Hineinu

Photo by AndriyKo Podilnyk on Unsplash

Lovingkindness in the Face of Difficulty

At Havurah Shalom, this is usually the time of year we create the calendar of programs and events for the next year. We choose a theme, solidify what classes will be offered, prepare the budget, start planning the liturgy and logistics for the High Holidays. The question I am living right now is, how can we plan for a future we know so little about? Do we plan as if we will be still virtual? as if we will be together but six feet apart?

What I know for sure is that we will be a community of Jews and people who love Jews, held together by our relationships, our history, our common commitments to social justice, learning, or spiritual growth. The pleasure we feel when we see each other's faces in a Zoom service, class or meeting signifies a strengthening of our connection, as does the increasing use of the Slack platform for Neighborhood Groups (HavuraHoods, anyone?). Each act of chesed (lovingkindness) one Havurahnik shows to another in these difficult times weaves a fabric of community in which we will all be encircled, in whatever future we find ourselves.

It's been hard, and it's going to feel harder, the longer we have to stay physically apart. To support ourselves in the discipline we've had to adopt, please maximize your self-kindnesses. Virtual connection, exercise, enough sleep, nourishment, meditation, movement... we all must do whatever it takes to care for all of us.

This excerpt from Rabbi Yael Levy's Directing the Heart, on this week's parsha, Emor, helps me today:

Here you are, the Mystery calls,
Here you are,
Right now.
This very moment is your life.
And this moment is perfect because
This is what is.
But the mind, never satisfied,
Seeks control,
Reaches for certainty,
Determined to fashion reality
According to its own image.
Let go, the Mystery implores.
Wonder, for awhile,
Not about changing the moment, 
Wonder about changing
Your understanding,
Shifting your perspective,
So the energy spent
Bemoaning imperfection,
Clinging to regret,
And worrying about what will be
Can be put to better use...
So your can step fully
Into what each moment offers,
What each moment asks.
The choice is yours....

May we all be safe and well,
Adela Basayne, Program Director

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Rabbi Benjamin's Omer Writing: Spiritual Practice in Precarious Times
Read Rabbi Benjamin's meditations on this week's sefirah or quality, designed to support spiritual and life practice for this time: Week of Netzaḥ: Clear Vision, Steadfast Effort

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Let's Help Each Other
Do You Need Help or Would You Like to Offer Help?
If you are facing financial hardship from a loss of employment, decrease in income, or any other impact of this crisis; or, if you would benefit from the support of community members for 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 Lazareck at susanlazareck@gmail.com and Rabbi Benjamin at the email 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.
 

Shiva Minyan for Dr. Stanford B. Cooke, father of Harriet Cooke
Thursday, May 7, 5 pm – Room Aleph
We will gather for a shiva minyan to comfort Harriet and her family. Your caring thoughts and prayers are welcome.

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
Thursday, 5 pm – Room Bet
We gather to find some moments of quiet and shalom. Led by Adela Basayne or Nancy Becker.

​​​Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, 7:30 pm – Room Aleph
Welcome in Shabbat with a musical service led by Rabbi Benjamin.

Community Minyan
Saturday, 10 am – Room Aleph
A welcoming and spirited service that includes davening, Torah reading and discussion. 

Class with Emily Simon
Mondays, May 11 and 18, 3 pm – Room Bet
Join Emily Simon to study the following questions that may help us through this time of forced insularity: 1) Where in the Tanach has G-D commanded that we stay home (or stay inside)? 2) What were the circumstances of each of these instances? 3) And, most importantly, what can we learn from them? Having a Tanach in front of you will be most helpful, but there will also be source sheets available during the class. RSVP here.

Counting the Omer
Spiritual Practice for Precarious Times
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.

Steering Meeting
Tuesday, May 12, 6:30 – Room Gimel
Learn what's under discussion with Havurah's governing body.

Morning Minyan
Wednesday, May 13, 8:30 am – Room Aleph
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish.

Israeli and Palestinian Literature
Tuesdays, May 19, 26 and June 9, 23, 7 pm – Room Dalet
Joel Beinin will offer a class on Israeli and Palestinian Literature. See the schedule and readings and RSVP here.

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Welcoming Maria and Carlos

Havurah's Sanctuary Committee is excited to welcome asylum seekers Maria and Carlos to Portland. With the approval of the Steering Committee, we have been able to move forward with sponsoring this family from Guatemala as they navigate the daunting challenges involved in building a new life in this country. The Sanctuary Committee has organized housing, pro bono legal representation and medical care. Read below for ways you too can get involved and click here for the longer announcement from last week.

Maria and Carlos are continuing to quarantine after their arrival in Portland last week. They are grateful to be in Portland and to have arrived in time for our beautiful spring. As we prepare for them to move into the home of a Havurah family on May 13, we are identifying ways the community can help to support them.

At this time, we specifically need help with Spanish-speaking translators and members willing to drive Maria and Carlos (after virus restrictions are lifted) for appointments, shopping and other needs. We are also looking for a sewing machine that Maria can use. If you can help with these items or other support, please contact Kathy Gordon or Debbi Nadell. Please use this link to contribute financial support to help Maria and Carlos.

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Updates Inside Havurah
Our Community Presses Onward Despite the Pandemic

Havurahniks Donate 150 Machzorim!
Our Machzor drive has come to an end, and thanks to the generosity of many Havurahniks, we have reached our goal! In addition to the 550 books previously made possible by dedicated funds, 150 more were donated during the drive, for a total of 700! We are so grateful and pleased! (To order books under the wire, click here.)

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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PHFS Donations Needed

Havurah Food Donations to PHFS Families
PHFS not only shelters 26 families at their new Lents location, they also have two dedicated staff to assist over 30 families living in hotels and those newly "housed." From May to July, we will put together food boxes for these families. Our goal is for each Havurah Neighborhood Group to commit to putting together a Food Box (or more than one!) over the next three months (May-June-July). The item list (all non-perishables) is in this link. Box drop-off is Tuesday and Thursday between 9 and 11 am, 6220 SE 92nd Ave, Portland, 97266. Questions? Contact Gloria Halper or Emma Hoyle (Emma@pdxhfs.org). Item list (all non-perishables) and more information is 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
.
Digital Copy of the Daily Prayerbook
.
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 May issue of Hakol!