Editorial Note: We've heard your feedback on the length of Havurah Happenings. In response, we will be asking contributors to shorten their program descriptions (more detailed descriptions can be found on calendar event pages on our website, linked in this email), and we will endeavor to avoid too much repetition of events. As ever, we are striving to be thoughtful and fair about any changes. Please let us know about your experience by replying to this email.
March Hakol Is Out!
Check out the new issue of Hakol here, just before it gets to your doorstep.
Upcoming Events
Family Shabbat Saturday, Feb. 29, 10:30 am - 12 pm
Please join us for a fabulous morning of singing, storytelling, interactive Torah, community connections, and noshing. Especially for families with youth in Grades K–6 or those who want a boost of youthful energy. Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, Rabbi Benjamin, and community members. Followed by potluck lunch.
Purim Actors, Musicians, Chanters, Spielers and Planners Needed! Sunday, March 1, 10 am - 12 pm
Join the fun as we perform a few short skits to add to the joy of our Purim Celebration skits. A first rehearsal and brainstorming session will take place Sunday, Feb. 23, 10 am, with just one more rehearsal on Sunday, March 1, 10 am. Purim Celebration is on Monday, March 9. Contact Ellen Regal to sign up! We also need Megillah chanters! Please email Rabbi Benjamin if you're interested.
Garden Spring Cleanup Work Party Sunday, March 1, 10 am - 2 pm
Come tend our garden, rain or shine. Bring pruners and garden gloves and snack to share. All are welcome!
Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation Tuesday, March 3, 12 pm - 1 pm
We gather on Tuesdays to find some moments of quiet and shalom. Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, Rabbi Benjamin, Adela Basayne, and Nancy Becker.
Morning Minyan Wednesday, March 4, 8:30 am - 9 am
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish.
Reading and Oneg with the Havurah Writing Group Friday, March 6, 7 - 8:30 pm
The Havurah Writer’s Group will be sharing short memoir pieces from their 8-session workshop. The one-hour of reading will be followed by an oneg. Creativity abounds! Come and hear your fellow Havurahniks!
Purim Celebration Monday, March 9, 6 pm Dinner and Games; 6:30 Spieling and Megillah
Come one, come all, for a night of joy, masquerade, and the story of the courageous individuals from long ago whose valor saved the Jewish people. We will have pizza, Megillah chanting, spieling, and more. Be sure to visit the Alter Rocker’s adults-only table to fulfill the mitzvah of being unable to tell Mordechai and Haman apart. Wear a costume if you have one, or pick out something from Havurah's collection. Bring your famous hamantaschen to share.
Returning to Israel After 26 Years: Deborah Eisenbach-Budner Shares Impressions & Questions (evening time, by popular demand) Wednesday, March 18, 5:45 pm
Deborah will share impressions and questions from her recent return to Israel/Palestine and her encounters with: religious relatives living on the West Bank, a few of today's Jewish and Palestinian peace activists, 'regular' Israelis trying to live their lives, Druze community members, and amazing and disturbing changes in Israel in the last 26 years. She also learned far more than planned about the current health care systems in Palestine and in Israel due to a freak accident (everybody is okay now). Please RSVP here.
Classes & Workshops
Safety Training: Stop the Bleed Feb. 27 at 8:30 am - 10:30 am and 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm; Chabad of NE Portland, 2858 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland
This is not a Havurah activity (please note location), but Havurahniks are encouraged to attend trainings that promote our overall safety. Become trained, equipped and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives.RSVP to Julie Alferez.
Thinking About Israel/Palestine Tuesday, March 3 - May 12 (except March 24), 7 pm - 8:30 pm
Joel Beinin will once again be teaching a course on Israel/Palestine. The objective of the class is to stimulate discussion at Havurah Shalom. All points of view are welcome and will be respected. The class is limited to 20 people. There are about 50 pages of weekly reading, and participants should be willing to commit to attending at least 8 of the 10 sessions. Register here.
2000 Years of Jewish Understandings of Slavery and Freedom
Preparing Ourselves for Passover Wednesday, Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25, 7 pm - 8:30 pm NEW DATES
We will explore the evolution of the themes of slavery and freedom from the Torah narratives and in the haggadah, as well as the development of the Passover seder by the rabbis. One focus will be on the liberation of gender, a hallmark of the last 40 years of some creative Jewish seders. Taught by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. RSVP here.
Hineinu: Being Present for Each Other in Times of Struggle and Loss A Workshop & Training to Establish a Bikkur Ḥolim Cohort at Havurah Thursday, March 5, 12, 19, 7 pm - 8:30 pm Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin and Rabbinic Chaplain Tivona Reith. In this workshop, we will learn how to sit with each other in compassionate and caring ways, such as visiting those who are ill (bikkur ḥolim) or comforting mourners (niḥum aveylim). RSVP here.
Kesher Tech: Explore Our Website Friday, March 6, 10 am - 12 pm
Havurah's Communications & Membership Coordinator, Brad Pector, will guide you through the Havurah website. We will look at member features and how they can help you and your committee or cluster. Please bring your computer or tablet. Limited to 12 people. RSVP by March 1.
Do You Have a Skill to Share? Lifelong Learning Seeks Teachers
The Lifelong Learning Committee is currently seeking congregants to teach classes in the 2020-2021 school year. We have three focus areas: history or culture; spirituality or religion; and creative, hands-on learning. If you have an idea for a class, please email Eve Berry.
What Would You Like to Learn?
We’re also seeking feedback about types of classes to offer within our three focus areas. Is there a particular topic or skill you’d like to learn about? Please tell us about it!
Havurah's Tikkun Olam Cluster
IMIrJ ICE Vigil: Last Thursday Witness Thursday, Feb. 27, 10 am, Portland ICE Headquarters, 4310 SW Macadam Ave.
Gather in vigil as we express our support and love for families affected by ICE detentions. Join this monthly gathering to lift up the reality of what happens every day at the Portland ICE facility and participate in solidarity in various interfaith expressions and rituals. Carpooling is encouraged as parking is limited.
Tutoring Is Fun & Rewarding: Join Tikkun Olam Adelante! Wednesdays, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Join the Havurah Tikkun Olam tutoring project at Ortiz Center (6736 NE Killingsworth)! We have a wonderful, dedicated group of tutors and motivated students from neighborhood primary and middle schools. We generally work one tutor/one student - on reading and math skills. Please contact Margie Rosenthal or Jay Moskovitz for more information or to arrange a visit to our program.
Community Conversation On Homelessness Tuesday, March 3, 6:30pm – 8:30pm at U. of Portland Bauccio Commons
Saturday, March 7, 9am – 12pm at Multnomah Arts Center Gymnasium
To continue the discussion at the Portland Downtown Neighborhood Association’s Educational Forum on Homelessness, Mayor Wheeler is hosting several more community conversations across Portland to share how the City is addressing homelessness and to listen to your priorities and ideas tied to the issue. Space is limited and attendance is based on first-come, first-serve. Contact Gloria Halper (in the online Havurah directory) for more information.
Food Delivery: Help Needed March 4, April 1, May 6
We’re looking for a few more volunteers to deliver food boxes to The Vibrant! Apartments. Pick one date, two, or three! Deliveries take about an hour, starting at 11:15 am, at 1620 NW 14th Ave (the cross street is Raleigh). Please contact Ruth Feldman via the online Havurah directory. Thanks to Susan Danielson, Joan Carples, and Adele Thompson for making the February deliveries!
Interfaith Alliance on Poverty Monthly Meeting Thursday, March 5, 12 pm - 2 pm, Westminster Presbyterian Church Faith perspectives on the budget as a moral document, hearing from Catholic, Protestant and Jewish traditions to speak to what their traditions say about their role in assuring our government’s budget reflects the moral imperative to assure economic and social justice.
Celebrate LIFT Urban Portland's New Food Pantry Monday, March 9, 4 - 6 pm; First United Methodist Church, 1838 SW Jefferson St.
Come take a tour, have a snack, and hear special guest Dr. Miles Hassell, author of Good Food, Great Medicine. There is no fee, but donations are gratefully accepted. Lift UP hopes to raise $20,000 to ensure that the pantry best serves our community. Details and RSVP or call (503) 221-1224.
Inside Havurah
Creating a Havurah Liberation of Gender Seder
Do you want to gather with a small group of folks two to three times to do some study, singing, writing, drawing, thinking about ritual, making creative new ritual foods, and more!!!??? All genders and all ages welcome to contribute. We will find a few meeting times in the next few months. Contact Deborah Eisenbach-Budner as soon as possible to be part of this creative process. The seder will be Sunday, April 12, 3 pm.
Bereavement Group Sunday, April 26; May 3, 17, 24, 31; June 7, 10 am - 11:30 am at Havurah
Havurah will be offering a Bereavement Support group this spring so Havuraniks can come together to support each other with one another's grief, facilitated by David Molko, LCSW, of Jewish Family & Child Services. This will be a closed group so people can create a sense of community and comfort with this process. Please register here to indicate your interest. David will follow up with a brief phone conversation to provide additional details and discuss group member needs.
Contemplative Retreats with Rabbi Benjamin and Other Leaders July 21-26 & August 17-23 Rabbi Benjamin will be co-teaching on two contemplative retreats in Oregon this summer, and it would be wonderful to have many Havurahniks participate. From July 21 to 26, he will teach in Ashland, and August 17 to 23 right outside of Portland. No prior experience required. Scholarships available. Contact Rabbi Benjamin with any questions.
Nominations for 2020 Steering Positions
Havurah's Nominating Committee has started work to fill positions for the 2020 - 2021 Steering Committee. We will be submitting nominations for the following positions in the spring:
• Vice-President (four-year commitment)
• Treasurer
• Tikkun Olam (Social Action) Lead
• Makom (Place) Lead
• Limud (Learning) Lead
We are looking for motivated Havurah members who want to be involved in a hands-on manner with our governance and planning. With the exception of Vice-President, new members will serve from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2022. If you have questions about Steering positions, please contact Debbi Nadell.
Have a Question About Havurah?
The Transparency and Inclusivity Committee welcomes your questions! We will find the answer and publish the question (but not the questioner) and answer in an upcoming Hakol. It is our intention at Havurah that what you know and understand about our congregation should not be a function of who you know. If you find yourself wondering about something related to Havurah, or if someone shares their question with you, we hope you contact us.
Send your questions to transparency@havurahshalom.org.
Reconstructing Judaism Newsletter
Interested in what’s happening in the national Reconstructing Judaism movement? Looking for some new ideas? Check out Reconstructing Judaism news here, or listen to the latest podcast.
Please use this formto submit stories for this weekly community email. Submissions are due by noon on Tuesday each week.
Havurah Shalom is a vibrant, diverse, participatory Jewish community steeped in Jewish values promoting spirituality, learning, and acts of social responsibility.
Find our calendar and learn more at havurahshalom.org, or call 503-248-4662.
(HYB) Shabbat Morning Shabbat, May 3rd 10:00a to 12:00p Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin (who is on sabbatical until July 1, 2025), this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. Join us afterward for a light community brunch provided by the Lunches and Noshes Committee! Free childcare is provided. For Zoom information, please email info@havurahshalom.org.
(IP) Shabbat School Shabbat, May 3rd 3:00p to 5:15p This program gives children a foundation for lifelong Jewish learning and engagement while integrating parents and children in a caring Jewish community.
(ZM) Progressive Israel Network Sessions Sunday, May 4th 11:00a to 12:00p Havurah Shalom is hosting a four-session series from the Progressive Israel Network. Come learn in collaboration with representatives from five to six of the participating Progressive Israel Network organizations, including T’ruah, New Jewish Narrative, Partners for Progressive Israel, New Israel Fund, J Street, and Reconstructing Judaism.
All perspectives on Israel-Palestine, as well as all curious people, are welcomed and encouraged. Our guests will give presentations and take questions. You can register for all sessions, below, but it's okay if you can't attend all three sessions.
(Reconstructing Judaism, the central organization of the Reconstructionist movement, of which Havurah Shalom is a part, is a member of the Progressive Israel Network.)
(IP) Writing for Peace and Reconciliation, Within and Between Us Sunday, May 4th 6:30p to 8:30p Commemorate the last day of Pesach and Yitzkor in community Passover not only invites us to retell our ancient story but to look at our current reality and ask: what is our mitzrayim today? The obstacle in our personal and communal life? Where can we break through in an act of courage and compassion? April 20th & May 4th, 6:30 PM at Havurah, join Harriet Cooke for a writing/drawing group to explore this theme along with Yitzkor, the Sephirot and Counting the Omer. (It is recommended to attend either just the first session or both sessions.)
(IP) Jewish Ethical Responses to the Problem of Racism Monday, May 5th 6:30p to 7:45p We will address topics such as countering white nationalism and antisemitism, Jewish perspectives on reparations, repairing Jewish pioneer memory, and responding to racial microaggressions. Facilitated by Karen Sherman and Adela Basayne.
(CANCELED) Collage Art with Jewish Symbols Wednesday, May 7th 6:30p to 7:45p This class has been canceled by the instructor. If you are interested in doing art at Havurah, please reach out to Adela Basayne (info@havurahshalom.org). Bring your crafts and creativity out for making collage art with Jewish symbols. We will create hamzas, stars of David, trees of life, and images for blessing the home. All ages are invited! Led by Carolina Martinez.
(IP) Hebrew as a Tool: Prayer and Torah (registration closed) Wednesday, May 7th 7:00p to 8:15p (This class will now be starting on January 8.) Using an in-depth, word-by-word approach, we discover literal meaning(s), ancient layers of understanding, and our own personal interpretations that stem from the nuances of the Hebrew text. Basic Hebrew decoding skills necessary.
