This week’s Torah portion, Vayakhel, begins: “Moshe convoked the whole Israelite community.” More literally, Moshe “communitied” the Israelites. Vayakhel is a verb form of community, one absent in English. (Notice the k-h-l sounds which appear in Havurah’s Kehillah, “Community,” cluster.) While our approach is more egalitarian (no one person “communities” the people), vayakhel as a verb illuminates how much the sacred work of community involves effort and cultivation.
These times are asking more of us. They are demanding that in order for us to remain connected and support one another, we must actively “community.” The truth, though, is that this is always the case. Healthy and inclusive community never simply happens, and is never static. It must always be tended and examined — is always alive and shifting. Perhaps this crisis is bringing these truths more into focus. And with the challenges of this come precious opportunities for us to community.
The other day I came upon this from Krista Tippett: “Human invention has connected us — our creativity & commerce, our vulnerability & flourishing. The civilizational challenge now — life by life, community by community — is to attend to the quality of that connection.” This is true on many levels. Foremost right now, in my mind, is our attending to the impacts of our physical connections. Being physically present for one another is a gift, and it is asking a lot of us to refrain from doing so. But friends, please, to the extent of our needs and abilities, we must. I hope by now that we all appreciate the necessity of this. Clearly, though, there are still many in our broader community who fail to recognize or honor how their personal choices impact the collective wellbeing. I feel morally compelled to state again how vital it is right now — for all of us with the freedom to make this choice — to refrain from in-person contact. This is not about panic or succumbing to fear. It is a matter of acting with wisdom and care for all of our loved ones and for all who dwell on earth. If you do not have the privilege to self-isolate, we honor your service and the sacrifices you are making, and would like to support you however possible.
Below, you can see the various ways in which we are continuing, in this moment, to community.
Bivrakha (With Blessing), Rabbi Benjamin
____________________________
Let's Support Each Other Do You Need Help or Would You Like to Offer Help?
Thank you to those who have responded so far, whether to offer support or to share a need for it. Sincerely, these are each valuable offerings to this sacred work of being in community.
If you would like to be on a list of people to support others in concrete ways, such as grocery shopping or running other errands, please contact Susan Lazareck and Rabbi Benjamin at benjamin.barnett@havurahshalom.org.
If you would benefit from the support of community members for things like grocery shopping, errands, or any other concrete needs, for any reason, please be in touch with Susan or Rabbi Benjamin at the emails above. You can also call Rabbi Benjamin at 503-248-4662 ext. 3.
We are organizing a team to make phone calls to those who feel isolated or would simply appreciate the connection. If you would like a call or the chance to spend time visiting remotely with someone, please contact Rabbi Benjamin at the email or phone number above.
If you are facing financial hardship from a loss of employment or decrease in income, or from any other impact of this crisis, please contact Rabbi Benjamin at the email or phone number above.
____________________________
Upcoming Virtual Events Dates, Times, and Zoom Rooms Listed Below
Jewish Bedtime Stories with Cassandra Sagan, Thursday, 6:30 pm – Room Bet A weekly session meant for children 4-10. Ready your drawing materials!
Bikkur Holim, Thursday, 7 pm – Room Aleph In this workshop, we will explore how we can say Hineinu when visiting those who are ill (bikkur holim) or comforting mourners (nihum aveylim). We will learn how to cultivate a listening heart and to sit with each other in compassionate and caring ways.
Shabbat Evening Home Rituals with Alicia Jo Rabins, Friday, 5:30 pm –Room Bet Join Alicia Jo Rabins and her family for Shabbat blessings and singing. All ages welcome – geared for children ages 0-12 and their parents.
Kabbalat Shabbat Service with Rabbi Benjamin, Friday, 7:30 pm – Room Aleph A short and sweet service with Rabbi Benjamin.
Immigrant Justice Kabbalat Shabbat, POSTPONED: TBA This will be rescheduled for another date in the future.
HIAS Refugee Shabbat, Saturday, 10 am – Room Aleph With the American Jewish community, we will dedicate this morning service to refugees and asylum seekers searching for freedom from violence and persecution.
Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation, Tuesday, 12 pm – Room Bet We gather to find some moments of quiet and shalom.
Book Discussion Group: People of the Book, Tuesday, 7 pm – Room Bet This historical novel about the real Sarajevo Haggadah was inspired by a harrowing, true story of a beautifully illuminated Hebrew manuscript created in 14th century Spain.
Morning Minyan, Wednesday, 8:30 am – Room Aleph For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish.
____________________________
Updates Inside Havurah Pivoting now that COVID-19 has affected our events
Havurah Happenings: Our Weekly Email
Due to the lack of events occuring in person, our weekly email will be suspended for now. We will be putting out Hineinu, this email, twice a week instead. We will update you if this changes in any way.
Hakol Goes Digital-Only for April
The April issue of Hakol, set to release the last week of March, will be digital-only. We will be posting a link to it in our email updates and it'll be on the website in its usual location here.
Book Group Needs Recommendations
Book suggestions are still being accepted until April 15. We encourage people to submit more suggestions until then. After that, we will be compiling and sending the list out for voting in May. Please contact Marjorie Walters via the Havurah member directory on our website if you would like to recommend a book.
Bereavement Group Postponement
At the request of David Molko of JFCS and in light of the current health situation, we are postponing offering the next Bereavement Support Group until the fall. We hope to reconnect with folks then about this.
We are also organizing our Bikkur Holim team to make phone calls to those who might feel alone or isolated. We will be reaching out to many of our members, since we all could use the connection, but if you would especially appreciate a call or the chance to spend time digitally visiting with someone, please contact Rabbi Benjamin at 503-248-4662 or benjamin.barnett@havurahshalom.org.
____________________________
Other Resources for You From Meditations to a Havurah Website Guide
(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.
