Hineinu

Dear Havurahniks,

Five and a half weeks ago, when Havurah Shalom moved to virtual gatherings, we surely thought we'd know what would be happening by the end of Pesach. What we know now is that we don't know much about when and how we will be gathering panim el panim (face to face) again.

Havurah's leadership and staff will continue to follow public health developments closely. This framework was set forth last week by Governor Brown:

In order to begin reopening communities, Oregon must first slow the growth of COVID-19, as well as acquire adequate personal protective equipment to protect health care workers and first responders. Once those prerequisites are met, Oregon can begin to reopen by:

•     Ramping up COVID-19 testing capacity in every region of Oregon
•     Developing robust contact tracing systems to track and contain COVID-19 cases
•     Establishing a quarantine and isolation program for new cases

We've seen news reports of the virus peaking in Oregon in the next few days, and the possibility of state restrictions beginning to lift by the end of May.

Whenever these things actually happen, we want Havurah Shalom to remain a safe, healthy, and welcoming place for all Havurahniks. Havurah will be gathering virtually until at least June 5, 2020. Leadership and staff will assess again through May, as developments warrant.

One thing we've learned from meeting virtually is how lovely it is to have family and friends from far away be able to join our events. So when we resume meeting in person, we will continue to offer Zoom for those who may not want or be able to come to our building.

We are all — individually and collectively — being transformed by this challenging experience. Tazria-Metzora, this week's Torah portion, speaks about times of separation from communal life, times when we can be sustained by the blessing of knowing that we will return to community. As we encounter joy in the sunny blossoms of spring, we also meet fear and anxiety. Being connected — if only virtually in community — can help us to find balance, can restore us to harmony.

Wishing well to all,
Adela Basayne, Program Director

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Let's Help 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 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.

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Upcoming Events
Dates, Times, and Zoom Rooms Listed Below

Although we are not publishing these links broadly, please feel free to invite your family and friends to any of our services below.
 

Slack Training for Neighborhood Groups
Thursday, April 23, 4 pm – Room Dalet
Join Brad, our Communications & Membership Coordinator, as we explore Slack, a community platform for our new Neighborhood Groups. If you haven't received an email about it yet, look out for one. And if you have received one, please accept the Slack workspace invitation!

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
Thursday, April 23, 5 pm – Room Bet
We gather to find some moments of quiet and shalom. Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, Rabbi Benjamin, Adela Basayne, and Nancy Becker.

Welcome Shabbat with the Havurah Writing Group
Friday, April 24, 7 pm – Room Aleph
This year's Havurah Winter/Spring Writing Group will welcome Shabbat in a simple service that includes group members reading short, reflective works that are a product of our Thursday night gatherings that began in January. Imagine a lyrically compelling, old-fashioned Zoom gathering — a spiritually uplifting evening presenting far from perfect, creative, written expression.

B'nei Mitzvah of Quinton & Abrianna Decker
Saturday, April 25, 10 am – Room Aleph
Please join us in welcoming Quinton and Abrianna Decker as B'nei Mitzvah and members of our community.

Earth Day Movie Discussion
Sunday, April 26, 7 pm – Special Discussion Room (link here)
Havurah’s Climate Action Team invites you to join them in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day with a movie discussion of The Human Element, by zoom, on Sunday, April 26 from 7-8 pm. The movie is being offered for viewing from April 17-26, for free here. For details about the movie, and descriptions of other interactive Earth Day activities HCAT members are participating in, go to the HCAT page on the Havurah website here. 

Reclaiming Stolen Black Lands in the "Whitest City" Q&A
Monday, April 27, 7 pm – Register for the event here.
Emanuel Displaced Persons Association 2 (EDPA2) consists of impacted families whose homes and businesses were taken and demolished for Emanuel Hospital expansion in the 1960s and 1970s. In solidarity with EDPA2's pursuit of justice, we'll host an informational Q&A session. EDPA2 provides this historical summary of the forced removal that participants should read. Also, please watch this 6 minute documentary, Urban Removal in Albina. And please consider signing this statement of support (link here) that will be presented at the May 6, 2020, Portland City Council meeting which will review the Prosper Portland budget.

Counting the Omer
Spiritual Practice for Precarious Times
Tuesday, April 28 (and every Tuesday until May 26), 12 pm – Room Bet
During these seven weeks of Counting the Omer, the period linking Pesach with Shavuot, our Tuesday meditation will focus on the sefirot, or qualities, associated with each week. Rabbi Benjamin will guide us in reflecting on and practicing with these attributes, as tools for resilience and support in this moment. Everyone is welcome to any or all of these sessions. Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin.

Book Group Discusses Rising Out of Hatred
Tuesday, April 28, 7 pm – Room Bet
If there's such a thing as a white nationalist prodigy, Derek Black might have been one. The son of Don Black, the founder of the racist website Stormfront, and godson of former KKK Grand Wizard David Duke, he was deeply immersed in the philosophies of white supremacy through his homeschooling and his parents' activities. This book is about Derek Black’s transformation from a white nationalist to an anti-hate messenger. Author Eli Saslow is a reporter who lives in Portland. Discussion led by Dale Schwartz.

Morning Minyan
Wednesday, April 29, 8:30 am – Room Aleph
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish.

Radical Amazement, Radical Concern
Teachings for this Hour from Abraham Joshua Heschel
Wednesday, May 6, 13, 20, 7 pm – Room Bet
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel was a radical, in theology and action. His work integrated intellectual rigor with love of tradition, and he called for intimate spiritual attention alongside moral public action. In these sessions we will explore excerpts of his work on topics including empathy, freedom, and responsibility, as well as awe and appreciation. Please RSVP here by May 3. There will be reading sent out before each class. Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin.

Login into the website and access our Zoom rooms here.

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Updates Inside Havurah
Our Community Presses Onward Despite the Pandemic

Get One, Give One: Purchase Our New Machzor!

We're so close! Help us reach the finish line. Kol Haneshamah Machzor Leyamim Nora’im from the Reconstructionist Press is our machzor of choice. Thanks to generous donations made so far, we have enough funds to acquire approximately 550 new machzors. Our goal is as many as 700 to replace our current set. Consider participating in this effort by purchasing your own, purchasing one for the community, or making a donation to the machzor fund. $40 covers a copy, shipping, book plate, and future song inserts. Deadline May 1. Click here to order!

Rabbi Benjamin's Writing on this Week of the Omer
Rabbi Benjamin is posting reflections on each week's sefirah or quality, designed to support spiritual and life practice for this time. His latest post, "Loving Strength and Discernment," can be found here.

Introducing Neighborhood Groups
Slack invites are going out! Please accept them when you can.
Our community has grown tremendously in the last few years. We are grateful for the riches that accompany growth. One of those riches is the opportunity to build strong connections among our diverse membership. To further that opportunity, we have grouped members into 26 neighborhoods. with the goal of creating social, emotional, and spiritual connections among neighbors. Soon, you will receive a welcome from a Neighborhood Captain. Once each group is established, there will be opportunities to get together (virtually for now), check in with each other, and ask for assistance, if you need it. We are still building this network and are looking for Neighborhood Captains. Contact Stacy Hankin if you are interested.

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!

Can You Help Keep the Courtyard Trash-Free?
During this difficult time, the courtyard of our building has become a resting place for many more houseless folks than usual. Are you able to come to the building periodically to pick up what's being left behind? Havurah will provide gloves, trash picker and bags. Please be in touch with Rachel at rachel@havurahshalom.org if you can help.

Reconstructing Judaism Resources
Visit ReconstructingJudaism.org and click on Recon Connect or the Virtual Shabbat Box. There you will find the community, innovation, spirit and depth that embody Reconstructionist Judaism. Recon Connect is an online hub updated regularly with live experiences from across the Reconstructionist movement. The Virtual Shabbat Box is a weekly offering of multisensory experiences: essays, meditations, and other resources that you can download for Shabbat.

Our Weekly Emails
If you have something you think should be included in Hineinu, please submit to the regular weekly email form here.

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Donations Needed

Portland Homeless Family Solutions Seeks Donations
PHFS is seeking food donations for their shelter and for food boxes to be delivered to clients. More information here. In addition, to help with our monthly food commitment, coordinated by Len and Elayne Shapiro, sign up here.

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Other Resources for You
From Our Siddur to a Havurah Website Guide

Digital Copy of Shabbat Vehagim
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Digital Copy of the Daily Prayerbook
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COVID-19 Resources Spreadsheet
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Oregon Jewish Life COVID-19 Resources
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A Spreadsheet of Livestreaming Services, Torah Study, and more
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Community Resources During COVID-19
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Daily Online Jewish Mindfulness Sit with Institute for Jewish Spirituality
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Recon Connect: A Hub for Live Experiences from Reconstructing Judaism
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Meditations, Blog Posts & Podcasts to Help Adults Coping with Uncertainty & Anxiety
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This Can Be Our Finest Hour, But We Need All Of You (COVID-19 article)
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How to Explain Coronavirus to a Child with Anxiety
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A Guide to Havurah Website Resources (including how to access the member directory)
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Ritualwell Coronavirus Articles (a website by Reconstructing Judaism)

Click on the image above to read the April issue of Hakol!