Alter Rockers Rock at Noble Rot
Havurah's Alter Rockers enjoyed a tasty happy hour at Noble Rot last night. Many thanks to Sarah Rosenberg, who organized the happy hour and took the photo on the right.
As Sarah has noted in the past, Havurah's Alter Rockers are nothing like Alter Kockers. They're Havurahniks who probably don't have younger children, pre-teens or teens at home (which usually means they have more time), who may be retired or thinking of retiring, and who are up for adventures with new and old friends.
If you're interested in adding your email address to the Alter Rockers email list and/or would like to attend future Alter Rockers get togethers, please email Sarah Rosenberg.
Yom Hazikaron & Yom Ha'atzme'ut
This week the new month of Iyar is upon us. And on the 4th and 5th of Iyar, (today and tomorrow), we celebrate two significant holidays: Yom Hazikaron (Israel's Memorial Day) and Yom Ha'atzme'ut (Israel's Independence Day).
Yom Hazikaron begins Tuesday night, May 10, and continues on May 11, and is immediately followed at sundown by Yom Ha'atzme'ut. Yom Hazikaron is a day spent in reflection; there are many powerful and poignant poems and songs commemorating those who have fallen. In Israel, it is a quiet day. People spend it listening to songs, attending memorial services and being with family and dear ones. At nightfall, Yom Ha'atzme'ut begins, and brings with it fireworks and festivities.
You can listen to Israel's National Anthem, "Hatikvah," (the Hope) HERE. There are so many wonderful songs that reflect the spirit of the people and the country, but we are unable to offer them because of copyright issues. If you want to know about some of the songs for today and tomorrow, search online or please feel free to get in touch with me and I’ll be happy to help you with resources and ideas.
Don’t forget Kabbalat Shabbat this week — we’ll be honoring our high school seniors and we have a great group of musical leaders! I hope to see you there.
- Ilene Safyan
Above photo of Yom Ha'atzme'ut was taken by Noam Chen.
Don't Delay - RSVP Today!
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LET'S CELEBRATE OUR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS THIS FRIDAY!
This is the last day to RSVP for this Friday's Kabbalat Shabbat dinner, our final Kabbalat Shabbat of the year. The vegetarian dinner will include dairy-free, gluten-free and nut-free options. RSVP here by midnight tonight No registration is required for the 7:30 pm service. Join Rabbi Joey, Ilene Safyan, Scott Snyder, Steven Sandberg-Lewis, Chaim Wolin and John Duke as we welcome Shabbat and celebrate our high school seniors.
Many thanks to all of the talented and generous musicians who have donated their time and talent to make our Kabbalat Shabbat music so wonderful throughout the year! The above photos are from Wikimedia. |
Ayelet Waldman Talks Shoah on May 26
Author Ayelet Waldman talks Shoah as 2016 Cogan Memorial Lecture Guest
May 26 is renowned author and journalist’s only Portland appearance Portland The Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies at Portland State University welcomes Ayelet Waldman to campus for its 2016 Sara Glasgow Cogan Memorial Lecture . This is the renowned author and journalist’s only recent Portland appearance; she last came to town in 2009.
For the 9th Cogan Lecture, Waldman presents "There's No Business Like Shoah Business: Why Would a Typical Jewish American Princess Be So Obsessed with Her People's Greatest Tragedy?" Her remarks relate to her latest book, “Love and Treasure” (Random House, 2014), which the author will sign and be available for purchase at the event. Shoah is the Hebrew word for the Holocaust.
Free and open to the public, Waldman appears Thurs., May 26, 7 p.m., in Lincoln Performance Hall on PSU’s campus, at 1620 S.W. Park Ave.
Waldman is also author of “Red Hook Road” and “The New York Times’ bestseller, “Bad Mother: A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamities and Occasional Moments of Grace.” Her novel “Love and Other Impossible Pursuits” was adapted into the film, “The Other Woman,” starring Natalie Portman.
“The theme of the annual Cogan event, 'Reflecting on American Jewish Life,' is one that Ayelet Waldman is eminently qualified to speak on,” Prof. Natan Meir, department chair, said. “I'm eager to hear the thoughts of a writer and public figure of Ayelet's stature on the role the Holocaust plays for American Jews today.”
In 2007, PSU Prof. Emeritus Nathan Cogan (also a member of Havurah) created the Sara Glasgow Cogan Memorial Scholarship and Lecture in his late wife's memory. The scholarship provides Judaic Studies students the opportunity to intern for a local Jewish communal organization; this year the participating organization is the Oregon Jewish Museum Center for Holocaust Education. The lecture highlights Judaic Studies' students of merit and, in the past, has brought to Portland noted guests like Prof. Samantha Baskind, novelist Dara Horn and the late Jewish musician Debbie Friedman.
“It's a joy to have speakers who represent the arts, and, in particular, novelist Ayelet Waldman this year at PSU,” Cogan, who founded the lecture series, said. “As a native of Maine, I was happily struck with the imaginary village of Red Hook, which appears in one of her best known works, ‘Love and Treasure.’
“Equally important,” Cogan continued, “I’m personally moved that members of the committee that selected this year’s lecture guest included Danielle Cogan, my daughter in law; Judy Margles, director of the OJMCHE; and David Fuks, newly retired CEO of Cedar Sinai Park.
Waldman’s personal essays and profiles of such public figures as Hillary Clinton have been widely published, including in “The New York Times,” “Vogue,” “The Washington Post,” and “The Wall Street Journal.” Her radio commentaries have appeared on “All Things Considered” and “This American Life.” Known worldwide, Waldman’s books are read in England, Thailand, the Netherlands, China, Russia, Israel, South Korea, and Italy.
About the Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies at PSU
Judaic Studies explores a global civilization and its fascinating journey through history from antiquity and the medieval world to modern day Europe, Israel, America, and beyond. We engage students of all backgrounds through a rich and flexible curriculum, including a major degree in Judaic Studies, and serve the greater Portland area through a range of community partnerships and events.
Above photo is from www.ayeletwaldman.com.
Community News, May 4
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UPCOMING SHABBAT Dorot Shabbat This will be the last Dorot Shabbat of the year! 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 led by congregants, followed by a vegetarian potluck dinner. Please RSVP here. Bar Mitzvah of Nathaniel Haas On Saturday, May 7, Nathaniel Haas, son of Kate Haas and Bruce Barbarasch, will be called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah. Please join us in celebration and welcome him to our community. Mazel tov! YOM HASHOAH EVENTS TONIGHT & TOMORROW
This annual community-wide ritual of remembrance for those who perished in the Shoah is free and open to the public. It is suitable for all ages. Reading of the Names This annual reflective reading of the names of those who died in the Holocaust is free and open to the public. Above photo is from Oregon Jewish Life. HAVE YOU SIGNED UP YET? Havurah Shalom’s future depends on you! Please SIGN UP HERE for an intimate, invigorating meeting about Havurah’s future. Meetings are scheduled for tonight in SW Portland, tomorrow night in SE Portland, and the coming Monday night in NE Portland. Click here for the addresses of the meetings. Sign up for a small group discussion in your neighborhood and meet the Havurahniks who live near you!
These small group discussions are not fundraising events but conversations about how to ensure Havurah Shalom’s long-term sustainability as a beautiful, vibrant Jewish community while remaining true to the egalitarian, respectful relationships that serve as our community’s foundation. The discussions will inform how we conduct our 'Give Back to the Future' endowment campaign. TIKKUN OLAM - REFUGEE UPDATES
The Hassan Family Moves In! The Hassan Family has moved into their new apartment in Gresham! Thanks to the numerous Havurah members who donated items for the apartment and to the awesome moving and setup crews! A special thanks to Carol Stampfer for letting us use her house to store stuff for longer than we expected, to Jay Moskowitz for taking care of renting and driving the moving truck, and to Rachel Oh for being the team leader and serving as the contact with the family and Catholic Charities. The photos above and below are of the Hassan Family and Havurah members at the Hassan's new home. You can see more photos here.
Eighth Annual Mother’s Day Vigil This annual vigil hosted by the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ) honors immigrant families and calls for an end to detentions and deportations. It will be held just outside the NW Detention Center (ICE) in Tacoma, WA, on Saturday, May 7, at 12:00 noon. Learn more about the vigil and carpool opportunities here. Another Opportunity for Cultural Navigator Training Over 15 Havurah members attended the first Cultural Navigator training last week. If you are interested in learning more, but weren’t able to attend the training, there is another opportunity on Thursday, May 12, from 5:30 – 8:30 pm at Catholic Charities, 2740 SE Powell Blvd (4th Floor, Training Room A&B). Please RSVP to Hannah McFarlane by May 10. Let Hannah know that you are with Havurah Shalom and ask her to send you the volunteer application and meeting information. Havurah Joins HIAS Welcome Campaign Havurah Shalom has signed on to the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) Welcome Campaign, though we might not be listed on the HIAS website yet. Along with congregations across the country, we have signed a statement in support of refugees and we are committed to engage our community in refugee issues. TIKKUN OLAM - PORTLAND HOMELESS FAMILY SOLUTIONS “… Jewish law (halakhah) attempts to guarantee housing stability. Though powerless to grant the Jewish people a permanent home, halakhah can at least help to assure individual members a stable place to live.” http://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/judaism-and-the-homeless PHFS Goose Hollow Havurah Volunteer Project News At the first of three PHFS Solutions Salons at the Goose Hollow Shelter, the keynote speaker was Israel Bayer, Executive Director of Street Roots, a passionate speaker. His own journey out of homelessness was aided by being a Street Roots vendor. About the vendor program: Over 120 active vendors buy and resell Street Roots in Portland. More than 20,000 newspapers are sold each month. Vendors purchase the paper for $0.25 and sell it for $1.00, keeping all profits and any tips. Street Roots vendors …
Some of the Street Roots vendors have been or are currently "guests" at Goose Hollow. Please consider supporting them with a purchase of the paper. Find a Street Roots vendor here. Goose Hollow Volunteer Orientations will be held May 9 & 25, from 5:00 to 6:00 pm, at Goose Hollow, 1838 SW Jefferson. Parking is available behind the church. For more information about Havurah's involvement with PHFS, contact Gloria Halper: losninos6@gmail.com. NEXT WEEK Women In Torah on Monday, 12:00 noon – Women In Torah is taught by Havurah member Alicia Jo Rabins. The May 9 class will focus on Ruth. You're welcome to take individual classes without signing up for the entire course. Learn more here. RSVP Deadline for Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner is Monday – May 9 is the deadline to register for the last Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner of the season, where we’ll celebrate our high school graduates. Register here. Talmud Lite on Tuesday, 12:10 pm – Talmud Lite is led by Rabbi Joey at a downtown location. The class is studying Berachot, the first tractate of Seder Zeraim. Please contact Rabbi Joey to learn more. Alter Rockers at Noble Rot on Tuesday – Due to space limits at Noble Rot, the Alter Rockers happy hour next Tuesday night is limited to 30 people – and we already have 30 RSVPs! If you would like to join future Alter Rockers events, and your email address isn’t already on the Alter Rockers list, please email Sarah Rosenberg. Wednesday Morning Minyan, 8:30 am – Join us for this short, focused minyan where you can also say Kaddish. CELEBRATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS AT KABBALAT SHABBAT
Kabbalat Shabbat We look forward to celebrating our high school seniors at our first post-Pesach Kabbalat Shabbat celebration on Friday, May 13. Rabbi Joey will lead the service, and inspiring music will be provided by Ilene Safyan, Scott Snyder, Steven Sandberg-Lewis, Chaim Wolin and John Duke. Childcare is available. We won’t have a Kabbalat Shabbat Service in June, so our May 13 service will be the last one of the season. Many thanks to all of the talented and generous musicians who have donated their time and talent to make our Kabbalat Shabbat music so wonderful throughout the year! Please join us for our May Kabbalat Shabbat Service, whether or not you can attend the 6:30 pm dinner before it. If you do plan to join us for dinner, though, RSVP by this Monday, May 9. The vegetarian meal includes dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free options. The above photo is from Wikimedia. SHABBAT SCHOOL SUMMIT Saturday, May 21 (RSVP by May 13) Kids will gather for special programming while parents discuss general Shabbat School topics. Then parents will meet in grade groups to plan summer activities and teaching for the upcoming year. At least one parent from each family should attend; two would be better if you have children in multiple grades. RSVP here by May 13 with the names of adults and children attending, as well as children’s ages. Childcare for children 0-5 years old is available with prior reservation. WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ANNE FRANK
Book Discussion Group At the May session of Havurah's Book Discussion Group we will review What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank, a collection of short stories by Nathan Englander. Englander presents a range of eccentric, unforgettable characters, including pot-smoking Hasidim, geriatric vigilantes, tough Jewish kids in the suburbs, and two Israeli mothers who make a desperate bargain. Englander brings wit and wisdom to a variety of themes including desperation, sexual longing, innocence in the face of adversity, and the nature of evil. Register here. Above image is from manoflabook.com. SONG OF MIRIAM AWARDS BRUNCH Havurah is delighted to honor Susan Lazareck this year with the Song of Miriam award! Susan and her husband Jack have been a part of the Havurah community for 30 years, and Susan has worn many, many hats during this time. Read more about Susan here. If you would like to see Susan receive her award at the Song of Miriam Awards Brunch on Sunday, June 5, please use this form to register.
VOTE FOR HAVURAH LEADERS & COMMENT ON GOVERNANCE PROPOSAL Please click here to vote on the ballot of candidates nominated to serve as Officers and Steering Committee Members. At our Congregational Meeting in April, a proposal was made to change the Havurah governance structure. You can review the presentation for the new structure here on our website as well as make comments or recommendations until May 10. The plan is to vote in June on the governance structure, which will create new Steering Committee positions. The present slate of nominees includes officers for a two-year term AND several members who have agreed to extend their current terms on the Steering Committee until the new slate can be presented, reflecting the new structure. Thank you, Shelley Sobel and Debbi Nadell, Co-Presidents DUES NEWS If you haven’t finished paying your dues for 2015-16, please do so. Contact Karen Westerman at 503-236-6095 if you want to discuss dues with her. Every member must complete this form, even if you are not changing the amount of your dues commitment. For those who pay dues via automatic debit, the May debit will occur about a week late so we can compile the dues commitments. Thank you, Karen Westerman and Larry Reichman, Finance Committee Co-Chairs ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR RABBI THROUGH JUNE Based on information from all who participated in Havurah’s rabbi search survey and focus groups, Havurah Shalom has posted this job description on our website for the position of rabbi. Applications for the position will be accepted now through June 30, 2016. The new rabbi’s start date will be August 1, 2017. All inquiries about the job should be directed to Rabbi Joel Alpert, Director of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Placement Center. His contact number is 215-576-0800 ext 304. Please do not send resumes to the committee! Learn more and see the committee’s timeline here. |
Refugee Support Update
Hassan Family Moves!
The Hassan Family has moved into their new apartment in Gresham! Thanks to the numerous Havurah members who donated items for the apartment and to the awesome moving and setup crews! A special thanks to Carol Stampfer for letting us use her house to store stuff for longer than we expected, to Jay Moskowitz for taking care of renting and driving the moving truck, and to Rachel Oh for being the team leader and serving as the contact with the family and Catholic Charities.
The photos to the right and below are of the Hassan Family and Havurah members in the Hassan's new home.
Another Opportunity for Cultural Navigator Training
Over 15 Havurah members attended the first Cultural Navigator training last week. If you are interested in learning more, but weren’t able to attend the training, there is another opportunity on Thursday, May 12, from 5:30 – 8:30 pm at Catholic Charities, 2740 SE Powell Blvd., Portland, OR 97202 (4th Floor, Training Room A&B). Please RSVP to Hannah McFarlane by May 10, and let Hannah know that you are with Havurah Shalom and ask her to send you the volunteer application and meeting information.
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Community News, April 27
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UPCOMING SHABBAT Community Minyan with Yizkor Join us for this Saturday’s Community Minyan on the eighth day of Passover. The service will include Hallel and Yizkor, with leading and leyning by Barbara Slader, Susan Brenner, Emily Simon, Buff Neretin, Barbara Sevde, and Rabbi Joey. Shabbat Afternoon at Havurah ...
SUNDAY, MAY 1 Havurah's annual cemetery clean up is this Sunday from 1:00 to 2:30 pm. Please join us in beautifying our cemetery, which is located at 5656 SW Humphrey Blvd. Bring garden implements and wear appropriate clothing. You can find directions to the cemetery here. May 1 Deadline to Register for Shabbat School To register a child for Havurah’s 2016-17 Shabbat School, the child’s family must be Havurah Shalom members and must register and pay for Shabbat School here by May 1. If you have friends or acquaintances who are considering our Shabbat School program, please let them know that they should contact Stacy Hankin soon with any questions they may have.
The Triumph of the Human Spirit In addition to several local events on Yom HaShoah on May 5, you may be interested in a talk sponsored by OSU’s Holocaust Memorial Program at Congregation Beth Israel this Sunday. Eva Mozes Kor will speak on the topic, “The Triumph of the Human Spirit: From Auschwitz to Forgiveness.” Eva is among the most prominent Holocaust survivors who still travel widely to speak of speak of what they saw and experienced in the Nazi camps. You can read a thumbnail of her story or see a flier about her visit here. HAVE YOU SIGNED UP YET? Havurah Shalom’s future depends on you! Please SIGN UP HERE for an intimate, invigorating meeting about Havurah’s future. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for Sunday, May 1, in SE Portland, Tuesday, May 3, in SE Portland, Wednesday, May 4, in SW Portland, and Thursday, May 5, in SE Portland. Beginning the following Sunday, meetings are scheduled in N and NE Portland. Click here for the addresses for the meetings. Sign up for a small group discussion in your neighborhood and meet the Havurahniks who live near you!
These small group discussions are not fundraising events but conversations about how to ensure Havurah Shalom’s long-term sustainability as a beautiful, vibrant Jewish community while remaining true to the egalitarian, respectful relationships that serve as our community’s foundation. The discussions will inform how we conduct our 'Give Back to the Future' endowment campaign. NEXT WEEK AT HAVURAH Monday, 12:00 noon - Women In Torah with Alicia Jo Rabins - This week we will learn about Lilith. You're welcome to take individual classes without signing up for the entire course. Learn more here. Wednesday, 8:30 am - Morning Minyan - Join us for a short, focused service where you can also say Kaddish. Wednesday, 7:00 pm - Whose B'nai Mitzvah Is It Anyway? - How do parents navigate planning a Bar or Bat Mitzvah with varying degrees of familiarity with and/or attachment to Jewish tradition, with a goal of inclusion and creating a meaningful experience for their teen? How do we make decisions? RSVP here. DOROT SHABBAT This will be the last Dorot Shabbat of the year! 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 led by congregants, followed by a vegetarian potluck dinner.
KABBALAT SHABBAT, CELEBRATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS Friday, May 13 The vegetarian dinner will begin at 6:30 pm, followed by the service at 7:30 pm. We offer dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free choices, and you’re invited to bring wine or juice to celebrate Shabbat. Childcare is available. RSVP here for the dinner by Monday, May 9. REFUGEE HOUSING NEEDS & CULTURAL NAVIGATORS One of, if not the biggest, challenge facing refugees arriving in Portland right now is the high cost of housing. If you own rental units, or have a friend or family member who does, and would be willing to talk to Catholic Charities about the possibilities of renting to a newly arriving family, please contact Chris Coughlin (chriscoughlin60@gmail.com) or Michelle Welton (mwelton@catholiccharitiesoregon.org). There are also times when a single refugee adult arrives here who needs to rent a room in a house, so if you might be interested in sharing your home, check with Chris or Michelle. Seventeen Havurah members went through the Catholic Charities’ Cultural Navigator training this week, and we are starting to form teams of 2-4 people to be matched with families and individuals who have recently arrived in Portland. If you are interested in participating or finding out more information, it isn’t too late. Read more about this and about refugee housing needs here. Another training will be offered at Catholic Charities in mid-May. Watch your community email or contact Rebecca Darling-Budner if you are interested in attending a training. We hope that we are able to move the Hassan family into their apartment this Friday. Getting them settled into their new home will be a major milestone for them, as well as for our refugee support project! Thanks to everyone who has made it possible. -Chris Coughlin PORTLAND HOMELESS FAMILY SOLUTIONS & STREET ROOTS “… Jewish law (halakhah) attempts to guarantee housing stability. Though powerless to grant the Jewish people a permanent home, halakhah can at least help to assure individual members a stable place to live.” - http://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/judaism-and-the-homeless PHFS Goose Hollow Havurah Volunteer Project News At the first of three PHFS Solutions Salons at the Goose Hollow Shelter, the keynote speaker was the passionate Israel Bayer, Executive Director of Street Roots. His own journey out of homelessness was aided by being a Street Roots vendor. About the vendor program: Over 120 active vendors buy and resell Street Roots in Portland. More than 20,000 newspapers are sold each month. Vendors purchase the paper for $0.25 and sell it for $1.00, keeping all profits and any tips.
Street Roots vendors …
Some of the Street Roots vendors have been or are currently "guests" at Goose Hollow. Please consider supporting them with a purchase of the paper. Find a Street Roots vendor here. For more information about Havurah's involvement with PHFS, contact Gloria Halper: losninos6@gmail.com. LAST WEEK TO DONATE FEMALE HYGIENE PRODUCTS ALTER ROCKERS ROCK AT NOBLE ROT Tuesday, May 10 SHABBAT SCHOOL SUMMIT Saturday, May 21 Kids will gather for special programming while parents discuss general Shabbat School topics. Then parents will meet in grade groups to plan summer activities and teaching for the upcoming year. At least one parent from each family should attend; two would be better if you have children in multiple grades. RSVP here by May 13 with the names of adults and children attending, as well as children’s ages. Childcare for children 0-5 years old is available with prior reservation. NEXT BOOK DISCUSSION - SHORT STORIES BY NATHAN ENGLANDER Tuesday, May 24 The May session of the Havurah Book Discussion Group will review What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank, a collection of short stories by Nathan Englander. Englander presents a range of eccentric, unforgettable characters, including pot-smoking Hasidim, geriatric vigilantes, tough Jewish kids in the suburbs, and two Israel mothers who make a desperate bargain. Englander brings wit and wisdom to a variety of themes including desperation, sexual longing, innocence in the face of adversity, and the nature of evil. Register here. SONG OF MIRIAM AWARD WINNER: SUSAN LAZARECK
Havurah is thrilled to honor Susan Lazareck this year with the Song of Miriam award! Susan and her husband Jack have been a part of the Havurah community for 30 years, and Susan has worn many, many hats during this time. Read more about Susan here. If you’d like to see Susan receive her award at the Song of Miriam Awards Brunch on Sunday, June 5, at the MJCC, and you want to sit at a table with other Havurahniks, register using this form and email Debbi Nadell to tell her you’d like to sit at the Havurah table. VOTE FOR HAVURAH LEADERS & COMMENT ON NEW GOVERNANCE PROPOSAL Please click here to vote on the ballot of candidates nominated to serve as Officers and Steering Committee Members. At our Congregational Meeting last Sunday, a proposal was made to change the Havurah governance structure. You can review the presentation for the new structure here on our website as well as make comments or recommendations until May 10. The plan is to vote in June on the governance structure, which will create new Steering Committee positions. The present slate of nominees includes officers for a two-year term AND several members who have agreed to extend their current terms on the Steering Committee until the new slate can be presented, reflecting the new structure. Thank you, Shelley Sobel and Debbi Nadell, Co-Presidents FINANCIAL & DUES NEWS Please complete your membership/dues commitment for the new year by the end of April using this link. Every member must complete this form, even if you are not changing the amount of your dues commitment. For those who pay dues via automatic debit, the May debit will occur about a week late so we can compile the dues commitments. Thank you, Karen Westerman and Larry Reichman, Finance Committee Co-Chairs THANK YOU FOR AN AWESOME COMMUNITY SEDER
Many thanks to these Havurah members who created a welcoming and meaingful community seder at Havurah on April 23:
The above photo was taken by Elyse Hill. You can see more photos from the seder here on Havurah’s Facebook page. OFFICE CLOSURE THIS FRIDAY, APRIL 29 Havurah’s office will be closed this Friday for Passover. ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR RABBI THROUGH JUNE Based on information from all who participated in Havurah’s rabbi search survey and focus groups, Havurah Shalom has posted this job description on our website. Applications for the position will be accepted now through June 30, 2016. The new rabbi’s start date will be August 1, 2017. All inquiries about the job should be directed to Rabbi Joel Alpert, Director of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Placement Center. His contact number is 215-576-0800 ext.304. Please do not send resumes to the committee! Learn more and see the committee’s timeline here. |
This Year's Song of Miriam Award
Havurah is thrilled to honor Susan Lazareck this year with the Song of Miriam award! Susan and her husband Jack have been a part of the Havurah community for 30 years, and Susan has worn many, many hats during this time.
When her daughters Allison and Anna were younger, Susan helped write the curriculum for our kindergarten through 8th grade parent co-op Shabbat School and Middle School. She was a member of the Havurah High School committee and worked with Emily Simon to help our teens create and deliver a drash at several different services. Susan has served on our Steering Committee and is on our History Committee. She led Family Services for seven years. She remembers fondly one occasion where the Havurah building was locked and the group of families proceeded to hold their service across the street under a carport in the rain!
Since retiring from over 30 years of teaching, including 18 as the best third grade teacher at Catlin Gabel, Susan has taken on one of our biggest volunteer jobs during the last three years as the Logistics Coordinator for our High Holiday Services at the Tiffany Center. She is currently helping Havurah’s recent efforts for refugees – she coordinated the gathering of furniture and household items for a newly arrived refugee family. Susan was part of our Adult B’nai Mitzvah class this past December, and every Wednesday morning she helps out in our office with a group of volunteers.
In her neighborhood, Susan is known for her caring ways and wicked pickles made from Jack's garden. She takes her commitment to Havurah and to others in the community seriously – so many of us have been happy recipients of her efforts!
-Debbi Nadell
The above photo of Susan becoming a Bat Mitzvah with her Adult B'nai Mitzvah colleagues in December 2015 was taken by Donna Kleinman.
Wishing You a Happy & Healthy Pesach
On behalf of the Steering Committee and Havurah Staff, we extend our warmest wishes to all of you for a happy and healthy Pesach!
This year, we are particularly struck by the Passover themes related to refugees. We will all tell the story at our Sedarim of the Hebrew refugees fleeing Egypt, and today we see that experience being shared by many around the world. We are proud of the amazing response of our Tikkun Olam Committee and the Havurah community to this issue – both by promoting our statement in support of bringing refugees to this country, and by the outpouring of donations for the Hassan family who recently arrived in Portland.
We hope you have the opportunity to reflect on the refugee related material the Tikkun Olam Committee put together for Pesach, either at your Seder or when you have a quiet moment during the next week.
May your Seder be uplifting and inspiring as you enjoy the company of friends and family. We look forward to a wonderful year for our congregation.
Shelley Sobel and Debbi Nadell
Havurah Shalom Co-Presidents
The photo above, taken by Chris Coughlin, is of Someya Hassan (on left) with young Havurahniks.
Annual Meeting & Governance Changes
Close to 75 Havurah members joined together on April 17 for the first of two Congregational Meetings this year. At this meeting, we:
- Approved the budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year
- Heard about new efforts related to fundraising and endowment, keeping in line with Havurah’s values
- Had an update from the Rabbi Search Committee
- Learned about the Gesher (Governance and Staffing Recommendations) team recommendations
The Gesher team was charged to consider and propose a new governance structure and operational framework to help Havurah carry forward our strategic plan and meet the needs and goals of our congregational community.
Broader goals in this work were to:
- Maintain Havurah’s participatory culture
- Create greater efficiencies and effectiveness
- Build additional leadership and staff capacity to manage for the future
Our data gathering completed earlier this year identified issues around the manageability of volunteer leadership roles, confusion about our decision-making structure, and the need to focus the Steering Committee on policy and strategy issues vs. operational ones.
We decided to follow the framework in our Long Range Plan and to concentrate Havurah’s organizational structure on these focus areas – Kehillah (Community), Avodah (Spiritual Life), Limud (Lifelong Learning), Hadracha (Governance) and Tikkun Olam.
The proposed structure includes:
- A single governing body (Steering Committee) with clear areas of responsibility for all members serving
- Leadership roles that can be filled by volunteers without unreasonable expectations of time or energy
- Committee clusters around the focus areas of the Long Range Plan – Kehillah, Avodah, Limud , Hadracha and Tikkun Olam – with a lead ‘sponsor’ for each area serving on the governing body
- Clear staff links with the governing body and committees
- Guidelines for decision making and communicating strategic direction that fit the Havurah spirit
- Attention to onboarding community members into leadership roles on committees and the governing body
- A more defined role for past presidents
A copy of the presentation can be found HERE.
Please use this form to submit your questions and comments no later than May 10. Questions will be answered by a member of the Gesher team and will be posted on this page along with the comments we receive.
Acceptance of the Gesher proposal necessitates revisions to our existing bylaws. We will send out the proposed bylaw changes by email no later than May 25. Our second Congregational Meeting to approve the bylaw changes will be held on Sunday, June 5 at 1:00 pm.
We look forward to reading your comments and moving forward into implementation of the new governance structure. You can read other Havurah members' comments here.
Gesher Team – Eve Berry, Janet Byrd, Chris Coughlin, Debbi Nadell, Aaron Pearlman, Larry Reichman and Shelley Sobel
Photos taken at the Annual Meeting by Miryam Brewer and Teri Ruch.
Community Seder on April 23
Community Seder
Saturday, April 23
6:00 pm
Havurah Shalom
This year's community seder will be led by Havurah members Beth Hamon, Adela Basayne, Sally and Bill Hersh, and Phil and Marjorie Walters. It's sure to be engaging and meaningful for people of all ages!
The menu will include the following:
Haroseth
Mock Liver Spread
Eggs
Vegetables
Vegan Matzo Ball Soup with Choice of Gluten-free Matzo Balls
Green Salad
Salmon ( Vegan Option of Stuffed Cabbage)
Quinoa Pilaf
Sautéed Kale
Macaroons
Meringue - Chocolate and More
Passover Brownies
Fruit with Dairy-free Whipped Topping
Click here to hear beautiful Passover songs and to learn more about the holiday.
Passover Songs & Other Resources
To learn more about the holiday and enjoy the music of Pesach through Cantor Barbara Slader’s singing, visit Havurah’s Pesach web page. Thank you, Barbara, for sharing your beautiful music with us!
This year Havurah’s Tikkun Olam Committee has selected some materials focusing on social justice issues that they hope will enrich our seders by providing some questions for discussion around the table or as an additional reading or two to add new voices to our celebrations. The resources are mostly about refugees, and there are also some on homelessness. The committee hopes you find something in the materials that resonates with you, and that you find a spot for something new to add to your seder this year.
Move-in Day for the Hassan Family
We are continuing to help support the Hassan family as they begin to settle into the Portland community. We have heard that an apartment may be available for them soon, and we are getting details on when they can move in.
We know that Passover is a busy time for everyone, but we want to help them get settled as soon as possible, so we may be moving them in next week!
Background
Through Catholic Charities, Havurah was recently matched with the Hassan family from Somalia. Amina and Adan Hassan have two children, a four year old daughter, Someya, and a two year old son, Abdinajib. They arrived in Portland recently, and are currently staying with Adan’s brother. (Pictured in Chris Coughlin's photo below are Someya Hassan, on left, with visiting Havurahniks.)
Catholic Charities is looking for housing for them, but there are other families ahead of them on the list, so … we don’t know how long it will take. Once there is an apartment, we will put out a call for any remaining gaps in what we’ve already collected, and help them move in and get settled.
Meanwhile, the kids in both Hassan families (Adan’s and his brother’s) could use shoes. There are eight kids total, and shoes are needed in the following sizes: Toddler Boy size 9, Toddler Girl size 9, Child size 2 (boy), Child size 3 (boy), Child size 3 (girl), Adult size 5 (girl), Adult size 9 (boy) and Adult size 10 (girl). Plus socks for all the kids, but especially the children, size 2 and 3. The next sizes up will be fine too, especially for the smaller sizes because kids’ feet grow quickly.
Please drop any donations off at Mariah Lebwohl’s or Rachel Oh’s in NE or Chris Coughlin’s in SW. Contact Chris at chriscoughlin60@gmail.com with any questions.
Give Back to the Future Meetings
We need your help! We're preparing to launch our “Give Back to the Future” endowment campaign and hope that all of our members will join their fellow Havurahniks at one of our small-group discussions during April, May or June. Together we will brainstorm how to remain true to our spirit of egalitarianism and also ensure Havurah’s long-term sustainability as a beautiful, vibrant Jewish community. These meetings will not be fundraising events.
The meetings have been scheduled at Havurah and at members' homes. Space is limited at each venue, so RSVP Below for a day and location convenient for you.
Watch videos of Havurah members explaining why they want to Give Back to the Future here.
What a Purim Party!
You can watch the "G.rand O.ld P.urim" spiel here and enjoy these photos on Facebook taken by John Schultz, Susan Lazareck and Lisa Rackner.
We had a full house of Purim Party fun on March 23, thanks to spiel producer Ruth Feldman, her assistant producer Mike Feldman, spiel writer and performer Rabbi Joey, and spiel performers Lisa Rackner, Jeff Hammerlund, Elona Landau, Laura Ehrlich, Stacy Hankin, Lenny Danziger, Loree Devery, Scott Snyder, and David Frackelton.
Thanks to Barbara Gundle for fabulous pre-party photos, to Margie Rosenthal and Ilene Safyan for their animated sing-a-long, and to Purim Queens Fran Berg, Sarah Rosenberg, Susan Baillet, Annie Goldberg, who did a great job organizing and getting the party rolling. Additional thanks to Marisa Berg for setting up, helping with kid activities, and cleaning up; to the young Havurahniks who ran the games; to Keren McCord and Havurah greeting team; to Buff Medb Neretin for volunteering as our fortune teller.
Finally, in Annie Goldberg's words: "Thanks to the whole congregation for being the joyous and loving, and whimsical folk they are!"
Above photo of Haman and a skeptical King A. is believed to have been taken by Senior Legal Correspondent Lisa Rackner.
Cultural Navigators Training
Information Session & Training for Cultural Navigators
Tuesday, April 26
6:00 - 9:00 pm
Havurah Shalom
Please join us on April 26 to hear from Catholic Charities about the Cultural Navigator Program. This is an opportunity to learn more about the program and answer questions you might have.
We have heard from several of you that you are interested in working with a small group of Havuraniks to support a refugee family as they settle in Portland. And that is great! Others still have questions about whether this is a volunteer role that they can take on at this point, but want to find out more. Either way, please join us.
This session will help answer questions, provide background information on the refugee resettlement process, and meet the training requirement for those of you who decide to volunteer.
If you can’t make it on April 26, don’t worry. Catholic Charities has regular trainings at their SE offices, so we can help you get that information.
Please RSVP to Rebecca Darling-Budner.
Thanks to Refugee Apartment Supporters
Many thanks to everyone helping pull things together for refugee apartment(s).
It is exciting to see so many Havurahniks come together to help setup refugee apartments! We are still getting information from Catholic Charities about the families we are supporting, and it looks like we may have the opportunity to help resettle two families in the next couple of weeks. Based on our current information, both are Somali families. One is a mother with four children ages 13 - 20, and the other is a mother, father, and two young children, ages 3 and 4.
If you have signed up to provide items for the apartment we are setting up for a refugee family, and haven’t dropped things off yet, please plan to drop off donations on Sunday, March 27, between 12:30 to 2:00 pm at 7135 SW 34th, in the Multnomah Village area. Carol Stampfer has graciously donated her garage for our donations. Thank you Carol!
Please bring a fully filled out donation form, with name, address, email and phone number. We will have blank copies available. We are ready to accept all donations except for large furniture. We can take kitchen gear, lamps, small tables, small chairs, bath and linens, personal care items, etc. In fact, almost everything offered.
Our needs are evolving as we get more information about the refugee families. We need some more table and floor lamps. Please click on the link and put your name next to anything that you can donate. If you might be available to help with move-in day (we don’t know the date yet so we are just seeing who might be interested), please email Rachel Oh.
It has been quite damp with all the rain lately, so it's helpful to place linens in plastic bags to prevent mildew. The same would be true if you are providing foods stuffs.
Thank you all for your loving support! If you have any questions, please call Susan Lazareck at 503-880-5711.
RSVP for Shabbat School Summit
Please RSVP by May 13 for the Shabbat School Summit on May 21.
Kids will gather for special programming, while parents discuss general Shabbat School topics. Then parents will meet in grade groups to plan summer activities and teaching for the upcoming year. At least one parent from each family should attend; two are better if you have children in multiple grades.
RSVP here by May 13 with the names of adults and children attending, as well as children’s ages. Childcare for 0-5-year-olds is available with prior reservation.
May 1 Deadline, Shabbat School/Hebrew
Shabbat School
To enroll a child in Havurah's Shabbat School, families must be Havurah Shalom members and register for Shabbat School by May 1. If you have friends or acquaintances who are considering our Shabbat School program, please alert them about the deadline and have them contact Stacy Hankin as soon as possible.
Youth Hebrew Classes
If you would like your child to participate in our optional Youth Hebrew Classes, (children typically begin in the third grade), please register for them by May 1 as well.
Registration forms are available here on the Havurah website. Please return them to Havurah Shalom by May 1, along with a check for your tuition payment. You may also pay online using this link: havurahshalom.org/youthedpayment.
Learn more about Havurah's Shabbat School here.
Items for Refugee Apartment
If you have signed up to provide items for the apartment we are setting up for a refugee family, please plan to drop off donations on Sunday, March 20, between 12:30 to 2:00 pm at Carol Stampfer's home, in the Multnomah Village area. Carol has graciously donated her garage for our donations. Thank you Carol! (If you're a Havurah member, please check your March 16 community email for the address.)
Please bring a fully filled out donation form, with name, address, email and phone number. We will have blank copies available. We are ready to accept all donations except for large furniture. We can take kitchen gear, lamps, small tables, small chairs, bath and linens, personal care items, etc. In fact, almost everything offered.
If you might be available to help with move-in day (we don’t know the date yet so we are just seeing who might be interested), please email Rachel Oh.
It has been quite damp with all the rain lately. It is helpful to place linens in plastic bags to prevent mildew. The same would be true if you are providing foods stuffs.
Thank you all for your loving support!
If you have any questions, please call Susan Lazareck at 503-880-5711.
Davita's Harp
Davita on Stage and at the Yeshiva
Wednesday, March 30
7:30 pm Milagro Theatre
525 SE Stark, Portland
The Jewish Theatre Collaborative offers a special performance of its adaptation of Davita's Harp for tween, teen, and adult members of Havurah (and the general public) in association with the Portland Jewish Book Celebration. Yes, there is a discount on tickets for this performance!
As Havurah is sponsoring this March 30 event, Havurah members will receive a $5 price reduction on their tickets. Buying your tickets online? Visit this website and use the special Havurah code, which has been included in our community emails to members, or call the JTC office at 503-512-0582. Due to responses to the Lifelong Learning Committee, the possibility for a pre-show dinner has morphed into a post-show informal gathering. Details to come.
Can’t make March 30? Performances of Davita’s Harp run from March 19 through April 9. And don't forget the Taste of Yeshiva classes offered at Milagro Theatre on April 3, at 10:30 am. RSVP to info@jewishtheatrecollaborative.org.