrs. Please contact Rachel Pollak (rachel@havurahshalom.org) to apply or learn more.
 
LGBTQ+ Havurahniks and Allies: Join the Reconstructing Judaism-Keshet Shivyon Cohort!
Havurah Shalom recently applied to and was accepted into the Reconstructing Judaism-Keshet Shivyon 2025 Equality Project cohort! Staff members Adela Basayne, Rachel Pollak and Tara Anderson have begun the preliminary work, but the participation of members is essential and very much wanted. Through this year-long cohort, you’ll gain access to in-depth education, practical training, personal coaching, skill-building, and knowledge to spark long-lasting change right here. We will look at programming, policy, and culture at Havurah Shalom and create an action plan to enhance them all for our LGBTQ+ Havurah community. The program lasts a year, but the monthly commitment is only a few hours, with high flexibility for your schedule. Please email Rachel Pollak (rachel@havurahshalom.org) to learn more.

General Info

Havurah members, are you having difficulty logging in to our website? Click here.

Thank you for following our COVID safety guidelines for in-person gatherings, which were updated on June 15, 2023. 

Gmail users may find that this email message is truncated. Please be sure to click or tap the option at the bottom to extend the cotent and see all our news!

Contacting your fellow Havurah members: If a member's name is hyperlinked, you can go directly to their contact page in the directory by clicking on their name and then logging into your Havurah account. Or search in the online Havurah member directory (log into the website and go to the Contact tab). 

Zoom Room links can be found near the end of this email.

Coming to Havurah Shalom by bicycle? Feel free to bring your bike inside our building while you're at Havurah.

Regular Havurah Happenings

Weekly Torah Study​ 
9 am, Saturdays – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
An in-depth look at the weekly Torah reading, led by congregants. We also have a monthly Multi-synagogue Torah Study, on third Saturdays, led by Emily Simon. No prior knowledge or study is necessary. All viewpoints are welcome as we try to draw lessons from our holy books. All are welcome.

Shabbat Morning
10 am, Saturdays – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
All are welcome at our Shabbat services, including b'nei mitzvah services. Upcoming b'nei mitzvah are listed below and in the website calendar. (On Saturday, April 5, Shabbat Morning will be Text and Torah: Vayikra. Learn more.)

Mahjong Group
1 pm, first and third Mondays – Havurah Shalom
For Havurah members. Mahjong is a fun, social activity that builds community, encouraging new friendships and cementing old ones. Reach out to Leah Hershey to be added to the email list.

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
12 pm, Tuesdays – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
We gather to find moments of quiet and shalom in a welcoming space. Various styles of Jewish meditation are explored. No meditation experience necessary. All are welcome to drop in. Led by Adela Basayne, Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, Nancy Becker, or Ria de Neeve.

Morning Minyan
8:30 am, Wednesdays – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
For all who want a regular prayer practice and those saying Kaddish. All are welcome.

Upcoming Havurah Events

Solidarity Shabbat
5:45 pm Hearty Potluck Nosh; 6:30 pm Grounding & Introduction; 6:40 pm Service; 8 pm Kiddush & Shmooze, Friday, March 28 — Havurah Shalom (w/ Zoom Room Aleph option starting at 6:30 pm for Grounding & Intro and Service)
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. All are welcome. Learn more & RSVP. (Havurahniks, consider signing up to help out at this event; most shifts are just 15-minutes.)

“Tribal Histories of the Willamette Valley” Author Talk
2 pm to 4 pm, Sunday, March 30 — Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
As part of our programming focusing on Jewish reparations to Native Americans, Havurah Shalom is featuring a talk by Dr. David G. Lewis, the author of the first comprehensive history of indigenous peoples of the Willamette: Tribal Histories of the Willamette Valley. Dr. Lewis has studied these histories for over two decades and relies heavily on primary sources. He is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and is a Professor of Anthropology and Indigenous Studies at Oregon State University. This talk is open to the community and will be followed by light refreshments. RSVP

Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual (Nisan)
7 pm to 8:15 pm, Sunday, March 30 — Zoom Room Heh
A gender-inclusive New Moon group, learning and celebrating each Rosh Ḥodesh with ancient and contemporary ritual. Led by Andrine de la Rocha. RSVP.

Palestinian Justice Letter Writing Group
6 pm to 7:30 pm, Monday, March 31 – Zoom Room Heh
We hold monthly letter-writing group Zoom gatherings (last Mondays) to write letters to our lawmakers for Israel/Palestine justice. Feel free to drop in any time! There’s no need to RSVP; however, please do RSVP/register if you need the Zoom login. Non-Havurah-members very welcome to join as well.

No Other Land Film Discussion at Havurah Shalom
7 pm to 8:15 pm, Monday, March 31 — Havurah Shalom
Join some members of a Havurah workgroup focused on Israel-Palestine to discuss the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land. The film is currently playing at Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Avenue) through April 1. Tickets can be purchased from Cinema 21 here. At the March 31 discussion at Havurah, we will be joined by Havurah members who have visited the places in the film. Questions? Reach out to Harriet Cooke. RSVP

Tivnu SPENT Simulation for Grades 8-12
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Wednesday, April 2 — Havurah Shalom
What’s it like to live in the US on the verge of houselessness? Could you make tough choices as you face daily challenges? Come try out the fast-paced simulation SPENT, created by Durham Urban Ministries, and adapted in a Jewish context by Tivnu Program Director Adinah Miller. What safety nets and solutions are out there to support people and how can you take action? Pizza dinner included. RSVP

Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration
5:45 pm Hearty Nosh, 6:30 pm Service, 7:30 pm Continued Hearty Nosh, Plus Dessert, Friday, April 4 — Havurah Shalom (w/ 6:30 pm Service also in Zoom Room Aleph)
A musical, all-ages Friday night service with hearty nosh before the service and continued hearty nosh plus dessert after. At our April 4 Kabbalat Shabbat, Deborah Eisenbach-Budner is delivering the drash at Kabbalat Shabbat. The service will be led by Sarah Shine and Havurah musicians. No RSVPs. All are welcome! Learn more. (Havurahniks, click here to sign up for a volunteer shift; many shifts that are just ten or fifteen minutes.Thank you!)

Text & Torah: Vayikra
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, April 5 — Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
One hour of text study with Diane Chaplin on special topics, followed by a brief service. Join us afterward for a light community brunch provided by the Lunches and Noshes Committee. Learn more.

Bake Sale at Flor Wines for Havurah's Refugee and Immigrant Fund
1 pm to 3 pm, Saturday, April 5 — Flor Wines (825 NW Glisan St., Portland, Oregon)
Come to a delicious bake sale at Flor Wines! All proceeds go to the Refugee and Immigrant Fund (RIF) at Havurah Shalom to support the needs of refugee and immigrant families in our community. All are welcome. See flyer.

Queer Havdalah
7 pm to 9 pm, Saturday, April 5 — Havurah Shalom
All Havurah members who identify as LGBTQIA+ (and families!) are invited to our next queer community-building event at Havurah. We'll start with an ice-breaker, set intentions for the week to come, play some games, and sing our way out of Shabbat. No familiarity with Havdalah rituals required. There will be snacks. Questions? Contact Kayla Reiman or Beth Kaye (log in to your Havurah member account to access the directory). RSVPs are appreciated.

Guardian Active Bystander Safety Training
11:30 am, Sunday, April 6 – Havurah Shalom
Havurah members, come at 11:30 for nosh and schmoozing, then stick around together for Guardian Active Bystander Training at noon! Learn more & RSVP

Progressive Israel Network (PIN) Sessions
Sundays, April 6 (at 5 pm), April 20 (at 3 pm), April 27 (at 3 pm), and May 4 (at 11 am) — Zoom Room Bet
Put a PIN on it! Havurah Shalom's Lifelong Learning Committee is hosting a four-session series from the Progressive Israel Network (PIN). Per PIN: “The Progressive Israel Network brings together 12 organizations representing Americans who are committed to pursuing democracy, equality and peace in Israel.” Havurah members, please join us in a series of Zoom gatherings to learn about the Progressive Israel Network from several PIN organizations. Ask questions and learn how we can plug in. Attend any or all sessions. RSVP

Monthly Music Jams
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Monday, April 7 — Havurah Shalom
Havurahniks, tune your instrument, warm up your voice and head down to Havurah to jam with us. Join your fellow Havurah musicians for an evening of playing and singing together—for the joy of it! Jams are led by fellow Havurah members and are completely democratic—everyone chooses songs! Our songbook includes both Jewish and secular songs from a wide range of artists and eras. RSVP

Playing Klezmer Music
6:30 pm to 7:45 pm, Tuesday, April 8 — Havurah Shalom 
Klezmer: where does it come from and where is it going? We will look at dance melodies and other musical forms and see how they were made and used. We will also see if we can create our own melodies. Led by Andrew Ehrlich. RSVP

Havurah Steering Meeting
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, April 8 — Havurah Shalom 
Steering members and staff will meet to consider matters of governance. All Havurah Shalom members are invited to attend Steering Committee meetings. Learn more.

Teen Night with the Sanctuary Committee
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, Wednesday, April 9 — Havurah Shalom
Join us to learn the many ways that Havurah has been supporting immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers and how, over the last several years, we have assisted one family from Guatemala and one from Afghanistan. We will also make sweet matzah treats (with melted chocolate and toffee) to taste and bag up for congregants who make a donation to the Refugee and Immigrant Fund. RSVP

***

[RSVP Ahead of Time] Jewish Ethical Responses to the Problem of Racism
6:30 pm to 7:45 pm, Monday, May 5 — Havurah Shalom
We will address topics such as countering white nationalism and antisemitism, Jewish perspectives on reparations, repairing Jewish pioneer memory, and responding to racial microaggressions. Facilitated by Karen Sherman and Adela Basayne. RSVP

Safety Corner

Tikkun Olam Corner

Havurah Shalom Tikkun Olam Partners:
Rose Haven (day shelter for women, children, and marginalized genders) | Path Home (family transitional shelter) |
Interfaith Alliance on Poverty (IAP) | Lift UP | MACG |Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice NW ​​​​​​| Jewish Earth Alliance | IMIrJ (Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice)

Out in the Community

Havurah Zoom Rooms

To see our full Zoom room instructions, click here. Member sign-in required.

Resources

Do You Need Support?
If you are facing emotional, financial, or health challenges and would welcome support, please consider contacting (a) Bikkur Holim (Visiting the Sick) Committee for spiritual support, (b) Lotsa Helping Hands for help with food, transportation, or errands, or (c) Rabbi Benjamin*, for spiritual and moral support. *Note that Rabbi Benjamin will be on sabbatical until July 1, 2025. For pastoral needs during this time, please contact the Havurah Shalom office (info@havurahshalom.org, 503-248-4662) and Rachel Pollak will make the appropriate connection for you.

If you're interested in being on a list of people who support others in concrete ways, such as grocery shopping or running other errands, please contact Lotsa Helping Hands. To request that the name of a relative or Havurah member be read during the Misheberach (healing prayer) at Shabbat services, please use this Misheberach Request Form.

Questions About Havurah?
The Transparency & Inclusivity Committee is an avenue within Havurah Shalom to help members find the answers to questions or concerns they have wondered about. Please send your questions to transparency@havurahshalom.org. We will anonymously answer your question in Hakol. Everyone in our community benefits from this clarity.