Hineinu, July 13, 2022

Thank you for following our safety requirements at in-person gatherings. 

Weekly Happenings

Weekly Parsha Study​
Saturdays, 9 am, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
Join Havurah for a community-led study session of the weekly Torah reading before each Shabbat service.

Shabbat Morning Service
Saturdays, 10 am, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
All are welcome at our Shabbat services, including b'nei mitzvah services. You don't need to receive an invitation. Just come celebrate with the b'nei mitzvah, their family, and the community! Check our online calendar for details about all Shabbat services.

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
Tuesdays, 12 pm, Zoom Room Bet & In Person
We gather mostly via Zoom to find moments of quiet and shalom in a welcoming space. Various styles of Jewish meditation are explored. No meditation experience necessary. All are welcome to drop in. Led by Rabbi Benjamin, Adela Basayne, or Nancy Becker.

Morning Minyan
Wednesdays, 8:30 am, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
For all who want a regular prayer practice and those saying Kaddish.

Upcoming Events

Bar Mitzvah of August Springgate
Saturday, July 16, 10 am
Please join us in welcoming August Springgate as a bar mitzvah and member of our community. No invitation is required. All are welcome.

Mahjong Group
Monday, July 18, 1 pm – In Person at Havurah (First & Third Mondays/Month)
We are excited to bring mahjong back to Havurah. It is a fun, social activity that builds community, encouraging new friendships and cementing old ones. And while some of us may play elsewhere as well, we all agreed that restoring its place as an ongoing congregational activity will be a good fit for Havurah and those of us who play or want to learn the game. So please don't hesitate to join us! Learn more and register.

The Song Circle
Monday, July 18, 7:30 pm – Zoom Room Dalet & In Person
The Song Circle is based on a program designed by Joey Weisenberg and the Rising Song Institute focusing on communal songs and niggunim, wordless melodies. It is open to all who wish to learn, share music, and grow their personal leadership techniques. The guided self-study requires access to a library of Joey’s music videos, written materials, and short instructional videos, which costs $18/month per person, but limited subsidies are available. Contact: Ken Lerner

Book Group – Palestinian Walks: Forays into a Vanishing Landscape
Tuesday, July 26, 7 pm – Zoom Room Bet
Author Raja Shehadeh enjoys heading out into the countryside that surrounds his home. We accompany Raja on six walks taken between 1978 and 2006. The earlier forays are peaceful affairs, allowing our guide to meditate at length on the character of his native land. But recently his hikes have become less than bucolic and sometimes downright dangerous because his home is Ramallah, in the West Bank. In this book, Raja Shehadeh's elegy for his lost footpaths becomes a heartbreaking metaphor for the deprivations of an entire people estranged from their land. Led by Joel Beinin. Learn more.

AlteRocker Happy Hour
Thursday, July 28, 4:30 pm – Zoom Room Heh
Come schmooze with us. And mark your calendars for monthly schmoozes - the last Thursday of the month.

Bat Mitzvah of Charlotte Wise
Saturday, July 30, 10 am – Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
Please join us in welcoming Charlotte Wise as a bat mitzvah and member of our community. No invitation is required. All are welcome.​​​

Tikkun Olam Updates

Gun Safety Success!
The Havurah-sponsored, gun safety initiative by Lift Every Voice Oregon collected 161,485 signatures! They started out with 2 petitions but dropped one (IP 18) to focus on requiring permits, background checks, training, and a ban on large-capacity ammunition magazines (IP 17). This is what you will have the chance to vote into law this fall. You can watch Barbara Gundle travel to Salem with the LEVO group to deliver the petitions here. 

Volunteer Projects with The Common Good Project
We would love your help! There are many opportunities to work with our homeless neighbors in a safe and effective way. YOU ARE NEEDED.

• We have established an Amazon Wish List and will continue to update it as needs change. Please consider purchasing an item or two if you can.
• Some of you have time and resources to help cook. Sign up here.
• Some people have offered to donate funds. That's really kind and so very, very helpful. Venmo = @jenn-louis
• Tuesday delivery caravan is always in need of drivers. Sign up here.
• Lastly, the website has been updated to include information on this homeless initiative. Please go to jennlouis.com for more information and links. Contact: Jenn Louis

News & Events From Our Tikkun Olam Partners

Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) | Interfaith Alliance on Poverty (IAP) | Lift UP | MACG | Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice NW ​​​​​​ | Rose Haven ​​​​​​​

Havurah Announcements

Gathering School Supplies to Donate
Margot Kirshbaum and Naomi Granek Brown’s mitzvah project is raising money and gathering supplies for Schoolhouse Supplies, so low income students in Portland get the supplies they need to thrive at school. Will you please help by donating money to Schoolhouse Supplies in honor of Margot and Naomi’s bat mitzvah, or by bringing physical donations (backpacks, notebooks, pens etc.) to the porch at 2279 SE 35th Place, Portland 97214? Thank you so much for your generosity!

Community Announcements

Judy Chicago Exhibit Tour and Rooftop Reception
For Community Members Ages 45 and Under
Thursday, Aug. 4, 5:30 pm
Register here.
For Community Members Ages 45+
Tuesday, Aug. 23, 11 am
Register here.  
OJMCHE and the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland invite you to join them for a special summer event for younger adults ages 45 and under on Aug. 4 (Co-hosted by OJMCHE, JFGP, One Table, Moishe House & Moishe Pod West PDX) or a special event for people ages 45+ on Tuesday, Aug. 23 (Co-hosted by OJMCHE, JFGP, MJCC). Take a guided tour of "Turning Inward: JUDY CHICAGO,” from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation, which traces Judy Chicago’s development as an artist and Jewish woman across six decades. Both events will be followed by a reception on the museum’s stunning rooftop patio. Cost is $10/person.

Resources

Do You Need Support?
If you are a Havurah member facing emotional, financial, or health challenges and would welcome support, please consider contacting the (a) Bikkur Holim (Visiting the Sick) Committee for spiritual support, (b) Lotsa Helping Hands for help with food, transportation, or other errands, or (c) Rabbi Benjamin, for spiritual and moral support – benjamin@havurahshalom.org or 503-248-4662 ext. 3. If you're interested in being on a list of people who support others in concrete ways, such as grocery shopping or running other errands, please contact Lotsa Helping Hands. To request that the name of a relative or Havurah member be read during the Misheberach (healing prayer) at Shabbat services, use this new Misheberach Request Form.

Questions About Havurah?
​​​​​​​The Transparency & Inclusivity Committee is an avenue within Havurah Shalom to help members find the answers to questions or concerns they have wondered about. Please send your questions to transparency@havurahshalom.org. We will anonymously answer your question in Hakol. Everyone in our community benefits from this clarity.

Hineinu, June 29, 2022

Reproductive Justice: A Message from Rabbi Benjamin

Friends,

The Supreme Court’s decision last Friday was an assault upon our collective freedom and safety. As with other recent decisions, in overturning Roe the court’s majority is disregarding the views of our country’s majority and abusing their power to do so. It is devastating and enraging. This decision is part of a frightening backlash against the expansions of dignity and humanity in our country, and emotions like despair and fear are understandable right now. In responding to this moment, I urge us to remember that we are each part of a larger movement of individuals and institutions committed to building a society in which all people who need an abortion have access to one. That movement is strong and resilient, and it needs us. So let’s channel our despair and fear toward action.

We live in a state in which abortion will remain legal. But we know that legal doesn’t necessarily mean accessible. Even before last Friday, abortion has for decades been increasingly inaccessible for many Black, Brown, Indigenous, and poor people. And with this decision, as abortion becomes illegal in as many as half our states, we must organize and fight more than ever for reproductive freedom and justice for everyone.

As a progressive religious community, our moral voice is vital in this movement. And for those of us with abundant access to healthcare and other rights, as well as ample resources, there are many pathways to act in solidarity with those most impacted by this decision. Here are just a few:

The National Council of Jewish Women is a leader in the Jewish movement for abortion access. Their website is full of resources, including opportunities to learn, advocate, and donate.

The National Network of Abortion Funds is an organization building power and resources nationally for abortion access, and the Northwest Abortion Access Fund provides resources and support in the region.

Sister Song is a women of color led reproductive justice collective which does essential work in training and advocacy.

However we each engage, may we harness the capacity and resources we have to continue building a world — together — centered around dignity, equity, freedom and well-being for all.

Ken y’hi ratzon — may it be so.

Rabbi Benjamin

Classes & Events

Thank you for following our safety requirements at in-person gatherings. 

Weekly Happenings

Weekly Parsha Study​
Saturdays, 9 am, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
Join Havurah for a community-led study session of the weekly Torah reading before each Shabbat service.

Shabbat Morning Service
Saturdays, 10 am, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
All are welcome at our Shabbat services, including b'nei mitzvah services. You don't need to receive an invitation. Just come celebrate with the b'nei mitzvah, their family, and the community! Check our online calendar for details about all Shabbat services.

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
Tuesdays, 12 pm, Zoom Room Bet & In Person
We gather to find moments of quiet and shalom. Led by Rabbi Benjamin, Adela Basayne, or Nancy Becker.

Morning Minyan
Wednesdays, 8:30 am, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
For all who want a regular prayer practice and those saying Kaddish.
 

Upcoming Events

AlteRocker Happy Hour
Thursday, June 30, 4:30 pm – Zoom Room Heh
Come schmooze with us. And mark your calendars for monthly schmoozes – the last Thursday of the month!

B'nei Mitzvah of Megan Rose & Elijah Moss
Saturday, July 2, 10 am
Please join us in welcoming Megan Rose and Elijah Moss as a b'nei mitzvah and members of our community. No invitation is required. All are welcome!

Office Closure
Monday, July 4
The office will be closed on Monday, July 4, for the holiday.

Bar Mitzvah of August Springgate
Saturday, July 16, 10 am
Please join us in welcoming August Springgate as a bar mitzvah and member of our community. No invitation is required. All are welcome!

The Song Circle
Monday, July 18, 7:30 pm – Zoom Room Dalet & In Person
The Song Circle is based on a program designed by Joey Weisenberg and the Rising Song Institute focusing on communal songs and niggunim, wordless melodies. It is open to all who wish to learn, share music, and grow their personal leadership techniques. The guided self-study requires access to a library of Joey’s music videos, written materials, and short instructional videos, which costs $18/month per person, but limited subsidies are available. Contact: Ken Lerner

Book Group – Palestinian Walks: Forays into a Vanishing Landscape
Tuesday, July 26, 7 pm – Zoom Room Bet
Author Raja Shehadeh enjoys heading out into the countryside that surrounds his home. We accompany Raja on six walks taken between 1978 and 2006. The earlier forays are peaceful affairs, allowing our guide to meditate at length on the character of his native land. But recently his hikes have become less than bucolic and sometimes downright dangerous because his home is Ramallah, in the West Bank. In this book, Raja Shehadeh's elegy for his lost footpaths becomes a heartbreaking metaphor for the deprivations of an entire people estranged from their land. Led by Joel Beinin. Learn more.

Tikkun Olam Updates

Learn How You Can Help Save the Wild Fish of the Lower Snake River
Thursday, July 7, 6:30 pm – Zoom Room Bet
Wild fish populations in the Snake River Basin, historically the most productive region in the Columbia River system, are nearing extinction. Urgent breaching of the four Lower Snake River dams is the only viable option to prevent the demise of these iconic species, to honor treaties and responsibilities to the Northwest tribes, to support recreational and commercial fisheries throughout the Columbia Basin, and to help keep the Orca populations in the Puget Sound viable. Join the Havurah Climate Action Team for a discussion about the crisis facing these wild fish and learn what we can do about this together. Register here. Contact: Michael Heumann

How You Can Help the Darmani Family
Fran Berg and Lauren Fortgang, as part of the Afghan Family Support Group, met with the Darmanis on June 22 at the family’s temporary housing in Clackamas and learned about the family’s path from Afghanistan to Pakistan and Qatar to the U.S. The family is eager to settle in Portland, learn how to get around, and become more independent. Right now, the family has specific needs: Diapers, size 3 and 4 (only two days supply left); Formula - Similac Sensitive; Two adult bicycles and helmets; Infant bike carrier; Laptop computer. If you have these items to donate, please contact Fran Berg. The Afghan Family Support Group thanks you deeply for your generosity in making the family welcome. You may also donate to the Afghan Family Support Fund. (Note these donations are not tax-deductible.) Contact: Beka Feathers or Jane Rice  

News & Events From Our Tikkun Olam Partners

Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) | Interfaith Alliance on Poverty (IAP) | Lift UP | MACG | Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice NW

Announcements

Gathering School Supplies to Donate
Margot Kirshbaum and Naomi Granek Brown’s mitzvah project is raising money and gathering supplies for Schoolhouse Supplies, so low income students in Portland get the supplies they need to thrive at school. Will you please help by donating money to Schoolhouse Supplies in honor of Margot and Naomi’s bat mitzvah, or by bringing physical donations (backpacks, notebooks, pens etc.) to the porch at 2279 SE 35th Place, Portland 97214? Thank you so much for your generosity!

Resources

Do You Need Support?
If you are facing emotional, financial, or health challenges and would welcome support, please consider contacting the (a) Bikkur Holim (Visiting the Sick) Committee for spiritual support, (b) Lotsa Helping Hands for help with food, transportation, or other errands, or (c) Rabbi Benjamin, for spiritual and moral support – benjamin@havurahshalom.org or 503-248-4662 ext. 3. If you're interested in being on a list of people who support others in concrete ways, such as grocery shopping or running other errands, please contact Lotsa Helping Hands. To request that the name of a relative or Havurah member be read during the Misheberach (healing prayer) at Shabbat services, use this new Misheberach Request Form.

Questions About Havurah?
The Transparency & Inclusivity Committee is an avenue within Havurah Shalom to help members find the answers to questions or concerns they have wondered about. Please send your questions to transparency@havurahshalom.org. We will anonymously answer your question in Hakol. Everyone in our community benefits from this clarity.

You Are Invited

Havurah Shalom invites you to a virtual forum:
The Current State of Refugee Resettlement and Immigration

June 22, 5:30 - 7 pm PDT

Please join us to listen, learn, and ask questions on the current refugee situation around the globe. We will hear from experts, refugee advocates, and Havurah Shalom members about the global refugee crisis, the current status of the U.S. resettlement program, the ongoing situation at the U.S. southern border, and how Jewish congregations, communities, and individuals can help.

Introductory remarks will be made by Senator Ron Wyden.

Speakers include:
Naomi Steinberg, Vice President for Policy and Advocacy, HIAS, on the global refugee situation and the U.S. response
Myra Dahgaypaw, Refugee Congress Delegate and Senior Partnership Officer for Justice and International Accountability at UUSC
Havurah Shalom members, speaking on our refugee resettlement and asylum support work

Sponsored by Havurah Shalom,
with co-hosts HIAS and Refugee Congress.

Download an event flier here.

Hineinu, June 8, 2022

RSVP for the Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, June 12, 10 am - 12 noon – Zoom Room Aleph 
Join your Havurah community at our Congregational Meeting this Sunday! We will present the proposed budget, the proposed changes to the Bylaws, the proposed Steering Committee slate, and discuss other topics of importance to the congregation. The agenda can be found at this link. This event is the one time each year when we—as participatory members of our community—can get together to review where we are, discuss what the future looks like, and ask and answer questions all together in one virtual room. RSVP here.

The 2022-23 Proposed Budget
On June 12, we will come together as a community in our Congregational Meeting to review the proposed 2022-23 budget. To balance the 2022-23 budget, Steering approved a 5% increase in dues (a $12 per month increase for our highest dues-paying category). This budget is a collaborative effort that involved input from staff, Steering, Finance, and committee chairs. It represents a transition into our future and is a recognition that we have grown significantly over the past several years—to our current level of over 500 families. A longer article about the proposed budget was published in the June Hakol. Read the article here.

Classes & Events

Please follow our safety requirements at all in-person gatherings.

Also, please have the door code with you when you attend events in person, as greeters can't always be lined up for all shifts at each event. If you don't remember the code, you can call the office to request it in advance of the event that you plan to attend. For security reasons, it is never sent by email and is shared only with members. 

Weekly Happenings

Weekly Parsha Study​
Saturdays, 9 am, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
Join Havurah for a community-led study session of the weekly Torah reading before each Shabbat service.

Shabbat Morning Service
Saturdays, 10 am, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
All are welcome at our Shabbat services, including b'nei mitzvah services. You don't need to receive an invitation. Just come celebrate with the b'nei mitzvah, their family, and the community! Check our online calendar for details about all Shabbat services.

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
Tuesdays, 12 pm, Zoom Room Bet & In Person
We gather to find moments of quiet and shalom. Led by Rabbi Benjamin, Adela Basayne, or Nancy Becker.

Morning Minyan
Wednesdays, 8:30 am, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
For all who want a regular prayer practice and those saying Kaddish.

Upcoming Events

Tot Shabbat
Saturday, June 11, 10:30 am – Zoom Room Bet (Meeting by Zoom only)
Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. RSVP here.

"5 Broken Cameras" Film Discussion
Sunday, June 12, 7 pm – Zoom Room Gimel
Please watch the film on your own prior to the discussion. It's available free through your county library system; sign up with kanopy.com. You can watch the trailer here. Sponsored by the Israel/Palestine Committee.

Pride in the Park Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, June 17, 6 pm – Columbia Park
Celebrate Kabbalat Shabbat and Pride with a special service at Columbia Park! We’ll enjoy a free catered dinner afterwards. Would you like to take part in our Pride service leadership by helping to plan the service, offering intentions, sharing readings/poetry or playing music? Please contact Rabbi Benjamin (benjamin@havurahshalom.org). Would you like to help with things like food distribution, helping attendees, setup and cleanup? Sign up here. Do you plan to attend Pride in the Park Kabbalat Shabbat? RSVP here.

Bar Mitzvah of Noah Shine
Saturday, June 18, 10 am – Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
Please join us in welcoming Noah Shine as a bar mitzvah and member of our community. No invitation is required. All are welcome!

AlteRockers Eat, Schmooze at BG Food Cartel
Saturday, June 18, 12:30-3 pm, 4250 SW Rose Biggi Ave, Beaverton
Come join us for food and scintillating conversation at one of the best food cart pods in the Portland area. There are 20 food trucks representing cuisine from around the world and a lot of outdoor seating, including some covered seating in case it rains. Plenty of parking and accessible from the Central Beaverton Max station. Look forward to seeing you! RSVP to Jackie Brookman.

Pride Parade
Sunday, June 19, 11 am, SW Broadway & Couch to SW Naito Pkwy
The Pride Festival is happening and Havurah Shalom is registered to march in the Pride Parade! We'll be marching along with other organizations in Jewish Pride Greater Portland. Are you coming? Let's represent Havurah! RSVP here. Contact: Adela Basayne (Above photo was taken by Rabbi Benjamin.)

Group Discussion of Braiding Sweetgrass
Monday, June 20, 5:30 pm – Zoom Room Dalet
For this discussion, we will be talking about the section entitled "Tending Sweetgrass," which includes five sections and covers pages 63 to 120. All are welcome. RSVP to Michael Heumann.

Anti-Racism & Belonging Conversation for Past Presidents
Sunday, June 26, 10 am – Zoom Room Bet
We invite you to embark with us on gaining a better understanding of how anti-racism and belonging shows up within the congregation through this small group conversation. All conversation groups are structured by self-selected shared identity. This conversation is for Past Presidents of Havurah. Led by Havurah consultants Tabitha and Adam St. Bernard-Jacobs. Learn more about the Anti-Racism & Belonging Conversation Groups on page four of our June Hakol and on our website. RSVP here.

Anti-Racism & Belonging Conversation for Current & Incoming Steering Committee Members
Sunday, June 26, 11:30 am – Zoom Room Gimel
We invite you to embark with us on gaining a better understanding of how anti-racism and belonging shows up within the congregation through this small group conversation. All conversation groups are structured by self-selected shared identity. This conversation is for Havurah's current and incoming Steering Committee members. Led by Havurah consultants Tabitha and Adam St. Bernard-Jacobs. Learn more about the Anti-Racism & Belonging Conversation Groups on page four of our June Hakol and on our website. RSVP here.

RSVP links for the group conversations in August and September will go live about 30 days before each conversation. Find the complete schedule below.

Book Group Discussion of The Love of a Good Woman by Alice Munro
Tuesday, June 28, 7 pm – Zoom Room Bet
Winner of the 2013 Nobel Prize for literature, Alice Munro is perhaps the greatest short story writer since Chekhov. What she achieves in a 30 page short story far exceeds in depth and complexity what many novelists struggle to accomplish in 500 pages. Her economy of words is breathtaking. If you have not read Munro you are in for a real treat. Discussion led by David Newman. Learn more.

Tikkun Olam Updates

News from the Streets: Built for Zero
Friday, June 17, 8:30 am – Zoom or In Person at Westminster Presbyterian, NE Hancock
Rosanne Haggerty President and CEO of Community Solutions will present on an initiative to solve homelessness called Built for Zero. Hosted by the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty, one of Havurah's Poverty & Homelessness partners.  RSVP here. Contact: Sue Abrams

Racial Justice Committee Volunteer Opportunity
Friday-Sunday, June 17-19; 4 hours between 12-8 pm
The Havurah Racial Justice Committee presents a unique volunteer opportunity! Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S., is now a federal and state holiday. Portland's Juneteenth Oregon organization is asking for volunteers on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 17-19. Could some Havurahniks support this event? (Four-hour shifts preferred.) Learn more. Contact Kathy Gordon or Kristine Munholland, and we will connect you to the event coordinators.

Racial Justice Committee First Ever Movie Discussion
Tuesday, June 21, 7 pm – Zoom Room TBA
The Racial Justice Committee invites you to attend our first movie discussion night! We will meet virtually and will discuss the movie "I Am Not Your Negro," a documentary based on the writing of James Baldwin. The movie is available to watch prior to our meeting on many platforms for free, and on Netflix and Amazon. Please watch the movie on your own time and come on June 21 prepared for a facilitated discussion. Learn more. Questions? Contact: Bob Brown or Kathy Gordon

Help End Senseless Gun Violence: Sign IP 17 Now
Buffalo, New York. Uvalde, Texas. Two more tragic, devastating shootings now added to a list that is way too long. What will it take to pass common sense gun safety laws? We have an opportunity here in Oregon to act right now: Initiative Petition 17. This would ban ammunition magazines over ten rounds, would start a comprehensive permit process that would contain universal background checks, field training (so that if you want to buy a gun you have to first learn how to use it and how to keep it safe), and would start a database of all registered guns in the state. Research shows banning large magazines is the single best way to reduce gun deaths. Learn more. Contact: Barbara Gundle

Save the Date: Forum on the Global Refugee Crisis
Wednesday, June 22, 5:30 pm – Zoom Room TBA
The Sanctuary Committee recognizes that refugee resettlement and immigration are challenging at both the national and local level. We will hear from experts about the global refugee situation, the current status of the U.S. resettlement program, and how Jewish communities and individuals can help. Speakers include Naomi Steinberg, Vice President for Policy and Advocacy, HIAS; Myra Dahgaypaw, Refugee Congress Delegate and Senior Partnership Officer for Justice and International Accountability at UUSC; and Havurah members.  RSVP here. Contact: Lauren Fortgang

News & Events From Our Tikkun Olam Partners

Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) | Interfaith Alliance on Poverty (IAP) | Lift UP | MACG | Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice NW

Havurah Announcements

Help Wanted!
Community is an enduring value of Havurah. A great way to enrich your experience of community, meet new people, and make a meaningful contribution to our synagogue is to volunteer. There are many opportunities. What is right for you? Click below to see a flier featuring current opportunities. – Leadership Development Committee

Please Finish Paying Your Dues
If you haven't already done so, please finish paying your Havurah dues for 2021-22. The fiscal year ends on 6/30. Contact Karen Westerman at karen.westerman@havurahshalom.org if you want to discuss your remaining balance. You can use this link to make your payment. You can pay via credit card (with a fee) or via automatic debit from your bank account. Otherwise, you can mail in a check. Be aware that dues renewal for 2022-23 begins in mid-June. Stay tuned for an e-mail with a request for your dues commitment for next year.

Resources

Do You Need Support?
If you are facing emotional, financial, or health challenges and would welcome support, please consider contacting the (a) Bikkur Holim (Visiting the Sick) Committee for spiritual support, (b) Lotsa Helping Hands for help with food, transportation, or other errands, or (c) Rabbi Benjamin, for spiritual and moral support – benjamin@havurahshalom.org or 503-248-4662 ext. 3. If you're interested in being on a list of people who support others in concrete ways, such as grocery shopping or running other errands, please contact Lotsa Helping Hands. To request that the name of a relative or Havurah member be read during the Misheberach (healing prayer) at Shabbat services, use this new Misheberach Request Form.

Questions About Havurah?
The Transparency & Inclusivity Committee is an avenue within Havurah Shalom to help members find the answers to questions or concerns they have wondered about. Please send your questions to transparency@havurahshalom.org. We will anonymously answer your question in Hakol. Everyone in our community benefits from this clarity.

To see our full Zoom room instructions, click here. Member sign-in required.

Hineinu, June 1, 2022

Shavuot, a time of culmination, is a complicated holiday, which weaves two strands of tradition together. From the Torah we inherit an agricultural celebration that marks the end of the grain harvest, which began during Pesach.

From later tradition and rabbinic reconstruction, we receive the spiritual meaning of Shavuot. We mark the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai seven weeks after the exodus from Egypt, and revelation of the Torah follows directly from the experience of Exodus. We are freed not only from slavery but also to enter into a covenant between God and Israel.

Join us this Saturday, from 9-11 pm (or later), for "Na'aseh V'Nishma: On Discernment and Obligation," a Tikkun Leyl Shavuot facilitated on Zoom by Rabbi Benjamin. You are also invited to join our Shavuot service this Sunday at 10 am, on Zoom or in person. At the service, we will welcome a new Torah, which has been lent to Havurah by the Lager Mesulam family. See details about both gatherings below.

Classes & Events

Please follow our safety requirements at all in-person gatherings. Thank you!

Weekly Happenings

Weekly Parsha Study​
Saturdays, 9 am, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
Join Havurah for a community-led study session of the weekly Torah reading before each Shabbat service.

Shabbat Morning Service
Saturdays, 10 am, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
All are welcome at our Shabbat services, including b'nei mitzvah services. You don't need to receive an invitation. Just come celebrate with the b'nei mitzvah, their family, and the community! Check our online calendar for details about all Shabbat services.

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
Tuesdays, 12 pm, Zoom Room Bet & In Person
We gather to find moments of quiet and shalom. Led by Rabbi Benjamin, Adela Basayne, or Nancy Becker.

Morning Minyan
Wednesdays, 8:30 am, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
For all who want a regular prayer practice and those saying Kaddish.

Upcoming Events

Bat Mitzvah of Arianna Gammage
Saturday, June 4, 10 am – Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
Please join us in welcoming Arianna Gammage as a bat mitzvah and member of our community. No invitation is required. All are welcome!

Na'aseh V'Nishma: On Discernment and Obligation – Zoom Room Aleph
Saturday, June 4 from 9-11 pm (or later), Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin
Note the later start time than originally posted.
For our Tikkun Leyl Shavuot this year, we will begin with the moment at Sinai when the People declared, “We will do and we will listen.” Going deep into that verse and many responses to it over the generations, we will explore how we each, as progressive Jews today, understand and experience the nature of discernment and obligation. To what do we each feel obligated in our lives and the world, and how do those obligations emerge and endure? RSVP here.

Shavuot Service
Sunday, June 5, 10 am – Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
We will celebrate Shavuot with a morning service, including Yizkor and a short Torah service, and we will also welcome a new Torah to Havurah Shalom, lent by the Lager Mesulam family. Afterward, enjoy an oneg with simple dairy (and non-dairy!) treats. The photo above of Julia Lager Mesulam and her family's Torah was taken by Adela Basayne.

The Song Circle
Monday, June 6, 7:30 pm – Zoom Room Dalet & In Person
The Song Circle is based on a program designed by Joey Weisenberg and the Rising Song Institute. It is open to all who wish to learn, share music, and grow their personal leadership techniques. The guided self-study requires access to a library of Joey’s music videos, written materials, and short instructional videos, which costs $18/month per person. Limited subsidies are available. Contact: Ken Lerner

Tot Shabbat
Saturday, June 11, 10:30 am – Zoom Room Bet (Meeting by Zoom only)
Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. RSVP here.

Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, June 12, 10 am - 12 pm – Zoom Room Aleph (Meeting by Zoom only)
We will present the proposed budget, the proposed changes to the bylaws, the proposed Steering Committee slate, and discuss other topics of importance to the congregation. This event is the one time each year when we—as participatory members of our community—can get together to review where we are, discuss what the future looks like, and ask and answer questions together in one virtual room. Please plan to join us! All members in good standing are welcome to attend, participate, and vote on the bylaws and budget. As is our custom, we will connect with each other through music, discussion, and learning. You can read the complete email about the congregational meeting, which was sent to all members on May 31. Please RSVP here.

"5 Broken Cameras" Film Discussion
Sunday, June 12, 7 pm – Zoom Room Gimel
Please watch the film on your own prior to the discussion. It's available free through your county library system; sign up with kanopy.com. You can watch the trailer here. Sponsored by the Israel/Palestine Committee.

Save the Date: Pride in the Park Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, June 17, 6 pm – Columbia Park
Celebrate Kabbalat Shabbat and Pride with a special service at Columbia Park! We’ll enjoy a paper-sack catered dinner afterwards. Would you like to take part in our Pride service leadership by helping to plan the service, offering intentions, sharing readings/poetry or playing music? Please contact Rabbi Benjamin. Would you like to help with things like food distribution, helping attendees, setup and cleanup? Sign up here. RSVPs will open for the service soon, but for now we are looking for people who wish to help.

Bar Mitzvah of Noah Shine
Saturday, June 18, 10 am – Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
Please join us in welcoming Noah Shine as a bar mitzvah and member of our community. No invitation is required. All are welcome!

Pride Parade
Sunday, June 19, 11 am, SW Broadway & Couch to SW Naito Pkwy
The Pride Festival is happening and Havurah Shalom is registered to march in the Pride Parade! We'll be marching along with other organizations in Jewish Pride Greater Portland. Are you coming? Let's represent Havurah! Contact: Adela Basayne. RSVP here.

Tikkun Olam Updates

Racial Justice Committee Volunteer Opportunity
Friday-Sunday, June 17-19; 4 hours between 12-8 pm
The Havurah Racial Justice Committee presents a unique volunteer opportunity! Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S., is now a federal and state holiday. Portland's Juneteenth Oregon organization is asking for volunteers on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 17-19. Could some Havurahniks support this event? (Four-hour shifts preferred.) Contact Kathy Gordon or Kristine Munholland, and we will connect you to the event coordinators. Learn more.

Save the Date: Forum on the Global Refugee Crisis
Wednesday, June 22, 5:30 pm – Zoom Room TBA
The Sanctuary Committee recognizes that refugee resettlement and immigration are challenging at both the national and local level. We will hear from experts about the global refugee situation, the current status of the U.S. resettlement program, and how Jewish communities and individuals can help. Speakers include Naomi Steinberg, Vice President for Policy and Advocacy, HIAS; Myra Dahgaypaw, Refugee Congress Delegate and Senior Partnership Officer for Justice and International Accountability at UUSC; and Havurah members. Contact: Lauren Fortgang. RSVP here.

News from the Streets: Monthly PHFS Dinner
Our monthly dinner at Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) has continued through the pandemic under the guidance of Len and Elayne Shapiro, who are in need of more volunteers. Two families are needed each month: one to bring a veggie main dish, the other to bring a salad and yogurt for approximately 30 people. The food can be dropped at their house in Garden Home or at the PHFS shelter in the Lents neighborhood on the afternoon of the second Wednesday of the month. Sign up at bit.ly/havurahshalom. Thanks to the many families who have done this mitzvah and to those considering! Contact: Len and Elayne Shapiro

News & Events From Our Tikkun Olam Partners

Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) | Interfaith Alliance on Poverty (IAP) | Lift UP | MACG

Havurah Announcements

Transparency & Inclusivity Committee Seeking New Members
Interested in joining a vibrant and relevant committee? This committee's purpose is to ensure continued transparency of governance decisions to allow for greater communication between members and leadership – and among members – so that every congregant feels valued. We believe this leads to greater membership engagement and promotes inclusivity. We meet monthly and/or there are opportunities to work on specific projects. Contact: Janice Kettler

Please Finish Paying Your Dues
If you haven't already done so, please finish paying your Havurah dues for 2021-22. The fiscal year ends on 6/30. Contact Karen Westerman at karen.westerman@havurahshalom.org if you want to discuss your remaining balance. You can use this link to make your payment. You can pay via credit card (with a fee) or via automatic debit from your bank account. Otherwise, you can mail in a check. Be aware that dues renewal for 2022-23 begins in mid-June. Stay tuned for an e-mail with a request for your dues commitment for next year. Contact: Karen Westerman

Resources

Do You Need Support?
If you are facing emotional, financial, or health challenges and would welcome support, please consider contacting the (a) Bikkur Holim (Visiting the Sick) Committee for spiritual support, (b) Lotsa Helping Hands for help with food, transportation, or other errands, or (c) Rabbi Benjamin, for spiritual and moral support – benjamin@havurahshalom.org or 503-248-4662 ext. 3. If you're interested in being on a list of people who support others in concrete ways, such as grocery shopping or running other errands, please contact Lotsa Helping Hands. To request that the name of a relative or Havurah member be read during the Misheberach (healing prayer) at Shabbat services, use this new Misheberach Request Form.

Questions About Havurah?
​​​​​​​The Transparency & Inclusivity Committee is an avenue within Havurah Shalom to help members find the answers to questions or concerns they have wondered about. Please send your questions to transparency@havurahshalom.org. We will anonymously answer your question in Hakol. Everyone in our community benefits

Hineinu, May 11, 2022

Keeping the Eisenbach-Budners in our Prayers
We will keep embracing Deborah, Steven, Tamir, Lev, and Roza during this very difficult time and look forward to celebrating with them when they are back home.

Reviewing Long Range Planning Data on Sunday, May 22
The Long Range Planning Data Analysis Team has been combing through the information gathered through the Havurah census, survey, focus groups, and other recent work in the community for the past few months. We look forward to sharing the data with you and hearing your observations and recommendations as we put a formal Long Range Plan together. We will send participants materials for the meeting so they have a chance to review the data before we convene. Please RSVP here to help us determine whether we will meet in person or on Zoom. We hope you can join us! – Adela Basayne, Debbi Nadell, and Sam Sirkin

Genizah Ritual and Cemetery Beautification Day (Also on May 22)
As Jews, we are enjoined by tradition to treat our sacred texts as living entities. At noon on May 22, we will gather to open Havurah's genizah (a repository for our sacred texts) for the first time and respectfully retire our old machzorim. The ritual will be led by Rabbi Benjamin. Our annual Cemetery Beautification Day will follow the service. Additionally, Oren Kosansky will teach a class on Tuesday, May 17, for members interested in learning about the genizah tradition. (Details below.)

Mazel tov to the Havurah sixth graders who celebrated their Shabbat School siyyum (study completion) at Columbia Park last Saturday! Havurah's Shabbat School is a finalist for the Cedarbaum Award. See "Announcements" below.  (Photo taken by Sandy Bacharach.)

Classes & Events

Please follow our safety requirements at all in-person gatherings. Thank you!

Weekly Happenings

​Shabbat Morning Service
Saturdays, 10 am, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
Check our online calendar for details.

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
Tuesdays, 12 pm, Zoom Room Bet & In Person
We gather to find moments of quiet and shalom. Led by Rabbi Benjamin, Adela Basayne, or Nancy Becker.

Morning Minyan
Wednesdays, 8:30 am, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
For all who want a regular prayer practice and those saying Kaddish.

Upcoming Events

Hakol Deadline
Friday, May 13
Submissions for the June Hakol are due on May 13. Please use this submission form for your articles and images. Thank you!

Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, May 13, 6:30 pm, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
A spirited, all-ages service led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians. All are welcome! Unfortunately we will not yet be able to include an oneg or dinner, but stay tuned – plans are in the works.

Bar Mitzvah of Ari Strom
Saturday, May 14, 10 am, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
Please join us in welcoming Ari Strom as a bar mitzvah and member of our community.

Conversation Group for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & People of Color) and Multiracial Families
Sunday, May 15, 10 am, Zoom Room Gimel

We invite you to embark with us on gaining a better understanding of how anti-racism and belonging shows up within Havurah through this small group conversation. All conversation groups are structured by self-selected shared identity. This conversation is for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & People of Color) and multiracial families. Led by Havurah consultants Tabitha and Adam St. Bernard-Jacobs. RSVP here.

Click below for a schedule of Anti-Racism & Belonging Conversations in June, August, and September.

New & Prospective Member Afternoon in the Park
Sunday, May 15, 4 pm
Wallace Park, NW 25th & Raleigh. Meet at the shelter.
The Welcoming Committee invites new and newish faces to an afternoon at the park for a chance to get to know each other and Havurah! Come and meet other new and prospective members and some longtime members too! Ask questions about Havurah and be ready to have some fun! RSVP here. (Artwork by Cassandra Sagan.)

Sustainability Actions We Can Each Take
Sundays, May 15 & 22, 7 pm, Zoom Room Bet
Steve Katz and Carolina Martinez welcome the Havurah community and non-Havurah friends to learn more about and discuss climate sustainable actions we each can take. Tell your friends and family, because together our actions can help the climate crisis! Learn more and RSVP.

Mahjong Monday Meetups – In Person at Havurah
Beginning Monday, May 16, 12 pm, Meets 1st & 3rd Mondays each Month
At noon on Majong Mondays, we will offer a training session for beginners and those who want to brush up on their skills with experienced players, followed by the regularly scheduled game, which runs 1 to 4 pm. Based on interest, an evening option can be scheduled for people who are unable to attend during the day. Please contact Leah Hershey if you are interested. Learn more and RSVP.

"Braiding Sweetgrass" Book Study – Zoom Room Dalet
Beginning Monday, May 16, 5:30 pm, Meets every other Monday
We will be reading "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer to connect to indigenous wisdom about life and social action around the environment. We are reaching out to see if new people want to join our lively and joyful book discussions. Open to nonmembers as well as members. Sponsored by the Climate Action Team. Contact: Michael Heumann. Learn more and RSVP.

Havurah Shalom's Genizah: What & Why
Tuesday, May 17, 7 pm, Zoom Room Aleph
The genizah has been an integral part of Jewish ritual life in communities across time and space. Come spend an hour learning about the tradition of treating sacred texts as living beings deserving of honor and respect at the end of their useful lives. In preparation for the first opening of our genizah on May 22, this class will give us an opportunity to think deeply and expansively about life, death, and Torah. Led by Oren Kosansky. RSVP here.

Conversation Group for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & People of Color) and Multiracial Families
Wednesday, May 18, 6:30 pm, Zoom Room Bet
We invite you to embark with us on gaining a better understanding of how anti-racism and belonging shows up within Havurah through this small group conversation. All conversation groups are structured by self-selected shared identity. This conversation is for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & People of Color) and multiracial families. Led by Havurah consultants Tabitha and Adam St. Bernard-Jacobs. RSVP here.

"The Worst Thing"
Thursday, May 19, 5 pm
Movie will be shown in Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
In 1985, Kathleen lost her brother Eddie, an American soldier, to the Red Army Faction (RAF), a German leftist terrorist organization. This film follows Kathleen decades later as she travels to Germany to make peace with aging former members of the RAF. The documentary shows new possibilities for forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation and provides an intimate window into the long-term friendship between two queer women of color. Kathleen and the filmmaker, Des, will join us virtually after the movie. Pizza will be provided for in-person viewers. Sponsored by Lifelong Learning. RSVP here.

Long Range Planning Data Review
Sunday, May 22, 9-11:30 am, Location TBD
The Long Range Planning Committee invites all interested members to review the census and survey responses together with committee members as we move towards distilling recommendations from the data collected so far. Please RSVP here to help us determine whether we will meet in person or on Zoom.

Genizah Ritual
Sunday, May 22, 12 pm, Havurah Cemetery (Directions to Cemetery)
As Jews, we are enjoined by tradition to treat our sacred texts as living entities. We will gather to open Havurah Shalom's genizah, our repository for sacred texts, for the first time and respectfully retire our old machzorim. Led by Rabbi Benjamin.

Annual Cemetery Beautification Day
Sunday, May 22, 1 pm, Havurah Cemetery (Directions to Cemetery)
To beautify our cemetery, please bring garden implements and wear appropriate clothing.

"The Law in These Parts" Film Discussion
Monday, May 23, 7 pm – Zoom Room TBA
The Havurah Israel/Palestine Committee continues its discussion series of three Israeli documentaries on May 23. You can watch the trailer for "The Law in These Parts" here. Please watch the film, which is available through Kanopy.com, prior to the discussion. The discussion will be led by Fran Payne Adler and Lois Bronfman and is for Havurah members only. We encourage you to invite your Havurah friends to join us. Contact: Lee Gordon. RSVP here.

Book Group Discussion of Beloved
Tuesday, May 24, 7 pm – Zoom Room Bet
Winner of the 1988 Pulitzer Prize, Toni Morrison’s Beloved is a spellbinding and innovative portrait of a woman haunted by the past. Sethe was born a slave and escaped to Ohio, but eighteen years later she is still not free. This novel has much to offer, whether you have never read it or have read it a dozen times. Discussion led by David Newman. Learn more.

AlteRocker Happy Hour
Thursday, May 26, 4:30 pm – Zoom Room Heh
Come schmooze with us. And mark your calendars for monthly schmoozes – the last Thursday of the month! 

Lev Tahor Chanting Circle
Thursday, May 26, 7 pm – Zoom Room Bet & In Person
Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin. We'll gather in community for an evening of contemplative practice, chanting interspersed with silence, guided by teachings from the tradition. Everyone is welcome! RSVP here.

Bar Mitzvah of Sasha Blau
Saturday, May 28, 10 am – Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
Please join us in welcoming Sasha Blau as a bar mitzvah and member of our community.

Office Closure for Memorial Day
Monday, May 30
Havurah's office will be closed on May 30 for Memorial Day.

Pride in the Park Kabbalat Shabbat is Seeking Volunteers
Friday, June 17, 6 pm – Columbia Park
Celebrate Kabbalat Shabbat and Pride with a special service at Columbia Park! We’ll enjoy a paper-sack catered dinner afterwards. Would you like to take part in our Pride service leadership by helping to plan the service, offering intentions, sharing readings/poetry or playing music? Please contact Rabbi Benjamin. Would you like to help with things like food distribution, helping attendees, set-up and clean-up? Sign up here. RSVPs will open for the service in a couple weeks, but for now we are looking for people who wish to help.

Tikkun Olam Updates

James Recycling Drop Off Event
Sunday, May 15, 10 am - 12:30 pm, Mittleman Jewish Community Center
All items must be clean, dry, and sorted. Learn What to Bring, How to Sort Items and What Goes in Curbside Recycling/not accepted at event. Each grocery bag or 5-gallon container of sorted plastics costs $3 to recycle, and Styrofoam costs $3 per 39-gallon garbage bag. Hosted by the Climate Action Committee of the JCRC/Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. Steve Katz of Havurah's Climate Action Team is Havurah's representative on the committee.

How to Protect Democracy and Cool Our Planet
Tuesday, May 17, 5 pm
Find out what Congress is doing to advance climate solutions and how we can help from Representative Andy Levin (MI-9) at Jewish Earth Alliance's May Networking Meeting. An inspiring speaker, Rep. Levin is a union organizer, renewable energy entrepreneur, and synagogue president, who represents Michigan's 9th district in Congress. Havurah's Climate Action team is co-sponsoring this event. Contact Elianne Lieberman if you have a question to ask Mr. Levin. Event will be recorded. Register at bit.ly/JEAMay.

Landscaping Job for Carlos
Carlos, a Guatemalan immigrant being sponsored by Havurah, is looking for a landscaping job this summer. A junior at Beaverton HS, Carlos likes working outside with his hands and is eager to help support himself and his mother, Maria. If you have leads, please contact Kathy Gordon.

News & Events From Our Tikkun Olam Partners

Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) | Interfaith Alliance on Poverty (IAP) | Lift UP | MACG

Havurah Announcements

"Rabbis & Abortion" by Rabbi Joey Wolf
"I’m a religious Jew. I pray in the morning, routinely study the text of the Bible in the original Hebrew. In fact, not only do I read it, I weigh the thoughts it has inspired in powerful teachers over the centuries. In the case of Judaism, readers have always enlarged the written word, made it take flight, yes, but in so many ways, rooted it in real-life contexts. The reality is that one in four women will have an abortion at some time in their lives. And the reality is that five men (and one quite like-minded woman rushed into office by some who have given the word unprecedented, well, a new life) wish to preempt the arduous personal decisions of this quarter of our nation." Read more here.

Shabbat School is Finalist for Cedarbaum Award
Havurah's Shabbat School is a finalist for the $5,000 Cedarbaum Award from the Mordechai Kaplan Center for Jewish Peoplehood, as a model of educational innovation. The founders of Havurah Shalom designed the K-6 Shabbat School as a family cooperative, bringing families together for learning and teaching. Currently, with the direction and support of our education staff, Shabbat School parents work together in 28 teams; each team collectively plans and implements four class sessions for their child’s grade. The winner of the Cedarbaum Award will be announced on Sunday, June 26.

Paid Zoom Host Positions Open
Havurah is seeking two Zoom hosts to be there for us on Zoom during services. These are paid positions for two people who will monitor our Zoom rooms during services and other events, as well as help support the online component of b’nei mitzvah. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Please share the job description with those who may be interested. See job description.

Congregation to Vote to Amend Havurah's Bylaws at Annual Meeting
Havurah Shalom’s annual Congregational Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, June 12, at 10 am. This year’s meeting will include a request for approval of amendments to Havurah’s Bylaws. An annotated version of the Bylaws summarizing the requested changes is linked here. The changes propose an additional officer position, Recording Secretary for the Steering Committee, who will serve a two-year term and be responsible for taking minutes at Steering Committee meetings and maintaining the archives of the Steering Committee. The proposed Bylaws amendments also reflect general housekeeping changes, including deleting obsolete committee references and requirements. Please send questions or comments to corporatesec@havurahshalom.org.

Transparency & Inclusivity Committee Seeking New Members
Interested in joining a vibrant and relevant committee? This committee's purpose is to ensure continued transparency of governance decisions to allow for greater communication between members and leadership – and among members – so that every congregant feels valued. We believe this leads to greater membership engagement and promotes inclusivity. We meet monthly and/or there are opportunities to work on specific projects. Contact Janice Kettler through the Havurah directory for more information.

Community News

Finding a Clearing: A Faith-Based Story Exchange
Connecting Through Empathetic Storytelling
Saturday, May 21, 5:30 pm, 7270 NW Helvetia Rd, Hillsboro
Youth Advocates for Immigrants & Refugees, a youth-run organization dedicated to building bridges of multicultural understanding through art, activism, and storytelling, is partnering with the Islamic Community Center of Hillsboro and Narrative4 to host a faith-based story exchange to connect participants through empathetic storytelling. Click here for a flier about the event.

Resources

Do You Need Support?
If you are facing emotional, financial, or health challenges and would welcome support, please consider contacting the (a) Bikkur Holim (Visiting the Sick) Committee for spiritual support, (b) Lotsa Helping Hands for help with food, transportation, or other errands, or (c) Rabbi Benjamin, for spiritual and moral support – benjamin@havurahshalom.org or 503-248-4662 ext. 3. If you would like to be on a list of people who support others in concrete ways, such as grocery shopping or running other errands, please contact Lotsa Helping Hands.

Questions About Havurah?
The Transparency & Inclusivity Committee is an avenue within Havurah Shalom to help members find the answers to questions or concerns they have wondered about. Please send your questions to transparency@havurahshalom.org. We will anonymously answer your question in Hakol. Everyone in our community benefits from this clarity.​​​​​​​

To see our full Zoom room instructions, click here. Member sign-in required.

Hineinu, May 4, 2022

Reviewing Long Range Planning Data on Sunday, May 22

The Long Range Planning Data Analysis Team has been working for the past few months on combing through the information gathered through the Havurah census, survey, focus groups, and other recent work in the community. We have data on a range of issues – many related to our growth, our governance and staffing structures, our financial model, and how our mission statement and values are reflected throughout the congregation. 

We are looking forward to sharing the data with you and hearing your observations and recommendations as we put a formal Long Range Plan together. We have scheduled a meeting on May 22, 9-11:30 am. Based on attendee responses, we will determine if we will meet in person at Havurah or on Zoom. Please RSVP for the meeting below.

We will send participants materials for the meeting so you will have a chance to review the data before we convene. We hope you can join us on May 22!

 – Adela Basayne, Debbi Nadell, and Sam Sirkin

Genizah Ritual and Cemetery Beautification Day (Also on May 22)

As Jews, we are enjoined by tradition to treat our sacred texts as living entities. At noon on May 22, we will gather to open Havurah Shalom's genizah (a repository for our sacred texts) for the first time and respectfully retire our old machzorim. The ritual will be led by Rabbi Benjamin. Our annual Cemetery Beautification Day will follow the service. Additionally, Oren Kosansky will teach a class on May 17 for members interested in learning about the genizah tradition. (Details below.)

Upcoming Classes & Events

Please follow our safety requirements at all in-person gatherings. Thank you!

Weekly Happenings

​Shabbat Morning Service
Saturdays, 10 am, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
Check our online calendar for details.

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
Tuesdays, 12 pm, Zoom Room Bet
We gather to find moments of quiet and shalom. Led by Rabbi Benjamin, Adela Basayne, or Nancy Becker.

Morning Minyan
Wednesdays, 8:30 am, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
For all who want a regular prayer practice and those saying Kaddish.

Upcoming Events

CANCELED: Anti-Racisim and Belonging Conversation
Wednesday, May 4, 6:30 pm
The Anti-Racism and Belonging Conversation originally scheduled for tonight has been canceled. Click here for the schedule of upcoming conversations. Below you can find information and RSVP links for conversations for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & People of Color) and Multiracial Families on May 15 and 18. All conversation groups are structured by self-selected shared identity. 

B'nei Mitzvah Event Planning 101
Thursday, May 5, 7 pm, Zoom Room Bet
In this workshop, we will walk through event planning basics for both the service and reception. We will break down the event planning process into manageable steps, with a worksheet to help you stay on track. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, connect with others, and take the stress out of event planning so you can experience the joy that comes with this special occasion. Taught by Chari Smith. RSVP here.

Tot Shabbat
Saturday, May 7, 10:30 am, Zoom Room Bet (Online Only)
Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. RSVP here.

Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, May 13, 6:30 pm, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
A spirited, all-ages service led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians. All are welcome! Unfortunately we will not yet be able to include an oneg or dinner, but stay tuned – plans are in the works.

Bar Mitzvah of Ari Strom
Saturday, May 14, 10 am, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
Please join us in welcoming Ari Strom as a bar mitzvah and member of our community.

Conversation Groups for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & People of Color) and Multiracial Families
Sunday, May 15, 10 am (Zoom Room Gimel) RSVP here.
Wednesday, May 18, 6:30 pm (Zoom Room Bet) RSVP here.
We invite you to embark with us on gaining a better understanding of how anti-racism and belonging shows up within Havurah through this small group conversation. All conversation groups are structured by self-selected shared identity. These conversations are for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & People of Color) and multiracial families. Led by Havurah consultants Tabitha and Adam St. Bernard-Jacobs.

New & Prospective Member Afternoon in the Park
Sunday, May 15, 4 pm
Wallace Park, NW 25th & Raleigh. Meet at the shelter.
The Welcoming Committee invites new and newish faces to an afternoon at the park for a chance to get to know each other and Havurah! Come and meet other new and prospective members and some longtime members too! Ask questions about Havurah and be ready to have some fun! RSVP here. (Artwork by Cassandra Sagan)

Sustainability Actions We Can Each Take
Sundays, May 15 & 22, 7 pm, Zoom Room Bet
Steve Katz and Carolina Martinez welcome the Havurah community and non-Havurah friends to learn more about and discuss climate sustainable actions we each can take. Tell your friends and family, because together our actions can help the climate crisis! Learn more and register. 

"Braiding Sweetgrass" Book Study – Zoom Room Dalet
Begins Monday, May 16, 5:30 pm - Meets every other Monday.
We will be reading "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer to connect to indigenous wisdom about life and social action around the environment. We are reaching out to see if new people want to join our lively and joyful book discussions. We will meet every other Monday beginning May 16. Open to nonmembers as well as members. Sponsored by the Climate Action Team. Contact: Michael Heumann. Learn more and RSVP here.

Havurah Shalom's Genizah: What & Why
Tuesday, May 17, 7 pm, Zoom Room Aleph
The genizah has been an integral part of Jewish ritual life in communities across time and space. Come spend an hour learning about the tradition of treating sacred texts as living beings deserving of honor and respect at the end of their useful lives. In preparation for the first opening of our genizah on May 22, this class will give us an opportunity to think deeply and expansively about life, death, and Torah. Led by Oren Kosansky. RSVP here.

"The Worst Thing" (German Title: "To Germany, With Love")
Thursday, May 19, 5 pm
Movie will be shown in Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
In 1985, Kathleen lost her brother Eddie, an American soldier, to the Red Army Faction (RAF), a German leftist terrorist organization. This film follows Kathleen decades later as she travels to Germany to make peace with aging former members of the RAF. The documentary shows new possibilities for forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation and provides an intimate window into the long-term friendship between two queer women of color. Kathleen and the filmmaker, Des, will join us virtually after the movie. Pizza will be provided for in-person viewers. Sponsored by Lifelong Learning. RSVP here.

Long Range Planning Data Review: Open Meeting
Sunday, May 22, 9-11:30 am, Location TBD
The Long Range Planning Committee invites all interested members to review the census and survey responses together with committee members as we move towards distilling recommendations from the data collected so far. Please RSVP here to help us determine whether we will meet in person or on Zoom.

Genizah Ritual
Sunday, May 22, 12 pm, Havurah Cemetery (Directions to Cemetery)
As Jews, we are enjoined by tradition to treat our sacred texts as living entities. We will gather to open Havurah Shalom's genizah, our repository for sacred texts, for the first time and respectfully retire our old machzorim. Led by Rabbi Benjamin.

Annual Cemetery Beautification Day
Sunday, May 22, 1 pm, Havurah Cemetery (Directions to Cemetery)
To beautify our cemetery, please bring garden implements and wear appropriate clothing.

"The Law in These Parts" Film Discussion
Monday, May 23, 7 pm (Location TBA)
The Havurah Israel/Palestine Committee invites you to join us on a powerful journey through a series of discussions of three Israeli documentaries. "The Law in These Parts" is the second in the series. Discussion will be led by Fran Payne Adler and Lois Bronfman. Please watch the film on your own prior to the discussion. Contact: Lee Gordon or Elinor Gollay. Learn more and RSVP.

Tikkun Olam Updates

News From the Streets: First Thursday Interfaith Alliance on Poverty: Presenting Rahab's Sisters – External Zoom Link
Thursday, May 5, 12 noon
Rahab’s Sisters offers stability, connection and acceptance to all who come. We believe community is a basic human need essential to well-being, and everyone deserves to feel they belong somewhere. Radical hospitality strives to break down barriers of fear, shame and judgment and create a healing space where individuals feel valued and find solidarity with one another. Register here in advance. Contact: Sue Abrams.

Landscaping Job for Carlos
Carlos, a Guatemalan immigrant being sponsored by Havurah, is looking for a landscaping job this summer. A junior at Beaverton HS, Carlos likes working outside with his hands and is eager to help support himself and his mother, Maria. If you have leads, please contact Kathy Gordon.

James Recycling Drop Off Event
May 15, 10 am - 12:30 pm, Mittleman Jewish Community Center
All items must be clean, dry, and sorted. Learn What to Bring, How to Sort Items and What Goes in Curbside Recycling/not accepted at event. Each grocery bag or 5-gallon container of sorted plastics costs $3 to recycle, and Styrofoam costs $3 per 39-gallon garbage bag. Hosted by the Climate Action Committee of the JCRC/Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. Steve Katz of Havurah's Climate Action Team is Havurah's representative on the committee.

News & Events From Our Tikkun Olam Partners

Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) | Interfaith Alliance on Poverty (IAP) | Lift UP | MACG

Announcements

Congregation to Vote to Amend Havurah's Bylaws at Annual Meeting
Havurah Shalom’s annual Congregational Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, June 12, at 10 am. This year’s meeting will include a request for approval of amendments to Havurah’s Bylaws. An annotated version of the Bylaws summarizing the requested changes is linked below. The changes propose an additional officer position, Recording Secretary for the Steering Committee, who will serve a two-year term and be responsible for taking minutes at Steering Committee meetings and maintaining the archives of the Steering Committee. The proposed Bylaws amendments also reflect general housekeeping changes, including deleting obsolete committee references and requirements. Please send questions or comments to corporatesec@havurahshalom.org.

Nominating Committee Looking for Treasurer Candidates
Do you have some experience with organizational budgets or finance? Havurah's Nominating Committee is interested in talking to you about the Treasurer position on the Steering Committee. This is a great opportunity to join a group of amazing leaders and help Havurah manage our financial picture. Please contact Debbi Nadell or Ben Walters for more information.

Do You Need Support?
If you are facing emotional, financial, or health challenges and would welcome support, please consider contacting the (a) Bikkur Holim (Visiting the Sick) Committee for spiritual support, (b) Lotsa Helping Hands for help with food, transportation, or other errands, or (c) Rabbi Benjamin, for spiritual and moral support. (benjamin@havurahshalom.org or 503-248-4662 ext. 3). If you would like to be on a list of people who support others in concrete ways, such as grocery shopping or running other errands, please contact Lotsa Helping Hands.

Questions About Havurah?
The Transparency & Inclusivity Committee is an avenue within Havurah Shalom to help members find the answers to questions or concerns they have wondered about. Please send your questions to transparency@havurahshalom.org. We will anonymously answer your question in Hakol. Everyone in our community benefits 

To see our full Zoom room instructions, click here. Member sign-in required.

Hineinu, April 20, 2022

Holding Steady – A COVID Management Team Update

The COVID Management Team met earlier this month to review the COVID Safety Gathering Guidelines for Havurah (adopted March 9, 2022) in light of decreased COVID risk in our community. We analyzed the rules and protocols that are currently in place and asked ourselves whether they are sufficiently clear and flexible to move us forward in the current conditions. We concluded that – though a few minor revisions were needed – our current Guidelines should serve our community now and into the foreseeable future. For more details about our decision to hold steady, and to look at a Q&A about the issues we considered, click here or below to read the longer explanation. 

Questions or concerns? As always, the COVID Management Team is here to answer your questions and address your concerns. Please reach out to us by email at info@havurahshalom.org. Your email will be shared with the entire group and a member of the CMT will get back to you.

Upcoming Classes & Events

Please follow our safety requirements at all in-person gatherings.

WEEKLY HAPPENINGS ...

Shabbat Morning Service – Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
Saturdays, 10 am
Check our online calendar for details.

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation – Zoom Room Bet
Tuesdays, 12 pm
We gather to find moments of quiet and shalom. Led by Rabbi Benjamin, Adela Basayne, or Nancy Becker.

Morning Minyan – Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
Wednesdays, 8:30 am
For all who want a regular prayer practice and those saying Kaddish.

UPCOMING ...

Office Closure
Havurah’s office is closed this week for systems updates, during which staff will be focusing on the administrative systems that make Havurah run smoothly. Your patience with email response times next week is appreciated.

Tomorrow is Deadline for Next Week's Hineinu
Thursday, April 21
Please submit your posts for next week's Hineinu by tomorrow, April 21, so Teri Ruch, who will be away next week, can prepare the April 27 Hineinu this week. Thank you!

Lev Tahor Chanting Circle – Zoom Room Bet & In Person
Thursday, April 21, 7 pm
Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin. We’ll gather in community for an evening of contemplative practice, chanting interspersed with silence, guided by teachings from the tradition. Everyone is welcome.

Anti-Racism and Belonging Conversation for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & People of Color) Members – Zoom Room Bet
Sunday, April 24, 10 am
We invite you to embark with us on gaining a better understanding of how anti-racism and belonging show up within Havurah through this small group conversation. All conversation groups are structured by self-selected shared identity. This discussion is for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & People of Color) members. Led by Havurah consultants Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs and Adam St. Bernard Jacobs. RSVP here. Click below for the full calendar of Anti-Racism and Belonging Conversations.

Earth Day Outing – In Person
Sunday, April 24, 10 am to Noon
Celebrate Earth Day with a leisurely outing at Smith and Bybee Lakes Wildlife Area. We will enjoy the woods, meadows, and spring flowers, and look for woodland and water birds. Join us for this family-friendly adventure. We will walk about one mile in, but you are welcome to finish your walk sooner. Sponsored by the Climate Action Team. RSVP here. (Photo below of Smith Lake taken by Finetooth/Wikimedia)

Book Group: The Lost Vintage by Ann Mah – Zoom Room Bet
Tuesday, April 26, 7 pm
In The Lost Vintage, a woman returns to her family’s ancestral vineyard in Burgundy and unexpectedly uncovers a lost diary, an unknown relative, and a secret her family has been keeping since World War II. As she learns more about her family, the line between Resistance and Collaboration blurs, driving Kate to ask exactly who her family aided during the difficult years of the war. Discussion led by Sandy Bacharach. Learn more.

Joint Yom HaShoah Service and Special “Voices of the Generations” Presentation with Julie Kohner
Wednesday, April 27, 7 pm, Zoom Link & Login Here
Please join Havurah Shalom and five other west coast congregations for a special Yom HaShoah Service and presentation by Julie Kohner, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor. Ms. Kohner will be sharing some of her mother’s story, as well as the changing way her mother’s story was told over the years. We will watch a 1953 episode of “This is Your Life,” which was the first time a Holocaust survivor shared her story on national television. The presentation will be held in the larger context of a service honoring the Holocaust with music, prayers, and ritual contributions from all six of our congregations. Learn more.

AlteRocker Happy Hour – Zoom Room Heh
Thursday, April 28, 4:30 pm
Come schmooze with us. And mark your calendars for monthly schmoozes – the last Thursday of the month!

Bar Mitzvah of Benjamin Bettridge– Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
Saturday, April 30, 10 am
Please join us in welcoming Benjamin Bettridge as a bar mitzvah and member of our community.

Mah Jongg Group Meeting – In Person
Sunday, May 1, 1 pm
At this first meeting in person at Havurah since the pandemic began, we will get acquainted and settle on a tentative schedule. Experienced players and people new to the game are welcome. If you have questions or would like to be added to the email list, please contact Leah Hershey.

Israeli Documentary Discussion – Zoom Room Bet
Sunday, May 1, 7 pm 
The Israel/Palestine Committee invites you to join us on a powerful journey through a Spring Zoom discussion series of three Israeli documentaries. The first discussion, about "1948: Creation & Catastrophe," will be led by Lee Gordon and Harriet Cooke. Please watch the film on your own in advance. Learn more here.

The Song Circle – Zoom Room Dalet & In Person
Monday, May 2, 7:30 pm
The Song Circle meets on the first Monday of the month and is open to all who wish to learn, share music, and grow their leadership skills. Based on Joey Weisenberg and the Rising Song Institute's program, it involves guided self-study of communal songs and niggunim using Joey’s videos and written materials. Access to Joey's library costs $18/month per person, but limited subsidies are available. Contact: Ken Lerner

Anti-Racisim and Belonging Conversation for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & People of Color) youth ages 14-24 – Zoom Room Bet
Wednesday, May 4, 6:30 pm
We invite you to embark with us on gaining a better understanding of how anti-racism and belonging shows up within the congregation through this small group conversation. All conversation groups are structured by self-selected shared identity. This discussion is for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & People of Color) youth ages 14-24. Led by Havurah consultants Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs and Adam St. Bernard Jacobs. RSVP here.

B'nei Mitzvah Event Planning 101 – Zoom Room Bet
Thursday, May 5, 7 pm
In this workshop, we will walk through event planning basics for both the service and reception. We will break down the event planning process into manageable steps, with a worksheet to help you stay on track. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, connect with others, and take the stress out of event planning so you can experience the joy that comes with this special occasion. Taught by Chari Smith. RSVP here.

Tot Shabbat – Zoom Room Bet
Saturday, May 7, 10:30 am
Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. RSVP here.

Tikkun Olam Updates

Afghan Family Support Fund
During Passover, we remember how important it is to welcome the stranger and help those who are fleeing oppression. Havurah is partnering with Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW) to help resettle an Afghan family in Portland. While LCSNW will place the family in permanent housing, Havurah’s direct fundraising will help support the family’s other needs. For this purpose, Havurah's Sanctuary Committee and Steering Committee have created the Afghan Family Support Fund. Please consider a contribution in any amount to help us welcome the Afghan family. (At this time, your contributions are not tax-deductible.) Thank you, The Sanctuary Committee

Constructive Conversations about Race Workshop
Thursday-Saturday, April 21-23, Westminster Presbyterian Church
Havurah is co-sponsoring this workshop by The Dialogue Company, whose goal is to provide the inspiration and tools to have conversations about race. Learn more on this flier and click here for a calendar of events, pricing, and registration. Financial hardship should not be a barrier to participating. For more information or to ask about financial assistance, contact Kathy Gordon or Bob Brown.

Chase Bank: Stop Funding Fossil Fuels! Passover Action
Friday, April 22, 12 pm, Chase Bank, 811 SW Sixth Ave
This Passover we will work to free ourselves from the destruction of the fossil fuel economy and create a world where everyone can thrive. The Climate Action Team is joining Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action. We will proclaim today's fossil-fueled plagues and lift matzah as a symbol of urgency, calling on Chase Bank, which invests in oil, gas, and coal companies, to move its dough. Rabbi Benjamin will be a speaker and Beth Hamon will lead us in song. Contact: Judi Soloway. RSVP here.

"Youth v Gov" Discussion – Offsite Zoom
Friday, April 29, Watch on Netflix; Sunday, May 1, Discuss on Zoom
"Youth v Gov," the award-winning documentary film about our constitutional right to a livable climate future, will be available on Netflix Friday, April 29. Join a statewide discussion (via Zoom) of the issue in a faith context Sunday May 1. Register through Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon.

News & Events From Our Tikkun Olam Partners

Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) | Interfaith Alliance on Poverty (IAP) | Lift UP | MACG

Havurah Announcements

Nominating Committee Looking for Treasurer Candidates
Do you have some experience with organizational budgets or finance? Havurah's Nominating Committee is interested in talking to you about the Treasurer position on the Steering Committee. This is a great opportunity to join a group of amazing leaders and help Havurah manage our financial picture. Please contact Debbi Nadell or Ben Walters for more information.

A Video About Havurah Shalom
People attending the Reconstructing Judaism convention last month were treated to this short, engaging video by Havurah member Megan Koler. You may recognize some of the people in it!

Jenn Louis's Presentation on Israeli Flavors
On Sunday, April 3, Jenn Louis gave a presentation on Zoom titled: Using Israeli Flavors in Vegetable Dishes. Click here to watch the presentation.

Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner/Oneg Committee Needs Help
Remember our sweet (pre-Covid) Kabbalat Shabbat services with dinner before and Oneg afterward? Plans are afoot for something a little different in the Fall. We'll start earlier, have a simple Oneg before our lovely musical services, and enjoy a relaxed dinner afterwards. We need new co-chairs, as our current ones are stepping back (but will be available for consultation and advice!). Please contact Rachel Shimshak if you are interested.

Jeff Gottfried Needs a Stem Cells Donor
Longtime Havurah member Jeff Gottfried needs a bone marrow transplant. Please urge anyone you know who is between 18 and 40 to sign up to be a donor. The transplant would be of blood stem cells, not bone marrow. This could be lifesaving for Jeff or any of the 18,000 people who need such transplants annually. Sign up here. Questions? Contact Marcia Danab.

Do You Need Support?
If you are facing emotional, financial, or health challenges and would welcome support, please consider contacting the (a) Bikkur Holim (Visiting the Sick) Committee for spiritual support, (b)  Lotsa Helping Hands for help with food, transportation, or other errands, or (c) Rabbi Benjamin, for spiritual and moral support. (benjamin@havurahshalom.org or 503-248-4662 ext. 3). If you would like to be on a list of people who support others in concrete ways, such as grocery shopping or running other errands, please contact Lotsa Helping Hands.

Questions About Havurah?
The Transparency & Inclusivity Committee is an avenue within Havurah Shalom to help members find the answers to questions or concerns they have wondered about. Please send your questions to transparency@havurahshalom.org. We will anonymously answer your question in Hakol. Everyone in our community benefits from this clarity!