Hineinu, January 1, 2025

Rabbi Benjamin's Sabbatical Begins Feb. 1
From the Presidents Team: Rabbi Benjamin will take part one of a well-deserved sabbatical for five months, beginning on February 1, 2025, and returning to our thriving community on July 1, 2025. During this time, the many functions of his position will be picked up by … everyone – as a participatory community is compelled to do. Many will take on these responsibilities, from our staff and lay leaders to committee chairs and congregants who have pastoral skills, are musically inclined, or otherwise want to help lead services. What an opportunity for us to stretch and grow! Details on who will be stepping into different roles and the help we still need can be found on page 6 of the January 2025 Hakol and will be further shared in the Hineinu newsletter during this month. If you have questions or need to communicate with Rabbi Benjamin, please reach out to him before the "last minute" in late January. Replenish well, beloved Rabbi!

Wings of the Dove Campaign for Havurah Shalom January Engagement Sessions — Seeking Your Input on Havurah's Future
For years, Havurah volunteers have been working on plans for our space and staffing needs. Now it is your time to step forward and give us some input. Your participation in one of the upcoming Wings of the Dove Engagement sessions will give us the feedback needed to create a campaign that assures Havurah will thrive as a participatory commu-nity while addressing our growing needs. Thank you to the over 200 members who have already given their input. Please take note of the upcoming engagement session dates in January and watch your email for final details:
• NW Neighborhood Session – Thursday, January 16, 7 pm, RSVP
• SW Neighborhood Session – Wednesday, January 22, 7 pm, RSVP
• Zoom Session – Sunday, January 26, 7 pm, RSVP
• SE Neighborhood Session – Members in SE will receive a personal invitation
• NE Neighborhood Session – Members in N/NE will receive a personal invitation
Note that these are not fundraising sessions. We are seeking input on our goals and plans. Thank you.

Two-Part Series on Engaging with Antisemitism
4 pm to 6 pm, Sundays, January 12 and 26 — Havurah Shalom
Using sections of the book Safety through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism, we'll gather as Havurah members on January 12 to share personal experiences and reflect together about the reading and antisemitism in general. We'll gather again on January 26, along with members of First Unitarian Church, to host co-author Shane Burley and explore how we can fight antisemitism, in solidarity with others. Participating Havurah members should be able to attend both sessions and do some reading and reflecting before each session. Childcare will be available as well. RSVPs required for this two-part series at Havurah Shalom.

Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration: Friday, Jan. 10
5:45 pm Hearty Nosh, 6:30 pm Service, 7:30 pm Continued Hearty Nosh, Plus Dessert, Friday, January 10 — 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. All are welcome! No RSVPs. Free childcare is provided! Learn more. 

Havurah members, please consider donating a bit of your time to help out! We need people to fill and set out water pitchers, make almond butter and jam sandwiches for the kiddos, bus tables, distribute challah and wine/juice, put out song sheets, and more! Sign up here to volunteer.

General Info

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

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.

Weekly/Biweekly 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. 
(On the third Shabbat of each month, there will be a multi-synagogue Torah Study led by Emily Simon, including on Saturday, January 18.)

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. All are welcome. (On January 4, there will be a Text and Torah Shabbat: Rituals of Shabbat. Also, note that the Tot Shabbat for January is now taking place a on Saturday, January 11. RSVP)

Mahjong Group
1 pm, first and third Mondays – Havurah Shalom Library
Mahjong is a fun, social activity that builds community, encouraging new friendships and cementing old ones. Prospective members of Havurah Shalom interested in our mahjong group are invited to attend a game to become better acquainted with our group, but we ask that you already know how to play before coming. Please contact the Havurah office to schedule your visit. Havurah members, reach out to Leah Hershey if you want to be added to the group email list and receive notices of meeting changes.

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
12 pm, Tuesdays – Havurah Shalom (Sanctuary or Library) 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 Rabbi Benjamin, 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.

More Upcoming Havurah Events

Text and Torah Shabbat: Rituals of Shabbat
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, January 4 — 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 in advance.

Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual: Tevet
7 pm, Sunday, January 5 – Meeting in Zoom Room Heh during the winter; future gatherings to take place in Zoom Room Heh or in Inner NE.
A gender-inclusive New Moon group, learning and celebrating each Rosh Ḥodesh with ancient and contemporary ritual. Open to any and all genders, inviting each to connect with our closest heavenly body, the Moon. Gatherings take place monthly on or near the new moon of each Hebrew month at 7 pm on the Sunday closest to the New Moon, either on Zoom or in person - outdoors in inner North/East Portland - depending on seasonal shifts in the weather. Attend any or all sessions; all are welcome. RSVP to be updated on location and other details throughout the year.

How Precious the Ground Book Discussion: Ch. 5, 6, and Epilogue
[Note Date & Zoom Room Changes]
5 pm to 6 pm, Tuesday, January 7 — Zoom Room Heh
Join Havurah’s Climate Action Team (HCAT) for a discussion of Chapters 5, 6, and Epilogue from How Precious the Ground on Which We Stand: Jewish Values that Could Save the Earth by Rabbi Sheldon (Shelly) Lewis. Each chapter stands on its own; no worries if this will be your first time joining us. All are welcome. Zoom info will be shared when you register. (The author will speak to Havurahniks via Zoom on Monday, Jan. 13!) RSVP

Hebrew as a Tool: Prayer and Torah
7 pm to 8:15 pm, Wednesdays, Jan. 8 to Jun. 18 — Havurah Shalom
Using an in-depth, word-by-word approach, we discover literal meaning(s), ancient layers of understanding, and our own personal interpretations that stem from the nuances of the Hebrew text. Basic Hebrew decoding skills necessary.​​​​​​ RSVP to join this course.

Racial Justice Committee Meeting
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursday, January 9 — Zoom Room Bet
Havurahniks, join the Racial Justice Committee Monthly Meeting where we spend some time learning together and planning activities for our community. We welcome new committee members all the time! Come check us out if you are curious! Questions? Contact Julia Lager-Mesulam (member login needed to access directory). (*Havurah members: For Zoom room info, go to HavurahShalom.org/Zoom and log in to your member account.*)

Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration
5:45 pm Hearty Nosh, 6:30 pm Service, 7:30 pm Continued Hearty Nosh, Plus Dessert, Friday, January 10 — 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. All are welcome! Free childcare is provided! Learn more. 

Tot Shabbat
10:30 am to 11:15 am, Saturday, January 11 – Havurah Shalom
Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. All are welcome! Please RSVP when you plan to come. We provide free childcare for those staying to enjoy the full Shabbat service that ends at noon and which is followed by a light community brunch. Email info@havurahshalom.org to learn more. RSVP

Two-Part Series on Engaging with Antisemitism
4 pm to 6 pm, Sundays, January 12 and 26 — Havurah Shalom
Using sections of the book Safety through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism, we'll gather as Havurah members on January 12 to share personal experiences and reflect together about the reading and antisemitism in general. We'll gather again on January 26, along with members of First Unitarian Church, to host co-author Shane Burley and explore how we can fight antisemitism, in solidarity with others. Participating Havurah members should be able to attend both sessions and do some reading and reflecting before each session. Childcare will be available as well. RSVPs required for this two-part series at Havurah Shalom.

Rabbi Shelly to Speak to Havurahniks
5 pm to 6 pm, Monday, January 13 — Zoom Room Gimel
Join Havurah’s Climate Action Team (HCAT)  for a discussion with Rabbi Sheldon (Shelly) Lewis, author of How Precious the Ground on Which We Stand: Jewish Values that Could Save the Earth. Dr. Adriane Leveen, Bible Scholar and Climate Activist writes, “Lewis conveys the many ways in which the Hebrew Bible celebrates the natural world as a sacred creation that we must cherish and work to preserve. His words are glorious, his vision illuminating. Reading his book fills me with joy. Learn more & RSVP

Make Your Own Haggadah
6:30 pm to 7:45 pm, Mondays, January 13, 20, 27 and February 3 - Zoom Room Heh
Adults and teens, put your own mark on the seder by making your own Haggadah to tell the story of the Exodus! We'll meet four times and focus on choosing and making art, selecting readings to include, selecting songs for a songbook and playlist, and telling the story of the plagues. At the end, you will have a document you can print or share to be used at your seder, along with a songbook and playlist you can sing along with! Led by Carolina Martinez. Learn more and RSVP.

Teen Engagement Meeting
7 pm, Monday, January 13 — 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.*)

Monthly Music Jam
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Monday, January 13 — Havurah Shalom
Havurahniks, tune your instrument, warm up your voice, and head down to the Havurah music jam! Join the January Jam, this month led by Hannah Truehaft.  All players and singers are welcome for a fun evening of playing and singing together—for the joy of it! Our songbook includes Jewish and secular songs from a wide range of artists and eras. Can't wait to sing and play with you! RSVP

Steering Meeting
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, January 14 (second Tues-days) — 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 Com-mittee meetings. Members will be able to view a draft meeting agenda on Havurah’s calendar page for the Jan. 14 Steering meeting.

Multi-Synagogue Torah Study, Led by Emily Simon
9 am to 10 am, Saturday, January 18 (Third Saturdays) – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
On the third Saturday of the month (Shabbat morning), we have a 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.

Shabbat Morning with Bar Mitzvah of Nathaniel "Nat" Fox
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, January 18 -– Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Nathanial "Nat" Fox as a Bar Mitzvah and member of our community. All are welcome.

Havurah Shalom Office Closure: January 20 (MLK Day)
The Havurah office will be closed on Monday, January 20 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Teen Tikkun Olam: The Friends of Seasonal and Service Workers (FSSW) Coat Sort
11 am to 2 pm, Monday, January 20 – Lewis & Clark College in the Stamm Dining Hall (Located in the Fowler Student Center)
Tikkun Olam opportunity for Havurah teens on MLK, Jr. Day! Join us to sort coats being donated to various charities by Columbia Sportswear, or-ganized by Teen Engagement Committee and the Friends of Seasonal and Service Workers. RSVP.

B’khol Levav’kha: Meeting this Moment Wholeheartedly – An Evening of Meditation and Connection
6:30 pm to 8 pm, Thursday, January 23 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
We’ll gather for spiritual practice and spiritual community as we enter this new chapter in our country. Interweaving guided meditation, song, and space for reflection and sharing, we’ll draw from our tradition’s spiritual resources as we accompany and support each other during this time of transition. We’ll also leave some time for informal connection and community. Contact Rabbi Benjamin with questions. All are welcome. RSVP.

History of the Sephardic Jews and Their Language, Ladino
7 pm to 8:15 pm, Thursdays, January 23, January 30, and February 6 – Havurah Shalom

Who are the Sephardic Jews? What is their history and what is their language? We will focus on the Jews expelled from Spain and Portugal who settled in the Ottoman Empire and their language, Ladino.  You will learn where they lived, the communities they formed, and what happened to them in the Holocaust and post-Holocaust. You will be exposed to Sephardic culture, music, and literature. You will get a taste of the Ladino language, how it formed, how it was used, its literature, and its proverbs. If you speak modern Spanish, you should take this class. If you don’t speak modern Spanish, you should take this class. Led by Roger Brewer. RSVP

More Tikkun Olam 

Havurah Shalom Tikkun Olam Partners:
Path Home (formerly PHFS): Volunteer for our monthly Path Home dinner | Interfaith Alliance on Poverty (IAP) | Lift UP | MACG |Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice NW ​​​​​​ | Rose Haven |Jewish Earth Alliance | IMIrJ (Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice)

Out in the Community

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 the (a) Bikkur Holim (Visiting the Sick) Committee for spiritual support, (b) Lotsa Helping Hands for help with food, transportation, or other errands, or (c) Rabbi Benjamin, for spiritual and moral support – benjamin@havurahshalom.org or 503-248-4662 ext. 3. 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, December 18, 2024

Havurah Shalom Chanukah Celebration Dec. 29:
RSVP
4 pm to 6 pm, Sunday, December 29 — Havurah Shalom (with a Zoom Room Aleph track of programming starting at 4:45 pm)
All are invited to celebrate the lights of Chanukah at Havurah Shalom! You can bring latkes for the latke contest, lovingly used items for the swap table/give-away table, warm clothing for the tikkun olam winter drive, and kids and teens to enjoy games and the gaga pit! Fun for adults, teens, and children alike.
(Havurah members, please sign up for a 15-minute greeter shift!)
Questions? Contact Wendy Castineira (member login required to access the directory). RSVP

Rabbi Benjamin's Sabbatical to Begin on Feb. 1
From the Presidents Team: Rabbi Benjamin will take part one of a well-deserved sabbatical for five months, beginning on February 1, 2025, and returning to our thriving community on July 1, 2025.
During this time, the many functions of his position will be picked up by … everyone – as a participatory community is compelled to do. Many will take on these responsibilities, from our staff and lay leaders to committee chairs and congregants who have pastoral skills, are musically inclined, or otherwise want to help lead services. What an opportunity for us to stretch and grow!
Details on who will be stepping into different roles and the help we still need will be shared in the January issue of Hakol and in Hineinu later this month and next.
If you have questions or need to communicate with Rabbi Benjamin, please reach out to him before the last minute.
Replenish well, beloved Rabbi!

Save the Dates: Two-Part Series on Engaging with Antisemitism
Using sections of the book Safety through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism, we'll gather as Havurah members on Sunday afternoon, January 12 to share personal experiences and reflect together about the reading and antisemitism in general. We'll gather again on Sunday afternoon, January 26, along with members of First Unitarian Church, to host co-author Shane Burley and explore how we can fight antisemitism, in solidarity with others. RSVPs required. Havurah members participating should be able to attend both sessions and do some reading and reflecting in between. This two-part series will be held at Havurah Shalom.

Save the Dates: The History of the Sephardic Jews and Their Language, Ladino
7 pm to 8:15 pm, Thursdays, January 23, January 30, and February 6 – Havurah Shalom
Who are the Sephardic Jews? What is their history and what is their language? We will focus on the Jews expelled from Spain and Portugal who settled in the Ottoman Empire, and their language, Ladino. You will learn where they lived, the communities they formed, and what happened to them in the Holocaust and post-Holocaust. You will be exposed to various aspects of Sephardic culture, music, and literature. You will get a taste of the Ladino language, how it formed, how it was used, its literature, and its proverbs. If you speak modern Spanish, you should take this class! If you don’t speak modern Spanish, you should take this class! RSVP

General Info

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

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.

Weekly/Biweekly 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. 
(On the third Shabbat of each month, there will be a multi-synagogue Torah Study led by Emily Simon, including on Saturday, December 21.)

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 (Ezrah Szego, December 21) are listed below and in the website calendar. All are welcome. (On January 4, there will be a Text and Torah Shabbat: Rituals of Shabbat. Also, note that the Tot Shabbat for January is now taking place a on Saturday, January 11. RSVP)

Mahjong Group
1 pm, first and third Mondays – Havurah Shalom Library
Mahjong is a fun, social activity that builds community, encouraging new friendships and cementing old ones. Prospective members of Havurah Shalom interested in our mahjong group are invited to attend a game to become better acquainted with our group, but we ask that you already know how to play before coming. Please contact the Havurah office to schedule your visit. Havurah members, reach out to Leah Hershey if you want to be added to the group email list and receive notices of meeting changes.

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
12 pm, Tuesdays – Havurah Shalom (Sanctuary or Library) 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 Rabbi Benjamin, 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.

More Upcoming Havurah Events

Hakol Submission Deadline is Thursday, December 19
The deadline for submissions to the January 2025 issue of our monthly newsletter, Hakol, is Thursday, December 19. Havurah members: To read the submission guidelines and submit your short articles,  go to HavurahShalom.org > News > Submit News & Requests > Click on the Hakol Submission Form. Or click on this link to go directly to the Hakol submission form. Reach out to Tara Anderson (tara@havurahshalom.org), Havurah Participation and Publications Coordinator, if you have questions.

Multi-Synagogue Torah Study, Led by Emily Simon
9 am to 10 am, Saturday, December 21 (Third Saturdays) – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
All viewpoints are welcome as we try to draw lessons from our holy books. No prior knowledge or study is necessary. Multi-synagogue Torah Study includes engagement from members of congregations in Oregon and New York and beyond. All are welcome. Learn more on the Havurah calendar.

Shabbat Morning with Bar Mitzvah of Ezrah Szego
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, December 21 -– Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Ezrah Szego as a Bar Mitzvah and member of our community. All are welcome.

Havurah's Climate Action Team's Monthly Meeting (HCAT)
5 pm to 6:30 pm, Monday, December 23 -– Zoom Room Bet
Havurahniks, join the Climate Action Team's monthly meeting. (Havurah members: For Zoom room login info, log in to your Havurah member account on the website, go to the Contact tab, and click on Zoom Meeting Rooms in the drop-down menu.)
 

Alte Rockers Restaurant Dinner on the First Night of Chanukah and Christmas Day
4 pm to 7 pm, Wednesday, December 25 -– At SW Portland restaurant in the John's Landing area, very close to the Willamette River
Havurah's Alte Rockers will hold a traditional Jewish Chinese restaurant dinner, as we did last year. We have made arrangements for us to have a group dinner at a very simple, small restaurant. We will order and pay individually; it is best to order in advance to prevent delays. If you would like to join us for this dinner, please be sure to RSVP directly to Ted Scheinman (member login required to access the directory). After you call or email Ted, make sure that you receive confirmation that you are indeed signed you up for the dinner, as space is limited.

Havurah Shalom Office Closures: December 25
The Havurah office will be closed on Wednesday, December 25

Solidarity Shabbat
5:45 pm Hearty Potluck Nosh, 6:15 pm Grounding & Introduction, 6:30 pm Service, 7:30 pm Kiddush & Schmooze, Friday, December 27 -– Havurah Shalom (w/ the 6:15 pm Grounding & Introduction and 6:30 pm Service also in Zoom Room Aleph)
Join Havurah members and friends for a Solidarity Shabbat service, Chanukah celebration, 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. Free childcare provided! Please review Havurah's proposed Brit Kavod for our community guidelines. Masks strongly encouraged and provided; the organizers request that all attendees who are able do so mask during the Grounding & Introduction and Service portions. A vegetarian snack buffet will be provided with gluten free and dairy free options. If you are able, you may also bring a small dish of your choice to share. We are a vegetarian (fish ok) facility. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan food and drink welcome! (Havurahniks, would you like to sign up for a volunteer role, like door greeting or helping with setup/clean-up?) Questions? Contact Rocky Cohen or Nat Lerner (member login required to access directory), or leave a question in your registration notes. Learn more and RSVP.

Chanukah Celebration
4 pm to 6 pm, Sunday, December 29 — Havurah Shalom (with a Zoom Room Aleph track of programming starting at 4:45 pm)
All are invited to celebrate the lights of Chanukah at Havurah Shalom!
Fun for adults, teens, and children alike. You can bring latkes for the latke contest, lovingly used items for the swap table/give-away table, warm clothing for the tikkun olam winter drive, and kids and teens to enjoy games and the gaga pit! (For those joining by Zoom, email info@havurahshalom in advance for the Zoom link, if needed.) Members! Please sign up for a 15-minute greeter shift! Questions? Contact Wendy Castineira (member login required to access the directory). Learn more and RSVP.

Palestinian Justice Letter Writing Group
6 pm to 7:30 pm, Monday, December 30 — 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 for the Dec. 30 letter-writing group if you need the Zoom login. Non-Havurah-members very welcome to join as well. Questions? Email Dale Oller (member log-in required to access directory).

Before the End of 2024, Pick Up Your Lost and Found Items at Havurah
Attention Havurahniks! If you have left any items at the building, it is time to pick them up! The kitchen is filling up with platters, the closet is filling up with coats, and the lost and found is full of expensive water bottles, among lots of other things! Anything left by Jan. 1 will be donated to a thrift shop. Please don’t lose your stuff this way! Plan to stop by the kitchen and coat room next time you’re here, or make a special trip to rummage for your things. Questions? Please reach out to Rachel Pollak (rachel@havurahshalom.org).

Havurah Shalom Office Closures: January 1
The Havurah office will be closed on Wednesday, January 1.

Text and Torah Shabbat: Rituals of Shabbat
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, January 4 — 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 in advance.

Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual: Tevet
7 pm, Sunday, January 5 – Meeting in Zoom Room Heh during the winter; future gatherings to take place in Zoom Room Heh or in Inner NE.
A gender-inclusive New Moon group, learning and celebrating each Rosh Ḥodesh with ancient and contemporary ritual. Open to any and all genders, inviting each to connect with our closest heavenly body, the Moon. Gatherings take place monthly on or near the new moon of each Hebrew month at 7 pm on the Sunday closest to the New Moon, either on Zoom or in person - outdoors in inner North/East Portland - depending on seasonal shifts in the weather. Attend any or all sessions; all are welcome. RSVP to be updated on location and other details throughout the year.

Hebrew as a Tool: Prayer and Torah
7 pm to 8:15 pm, Wednesdays, Jan. 8 to Jun. 18 — Havurah Shalom
Using an in-depth, word-by-word approach, we discover literal meaning(s), ancient layers of understanding, and our own personal interpretations that stem from the nuances of the Hebrew text. Basic Hebrew decoding skills necessary.​​​​​​ RSVP to join this course.

More Tikkun Olam 

Havurah Shalom Tikkun Olam Partners:
Path Home (formerly PHFS): Volunteer for our monthly Path Home dinner | Interfaith Alliance on Poverty (IAP) | Lift UP | MACG |Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice NW ​​​​​​ | Rose Haven |Jewish Earth Alliance | IMIrJ (Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice)

Out in the Community

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 the (a) Bikkur Holim (Visiting the Sick) Committee for spiritual support, (b) Lotsa Helping Hands for help with food, transportation, or other errands, or (c) Rabbi Benjamin, for spiritual and moral support – benjamin@havurahshalom.org or 503-248-4662 ext. 3. 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, December 4, 2024

Our Next Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration is on Friday, December 13 - Come Join In!
5:45 pm Hearty Nosh; 6:30 pm Service; 7:30 pm Continued Hearty Nosh, Plus Dessert, Friday, December 13 – Havurah Shalom (the 6:30 pm Service in Zoom Room Aleph as well)

A musical, all-ages Friday night service with hearty nosh before the service and continued hearty nosh plus dessert after. All are welcome! Free childcare is provided! All who would like to do so are also invited to make a Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration donation.

Havurah members, please consider donating a bit of your time to help out! Check out the volunteer sign-up for the December 13 Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration.

The December 13 Kabbalat Shabbat will also feature hand-crafted temperature tapestries in our Social Hall, an exhibit from Havurah's Climate Action Team (learn more on the bottom of page 3 and the top of  page 4 of the December 2024 issue of Hakol).

Havurah Members to Share Experience Volunteering with Center for Jewish Nonviolence in the West Bank
4 pm to 5:30 pm, Sunday December 15 — Havurah Shalom

Havurah Members Matthew Nelkin and Dale Oller invite you to join for an in-person Havurah gathering in which they will share their experiences volunteering with the Center for Jewish Nonviolence (CJNV) last August in the South Hebron Hills of Masafer Yatta.

From Dale and Matthew: In solidarity with the Palestinian villagers, we witnessed the joys and difficulties of two different villages. Our role as “protection presence” provided the honor to support these villagers, bear witness and bring home these experiences to share with our community.

The afternoon will be moderated by Havurahnik Sally Goldman, who participated previously as a CJNV volunteer.
All are welcome, Havurah members and non-members alike.
See the Sunday, Dec. 15 Havurah event page. |
See a packet on the CJNV’s work.

Save the Date &
RSVP for Our Chanukah Celebration
4 pm to 6 pm, Sunday, December 29 – Havurah Shalom (w/ Zoom Room Aleph option, starting at 4:45 pm)

All are invited to celebrate the lights of Chanukah at Havurah Shalom! Fun for adults, teens, and children alike.

You can bring latkes for the latke contest, lovingly used items for the swap table (a.k.a., gift give-away table), warm clothing for the tikkun olam winter drive, and kids and teens to enjoy games and the gaga pit!

There will also be a Zoom track of programming for those who would like to join us online at 4:45 pm.

General Info

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

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.

Weekly/Biweekly 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. 
(On the third Shabbat of each month, there will be a multi-synagogue Torah Study led by Emily Simon, including on Saturday, December 21.)

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 (Ezrah Szego, December 21) are listed below and in the website calendar. All are welcome. (Tot Shabbat is set to take place on Saturday, December 7 at 10:30 am.)

Mahjong Group
1 pm, first and third Mondays – Havurah Shalom Library
Mahjong is a fun, social activity that builds community, encouraging new friendships and cementing old ones. Prospective members of Havurah Shalom interested in our mahjong group are invited to attend a game to become better acquainted with our group, but we ask that you already know how to play before coming. Please contact the Havurah office to schedule your visit. Havurah members, reach out to Leah Hershey if you want to be added to the group email list and receive notices of meeting changes.

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
12 pm, Tuesdays – Havurah Shalom (Sanctuary or Library) 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 Rabbi Benjamin, 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.

More Upcoming Havurah Events

Tot Shabbat
10:30 am to 11:15 am, Saturday, December 7 – Havurah Shalom
Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. All are welcome! Please RSVP when you plan to come. We provide free childcare for those staying to enjoy the full Shabbat service that ends at noon and which is followed by a light community brunch. Email info@havurahshalom.org to learn more. RSVP

Parenting Huddle: What to do with the G Word (God)?
3:10 am to 4:30 am, Saturday, December 7 – Havurah Shalom
Explore real-life questions that we face as parents/guardians/grandparents, with some guidance from our Jewish texts and values, and each other.
For the Dec. 7 Parenting Huddle: All are welcome in this discussion – ardent atheists, those with a strong God relationship, those with questions, clarity, skepticism, enthusiasm, and everything in between. Facilitated by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. Member and non-member parents/guardians/grandparents welcome; please RSVP by December 4.

Cancelled: Create a Personal Chanukah Card
4 pm to 5:15 pm, Sunday, December 8 – Zoom Room Bet

Teen Engagement Committee Meeting
7 pm, Monday, December 9 – Zoom Room Bet
Monthly meeting for the Teen Engagement Committee leadership. Havurah teens and their parents are welcome.

Steering Meeting
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, December 10 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Gimel
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).

Monthly Racial Justice Committee Meeting
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursday (2nd Thursdays), December 12 – Zoom Room Bet
Havurahniks, join the Racial Justice Committee Monthly Meeting, where we spend some time learning together and planning activities for our community. We welcome new committee members all the time! Come check us out if you are curious! Questions? Contact Julia Lager Mesulam. Learn more on the Havurah calendar.

Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration: Friday, December 13
5:45 pm (Hearthy Nosh), 6:30 pm (Service), 7:30 (Continued Hearty Nosh, Plus Dessert), Friday, December 13 – Havurah Shalom (and 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. All are welcome! Free childcare is provided! No need to RSVP, but please see the Dec. 13 event page for important information.

Parenting Huddle: Will the Real Chanukah Please Stand Up? And Other December Dilemmas
3:10 pm to 4:30 pm, Saturday, December 14 — Havurah Shalom
Explore real-life questions that we face as parents/guardians/grandparents, with some guidance from our Jewish texts and values, and each other. For the Dec. 14 Parenting Huddle, Havurah parents and grandparents of all backgrounds and with (grand)children of any age, please join us as we look into the contentious historical roots of Chanukah, many of which parallel questions of cultural and religious identity that we still contend with today, as well as its evolution through time. We will try to articulate what we want Chanukah to really be about for our families at this point as well as discuss the particular challenges that our diverse families face at this time of year as well. Bring your thoughts, questions, family traditions, recipes, favorite children's Chanukah books, etc. Facilitated by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. Member and non-member parents/guardians/grandparents welcome; please RSVP by December 11.

Havurah Members to Share Experience Volunteering with Center for Jewish Nonviolence in the West Bank
4 pm to 5:30 pm, Sunday December 15 — Havurah Shalom
Havurah Members Matthew Nelkin and Dale Oller invite you to join for an in-person Havurah gathering in which they will share their experiences volunteering with the Center for Jewish Nonviolence (CJNV) last August in the South Hebron Hills of Masafer Yatta. The afternoon will be moderated by Havurahnik Sally Goldman, who participated previously as a CJNV volunteer. All are welcome, Havurah members and non-members alike.See the Sunday, Dec. 15 Havurah event page. |
See a packet on the CJNV’s work.

Teen Tikkun Olam Food Prep
4 pm to  6 pm, Sunday, December 15 -– Havurah Shalom
For Havurah teens. We will be baking, making sandwiches, and preparing other edible items to support members of P:ear or Blanchet House. RSVP

HCAT Invites You to Discuss Chapters of How Precious the Ground on Which We Stand: Jewish Values that Could Save the Earth — Author to Join Final Meeting!
5 pm to 6 pm, Mondays, Dec. 16 (Ch. 3 & 4) and Jan. 13 (Ch. 5, 6, and Epilogue) -– Zoom Room Gimel
Join Havurah’s Climate Action Team (HCAT) in Zoom Room Gimel for a slow read of How Precious the Ground on Which We Stand: Jewish Values that Could Save the Earth by Rabbi Sheldon (Shelly) Lewis. Each chapter stands on its own; no worries if this will be your first time joining us. Rabbi Sheldon, the author of the book, will be joining us for the Jan. 13 discussion! Books are available at BookShop.org. If you're interested in purchasing an inscribed copy directly from the author, email Elianne Lieberman (member login required to access directory) for purchasing info. All are welcome. You’ll receive Zoom info upon registering. RSVP for Dec. 16 | RSVP for Jan. 13

Havurahnik Summer Camp Songs Singalong and Jam
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Monday, December 16 — Havurah Shalom
Havurahniks, come join the combined instrumental jam and singalong groups to play and sing summer camp songs. You'll have to imagine the fire and the smoke ... Together we'll revisit those magic memories of camp. Everyone will have the opportunity to request their favorite songs. Bring a copy of Rise Up Singing, mark your calendars, and RSVP. Can't wait to sing and play together!

Book Group: The Diary Keepers by Nina Siegel (on Zoom only)
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, December 17 — Zoom Room Bet
The Havurah Shalom Book Group meets monthly to discuss fiction and nonfiction books voted on by Havurah members. All are welcome to any and all meetings. Copies of our upcoming books can be checked out by members in the Havurah library. For December, we invite you to read and discuss … The Diary Keepers by Nina Siegel (nonfiction, 544 pages). The Diary Keepers in an account of WWII and the Holocaust through the diaries of Dutch citizens, firsthand accounts of ordinary people living in extraordinary times… both Jew and gentile. Discussion led by Yvonne Cohen. Both members of Havurah and non-members are welcome. You can join on Dec. 17 via Zoom. RSVP for Zoom info.

Dreams in the Torah, Dreams in Our Lives
6:30 pm to 7:45 pm, Tuesdays, Dec. 3, 17; Jan. 7, 21; Feb. 4, 18 — Havurah Shalom
Dreams are important messages in the Torah and, some say, from our unconscious minds. We will explore the dreams of our ancestors as a prelude to sharing and learning about our own dreams, using a facilitated process from the Haden Institute, based in Jungian, Gestalt and Jeremy Taylor methodologies. Facilitated by Adela Basayne. Limited to 8 participants. (You can still join starting with the next session on Dec. 17. A few spots are still available as of now.) RSVP to join this course.

Hebrew as a Tool: Prayer and Torah (Now Starting on January 8)
7 pm to 8:15 pm, Wednesdays, Jan. 8 to Jun. 18 — Havurah Shalom
Using an in-depth, word-by-word approach, we discover literal meaning(s), ancient layers of understanding, and our own personal interpretations that stem from the nuances of the Hebrew text. Basic Hebrew decoding skills necessary.​​​​​​ RSVP to join this course.

Hakol Submission Deadline is Thursday, December 19
The deadline for submissions to the January 2025 issue of our monthly newsletter, Hakol, is Thursday, December 19. Havurah members: To read the submission guidelines and submit your short articles,  go to HavurahShalom.org > News > Submit News & Requests > Click on the Hakol Submission Form. Or click on this link to go directly to the Hakol submission form. Reach out to Tara Anderson (tara@havurahshalom.org), Havurah Participation and Publications Coordinator, if you have questions.

Multi-Synagogue Torah Study, Led by Emily Simon
9 am to 10 am, Saturday, December 21 (Third Saturdays) – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
All viewpoints are welcome as we try to draw lessons from our holy books. No prior knowledge or study is necessary. Multi-synagogue Torah Study includes engagement from members of congregations in Oregon and New York and beyond. All are welcome. Learn more on the Havurah calendar.

Shabbat Morning with Bar Mitzvah of Ezrah Szego
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, December 21 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Ezrah Szego as a Bar Mitzvah and member of our community. All are welcome.

More Tikkun Olam 

Havurah Shalom Tikkun Olam Partners:
Path Home (formerly PHFS): Volunteer for our monthly Path Home dinner | Interfaith Alliance on Poverty (IAP) | Lift UP | MACG |Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice NW ​​​​​​ | Rose Haven |Jewish Earth Alliance | IMIrJ (Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice)

Out in the Community

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 the (a) Bikkur Holim (Visiting the Sick) Committee for spiritual support, (b) Lotsa Helping Hands for help with food, transportation, or other errands, or (c) Rabbi Benjamin, for spiritual and moral support – benjamin@havurahshalom.org or 503-248-4662 ext. 3. 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, November 20, 2024

Shabbat and Opportunities to Be Together
Upcoming Shabbat gatherings (in person and on Zoom) include Solidarity Shabbat (Friday evening, Nov. 22), Weekly Torah Study (Saturdays at 9 am, with a special multi-synagogue Torah study on third Saturdays, see calendar for more info), Shabbat Morning (including Shabbat Mornings with B'nei Mitzvah) (Saturdays at 10 am, see calendar for more info), and our regular Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration (Friday evening, Dec. 13).

There will also be a Tot Shabbat (Saturday, Dec. 7, at 10:30 am) and a Parenting Huddle: What to Do with the G Word (God)? (Saturday, December 7, 3:10 pm), both at Havurah Shalom.

Check out the rest of this newsletter for many more events, classes, meetings, and other gatherings and opportunities coming up in the next few weeks or so.

Learn to Chant Torah: Register Soon!
7 pm to 8:15 pm, Mondays, February 3 to March 3  – Havurah Shalom
Are you interested in learning how to chant the Torah? This beautiful, ancient system is a treat to learn, and inspiring to sing. A five-session class led by Ken Lerner will teach you everything you need in order to connect with this heritage, and become a proud “leyner” (Torah chanter). Ken has been a patient teacher of beginning Torah readers for over 30 years at Havurah, and would be happy to help you feel the satisfaction of gaining this skill.

Note: There needs to be a minimum of three interested students to make the class a reality, and there is an upper limit of seven people. Please RSVP soon if you are interested, but no later than Jan. 15, 2025, and Ken will be in touch about the class.

Questions? Contact Ken Lerner (member login required to access directory) or ask a question in the registration notes when you RSVP/register.

5785/2024 High Holidays Videos
Would you like to watch and listen to recordings of our recent High Holiday services, including individual drashot? Check out our YouTube playlist, High Holidays 2024/5785. 

General Info

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

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.

Weekly/Biweekly 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. 
(On the third Shabbat of each month, there will be a multi-synagogue Torah Study led by Emily Simon, including on Saturday, December 21.)

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 (Leo Friedman, November 23) are listed below and in the website calendar. All are welcome. (Tot Shabbat is set to take place on Saturday, December 7 at 10:30 am.)

Mahjong Group
1 pm, first and third Mondays – Havurah Shalom Library
Mahjong is a fun, social activity that builds community, encouraging new friendships and cementing old ones. Prospective members of Havurah Shalom interested in our mahjong group are invited to attend a game to become better acquainted with our group, but we ask that you already know how to play before coming. Please contact the Havurah office to schedule your visit. Havurah members, reach out to Leah Hershey if you want to be added to the group email list and receive notices of meeting changes.

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
12 pm, Tuesdays – Havurah Shalom (Sanctuary or Library) 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 Rabbi Benjamin, 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.

More Upcoming Havurah Events

Submission Deadline for December Hakol: Thursday, November 21
The deadline for submissions to the December 2024 issue of our monthly newsletter, Hakol, is Thursday, November 21. Havurah members: To read the submission guidelines and submit your short articles, go to HavurahShalom.org > News > Submit News & Requests > Click on the Hakol Submission Form. Or click on this link to go directly to the Hakol submission form. Reach out to Tara Anderson (tara@havurahshalom.org), Havurah Participation and Publications Coordinator, if you have questions.

Solidarity Shabbat
5:45 pm to 8 pm, Friday, November 22 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
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.
Free childcare provided! Please review Havurah's proposed Brit Kavod for our community guidelines. (Schedule: 5:45 pm - Hearty Potluck Nosh; 6:15 pm - Grounding & Introduction; 6:30 pm - Service; and 7:30 pm - Kiddush & Shmooze.) Masks strongly encouraged and provided; the organizers request that all attendees who are able do so mask during the Grounding & Introduction and Service portions. If possible, please bring a small dish of your choice for the potluck. We are a vegetarian (fish ok) facility. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan food and drink welcome! RSVP with your name and how many are attending. When you register/RSVP, in the Notes section, please let us know if you can bring something for the potluck and what it is. Looking forward to seeing you! Questions? Contact Rocky Cohen or Dove Balgley (member login required to access the directory) or ask a question in the registration notes when you RSVP.

Shabbat Morning with Bar Mitzvah of Leo Friedman
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, November 23 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Leo Friedman as a Bar Mitzvah and member of our community. All are welcome.

Wings of the Dove Campaign Community Conversations (Next Session at Havurah is Saturday, Nov. 23)
3:15 pm, Saturday, November 23 – Havurah Shalom (During Shabbat School)
The Wings of the Dove Campaign is on track to lift the Havurah community to new heights, expanding the potential of our congregation in new spaces where we will gather, learn, sing, and celebrate! Your voice is needed. Havurahniks and those interested in supporting the future of our community, please choose one of the Wings of the Dove Community Sessions listed above and share in building the vision to address Havurah's future facility and staffing needs. RSVP for your preferred session (the next session is on Nov. 23). Questions? Email Aaron Pearlman, Campaign Manager, at aaron.pearlman@havurahshalom.org.

Havurah’s Climate Action Team (HCAT) Monthly Meeting
5 pm to 6:30 pm, Monday, November 25 (last Mondays) – Zoom Room Gimel Havurahniks, join us at the Climate Action Team's monthly meeting. With the new normal of extreme hot summer days and wildfire smoke, we are all affected by the climate crisis. Havurah Climate Action Team (HCAT) meets monthly and online as needed, to educate and support one another in tangible actions and political advocacy to address solutions. Questions? Contact the HCAT Co-chairs, Elianne Lieberman or Harriet Cooke.

Palestinian Justice Letter Writing Group
6 pm to 7:30 pm, Monday, November 25 (last Mondays) – Zoom Room Heh
We will resume our monthly letter writing on the last Monday of each month to write letters to our lawmakers for Israel/Palestine justice. Non-Havurah-members very welcome as well. RSVP if you need the Zoom info. Otherwise, feel free to drop in anytime! Questions? Contact Dale Oller (member log-in required to access directory).

Havurah Book Group: There Was an Old Woman (216 pages, nonfiction) by Andrea Carlisle—Author to Join Discussion!
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, November 26 (last Tuesdays) – Zoom Room Bet
Join the Havurah Book Group in discussing There Was an Old Womanl: . We are also pleased to be joined by the author, Andrea Carlisle! (From the publisher’s description) “In these personal essays, Carlisle looks for new ways to bring herself more fully into this time of life. Those curious about approaching or living in old age will find wisdom and insight in her unique perspective. In a voice that rings with clarity, humor, and humility, Carlisle shows us that old age is not another country where we can expect to find the Old Woman grimly waiting, but instead is an expansion of the borders in the country we are most familiar with: ourselves.” Discussion led by Beth Kaye. All are welcome to any and all meetings, members of Havurah and non-members alike. RSVP for Zoom info.

Office Closed November 28 and 29
The Havurah Shalom office will be closed on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual: Kislev
7 pm, Sunday, December 1 – Meeting in Zoom Room Heh during the winter; future gatherings to take place in Zoom Room Heh or in Inner NE.
A gender-inclusive New Moon group, learning and celebrating each Rosh Ḥodesh with ancient and contemporary ritual. Open to any and all genders, inviting each to connect with our closest heavenly body, the Moon. Gatherings take place monthly on or near the new moon of each Hebrew month at 7 pm on the Sunday closest to the New Moon, either on Zoom or in person - outdoors in inner North/East Portland - depending on seasonal shifts in the weather. Attend any or all sessions; all are welcome. RSVP to be updated on location and other details throughout the year.

Dreams in the Torah, Dreams in Our Lives
6:30 pm to 7:45 pm, alternating Tuesdays, December 3 to February 18 – Havurah Shalom
Dreams are important messages in the Torah and, some say, from our unconscious minds. Over six sessions, we will explore the dreams of our ancestors as a prelude to sharing and learning about our own dreams, using a facilitated process from the Haden Institute, based in Jungian, Gestalt and Jeremy Taylor methodologies. Facilitated by Adela Basayne. Limited to 8 participants. RSVP

Tot Shabbat
10:30 am to 11:15 am, Saturday, December 7 – Havurah Shalom
Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. All are welcome! Please RSVP when you plan to come. We provide free childcare for those staying to enjoy the full Shabbat service that ends at noon and which is followed by a light community brunch. Email info@havurahshalom.org to learn more. RSVP

Parenting Huddle: What to do with the G Word (God)?
3:10 am to 4:30 am, Saturday, December 7 – Havurah Shalom
Explore real-life questions that we face as parents/guardians, with some guidance from our Jewish texts and values, and each other. For the Dec. 7 Parenting Huddle: We will explore an expansive array of different ways that Jews think about God, including our own experiences and questions, as parents and as people. And we will talk about how all this relates to parenting, in both spiritual and practical terms. Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. For parents/guardians to enjoy during Shabbat School, at Havurah Shalom. Member and non-member parents/guardians welcome. RSVP.

Create a Personal Chanukah Card
4 pm to 5:15 pm, Sunday, December 8 – Zoom Room Bet
Let's make virtual and paper collage Chanukah cards in December! This class is for children, teens, and adults. We will focus on symbols of the season and creating a personalized image or set of images you can use in your cards this year to accompany a gift or send to friends and family. For virtual cards, you will need a computer that has Word  or Google Docs or a sketching app like Sketchbook. For paper cards, you need colored or metallic card stock or construction paper, markers, colored pencils, metallic markers, scissors, white glue, origami metallic paper, or stickers.  We will use clip art, and there will be samples images and messages at hand. RSVP to receive more instructions ahead of time, including the Zoom login info. All are welcome. Led by Carolina Martinez.

Teen Engagement Committee Meeting
7 pm, Monday, December 9 – Zoom Room Bet
Monthly meeting for the Teen Engagement Committee leadership. Havurah teens and their parents are welcome.

Steering Meeting
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, December 10 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Gimel
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).

Monthly Racial Justice Committee Meeting
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursday (2nd Thursdays), December 12 – Zoom Room Bet
Havurah members, join the Racial Justice Committee for our monthly (second Thursdays) meeting. We will make plans to create learning opportunities for our community and engage in learning together during the meeting. Questions? Contact Julia Lager Mesulam. Learn more on the Havurah calendar.

Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration: Friday, December 13
5:45 pm (Hearthy Nosh), 6:30 pm (Service), 7:30 (Continued Hearty Nosh, Plus Dessert), Friday, December 13 – Havurah Shalom (and 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. All are welcome! Free childcare is provided! No need to RSVP, but please see the Dec. 13 event page for important information.

More Tikkun Olam 

Havurah Shalom Tikkun Olam Partners:
Path Home (formerly PHFS): Volunteer for our monthly Path Home dinner | Interfaith Alliance on Poverty (IAP) | Lift UP | MACG |Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice NW ​​​​​​ | Rose Haven |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 the (a) Bikkur Holim (Visiting the Sick) Committee for spiritual support, (b) Lotsa Helping Hands for help with food, transportation, or other errands, or (c) Rabbi Benjamin, for spiritual and moral support – benjamin@havurahshalom.org or 503-248-4662 ext. 3. 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, November 13, 2024

Forum on Affordable Housing
& Homelessness in Portland
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursday, November 14 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Heh
Homelessness remains one of the most important issues in Portland. To help our community better understand this issue, the Poverty and Homelessness Committee is offering this forum. Havurahnik, Steve Rudman (former director of Home Forward), will convene the forum with Havurah members, Rachael Duke (Community Partners for Affordable Housing), and Andrea Sanchez (Housing Development Center). Looking forward to a lively and informative evening. All are welcome. RSVP

Questions? Contact Steve Rudman (member login required to access directory) or ask a question in the registration notes when you RSVP.

Lives Lived, Lessons Learned:
An Evening of Stories in Words and Music
7 pm to 9 pm, Sunday, November 17 – Havurah Shalom
RSVP

Questions? Contact Ed Hershey (member login required to access directory) or ask a question in the registration notes when you RSVP.

5785/2024 High Holidays Videos
Would you like to watch and listen to recordings of our recent High Holiday services? Check out our YouTube playlist, High Holidays 2024/5785. 
Rosh Hashanah drashot videos are included in the playlist; Yom Kippur drashot videos have now been posted as well, includ drashot from Rabbi Benjamin, Keren McCord, Edward Hershey, Marian Rhys, Rocky Cohen, and Elise Granek.

General Info

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

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.

Weekly/Biweekly 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. 
(On the third Shabbat of each month, there will be a multi-synagogue Torah Study led by Emily Simon, including on Saturday, November 16.)

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 (Leo Friedman, November 23) are listed below and in the website calendar. All are welcome.

Mahjong Group
1 pm, first and third Mondays – Havurah Shalom Library
Mahjong is a fun, social activity that builds community, encouraging new friendships and cementing old ones. Prospective members of Havurah Shalom interested in our mahjong group are invited to attend a game to become better acquainted with our group, but we ask that you already know how to play before coming. Please contact the Havurah office to schedule your visit. Havurah members, reach out to Leah Hershey if you want to be added to the group email list and receive notices of meeting changes.

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
12 pm, Tuesdays – Havurah Shalom (Sanctuary or Library) 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 Rabbi Benjamin, 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.

More Upcoming Havurah Events

Wings of the Dove Campaign Community Conversations (Choose an Upcoming Session)
7 pm, Wednesday, November 13 – Havurah Shalom (During Havurah Middle School/Havurah High) or
3:15 pm, Saturday, November 23 – Havurah Shalom (During Shabbat School)
The Wings of the Dove Campaign is on track to lift the Havurah community to new heights, expanding the potential of our congregation in new spaces where we will gather, learn, sing, and celebrate! Your voice is needed. Havurahniks and those interested in supporting the future of our community, please choose one of the Wings of the Dove Community Sessions listed above and share in building the vision to address Havurah's future facility and staffing needs. RSVP for your preferred session. Questions? Email Aaron Pearlman, Campaign Manager, at aaron.pearlman@havurahshalom.org.

Affordable Housing and Homelessness in Portland
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursday, November 14 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Heh
Homelessness remains one of the most important issues in Portland. To help our community better understand this issue, the Poverty and Homelessness Committee is offering this forum. Havurahnik, Steve Rudman, former director of Home Forward, will convene the forum with Havurah members, Rachael Duke with Community Partners for Affordable Housing, and Andrea Sanchez with Housing Development Center. Looking forward to a lively and informative evening. RSVP

Monthly Racial Justice Committee Meeting
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursday (2nd Thursdays), November 14 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
Havurah members, join the Racial Justice Committee for our monthly (second Thursdays) meeting. We will make plans to create learning opportunities for our community and engage in learning together during the meeting. Questions? Contact Julia Lager Mesulam. Learn more on the Havurah calendar.

Multi-Synagogue Torah Study, Led by Emily Simon
9 am to 10 am, Saturday, November 16 (3rd Saturdays) – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
All viewpoints are welcome as we try to draw lessons from our holy books. No prior knowledge or study is necessary. Multi-synagogue Torah Study includes engagement from members of congregations in Oregon and New York and beyond. All are welcome. Learn more on the Havurah calendar.

Discovering Shabbat Morning: Learner's Minyan
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, November 16 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
This upbeat, interactive service focuses on the structure, key themes, and prayers of the morning service. Open to all, and especially for those seeking to better understand Shabbat Morning service. (Free childcare is provided.) RSVP

Learn to Bake Babke (scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 17) has been cancelled. Stay tuned for future offerings of this class.

Lives Lived, Lessons Learned: An Evening of Stories in Words and Music
7 pm to 9 pm, Sunday, November 17 – Havurah Shalom
Alte Rockers, Havurah’s aptly named group of active seniors, has a gift for you — “Lives Lived, Lessons Learned”  an evening of stories in words and music. Four storytellers — Edward Hershey, Cassandra Sagan, Sarah Stein and Yuvi Zalkow — will join musician Steven Mesulam in a program designed to demonstrate the many ways our lives are enriched and informed by the experiences we have. And feel free to share an experience of your own. All are welcome. Questions? Contact Ed Hershey (member login required to access the directory) or leave a note when you register. RSVP

How Precious the Ground on Which We Stand: Jewish Values that Could Save the Earth - A Slow Read w/ Havurah's Climate Action Team Book Group
5 pm to 6 pm, Monday, November 18 – Zoom Room Gimel
Join Havurah’s Climate Action Team (HCAT) for a slow read of How Precious the Ground on Which We Stand: Jewish Values that Could Save the Earth by Rabbi Sheldon (Shelly) Lewis. Dr. Adriane Leveen, Bible Scholar and Climate Activist writes, “Lewis conveys the many ways in which the Hebrew Bible celebrates the natural world as a sacred creation that we must cherish and work to preserve. His words are glorious, his vision illuminating. Reading his book fills me with joy.” Discussion focus: Chapters 1 and 2. Questions? Contact Elianne Lieberman  (member login required to access the directory) or leave a note when you register. RSVP.

History of HIAS
7:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesdays, November 12 and 19 – Havurah Shalom
Havurah member Michael Rice will present the storied history of HIAS from documentary sources, with personal insight as the son of James Rice, HIAS executive director 1956-1966. From predecessor organizations dating to 1870 in New York assisting Jews immigrating to the US or fleeing pogroms, HIAS has sheltered and supported refugees for over 150 years. Along with other Jewish organizations, HIAS took on the rescue and resettlement of Holocaust survivors during World War II and the post-war era. In 1965, thanks to the strong advocacy of HIAS and others, the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 ended decades of discriminatory nationality quotas. Now HIAS operates with 1,800 employees in 20 countries in Latin America, Africa, Europe, and Israel, with a large team at our Southern border and in Mexico. Asylum protection, resettlement of Afghan, Ukrainian, Venezuelan and other refugees through Jewish communities, and political advocacy for legal and budget support are ongoing work. All are welcome. The Nov. 19 session, in person at Havurah, will focus on HIAS history from the 1960s to present times; you're welcome to join even if you didn't attend the first session. RSVP

Solidarity Shabbat
5:45 pm to 8 pm, Friday, November 22 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
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.
Free childcare provided! Please review Havurah's proposed Brit Kavod for our community guidelines. (Schedule: 5:45 pm - Hearty Potluck Nosh; 6:15 pm - Grounding & Introduction; 6:30 pm - Service; and 7:30 pm - Kiddush & Shmooze.) Masks strongly encouraged and provided; the organizers request that all attendees who are able do so mask during the Grounding & Introduction and Service portions. If possible, please bring a small dish of your choice for the potluck. We are a vegetarian (fish ok) facility. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan food and drink welcome! RSVP with your name and how many are attending. When you register/RSVP, in the Notes section, please let us know if you can bring something for the potluck and what it is. Looking forward to seeing you! Questions? Contact Rocky Cohen or Dove Balgley (member login required to access the directory) or ask a question in the registration notes when you RSVP.

Shabbat Morning with Bar Mitzvah of Leo Friedman
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, November 23 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Leo Friedman as a Bar Mitzvah and member of our community. All are welcome.

Havurah’s Climate Action Team (HCAT) Monthly Meeting
5 pm to 6:30 pm, Monday, November 25 (last Mondays) – Zoom Room Gimel Havurahniks, join us at the Climate Action Team's monthly meeting. With the new normal of extreme hot summer days and wildfire smoke, we are all affected by the climate crisis. Havurah Climate Action Team (HCAT) meets monthly and online as needed, to educate and support one another in tangible actions and political advocacy to address solutions. Questions? Contact the HCAT Co-chairs, Elianne Lieberman or Harriet Cooke.

Palestinian Justice Letter Writing Group
6 pm to 7:30 pm, Monday, November 25 (last Mondays) – Zoom Room Heh
We will resume our monthly letter writing on the last Monday of each month to write letters to our lawmakers for Israel/Palestine justice. Non-Havurah-members very welcome as well. RSVP if you need the Zoom info. Otherwise, feel free to drop in anytime! Questions? Contact Dale Oller (member log-in required to access directory).

Havurah Book Group: There Was an Old Woman (216 pages, nonfiction) by Andrea Carlisle—Author to Join Discussion!
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, November 26 (last Tuesdays) – Zoom Room Bet
Join the Havurah Book Group in discussing There Was an Old Womanl: . We are also pleased to be joined by the author, Andrea Carlisle! (From the publisher’s description) “In these personal essays, Carlisle looks for new ways to bring herself more fully into this time of life. Those curious about approaching or living in old age will find wisdom and insight in her unique perspective. In a voice that rings with clarity, humor, and humility, Carlisle shows us that old age is not another country where we can expect to find the Old Woman grimly waiting, but instead is an expansion of the borders in the country we are most familiar with: ourselves.” Discussion led by Beth Kaye. All are welcome to any and all meetings, members of Havurah and non-members alike. RSVP for Zoom info.

Office Closed November 28 and 29
The Havurah Shalom office will be closed on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual: Cheshvan
7 pm, Sunday, December 1 — Meeting in Zoom Room Heh during the winter; future gatherings to take place in Zoom Room Heh or in Inner NE.
A gender-inclusive New Moon group, learning and celebrating each Rosh Ḥodesh with ancient and contemporary ritual. Open to any and all genders, inviting each to connect with our closest heavenly body, the Moon. Gatherings take place monthly on or near the new moon of each Hebrew month at 7 pm on the Sunday closest to the New Moon, either on Zoom or in person - outdoors in inner North/East Portland - depending on seasonal shifts in the weather. Attend any or all sessions; all are welcome. RSVP to be updated on location and other details throughout the year.

Dreams in the Torah, Dreams in Our Lives
6:30 pm to 7:45 pm, alternating Tuesdays (6-session class), December 3 to February 18 — Havurah Shalom
Dreams are important messages in the Torah and, some say, from our unconscious minds. We will explore the dreams of our ancestors as a prelude to sharing and learning about our own dreams, using a facilitated process from the Haden Institute, based in Jungian, Gestalt and Jeremy Taylor methodologies. Facilitated by Adela Basayne. Limited to 8 participants. RSVP

More Tikkun Olam 

Havurah Shalom Tikkun Olam Partners:
Path Home (formerly PHFS): Volunteer for our monthly Path Home dinner | Interfaith Alliance on Poverty (IAP) | Lift UP | MACG |Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice NW ​​​​​​ | Rose Haven |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 the (a) Bikkur Holim (Visiting the Sick) Committee for spiritual support, (b) Lotsa Helping Hands for help with food, transportation, or other errands, or (c) Rabbi Benjamin, for spiritual and moral support – benjamin@havurahshalom.org or 503-248-4662 ext. 3. 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.