HAVURAH HAPPENINGS (1) Upcoming Shabbat - Early Start (2) Annual Cemetery Beautification (3) Last Chance to Pre-Purchase Shindig Tickets (4) Kabbalat Shabbat (5) Mother's Day Interfaith Vigil (6) Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) Chanting (7) Dorot Shabbat (8) Text & Torah (9) Tikkun Leyl Shavuot: A Night of Learning, Connection, and Cheesecake (10) Book Discussion Group (11) A Night of Reading (12) Contemplative Shabbat (13) Song of Miriam Awards (14) Pride Parade

ANNOUNCEMENTS (1) Program Director Opening (2) Reusable Kiddush Cups (3) "Keep the Change," Award Winning Film with Autistic Characters Played by Actors on the Autism Spectrum

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(1) Bar Mitzvah of Max Nudelman-Nellen, Saturday, May 5, 9:30 am-12:00 pm – This Saturday's Bar Mitzvah will start earlier than our Saturday morning services usually start - at 9:30 am. Please join us in welcoming Max Nudelman-Nellen, son of Debra Nudelman, as a Bar Mitzvah and member of our community. Mazel tov to Max and his family!

(2) Annual Cemetery Beautification, Sunday, May 6, 1:00-3:00 pm -– We will gather at the Havurah cemetery, 5656 SW Humphrey, to garden and honor our relatives who are no longer with us. You can find directions to the cemetery here.

(3) Last Chance to Pre-Purchase Shindig Tickets! Havurah Shindig, May 6, 4:00-8:00 pm – Aren’t Havurah folks the most interesting people you know? Come to the Shindig and meet a few more compelling Haverim! We’ve prepared two specialty cocktails: “The Joey” and “The Benjamin.” (Ingredients are still a secret.) There will be delicious heavy hors d’oeuvres, music, dancing, and of course, schmoozing! Meet new folks and reconnect with old friends – all this and more! And there's still time to arrange babysitting with our list of Havurah babysitters. Call Nancy Becker for details or questions at 503-422-2482.

(4) Kabbalat Shabbat, Friday, May 11, 6:30 pm Dinner, 7:30 pm Service – Join one of Portland’s most musical and spirited Shabbat gatherings, led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians. At our May service, we will honor our High School seniors. The service is preceded by a catered dinner, which starts at 6:30 pm and requires advance registration. Dinner registration will close when the maximum number of seats have been filled or at noon on May 9, if the maximum number isn't reached by then. So RSVP here soon! Whether or not you attend the dinner, we hope you will join us for the Kabbalat Shabbat service at 7:30 pm. No RSVP is required for the service, and all are welcome. Childcare is available. (Photo below was taken by Barbara Gundle at our last Kabbalat Shabbat dinner.)

(5) Faithful Resistance: Mother's Day Interfaith Vigil, Saturday, May 12, 12:00-1:30 pm, Northwest Detention Center (NWDC), 1623 E J St, Tacoma, WA – Immigrant rights advocates will gather for the 10th annual Mother's Day Vigil in Tacoma. (See photo from annual vigil at the top of this email.) NWDC is an ICE prison for undocumented immigrants. This has been an exceptionally difficult year for immigrants and refugees under persecution from the current administration. The event is a celebration of faith groups’ shared values and determination to resist racism and xenophobia. Join the Havurah contingent at this fun, inspirational, and important event. Carpool meet-up for Portlanders is 9:00 am, Ascension Catholic Church, 743 SE 76th Ave. To carpool with Havurah members, contact David Newman at davnew2@earthlink.net. RVSP is not strictly needed but it's good to know who is planning to go.

(6) Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) Chanting, Monday, May 14, 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. Lev Tahor is open to anyone – no experience, musical ability, or commitment necessary. It is free for members; non-members are asked to make a small donation.

(7) Dorot Shabbat, Friday, May 18, 6:00 pm Service, 6:45 pm Potluck – Join us for this casual, family-friendly, and music-filled service. Beginning with candle lighting, Kiddush and challah, the service continues with prayers and music, followed by a vegetarian potluck dinner. Led by Jacob Mandelsberg, Sarah Shine, Gabe Adoff, Tanja Lux, and Ilene Moss. Please RSVP here.

(8) Text & Torah, Saturday, May 19, 10:00 am-12:00 pm – Torah text study will be led by Diane Chaplin, followed by a shortened Saturday morning service. We will serve breakfast and coffee, including bagels and lox and gluten-free options. Please arrive early to eat before the study begins at 10:00 am. Childcare is available.

(9) Tikkun Leyl Shavuot: A Night of Learning, Connection, and Cheesecake for Teens and Adults, Saturday, May 19, 7:30 pm to Late – Please join us as we celebrate the festival of Shavuot by connecting with the wisdom of our tradition and with one another. Deborah Eisenbach-Budner will lead off the evening with “The Book of Ruth: Witnessing Personal and Spiritual Change.” At the same time, David Feder will facilitate some meaningful discussion for teens. At 9:00 pm we will all break for cheesecake, followed by more learning into the night for those who have the energy. Rabbi Benjamin will lead us in exploring texts and images of Revelation and Witness, and how we might understand the notion of revelation as progressive Jews today. Please RSVP here.

(10) Havurah Book Discussion Group, Tuesday, May 22, 7:00-8:30 pm – Please join us for a discussion of Henna House by Nomi Eve, led by Maud Naroll. Adela, a young Jewish girl in early 20th century Yemen, lives with her garrulous brothers, ailing father, and bitter mother. In a hidden cave, Adela dreams while protecting herself from the Confiscator, a Muslim official who seizes Jewish children whose fathers have died. Racing against time, Adela’s family makes an engagement with a distant cousin, Asaf, whom Adela invites into her heart. When Asaf leaves town, Adela is comforted by the arrival of her aunt, a henna artist. As Adela grows, we follow her journey to the prosperous port of Aden, and departure for Israel in the famous airlift Operation On Wings of Eagles. This novel is a welcome glimpse into this little-known culture. Please RSVP here. Questions? Contact Marjorie Walters at marjoriewalters@gmail.com.

(11) A Night of Reading, Thursday, May 31, 7:30 pm – The current Havurah Writing Group will share short, reflective works they have been developing over the past three months in their Tuesday evening gatherings. Join us for a fast-moving, lyrically-compelling, and plain old-fashioned evening of creative expression. Snacks and coffee with these possibly soon-to-be-really-famous authors to follow. Questions? David Kertzner, dkertzner@proactive-english.com.

(12) Presence, Light, Manna: What We Need is Here - A Contemplative Shabbat, June 1-2 – Led by Rabbi Benjamin and Rabbi Joshua Boettiger of Emek Shalom in Ashland. Beginning Friday evening, then continuing all day Saturday from morning through Havdalah, we will immerse ourselves in contemplative Jewish practice. Through meditation, chanting, and prayer, supported by instruction and teaching, we will aim to open hearts and refine our awareness. Our time will be spent in silence, aside from prayer and chanting, as well as brief opportunities to check in about the practice. The retreat is open to everyone, regardless of experience. Registration to cover expenses is $40 for members of Havurah or Emek Shalom, $50 otherwise. You can register here. The Shabbat morning service and lunch following are open, with no registration needed. Contact Rabbi Benjamin at benjamin.barnett@havurahshalom.org with questions.

(13) Honoring Chris Coughlin at Jewish Women’s Round Table's Song of Miriam Awards Brunch, Sunday, June 3, 10:00 am – 12:15 pm, MJCC – Mazel tov to this year's Havurah Shalom Song of Miriam honoree, Chris Coughlin! Chris's work on the Steering Committee and her ongoing focus on Tikkun Olam have been hugely important as Havurah has grown and transitioned the last several years. Use this form to reserve your place at the brunch. The cost is $25 if you RSVP before May 26, $32 after. To arrange to sit with other Havurah members, contact Debbi Nadell at debbinadell@gmail.com.

(14) Pride Parade, Sunday, June 17 – Havurah has marched in Portland’s annual Pride Parade for two decades now. Last year, for the first time, Havurah joined with other Jewish organizations to participate. Learn more here about how to get involved.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(1) Program Director Opening – Help us recruit Havurah's next Program Director! This position will be a key member of Havurah's leadership team along with Rabbi Benjamin and Education Director Deborah Eisenbach-Budner and work in close coordination with our 400 families to help the community meet our congregational goals. You can see the job desription here. All interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to havurahjobpost@gmail.com.

(2) Reusable Kiddush Cups – Two hundred new reusable kiddush cups were introduced last Shabbat, replacing disposable plastic cups. Numerous members have urged us to eliminate these very visible bits of plastic waste, and Rabbi Benjamin told us how his congregation in Corvallis had turned to small stainless steel cups. Please collect the cups after the kiddush and return them to the kitchen for cleaning. Pictures of a suggested method of loading the dish racks are posted near the dishwasher. Please send questions and feedback to Adele Thompson for the Climate Action Team at adeledt@live.com.

(3) “Keep the Change,” Living Room Theaters in Portland, May 4-10 – “Keep the Change” is the first feature film in which autistic characters are played by actors on the autism spectrum. When aspiring filmmaker David (Brandon Polansky) is mandated by a judge to attend a social program at the Jewish Community Center, he is sure of one thing: he doesn’t belong there. But when he’s assigned to visit the Brooklyn Bridge with the vivacious Sarah (Samantha Elisofon), sparks fly and his convictions are tested. Their budding relationship must weather Sarah’s romantic past, David’s judgmental mother (Jessica Walter), and their own pre-conceptions of what love is supposed to look like. Watch the trailer 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 a 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

HAVURAH HAPPENINGS (1) Upcoming Shabbat (2) #ICEoutofNORCOR (3) Climate Justice Action (4) Annual Cemetery Beautification (5) Shindig is Almost Here! (6) Kabbalat Shabbat Honoring High School Graduates (7) Mother's Day Interfaith Vigil (8) Dorot Shabbat (9) 'Shavuot' Text & Torah (10) Tikkun Leyl Shavuot: A Night of Learning, Connection, and Cheesecake (11) Contemplative Shabbat (12) Honoring Chris Coughlin at Song of Miriam Awards Brunch

ANNOUNCEMENTS (1) "Resisting Tyranny" Sara Glasgow Cogan Memorial Lecture Tonight (2) English Conversation Hour (3) Counting the Omer (4) Program Director Opening (5) Needed! Wine Rack (6) Lotsa Helping Hands & Hearts (7) Eastside Community Commons (8) Reconstructing Judaism Leadership Brief (9) ORA Call for Artists

If you're reading this in Gmail, click on "view entire message" at the lower left to see the complete email. *** Photo below was taken at the annual Mother's Day Interfaith Vigil in Tacoma.

(1) Bar Mitzvah of Samuel Plager, Saturday, April 28, 10:00 am-12:00 pm - Please join us in welcoming Samuel Plager, son of Constance and Josh Plager, as a Bar Mitzvah and member of our community. Mazel tov to Samuel and his family!

(2) #ICEoutofNORCOR, Saturday, April 28, 10:30 am-3:00 pm, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1805 Minnesota St, The Dalles - NORCOR (Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facility) is a regional county jail in The Dalles that houses immigrant detainees from the Tacoma Detention Center. Conditions are terrible, and Oregon's jails should not be cooperating with ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement). Havurah is organizing to participate in an IMIrJ (Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice) statewide action to get ICE out of NORCOR. Clergy and lay leaders from around the state will convene on the anniversary of immigrants' first hunger strike to protest conditions at NORCOR. We will learn from the local clergy and organizers who have been organizing since May 1, 2017 to get #ICEoutofNORCOR. We hope to have a big turnout from Havurah at this family-friendly event. Details can be found at the IMIrJ website here. Questions? Contact Bob Brown at rebrown47@gmail.com.

(3) Climate Justice Action, Tuesday, May 1, 7:00-8:00 am, Portland Convention Center – Havurah Climate Action Team and 350pdx will join others to call out the Portland Business Alliance for officially endorsing the Jordan Cove Project and Pacific Connector Pipeline. The PBA claims to represent 1,900 Oregon businesses and institutions. They have been a consistent opposition voice to environmental progress. Their annual breakfast is May 1, and many members have no idea what their organization is supporting, or the potentially devastating consequences. Bring a sign or help hold banner and pass out leaflets. Sign making parties happening. Contact Harriet Cooke at holisticooke@aol.com.

(4) Annual Cemetery Beautification Day, Sunday, May 6, 1:00-3:00 pm - We will gather at our cemetery, at 5656 SW Humphrey, to garden and honor our relatives who are no longer with us. You can find directions to the cemetery here.
 

(5) Shindig is Almost Here! Sunday, May 6, 4:00-8:00 pm - The Havurah Shindig is almost here! Get your tickets soon so we can plan for the right number of people! CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets. We have a small fund to support folks who can’t afford the ticket price; please contact the Havurah office at 503-248-4662 ext. 4 to learn more. Your organizing committee truly wants this to be accessible to all!

(6) Kabbalat Shabbat, Friday, May 11, 6:30 pm Dinner, 7:30 pm Service - Join one of Portland’s most musical and spirited Shabbat gatherings, led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians. At our May service, we will honor our High School seniors. The service is preceded by a catered dinner, which starts at 6:30 pm and requires advance registration. Dinner registration will close when the maximum number of seats have been filled or at noon on May 9, if the maximum number isn't reached by then, so RSVP here soon! Whether or not you attend the dinner, we hope you will join us for the Kabbalat Shabbat Service at 7:30 pm. No RSVP is required for the service, and all are welcome. Childcare is available.

(7) Faithful Resistance: Mother's Day Interfaith Vigil, Saturday, May 12, 12:00-1:30 pm, Northwest Detention Center (NWDC), 1623 E J St, Tacoma, WA - Immigrant rights advocates will gather for the 10th annual Mother's Day Vigil in Tacoma. (See photo from annual vigil at the top of this email.) NWDC is an ICE prison for undocumented immigrants. This has been an exceptionally difficult year for immigrants and refugees under persecution from the current administration. The event is a celebration of faith groups’ shared values and determination to resist racism and xenophobia. Join the Havurah contingent at this fun, inspirational, and important event. Carpool meet-up for Portlanders is 9:00 am, Ascension Catholic Church, 743 SE 76th Ave. To carpool with Havurah members, contact David Newman at davnew2@earthlink.net. RVSP is not strictly needed but it's good to know who is planning to go.

(8) Dorot Shabbat, Friday, May 18, 6:00 pm Service, 6:45 pm Potluck - Join us for this casual, family-friendly, and music-filled service. Beginning with candle lighting, Kiddush and challah, the service continues with prayers and music, followed by a vegetarian potluck dinner. Led by Jacob Mandelsberg, Sarah Shine, Gabe Adoff, Tanja Lux, and Ilene Moss. Please RSVP here. (Photo below was taken at a Dorot Shabbat.)

(9) Text & Torah on Shavuot, Saturday, May 19, 10:00 am-12:00 pm - Torah text study will be led by Diane Chaplin, followed by a shortened Saturday morning service. We will serve breakfast and coffee, including bagels and lox and gluten-free options. Please arrive early to eat before the study begins at 10:00 am. Childcare is available.

(10) Tikkun Leyl Shavuot: A Night of Learning, Connection, and Cheesecake for Teens and Adults, Saturday, May 19, 7:30 pm to Late - Please join us as we celebrate the festival of Shavuot by connecting with the wisdom of our tradition and with one another. Deborah Eisenbach-Budner will lead off the evening with “The Book of Ruth: Witnessing Personal and Spiritual Change.” At the same time, David Feder will facilitate some meaningful discussion for teens. At 9:00 pm we will all break for cheesecake, followed by more learning into the night for those who have the energy. Rabbi Benjamin will lead us in exploring texts and images of Revelation and Witness, and how we might understand the notion of revelation as progressive Jews today. Please RSVP here.

(11) Presence, Light, Manna: What We Need is Here - A Contemplative Shabbat, June 1-2 - Led by Rabbi Benjamin and Rabbi Joshua Boettiger of Emek Shalom in Ashland. Beginning Friday evening, then continuing all day Saturday from morning through Havdalah, we will immerse ourselves in contemplative Jewish practice. Through meditation, chanting, and prayer, supported by instruction and teaching, we will aim to open hearts and refine our awareness. Our time will be spent in silence, aside from prayer and chanting, as well as brief opportunities to check in about the practice. The retreat is open to everyone, regardless of experience. Registration to cover expenses is $40 for members of Havurah or Emek Shalom, $50 otherwise. You can register here. The Shabbat morning service and lunch following are open, with no registration needed. Contact Rabbi Benjamin at benjamin.barnett@havurahshalom.org with questions.

(12) Honoring Chris Coughlin at Jewish Women’s Round Table's Song of Miriam Awards Brunch, Sunday, June 3, 10:00 am – 12:15 pm, MJCC - Mazel tov to this year's Havurah Shalom Song of Miriam honoree, Chris Coughlin! Chris's work on the Steering Committee and her ongoing focus on Tikkun Olam have been hugely important as Havurah has grown and transitioned the last several years. Use this form to reserve your place at the brunch. The cost is $25 if you RSVP before May 26, $32 after. To arrange to sit with other Havurah members, contact Debbi Nadell at debbinadell@gmail.com.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(1) “Resisting Tyranny: Lessons from the European 20th Century," Sara Glasgow Cogan Memorial Lecture, Yale University Professor Timothy Snyder, Wednesday, April 25, 7:30 pm, PSU - Havurah's Alter Rockers are attending this lecture. If you are interested in attending, RSVP here soon, as the lecture may fill quickly. The recommendation is to arrive by 7:00 pm to ensure early admission and a seat with your RSVP.

(2) English Conversation Hour, Tuesdays, 12:00-1:00 pm, Ortiz Community Center, 6736 NE Killingworth - For our Latin brothers and sisters to succeed, it is most helpful to be able to communicate in English. If you are interested in helping an hour a week at an English Conversation Hour at the Ortiz Community Center in the Cully Neighborhood, please contact Deb Kallan. It is possible that the day and/or hour might change in the future. Questions? Email debkall2010@gmail.com.

(3) Counting the Omer - The period between Passover and Shavuot marks two kinds of movement through time: the passage of the seven weeks between the barley offering and the first wheat offering at the ancient Temple during these spring festivals, and the transition from slavery to true liberation. On Passover we leave Egypt, but on Shavuot we receive the Torah, which gives us our purpose as a people, the ultimate goal of our collective freedom. For many people, "counting of the Omer" these 49 days provides a time for reflection and growth. If you are curious about why and how people count the omer, you might find these resources helpful: daily readings from Deborah Eisenbach-Budner and others at Ritual Well and a colorful chart of the 49 days from Reclaiming Judaism.

(4) Program Director Opening - Help us recruit Havurah's next Program Director! This position will be a key member of Havurah's leadership team along with Rabbi Benjamin and Education Director Deborah Eisenbach-Budner and work in close coordination with our 400 families to help the community meet our congregational goals. You can see the job desription here. All interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to havurahjobpost@gmail.com.

(5) Needed! Wine Rack - We are having a Wine Wall at the congregational Shindig. In the past this has been a very successful money maker. We need wine racks to construct the wall. If you have a rack we can borrow for the event, please contact Dave Weil at dave3082@aol.com or 503-293-6806. (Please leave a message.) Thanks.

(6) Lotsa Helping Hands - “Lots of Helping Hands” and hearts have been reaching out to our Havurah families in this past month. Meals were prepared and delivered. Home visits and caregiver breaks provided the kind of support that families needed to catch a breath and renew themselves for the days of recovery ahead. And those who could not pitch in with meals or visits made phone calls to break up the long days. Cards were sent to cheer and remind folks that they are remembered. Thank you to the volunteers: cooks, phone callers, note writers, and sit and chat-ers. By the way, just because you “don’t cook,” doesn't mean you can't help. You can go to New Seasons or Whole Foods to buy a ready-made meal and then you can say, “I brought it with my own little hands."  Remember that it is a mitzvah to help another in need, and it is a mitzvah to allow another to help you. Learn more here.

(7) Eastside Community Commons - The Eastside Community Commons has approached Havurah about our interest in being a partner in their dreams of creating a Jewish community space on the Eastside of Portland. The vision for the project is to have a shared space used by many community organizations.  You can learn more here. The Steering Committee will have conversations over the next few months about whether we should partner in the visioning of what the Commons might become. If you are interested in seeing Havurah have a role in the Commons and/or have ideas of how we could be a part of this effort, please email Aaron Pearlman at aaron@pearlmanoffice.com.

(8) Reconstructing Judaism Leadership Brief – Read the latest Reconstructing Judaism Leadership Brief here.

(9) Call for Artists, ORA, Northwest Jewish Artists - Submissions for October Celebration of Art event are due May 25 (Jury date is June 3) – Many Havurah members participate in ORA, which is calling for original art and fine craft in all media. Print and complete the application, and mail it with your jury fee of $25, made out to ORA, to the address on the application. Applications must be received by May 25. For the complete application, visit northwestjewishartists.org and click on “About Us.”
 

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

Havurah Shalom is a 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

HAVURAH HAPPENINGS (1) Upcoming Shabbat (2) White Ally Trainings (3) Book Group Discussion (4) #ICEoutofNORCOR (5) Annual Cemetery Beautification (6) Havurah Shindig (7) Kabbalat Shabbat Honoring High School Graduates (8) Dorot Shabbat (9) Text & Torah on Shavuot (10) Tikkun Leyl Shavuot: A Night of Learning, Connection, and Cheesecake

ANNOUNCEMENTS (1) Program Director Opening (2) Video of Kabbalat Shabbat Service & Hand in Hand Presentation (3) Needed! Wine Rack (4) Lotsa Helping Hands & Hearts (5) Eastside Community Commons (6) Missing Tikkun (7) "Resisting Tyranny" Sara Glasgow Cogan Memorial Lecture (8) ORA Call for Artists

If you're reading this in Gmail, click on "view entire message" at the lower left to see the complete weekly email.

Tot Shabbat, Saturday, April 21, 10:30-11:30 am - Young children and their parents celebrate Shabbat with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. We touch on the main highlights of the Shabbat morning service: wonder, fun, song, listening to the world, dancing, and Torah. Tot Shabbat is fashioned for the under-6 crowd, but older kids are welcome (and can help tell a story, etc.). Afterwards, we enjoy an informal potluck oneg nosh and the chance to play and schmooze. Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. Please RSVP here.

New & Prospective Members Orientation & Oneg, Saturday, April 21, 12:00-1:30 pm - Did you join Havurah during the past 18 months? Do you have questions about our history, our committees and affinity groups, and our future plans? If so, join us for our annual spring orientation for new and prospective members. It begins with a vegetarian oneg lunch, and childcare will be available. You'll hear from Havurah leaders, including Rabbi Benjamin and Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, and have plenty of time to ask them questions. You're also invited to the Community Minyan before the orientation, which begins at 10:00 am, and/or to Tot Shabbat, which is from 10:30-11:30 am that morning. Please RSVP here by Wednesday, April 18, if you can join us for the orientation!

Shabbat School Parenting Workshop: Making Family Time Sacred, Saturday, April 21, 3:10 pm - Many of us are trying hard to balance parenting, working, other relationships, other responsibilities and commitments. Amidst all of that, how do we create the intention and the structure to touch base with why we chose to have kids, create families, in the first place? How can that be translated into enjoyable family time together? How do we set that up without it being a ‘set-up?’ We will take some wisdom from Jewish life and hear what other parents have figured out (or not). Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. RSVP here.

(2) White Ally Trainings, Sunday, April 22, 2:30-5:30 pm, First Congregational UCC, and Tuesday, April 24, 9:00 am-noon, Muslim Education Trust (MET) - Learn tools and skills to effectively engage with people who don't think racism is real. Trainings are led by David Campt, a nationally renowned trainer who developed the White Ally Toolkit. This is a continuation of the equity work Havurah has been doing for several years, including the SURJ (Stand Up for Racial Justice) training we had for parents at Havurah in January. If several of us attend a training, our collective learnings will empower us all! For April 22, the cost is $15-$45, sliding scale. Register here. For April 24, the cost is $45 without lunch and $60 with lunch. Contact MET if you're interested in a sliding scale. Register here. Please email Susan Rosenthall if you register so Havurahniks can watch for each other at the training and possibly carpool. (Above photo of David Campt was taken by Erica Morrison/OPB.)

(3) Book Discussion Group, Tuesday, April 24, 7:00-8:30 pm - Reports of growing water shortages around the world underscore the urgent need to find solutions. Based on meticulous research and hundreds of interviews, Seth Siegel's book Let There Be Water reveals the history, methods, and techniques behind Israel’s ability to lead the world in cutting-edge water technology. Israel not only solved the water problem within its desert, but it also supplies water to others. This book also discusses how cooperation on water systems can forge diplomatic ties and promote unity. Phil and Marjorie Walters will lead the discussion, and Phil will offer a means to assess our own household water usage. Michael Heumann, who heads the Havurah Climate Action team, will add local perspectives about water issues on our horizon. Join us! RSVP here.

(4) #ICEoutofNORCOR, Saturday, April 28, 10:30 am-3:00 pm, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1805 Minnesota St, The Dalles - NORCOR (Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facility) is a regional county jail in The Dalles that houses immigrant detainees from the Tacoma Detention Center. Conditions are terrible, and Oregon's jails should not be cooperating with ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement). Havurah is organizing to participate in an IMIrJ (Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice) statewide action to get ICE out of NORCOR. Clergy and lay leaders from around the state will convene on the one-year anniversary of immigrants' first hunger strike to protest conditions at NORCOR. We will learn from the local clergy and organizers who have been organizing since May 1, 2017 to get #ICEoutofNORCOR. We hope to have a big turnout from Havurah at this family-friendly event. Details can be found at the IMIrJ website here. Questions? Contact Bob Brown at rebrown47@gmail.com.

(5) Annual Cemetery Beautification Day, Sunday, May 6, 1:00-3:00 pm - We will gather at our cemetery, at 5656 SW Humphrey, to garden and honor our relatives who are no longer with us. You can find directions to the cemetery here.
 

(6) Havurah Shindig, Tickets Now Available Online, Sunday, May 6, 4:00-8:00 pm - Get your tickets now! Come party with your Haverim! CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets to our premier fundraiser event/party. Food, desserts, wine, and beer are included with the price of admission. You can also purchase raffle tickets and a seat at the casino tables. There will be plenty of opportunities to purchase more casino scrip, raffle tickets, specialty cocktail tickets, and wine wall "chances" at the event. Why are we doing this fundraiser? Because we care about our programming, our community, and each other. Buy your tickets now and support your favorite synagogue! Questions? Email Nancy Becker at nancyjbecker@gmail.com.

(7) Kabbalat Shabbat, Friday, May 11, 6:30 pm Dinner, 7:30 pm Service - Join one of Portland’s most musical and spirited Shabbat gatherings, led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians. At our May service, we will honor our High School seniors. The service is preceded by a catered dinner, which starts at 6:30 pm and requires advance registration. Dinner registration will close when the maximum number of seats have been filled, or at noon on May 9, if the maximum number isn't reached by then, so RSVP here soon! Whether or not you attend the dinner, we hope you will join us for the Kabbalat Shabbat Service at 7:30 pm. All are welcome at the service, and no RSVP is required. Childcare is available.

(8) Dorot Shabbat, Friday, May 18, 6:00 pm Service, 6:45 pm Potluck - Join us for this casual, family-friendly, and music-filled service. Beginning with candle lighting, Kiddush and challah, the service continues with prayers and music, followed by a vegetarian potluck dinner. Led by Jacob Mandelsberg, Sarah Shine, Gabe Adoff, Tanja Lux, and Ilene Moss. Please RSVP here. (Photo below was taken at a Dorot Shabbat.)

(9) Text & Torah on Shavuot, Saturday, May 19, 10:00 am-12:00 pm - This Torah text study about Shavuot will be led by Diane Chaplin, followed by a shortened Saturday morning service. We will serve breakfast and coffee, including bagels and lox and gluten-free options. Please arrive early to eat before the study begins at 10:00 am. Childcare is available.

(10) Tikkun Leyl Shavuot: A Night of Learning, Connection, and Cheesecake for Teens and Adults, Saturday, May 19, 7:30 pm to Late - Please join us as we celebrate the festival of Shavuot by connecting with the wisdom of our tradition and with one another. Deborah Eisenbach-Budner will lead off the evening with “The Book of Ruth: Witnessing Personal and Spiritual Change.” At the same time, David Feder will facilitate some meaningful discussion for teens. At 9:00 pm we will all break for cheesecake, followed by more learning into the night for those who have the energy. Rabbi Benjamin will lead us in exploring texts and images of Revelation and Witness, and how we might understand the notion of revelation as progressive Jews today. Please RSVP here.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(1) Program Director Position - Help us recruit Havurah's next Program Director! This position will be a key member of Havurah's leadership team along with Rabbi Benjamin and Education Director Deborah Eisenbach-Budner and work in close coordination with our 400 families to help the community meet our congregational goals. You can see the job desription here. All interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to havurahjobpost@gmail.com.

(2) Video of Kabbalat Shabbat Service & Hand in Hand Program - In case you missed last Friday's Kabbalat Shabbat service and the Hand in Hand presentation after it, you can watch this video of the evening. Thank you, Steve Birkel, for making the recording.

(3) Needed! Wine Rack - We are having a Wine Wall at the congregational Shindig. In the past this has been a very successful money maker. We need wine racks to construct the wall. If you have a rack we can borrow for the event, please contact Dave Weil at dave3082@aol.com or 503-293-6806. (Please leave a message.) Thanks.

(4) Lotsa Helping Hands - “Lots of Helping Hands” and hearts have been reaching out to our Havurah families in this past month. Meals were prepared and delivered. Home visits and caregiver breaks provided the kind of support that families needed to catch a breath and renew themselves for the days of recovery ahead. And those who could not pitch in with meals or visits made phone calls to break up the long days. Cards were sent to cheer and remind folks that they are remembered. Thank you to the volunteers: cooks, phone callers, note writers, and sit and chat-ers. By the way, just because you “don’t cook,” doesn't mean you can't help. You can go to New Seasons or Whole Foods to buy a ready-made meal and then you can say, “I brought it with my own little hands."  Remember that it is a mitzvah to help another in need, and it is a mitzvah to allow another to help you. Learn more here.

(5) Eastside Community Commons - The Eastside Community Commons has approached Havurah about our interest in being a partner in their dreams of creating a Jewish community space on the Eastside of Portland. The vision for the project is to have a shared space used by many community organizations.  You can learn more here. The Steering Committee will have conversations over the next few months about whether we should partner in the visioning of what the Commons might become. If you are interested in seeing Havurah have a role in the Commons and/or have ideas of how we could be a part of this effort, please email Aaron Pearlman at aaron@pearlmanoffice.com.

(6) Missing Tikkun - The Tikkun reference book for Havurah's library has been missing for several weeks. If you have it, please return it to our library. Many Havurah members use it when preparing for a Torah reading. Thanks!

(7) “Resisting Tyranny: Lessons from the European 20th Century," Sara Glasgow Cogan Memorial Lecture, Yale University Professor Timothy Snyder, Wednesday, April 25, 7:30 pm, PSU - Havurah's Alter Rockers are attending this lecture. If you are interested in attending, RSVP here soon, as the lecture may fill quickly. The recommendation is to arrive by 7:00 pm to ensure early admission and a seat with your RSVP.

(8) Call for Artists, ORA, Northwest Jewish Artists - Submissions for October Celebration of Art event are due May 25 (Jury date is June 3) – Many Havurah members participate in ORA, which is calling for original art and fine craft in all media. Print and complete the application, and mail it with your jury fee of $25, made out to ORA, to the address on the application. Applications must be received by May 25. For the complete application, visit northwestjewishartists.org and click on “About Us.”
 

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

Havurah Shalom is a 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

HAVURAH HAPPENINGS (1) Upcoming Shabbat (2) Cultural Humility Training (3) Everything You Don't Know About Electric Vehicles (4) New & Prospective Members Orientation (5) Tot Shabbat (6) White Ally Trainings (7) Book Group Discussion (8) Havurah Shindig - Registration is Open! (9) Tikkun Leyl Shavuot: A Night of Learning, Connection, and Cheesecake (10) June Contemplative Shabbat

ANNOUNCEMENTS (1) Yom HaShoah Commemorative Service Tonight (2) It is NOT Too Late to Start Counting the Omer (3) Lotsa Helping Hands & Hearts (4) Eastside Community Commons (5) "Resisting Tyranny" Sara Glasgow Cogan Memorial Lecture (6) New Shelter for PHFS (7) Opportunity for Young Adults: Moishe House Residence Opening

If you're reading this in Gmail, click on "view entire message" at the lower left to see the complete weekly email.

(1) Kabbalat Shabbat, Friday, April 13, 7:30-8:30 pm - We are excited to host three representatives from Hand in Hand, Center for Jewish-Arab Education in Israel, at this Friday's service: Noa Yammer, a senior Hand in Hand staff member, and Alma Saporta (who is Jewish) and Vicky Makhoul (who is Arab), both recent graduates of Hand in Hand’s flagship school in Jerusalem. The Hand in Hand presentation will follow a musical service led by Rabbi Benjamin, Margie Rosenthal, and our talented Havurah musicians. All are welcome - no RSVP required. Childcare is available. (Students of Hand in Hand pictured below.)

Bar Mitzvah of Jonas Frost-Hausman, Saturday, April 14, 10:00 am - Please join us in welcoming Jonas Frost-Hausman, son of Stefanie Hausman and David Frost, as a bar mitzvah and member of our community. Mazel tov, Jonas!

(2) Cultural Humility Training, Sunday, April 15, 3:00-5:00 pm, Havurah Shalom - Learn about best practices in communicating with people from cultural backgrounds different from ours. Lynn Reer will lead this training. She has a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics and has been working as a teacher trainer for many years. She will give us some tips on ways to challenge our cultural perspectives, so we can honor individuals as they truly are, as members of a culture with customs and practices we may not be familiar with. We will bring in two "cultural informants," one whose native culture is Mexican, the other, Somali, to look at examples of communication misunderstandings. Please RSVP to Deb Kallen at debkall2010@gmail.com.

(3) Everything You Don't Know About Electric Vehicles, Monday, April 16, 7:00-8:30 pm - Paul Reno, retired faculty member of the Marine Science Center at Oregon State University, will present a brief history of electric cars. He will dive deep into what you need to know: types of EVs, cost, effect of weather and accessories on battery life, charging issues, environmental impact and more. He will also briefly discuss fuel cell vehicles. A question and answer period will follow. Co-sponsors: Northwest 350PDX and Havurah Climate Action Team. For additional information, contact Kahler Martinson at martinsonkahler@yahoo.com or Steve Birkel at sjbirkel@gmail.com.

(4) New & Prospective Members Spring Oneg Orientation, Saturday, April 21, 12:00-1:30 pm - Did you join Havurah during the past 18 months? Do you have questions about our history, our committees and affinity groups, and our future plans? If so, join us for our annual orientation for new and prospective members. It begins with a vegetarian oneg lunch, and childcare will be available. You'll hear from Havurah leaders, including Rabbi Benjamin and Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, and have plenty of time to ask them questions. You're also invited to the Community Minyan before the orientation, which begins at 10:00 am, and/or to Tot Shabbat, which is from 10:30-11:30 am that morning. Please RSVP here by Wednesday, April 18, if you can join us for the orientation!

(5) Tot Shabbat, Saturday, April 21, 10:30-11:30 am - Young children and their parents celebrate Shabbat with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. We touch on the main highlights of the Shabbat morning service: wonder, fun, song, listening to the world, dancing, and Torah. Tot Shabbat is fashioned for the under-6 crowd, but older kids are welcome (and can help tell a story, etc.). Afterwards, we enjoy an informal potluck oneg nosh and the chance to play and schmooze. Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. Please RSVP here.

(6) White Ally Trainings, Sunday, April 22, 2:30-5:30 pm, First Congregational UCC, and Tuesday, April 24, 9:00 am-noon, Muslim Education Trust (MET) - Learn tools and skills to effectively engage with people who don't think racism is real. Trainings are led by David Campt, a nationally renowned trainer who developed the White Ally Toolkit. This is a continuation of the equity work Havurah has been doing for several years, including the SURJ (Stand Up for Racial Justice) training we had for parents at Havurah in January. If several of us attend a training, our collective learnings will empower us all! For April 22, the cost is $15-$45, sliding scale. Register here. For April 24, the cost is $45 without lunch and $60 with lunch. Contact MET if you're interested in a sliding scale. Register here. Please email Susan Rosenthall if you register so Havurahniks can watch for each other at the training and possibly carpool.

(7) Book Discussion Group, Tuesday, April 24, 7:00-8:30 pm - Reports of growing water shortages around the world underscore the urgent need to find solutions. Based on meticulous research and hundreds of interviews, Seth Siegel's book Let There Be Water reveals the history, methods, and techniques behind Israel’s ability to lead the world in cutting-edge water technology. Israel not only solved the water problem within its desert, but it also supplies water to others. This book also discusses how cooperation on water systems can forge diplomatic ties and promote unity. Phil and Marjorie Walters will lead the discussion, and Phil will offer a means to assess our own household water usage. Michael Heumann, who heads the Havurah Climate Action team, will add local perspectives about water issues on our horizon. Join us! RSVP here.
 

(8) Havurah Shindig, Tickets Now Available Online, Sunday, May 6, 4:00-8:00 pm - Get your tickets now! Come party with your Haverim! CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets to our premier fundraiser event/party. Food, desserts, wine, and beer are included with the price of admission. You can also purchase raffle tickets and a seat at the casino tables. There will be plenty of opportunities to purchase more casino scrip, raffle tickets, specialty cocktail tickets, and wine wall "chances" at the event. Why are we doing this fundraiser? Because we care about our programming, our community, and each other. Buy your tickets now and support your favorite synagogue! Questions? Email Nancy Becker at nancyjbecker@gmail.com.

(9) Tikkun Leyl Shavuot: A Night of Learning, Connection, and Cheesecake for Teens and Adults, Saturday, May 19, 7:30 pm to Late - Please join us as we celebrate the festival of Shavuot by connecting with the wisdom of our tradition and with one another. Deborah Eisenbach-Budner will lead off the evening with “The Book of Ruth: Witnessing Personal and Spiritual Change.” At the same time, David Feder will facilitate some meaningful discussion for teens. At 9:00 pm we will all break for cheesecake, followed by more learning into the night for those who have the energy. Rabbi Benjamin will lead us in exploring texts and images of Revelation and Witness, and how we might understand the notion of revelation as progressive Jews today. Please RSVP here.

(10) Presence, Light, Manna: What We Need is Here - A Contemplative Shabbat, June 1-2 - Led by Rabbi Benjamin and Rabbi Joshua Boettiger of Emek Shalom in Ashland. Beginning Friday evening, then continuing all day Saturday from morning through Havdalah, we will immerse ourselves in contemplative Jewish practice. Through meditation, chanting, and prayer, supported by instruction and teaching, we will aim to open hearts and refine our awareness. Our time will be spent in silence, aside from prayer and chanting, as well as brief opportunities to check in about the practice. The retreat is open to everyone, regardless of experience. Registration to cover expenses is $40 for members of Havurah or Emek Shalom, $50 otherwise. You can register here. The Shabbat morning service and lunch following are open, with no registration needed. Contact Rabbi Benjamin at benjamin.barnett@havurahshalom.org with questions.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(1) Yom HaShoah Commemorative Service, Wednesday, April 11, 7:00 pm, Beth Israel, 1972 NW Flanders St - Join local Holocaust survivors, their families, rabbis, and community members for a candle lighting ceremony to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day. Please bring a yellow flower to symbolize life. Ceremony will include Ida Rae Cahana and Eyal Bitton, cantors; Ralph Huntley, piano; Andrew Ehrlich, violin; and the Teen Choir of Congregation Beth Israel and Neveh Shalom. Presented in partnership with Congregation Beth Israel and Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education. Free and open to the public.

(2) It is NOT too late to start Counting the Omer – or to add to your practice - The period between Passover and Shavuot marks two kinds of movement through time: the passage of the seven weeks between the barley offering and the first wheat offering at the ancient Temple during these spring festivals, and the transition from slavery to true liberation. On Passover we leave Egypt, but on Shavuot we receive the Torah, which gives us our purpose as a people, answering the question of the ultimate goal of our collective freedom. For many people, the "counting of the Omer"—these 49 days—provides a time for reflection and growth.
If you are curious about why and how people count the omer, you might find these resources helpful: Ritual Well and Reclaiming Judaism.

(3) Lotsa Helping Hands - “Lots of Helping Hands” and hearts have been reaching out to our Havurah families in this past month. Meals were prepared and delivered. Home visits and caregiver breaks provided the kind of support that families needed to catch a breath and renew themselves for the days of recovery ahead. And those who could not pitch in with meals or visits made phone calls to break up the long days. Cards were sent to cheer and remind folks that they are remembered. Thank you to the volunteers: cooks, phone callers, note writers, and sit and chat-ers. By the way, just because you “don’t cook,” doesn't mean you can't help. You can go to New Seasons or Whole Foods to buy a ready-made meal and then you can say, “I brought it with my own little hands."  Remember that it is a mitzvah to help another in need, and it is a mitzvah to allow another to help you. Learn more here.

(4) Eastside Community Commons - The Eastside Community Commons has approached Havurah about our interest in being a partner in their dreams of creating a Jewish community space on the Eastside of Portland. The vision for the project is to have a shared space used by many community organizations.  You can learn more here. The Steering Committee will have conversations over the next few months about whether we should partner in the visioning of what the Commons might become. If you are interested in seeing Havurah have a role in the Commons and/or have ideas of how we could be a part of this effort, please email Aaron Pearlman at aaron@pearlmanoffice.com.

(5) “Resisting Tyranny: Lessons from the European 20th Century," Sara Glasgow Cogan Memorial Lecture, Yale University Professor Timothy Snyder, Wednesday, April 25, 7:30 pm, PSU - If you are interested in attending, RSVP here soon, as the lecture may fill quickly. The recommendation is to arrive by 7:00 pm to ensure early admission and a seat with your RSVP.

(6) Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) Future Plans - We are excited to let you know that PHFS has made an offer to purchase a building that will be used as a permanent shelter and administrative office. This new shelter will have room for 26 families – more than three times the current capacity of eight families. Because the 24-hour shelter will be in a single location, it will provide a much more stable and supportive experience for the families. PHFS also made an offer to purchase eight adjacent housing units to provide affordable housing and has launched a capital campaign to raise the money to buy the building. Learn more.

(7) Opportunity for Young Adults - Moishe House Portland, a hub for young adult Jews in Portland, is looking for a new housemate aged 22-32 to move in with us and create Jewish community! The application deadline is May 6. Here are some benefits of the position: subsidized rent, budget to create events every month, scholarships and retreats, socializing and networking opportunities, leadership coaching, communal living, Shabbat leftovers! If you are interested or know someone who might be, please get in touch with me, Jake Sullivan, at Jake.moishepdx@gmail.com. You can apply by clicking here. Be sure you select the Portland Moishe House. Click here for more information about the larger Moishe House organization. Please help spread the word!

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

Havurah Shalom is a 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

HAVURAH HAPPENINGS (1) Upcoming Shabbat (2) Naturalists Hike This Friday (3) Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) Chanting (4) Kabbalat Shabbat with Hand in Hand (5) Cultural Humility Training (6) Everything You Don't Know About Electric Vehicles (7) New & Prospective Members Orientation (8) Tot Shabbat (9) White Ally Trainings (10) Book Group Discussion (11) Havurah Shindig - Registration is Open! (12) Contemplative Shabbat June 1-2

ANNOUNCEMENTS (1) Seeking Nominations for Steering Committee & Steering Committee Minutes (2) PHFS Future Plans & Dinner Donations (3) "The Forbidden Conversation" Tomorrow (5) Moishe House Residence Opening (6) "The Reluctant Radical"

If you're reading this in Gmail, click on "view entire message" at the lower left to see the complete weekly email.

(1) Community Minyan, Saturday, April 7, 10:00 am - Join Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah leaders and leyners, including Susan Brenner, Chaim Wolin, Ken Lerner, Marty Brown, Andy Waxman, Emily Simon, and Sam Sirkin, for a Shabbat service with Hallel and Yizkor. Torah readings encompass tithing, the Sabbatical year, Passover, and Shavuot.

(2) Havurah Naturalists Hike, Friday, April 6, 8:30 am-4:30 pm - You are invited to join the Havurah Naturalists Group on a beautiful hike to Falls Creek Falls in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington. It's a relatively easy hike of about two miles from the trailhead, along the rushing waters of Falls Creek to some spectacular falls. There should be some early spring wildflowers in bloom, and it is not uncommon to spot a herd of elk on our way to the trailhead. Bring lunch, snack, water, and rain gear, even if it's sunny. Hiking boots and poles are recommended. Optional items include a camera and binoculars. Meet at Jeff Gottfried's home at 8:30 am to carpool. Contact Jeff with any questions at jeff@gottfried.net. (Above photo was taken along the Falls Creek Falls trail.)

(3) Lev Tahor Chanting, Monday, April 9, 7:00-8:30 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. Lev Tahor Chanting is open to anyone – no experience, musical ability, or commitment necessary. It is free for members; non-members are asked to make a small donation to Havurah Shalom.

(4) Kabbalat Shabbat, Friday, April 13, 7:30-8:30 pm - We are excited to host three representatives from Hand in Hand, Center for Jewish-Arab Education in Israel, at the service: Noa Yammer, a senior Hand in Hand staff member, and Alma Saporta (who is Jewish) and Vicky Makhoul (who is Arab), both recent graduates of Hand in Hand’s flagship school in Jerusalem. The service is preceded by a catered dinner at 6:30 pm, which requires advance registration. Due to space limitations, we must limit seats for the dinner, so please sign up here as soon as possible to be assured of a seat. Registration will close when seats are filled; however, RSVP no later than noon on Wednesday, April 11. If your RSVP is being mailed, please let the office know. All are welcome to attend the service at 7:30 pm - no RSVP required. Childcare is available. (Students of Hand in Hand pictured below.)

(5) Cultural Humility Training, Sunday, April 15, 3:00-5:00 pm, Havurah Shalom - Learn about best practices in communicating with people from cultural backgrounds different from ours. Lynn Reer will lead this training. She has a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics and has been working as a teacher trainer for many years. She will give us some tips on ways to challenge our cultural perspectives so we can honor individuals as they truly are, as members of a culture with customs and practices we may not be familiar with. We will bring in two "cultural informants," one whose native culture is Mexican, the other, Somali, to look at examples of communication misunderstandings. Please RSVP to Deb Kallen at debkall2010@gmail.com.

(6) Everything You Don't Know About Electric Vehicles, Monday, April 16, 7:00-8:30 pm - Paul Reno, retired faculty member of the Marine Science Center at Oregon State University, will present a brief history of electric cars. He will dive deep into what you need to know: types of EVs, cost, effect of weather and accessories on battery life, charging issues, environmental impact and more. He will also briefly discuss fuel cell vehicles. A question and answer period will follow. Co-sponsors: Northwest 350PDX and Havurah Climate Action Team. For additional information, contact Kahler Martinson at martinsonkahler@yahoo.com or Steve Birkel at sjbirkel@gmail.com.

(7) New & Prospective Members Spring Oneg Orientation, Saturday, April 21, 12:00-1:30 pm - Did you join Havurah during the past 18 months? Do you have questions about our history, our committees and affinity groups, and our future plans? If so, join us for our annual orientation for new and prospective members. It begins with a vegetarian oneg lunch, and childcare will be available. You'll hear from Havurah leaders, including Rabbi Benjamin and Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, and have plenty of time to ask them questions. You're also invited to the community minyan before the orientation, which begins at 10:00 am, and/or to Tot Shabbat, which is from 10:30-11:30 am that morning. Please RSVP here by Wednesday, April 18, if you can join us for the orientation!

(8) Tot Shabbat, Saturday, April 21, 10:30-11:30 am - Young children and their parents celebrate Shabbat with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. We touch on the main highlights of the Shabbat morning service: wonder, fun, song, listening to the world, dancing, and Torah. Tot Shabbat is fashioned for the under-6 crowd, but older kids are welcome (and can help tell a story, etc.). Afterwards, we enjoy an informal potluck oneg nosh and the chance to play and schmooze. Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. Please RSVP here.

(9) White Ally Trainings, Sunday, April 22, 2:30-5:30 pm, First Congregational UCC, and Tuesday, April 24, 9:00 am-noon, Muslim Education Trust (MET) - Learn tools and skills to effectively engage with people who don't think racism is real. Trainings are led by David Campt, a nationally renowned trainer who developed the White Ally Toolkit. This is a continuation of the equity work Havurah has been doing for several years, including the SURJ (Stand Up for Racial Justice) training we had for parents at Havurah in January. If several of us attend a training, our collective learnings will empower us all! For April 22, the cost is $15-$45, sliding scale. Register here. For April 24, the cost is $45 without lunch and $60 with lunch. Contact MET if you're interested in a sliding scale. Register here. Please email Susan Rosenthall if you register so Havurahniks can watch for each other at the training and possibly carpool.

(10) Book Discussion Group, Tuesday, April 24, 7:00-8:30 pm - Reports of growing water shortages around the world underscore the urgent need to find solutions. Based on meticulous research and hundreds of interviews, Seth Siegel's book Let There Be Water reveals the history, methods, and techniques behind Israel’s ability to lead the world in cutting-edge water technology. Israel not only solved the water problem within its desert, but it also supplies water to others. This book also discusses how cooperation on water systems can forge diplomatic ties and promote unity. Phil and Marjorie Walters will lead the discussion, and Phil will offer a means to assess our own household water usage. Michael Heumann, who heads the Havurah Climate Action team, will add local perspectives about water issues on our horizon. Join us! RSVP here.
 

(11) Havurah Shindig, Tickets Now Available Online, Sunday, May 6, 4:00-8:00 pm - Get your tickets now! Come party with your Haverim! CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets to our premier fundraiser event/party. Food, desserts, wine, and beer are included with the price of admission. You can also purchase raffle tickets and a seat at the casino tables. There will be plenty of opportunities to purchase more casino scrip, raffle tickets, specialty cocktail tickets, and wine wall "chances" at the event. Why are we doing this fundraiser? Because we care about our programming, our community, and each other. Buy your tickets now and support your favorite synagogue! Questions? Email Nancy Becker at nancyjbecker@gmail.com.

(12) Presence, Light, Manna: What We Need is Here - A Contemplative Shabbat, June 1-2 - Led by Rabbi Benjamin and Rabbi Joshua Boettiger of Emek Shalom in Ashland. Beginning Friday evening, then continuing all day Saturday from morning through Havdalah, we will immerse ourselves in contemplative Jewish practice. Through meditation, chanting, and prayer, supported by instruction and teaching, we will aim to open hearts and refine our awareness. Our time will be spent in silence, aside from prayer and chanting, as well as brief opportunities to check in about the practice. The retreat is open to everyone, regardless of experience. Registration to cover expenses is $40 for members of Havurah or Emek Shalom, $50 otherwise. You can register here. The Shabbat morning service and lunch following are open, with no registration needed. Contact Rabbi Benjamin at benjamin.barnett@havurahshalom.org with questions.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(1) Nominating Committee Looks for New Steering Members - Havurah's Nominating Committee has started work to fill positions for next year's Steering Committee, including Vice President and Limud (Education) Lead. We are looking for motivated Havurah members who want to be involved in a hands-on manner with our governance and planning. New Steering members will be presented for election following the Congregational Meeting on June 3. According to Havurah bylaws, there will be a 10-day period to submit additional nominations before the voting period. If you have questions about positions, please contact one of the Nominating Committee members: Eve Berry, berryev@yahoo.com; Janice Kettler, jket123@gmail.com; Julia Lager-Mesulam, lagermes@gmail.com; Aaron Pearlman, aaron@pearlmanoffice.com; and Debbi Nadell, debbinadell@gmail.com.

Steering Committee Minutes - You can read the February Steering Committee minutes and reports here.

(2) Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) Future Plans - We are excited to let you know that PHFS has made an offer to purchase a building that will be used as a permanent shelter and administrative office. This new shelter will have room for 26 families – more than three times the current capacity of eight families. Because the 24-hour shelter will be in a single location, it will provide a much more stable and supportive experience for the families. PHFS also made an offer to purchase eight adjacent housing units to provide affordable housing and has launched a capital campaign to raise the money to buy the building. Learn more here.

Meal Making/Drop Off Option for PHFS Shelters - Prepare a meal that can be used when it’s most needed! Meals can be breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Food may be home-prepared, pre-made from the grocery store, or restaurant-made. Freezer-friendly meals are encouraged. This is a delivery-only task and is also a financial contribution. Thank you for your generosity! Please coordinate drop-off times with Volunteer Manager Bethany Rocci at bethany@pdxfhs.org.

(3) "The Forbidden Conversation," J-Street Speaker Event, Thursday, April 5, 7:00-9:00 pm, Havurah Shalom - "The Forbidden Conversation," written and performed by Gili Getz, is a personal journey into the past and future, exploring the difficulty of talking openly about Israel. The one-act play will be followed by a conversation. Video clip & additional information here. Questions? Contact Fran Payne Adler at fpayneadler@csumb.edu.

(4) Opportunity for Young Adults - Moishe House Portland, a hub for young adult Jews in Portland, is looking for a new housemate aged 22-32 to move in with us and create Jewish community! The application deadline is May 6. Here are some benefits of the position: subsidized rent, budget to create events every month, scholarships and retreats, socializing and networking opportunities, leadership coaching, communal living, Shabbat leftovers! If you are interested or know someone who might be, please get in touch with me, Jake Sullivan, at Jake.moishepdx@gmail.com. You can apply by clicking here. Be sure you select the Portland Moishe House. Click here for more information about the larger Moishe House organization. Please help spread the word!

(5) "The Reluctant Radical," Portland premiere, Saturday, April 21, 7:30 pm, Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy Blvd. - In 2016, Lindsey Grayzel was arrested and charged with felonies while filming a climate activist. Come see the finished film at its Portland premiere. The film follows Ken through a series of direct actions, culminating with an action that shuts down all the U.S. tar sands oil pipelines and threatens to put him behind bars for 20 years. No RSVP is required, though pre-order of tickets is highly recommended, as the screening may sell out: bit.ly/ecofilmRR.

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

Havurah Shalom is a 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

HAVURAH HAPPENINGS (1) Upcoming Shabbat (2) Immigration Seder-Vigil (3) Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) Chanting (4) Kabbalat Shabbat with Hand in Hand (5) Cultural Humility Training (6) Everything You Don't Know About Electric Vehicles (7) New & Prospective Members Orientation (8) Tot Shabbat (9) White Ally Training (10) Havurah Shindig

ANNOUNCEMENTS (1) Passover Video from Tikkun Olam (2) "The Forbidden Conversation" on April 5 (3) Seeking Nominations for Steering Committee (4) Portland Homeless Family Solutions Future Plans (5) Yom Ha'Aretz (6) Shabbat School Registration

If you're reading this in Gmail, click on "view entire message" at the lower left to see the complete weekly email.

HAVURAH HAPPENINGS

(1) Upcoming Shabbat - Community Minyan, Saturday, March 31, 10:00 am-12:00 pm - This Saturday, Ken Lerner, Natalie Lerner, Diane Chaplin, Maria Lisa Johnson, Chaim Wolin, Emily Simon and Sam Sirkin will lead, read Torah, and drash at our Shabbat Pesach Community Minyan. Join us!

(2) Immigration Seder Vigil, Thursday, March 29, 10:00-11:00 am at 4302 SW Macadam - The Sanctuary Committee of Havurah Shalom, along with other Jewish congregations, will be hosting a symbolic seder vigil at the ICE immigration building as part of the monthly IMIrJ (Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Rights) vigils. We will share how our Jewish story of being slaves in Egypt, to being refugees for a generation, to finally reaching liberation, is directly connected to the plight of immigrants in our country today. Passover comes at a time this year when decisions about DACA will be having a major impact on so many families. We invite you to attend this meaningful gathering and to lift our collective voices to denounce the persecution of immigrants and show our support. Questions? Contact marciasuttenberg@comcast.net.

(3) Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) Chanting, Monday, April 9, 7:00-8:30 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. Lev Tahor Chanting 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 to Havurah Shalom.

(4) Kabbalat Shabbat, Friday, April 13, 7:30-8:30 pm - We are excited to host three representatives from Hand in Hand, Center for Jewish-Arab Education in Israel, at our April Kabbalat Shabbat service: Noa Yammer, a senior Hand in Hand staff member, and Alma Saporta (who is Jewish) and Vicky Makhoul (who is Arab), both recent graduates of Hand in Hand’s flagship school in Jerusalem. Hand in Hand was founded by Havurah member Lee Gordon and has established a network of integrated schools and shared communities for Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel. The Kabbalat Shabbat service is preceded by a catered dinner at 6:30 pm, which requires advance registration. Due to space limitations, we must limit seats for the dinner, so please sign up here as soon as possible to be assured of a seat. Registration will close when seats are filled; however, RSVP no later than noon on Wednesday, April 11. If your RSVP is being mailed, please let the office know. All are welcome to attend the service at 7:30 pm - no RSVP required. Childcare is available.

Pictured above are students of Hand in Hand.

(5) Cultural Humility Training, Sunday, April 15, 3:00-5:00 pm, Havurah Shalom - Learn about best practices in communicating with people from cultural backgrounds different from ours. Lynn Reer will lead this training. She has a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics and has been working as a teacher trainer for many years. She will give us some tips on ways to challenge our cultural perspectives so we can honor individuals as they truly are, as members of a culture with customs and practices we may not be familiar with. We will bring in two "cultural informants," one whose native culture is Mexican, the other, Somali, to look at examples of communication misunderstandings. Please RSVP to Deb Kallen at debkall2010@gmail.com.

(6) Everything You Don't Know About Electric Vehicles, Monday, April 16, 7:00-8:30 pm - Paul Reno, retired faculty member of the Marine Science Center at Oregon State University, will present a brief history of electric cars. He will dive deep into what you need to know: types of EVs, cost, effect of weather and accessories on battery life, charging issues, environmental impact and more. He will also briefly discuss fuel cell vehicles. A question and answer period will follow. Co-sponsors: Northwest 350PDX and Havurah Climate Action Team. For additional information, contact Kahler Martinson at martinsonkahler@yahoo.com or Steve Birkel at sjbirkel@gmail.com.

(7) New & Prospective Members Oneg Orientation, Saturday, April 21, 12:00-1:30 pm - Did you join Havurah during the past 18 months? Do you have questions about our history, our committees and affinity groups, and our future plans? If so, join us for our annual orientation for new and prospective members. It will begin with a vegetarian oneg lunch, and childcare will be available. You'll hear from Rabbi Benjamin, Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, co-presidents and cluster leads. You're also invited to the community minyan before the orientation, which begins at 10:00 am, and/or to Tot Shabbat, which is from 10:30-11:30 am that morning. Please RSVP here by Wednesday, April 18, if you can join us for the orientation!

(8) Tot Shabbat, Saturday, April 21, 10:30-11:30 am - Young children and their parents celebrate Shabbat with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. We touch on the main highlights of the Shabbat morning service: wonder, fun, song, listening to the world, dancing, and Torah. Tot Shabbat is fashioned for the under-6 crowd, but older kids are welcome (and can help tell a story, etc.). Afterwards, we enjoy an informal potluck oneg nosh and the chance to play and schmooze. Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. Please RSVP here.

(9) White Ally Training, Sunday, April 22, 2:30-5:30 pm, First Congregational UCC, or Tuesday, April 24, 9:00 am-12:00 pm, Muslim Education Trust (MET) in Tigard - Tools and skills to effectively engage with people who don't think racism is real. These trainings are led by David Campt, a nationally renowned trainer who developed the White Ally Toolkit. This is a continuation of the equity work Havurah has been doing over the last several years, including the SURJ (Stand Up for Racial Justice) training for parents held at Havurah in January. We hope a number of Havurah members will decide to attend one of these two trainings. Our collective learnings will empower us all! For the April 22 training, the cost is $15-$45, sliding scale. Register here. For the April 24 training, the cost is $45 without lunch and $60 with lunch. If you need a sliding scale, please contact the people at MET. Register here. Please email Susan Rosenthall at sarosenthall@msn.com if you plan to attend one of the trainings, so Havurah members can look for each other at the training and possibly carpool.

(10) Havurah Shindig, Sunday, May 6, 4:00-8:00 pm - Come eat, drink, enjoy old friends and make new friends, at the Havurah Shindig! We've made a commitment to raise $10,000 for our general funds and we're going to do it while having fun and getting to know each other better. We'll have music, a little gambling, perhaps some dancing - and a wine wall! We'll have a raffle and plenty of prizes to bid for (not an auction though!) Brief live entertainment for our Mitzvah Moment, featuring some of Havurah's cleverest performers! For babysitting, we will be setting up a concierge service. Watch for details. Registration will be open soon. Mark your calendars and be there or be square! Questions? Contact Nancy Becker at nancyjbecker@gmail.com.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(1) Passover Video from Tikkun Olam - Havurah's Tikkun Olam Committee often sends members a reading to consider including in their seders. This year they are sending a link to this 14-minute video about American soldiers held as Prisoners of War during WWII. The committee isn't suggesting that everyone watch it during their seder, but it could stimulate discussion. While clearly about liberation and standing up to oppression, there is an extra clue to its Passover "connection" near the end. You can find many other resources for planning your seder here on our Pesach web page.

(2) "The Forbidden Conversation," J-Street Speaker Event, Thursday, April 5, 7:00-9:00 pm, Havurah Shalom - "The Forbidden Conversation," written and performed by Gili Getz, is a personal journey into the past and future, exploring the difficulty of talking openly about Israel. The one-act play will be followed by a conversation. Video clip & additional information here. Questions? Contact Fran Payne Adler at fpayneadler@csumb.edu.

(3) Nominating Committee Looks for New Steering Members - Havurah's Nominating Committee has started work to fill positions for next year's Steering Committee, Including Vice President and Limud (Education) Lead. We are looking for motivated Havurah members who want to be involved in a hands-on manner with our governance and planning. New Steering members will be presented for election following the Congregational Meeting on June 3. According to Havurah bylaws, there will be a 10-day period to submit additional nominations before the voting period. If you have questions about positions, please contact one of the Nominating Committee members: Eve Berry, berryev@yahoo.com; Janice Kettler, jket123@gmail.com; Julia Lager-Mesulam, lagermes@gmail.com; Aaron Pearlman, aaron@pearlmanoffice.com; and Debbi Nadell, debbinadell@gmail.com.

(4) Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) Future Plans - We are excited to let you know that PHFS has made an offer to purchase a building that will be used as a permanent shelter and administrative office. This new shelter will have room for 26 families – more than three times the current capacity of eight families. Because the 24-hour shelter will be in a single location, it will provide a much more stable and supportive experience for the families. PHFS also made an offer to purchase eight adjacent housing units to provide affordable housing and has launched a capital campaign to raise the money to buy the building. Learn more here.

Meal Making/Drop Off Option for PHFS Shelters - Prepare a meal that can be used when it’s most needed! Meals can be breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Food may be home-prepared, pre-made from the grocery store, or restaurant-made. Freezer-friendly meals are encouraged. This is a delivery-only position and is also a financial contribution. Thank you for your generosity! Please coordinate drop-off times with Volunteer Manager Bethany Rocci at bethany@pdxfhs.org.

(5) Yom Ha'Aretz at Havurah - Last week we wrote about ways to decrease food waste at Havurah. This week it's what to do with the unavoidable "drek." Here's the scoop. Most liquids, such as juices, can be put down the drain. Solid food waste goes into the compost, not the garbage. Try bringing a dish to your classroom to collect the peelings and crumbs. These small quantities can be left in the little compost tubs in the kitchen. For bigger events you can put a bowl near the dirty dishes and tell attendees what this is for. Please take large amounts outside to the green bin in Havurah's locked garbage closet. Let your caterer know that Havurah follows city policy and composts food waste. Kids, show your parents; parents, teach your children. We believe that even these small actions are useful and important. More from your Climate Action Team next week.

(6) Shabbat School Registration - Havurah Shalom Shabbat School is for Havurah families with children in grades K-6. This program is designed to bring families together for learning and teaching. With the direction and support of our education staff, parents work together in teams to plan and implement the curriculum and community building activities for their child’s grade. All levels of experience are welcome at Shabbat School – nobody knows too little (or too much) to be part of a teaching team! The cost for this year long program is $100 for one child, and $180 (total) for two or more children. Our Shabbat School program starts with our Family Summit on May 12 (3:00-5:00 pm). Each grade’s class also organizes various community building events throughout the summer. Parents are required to attend the summit. For more information, please visit the Shabbat School page of our website. Register for Shabbat School 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 a 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

Did you join Havurah during the past 18 months? Are you considering joining Havurah?

If so, you are invited to Havurah's annual orientation for new and prospective members on Saturday, April 21, from 12:00–1:30 pm. The orientation will begin with an oneg lunch, and childcare will be available.

At the orientation, you will hear from Havurah leaders about our history, current activities, and future plans. You are also invited to the community minyan before the orientation, which begins at 10:00 am and includes music, davening, Torah reading, and an animated discussion of the Torah portion. Or you can join us for Tot Shabbat that morning, which is from 10:30-11:30 am. Learn more and RSVP here for Tot Shabbat.

Please RSVP here by Wednesday, April 18, for the orientation. No RSVP is required for the community minyan.

Hope to see you on April 21!

Havurah Shalom is a 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

HAVURAH HAPPENINGS (1) Dorot Shabbat (2) Bat Mitzvah of Serena Goldstone (3) Tikkun Olam Listening Opportunity (4) "Living While Dying" March Movie Night (5) Portland Homeless Family Solutions (6) Book Discussion Group (7) Immigration Seder/Vigil (8) Welcoming Our Fellow Havurahniks for Passover (9) April Kabbalat Shabbat with Hand in Hand (10) Not an Auction! Havurah Shindig

ANNOUNCEMENTS (1) Message from Andi Bales Molnar (2) Statement from Staff Disappearing Task Force (3) Expanding Lotsa Helping Hands (4) Shabbat School Registration (5) Climbing Through Mitzrayim with the Tree of Life (6) Art and Spirit: Finding Yourself in the Story

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Above is a photo of one of two murals now on the walls of Havurah's courtyard, thanks to Portland artist Lynn Takata, Havurah Design Committee Chair Joan Peck, and other members of the Design Committee. Havurah members of all ages created the tiles for the murals, which were blessed last Saturday during the Havdalah celebration at the close of Shabbat School.

(1) Dorot Shabbat, Friday, March 16, 6:00-7:30 pm - Join us for this casual, family-friendly, and music-filled service. Beginning with candle lighting, Kiddush and challah, the service continues with prayers and music, followed by a vegetarian potluck dinner. Led by Jacob Mandelsberg, Sarah Shine, Gabe Adoff, Tanja Lux, and Ilene Moss. 6:00 pm Service, 6:45 pm Potluck. RSVP here.

(2) Bat Mitzvah of Serena Goldstone, Saturday, March 17, 10:00 am-12:00 pm - This Saturday Serena Goldstone, daughter of Caroline and Jeremy Goldstone, will be called to the Torah as a bat mitzvah. Please join us in celebrating with Serena and her family, and welcome Serena as a member of our community!

(3) Tikkun Olam Listening Opportunity: Tell Us What Issues Are Important to You, Sunday, March 18, 10:30 am-12:30 pm - Events happening around us may cause you to wonder or be concerned about justice, fairness, or compassion. The Metropolitan Alliance for Common Good (MACG) Core Team of the Tikkun Olam Committee wants to hear from you. What are the pressures that directly affect you, your family or friends? For example, do you have an adult child who can't find affordable housing? Are your children discussing their concerns about the environment and climate change with you? Do you have friends afraid to leave their homes because of ICE? Is something going on in the public schools that you think isn’t right? You are invited to this Sunday morning gathering to share your perspectives through dialogue with other Havurah members. Bagels and lox (and more) will be provided. RSVP to Michael Heumann at heumanncycle@gmail.com if you can come, and let him know if you'll need childcare.

(4) “Living While Dying," March Movie Night, Sunday, March 18, 7:00-9:00 pm - Death is a big mystery, yet the outcome is 100 percent certain. How do you plan for the unknown? Filmmaker Cathy Zheutlin tells the stories of four friends with terminal illness who chose to live out their final days at home with creativity humor and courage. It is loving, hopeful and full of joy. "Living While Dying" transforms sorrow and fear into inspiration and beauty.

The film will be followed by a panel discussion with Rabbi Benjamin, Havurah member and OHSU oncologist Charles Blanke, Havurah member and palliative care physician Karen Erde, and Susan Hedlund, Manager of Patient and Family Support Services at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. The discussion will be moderated by Keren McCord, Havurah member and LCSW, Knight Cancer Institute. Learn more and RSVP here.

(5) Portland Homeless Family Solutions Volunteer Orientations, March 20 & 21 - Lots of homeless folks out there, lots of Havurahniks wanting to help! If you are one of those Havurahniks who has not yet taken the one-hour orientation at any of the PHFS shelters, here are some more opportunities (RSVP is required to Bethany Rocci, with date of orientation): Goose Hollow, 1838 SW Jefferson, Tuesday, March 20, 4:00 pm; Family Winter Shelter, Beth Israel, Wednesday, March 21, 4:00 pm. For more info, contact Gloria Halper at losninos6@gmail.com.

(6) Book Discussion Group, Tuesday, March 27, 7:00-8:30 pm - Please join us for a discussion of Rivington Street by Meredith Tax. This sprawling historical novel follows the fortunes of four enterprising, courageous Jewish women on New York's Lower East Side. Hannah Levy masterminds her family's escape, despite her radical husband's objections, from czarist Russia after the Kishinev pogroms; elder daughter Sarah becomes a union organizer and a socialist while the younger Ruby rises to the top of the fashion design world; their friend Rachel abandons her ultra-Orthodox background to work for The Jewish Daily Forward. Through their lives, loves, and convictions, Meredith Tax draws the reader irresistibly into the explosive events that shaped women's possibilities in the early twentieth century. Sharon Reyes, who will lead the discussion, says, “this book, an engaging read, is a lovely complement to The Family that we read previously.” RSVP here.

(7) Immigration Seder/Vigil, Thursday, March 29, 10-11:00 am at 4302 SW Macadam - The Sanctuary Committee of Havurah Shalom, along with other Jewish congregations, will be hosting a symbolic Seder vigil at the ICE immigration building as part of the monthly IMIrJ (Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Rights) vigils. We will share how our Jewish story of being slaves in Egypt, to being refugees for a generation, to finally reaching liberation, is directly connected to the plight of immigrants in our country today. Passover comes at a time this year when decisions about DACA will be having a major impact on so many families. We invite you to attend this meaningful gathering and to lift our collective voices to denounce the persecution of immigrants and show our support. Questions? Contact marciasuttenberg@comcast.net.

The above Wikimedia photo is of a painting by Mathilde Hahn Meyer.

(8) Welcoming Our Fellow Havurahniks for Passover - This year for Passover, instead of hosting a community seder at Havurah, we are linking Havurah members in search of a seder with Havurah members who can welcome additional guests at their seder. This is a great opportunity to get to know other Havurah members better and to make our community connections stronger! If possible, we will try to link people with seders in their neighborhoods. If you are hosting a seder in your home this year and have room for one or more guests, please complete the form below. Then if a Havurah member calls our office in the hope of attending a seder, we can tell you about the member's interest, and you can extend an invitation to them yourself and provide any additional information they need to know about your seder. Thank you for helping bring our Havurah family closer together!

Pictured above are students of Hand in Hand.

(9) Kabbalat Shabbat, Friday, April 13, 7:30-8:30 pm - Join one of Portland’s most musical and spirited Shabbat gatherings, led by Rabbi Benjamin and our talented Havurah musicians. On April 13, we are excited to host three representatives from Hand in Hand: Center for Jewish-Arab Education in Israel: Noa Yammer, a senior Hand in Hand staff member, and Alma Saporta (who is Jewish) and Vicky Makhoul (who is Arab), both recent graduates of Hand in Hand’s flagship school in Jerusalem. They will join us for Shabbat dinner and will speak after the short Friday evening service. Hand in Hand was founded by Havurah member Lee Gordon, and it has established a network of integrated schools and shared communities for Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel.

The Kabbalat Shabbat service is preceded by a catered dinner at 6:30 pm, which requires advance registration. Due to space limitations, we must limit seats for the dinner, so please sign up as soon as possible to be assured of a seat. Registration will close when seats are filled; however, RSVP no later than noon on Wednesday, April 11. If your RSVP is being mailed, please let the office know. All are welcome to attend the service at 7:30 pm - no RSVP is required. Childcare is available.
 

(10) Havurah Shindig, Sunday, May 6, 4:00-8:00 pm - Not an auction! Mark your calendar: May 6 is our Havurah Shindig, our mix and mingle fundraiser (4:00-8:00 pm). Lounge and schmooze in our nightclub, gamble at our casino, enjoy delicious appetizers, desserts and signature cocktails. Adults only. Buy tickets here! If you’d like to help in any way or have questions, contact Nancy Becker at nancyjbecker@gmail.com.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(1) Message from Andi Bales Molnar - Dear Havurah Community, It is with a heavy heart that I will be leaving my role as Program Director on March 23, 2018. I have been offered and accepted a position with the State of Oregon, in the field of early childhood education. It was a difficult choice to accept, as I have truly loved my work here at Havurah Shalom. In my short time here, I have been equally impressed with the community at large and each individual I have met. From the interview process to my interactions with Shabbat School families to my collaboration with Rabbi Benjamin, Deborah, Teri, Rachel, Ilene and Carrie. I have felt warmly welcomed. I have deeply appreciated the opportunity to serve this community. Becoming connected to this community has been a blessing in my life. My family and I hope to remain connected to this wonderful community. I want to especially thank Julia Lager-Mesulam, Chris Coughlin, Janet Byrd and Lisa Cordova for all the work they have done to support me and bring this position into action. Additionally, I want to thank Ed Glad and Bill Kwitman for creating a great working space for the Program Director. I know that the next person in this role will have the same support and be successful. Warmly, Andi Bales Molnar

(2) Statement From Staffing DTF - On behalf of the Staffing DTF (Disappearing Task Force), Chris Coughlin, Lisa Cordova, Janet Byrd and Julia Lager-Mesulam, we want to thank Andi for her work during her time at Havurah and we wish her the best with this new opportunity. We will be posting the position shortly and will share the link with the community so you can share with your networks. In the interim, Carrie Kirschner, the former ACE, is able to come back and provide coverage for ACE tasks until we fill the Program Director position. Thank you, Carrie! Carrie will cover those ACE responsibilities specific to Shabbat School, Middle School and High School. We ask for your patience with staff and leadership during this time of transition. Please communicate with the Staffing DTF if you have questions or concerns at lagermes@gmail.com.

(3) LOTSA HELPING HANDS: Do you know what it is? How it works? Who can use it?

Pictured above are two of the four new Lotsa Helping Hands community leaders: Linda Appel and Susan Lazareck. Photo by Sandy Ramirez.

LOTSA HELPING HANDS was for many years in the capable hands of Lisa Kenn. She was attentive, thoughtful and organized in finding those HELPING HANDS in our community. Thank you Lisa! Recently, the baton has been passed to new coordinators, in fact, four new coordinators. We are Linda Appel, Ted Scheinman, Emily Kurzweil and Susan Lazareck.
 
Lotsa Helping Hands enables Havurah community members to schedule and sign up for tasks to help members going through challenging times. This could include making and delivering meals, providing transportation to medical appointments, and making home visits. Tasks are posted on the Lotsa Helping Hands calendar by a coordinator and requesting member. Volunteers can easily see what is needed and sign up for individual tasks, and an email can be sent to the Lotsa Helping Hands network of volunteers, alerting them to the need for help. Regular reminders are sent to volunteers who sign up so no one forgets their commitments.
 
So if you have a new baby and need a break, a meal, a shoulder to lean on…we have volunteers for you. Knee or hip surgery? Give your caregivers a break, get meals delivered with a smile and maybe have a chat to pass the time (or not, if you need to rest). Havurah members are here for  you! Read more here on the Havurah Shalom website.

(4) Shabbat School Registration Opens March 20 - Havurah Shalom Shabbat School is for Havurah families with children in grades K-6. This program is designed to bring families together for learning and teaching. With the direction and support of our education staff, parents work together in teams to plan and implement the curriculum and community building activities for their child’s grade. All levels of experience are welcome at Shabbat School – nobody knows too little (or too much) to be part of a teaching team! The cost for this year long program is $100 for one child, and $180 (total) for two or more children. Our Shabbat School program starts with our Family Summit on May 12 (3:00-5:00 pm). Each grade’s class also organizes various community building events throughout the summer. Parents are required to attend the summit. For more information, please visit the Shabbat School page of our website.

(5) Climbing Through Mitzrayim With The Tree Of Life, March 20-May 15, 2929 SW Multnomah Blvd, Portland - Taught by Havurah member Hariett Cooke. Following Pesach, the ancient Kabbalists encouraged us to use the lower seven sefirot as a pathway of emotional inner reflection and development that unfolds into the physical reality of our everyday lives. The weeks leading up to Passover, invite us to use the upper sefirot to meditate and reflect on where we are stuck, the narrow places we are ready to move through. Climbing Through Mitzrayim is a nine-week class involving meditation, study, reflection, writing, sharing, energy medicine, and prayer. Through community we support each other in identifying, moving through our stuck places, and courageously stepping out into a more inspired, compassionate, courageous, empowered, connected, and joyful life. Learn more on this flier.

(6) Art and Spirit: Finding Yourself in the Story with Havurah Member Cassandra Sagan on Sunday, March 25, 2:00-4:00 pm, MJCC - Step into the Living Torah! Beginning in text, we’ll flow between simple, brief, incremental forms of “sacred play,” and time to create through our chosen art form, written or visual. Using voice, movement, story, stillness, and a bissel silliness, we’ll learn ways to cultivate personal midrash. Through embodied Torah study, we find ways to discover and express meaning, EVEN WHEN WE CAN’T ARTICULATE IT. Bring your own notebook or art supplies. Cassandra Sagan is an ordained Maggid, educator, poet, artist, songwriter, and InterPlay leader who is on the faculty of Reclaiming Judaism’s Maggid-Educator Training Program. Presented by ORA: NW Jewish Artists, MJCC, and Reclaiming Judaism. Learn more on this flier.

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

Havurah Shalom is a 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

HAVURAH HAPPENINGS (1) Upcoming Shabbat (2) Cooking for Goose Hollow (3) Portland Homeless Family Shelter Orientations (4) Not an Auction! Planning Meeting for Havurah Shindig (5) Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) Chanting (6) How to Love With All Your Heart, Soul, and Might: Listening to the Shema (7) Dorot Shabbat (8) Tikkun Olam Listening Opportunity (9) "Living While Dying" - March Movie Night (10) Book Group Discussion (11) Immigration Seder/Vigil (12) Welcoming Our Fellow Havurahniks for Passover

ANNOUNCEMENTS (1) Photos & Thanks for Live the Chai Life Purim Celebration (2) "Desert Wounds" Movie (3) Share Your Hopes for Havurah (4) Fair Trade Organic Kosher for Passover Chocolate

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(1) UPCOMING SHABBAT
 

Kabbalat Shabbat, Friday, March 9, 7:30-8:30 pm - Dinner RSVP Deadline is Noon Today - RSVP here! Join one of Portland’s most musical and spirited Shabbat gatherings, led by Rabbi Benjamin and our talented Havurah musicians. Childcare is available. The service is preceded by a catered dinner at 6:30 pm, which requires advance registration. Due to space limitations, we must limit seats for the dinner, so please sign up as soon as possible to be assured of a seat.  Registration will close when seats are filled; however, RSVP no later than noon on Wednesday, March 7. If your RSVP is being mailed, please let the office know. All are welcome to attend the service at 7:30 pm - no RSVP required. If you are unable to attend the dinner, we hope you will join us for services starting at 7:30 pm.

Discovering Shabbat Morning, Saturday, March 10, 10:00-11:30 am - Join this upbeat workshop/minyan where we will walk through the Shabbat morning service, 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. Deborah Eisenbach-Budner will be leading, along with other community members. Childcare is available every Saturday morning for children 0-9. Light lunch provided afterwards with your RSVP here.

Mosaic Unveiling, Saturday, March 10, 4:45 pm, Bet Knesset & Courtyard - Join with us in unveiling our community art project, the courtyard mosaics. Working with artist, Lynn Takata, many in the congregation community have helped to create this beautiful addition to our entrance courtyard. Be there on Saturday, March 10, after Shabbat School Havdalah, to sing and bless our artistic creation. Questions? Contact Joan Peck at joan.peck@icloud.com. The above photo by Barbara Gundle is of one of the tiles in the mural.

(2) Cooking for Goose Hollow & Family Winter Homeless Shelter, Thursday, March 8, 10:00 am-12:30 pm and 3:30-5:00 pm - Tivnu, a nonprofit started by Steven Eisenbach-Budner, is bringing a group of Jewish students from Palo Alto to Portland during the first week in March. On March 8, some of these students, under the guidance of Kathy Jaffe, will prepare and cook dinners to be served at the Goose Hollow and Family Winter Homeless shelters. We would like to have two more adults helping at each of the two shifts: 10:00 am-12:30 pm, and 3:30-5:00 pm. Please contact Kathy Jaffe if you can help.

(3) Portland Homeless Family Solutions Volunteer Orientations, March 11, 12, 20 & 21 - Lots of homeless folks out there, lots of Havurahniks wanting to help! If you are one of those Havurahniks who has not yet taken the one-hour orientation at any of PHFS' three shelters, here are some more opportunities (RSVP is required to Bethany Rocci, with date of orientation): Family Winter Shelter, Beth Israel, Sunday, March 11, 2:00 pm, and Wednesday, March 21, 4:00 pm; and Goose Hollow, 1838 SW Jefferson, Monday, March 12, 5:00 pm, and Tuesday, March 20, 4:00 pm. For more info, contact Gloria Halper at losninos6@gmail.com.

(4) Not an Auction! Shaping our Havurah Shindig, Monday, March 12, 4:00 pm - We're off and running - shaping the Havurah Shindig for May 6. We have new ideas, quirky and fun plans, and we'd like YOU to participate! Our meeting will focus on big and little ways that you can be involved. All are welcome. Questions? Contact Nancy Becker at nancyjbecker@gmail.com.

(6) How to Love with All Your Heart, Soul, and Might: Listening to the Shema, Wednesdays, March 14 & 21; April 11, 18 & 25; May 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, 7:00-8:30 pm - The words of the Shema, and the prayers surrounding it in every service, are about love—how to give love, how to receive love, how to live with love at the center of our personal and cosmic universes. There is no Hallmark fluff, here, though! These prayers are pragmatic and visionary, affirming and aggravating. Word-by-word, we will study these few prayers to understand their complex meanings as well as our own sensibilities. Participants need to be able to sound out Hebrew words. Taught by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. Free for Havurah members, $100 for non-members. RSVP here .

(7) Dorot Shabbat, Friday, March 16, 6:00-7:30 pm - Join us for this casual, family-friendly, and music-filled service. Beginning with candle lighting, Kiddush and challah, the service continues with prayers and music, followed by a vegetarian potluck dinner. Led by Jacob Mandelsberg, Sarah Shine, Gabe Adoff, Tanja Lux, and Ilene Moss. 6:00 pm Service, 6:45 pm Potluck. RSVP here.

(8) Tikkun Olam Listening Opportunity: Tell Us What Issues Are Important to You, Sunday, March 18, 10:30 am-12:30 pm - Events happening around us may cause you to wonder or be concerned about justice, fairness, or compassion. The Metropolitan Alliance for Common Good (MACG) Core Team of the Tikkun Olam Committee wants to hear from you. What are the pressures that directly affect you, your family or friends? For example, do you have an adult child who cannot find affordable housing? Are your children talking with you about their concerns about the environment and climate change? Do you have friends afraid to leave their homes because of ICE? Is something going on in the public schools that you think isn’t right? You are invited to this Sunday morning gathering to share your perspectives through dialogue with other Havurah members. Bagels and lox (and more) will be provided. RSVP to Michael Heumann at heumanncycle@gmail.com if you can come and let him know if you'll need childcare.

The film will be followed by a panel discussion with Rabbi Benjamin, Havurah member and OHSU oncologist Charles Blanke, Havurah member and palliative care physician Karen Erde, and Susan Hedlund, Manager of Patient and Family Support Services at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. The discussion will be moderated by Keren McCord, Havurah member and LCSW, Knight Cancer Institute. Learn more and RSVP here.

(10) Book Discussion Group, Tuesday, March 27, 7:00-8:30 pm - Please join us for a discussion of Rivington Street by Meredith Tax. This sprawling historical novel follows the fortunes of four enterprising, courageous Jewish women on New York's Lower East Side. Hannah Levy masterminds her family's escape, despite her radical husband's objections, from czarist Russia after the Kishinev pogroms; elder daughter Sarah becomes a union organizer and a socialist while the younger Ruby rises to the top of the fashion design world; their friend Rachel abandons her ultra-Orthodox background to work for The Jewish Daily Forward. Through their lives, loves, and convictions, Meredith Tax draws the reader irresistibly into the explosive events that shaped women's possibilities in the early twentieth century. Sharon Reyes, who will lead the discussion, says, “this book, an engaging read, is a lovely complement to The Family that we read previously.” RSVP here.

(11) Immigration Seder/Vigil, Thursday, March 29, 10-11:00 am at 4302 SW Macadam - The Sanctuary Committee of Havurah Shalom, along with other Jewish congregations, will be hosting a symbolic Seder vigil at the ICE immigration building as part of the monthly IMIrJ (Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Rights) vigils.

We will share how our Jewish story of being slaves in Egypt, to being refugees for a generation, to finally reaching liberation, is directly connected to the plight of immigrants in our country today. Passover comes at a time this year when decisions about DACA will be having a major impact on so many families. We invite you to attend this meaningful gathering and to lift our collective voices to denounce the persecution of immigrants and show our support. Questions? Contact marciasuttenberg@comcast.net.

(12) Welcoming Our Fellow Havurahniks for Passover - This year for Passover, instead of hosting a community seder at Havurah, we are linking Havurah members in search of a seder with Havurah members who can welcome additional guests at their seder. This is a great opportunity to get to know other Havurah members better and to make our community connections stronger! If possible, we will try to link people with seders in their neighborhoods.

If you are hosting a seder in your home this year, and you have room for one or more guests, please complete the form below. Then if a Havurah member calls our office in the hope of attending a seder, we can tell you about the member's interest, and you can extend an invitation to them yourself and provide any additional information they need to know about your seder. Thank you for helping bring our Havurah family closer together!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(1) Living the Chai Life at Havurah!

Check out this Facebook album of photos that Eliana Temkin, Cindy Merrill, and Barbara Gundle took at last week's Purim celebration. A BIG THANK YOU goes to the many amazing Purim planners and performers, who are named in the photo album. (In Barbara Gundle's photo on the right, Rabbi Benjamin "Esther" Barnett reads the Megillah while upside down, with a little help from his/her friends.)

(2) “Desert Wounds,” Sunday, March 11, 2:00 pm, Oregon Jewish Museum & Center for Holocaust Education, 724 NW Davis Street - West Coast premiere of Nili Dotan's film "Desert Wounds." With an international refugee crisis afflicting the entire globe, “Desert Wounds” follows the specific journeys of two women from Sudan and Eritrea, who are fleeing war, dictatorship, and religious persecution in their countries. Over a five-year period, they seek asylum in Israel, later in Uganda, attempting to build new lives while still remaining under the constant threat of deportation. A Q&A will follow the film. Tickets: $5 OJMCHE Members, $8 General Public, Free for Students with valid ID. Tickets and more information: www.neveragaincoalition.org/events

(4) Fair Trade Organic Kosher for Passover Chocolate - Fair Trade Judaica is excited to partner with T'ruah and Equal Exchange to bring Fair Trade Organic Kosher for Passover chocolate to you. These products are included on the Conservative Movement Rabbinical Assembly's Approved for Passover 5778 list. Please place your order with Equal Exchange by Monday, March 19, to assure it arrives before Passover. Click here to learn more and place your order.

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

Havurah Shalom is a 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

HAVURAH HAPPENINGS (1) Live the Chai Life! (2) Bat Mitzvah of Yael Raider (3) Shloshim Gathering for Karen Labinger (4) Kabbalat Shabbat (5) Discovering Shabbat Morning (6) Mosaic Unveiling (7) How to Love with All Your Heart, Soul, and Might: Listening to the Shema (8) Tikkun Olam Listening Opportunity (9) "Living While Dying" - March Movie Night at Havurah (10) NEW PLANS FOR PASSOVER (11) Portland Homeless Family Solutions Volunteering (12) Havurah Shindig

ANNOUNCEMENTS (1) Purim Line Up at The Alberta Shul (2) "Desert Wounds" (3) Missing Tikkun (4) International Women's Day Event

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(1) Live the Chai Life! A Purim Celebration, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 6:00-8:30 pm - Come one, come all, for a night of joy, masquerade, and retelling the story of some courageous individuals from long ago whose valor saved the Jewish People. We will interweave some chanting of the Megillah with dramatic narration and off-the-wall spieling. Get ready to make some noise as we recount the fateful events that led to the spoiling of the wicked plot of you-know-who! Followed by dancing, revelry, pomp, circumstance and l'chaiims. Havurah will provide pizza, and people with last names starting with A-L are asked to bring a salad or side dish to share. People with last names starting with M-Z are asked to bring a dessert. All food should be on plates or in bowls ready to be served. All are encouraged to bring hamantaschen and adult beverages to share! RSVP here!

Tzedakah - Please consider making a cash donation for Portland Homeless Family Solutions to support family homeless shelters or bring a book for children ages 1-10 to read at a local community center. Spanish or bilingual English/Spanish books are preferred. These books do not have to be new; well-loved books will also be treasured.

(2) Bat Mitzvah of Yael Raider, Saturday, March 3, 10:00 am – This Saturday, Yael Raider, daughter of Shari and Daniel Raider, will be called to the Torah as a bat mitzvah. Please join us in celebration with Yael and her family and welcome Yael as a member of our community.

(3) Shloshim for Karen Labinger, Sunday, March 4, 4:00 pm, 2421 NW Pettigrove - This Sunday, we will gather to mark the end of shloshim (the first 30 days of mourning) for Karen Labinger, of blessed memory. We will have an opportunity to remember and honor Karen as we enter the next stage of mourning. The gathering will be at 4:00 pm, at the home of Abigail Webb and Marjorie Bennett, 2421 NW Pettigrove. Please email Abigail at abigail1234@yahoo.com if you are able to attend. Food will be provided, but you're invited to bring a dish to share if you wish.

(4) Kabbalat Shabbat, Friday, March 9, 7:30-8:30 pm - Join one of Portland’s most musical and spirited Shabbat gatherings, led by Rabbi Benjamin and our talented Havurah musicians. Childcare is available. The service is preceded by a catered dinner at 6:30 pm, which requires advance registration. Due to space limitations, we must limit seats for the dinner, so please sign up as soon as possible to be assured of a seat.  Registration will close when seats are filled; however, RSVP no later than noon on Wednesday, March 7. If your RSVP is being mailed, please let the office know. RSVP for the dinner here. All are welcome to attend the service at 7:30 pm - no RSVP required. If you are unable to attend the dinner, we hope you will join us for services starting at 7:30 pm.

(5) Discovering Shabbat Morning, Saturday, March 10, 10:00-11:30 am - Join this upbeat workshop/minyan where we will walk through the Shabbat morning service, 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. Deborah Eisenbach-Budner will be leading, along with other community members. Childcare is available every Saturday morning for children 0-9. Light lunch provided afterwards with your RSVP here,  preferably by March 4. The above graphic of the Shabbat morning service was created by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner.

(6) Mosaic Unveiling, Saturday, March 10, 4:45 pm, Bet Knesset & Courtyard - Join with us in unveiling our community art project, the courtyard mosaics. Working with artist, Lynn Takata, many in the congregation community have helped to create this beautiful addition to our entrance courtyard. Be there on Saturday, March 10, after Shabbat School Havdalah, to sing and bless our artistic creation. Questions? Contact Joan Peck at joan.peck@icloud.com.

(7) How to Love with All Your Heart, Soul, and Might: Listening to the Shema, Wednesdays, March 14 & 21; April 11, 18 & 25; May 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, 7:00-8:30 pm - The words of the Shema, and the prayers surrounding it in every service, are about love—how to give love, how to receive love, how to live with love at the center of our personal and cosmic universes. There is no Hallmark fluff, here, though! These prayers are pragmatic and visionary, affirming and aggravating. Word-by-word, we will study these few prayers to understand their complex meanings as well as our own sensibilities. Participants need to be able to sound out Hebrew words. Taught by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. Free for Havurah members, $100 for non-members. RSVP here .

(8) Tikkun Olam Listening Opportunity: Tell Us What Issues Are Important to You, Sunday, March 18, 10:30 am-12:30 pm - Events happening around us may cause you to wonder or be concerned about justice, fairness, or compassion. The Tikkun Olam Committee wants to hear from you. What do you feel strongly about? What is our community’s response? What would action look like for you and your family? You are invited to this Sunday morning gathering to share your perspectives through dialogue with other Havurah members. This is part of listening that all Metropolitan Alliance for Common Good (MACG) institutions are doing now as a way to identify what is important in our communities. Bagels and lox (and more) provided. RSVP to Michael Heumann at heumanncycle@gmail.com if you can come and let him know if you'll need childcare.

The film will be followed by a panel discussion with Rabbi Benjamin, Havurah member and OHSU oncologist Charles Blanke, Havurah member and palliative care physician Karen Erde, and Susan Hedlund, Manager of Patient and Family Support Services at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. The discussion will be moderated by Keren McCord, Havurah member and LCSW, Knight Cancer Institute. Learn more and RSVP here.

(10) New Passover Plans! - Our plans for Passover this year have changed. Instead of hosting a community seder on March 31, as originally planned, we will link Havurah members in search of a seder with Havurah members who can welcome additional guests at their seder. This is a great opportunity to get to know other Havurah members better and to make our community connections stronger! If possible, we will try to link people with seders in their neighborhoods. If you are hosting a seder in your home this year, and you have room for one or more guests, please complete the form below. Then if a Havurah member calls our office in the hope of attending a seder at another Havurah member's home, we can tell you so you can connect with them. Thank you for helping bring our Havurah family closer together! 

(11) Portland Homeless Family Solutions – Lots of homeless folks out there, lots of Havurahniks wanting to help! If you are one of those Havurahniks who has not yet taken the one-hour orientation at any of PHFS's three shelters, here are some more opportunities: Goose Hollow, 1838 SW Jefferson (parking behind the church), Monday, March 12 at 5:00 pm, and Tuesday, March 20 at 4:00 pm; 13 Salmon shelter, Monday, March 5, 6:15-7:15 pm; Family Winter Shelter, Sunday, March 11, 2:00-3:00 pm, and Wednesday, March 21, 4:00-5:00 pm. RSVP is required for orientations: Bethany Rocci, bethany@pdxhfs.org.

(12) Havurah Shindig! Sunday, May 6, 4:00-8:00 pm - Come party with your fellow Havurahniks! Plans are well underway for our premiere party and fundraising event. We're organizing volunteers now! Please contact Nancy or Fran to find out how you can participate- many options available. Nancy Becker, nancyjbecker@gmail.com, Fran Berg bergfr@gmail.com.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(1) Purim Line Up at the Alberta Shul, Thursday, March 1, 5:30-10:00 pm, 4050 NE 20th Ave, Portland – Join this wild and wacky Purim celebration. 5:30-7:00 pm, smooze, check out the shul, hamantaschen potluck, costume prep, make up and face painting; 7:00-7:45 pm, Purim Parade, with members of the UnPresidented Brass Band (formed by Havurah members). Wear costumes of all kinds if you please, and feel free to bring light-up glowy things as it will be dark. EXTREMELY kid friendly! We’ll have kazoos for the KAZOO-ALONG of classic Jewish songs. 7:45-10:00 pm, smooze, telling of the Megillah.

(2) “Desert Wounds,” Sunday, March 11, 2:00 pm, Oregon Jewish Museum & Center for Holocaust Education, 724 NW Davis Street - West Coast premiere of Nili Dotan's film "Desert Wounds." With an international refugee crisis afflicting the entire globe, “Desert Wounds” follows the specific journeys of two women from Sudan and Eritrea, who are fleeing war, dictatorship, and religious persecution in their countries. Over a five-year period, they seek asylum in Israel, later in Uganda, attempting to build new lives while still remaining under the constant threat of deportation. A Q&A will follow the film. Tickets: $5 OJMCHE Members, $8 General Public, Free for Students with valid ID. Tickets and more information: www.neveragaincoalition.org/events

(3) Missing Tikkun - The Havurah library reference copy of the Tikkun is missing. If you have the Tikkun, please return it as soon as possible. Thank you!

(4) International Women's Day Event, Thursday, March 8, 4:00-8:00 pm - Come add Jewish Women Artists to Wikipedia in honor of International Women’s Day. No prior experience or special knowledge is required, and participants will not only help to help fill out the canon of Jewish Women Artist on Wikipedia, but they will also learn how to be a Wikipedia editor. Please register and choose your artist from 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 a 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