(1) Upcoming Shabbat (2) Eye-Opening & Unexpected Stories from Jewish History (3) Planning Meeting for 40th Anniversary (4) Thinking About Israel/Palestine (5) PHFS Volunteer Orientations (6) Joey Weisenberg Shabbaton (7) Sara Glasgow Cogan Memorial Lecture (8) Community Cooking for PHFS (9) Eastside Jewish Commons (10) The Opposite Field: A Memoir (11) Story Swap (12) Drawdown Book Study & Climate Conversation (13) Weekend in Quest (14) The Chosen People? A Film About Jewish Identity (15) Lift Urban Portland (16) Talking Points About Immigration (17) Volunteer Opportunities at Havurah

(1) UPCOMING SHABBAT

Kabbalat Shabbat Service, Friday, Feb. 8, 7:30 pm – This short, musical Kabbalat Shabbat service is led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians. No RSVP is required. Childcare is available.

Community Minyan, Saturday, Feb. 9, 10:00 am – With leading and Torah reading by Rabbi Benjamin, Tivona Reith, Emily Simon, and others, we will discuss Parsha Terumah, in which we learn about the construction of the tabernacle. (Above painting of the tabernacle by John Gilman.)

Exploring Jewish Teachings in Response to Fear and Uncertainty, Saturday, Feb. 9, 3:05-4:10 pm – In this workshop with Rabbi Benjamin for parents and any interested adults, we will examine texts, from ancient to contemporary, which address precarious and daunting moments. Over the generations, Jewish tradition has offered various responses to the fear and uncertainty we experience in life. Together we will engage with some of these texts and discuss ways in which they speak to us and might be applied in our lives. RSVP here.

(2) Eye-opening and Unexpected Stories from Jewish History, Sunday, Feb. 10, and Sunday, Feb. 24, 10:00-11:30 am – We will delve into knowledge that opens up new possibilities for what it meant to be Jewish in the past and what it means to be connected to the Jewish community today. We’ll broaden our understanding of “relevant Jewish texts” to include the latest discoveries in Galilean archaeology and the curious messages from 23 And Me. This series isn’t just about what we all share from the ancient, medieval, and modern period; it’s about how stories of diversity and problem-solving can unite us going forward. Led by writer and educator David Feder. RSVP here for one or both of the upcoming classes.

(3) Planning Meeting for 40th Anniversary Celebration, Monday, Feb. 11, 7:00 pm – We're combining the celebration of Havurah's 40th anniversary and our spring fundraiser this year for a party on May 1. Join Nancy Becker, Fran Berg, and Debbi Nadell for a planning meeting to kick off our efforts. All members and your ideas are welcome.

(4) Member Registration for "Thinking About Israel/Palestine" Closes Tuesday, Feb. 12: One Spot Open! - February 12 marks the end of Havurah member registration for "Thinking about Israel/Palestine," which starts March 5. After that, available spaces will be offered to both members and non-members on a first-come, first-served basis. Non-members may sign up for the wait list at any time before February 12 as well. Participants are expected to attend at least 8 of the 10 sessions, to have read up to 50 pages of material prior to each session, and to maintain an open and respectful approach to a variety of perspectives. Learn more and register here for the remaining opening for the 7:00 pm session. Questions? Contact Ruth Feldman at ruthtenzerfeldman@gmail.com.

(5) Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) Volunteer Orientations, Feb. 13 at 6:00 pm & Feb. 21 at 5:00 pm, 6220 SE 92nd – So you've been reading about Havurah's volunteering with Portland Homeless Family Solutions for some time now. An orientation could be your first step to becoming a volunteer or an opportunity to learn more about homelessness in Portland and the work that PHFS does. Children can attend if they will be volunteering too, but their attendance at the orientation is not required. RSVP with your name and which orientation date to Bethany Rocci at bethany@pdxhfs.org.

(6) Shabbaton Weekend with Joey Weisenberg, Friday-Sunday, Feb. 15-17, Shaarie Torah, 920 NW 25th Ave – Havurah members are invited to participate in a Shabbaton weekend at Shaarie Torah with acclaimed musician, author, and teacher Joey Weisenberg. No community minyan will be planned at Havurah that Saturday to give Havurah members an opportunity to join the Friday night and Saturday morning services with Joey Weisenberg. The Saturday service will be followed by a Kiddush lunch and, later that afternoon, a singing circle. A special singing workshop is scheduled for Sunday. All events are free except the Friday evening dinner and Sunday workshop, which require a modest fee. The cost for all weekend events is $36. Learn more and RSVP here on Shaarie Torah's website. You can hear Joey Weisenberg's music here on his website.

(7) 12th Annual Sara Glasgow Cogan Memorial Lecture: Is American Democracy in Danger?, Thursday, Feb. 21, 7:00 pm, Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom, 1825 SW Broadway – Daniel Ziblatt has spent more than twenty years studying the breakdown of democracies in Europe and other parts of the world, and he believes that American democracy is in danger. In this lecture, he will discuss his best-selling book, How Democracies Die (co-authored with Steve Levitsky). According to his analysis, democracy no longer ends with a bang, in a revolution or military coup, but with a whimper: the slow, steady weakening of critical institutions, such as the judiciary and the press, and the gradual erosion of long-standing political norms. Using historical examples from America’s past as well European and Latin American experiences, Ziblatt assesses the threats and possibilities facing American democracy today. The good news is that there are several exit ramps on the road to authoritarianism. The bad news is that we have entered an era of extreme polarization, in which it has become harder and harder to find these exit ramps. Questions? Email Nathan Cogan, nfcogan@gmail.com.

(8) Havurah Community Cooking for PHFS Family Winter Shelter, Monday, Feb. 25, 4:30-6:00 pm Cooking at Havurah Shalom; 6:00-8:30 pm Serving at the PHFS Winter Shelter – A group of Havurahniks will gather in the Havurah kitchen to cook a meal for the Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) Family Winter Shelter. Some of us will then carry it over to the shelter and serve the meal and hang out with the children there. If you would like to join us, sign up here. It's a fun way to perform a mitzah in community! If you have questions, contact Barb Ruben at 503-317-1193 or bjruben948@gmail.com.

(9) Eastside Jewish Commons Questions – Please take three minutes to fill out this survey from the Eastside Jewish Commons (EJC). Over 60% of Havurah members live on the eastside of Portland, and we want to make sure we, as a community, are represented in EJC's planning. Click here ​​​​​​​to open the EJC Community Comment form. This information will play an important role in helping further Jewish community life on Portland’s eastside, including planning of collaborative community programs in 2019 and ongoing planning for a permanent Eastside Jewish Commons that will improve access to Jewish programming for all Portland eastsiders. Questions?Contact Ashley at pdxejc@gmail.com or Aaron at aaron@pearlmanoffice.com.

(10) Book Group Discusses The Opposite Field, A Memoir, by Jesse Katz, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 7:00-8:30 pm – Faced with the collapse of his son’s Little League program, consisting mostly of Latino kids in an immigrant east LA neighborhood, single dad Jesse Katz finds himself thrust into the role of baseball commissioner for La Loma Park. While Jesse soothes egos, brokers disputes, chases down delinquent coaches and missing equipment, and applies popsicles to bruises, he creates community and family for himself and his son Max. This is a story of the losing and finding of self, of sex and love, fatherhood, and the joy of language, of death and failure and heartbreak. And yes, mom Vera has a cameo role. The author’s mother, Vera Katz, was Portland’s mayor from 1993-2005. She is remembered as courageous, principled, and energetic.

(11) Story Swap at the Oregon Jewish Museum, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 7:00 pm – I’d like to invite everyone to join me at the February Story Swap at the Museum. The theme is Immigration Stories, personal stories told from the heart. Our featured tellers are Sankar Raman and Wafa Almaktari of The Immigrant Story, and Marc Blattner and Rachel Nelson of the Jewish Federation. After the featured tellers, we’ll have an open mic. Five minute stories told from a first person perspective. Please come to listen and to share. $8 members/$10 non-members. -Havurah Member Cassandra Sagan

(12) Drawdown Book Study & Climate Conversation, Thursday, Feb. 28, 7:00-8:30 pm – There is way out of the climate change disaster. And there are many things we can do to have an impact. These actions are addressed in depth in the New York Times best seller, Drawdown. The editor and creator is Paul Hawken, and the Drawdown Project was developed by an international coalition of almost 200 researchers, professionals, and scientists from 22 countries. They came together to offer a set of realistic and bold solutions to climate change that are already successfully being done and need our support to scale up.
The Havurah Climate Action Team invites you to join us for a discussion about this ground-breaking book. Please prepare by reading the introductory chapter and any other sections that speak to you. The book is available from the Multnomah County Library and the usual retailers. RSVP here if you can come.

(13) There's Still Time to Register! Weekend In Quest, Friday-Sunday, March 1-3, Astoria, OR – Weekend in Quest is an exhilarating Shabbaton in Astoria, on the beautiful Oregon coast by the mighty Columbia River. Professor Naomi Sokoloff of the University of Washington will lead study sessions about "Poems and Prayers: Modern Jewish Writers Reinterpreting Tradition." Shabbat service will be led by Havurah member Ilene Safyan. Weekend in Quest is sponsored by the Institute for Judaic Studies and co-sponsored by Havurah Shalom and many other congregations. Learn more and register here. Questions? Email Mimi Epstein at mimiepstein42@comcast.net.
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(14) “The Chosen People? A Film About Jewish Identity,” Sunday, March 3, 3:00 pm – Do you feel uncomfortable with the idea of being the chosen people? What does it mean to be chosen? How has this notion of chosenness changed over time? Why does the belief in chosenness remain so powerful among religious people in the 21st century? These are some of the questions explored in the new film, "The Chosen People? A Film About Jewish Identity." Please join the Lifelong Learning Committee for a screening of the film followed by a discussion. Learn more and RSVP here.

(15) Lift Urban Portland Needs You! – Help feed our neighbors. Havurah Shalom is one of the congregations and organizations that supports Lift Urban Portland, which provides fresh and shelf-stable food to low-income residents in northwest and downtown Portland. Volunteer opportunities abound, including food gleaning, packing, or delivery, nutrition classes and dinners (Supper Club), work with nearby Preston’s Pantry (1808 NW Irving), and office support (2701 NW Vaughn, Suite 102). Learn more at www.lifturbanportland.org or contact Havurah liaison Ruth Feldman (ruthtenzerfeldman@gmail.com) for more information.

(16) What to Say About Immigration When You're Panim el Panim with Your Political or Philosophical Opposite – Havurah’s Sanctuary Committee has been wrestling with this thorny issue: How do we respond to statements about immigrants and immigration that conflict with our community’s welcome philosophy? We decided to develop “Elevator Talking Points” so we could feel more informed and knowledgeable about current events and be able to respond when faced with questions and statements that raise emotions and leave us feeling uncertain. We realize that we need to listen to others rather than enter into a debate and hope that having some facts at our disposal might help us be open to the "other." We hope these talking points will clarify some facts about immigration, walls, and sanctuary. For more detailed information about immigration issues, the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ) has provided additional resources here. We'd like to know if these are useful to you. Questions? Contact Sandy at sandylou29@yahoo.com.

(17) Volunteer Opportunities – Interested in helping out with light office work? The volunteer opportunities at this link  are perfect for Havurah members who would like to spend a little time making a difference on a schedule of their own choosing. To get started, visit the link, then call or email Rachel Pollak (503-248-4662, ext. 2 or rachel@havurahshalom.org). 

Please use this form to submit stories for this weekly community email. Submissions are due by noon on Tuesday each week. 

Havurah Shalom is an engaged, vibrant, egalitarian, and diverse Jewish Reconstructionist community. Steeped in Jewish values, Havurah promotes spirituality, learning, and acts of social responsibility.

Find our calendar and learn more at www.havurahshalom.org.

825 NW 18th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
503-248-4662

(1) Upcoming Shabbat (2) Reconstructing Judaism President Rabbi Deborah Waxman Speaks at Havurah Tonight (3) Video of Reconstructing Judaism Conference (4) Tikkun Olam Global Meeting (5) PHFS Volunteer Orientations (6) The Poetry of the Soul (7) RESCHEDULED: Tu B'Shvat Book Reading (8) Dorot Shabbat (9) Tot Shabbat (10) Making Family Space for Tikkun Olam (11) Last Thursday Witness IMIrJ Vigil (12) Discovering Shabbat Morning (13) Annual Community Havdalah Service & Social (14) Beginning the B'nai Mitzvah Journey (15) Eye-opening & Unexpected Stories from Jewish History (16) Kabbalat Shabbat (17) Have a Question About Havurah? (18) Talking Points about Sanctuary

Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D., President of Reconstructing Judaism, will speak at Havurah tonight. Read more below.

(1) Upcoming Shabbat, Community Minyan, Saturday, Jan. 26, 10:00 am – Rabbi Benjamin, Emily Simon, Barbara Slader, and Susan Brenner will lead, leyn, and drash at this Saturday's service. We will explore Parsha Yitro, in which Moses’ father-in-law gives Moses advice about governing, the Israelites experience God as thunder and lighting, and Moses receives the Ten Commandments. Join us!

(2) Rabbi Deborah Waxman Speaks Tonight, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 7:00 pm – Reconstructing Judaism President Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D., will speak at Havurah about the Reconstructionist movement and resilience. The first woman rabbi to head a Jewish congregational union and a Jewish seminary, Rabbi Waxman became president of Reconstructing Judaism in 2014 and is the movement’s leading voice in the public square. In addition to being a cum laude graduate of Columbia College, Columbia University, and a recipient of a rabbinical ordination and a Master of Arts in Hebrew letters from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, she received a Ph.D. in American Jewish history from Temple University. She is also the sister of Havurah member Andy Waxman.

(3) Reconstructing Judaism Video – Ten Havurahniks attended the Reconstructing Judaism conference in November. Can you find some of them in this video about the conference? 

(4) Tikkun Olam Global Meeting, Sunday, Feb. 3, 1:00 pm – I hope you will join us for the second Tikkun Olam Global meeting where we will continue our discussion of our mission and start talking about a project to take on. Tikkun Olam Global takes a global perspective on Havurah's Tikkun Olam work. We are looking at the challenges faced by the developing countries of the world and thinking about how Havurah can make a difference. This is an opportunity to get on the ground floor of an exciting new Havurah initiative. - David Newman, davnew2@earthlink.net.

(5) Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) New Volunteer Orientations, Feb. 4 at 1:00 pm, Feb. 13 at 6:00 pm, Feb. 21 at 5:00 pm, 6220 SE 92nd – So you've been reading about Havurah's volunteering with Portland Homeless Family Solutions for some time now. An orientation could be your first step to becoming a volunteer or an opportunity to learn more about homelessness in Portland and the work that PHFS does. Children can attend if they will be volunteering too, but their attendance at the orientation is not required. RSVP with your name and which orientation date to Bethany Rocci at bethany@pdxhfs.

(6) "The Poetry of the Soul" Begins Again, Thursdays, Jan. 24, 31, Feb. 14, 21, 28, March 7, 12:00 noon-1:15 pm – We will read the Psalms closely, one by one. How they lend voice to our oscillating emotions, engagement with a sublime Other, and a longing for refuge will help us honor our own truths. We will use English translations and commentaries and refer to the Hebrew. Taught by Rabbi Joey. Please RSVP here if you plan to attend, even if you RSVPed for the fall classes previously.

(7) RESCHEDULED: Tu B'Shvat Book Reading – The Tu B'Shvat Book Reading by Alicia Jo Rabins and Rebecca Clarren originally scheduled for Jan. 24 will be rescheduled for an upcoming Friday night at Havurah. Please watch Havurah's website, emails, and Facebook notices for the new date and time.

(8) Dorot: Short & Sweet Shabbat Service, Friday, Jan. 25, 6:00-7:30 pm – A casual, family-friendly, and music-filled service, followed by a vegetarian potluck dinner. Led by Jacob Mandelsberg, Sarah Shine, Gabe Adoff, Larry Reichman, and Tanja Lux. RSVP by Jan. 23.

(9) Tot Shabbat, Saturday, Jan. 26, 10:30-11:30 am – Young children (0-5) and their parents celebrate Shabbat with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. You can stay for an informal oneg nosh and the chance to play and schmooze. Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. RSVP by Jan. 23.

(10) Overwhelmed by the World's Needs? Making Family Space for Tikkun Olam, Saturday, Jan. 26, 3:10-4:30 pm (for parents with children of all ages) –
How do we balance our parenting desire to create a cozy nest for our children, in which they feel safe and that the world is good, and our acute knowledge of the great pain and need in our world? How do we, as a family, choose amongst the myriad needs and possibilities, to get involved in a positive way that works with the temperament and ages of our child(ren)? How do we as adults model engagement with Tikkun Olam in a healthy way? Discussion and concrete ideas for families to consider. Workshop led by Laura Orgel, Child and Family Therapist, parent, and long-time Tikkun Olam worker and wonderer. Minimum number of participants is 4. RSVP here.

(11) Last Thursday Witness - IMIrJ I.C.E. Vigil, Thursday, Jan. 31, 10:00 am, Portland ICE Headquarters, 4310 SW Macadam Ave. – Gather in vigil as we express our support and love for families affected by ICE detentions. Join this monthly gathering to lift up the reality of what happens every day at the Portland ICE facility and participate in solidarity in various interfaith expressions and rituals. Carpooling is encouraged as parking is very limited.

(12) Discovering Shabbat Morning, Saturday, Feb. 2, 10:00-11:30 am – Join this upbeat workshop/minyan where we will walk through the Shabbat morning service and answer questions. This service is especially for families with youth in grades 5 and up and all who are in the B’nai Mitzvah process. Childcare is available every Saturday morning for children 0-9. Light lunch provided afterwards. Led by Susan Brenner and Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. RSVP here.

(13) 19th Annual Community Havdalah Service and Social, Saturday, Feb. 2, 7:00 pm, Cedar Sinai Park, 6125 SW Boundary Street – Havdalah service with music, refreshments, conversation, and Israeli dance demonstration (including Havurah member Cindy Merrill). Rabbi Ariel Stone will lead the service. Event is sponsored by Jewish Women's Round Table in cooperation with Cedar Sinai Park and area synagogues and Jewish organizations. Questions? Contact Adele Thompson at adeledt@live.com.

(14) Beginning the B’nai Mitzvah Journey: Why, When & How, Sunday, Feb. 3, 10:00 am-12:00 pm – This workshop for parents intends to launch families on the b’nai mitzvah journey. Rabbi Benjamin will begin with a focus on the rite of passage itself, then families will learn about the date selection process. Rabbi Benjamin, David Newman, and Michael Evans will lead this workshop. RSVP by Jan. 28.

(15) Eye-opening and Unexpected Stories from Jewish History, Sundays, Feb. 3, 10, 24, 10:00-11:30 am – Educator David Feder, who also happens to be our Havurah High teacher, will lead a series of classes that span knowledge of ancient, medieval, and modern Judaism and explore how stories of diversity and problem-solving can unite us going forward. Register here.

(16) Kabbalat Shabbat, Friday, Feb. 8, 6:30 pm Dinner, 7:30 pm Service –  
Our catered vegetarian Kabbalat Shabbat dinner begins at 6:30 pm, followed by a short, joyful, and musical Kabbalat Shabbat service at 7:30 pm, led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians. RSVP here for the dinner no later than Feb. 6. All are welcome at our 7:30 pm service, and no RSVP is required. Childcare is available. For cost adjustments for the dinner, please call 503-248-4662. 

(17) Have a Question About Havurah? – The Transparency/Inclusivity Committee welcomes your questions! We will find the answer and publish the question (but not the questioner) and answer in an upcoming Hakol. It is our intention at Havurah that what you know and understand about our congregation should not be a function of who you know. So if you find yourself wondering about something related to Havurah, or if someone shares their question with you, we hope you will send your question to transparency@havurahshalom.org.

(18) Elevator Talking Points for Havurah's Sanctuary Committee – Havurah’s Sanctuary Committee has been wrestling with this thorny issue: How do we respond to statements about immigrants and immigration that conflict with our community’s welcome philosophy? We decided to develop “Elevator Talking Points” so we could feel more informed and knowledgeable about current events and be able to respond when faced with questions and statements that raise emotions and leave us feeling uncertain. We realize that we need to listen to others rather than enter into a debate and hope that having some facts at our disposal might help us be open to the "other." We hope these talking points will clarify some facts about immigration, walls, and sanctuary. For more detailed information about immigration issues, the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIRJ) has created additional resources, which are available here. We'd like to know if these are useful to you. Questions? Contact Sandy at sandylou29@yahoo.com.
 

Please use this form to submit stories for this weekly community email. Submissions are due by noon on Tuesday each week. 

Havurah Shalom is an engaged, vibrant, egalitarian, and diverse Jewish Reconstructionist community. Steeped in Jewish values, Havurah promotes spirituality, learning, and acts of social responsibility.

Find our calendar and learn more at www.havurahshalom.org.

825 NW 18th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
503-248-4662

(1) Upcoming Shabbat: Kabbalat Shabbat, Text & Torah, Bo Nashir Workshop (2) Family Yizkor (3) Registration to Open for "Thinking about Israel/Palestine" Classes (4) PHFS Volunteer Orientation & Training at Havurah (5) Presentation by John Talberth & Tu B'Shvat Seder (6) Tree Planting (7) Discussion of The Book Smugglers (8) Rabbi Deborah Waxman to Speak About Reconstructionism & Resilience (9) "Poetry of the Soul" Begins Again (10) Tu B'Shvat Book Reading & Live Music by Acclaimed Authors & Havurah Members Alicia Jo Rabins & Rebecca Clarren (11) Shabbaton Weekend with Joey Weisenberg (12) Have a Question About Havurah? (13) Jewish Grandparents Network Discussion (14) Story Swaps with Cassandra Sagan (15) December Steering Committee Minutes

Reconstructing Judaism President Rabbi Deborah Waxman will speak at Havurah on Wednesday, Jan. 23. Learn more below.

(1) Upcoming Shabbat: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, Friday, Jan. 11, 7:30-8:15 pm – All are welcome at our musical and upbeat Kabbalat Shabbat service, and no RSVPs are required. The service will be led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians. Childcare is available.
Text & Torah: Bo, Saturday, Jan. 12, 10:00 am-12:00 pm – Deborah Eisenbach-Budner will lead a study of Parsha Bo, in which the death of the Egyptian's firstborn sons finally convinces Pharaoh to free the Hebrew people. Study will be followed by a short morning service. Coffee, bagels and lox will be served, and childcare is available.
Bo Nashir: Music Leadership, Saturday, Jan. 12, 3:00-3:30 pm – We will play and sing together while exploring approaches to engaging our students through melody, rhythm, and meaning. No instruments required, but bring yours if you play. With Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah members. RSVP here. (Please note time change from previous listing.)

(2) Family Yizkor (Remembering Those We Loved), Sunday, Jan. 13, 4:00-5:00 pm – Has your family lost a loved one, who you continue to remember with your child/ren? We will gather to remember, share, sing, and reflect on the lives and the loss of dear ones – in a way that gently includes children and their experience. Your family loss may have been very recent or years ago. We are focusing this experience on children ages 4-14, but older and younger are also welcome. Please RSVP with names and ages of children. We will ask you to bring 1-2 of these: a photo, an object that reminds you of the person you are remembering, something that your family wants to share about that person through words. Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner and Rabbi Benjamin.

(3) Registration Opens at Noon on Jan. 15 for “Thinking About Israel/Palestine” Classes to be Offered at 4:30 pm and 7:00 pm on Tuesdays, March 5, 12, 19, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14 – Why did Eastern European Jewry come to embrace Zionism in the late 1800s? Was it inevitable that the revival of a Jewish national community in Eretz Yisrael would entail confrontation with the existing Palestinian Arab community and repeated wars with its Arab neighbors? How did a movement among a minority of Jews become the normative outlook for most Jews in the late 1900s? Why haven’t efforts to resolve the conflict since the 1979 Israeli-Egyptian Peace Treaty succeeded? We will address these and other questions without presuming to offer definitive answers. All points of view are welcome and will be respected. Taught by Prof. Joel Beinin, Havurah member and Donald J. McLachlan Professor of History and Professor of Middle East History at Stanford University. RSVP for the 4:30 pm class here. RSVP for the 7:00 pm class here. 

(4) PHFS Orientation for Family Winter Shelter/Lents or 13 Salmon, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 7:30-8:30 pm + Bonus Training, 8:30-9:00 pm – New volunteer PHFS orientation AND training (keep reading) at Havurah. So you've been reading about Havurah's volunteering with Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) for some time now. An orientation could be your first step to becoming a volunteer or an opportunity to learn more about homelessness in Portland and the work that PHFS does. This is **A First** PHFS orientation at Havurah. Children can attend if they will be volunteering too, but their attendance at the orientation is not required. **EXTRA BONUS: From 8:30-9:00 pm you can attend a training that is now required for new volunteers who have never attended an orientation. RSVP with your name and the number of family members coming to Gloria Halper at losninos6@gmail.com.
 

(5) Presentation by John Talberth on the State of Our Forests & Tu B'Shvat Seder, Sunday, Jan. 20, 7:00-9:00 pm – Tu B’Shvat, the New Year of the Trees, begins the night of Jan. 20. With climate solutions significantly connected to the restoration of healthy forests, the Havurah Climate Action Team (HCAT) will host three events in honor of Tu B’Shvat. On Sunday, Jan. 20, forest ecologist John Talberth will offer a presentation on the state of our forests and how we can help restore their health and draw down carbon at the same time. We will learn about specific political actions that we can take. Following his presentation, Rabbi Benjamin and HCAT will guide us through a Tu B'Shvat seder with ritual foods, song, and potluck oneg dessert. The evening is co-sponsored by Havurah Shalom, Shir Tikvah, and Kol Shalom. Please RSVP here. (Above is a painting by David Hockney.)

(6) Tu B’Shvat Tree Planting with Friends of Trees, Monday, Jan. 21, 8:45 am-12:00 pm – Families are invited to join Friends of Trees to plant native trees at Ibach Park, 10455 SW Ibach St, Tualatin. Arrive by 8:45 am to sign in and enjoy a brief Tu B'Shvat seder and some breakfast treats. The planting starts promptly at 9:00 am. Friends of Trees provides gloves, tools, and guidance. Just come dressed for the weather and wearing sturdy shoes or boots. At least one adult is required for every five youth 15 and under. RSVP by Jan. 14.

(7) Book Discussion Group, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 7:00-8:30 pm, Havurah Shalom – The Book Smugglers, by David Fishman, is the true, nearly unbelievable, story of the ghetto residents of Vilna, "The Jerusalem of Lithuania," who rescued hundreds of thousands of rare books, manuscripts, and cultural treasures—first from the Nazis and then from the Soviets—by hiding them on their bodies, burying them in bunkers, and smuggling them across borders. Fishman’s powerful account describes the “paper brigade” of Vilna (now Vilnius) during World War II. Discussion led by Ruth Feldman. This Havurah Shalom Book Discussion is included in a series of community-wide events leading up to David Fishman’s visit to Portland on Sunday, Jan. 27. You can attend his talk as well: 1:00 pm, Portland State University, Browsing Lounge (Room 238), Smith Memorial Student Union, 1825 SW Broadway.

(8) Rabbi Deborah Waxman to Speak at Havurah, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 7:00 pm – Reconstructing Judaism President Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D., will speak at Havurah about the Reconstructionist movement and resilience during this challenging political climate. The first woman rabbi to head a Jewish congregational union and a Jewish seminary, Rabbi Waxman became president of Reconstructing Judaism in 2014 and is the movement’s leading voice in the public square. She is a cum laude graduate of Columbia College, Columbia University, and a recipient of a rabbinical ordination and a Master of Arts in Hebrew letters from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 1999. She earned a Ph.D. in American Jewish history from Temple University in May 2010. Rabbi Waxman is committed to visiting all Reconstructionist communities and has already visited more than 50. She is also the sister of Havurah member Andy Waxman.

(9) "The Poetry of the Soul" Begins Again, Thursdays, Jan. 24, 31, Feb. 14, 21, 28, March 7, 12:00 noon-1:15 pm – We will read the Psalms closely, one by one. How they lend voice to our oscillating emotions, engagement with a sublime Other, and a longing for refuge will help us honor our own truths. We will use English translations and commentaries and refer to the Hebrew. Taught by Rabbi Joey. Please RSVP here if you plan to attend, even if you RSVPed for the fall classes previously.

(10) Tu B'Shvat Book Reading & Live Music by Havurah Authors Alicia Jo Rabins & Rebecca Clarren, Thursday, Jan. 24, 7:00-8:30 pm – Nationally acclaimed authors and Havurah members Alicia Jo Rabins and Rebecca Clarren will read from their newly published books, Fruit Geode and Kickdown. Alicia's first collection of poems, Divinity School, won the APR/ Honickman First Book Award; she is a poet, musician and Torah teacher, and will perform live music as part of the reading. You can hear her Think Out Loud interview on OPB here. Rebecca is an award-winning journalist with extensive experience reporting on environmental issues; Kickdown, her debut novel, was shortlisted for the PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction. In the spirit of Tu B’Shvat, the authors will read passages from their books related to the natural world. RSVP here. Photo above of Alicia Jo Rabins was taken by Alicia J. Rose, and photo below of Rebecca Clarren was taken by Shelby Brakken.

(11) Shabbaton Weekend with Joey Weisenberg, Friday-Sunday, Feb. 15-17, Shaarie Torah, 920 NW 25th Ave – Havurah members are invited to participate in a Shabbaton weekend at Shaarie Torah with acclaimed musician, author, and teacher Joey Weisenberg. No community minyan will be planned at Havurah that Saturday to give Havurah members an opportunity to join the Friday night and Saturday morning services with Joey Weisenberg. The Saturday service will be followed by a Kiddush lunch and, later that afternoon, a singing circle. A special singing workshop is scheduled for Sunday. All events are free except the Friday evening dinner and Sunday workshop, which require a modest fee. The cost for all weekend events is $36. Learn more and RSVP here ​​​​​​​on Shaarie Torah's website. Listen to Joey Weisenberg's music on his website.

(12) Have a Question About Havurah? – The Transparency/Inclusivity Committee welcomes your questions! We will find the answer and publish the question (but not the questioner) and answer in an upcoming Hakol. It is our intention at Havurah that what you know and understand about our congregation should not be a function of who you know. So if you find yourself wondering about something related to Havurah, or if someone shares their question with you, we hope you will send your question to transparency@havurahshalom.org.

(13) Jewish Grandparents Network Discussion, Monday, Jan. 21, 4:00 pm, Jewish Federation, 6680 SW Capitol Hwy – Join a discussion with Grandparents Network Co-Founder David Raphael about the role of Jewish grandparents in their grandchildren's lives. Limited space available. RSVP to caron@jewishportland.org.

(14) Story Swap with Cassandra Sagan, Tuesdays, Jan. 29, Feb. 26, and March 19, Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education – This winter Havurah member Cassandra Sagan, an ordained maggid-educator on the faculty of Reclaiming Judaism’s Jewish Spiritual Education program, will work with representatives of Portland-area social service and cultural organizations to shape their stories and present them in a series of Story Swaps at Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education. Read about Cassandra, the Story Swaps, and how you can participate in this month's Oregon Jewish Life magazine.​​​​​​​

(15) December Steering Committee Meeting – You can read the December Steering Committee Minutes & Reports by scrolling down this web page.
 

Please use this form to submit stories for this weekly community email. Submissions are due by noon on Tuesday each week. 

Havurah Shalom is an engaged, vibrant, egalitarian, and diverse Jewish Reconstructionist community. Steeped in Jewish values, Havurah promotes spirituality, learning, and acts of social responsibility.

Find our calendar and learn more at www.havurahshalom.org.

825 NW 18th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
503-248-4662

(1) Upcoming Shabbat (2) Last Thursday Witness with IMIrJ (3) Office Closure on New Year's Day (4) Presentations of Music Survey Results (5) Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner Deadline (6) Family Yizkor (Remembering Those We Loved) (7) New Volunteer Orientation for PHFS at Havurah (8) Jan. 20 Presentation by John Talberth with Tu B'Shvat Seder & Jan. 21 Tree Planting (9) Tu B'Shvat Book Reading (10) Have a Question About Havurah? (11) Relief for Indonesia

Learn about Tu B'Shvat happenings at Havurah below. Above is Georgia O'Keeffe's painting "Lawrence Tree." It isn't upside down. Its perspective is from below, looking up.

(1) Upcoming Shabbat, Community Minyan, Saturday, Dec. 29, 10:00 am – At our Community Minyan, Chris Coughlin, Marty Brown, Roger Brewer, and Susan Brenner will help us daven and explore the parsha Shemot ("Names"), which covers a wide range of events. These include the Israelites’ enslavement in Egypt, Pharaoh’s order to kill the slaves' baby boys, the early years of Moses' life, his marriage to Tzipporah, his encounter with the burning bush, and his first meeting with Pharaoh to demand that his people be freed. Several service-maker volunteer roles for the Dec. 29 minyan still need to be filled. Learn here how you can help, and sign up for a role!

(2) Last Thursday Witness - IMIrJ ICE Vigil, Thursday, Dec. 27, 10:00 am, Portland ICE Headquarters, 4310 SW Macadam Ave – We will gather in vigil as we express our support and love for families affected by ICE detentions. Join this monthly gathering to lift up the reality of what happens every day at the Portland ICE facility and participate in solidarity in various interfaith expressions and rituals. Carpooling is encouraged as parking is very limited.

(3) Office Closure on Tuesday, Jan. 1 – Havurah's office will be closed on Jan. 1, for New Year's Day.

(4) Music Survey Results Presentation, Sunday, Jan. 6, 10:00-11:00 am and 11:30 am-12:30 pm – The Music Disappearing Task Force (DTF) will present the results of the online music survey in two sessions on Sunday, Jan. 6, at Havurah: 10:00-11:00 am and 11:30 am-12:30 pm. We had over 160 responses to the survey, and the results showed a vibrant and active interest in the music we share at Havurah. The DTF will review the data and present some of the written responses in both sessions. Come to the session most convenient to you. Light refreshments will be provided.

(5) Jan. 6 Deadline to RSVP for Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner. Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner & Service are on Friday, Jan. 11: Dinner at 6:30 pm, Service at 7:30 pm – All are welcome at our musical and upbeat Kabbalat Shabbat service on Jan. 11, and no RSVPs are required. The service will be led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians. Advance registration is only required for the catered vegetarian dinner. Please RSVP here for the dinner by Jan. 6. Kabbalat Shabbat dinner happens with the help of many volunteers! If you are a member of Havurah, learn how you can help when you RSVP. Childcare is available for kids ages two to eight. If you're interested in a cost adjustment for the dinner, please call 503-248-4662.
 

(6) Family Yizkor (Remembering Those We Loved), Sunday, Jan. 13, 4:00-5:00 pm – Has your family lost a loved one, who you continue to remember with your children? We will gather to remember, share, sing, and reflect on the lives and the loss of dear ones – in a way that gently includes children and their experience. Your family loss may have been very recent or years ago. We are focusing this experience on children ages 4-14, but older and younger are also welcome. Please RSVP with names and ages of children. We will ask you to bring 1-2 of these: a photo, an object that reminds you of the person you are remembering, something that your family wants to share about that person through words. Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner and Rabbi Benjamin.

(7) New Volunteer PHFS Orientation at Havurah for the Family Winter Shelter/Lents or 13 Salmon, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 7:30-8:30 pm – So you've been reading about Havurah's volunteering with Portland Homeless Family Solutions, (PHFS) for some time now. An orientation could be your first step to becoming a volunteer or an opportunity to learn more about homelessness in Portland and the work that PHFS does. Either way, a win-win use of your time. This is **A First ** PHFS orientation at Havurah for Havurah members only. Children can attend if they will be volunteering too, but their attendance at the orientation is not required. Space will be limited. RSVP with your name and the number of Havurah members coming with you to Gloria Halper at losninos6@gmail.com.

(8) Presentation by John Talberth & Tu B'Shvat Seder, Sunday, Jan. 20, 6:30-8:30 pm & Tree Planting with Friends of Trees, Monday, Jan. 21, 8:45 am-12:00 pm – Midwinter. The sap begins to rise in the trees. It's Tu B’Shvat, the New Year of the Trees. With climate solutions significantly connected to healthy forests, the Havurah Climate Action Team (HCAT) will host three events in honor of Tu B’Shvat. On Sunday, Jan. 20, forest ecologist John Talberth will discuss the state of our forests and how we can restore their health and draw down carbon, followed by a Tu B'Shvat seder with Rabbi Benjamin and HCAT. Learn more and RSVP here. On Monday, Jan. 21, families are invited to join Friends of Trees to plant native trees and shrubs at Ibach Park, 10455 SW Ibach St, Tualatin. Please arrive by 8:45 am to sign in and enjoy breakfast treats and coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. The planting starts at 9:00 am. Friends of Trees provides gloves, tools, and guidance, so just come dressed for the weather and wearing sturdy shoes. Learn more and RSVP here by Jan. 7.
 
(9) Tu B'Shvat Book Reading by Havurah Authors, Thursday, Jan. 24, 7:00-8:30 pm – Havurah members Alicia Jo Rabins and Rebecca Clarren will read from their newly published books, Fruit Geode and Kickdown. Alicia's first collection of poems, Divinity School, won the APR/Honickman First Book Award; she is a poet, musician and Torah teacher, and will perform live music as part of the reading. You can hear an interview with her on OPB's Think Out Loud by scrolling down this web page. Rebecca is an award-winning journalist with extensive experience reporting on environmental issues; Kickdown, her debut novel, was shortlisted for the PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction. In the spirit of Tu B’Shvat, the authors will read passages from their books related to the natural world. The reading is sponsored by the Havurah Climate Action Team. RSVPs are appreciated.

(10) Have a Question About Havurah? – The Transparency/Inclusivity Committee welcomes your questions! We will find the answer and publish the question (but not the questioner) and answer in an upcoming Hakol. It is our intention at Havurah that what you know and understand about our congregation should not be a function of who you know. So if you find yourself wondering about something related to Havurah, or if someone shares their question with you, we hope you will send your question to transparency@havurahshalom.org.

(11) Relief for Indonesia – In response to the deadly tsunami that struck Indonesia’s Sunda Strait region on Saturday evening killing hundreds, the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland is collecting donations to provide relief to the region. 100% of funds raised will be passed directly to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC). The JDC is providing emergency relief and assessing emerging needs through its local partner in the Kalianda and Rajabasa subdistricts in Lampung, and also coordinating with USAID and the United Nations. The aid provision includes health services, clean water, and critical supplies for survivors and the displaced. Donate here.
 

Please use this form to submit stories for this weekly community email. Submissions are due by noon on Tuesday each week. 

Havurah Shalom is an engaged, vibrant, egalitarian, and diverse Jewish Reconstructionist community. Steeped in Jewish values, Havurah promotes spirituality, learning, and acts of social responsibility.

Find our calendar and learn more at www.havurahshalom.org.

825 NW 18th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
503-248-4662

(1) Upcoming Shabbat: Kabbalat Shabbat Service & Community Minyan (2) Community Meeting to Define Our Values & Vision to Make Havurah Safe & Welcoming (3) Portland Homeless Family Solutions (4) Have a Question About Havurah? The Transparency/Inclusivity Committee Welcomes Your Questions (5) Tikkun Olam Global Sunday (6) Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) Chanting (7) White Nationalism + Antisemitism, Countering the Movement and Building Solidarity (8) Photos & Thanks to Our Tikkun Olam Fair & Chanukah Celebration Planners

Thank you to everyone who made our Tikkun Olam & Chanukah Celebration so successful. (See below.) The above photo was taken by Julia Lager-Mesulam.

(1) Upcoming Shabbat:

Kabbalat Shabbat, Friday, Dec. 14, 7:30 pm – All are welcome at our joyful and musical Kabbalat Shabbat service on Dec. 14. No RSVPs are required. The service will be led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians.

Community Minyan, Saturday, Dec. 15, 10:00 am – Barbara Slader, Maia Gordon, Sam Sirkin, Emily Simon, Lee Gordon, Miriam Reshotko, Barbara Sevde, Eli Reshotko, and Michele Goldschmidt will lead, read and drash as we explore the Torah portion Vayigash, which means "and he drew near." Vayigash offers a striking example of Havurah's theme for the year, Panim el Panim, or "face to face." While asking for food during the famine, Joseph's brothers don't recognize that Pharaoh's overseer is their brother, Joseph. Joseph keeps his cover until Judah begs him to release Benjamin and let him take Benjamin's place, even if it means becoming a slave in Egypt. Joseph is moved to reveal his identity and comes face to face with the brothers who sold him into slavery many years ago.

(2) Defining Our Values & Vision to Make Havurah Safe & Welcoming, Thursday, Dec. 13, 7:00-9:00 pm – What makes us feel safe as individuals and what makes us feel safe as a community? How do we integrate our concerns about safety with our commitment to be a welcoming community? Join us for an opportunity to share our concerns and vision for how we can define our values and concerns as a community. RSVP here.

(3) Portland Homeless Family Solutions – Did you miss the Tikkun Olam Fair & Chanukah Celebration and miss signing up to receive information about the next Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) orientation? Here's another chance! Havurah has a once-a-month, regularly scheduled evening when we volunteer with PHFS. It is one of our ongoing, hands-on projects to help families who are experiencing homelessness. Parents (or guardians) are welcome to bring their child(ren) of any age. Interested? Contact Gloria Halper, PHFS Havurah coordinator, at losninos6@gmail.com.

(4) Have a Question About Havurah? The Transparency/Inclusivity Committee Welcomes Your Questions! – The Transparency/Inclusivity Committee welcomes your questions! We will find the answer and publish the question (but not the questioner) and answer in an upcoming Hakol. It is our intention at Havurah that what you know and understand about our congregation should not be a function of who you know. So if you find yourself wondering about something related to Havurah, or if someone shares their question with you, we hope you will send your question to transparency@havurahshalom.org.

(5) Tikkun Olam Global, Sunday, Dec. 16, 3:30 pm – We are exploring the formation of a new Tikkun Olam work group focused on the challenges facing the developing world. As we work to “repair the world,” we want to extend our gaze outward, towards the entire global village. The problems facing the planet are interconnected; consider how climate change, wealth concentration, resource scarcity, poverty, disease and illiteracy all interact. Together we will deepen our understanding of these issues and take meaningful actions to improve the lives of people around the world. As we did when we formed our work groups around Sanctuary and refugees, we will first ascertain the interest level within Havurah and then establish the mission and purpose of the group. Questions or input? Contact David Newman at davnew2@earthlink.net or 503-804-5701.

(6) Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) Chanting, Monday, Dec. 17, 7:00 pm – We will gather to lift sacred phrases through melody, harmony, and rhythm in order to open our hearts, clarify our minds, and cultivate qualities such as gratefulness and compassion. Interspersed with periods of silent meditation, the chanting will be guided by teachings and intentions from Rabbi Benjamin. Each of these gatherings is open to anyone – no experience, musical ability, or commitment necessary. Lev Tahor Chanting is free for members. Non-members are asked to make a small donation.
 

(7) White Nationalism + Antisemitism, Countering the Movement and Building Solidarity, Thursday, Dec. 20, 7:00-9:00 pm – Over the past two years, there has been a marked rise in the presence of visible white nationalism in the United States. While white nationalism can take many forms, one thing remains consistent: Much of the ethos of the movement is rooted in antisemitism. Come learn about the relationship between antisemitism and white nationalism and how the Jewish community can join with other communities to counter this dangerous form of hate. This is an interactive workshop led by Natalie Lerner, Havurah member and Western States Center Defending Democracy Fellow, and it presupposes no prior knowledge. The event is sponsored by Havurah's Tikkun Olam Committee. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP here. Read more about Natalie and the workshop here on the Oregon Jewish Life​​​​​​​ website.

(8) Thank You to Our Chanukah Celebration Planners – Many Havurahniks and Havurah friends made our Tikkun Olam Fair & Chanukah Celebration possible last Saturday. Check out these photos taken by Julia Lager-Mesulam. If you helped and your name isn't listed here, we apologize and thank you, too: Patricia Schwartz, Elise Granek, Fran Berg, Adele Thompson, Marian Rhys, Phil Walters, Rabbi Benjamin, Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, Alicia Jo Rabins, Rachael Duke, Andy Waxman, Steve Birkel, Karen Westerman, John Devlin, Deb Kallen, Robbin Deweese, David Newman, Arleen Slive, Alan Westerman, John Schultz, Teri Ruch, Judy Kloper, Racheli Ross, Sandy Bacharach, Eden Isenstein, R.E. Szego, Mischa DuPont, Debbi Nadell, Merriah Fairchild, Sue Osborn, Mimi Epstein, Judy Probber, Emily Weltman, Dan Reid, Liza Springgate, Beth Yohalem-Ilsley, Sandy Ramirez, Abigail Webb, Jan Zuckerman, Elianne Lieberman, Kathy Gordon, Gloria Halper, Laura Orgel, Michael Heumann, Harriet Cooke, Isaac Lasky, Marian Lebwohl, Yshai Boussi, Julia Lager-Mesulam, Beth Shreve, Jacqueline Lerner, Adela Basayne, Max Symmes, and Jordan Devlin.
 

Please use this form to submit stories for this weekly community email. Submissions are due by noon on Tuesday each week. 

Havurah Shalom is an engaged, vibrant, egalitarian, and diverse Jewish Reconstructionist community. Steeped in Jewish values, Havurah promotes spirituality, learning, and acts of social responsibility.

Find our calendar and learn more at www.havurahshalom.org.

825 NW 18th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
503-248-4662

(1) Upcoming Shabbat: Dorot for All Ages, Chanukah Discussions for Text & Torah & Shabbat School Workshop (2) IMIrJ Last Thursday Witness Vigil (3) Death Cafe (4) Defining Our Values & Vision to Make Havurah Safe & Welcoming (5) Forest Defense is Climate Defense (6) PHFS Volunteer Orientation (7) Increase the Light! Tikkun Olam Fair & Chanukah Celebration (8) Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner & Service (9) Take a Safety Tour of Havurah (10) Francisco Aguirre ICE Check-In Support (11) Continuing to Stand with our Immigrant Neighbors (12) Tikkun Olam Global Sunday (13) White Nationalism + Antisemitism, Countering the Movement and Building Solidarity (14) Lift Urban Portland Community Christmas Dinner (15) Havurah Music Survey (16) Have a Question About Havurah? (17) Shloshim Pittsburgh Tonight (18) Weekend In Quest   (In Gmail, click on "view entire message" at bottom left to see all posts.)
 

The above photo was taken at a Havurah Chanukah celebration.

(1) Upcoming Shabbat:

Special Dorot, A Short & Sweet Shabbat Service, Friday, Nov. 30, Service at 6:00 pm, Vegetarian Potluck at 6:45 pm – This casual, family-friendly, and music-filled service begins with candle lighting, Kiddush and challah, and continues with prayers and music led by Jacob Mandelsberg, Sarah Shine, Gabe Adoff, Larry Reichman, and Tanja Lux. The Hebrew word dorot means 'generations.' The Dorot service is designed with the idea that adults and children can experience Jewish spiritual practice together. This special Dorot service is being expanded to include the Alter Rockers, Havurahniks who are retired or contemplating retirement, who meet for social activities. Of course, all are welcome! After the potluck dinner, we'll play board games, cards and puzzles. Please bring a vegetarian dish to share with 5-7 others and your favorite board or card game that is appropriate for 6+ people. Learn more and RSVP here.

Text & Torah Focusing on Chanukah, Saturday, Dec. 1, 10:00 am-12:00 pm – Study led by Rabbi Benjamin will be followed by a shortened Saturday morning service. We will serve breakfast and coffee, including bagels and lox and gluten-free options. Childcare is available.

Making Chanukah Matter, Saturday, Dec. 1, 3:05-4:10 pm – This workshop is for parents of children of any age, and for parents of all backgrounds. Bring your thoughts, conundrums, questions, family traditions, favorite children's Chanukah books, etc. Facilitated by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. RSVP and learn more here.

(2) IMIrJ Last Thursday Witness Vigil at the ICE Building, 4310 Southwest Macadam Ave, Thursday, Nov. 29, 10:00-11:00 am – Join Rabbi Benjamin and the Sanctuary Committee as we come together to explore the theme of Gratitude as Resistance. This vigil is a collaborative effort between Havurah Shalom, First Unitarian Portland, and Journey Koinonia. Come lift your voice in song and prayer, for true thanks giving cannot be silent in the face of injustice. Questions? Please contact shari.raider@gmail.com.

(3) Death Café at Havurah, Sunday, Dec. 2, 10:00 am-12:00 pm – At a Death Café folks gather to converse about the ever so many aspects of dying and death, including but not limited to end-of-life paperwork, the multitude of feelings about caring for one who is ill/dying, what might a good death look like, grieving, celebrating and any/everything else this topic inspires for you. This is not a therapy or counseling group. Feel free to speak or just listen. Or both. Completely confidential. For those who are 21 and over. Refreshments will be available. Please join us. RSVP here. Questions? Email Buff Medb Neretin at aurorasilks@gmail.com.

(4) Defining Our Values & Vision to Make Havurah Safe & Welcoming, Sunday, Dec. 2, 1:00-3:00 pm – What makes us feel safe as individuals and what makes us feel safe as a community? How do we integrate our concerns about safety with our commitment to be a welcoming community? Join us for an opportunity to share our concerns and vision for how we can define our values and concerns as a community. 

(5) Forest Defense is Climate Defense! Tuesday, Dec. 4, 6:30-8:30 pm, First Unitarian Church, 1211 SW Main St, Portland – This community event is co-sponsored by the Havurah Climate Action Team. Join us for an insightful discussion about the relationship between the climate crisis and our forests. We’ll be hearing from experts about how changing clearcutting practices can dramatically reduce carbon emissions and how forests, when protected from industrial logging, can mitigate climate change by capturing and storing vast amounts carbon. Come learn how protecting more of our old-growth forests can help plants and animals adapt to the impacts of climate change. We will learn some ways we can act together to defend our forests. For more information, contact Michael Heumann at heumanncycle@gmail.com.

(6) PHFS Volunteer Orientation, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 6:45 pm – For this orientation, we are meeting at a partnering church in SE Portland. If you’d like to join us, please RSVP to bethany@pdxhfs.org. Havurah has a once-a-month regularly scheduled evening when we volunteer with Portland Homeless Family Solutions. It is one of our ongoing, very active direct service projects to help families who are experiencing homelessness. Questions? Contact Gloria Halper at losninos6@gmail.com. 
 

(7) Increase the Light! Tikkun Olam Fair & Chanukah Celebration, Saturday, Dec. 8, 4:30-7:00 pm – This year, in concert with our theme of Panim el Panim (face to face), we’ll celebrate Chanukah all together, focusing on the light our Tikkun Olam work groups are bringing into the world with Shabbat School families and Havurahniks of all ages. Join us any time between 3:00 and 7:00 pm  to visit the Tikkun Olam displays in the social hall and learn how you can increase the light. (Shabbat School will be in session, as scheduled.) The celebration begins at 4:30 pm:
 

• 4:30-5:15 pm, Havdalah, Chanukiot lighting, skit, and singing
• 5:15-6:15 pm, Vegetarian potluck dinner
• 6:15-7:00 pm, Dreidels, games, and merriment

Please bring a vegetarian salad, latkes or dessert to share (reheat-able latkes are welcome, but we can’t fry in the Havurah kitchen.) Also, please bring socks, gloves, or handwarmers for people experiencing homelessness. When you RSVP here, please consider signing up for a short volunteer role as a greeter, welcomer, or latke server, or to help with food set up or tidy up as the celebration winds down.

(8) Dec. 9 Deadline to RSVP for Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner. Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner & Service are on Friday, Dec. 14: Dinner at 6:30 pm, Service at 7:30 pm – All are welcome at our musical and upbeat Kabbalat Shabbat service on Dec. 14, and no RSVPs are required. The service will be led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians. Advance registration is only required for the catered vegetarian dinner. Please RSVP here for the dinner by Dec. 9. Kabbalat Shabbat dinner happens with the help of many volunteers! If you are a member of Havurah, learn how you can help when you RSVP. Childcare is available for kids ages two to eight. If you're interested in a cost adjustment for the dinner, please call 503-248-4662.

(9) Take a Safety Tour of Havurah, Monday, Dec. 10, at 7:00 pm – Take an informational tour of the Havurah building with our office and facilities manager to learn about our safety resources and our emergency procedures. This tour is also available by appointment. Each tour is limited to 15 people. Committee leaders and those who often use the building are especially encouraged to attend! Questions? Email rachel@havurahshalom.org. Sign up here.

(10) Francisco Aguirre ICE Check-In Support, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 9:45 am-12:00 pm, 4310 SW Macadam Avenue (ICE Headquarters) – Please come and support Francisco Aguirre on his next check-in by gathering outside the ICE Building. Organized by Unidos Con Francisco - Portland, Oregon. Questions? Email Robert Trachtenberg rjtra@aol.com.

(11) Continuing to Stand with Our Immigrant Neighbors – Please make an official comment against the proposed rule changes to “public charge," a rule that makes immigrants choose between their family’s well-being and their immigration status. Comments can be sent through this link. Let’s make our voices heard! Any questions? Contact Bob Brown at rebrown47@gmail.com.

(12) Tikkun Olam Global, Sunday, Dec. 16, 3:30 pm – We are exploring the formation of a new Tikkun Olam work group focused on the challenges facing the developing world. As we work to “repair the world,” we want to extend our gaze outward, towards the entire global village. The problems facing the planet are interconnected; consider how climate change, wealth concentration, resource scarcity, poverty, disease and illiteracy all interact. Together we will deepen our understanding of these issues and take meaningful actions to improve the lives of people around the world. As we did when we formed our work groups around Sanctuary and refugees, we will first ascertain the interest level within Havurah and then establish the mission and purpose of the group. Questions or input? Contact David Newman at davnew2@earthlink.net or 503-804-5701.

(13) White Nationalism + Antisemitism, Countering the Movement and Building Solidarity, Thursday, Dec. 20, 7:00-9:00 pm – Over the past two years, there has been a marked rise in the presence of visible white nationalism in the United States. While white nationalism can take many forms, one thing remains consistent: Much of the ethos of the movement is rooted in antisemitism. Come learn about the relationship between antisemitism and white nationalism and how the Jewish community can join with other communities to counter this dangerous form of hate. This is an interactive workshop led by Natalie Lerner, Havurah member and Western States Center Defending Democracy Fellow, and it presupposes no prior knowledge. The event is sponsored by Havurah's Tikkun Olam Committee. Light refreshments will be served.

(14) Lift Urban Portland Community Christmas Dinner, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 11:30 am-1:30 pm – For many years now, Congregation Beth Israel has hosted and Havurah Shalom has helped sponsor the Lift Urban Portland Community Christmas Dinner. This is a beloved neighborhood event attended by several hundred guests. Last year close to 200 volunteers helped to make the celebration a success. In addition to the holiday meal served in Goodman Hall, meals are delivered to clients of Meals on Wheels. Drivers (can be a family activity) are needed for this task. Click here to help in Goodman Hall or with Meals on Wheels. Questions? Contact Sally Rosenfeld at srosenfeldfrank@gmail.com.

(15) Havurah Music Survey – The Havurah Music Survey is open through Saturday, Dec. 1. You can fill it out online, and it only takes a few minutes. Survey submissions from Havurah members are anonymous.

(16) Have a Question About Havurah? – The Transparency/Inclusivity Committee welcomes your questions! We will find the answer and publish the question (but not the name of the questioner) and answer in an upcoming Hakol. It is our intention at Havurah that what you know and understand about our congregation should not be a function of who you know. So if you find yourself wondering about something related to Havurah, or if someone shares their question with you, we hope you will remember to send the question to transparency@havurahshalom.org. 

(17) Shloshim Pittsburgh, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 6:30 pm, Rose Schnitzer Manor, Cedar Sinai Park – Thirty days after the Tree of Life tragedy, come together for a night of mourning and healing. Sponsored by the Oregon Board of Rabbis and the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland.

(18) Weekend in Quest, March 1-3, Astoria, Oregon – Modern Jewish Writers Reinterpreting Tradition – A Shabbaton: Weekend of Study & Community with Scholar-in-Residence Professor Naomi Sokoloff with the University of Washington. Professor Sokoloff will present four lectures entitled: Hey, Izzy, Listen Up! New Takes on the Shema; The Blessings of Women Poets; 13 ways of Looking at the Kaddish; and Prayer Shawls: Making Space for Prayer in Poetry. She will share her deep knowledge of Jewish literature and liturgy. Weekend also includes Shabbat services led by Ilene Safyan. Learn more and register here.​​​ Questions? Email mimiepstein42@comcast.net.

Please use this form to submit stories for this weekly community email. Submissions are due by noon on Tuesday each week. 

Havurah Shalom is an engaged, vibrant, egalitarian, and diverse Jewish Reconstructionist community. Steeped in Jewish values, Havurah promotes spirituality, learning, and acts of social responsibility.

Find our calendar and learn more at www.havurahshalom.org.

825 NW 18th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
503-248-4662

(1) Upcoming Shabbat: Camp Havurah (2) PHFS New Volunteer Orientation (3) Bereavement Group Begins on Sunday (4) November Lev Tahor Chanting Canceled (5) Simchas & Welcome Team Thanks (6) Book Discussion on Nov. 27 Starts at 4:00 pm (7) "Chasing Portraits" for Jewish Book Month (8) Continuing to Stand with Our Immigrant Neighbors (9) IMIrJ Last Thursday Witness Vigil (10) Special Dorot Shabbat on Nov. 30 (11) Death Cafe (12) Increase the Light, Tikkun Olam Chanukah Fair & Celebration (13) Fair Trade Chanukah Gelt (14) The Jewish Project (15) Helping Dor Hadash in Pittsburgh (16) Helping Displaced People in California
 

(1) Upcoming Shabbat: Camp Havurah, Saturday, Nov. 17, 10:00-11:45 am, with Pizza Kiddush Lunch Following, at Havurah Shalom – Come to a fun, upbeat musical "Camp Havurah" Shabbat morning service, great for all generations of Havuraniks. Enjoy lots of great singing in Hebrew and English. Perfect for families with kids 4th grade and up, minyan “regulars," singles and empty nesters alike. Childcare is available for younger kids. A shortened Torah service will cap the morning’s prayer. Led by  Havurah musicians and leaders: Susan Brenner, Sarah Shine, Beth Hamon, and Charles Green. Please RSVP here for the Kiddush lunch. Shabbat Shalom!

(2) PHFS New Volunteer Orientation for the Family Winter Shelter, Lents, or 13 Salmon, Thursday, Nov. 16, 5:30-6:30 pm, New PHFS Building, 6220 SE 92nd Ave – This orientation is at the new PHFS home, so you will learn about PHFS and the volunteer positions available and also be able to see their new building. The orientation has limited spaces. If interested, please RSVP as soon as possible to Havurah PHFS Coordinator, Gloria Halper, losninos6@gmail.com.

(3) Havurah Bereavement Group, Sundays, Nov. 18, Dec. 9 & 16, Jan. 6, 13 & 27, 10:00-11:30 am – Havurah is offering a new bereavement support group that begins Nov. 18, so Havurahniks who have lost loved ones can come together to support each other with one another's grief. The Pastoral Care and Ma'avar committees have given thoughtful consideration to how the bereavement group should be run, and it was decided that it would be best to have an outside mental health provider. The committees have asked Dr. Louise Marasco to facilitate this group. The bereavement support group will be limited to 15 people. It will be a closed group, meaning that after the group is underway, new group members won't be added, to create a sense of community and comfort with this process. Learn more and sign up here. Please register before Nov. 18! 

(4) Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) Chanting Canceled for Nov. 19 – Please note that Lev Tahor Chanting, originally scheduled for Monday, Nov. 19, has been canceled. The next Lev Tahor Chanting will be on Monday, Dec. 17.

(5) Simchas & Welcome Team Thanks – We have three recent simchas at Havurah: the birth of Lulu Frances Fox to Emily Teplin Fox and Nathaniel Fox on Nov. 2; the birth of Isaac Benjamin Palmer to Rachel Palmer, Havurah's former office and facilities manager, and Andy Palmer on Oct. 12; and the marriage of Marah Danielson and Avi Tayar on Aug. 18. Mazel tov to these young families! And thank you to Stefanie Hausman and Havurah's new Welcome Team for hosting 45 new and prospective members at a tea and salon last Sunday. Thanks also to Welcome Team member Loree Devery, who has begun knitting booties and kippot for new babies at Havurah. (See the photo below.)

(6) Book Discussion of Saving the Jews: Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Holocaust, by Robert N. Rosen, Tuesday, Nov. 27, NEW START TIME: 4:00 pm – Was FDR an indifferent, possibly anti-Semitic president who abandoned European Jews? Or was he a pragmatic leader who understood that winning WWII as swiftly as possible was key to saving the Jews? Saving the Jews is a rigorously researched narrative and interpretive history of how FDR dealt with the Nazi persecution of the Jews, 1933-1945. It disputes the accepted view that Roosevelt abandoned the European Jews, that America was a passive, callous bystander to the Holocaust. For example, Rosen describes how American and Palestinian Jews opposed bombing Auschwitz and never asked Roosevelt to bomb the camps. Rosen found no credible evidence that FDR was an anti-Semite. Still, the controversy about Roosevelt continues. The discussion will be led by Art Boussel. Questions? Email Marjorie Walters at marjoriewalters@gmail.com.

(7) "Chasing Portraits," a film by Elizabeth Rynecki, Tuesday, Nov. 27, 7:00 pm, Whitsell Auditorium, 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland – In conjunction with Jewish Book Month, OJMCHE presents "Chasing Portraits," which documents Elizabeth Rynecki's quest to find the lost paintings of her great-grandfather, which were disbursed across the world after he was killed in the Majdanek concentration camp during WWII. The movie captures the richness of one man’s art, the devastation of war, and one woman’s unexpected path to healing. Learn more and buy tickets here.

(8) Continuing to Stand with Our Immigrant Neighbors – Please make an official comment against the proposed rule changes to “public charge," a rule that makes immigrants choose between their family’s well-being and their immigration status. Comments can be sent through this link. Let’s make our voices heard! Any questions? Contact Bob Brown at rebrown47@gmail.com.

(9) IMIrJ Last Thursday Witness Vigil at the ICE building, 4310 Southwest Macadam Ave, Thursday, Nov. 29, 10:00-11:00 am – Please join Rabbi Benjamin and the Sanctuary Committee as we come together to explore the theme of Gratitude as Resistance. This vigil is a collaborative effort between Havurah Shalom, First Unitarian Portland, and Journey Koinonia. Come lift your voice in song and prayer for true thanks giving cannot be silent in the face of injustice. Questions? Please contact shari.raider@gmail.com.
 

(10) Special Dorot Short & Sweet Shabbat Service, Friday, Nov. 30, 6:00 pm Service, 6:45 pm Vegetarian Potluck – This casual, family-friendly, and music-filled service begins with candle lighting, Kiddush and challah, and continues with prayers and music led by Jacob Mandelsberg, Sarah Shine, Gabe Adoff, Larry Reichman, and Tanja Lux. The Hebrew word dorot means 'generations.' The Dorot service is designed with the idea that adults and children can experience Jewish spiritual practice together. This special Dorot service is being expanded to include the Alter Rockers, Havurahniks who are retired or contemplating retirement, who meet for social activities. Of course, all are welcome! After the potluck dinner, we'll play board games, cards and puzzles. Please bring a vegetarian dish to share with 5-7 others and your favorite board or card game that is appropriate for 6+ people. Learn more and RSVP here.

(11) Death Café at Havurah, Sunday, Dec. 2, 10:00am-12:00 pm – At a Death Café folks gather to converse about the ever so many aspects of dying and death, including but not limited to end-of-life paperwork, the multitude of feelings about caring for one who is ill/dying, what might a good death look like, grieving, celebrating and any/everything else this topic inspires for you. This is not a therapy or counseling group. Feel free to speak or just listen. Or both. Completely confidential. For those who are 21 and over. Refreshments will be available. Please join us. RSVP here. Questions? Email Buff Medb Neretin at aurorasilks@gmail.com.
 

Thank you to Rachel Oh for this photo of our Shabbat School second graders' recent visit to Rose Schnitzer Manor.

(12) Increase the Light, Tikkun Olam Fair & Chanukah Celebration, Saturday, Dec. 8, 4:30-7:00 pm – This year, in concert with our theme of Panim el Panim (face to face), we’ll celebrate Chanukah all together, focusing on the light our Tikkun Olam work groups are bringing into the world with Shabbat School families and Havurahniks of all ages. Join us any time between 3:00 and 7:00 pm  to visit the Tikkun Olam displays in the social hall and learn how you can increase the light. (Shabbat School will be in session, as scheduled.) The celebration begins at 4:30 pm:

• 4:30-5:15 pm, Havdalah, Chanukiot lighting, skit, and singing
• 5:15-6:15 pm, Vegetarian potluck dinner
• 6:15-7:00 pm, Dreidels, games, and merriment

Please bring a vegetarian salad, latkes or dessert to share (reheat-able latkes are welcome, but we can’t fry in the Havurah kitchen.) Also, please bring socks, gloves, or handwarmers for people experiencing homelessness. RSVP here.

(13) Guilt-Free Chanukah Gelt – The first night of Chanukah is Sunday, Dec. 2. Order kosher guilt-free gelt here! Divine's Fair Trade gelt tastes great, and your purchase will support T'ruah, Rabbis for Human Rights. 

(14) The Jewish Project: Portrait of a Jew Through Ice Cream and Storytelling – Havurah member Jared Goodman weaves personal stories of being a Jew with Jewish history and culture, exploring themes of identity, secularism vs traditionalism, the writings of Isaac Bashevis Singer and Abraham Joshua Heschel, plus some klezmer music too. Pairing storytelling with handmade and inspired ice cream desserts, he aims to combat the spread of anti-Semitism and  share Judaism and Jewishness with Oregonians. Find dates, locations, and costs of performances here. Questions? Email Jared Goodman at info@morgansttheater.com​​​​​​​. 

(15) Helping Dor Hadash in Pittsburgh – The Pittsburgh Reconstructionist community Dor Hadash was unable to recover many of its prayer books and chumashim following the recent shooting. Reconstructing Judaism is sending them copies of Kol Haneshamah: Prayerbook for Shabbat and the Festivals (Shabbat Vehagim) and Kol Haneshamah: Prayers for a House of Mourning (Tefilot Leveyt Ha’evel). Please consider donating to help rebuild their prayer resources. A gift of $36  will cover the cost and shipping of one copy of Shabbat and the Festivals. A gift of $18  will cover one copy of Prayers for a House of Mourning. If sufficient gifts come in, Reconstructing Judaism will help replace chumashim, too.

(16) Helping People Impacted by the Wildfires – The Los Angeles Jewish community is in dire need of help. Thousands of individuals and families have been evacuated and displaced by the wildfires. Three Jewish summer camps have burned to the ground and need to rebuild for summer 2019. The Ilan Ramon Jewish day School was destroyed. Families who have been evacuated do not have a place to go, and many have already lost their homes. All donations to help them will go directly through the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. Please give what you can. 

Please use this form to submit stories for this weekly community email. Submissions are due by noon on Tuesday each week. 

Havurah Shalom is an engaged, vibrant, egalitarian, and diverse Jewish Reconstructionist community. Steeped in Jewish values, Havurah promotes spirituality, learning, and acts of social responsibility.

Find our calendar and learn more at www.havurahshalom.org.

825 NW 18th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
503-248-4662

​​​​​​​Dear Havurah Friends,

During this difficult time, it is more important than ever for us to come together in community.

Please join us for our monthly Kabbalat Shabbat dinner and service on Friday, Nov. 9. Our musical service starts at 7:30 pm and is led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians. All are welcome, and no RSVP is required.

If you would like to join us for the catered vegetarian dinner before the service, at 6:30 pm, please RSVP below. The dinner provides an opportunity to connect with friends, both old and new. Dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free options are available. RSVPs for the dinner are due by midnight on Sunday, Nov. 4.

Havurah Shalom's Solidarity Shabbat service is this Saturday at 10:00 am. We will gather for prayer, ritual and connection as we do every Shabbat. We will also be part of a convening throughout the Jewish world, as communities across North America will be gathering to honor the victims of last Saturday’s tragedy and to support one another as we navigate these difficult times. At Havurah we will largely follow the usual rhythm of Shabbat morning but will create opportunities for reflection, both internal and shared, and direct intentions for healing and strength throughout the service. Whether or not you are a regular participant on Shabbat morning, please come join us as we gather in solidarity – with the Jewish community of Pittsburgh, with the Jewish People as a whole, and with all people everywhere who are vulnerable.

(1) Upcoming Shabbat (2) Ballot Measure Endorsements (3) PHFS Orientation for New Volunteers (4) Poetry of the Soul (5) Info Session for LGBTQ Community (6) ORA NW Jewish Artists' Celebration (7) Climate Action Book Study (8) Pages & Pixels: The Book Smugglers & Aftermath (9) Mikvah Learning Session (10) Brownbag Lunch with Rosalyn Kliot (11) New Member Tea & Salon (12) Calling for B'nai Mitzvah Mentors (13) Have a Question About Havurah? (14) Universal Human Rights Lecture (15) Awakening the Divine Retreat (16) Havurah Authors Publish Books (17) Clearing Our Lost & Found (18) Weekend in Quest  ** In Gmail, click on "View Entire Message" in lower left to see the full email. **

(1) Upcoming Shabbat: Discovering Shabbat Morning, Saturday, Oct. 27, 10:00-11:30 am – Join this upbeat workshop/minyan where we will walk through the Shabbat morning service and learn about the general structure of the service, the key themes and prayers, and some of the choreography. We will practice some prayers together and answer questions. This service is especially for families with youth in grades 5 and up who are in the b’nai mitzvah process, all adults who are curious or perplexed, and anybody else. Childcare is available every Saturday morning for children 0-9. Light lunch provided afterwards. Please RSVP here. (Above graphic of the Shabbat morning service was made by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner.)

(2) Havurah Ballot Measure Endorsements – One way we live Havurah’s mission to promote acts of social responsibility is through political action. Havurah’s Steering Committee has voted to take positions on the four ballot measures listed below based on the close alignment of these critical ballot measures with work happening in our Tikkun Olam work groups:

• No on Measure 105 (Sanctuary)
• Yes on Measures 102 (Housing)
• Metro 26-199 (Housing)
• Portland 26-201 (Clean Energy)

Other measures on the ballot also need our attention. Please read your voter pamphlet and make sure to vote! Click here for more information. While over the years we have taken positions on ballot measures, we are aware that there is not always consensus within our community. We will be clarifying our process for taking political positions over the next 18 months. If you are interested in helping to develop that process, please contact Tikkun Olam Lead Chris Coughlin.

(3) PHFS Orientation for New Volunteers, Wednesday, Oct. 24, 5:30-6:30 pm, Mt. Scott Church of God, 10603 SE Henderson Street – Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) is offering an orientation for anyone interested in becoming a new volunteer at any of the following locations: Family Winter Shelter at Beth Israel (a winter shelter only), Lents (the new home of PHFS), or 13 Salmon. This orientation is only if you have never before volunteered with PHFS. If you're interested, please contact Bethany Rocci or Gloria Halper: 503-704-3752.

(4) The Poetry of the Soul, Thursday, Oct. 25, 12:00-1:15 pm – We are reading the Psalms closely, one by one. How they lend voice to our oscillating emotions, engagement with a sublime Other, and a longing for refuge will help us honor our own truths. We use English translations and commentaries and refer to the Hebrew. Taught by Rabbi Joey.
 

About 80 people attended last week's screening of "The Reluctant Radical" and the discussion with Ken Ward afterward. Above photo was taken by Michael Heumann.

(5) PDX Israel 2020 Information Session for LGBTQ Community, Thursday, Oct. 25, 7:00-8:30 pm – PDX Israel 2020 will include a track for the LGBTQ community on Oct. 25. Please RSVP for the session to caron@jewishportland.org. Members of the LGBTQ community are helping to organize meetings between our community and the Israeli LGBTQ community as part of the Portland Federation trip to Israel. The trip is planned for March 2020, but there is an early discount that is only available until Nov. 15. Please feel free to contact carmellae@aol.com if you have any questions.

(6) Celebrate Art, Support Local Jewish Artists, Buy Fun Gifts! Saturday, Oct. 27, 7:00-9:30 pm, and Sunday, Oct. 28, 10:30 am-4:30 pm, MJCC, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy – At ORA: Northwest Jewish Artists' Celebration of Art, over 25 artists (including Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, with Tzedakah Jewelry) will display and sell innovative stone, metal, and beaded jewelry, fabric arts, glass arts, photography, ceramics, painting, drawing, sculpture, paper cutting, crafting, and more! Free food, drinks and festivity on Oct. 27; annual art display and sale on Sunday. It's the perfect time to support local artists and do some fun shopping for Chanukah or special gifts.

(7) Climate Action Book Study and Beyond, Thursdays, Nov. 1, 8, 15 and 29, 7:00-9:00 pm – The Havurah Climate Action Team invites you to a book study and discussion on the deeper roots and local solutions to our critical environmental and social justice crises and how we can further these solutions in our Portland-metro region. Real life economics is more exciting and understandable than you think! We will use, Enough is Enough, Building a Sustainable Economy on a Finite Planet, by Dietz and O’Neill, with two chapters from Frances Moore Lappe’s EcoMind. Copies can be made of the EcoMind chapters. Supplemental pages and intro will also be provided from Paul Hawken’s Drawdown, and Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics. Attending all four classes is not necessary. Please email questions, syllabus request, and RSVP to Holisticooke@aol.com. Small fee for handouts.

(8) Pages and Pixels: The Book Smugglers and Aftermath, Sunday, Nov. 4, 4:00 pm, Neveh Shalom, 2900 SW Peaceful Lane – During the coming months, the Portland Jewish Book Celebration will explore this year’s book choice: David Fishman’s award-winning The Book Smugglers: Partisans, Poets, and the Race to Save Jewish Treasures from the Nazis. Told with an historian’s precision and a storyteller’s art, The Book Smugglers brings to life the ghetto residents of Vilna, "The Jerusalem of Lithuania," who risked their lives to save thousands of Jewish books, letters, manuscripts, and cultural artifacts from the Nazis and then the Soviets. The Nov. 4 event is the first of several discussions, and participants will also view the 2011 film Aftermath (Poklosie). Learn more about all Portland Jewish Book Celebration events, including the event Havurah is hosting, on this flier.
 

(9) Mikvah Learning Session, Wednesday. Nov. 7, 11:00 am-12:30 pm – A mikvah is a Jewish ritual bath, which has “living waters” sourced from rain. People immerse in a mikvah to mark and sanctify transitions. At its core, this ritual is a sensory way for us to connect with ourselves, our ancestors, the divine, and the water cycle of our planet. Come visit the brand-new community mikvah, Rachel’s Well, and consider how engaging with this ritual can enhance our Jewish lives and identities (no immersing this time). Maximum of 12 people can enroll. Please RSVP here. (The above photo of Portland's new mikvah was taken by Benjamin Ariff.)

(10) Brown Bag Lunch with Rosalyn Kliot, Thursday, Nov. 8, 12:00-1:00 pm, 724 OJMCHE, NW Davis St – Noted artist and author Rosalyn Kliot will share her story, from origins in Vilna (now Vilnius) and Lodz, to her life in Oregon today. Questions? Contact Ruth Feldman at ruthtenzerfeldman@gmail.com.

(11) New & New-ish Member Tea & Salon, Sunday, Nov. 11, 3:00-5:00 pm – In the spirit of Panim el Panim, or “Encountering One Another,” the Havurah Welcome Team would like to invite new Havurah members, those new-ish to Havurah, and those who may be interested in joining Havurah to an afternoon of storytelling, noshing, schmoozing, and learning more about our community from Havurah members and leaders in an informal setting. Families are welcome, and childcare will be provided. Please RSVP here. Questions? Email  stefhausman@gmail.com.

(12) Calling for B’nai Mitzvah Mentors – As Havurah membership grows, the B’nai Mitzvah Committee is eager to add additional mentors to guide families through the b’nai mitzvah process. Mentors help brainstorm ideas, plan, reassure, and support the family as they progress through the various stages of preparation and planning. Through the b’nai mitzvah years with their own families, most mentors are connected to Havurah, are organized and proactive, and enjoy supporting others who are going through this unique journey, especially for the first time. Would you like to be a mentor? Or do you know someone who might be a good mentor? If so, please write to the committee’s mentor coordinator, Amanda Coffey, at akcoffey23@gmail.com.

(13) Have a Question About Havurah? – The Transparency/Inclusivity Committee welcomes your questions about Havurah! We will find the answer and publish the question (but not the questioner) and answer in an upcoming Hakol. It is our intention at Havurah that what you know and understand about our congregation should not be a function of who you know. So if you find yourself wondering about something related to Havurah, or if someone shares their question with you, we hope you will remember to send the question to transparency@havurahshalom.org. For more information, email Judy Steinberger at jlasteinberger@gmail.com or Fran Weick at weick2@yahoo.com. 

(14) “Universal Human Rights in Our Schools” Fundraising Lecture & Dinner, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 6:00–8:00 pm, Szechuan Chef Restaurant, 3551 SW Macadam Ave – The Wholistic Peace Institute is hosting a fundraiser to support the Torah for Justice, Torat Tzedek, an NGO that defends the human rights of all Israelis and those under Israeli control, advocating for Palestinians, socioeconomic justice for Israelis, African asylum seekers, and Israel’s Negev Bedouin citizens. The speaker will be Torat Tzedek Director/Founder Arik W. Ascherman, a well-known leading human rights advocate and symbol of hope to many Israelis and Palestinians. Learn more here.

(15) Awakening the Divine Jewish Spirituality Retreat, Dec. 25-30 – Rabbi Benjamin will co-lead this five-day retreat on the East Coast in December, alongside other skilled teachers of contemplative Jewish practice. Rabbi James Jacobson-Maisels, the retreat’s lead teacher, is one of the foremost teachers of meditation in the Jewish world today. This is Rabbi Benjamin’s fourth year teaching at this retreat, and he would be happy to answer any questions for those who are interested. You can learn more on this flier.

(16) Award-winning Havurah Authors Publish Books – Two Havurah authors and Shabbat School parents have just published books. Rebecca Clarren's debut novel, Kickdown, was released in September, and Alicia Jo Rabins' second book of poetry, Fruit Geode, was released this month. On Thursday, Jan. 24, during the week of Tu B'Shvat, the authors will read passages from their books related to the natural world at a Havurah event sponsored by the Havurah Climate Action Team. Learn more about the authors here.

(17) Clearing Our Lost & Found – Have you lost something recently? The time to check Havurah's lost and found is NOW. We will be donating all unclaimed items to Goodwill on Thursday, Nov. 1. The lost and found container is in the coat room. We have a lot of clothing items, water bottles, a few books, and some toys and miscellaneous small items. Please come take a look. A growing number of coats have also been left hanging in the coat room.

(18) Weekend in Quest 2019, March 1-3 – Modern Jewish Writers Reinterpreting Tradition–A Shabbaton: Weekend of Study & Community with Scholar-in-Residence Professor Naomi Sokoloff with the University of Washington. Professor Sokoloff will present four lectures entitled: Hey, Izzy, Listen Up! New Takes on the Shema; The Blessings of Women Poets; 13 ways of Looking at the Kaddish; and Prayer Shawls: Making Space for Prayer in Poetry. Professor Sokoloff will share her deep knowledge of Jewish literature and liturgy. The weekend also includes Shabbat services led by Ilene Safyan. Learn more and register here. Questions? Email mimiepstein42@comcast.net.
 

Please use this form to submit stories for this weekly community email. Submissions are due by noon on Tuesday each week. 

Havurah Shalom is an engaged, vibrant, egalitarian, and diverse Jewish Reconstructionist community. Steeped in Jewish values, Havurah promotes spirituality, learning, and acts of social responsibility.

Find our calendar and learn more at www.havurahshalom.org.

825 NW 18th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
503-248-4662