FROM OUR CALENDAR
(1) Upcoming Shabbat: Kabbalat Shabbat, Text & Torah (2) Tikkun Olam Folk Singing in the Sukkah (3) Alter Rockers Happy Hour (4) Office Closures Oct. 5 & 6 (5) Music Message from Ilene Safyan (6) Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) Chanting Moved to Oct. 16 (7) Morning Minyan Moved to Thursday for Shemini Atzeret (8) Simchat Torah Celebration (9) Ambiguity & the Multiple Narratives of Torah (10) Book Group Meeting (11) PHFS Goose Hollow Direct Service Project (12) Having the Conversation: Workshops to Discuss What Quality Means at the End of Life

ANNOUNCEMENTS
(1) Response to Yom Kippur Tikkun Olam Discussion About Immigration (2) August Steering Committee Minutes (3) Passport to Empowerment (4) Reverend Billy & the Stop Shopping Choir

(4) Office Closures - Havurah's office will be closed for Sukkot on Thursday, Oct. 5, and Friday, Oct. 6

(5) Music Message from Ilene Safyan - Calling all music folks! Come join the Havurah Party Band for Simchat Torah. Just let Ilene know ahead of time if you’d like to be involved. (ilene.safyan@havurahshalom.org) Simchat Torah is Thursday, Oct. 12. Hope to see you there! Bring your voice or your instrument.

(6) Lev Tahor ("Pure Heart") Chanting has been moved from Oct. 9 to Oct. 16

(7) Morning Minyan next week has been moved from Wednesday to Thursday, Oct. 12, 8:00 am, for Shemini Atzeret with Yizkor.

(8) Simchat Torah, Thursday, Oct. 12, 6:30-8:00 pm - Join us for a family-friendly, joyous celebration! We'll have a dessert buffet from 6:00 - 6:50 pm, followed by music, dancing and celebrating Torah. We will also have an adult beverage table, so please feel free to bring a bottle and/or mixer to share.Please RSVP here.

(9) Ambiguity & the Multiple Narratives of Torah, Taught by Rabbi Benjamin, Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30 pm, Oct. 18, 25; Nov. 1, 8, 15, 29 - The Hebrew Bible is rich with ambiguity. While we carry many assumptions about its points of view, the Torah is in fact multilayered and nuanced. Through close readings of particular Biblical narratives, including those of Abraham, Hagar, Jacob, and David, and with the aid of ancient and contemporary responses, we will re-read the literature that is Torah, exploring its artistry and reflecting on the ways in which it expresses and comments upon the nature of humanity. Please RSVP here.

(10) Book Discussion Group, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 7:00 to 8:30 pm, Havurah - Please join us on October 24 for a geography lesson of the heart. Ruth Feldman will lead us in a discussion of The Best Place on Earth (HarperCollins Canada), a collection of short stories by Ayelet Tsabari. A child of the 1970s and 1980s, Tsabari was born in Israel to a family of Yemeni descent. “I grew up not seeing myself and my family in literature,” she says, “so writing The Best Place on Earth was a way to create the characters that were missing from my childhood stories." The eleven short stories go beyond Israel and investigate the complexities of immigration, identity, and belonging. As Adams writes, “[J]ust try picking up this book without having your preconceived notions prodded into a mess of noisy contradictions. And it’s all done so lightly….” RSVP here if you can come.

(11) Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) Goose Hollow Direct Service Project - Started in July 2015 with 10 Havurah families volunteering, now we have more than 40 signed up! Been thinking about involving yourself in something new at Havurah? Join our Portland Homeless Family Solutions project by attending an hour-long orientation. There are several volunteer positions that we fill once a month, so not only will you be helping homeless families, you will also be working along side other Havurahniks! Next Orientation: Oct. 17 at 4:00 pm. Orientations are at the shelter, 1838 SW Jefferson Ave. Parking is behind the church.** Please RSVP to Goose Hollow's volunteer coordinator: Bethany Rocci at  bethany@pdxhfs.org. Any other questions: Havurah member Gloria Halper: losninos6@gmail.com.

(12) Having the Conversation: Workshops to Discuss What Quality means at the End of Life, Oct. 29 & Nov. 12, 10:00-11:30 am - It’s not easy to talk about how you want the end of your life to be, but it’s one of the most important conversations you can have with your loved ones; it can make decision-making at the end of life less painful and overwhelming. With the help and guidance of your fellow congregants who have been trained in end-of-life care, we will work together in two supportive workshops to help people talk about their values around quality of life. We will use information from theconversationproject.org to guide us. Please contact Teri Ruch at 503-248-4662 ext. 4 or teri@havurahshalom.org before you register. The workshops are limited to 12 participants. Two more spaces are available.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(1) Response from Yom Kippur Discussion about Immigration - We had 81 people participate in our Yom Kippur discussion. People asked for specifics about getting involved or participating. The best way to keep up with what is going on is to add your name to our Sanctuary Committee email list. You can do that easily by sending an email to Bob Brown, rebrown47@gmail.com, with "Add Me to the Email List" in the subject line.

(2) August Steering Committee Minutes - Havurah's Steering Committee will be publishing its monthly meeting minutes in our weekly email. You can read the August minutes here.

(3) Passport to Empowerment, Green Empowerment 20-year Anniversary Celebration, Saturday, Oct. 14, 5:00-midnight, North Warehouse, 723 N Tillamook St, Portland - Havurah Shalom's Tikkun Olam Committee is a sponsor for Green Empowerment's "Passport to Empowerment," its celebration of 20 years of social justice through partnering with local NGOs to bring clean water and sustainable electricity to remote villages in Latin American and Asia. Over the past 10 years Havurah members raised funds for a solar water system, latrines, and clean cookstoves in El Jocote, Nicaragua, and during service trips assisted villagers in setting up patio gardens and grey water systems. Join the celebration at the VIP event from 5:00-8:00 pm (tickets are $100; the first ten requesters will be given a free ticket) and/or the party from 7:30 pm-midnight ($40). Christine Ervin, the first President and CEO of U.S. Green Building Council and Assistant Secretary of Energy under President Clinton, will speak at 7:30 pm. Go to www.greenempowerment.org/passport for details on the event. Questions? Contact Linda Boise at boiselinda48@gmail.com.

(4) Boom Arts (directed by Havurah member Ruth Wikler-Luker) presents  "Reverend Billy & the Stop Shopping Choir" - First stand-alone concerts in Portland - Directed by Savitri D. - Music Director Nehemiah Luckett. Two Shows Only: Oct. 6 & 7, 7:30 pm, The Old Church, 1422 SW 11th Ave. Obie Award-winning performance artist and activist Reverend Billy and The Stop Shopping Choir are “activists-who-sing” who bring humor, music and their unique DIY spiritual life to the daily struggle of today’s Earth crisis.

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

(1) Music Group to Prepare for Yom Kippur Tonight (2) Cheese Please - Break Fast at Tiffany's (3) Sukkot: Sukkah Building, Decorating, Sanctuary Meeting, Kabbalat Shabbat, Tikkun Olam Folk Singing, Alter Rockers Happy Hour (4) Dates of Note - Sukkot Office Closures, Text & Torah on New Beginnings, Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) Chanting, Morning Minyan Moved from Wednesday to Thursday for Shemini Atzeret with Early Start (5) Simchat Torah (6) Ambiguity & the Multiple Narratives of Torah with Rabbi Benjamin (7) Passport to Empowerment (8) Book Group (9) PHFS Goose Hollow Direct Service Project (10) Having the Conversation: Workshops to Discuss What Quality Means at the End of Life

(1) Music Group Gathering to Prepare for Yom Kippur, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 7:00 pm - Havurah Music Coordinator will lead Havurah members in preparation for music on Yom Kippur.

Above photo is from Breakfast at Tiffany's

(2) Cheese Please - If you’re hungry after Yom Kippur, come to our community Break Fast at the Tiffany Center!  Sign up here to bring the following types of foods to share with your Havurah and community friends:

• Allergy-Sensitive and Gluten-free
• Cheese Plates
• Fruit Plates
• Veggie Plates
• Fruit Plates
• Desserts

Volunteers are still needed for Break Fast set up between 6:00 and 6:30 pm on Yom Kippur, and clean up afterward. Thank you for volunteering!

The above painting is by Havurah member Carolina Martinez, who is leading our sukkah decorating project on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at 6:30 pm. This is among many other paintings included in her Portland Japanese Internment Project. (www.art-world-of-carolinamartinez.com)

(3) Sukkah Building, Decorating, Sanctuary Meeting & Celebrating
 

• Sukkah Building on Sunday, Oct. 1, 11:00 am - We need two Havurah members to help Havurahnik Michael Alter and Tivnu students and leaders complete our sukkah. Please email Michael if you can help at altersway@gmail.com.
  
  Welcoming new members is not unlike welcoming the stranger, a theme of Sukkot. Please welcome new member Michael Alter, who has generously offered to lead our sukkah building and take down, by emailing him at altersway@gmail.com to let him know you can join him and Tivnu on Oct. 1. He just needs two Havurah members to be sukkah leaders with him!
   
• Sukkah Decorating, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 6:30 pm - We need 5-10 Havurah members to join Havurahnik Carolina Martinez decorate our sukkah. This year we'll have plenty of places to hang posters, fliers and other artwork in addition to greenery. Please email Carolina at 68.carolina@gmail.com if you can help. Carolina is a Portland artist and teacher. One of her many paintings is pictured above.
  
  One of the best ways to welcome our newest members is to join them when they take on an important project at Havurah. Please support Carolina Martinez by emailing her at 68.carolina@gmail.com to let her know you can help decorate the sukkah with her at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, Oct. 3.
  
  Havurah Sanctuary Committee Meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 7:00-9:00 pm
  
  All who are attending the Sanctuary Committee Meeting are invited to arrive by 6:30 pm to add some greenery (provided by Havurah), posters or other artwork (your own artwork would be wonderful!) to the sukkah.
  
  Join us for our next meeting of Havurah's Sanctuary Committee. The committee is defining how our community will realize our pledge to be a Sanctuary Community. Our Community Engagement sub-team will provide an update on the work of Tikkun Adalante - our outreach activities with the Latino Community. We have made good connections with the women's group, Bienestar de la Familia, to learn about the needs of this community. There is a need for more volunteers, both on a regular basis to staff 'intake hours" and as needed for requests as they come up. RSVP to Bob would be nice but not required.
  
  Learn more here.

• Kabbalat Shabbat & Potluck Dessert Oneg, Friday, Oct. 6, 7:30 pm
  
  Join us for a Kabbalat Shabbat Service with a Sukkot theme of welcoming the stranger. We'll have a potluck dessert oneg in the sukkah following the service, if weather allows. Please bring a dessert to share. RSVPs are welcome.

• Tikkun Olam Folk Singing in the Sukkah, Sunday, Oct. 8, 3:00 pm
  
  Join us for an afternoon with singers and musicians to sing folk songs in the sukkah! Bring your voices, your instruments and your spirit! We will have some copies of “Rise Up Singing” to guide us. Questions? Contact Susan at sarosenthall@msn.com or Judy at mjheumann@gmail.com. Please RSVP here.

• Alter Rockers Happy Hour & Potluck, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 5:00 pm
  
  The Alter Rockers, those who are retired or are contemplating retirement, or who just want to have fun, have reserved the sukkah for a happy hour. Please bring vegetarian hors d’oeuvres to share and whatever you want to drink. To RSVP, please email Sarah Rosenberg.

(4) Dates to Note
 

• Office Closures for Sukkot, Oct. 5 & 6
• Text & Torah 'New Beginnings - The Torah Scroll' led by Diane Chaplin, Saturday, Oct. 7
• Lev Tahor ("Pure Heart") Chanting, led by Rabbi Benjamin, Oct. 9
• No Morning Minyan on Wednesday, Oct. 11
• Shemini Atzeret Minyan with Yizkor, Thursday, Oct. 12, 8:00 am
   

(5) Simchat Torah, Thursday, Oct. 12, 6:30-8:00 pm - Join us for a family-friendly, joyous celebration! We'll have a dessert buffet from 6:00 - 6:50 pm, followed by music, dancing and celebrating Torah. Please RSVP here.

(6) Ambiguity & the Multiple Narratives of Torah, Taught by Rabbi Benjamin, Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30 pm, Oct. 18, 25; Nov. 1, 8, 15, 29 - The Hebrew Bible is rich with ambiguity. While we carry many assumptions about its points of view, the Torah is in fact multilayered and nuanced. Through close readings of particular Biblical narratives, including those of Abraham, Hagar, Jacob, and David, and with the aid of ancient and contemporary responses, we will re-read the literature that is Torah, exploring its artistry and reflecting on the ways in which it expresses and comments upon the nature of humanity. Please RSVP here.

(7) Passport to Empowerment, Green Empowerment 20-year Anniversary Celebration, Saturday, Oct. 14, 5:00-midnight, North Warehouse, 723 N Tillamook St, Portland - Havurah Shalom's Tikkun Olam Committee is a sponsor for Green Empowerment's "Passport to Empowerment," its celebration of 20 years of social justice through partnering with local NGOs to bring clean water and sustainable electricity to remote villages in Latin American and Asia. Over the past 10 years Havurah members raised funds for a solar water system, latrines, and clean cookstoves in El Jocote, Nicaragua, and during service trips assisted villagers in setting up patio gardens and grey water systems. Join the celebration at the VIP event from 5:00-8:00 pm (tickets are $100; the first ten requesters will be given a free ticket) and/or the party from 7:30 pm-midnight ($40). Christine Ervin, the first President and CEO of U.S. Green Building Council and Assistant Secretary of Energy under President Clinton, will speak at 7:30 pm. Go to www.greenempowerment.org/passport for details on the event. Questions? Contact Linda Boise at boiselinda48@gmail.com.

(8) Book Discussion Group, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 7:00 to 8:30 pm, Havurah - Please join us on October 24 for a geography lesson of the heart. Ruth Feldman will lead us in a discussion of The Best Place on Earth (HarperCollins Canada), a collection of short stories by Ayelet Tsabari. A child of the 1970s and 1980s, Tsabari was born in Israel to a family of Yemeni descent. “I grew up not seeing myself and my family in literature,” she says, “so writing The Best Place on Earth was a way to create the characters that were missing from my childhood stories." The eleven short stories go beyond Israel and investigate the complexities of immigration, identity, and belonging. As Adams writes, “[J]ust try picking up this book without having your preconceived notions prodded into a mess of noisy contradictions. And it’s all done so lightly….” RSVP here if you can come.

(9) Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) Goose Hollow Direct Service Project - Started in July 2015 with 10 Havurah families volunteering, now we have more than 40 signed up! Been thinking about involving yourself in something new at Havurah? Join our Portland Homeless Family Solutions project by attending an hour-long orientation. There are several volunteer positions that we fill once a month, so not only will you be helping homeless families, you will also be working along side other Havurahniks! Next Orientations: Sept. 27 at 5:00 pm, Oct. 17 at 4:00 pm. Orientations are at the shelter, 1838 SW Jefferson Ave. Parking is behind the church.** Please RSVP to Goose Hollow's volunteer coordinator: Bethany Rocci at  bethany@pdxhfs.org. Any other questions: Havurah member Gloria Halper: losninos6@gmail.com.

(10) Having the Conversation: Workshops to Discuss What Quality means at the End of Life, Oct. 29 & Nov. 12, 10:00-11:30 am - It’s not easy to talk about how you want the end of your life to be, but it’s one of the most important conversations you can have with your loved ones; it can make decision-making at the end of life less painful and overwhelming. With the help and guidance of your fellow congregants who have been trained in end-of-life care, we will work together in two supportive workshops to help people talk about their values around quality of life. We will use information from theconversationproject.org to guide us. Please contact Teri Ruch at 503-248-4662 ext. 4 or teri@havurahshalom.org before you register. The workshops are limited to 12 participants, and four more spaces are available at this point.

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

With Rosh Hashanah Just One Week Away ... We Thank All Who Signed Up to Help and ...

All Who Will Sign Up Today - We Need You!

Many thanks to Rachel Pollak for managing our High Holidays organizing so beautifully this year. And thank you to all who have signed up to volunteer to help for Rosh Hashanah. Thanks also to those of you who will SIGN UP TODAY!

The only way we can open our doors to the community for High Holidays is if all Havurah members help in some way.

We especially need volunteers for the following:

- Tuesday, Sept. 19, 6:30 - 7:30 pm - We need 15 more volunteers to help unload boxes of service books, toys for the childcare area, the ark we use for High Holidays, and vases for flower arrangements at the Tiffany Center.

- Wednesday, Sept. 20, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm - We need 11 more volunteers to arrange the service books and other items for Rosh Hashanah services.

- Thursday, Sept. 21, 8:15 - 8:45 am - We need one wonderful food shlepper so the children in our childcare area don't go hungry.

- Thursday, Sept. 21, 12:45 - 1:30 pm - We could use a few more ushers for this shift on the first day of Rosh Hashanah.

- Friday, Sept. 22, 12:15 - 1:00 pm - We could use a few more ushers for this shift on the second day of Rosh Hashanah.

- Friday, Sept. 22, 1:00 - 1:30 pm - We need at least five people to collect flowers from the bima and make little bouquets to give people as they leave Rosh Hashanah Services. You'll see how happy people are when you offer them bouquets!

- Friday, Sept. 22, 1:00 - 2:00 pm - We need 14 Havurahniks to help move Havurah's belongings to a storage room inside the Tiffany Center.

Just click on the SignUp button below to add your name to one of these positions.

High Holidays Music Gathering, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 7:00 - 8:30 pm - We have a wonderful group of singers that have met the past couple of weeks. We have one more Wednesday night gathering scheduled, and an additional gathering whose day and time will be determined at tomorrow night's meeting. If you are considering playing an instrument on Erev Rosh Hashanah, please be in touch with Ilene Safyan (privately) so we can try our best to set up a date when you are able to attend practice.

Interested in Work Around Privilege and Equity at Havurah and/or with Havurah Folk? Wednesday, Sept. 13, 7:00 - 8:30 pm - Those of us who were part of the class last winter on Privilege & Equity would love you to join us September 13 (Wednesday night). We will be using a process to narrow our many options for next steps into those that most 'resonate' with folks. Click here to learn some of the options that have come up from our meetings so far, and who to contact if you are interested in this work or have questions.

Climate Action Team Meeting, Thursday, Sept. 14, 7:00 pm, at Havurah - This is a change of date. All interested Havurah members are invited to join us as we discuss and plan future activities. Contact Elianne Lieberman at elianne97202@yahoo.com for questions.

Community Minyan, Saturday, Sept. 16, 10:00 am - Please join us this Saturday for our Community Minyan!

Seliḥot Service, Saturday, Sept. 16, 8:00 - 9:30 pm, Havurah Shalom - Traditionally, Jews gather on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah to initiate the process of Seliḥot, “Forgiveness,” in preparation for the Ten Days of Teshuvah (“Returning/Repentance”). We will use some traditional Seliḥot prayers, as well as contemplative music and prayer, in order to access forgiveness and compassion as we move further into this sacred time.

It Takes a Village: A Benefit Concert for Tanzania, Saturday, Sept. 16, 6:00-10:00 pm - A fun-packed evening at 1711 SE 40th Ave, Portland, benefiting the work of the Rafiki Village Project (RVP). The RVP is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation founded by Havurah member David Newman, working on small-scale, collaborative development projects in rural Tanzania. The Sept. 16 concert features the danceable rhythms of Pa’lante! and The AfroFolk Project, led by Havurah member Jan DeWeese. The evening will include African food, beverages, a silent auction, a raffle and a slideshow about the Rafiki Village Project. Tickets ($30) are on sale at Brownpapertickets/com/event/3056351 Questions? Contact David at davnew2@earthlink.net. The photo below was taken by David Newman.

High Holiday Tikkun Olam Tzedakah Project Donations - High Holiday Tikkun Tzedakah Project Donations can be dropped off in containers on the fourth floor of the Tiffany Center during High Holidays. Over this past year, Havurahniks have volunteered countless hours of direct service with two local organizations helping families get settled in new homes. Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) supports homeless families at the Goose Hollow Family Shelter transition to new homes, and Catholic Charities supports new refugees arriving in Portland. To further support this work, this year's Havurah High Holiday Tikkun Olam Tzedakah Project will be, as it was last year, to collect household items that will be used by PHFS and Catholic Charities in creating Welcome Baskets for the families each organization helps. Read more here about donation needs.

Shabbat Service on Saturday, Sept. 23 - On this Shabbat morning following the two days of Rosh Hashanah, Rabbi Benjamin will guide us in contemplative practice. We will cover less of the liturgy than we normally do, instead taking our time to chant particular sections as well as leaving plenty of room for silent prayer and meditation. We will then take time for some reflective Torah discussion in connection to this season of renewal.

Sukkah Building, Sunday, Oct. 1, 11:00 am - Tivnu, a local nonprofit run by our Education Director's husband, Steven Eisenbach-Budner, is creating a new sukkah for us this year. It will be bigger than our previous sukkah and easier to build and decorate. Havurah member Michael Alter is one of the Havurah members working with Tivnu to build the sukkah. Michael and Tivnu will lead Havurah volunteers in building the new sukkah on Sunday, Oct. 1, at 11:00 am. If you are interested in joining the project, please RSVP here.

Sukkah Decorating, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 6:30 pm, Havurah member Carolina Martinez will lead Havurah members in decorating the sukkah with greenery and artwork. If you can join in the decorating, please RSVP here.

Simchat Torah, Thursday, Oct. 12, 6:30-8:30 pm - Join us for a family-friendly, joyous celebration! We'll have a dessert buffet from 6:00 - 6:50 pm, followed by music, dancing and celebrating Torah. Please RSVP here.

Do You Want a Beautiful Sukkah? - Havurah has the framework for a small sukkah that is easy to put together and sturdy. If you would like a sukkah for your home and are interested in this one, please email teri@havurahshalom.org. Below is a photo of the structure.

Accessing Havurah's Membership Directory - Members of Havurah can access our membership directory by logging in as a member on our home page using the “login” link in the upper right corner and entering their email address as their ID and the password they created for themselves in the password field. Once logged in, members will find a link to the directory at the bottom of the drop-down menu under “Community.” The most effective way to search for another member’s listing is to enter the person’s name in the search box at the top of the page. Using the alphabetical listings can be problematic since many Havurah spouses have different last names from each other. If you are already logged in, you should be able to access the directory by clicking here.

This issue of our weekly email doesn't have a table of contents at the top, but we hope to provide one in future issues.

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

Weekly Community Email, Sept. 6, 2017

FROM OUR CALENDAR
(1) Upcoming Shabbat (2) Last Day to RSVP for Erev Rosh Hashanah Dinner & Childcare (3) High Holidays Music Group (4) MACG Housing Community Meeting (5) Lev Tahor ("Pure Heart") Chanting (6) Climate Action Team Meeting (7) PHFS Goose Hollow Shelter Volunteering (8) Interested in Work Around Privilege & Equity? (9) Seliḥot Service (10) Book Group Discussion Moved from Sept. 26 to Oct. 24 (11) Having the Conversation

ANNOUNCEMENTS
(1) Lost Tallit (2) How You Can Support Victims of Hurricane Harvey (3) High Holidays Tzedakah Project (4) It Takes a Village: A Benefit Concert for Tanzania

FROM OUR CALENDAR

(1) Upcoming Shabbat

Kabbalat Shabbat Service, Friday, Sept. 8, 7:30 pm - Join Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians Beth Hamon, Scott Snyder and Chaim Wolin as we welcome Shabbat together this Friday. A catered dessert oneg will follow the service. Please RSVP here.

Community Minyan, Saturday, Sept. 9, 10:00 am - This Saturday we will read and discuss parsha Ki Tavo, which describes the practice of tithing as well as blessings and curses, and concludes with an observation from Moses that only now, forty years after becoming a nation, have the people of Israel attained “a heart to know, eyes to see and ears to hear.” (Image below of Moses seeing the Promised Land is from Political Theology Today.)

(2) Last Day to RSVP for Erev Rosh Hashanah Dinner - Today is the last day to RSVP for Erev Rosh Hashanah Dinner and High Holidays Childcare. RSVP herefor the dinner. And don't forget to to sign up for your volunteer role during High Holidays. Your help is essential to Havurah's ability to welcome all to our High Holidays services!

(3) High Holidays Music Gatherings, Wednesdays, Sept. 6 & 13, 7:00-8:30 pm - We have a wonderful group of singers that have met the past couple of weeks. We have two more Wednesday night gatherings scheduled, and an additional gathering whose day and time will be determined at tomorrow night's meeting. If you are considering playing an instrument on Erev Rosh Hashanah, please be in touch with Ilene Safyan (privately) so we can try our best to set up a date when you are able to attend practice.

(4) MACG Housing Community Meeting, Sept. 10, 1:30–3:00 pm, Havurah Shalom, and Monday Sept. 11, 7:00-8:30 pm, St. Charles Catholic Church, 5310 NE 42nd Ave. - The housing action team of MACG (Metropolitan Alliance for Common Good) has had many successes and has built a positive reputation with the City of Portland's Housing Bureau. One of these successes is our work to pass the historic $258M Affordable Bond Measure last November. The promise was for 1300 affordable units focused on the lowest income people that other housing efforts do not address. Promises need actions to make them real. MACG has been asked to gather community feedback about the draft framework for how the bond money should be spent from MACG institutions in Portland. Learn more and RSVP here.

(5) Lev Tahor ("Pure Heart") Chanting on Monday, Sept. 11, 7:00-8:00 pm - We will gather to lift sacred phrases through melody, harmony, and rhythm in order to open our hearts, clarify our minds, and cultivate qualities such as gratefulness and compassion. Interspersed with periods of silent meditation, the chanting will be guided by teachings and intentions from Rabbi Benjamin. Each monthly gathering is open to anyone – no experience, musical ability, or commitment necessary. Generally second Monday of each month. RSVPs are welcome.

(6) Climate Action Team Meeting, Thursday, Sept. 14, 7:00 pm, at Havurah - This is a change of date. All interested Havurah members are invited to join us as we discuss and plan future activities. Contact Elianne Lieberman at elianne97202@yahoo.com for questions.

(7) Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) Goose Hollow Shelter Direct Service Project - Prospective Goose Hollow Shelter volunteers only need to attend an hour orientation. Please RSVP to the PHFS volunteer coordinator: Bethany Rocci, bethany@pdxhfs.org. Next Orientations: Sept. 11 at 5:00 pm, Sept. 27 at 5:00 pm. Gloria Halper-Havurah's PHFS Goose Hollow coordinator: losninos6@gmail.com.

(8) Interested in Work Around Privilege and Equity at Havurah and/or with Havurah Folk? Wednesday, Sept. 13, 7:00 to 8:30 pm - Those of us who were part of the class last winter on Privilege & Equity would love you to join us September 13 (Wednesday night). We will be using a process to narrow our many options for next steps into those that most 'resonate' with folks. Click here to learn some of the options that have come up from our meetings so far, and who to contact if you are interested in this work or have questions.

(9) Seliḥot Service, Saturday, Sept. 16, 8:00-9:30 pm, Havurah Shalom - Traditionally, Jews gather on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah to initiate the process of Seliḥot, “Forgiveness,” in preparation for the Ten Days of Teshuvah (“Returning/Repentance”). We will use some traditional Seliḥot prayers, as well as contemplative music and prayer, in order to access forgiveness and compassion as we move further into this sacred time.

(10) Book Group Discussion Has Moved From Sept. 26 to Oct. 24 - Please see our online calendar for details and to RSVP.

(11) Having the Conversation: Workshops to Discuss What Quality Means at the End of Life, Sundays, Oct. 29 and Nov. 12, 10:00 - 11:30 am - It’s not easy to talk about how you want the end of your life to be, but it’s one of the most important conversations you can have with your loved ones; it can make decision-making at the end of life less painful and overwhelming. With the help and guidance of your fellow congregants who have been trained in end-of-life care, we will work together in two supportive workshops to help people talk about their values around quality of life. Please contact Teri if you are interested in registering.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(1) Lost Tallit - Rabbi Benjamin found this tallit outside Havurah last Saturday. Please let us know if it's yours.

(2) Support Victims of Hurricane Harvey - You can support people impacted by Hurricane Harvey by donating here through the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland.

(3) High Holiday Tikkun Olam Tzedakah Project Donations - High Holiday Tikkun Tzedakah Project Donations can be dropped off in containers on the fourth floor of the Tiffany Center during High Holidays. Over this past year, Havurahniks have volunteered countless hours of direct service with two local organizations helping families get settled in new homes. Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) supports homeless families at the Goose Hollow Family Shelter transition to new homes, and Catholic Charities supports new refugees arriving in Portland. To further support this work, this year's Havurah High Holiday Tikkun Olam Tzedakah Project will be, as it was last year, to collect household items that will be used by PHFS and Catholic Charities in creating Welcome Baskets for the families each organization helps. Read more here about donation needs.

The photo above was taken by David Newman.

(4) It Takes a Village: A Benefit Concert for Tanzania, Saturday, Sept. 16, 6:00-10:00 pm - A fun-packed evening at 1711 SE 40th Ave, Portland, benefiting the work of the Rafiki Village Project (RVP). The RVP is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation founded by Havurah member David Newman, working on small-scale, collaborative development projects in rural Tanzania. The Sept. 16 concert features the danceable rhythms of Pa’lante! and The AfroFolk Project, led by Havurah member Jan DeWeese. The evening will include African food, beverages, a silent auction, a raffle and a slideshow about the Rafiki Village Project. Tickets ($30) are on sale at Brownpapertickets/com/event/3056351 Questions? Contact David at davnew2@earthlink.net.

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

Havurah Shalom is 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 Shalom
825 NW 18th Ave
Portland, OR 97209

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Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017

Dear Havurah Community:

Many of you have been involved in the various long range planning processes that have occurred at Havurah over the past several years. Throughout all of these processes, significant needs have been identified to support our growing and vibrant congregation. While we continue to value being a participatory community, we have decided to hire additional staff to support our community. This process has been in line with our participatory nature and has involved discussions with all staff and leadership. A couple of years ago, conversations started about staffing needs and last year the Staffing DTF (Disappearing Task Force) was created to take this topic on. The group consists of Lisa Cordova, Education Lead, Janet Byrd, Treasurer, Chris Coughlin, Tikkun Olam Lead, and Julia Lager-Mesulam, Vice President. 
 
The position we are posting is a Program Director. This position will be a member of Havurah's leadership team along with the Rabbi and Education Director. The Program Director will supervise program and operational staff and will play a key role specifically in all education programs, Tikkun Olam, and holiday planning.
 
Please see this Job Description and share with your communities and networks. We hope to have the person in place by November, if possible. Interested applicants should email a resume and cover letter to havurahjobpost@gmail.com.
 
Thank you for your support as we embark on this addition to our Havurah community.
 
B'shalom,
Lisa, Chris, Janet and Julia
Staffing DTF’ers

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 Shalom
825 NW 18th Ave
Portland, OR 97209

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Updated Email - "Total Eclipse" by Rabbi Joey & Mosaic Project is Postponed until October

Also, please note that the Book Discussion Group originally planned for Sept. 26 has been canceled. The next meeting of the Book Group will be Oct. 24.
 

FROM OUR CALENDAR
(1) Upcoming Shabbat (2) Volunteer: High Holidays Are Nearly Here! (3) Music Group to Prepare for the Yamim Noraim (4) Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation (5) Wednesday Morning Minyan (6) PHFS Backpack Project & Goose Hollow Shelter Direct Service Project (7) Last Thursday Witness (8) Kabbalat Shabbat Service & Oneg (9) MACG Housing Community Meeting (10) Interested in Work Around Privilege & Equity? (11) Selichot Service with Rabbi Benjamin (12) Having the Conversation: Workshops to Discuss What Quality Means at the End of Life

ANNOUNCEMENTS
(1) Total Eclipse by Rabbi Joey (2) #JewsStandUptoHate - Sign the Petition (3) Clergy & People of Faith March for Justice This Monday (4) Eclipse at Havurah (5) Preparing for High Holidays During Elul (6) High Holidays Tzedakah Project (7) Moishe House Meditation Retreat (8) Jewish Pride PDX Happy Hour (9) It Takes a Village: A Benefit Concert for Tanzania (10) Shabbat Shira

At our Havdalah Potluck Picnic on Aug. 19 more than 100 Havurahniks came out to welcome Rabbi Benjamin and his family. Click here to see more photos and thank yous to those who made the picnic possible.

FROM OUR CALENDAR

(1) Upcoming Shabbat - Community Minyan, Saturday, Aug. 26, 10:00 am - Rabbi Benjamin, Susan Brenner, Maria Lisa Johnson, Chris Coughlin, Debbi Nadell, Marty Brown, Shelley Sobel, and Roger Brewer will lead and read Torah at our Community Minyan this Saturday. In this week’s parsha, Shoftim (Hebrew for “judges”), we learn all about justice - a very timely topic. Join us!

(2) Please Volunteer: High Holidays Are Nearly Here! - Don't wait! It takes volunteer support from everyone so we can open our doors to the community for our High Holidays services. Please sign up now to volunteer. The deadline register for Erev Rosh Hashanah Dinner is Sept. 6. RSVP here as soon as possible.  You can also click here to find RSVP forms for High Holidays childcare and our Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur family services. (Please note that the SignUp website can be slow to load. Please be patient after you click on the link below.)

(3) Music Group Gatherings to Prepare for the Yamim Noraim, Wednesdays, Aug. 23 & Aug. 30, 7:00 – 8:30 pm, Havurah Shalom - Havurah will begin musical preparation for the Yamim Noraim in earnest the week of Aug. 23, when the new month of Elul begins, and we will spend the next weeks singing and feeling the rhythms of the upcoming holidays. The first couple of sessions will occur on Wednesday nights, and we will expand to accommodate anyone interested but is unable to make those times. Please contact Ilene Safyan  if you can make it or if you are interested but can't make those dates.

POSTPONED UNTIL OCTOBER - Courtyard Mosaic Project, Aug. 27, 28 & 29; 10:00-12:30 pm, 1:00 - 4:00 pm, 6:30 - 8:30 pm - We will meet at the same three times on each date. Come help with our mosaic art project! We will apply the tiles and glass that we made to the backing board in preparation for the installation of our new murals. We will work at all the times listed above. Let us know on this doodle poll when you'd like to join us by selecting the time(s) and day(s) that work for you! (Above photo of one of the Havurah-made tiles was taken by Barbara Gundle.)

(4) Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation, Tuesdays at Noon - Our Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation group will continue to meet at noon on Tuesdays during the summer whenever at least two people can attend. Deborah will be at Havurah most Tuesdays. Please add your name to this doodle poll to indicate when you can come.

(5) Wednesday Morning Minyan at 8:30 am - Our weekly Wednesday morning service is for those who wish to incorporate daily practice in their lives and those saying Kaddish, or both. All are welcome. During the month of Elul, we will blow the shofar at each service.

(6) Backpacks and School Supplies for Children Experiencing Homelessness (Portland Homeless Family Solutions) - A Havurah group volunteers once a month at Portland Homeless Family Solutions, a local organization that helps families experiencing homelessness. John and Rachel Devlin are raising money to purchase backpacks and school supplies for the 86 children currently being helped by PHFS. These children are currently experiencing homelessness or recently have moved from homelessness into stable housing. School is the lifeline to a better future, and it is important to start the school year with confidence. If you would like to contribute, please contact John at john.t.devlin@gmail.com.

Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) Goose Hollow Shelter Direct Service Project - Elayne Shapiro, Goose Hollow volunteer: "So how is it going here?"  Guest (as Goose Hollow calls those spending time at their homeless shelter): "I am just so grateful to have a place to put my head down at night. People at work say, 'Well, I'm heading home.' I could not say that. What I could say was, 'Well, I'm heading to my car ... with my child ... and my husband. We will find a place to park tonight.' It is very difficult to get back on your feet when you have nowhere to put your head down at night. Here we get to be together. We have a nourishing meal. Our children can play. We can access resources for permanent housing. To answer your question, It is going well."

Prospective volunteers only need to attend an hour orientation. Please RSVP to the PHFS volunteer coordinator: Bethany Rocci, bethany@pdxhfs.org. Next Orientations: Aug. 24 at 4:00 pm, Sept. 11 at 5:00 pm, Sept. 27 at 5:00 pm. Gloria Halper-Havurah's PHFS Goose Hollow coordinator: losninos6@gmail.com.

(7) "Last Thursday Witness," IMIrJ (Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice) I.C.E. Vigil, Thursday, Aug. 31, 10:00 - 11:00 am - Portland I.C.E. Building/Headquarters, 4310 Southwest Macadam Ave, Portland - All are welcome to gather in Vigil as we express our support and love for families affected by I.C.E. detentions in Oregon. Join this monthly gathering to lift up the Reality of what happens every day at the Portland I.C.E. facility - and participate in various, interfaith expressions and ritual in solidarity. Carpooling is encouraged as parking is very limited. Havurah Shalom will lead the "Last Thursday Witness" in November.

(8) Kabbalat Shabbat Service & Dessert Oneg (no dinner before the service), Friday, Sept. 8, 7:00 pm - Join Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians as we welcome Shabbat together on Friday, Sept. 8.

(9) MACG Housing Community Meeting, Sept. 10, 1:30 – 3:00 pm, Havurah Shalom, and Monday Sept. 11, 7:00 - 8:30 pm, St. Charles Catholic Church, 5310 NE 42nd Ave. - The housing action team of MACG (Metropolitan Alliance for Common Good) has had many successes and has built a positive reputation with the City of Portland's Housing Bureau. One of these successes is our work to pass the historic $258M Affordable Bond Measure last November. The promise was for 1300 affordable units focused on the lowest income people that other housing efforts do not address. Promises need actions to make them real. MACG has been asked to gather community feedback about the draft framework for how the bond money should be spent from MACG institutions in Portland. Learn more and RSVP here.

(10) Interested in Work Around Privilege and Equity at Havurah and/or with Havurah Folk? Wednesday, Sept. 13, 7:00 to 8:30 pm, at Havurah - Those of us who were part of the class last winter on Privilege & Equity would love you to join us September 13 (Wednesday night). We will be using a process to narrow our many options for next steps into those that most 'resonate' with folks. Click here to learn some of the options that have come up from our meetings so far, and who to contact if you are interested in this work or have questions.

(11) Selichot Service, Saturday, Sept. 16, 8:00 pm - Rabbi Benjamin will lead our Selichot Service at Havurah. Selichot are Jewish penitential poems and prayers said in the period leading up to the High Holidays.

(12) Having the Conversation: Workshops to Discuss What Quality Means at the End of Life, Sundays, Oct. 29 and Nov. 12, 10:00 - 11:30 am - It’s not easy to talk about how you want the end of your life to be, but it’s one of the most important conversations you can have with your loved ones; it can make decision-making at the end of life less painful and overwhelming. With the help and guidance of your fellow congregants who have been trained in end-of-life care, we will work together in two supportive workshops to help people talk about their values around quality of life. Please contact Teri if you are interested in registering.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The above photo is from last Thursday's interfaith service following the events in Charlottesville. Rabbi Benjamin is in the front row, far right. You can read the full story here.

(1) "Total Eclipse" by Rabbi Joey -  "Like you I watched the eclipse. I saw the sun recede and felt the temperature drop. As it hid behind the moon, I covered my eyes. I remembered the first time, decades ago in Maine, when I shivered during a summer day.  I was just twelve and quite a bit uneasy. Four months later, John Kennedy would be assassinated, but that awful day was not yet a part of my consciousness, and I could not yet have known fear. Not the swoon of fear, at least." Read all of Rabbi Joey's post on his blog, Gal Aynai.

(2) Clergy & People of Faith March for Justice in Portland - Monday, Aug. 28, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Jerry D. Schrunk Plaza, 364 SW Madison St - Havurah Shalom supports an event in Portland that will bring together clergy and people of faith of all traditions to recommit to being at the forefront of justice and civil rights, to call into accountability President Trump, Attorney General Sessions and all public officials, and to return to its rightful place the words of Dr. King as the "headlight" in the struggle for justice. This will occur on the same day as 1000 ministers convene in Washington, D.C. to reaffirm their commitment to the social justice movement and stand in solidarity with the spirit and legacy of Dr. King on the anniversary of the March for Jobs & Justice.

(3) Please Sign the Petition to Stand Up to Hate - The Reconstructionist movement and other Jewish organizations have signed onto a petition to the elected leadership of our country to take steps to stop the spread of fascism, and they are now asking all of us to sign it as well, to amplify our voice through our signatures. Click here to sign.

This petition emerges out of the disturbing events in Charlottesville, as well as the response to them. Rabbi Jake Rubin (RRC '09) has been a steadfast leader in Charlottesville throughout this difficult summer as the executive director of the University of Virginia Hillel. Rabbis Mordechai Liebling (RRC '85) and Malkah Binah Klein (RRC '04) represented the Reconstructionist movement as part of a rabbinic contingent organized by T’ruah: The Rabbinic for Human Rights, which joined with the interfaith clergy caucus. You can read their reflections here:

• http://forward.com/scribe/379853/fighting-what-the-nazis-fear/
• https://www.thrivingspirit.org/blog-1/2017/8/14/witness-from-charlottesville

Both the RRC/JRC and the RRA have issued statements condemning the events of last weekend and calling for a rejection of these abhorrent ideologies at the highest levels of our political system. They can be found here:

• The RRA’s statement: http://therra.org/
• RRC/JRC Statement: https://jewishrecon.org/news/charlottesville-response

Questions? Contact Chris Coughlin at chriscoughlin60@gmail.com.

(4) Preparing for High Holidays During Elul - From the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and Jewish Reconstructionist Communities, in partnership with the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association and Ritualwell: During the Jewish month of Elul, we begin the spiritual journey toward the Yamim Noraim (the Days of Awe). Elul is a time for personal and communal introspection, as we reflect on the ways we have lived into our values and the places where we have missed the mark. We look for deeper understanding in our relationships, examine the pattern of our lives, and rededicate ourselves to healing and repair. The RRC, JRC, RRA and Ritualwell have provided these High Holiday teachings to help us "Embrace the Stranger” – the stranger we encounter inside as we grow in self-awareness, the strangers we meet in the world around us, and the intersection between the two.

(5) High Holiday Tikkun Olam Tzedakah Project Donations - High Holiday Tikkun Tzedakah Project Donations can be dropped off in containers on the fourth floor of the Tiffany Center during High Holidays. Over this past year, Havurahniks have volunteered countless hours of direct service with two local organizations helping families get settled in new homes. Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) supports homeless families at the Goose Hollow Family Shelter transition to new homes, and Catholic Charities supports new refugees arriving in Portland. To further support this work, this year's Havurah High Holiday Tikkun Olam Tzedakah Project will be, as it was last year, to collect household items that will be used by PHFS and Catholic Charities in creating Welcome Baskets for the families each organization helps. Read more here about donation needs.

(6) Solar Eclipse at Havurah - What was your experience of the solar eclipse? At Havurah, our friends from Ferguson Lighting across the street (who kindly let Havurah members use their facilities during a plumbing crisis a few weeks ago) joined us to watch the eclipse, as did our Fed-Ex delivery man and a group of children from a nearby daycare center. You can see more photos here.

(7) Moishe House Mindfulness Retreat - Do you know anyone between the ages of 22 and 32 who wants to combine their loves of mindfulness and Judaism? Tell them to join Moishe House this November for our Jewish Mindfulness Intensive Retreat! Spend four days and three nights in forested Oregon, practicing meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. Dr. Zvi Bellin will guide us through periods of silence and reflection, weaving Judaism throughout. Apply at  moishehouse.org/intensive. The retreat itself is free and a stipend is offered for those who need to travel to Portland. A shuttle will be offered to the retreat center from Portland.

(8) Jewish Pride PDX Happy Hour at Hobo's on Aug. 24, 6:30 pm - The first round of drinks will be on Jewish Pride PDX!

(9) It Takes a Village: A Benefit Concert for Tanzania, Saturday, Sept. 16, 6:00 - 10:00 pm - A fun-packed evening at 1711 SE 40th Ave, Portland, benefiting the work of the Rafiki Village Project (RVP). The RVP is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation founded by Havurah member David Newman, working on small-scale, collaborative development projects in rural Tanzania. The Sept. 16 concert features the danceable rhythms of Pa’lante! and The AfroFolk Project, led by Havurah member Jan DeWeese. The evening will include African food, beverages, a silent auction, a raffle and a slideshow about the Rafiki Village Project. Tickets ($30) are on sale at Brownpapertickets/com/event/3056351 Questions? Contact David at davnew2@earthlink.net.

The photo above was taken by David Newman.

(10) Shabbat Shira, Nov. 2-5 - OSRUI (URJ Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute) announces that registration will open soon for Shabbat Shira, OSRUI's music experience for adults - a great opportunity for spiritual renewal and making community through music. This flier provides more information.

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 Shalom
825 NW 18th Ave
Portland, OR 97209

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Weekly Community Email, August 16

FROM OUR CALENDAR
(1) Upcoming Shabbat - Bring a Vegetarian Dish to Havdalah Potluck Picnic (2) Tikkun Olam Committee Meeting (3) Connections Committee Meeting (4) Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation (5) Book Group Meeting (6) 8:15 am Early Start for Wednesday Morning Minyan (7) Music Group Gathering to Prepare for the Yamim Noraim (8) Portland Homeless Family Solutions Backpack Project & Upcoming Orientation (9) Courtyard Mosaic Project

ANNOUNCEMENTS
(1) Rabbi Benjamin's Letter to Havurah Following Charlottesville (2) Portland Interfaith Service in Response to Events in Charlottesville (3) Shabbat & Resilience Podcast from RRC (4) Moishe House Mindfulness Retreat (5) High Holidays Food Schlepper for Childcare Needed (6) High Holidays Tzedakah Project (7) Many Opportunities to Help During High Holidays (8) Summer Concerts at MJCC (9) Jewish Pride PDX Happy Hour (10) If I Had a Hammer(er) (11) Pa'lante Latin Jazz Quartet (12) Shabbat Shira

Above is a photo from our first Kabbalat Shabbat service with Rabbi Benjamin on Aug. 11. Many thanks to Rabbi Benjamin, Ilene Safyan, Margie Rosenthal, Chaim Wolin and Larry Reichman for the beautiful service and thank you to the Kabbalat Shabbat Planning Team for working with our caterer Barbara Block to organize the dessert oneg. Wonderful to see so many familiar and new faces! And thank you to Saturday morning's Community Minyan leaders and leyners and to Roger Brewer for his inspiring drash about gratitude.

FROM OUR CALENDAR

(1) Upcoming Shabbat - Community Minyan, Saturday, Aug. 19, 10:00 am - Rabbi Benjamin, Natalie Lerner, Ken Lerner, Marty Brown, Sam Sirkin, Roger Brewer, and Barbara Slader will lead, leyn and drash at Saturday’s Community Minyan. In this week’s Torah portion, Re’eh (Hebrew for “see”), Moses gives the people instructions before they enter the Promised Land, including to build a Temple, to follow the commandments, to set aside money for the poor, and to remember the pilgrimage festivals of Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot. We're sure to have a lively discussion. Please join us!

Havdalah Picnic to Welcome Rabbi Benjamin, Rachel, Arava, Judah and Lev Barnett, Saturday, Aug. 19, 5:30 pm at Laurelhurst Park in SE Portland - We are holding a potluck picnic/Havdalah celebration to welcome Rabbi Benjamin and his family, Rachel, Arava, Judah and Lev. We will meet at Laurelhurst Park, sites E & F, which are closest to Ankeny St. Please bring a vegetarian dish to share - your choice of main dish, side dish or dessert. Havurah will also provide vegetarian sub sandwiches, plates, napkins, juice and water, but feel free to bring your own drink to share too. We will have games for children, music and Havdalah. Come at 5:30 pm to start the games, and dinner will begin around 6'ish. Please RSVP here if you can come! (Photo below of Havdalah is from Moishe House.)

(2) Tikkun Olam Committee, Thursday, Aug. 17, 7:00 pm - Havurah's Tikkun Olam Committee will meet at Havurah Thursday night.

(3) Connections Committee, Monday, Aug. 21, 7:00 pm - Havurah's Connections Committee will meet at Havurah Monday evening.

(4) Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation, Tuesdays at Noon - Our Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation group will continue to meet at noon on Tuesdays during the summer whenever at least two people can attend. Deborah will be at Havurah most Tuesdays. Please add your name to this doodle poll to indicate when you can come.

(5) Book Group Discussion on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 7:00 pm - Join us as Arleen Slive leads a discussion of The Plot Against America by Philip Roth. This book presents the 1930s and 1940s in the U.S. The twist occurs when Roosevelt is not re-elected in 1940 but rather the election is won by Charles Lindbergh, who makes a better hero and lightning rod than a leader. It goes downhill from there. Charles Lindbergh negotiates a cordial "understanding" with Adolf Hitler, and the new government embarks on a program of folksy anti-Semitism. It is horrifying to realize that this book, published in 2004, so perfectly describes our current political climate. Some commentators describe Roth's book as "eerily prescient." RSVP here if you can come.

(6) Wednesday Morning Minyan, Aug. 23, Early Start - 8:15 am - Our weekly Wednesday morning service is for those who wish to incorporate daily practice in their lives and those saying Kaddish, or both. All are welcome. Our Aug. 23 minyan will begin at 8:15 am for Rosh Chodesh Elul.

(7) Music Group Gatherings to Prepare for the Yamim Noraim, Wednesdays, Aug. 23 & Aug. 30, 7:00 – 8:30 pm, Havurah Shalom - Havurah will begin musical preparation for the Yamim Noraim in earnest the week of Aug. 23, when the new month of Elul begins, and we will spend the next weeks singing and feeling the rhythms of the upcoming holidays. The first couple of sessions will occur on Wednesday nights, and we will expand to accommodate anyone interested but is unable to make those times. Please contact Ilene Safyan  if you can make it or if you are interested but can't make those dates.

(8) Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) Backpacks and School Supplies for Children Experiencing Homelessness - A Havurah group volunteers once a month at Portland Homeless Family Solutions, a local organization that helps families experiencing homelessness. John and Rachel Devlin are raising money to purchase backpacks and school supplies for the 86 children currently being helped by PHFS. These children are currently experiencing homelessness or recently have moved from homelessness into stable housing. School is the lifeline to a better future, and it is important to start the school year with confidence. If you would like to contribute, please contact John at john.t.devlin@gmail.com.

Havurah began the PHFS Adopt-A-Night volunteering direct service project a few years ago as a way to help people experiencing homelessness locally. We fill all of the needed volunteer positions once a month. Our list of volunteers continues to grow, as well as the need for shelter. Come be a part of this experience. The only requirement other than your willingness to put yourself in what may be a new, sometimes uncomfortable situation, is a one-hour orientation. Next orientation: Aug. 24 at 4:00 pm. All orientations are at the shelter, 1838 SW Jefferson. Please let Gloria Halper know if you are planning on attending: losninos6@gmail.com.

(9) Courtyard Mosaic Project, Aug. 27, 28 & 29; 10:00-12:30 pm, 1:00 - 4:00 pm, 6:30 - 8:30 pm - We will meet at the same three times on each date. Come help with our mosaic art project! We will apply the tiles and glass that we made to the backing board in preparation for the installation of our new murals. We will work at all the times listed above. Let us know on this doodle poll when you'd like to join us by selecting the time(s) and day(s) that work for you! (Above photo of one of the Havurah-made tiles was taken by Barbara Gundle.)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(1) A Letter from Rabbi Benjamin to Havurah Following Charlottesville -  Hearts are heavy throughout the country right now following Saturday’s tragedy in Charlottesville. We mourn the murder of Heather Heyer, killed by a crazed individual as she was peacefully protesting a hate-filled rally of white supremacists. Our prayers are with all those injured and all those whose lives were torn apart by Saturday’s tragic events. Let us utilize these prayers as a means of connection amidst the vulnerability of this moment. And let us channel these prayers and this grief into action — responding to darkness with the lights of faith and courage. Read more here.

(2) Interfaith Service in response to events in Charlottesville, Virginia - Augustana Lutheran Church, Thursday, August 17, 7:00 pm, 2710 NE 14th Ave (NE 15th & Knott) - Faith leaders and people of good will from around Portland will come together to stand in solidarity against hate groups around the theme, “United in Love to Overcome Hate.” This continues a long-standing interfaith practice in Portland of speaking out together in critical times while taking non-violent direct action for change. Doors will open at 6:00 pm, music beginning soon after. Interfaith service from 7:00 to  8:30 pm ending with a candlelight procession out to the street. 500-1000 people are expected, so outdoor speakers will be set up for overflow. Top Portland musicians will be participating. All are welcome. A brief pre-service press conference will be held outdoors at 6:00 pm.

(3) Shabbat & Resilience Podcast from RRC & JRC - You can listen here to the first of a series of podcasts called "Hashivenu: Jewish Teachings on Resilience" hosted by Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D., President of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and Jewish Reconstructionist Communities. Hashivenu means "return us." The “us” is the Jewish people, asking to be renewed, cultivating resilience. It's an especially meaningful word today because these times are challenging. It's easy to get exhausted as we build our communities, as we do our part to repair the world. Even keeping up with the news every day can be draining. In her first episode, Deborah and Rabbi Jacob Staub explore innovative ways that Shabbat observance can renew our spirit and replenish our body.

(4) Moishe House Mindfulness Retreat - Do you know anyone between the ages of 22 and 32 who wants to combine their loves of mindfulness and Judaism? Tell them to join Moishe House this November for our Jewish Mindfulness Intensive Retreat! Spend four days and three nights in forested Oregon, practicing meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. Dr. Zvi Bellin will guide us through periods of silence and reflection, weaving Judaism throughout. Apply at  moishehouse.org/intensive. The retreat itself is free and a stipend is offered for those who need to travel to Portland. A shuttle will be offered to the retreat center from Portland.

(5) Food Schlepper Needed for High Holidays Childcare - The food schlepper plays a critical High Holidays function by bringing snacks and disposable plates and bowls to the Childcare Room before the start of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. Lists of appropriate food and supplies are provided, and so is reimbursement for all expenses. This is a great role for someone who wants to make an important impact with minimal time commitment. Please be in touch with Rachel Pollak (503-248-4662 ext. 2, or rachelp@havurahshalom.org) to volunteer.

(6) High Holiday Tikkun Olam Tzedakah Project Donations - High Holiday Tikkun Tzedakah Project Donations can be dropped off in containers on the fourth floor of the Tiffany Center during High Holidays. Over this past year, Havurahniks have volunteered countless hours of direct service with two local organizations helping families get settled in new homes. Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) supports homeless families at the Goose Hollow Family Shelter transition to new homes, and Catholic Charities supports new refugees arriving in Portland. To further support this work, this year's Havurah High Holiday Tikkun Olam Tzedakah Project will be, as it was last year, to collect household items that will be used by PHFS and Catholic Charities in creating Welcome Baskets for the families each organization helps. Read more here about donation needs.

(7) Many Ways You Can Help During High Holidays - As always, it takes a village to make our services happen. Please look through the many types of volunteer positions open at our SignUp website and see what fits you best. Thank you to all our volunteers! Click here to find RSVP forms for Erev Rosh Hashanah Dinner, High Holidays childcare, and our Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur family services.

(8) Mittleman Jewish Community Center Summer Concert Series - Havurah supports the MJCC's Summer Concert Series. Learn more and buy tickets here.

(9) Jewish Pride PDX Happy Hour at Hobo's on Aug. 24, 6:30 pm - The first round of drinks will be on Jewish Pride PDX!

(10) If I Had a Hammer(er) - Are you good with tools, small repairs, and solving problems? Havurah is seeking a handy-person who can be on call for odd jobs related to the building and grounds. This can be either a paid or volunteer position, depending on your preference. For more information, please email Rachel.

(11) Pa’lante! Latin Jazz Quintet, Saturday, Sept. 16, 6:00 - 10:00 pm - A fun-packed evening at 1711 SE 40th Ave, Portland, benefiting the work of the Rafiki Village Project (RVP). The RVP is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation founded by Havurah member David Newman, working on small-scale, collaborative development projects in rural Tanzania. The Sept. 16 concert features the danceable rhythms of Pa’lante! and The AfroFolk Project, led by Havurah member Jan DeWeese. The evening will include African food, beverages, a silent auction, a raffle and a slideshow about the Rafiki Village Project. Tickets ($30) are on sale at Brownpapertickets/com/event/3056351 Questions? Contact David at davnew2@earthlink.net. Photo from Rafiki below was provided by Laura Orgel and David Newman.

(12) Shabbat Shira, Nov. 2-5 - OSRUI (URJ Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute) announces that registration will open soon for Shabbat Shira, OSRUI's music experience for adults - a great opportunity for spiritual renewal and making community through music. This flier provides more information.

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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 Shalom
825 NW 18th Ave
Portland, OR 97209

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