We have just turned the page, as it were, in Torah to the book of Leviticus. Here we are met with elaborate details regarding the sacrificial system which was the central modality of our ancestors’ spiritual lives. On the surface these sections can feel quite inaccessible. One detail I have been lifting up, however, is the word itself translated as sacrifice: Korban in Hebrew. It derives from the word karov, meaning “close” or “near.” An offering, in our ancestors’ minds, was a drawing-near: to the Divine, to a sense of holiness and connection, and to our ethical commitments. These stretches of Torah, then, can serve to motivate us towards our own drawing-near to these aspects of life.
How interesting to be instructed to draw near at a time when are told specifically, on a physical plane, to be distant. It is a challenging yet profound invitation, and perhaps exactly what we need right now. More than ever, we need to draw close to one another. As a community, we are working hard to provide ways for that to happen.
One approach we have for pursuing this goal is reaching out to those in our community who are in need in any way. Among our other forms of support, which you can read about below, we have been organizing volunteers to make phone calls to those who could benefit from some additional connection. I am collaborating on this with Tivona Reith, who has been working to develop a system to carry out this sacred task. We both agreed that our first stage of calls will be not only to specific people, but to all Havurah households. While we might be able to identify certain members who are particularly vulnerable, the truth is that we are all vulnerable and would all benefit from connection. So over the next week to ten days, you or someone in your family will be getting a call from a member of this team of volunteers. I hope you will welcome it and appreciate spending a few minutes with a fellow Havurahnik. In addition to being one more thread of connection, these calls will also help us learn about any needs which are present, as well as risks that any of us face as this crisis unfolds. Thank you in advance for helping us support one another, and for being part of our collective drawing-near when we most need it.
Bivrakka, Rabbi Benjamin
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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 benefit from the support of community members for things like grocery shopping, errands, or any other concrete needs, for any reason, please contact Susan Lazareck at susanlazareck@gmail.com or Rabbi Benjamin at benjamin.barnett@havurahshalom.org or 503-248-4662 ext. 3.
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 and Rabbi Benjamin at the emails 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.
Keeping Quarantine
The best thing we can do for ourselves, our loved ones, and our community is to keep staying home and to keep a 6-foot distance if we have to go out. Every choice we make can be an act of compassion. The outbreak curve is doubling every few days. All ages are vulnerable. If we stay in, the medical system will be able to keep up and lives will be saved.
Although we are not publishing these links broadly, please feel free to invite your family and friends to any of our virtual events below.
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.
Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation, Thursday, 5:30 pm – Room Aleph We gather to find some moments of quiet and shalom.Now twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays!
Jewish Bedtime Stories with Magid Cassandra Sagan, Thursday, 6:30 pm – Room Bet A weekly session meant for children 4-10. Ready your drawing materials!
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.
Kirtan Shabbat with J.D. Kleinke, Friday, 7:30 pm – Room Aleph Join us this Friday for a kirtan-infused Shabbat service. (“Kirtan” is Sanskrit for “repeat” — a simple, call-and-response form of devotional, communal singing that originated in Eastern religious traditions, and moved to the west with yoga and meditation.) A kirtan Shabbat follows the arc of the tradtional Friday night service, slowed down and simplified, to invoke the meditational spirit at the heart of all Jewish prayer.
Bar Mitzvah of Elliot Strom, Saturday, 10 am – Room Aleph Please join us in welcoming Elliot Strom as a bar mitzvah and member of our community!
Havdallah: Shabbat School, Saturday (see below for times) – Room Gimel 4:30 pm - Shabbat School parents’ check-in
5 pm - All ages welcome. Havdallah with singing and stories.
Updates Inside Havurah Making changes now that COVID-19 has affected our events
Can You Help Others with Technology?
Because of the major shift in Havurah activities, a lot of members are still wanting to participate in our programs, but have little to no experience with Zoom or our website. Please contact Brad, our Communications & Membership Coordinator, at brad@havurahshalom.org to be added to this new group devoted to helping members with technology!
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.
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. If you have something you think should be included in Hineinu, please submit to the weekly email form here.
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.
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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.
