Hineinu

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Abiding Presence and Intimate Attention
 
I have been posting weekly reflections for the Counting of the Omer. Here is an excerpt on this week’s attribute, Hod.
 
Last week’s sefirah, Netzaḥ, is associated with Moses, while Hod is connected with Aaron, the high priest. These sefirot are siblings, nurturing and sustaining one another: Netzaḥ driving us toward a vision, Hod calling us in to abide here and now. Just as we are, just as life is, discovering holiness and potential in whatever we face.
 
But on a societal level, what does it mean for us to accept and embrace what is? Especially right now, as so many suffer both from the pandemic and from cruel policies and neglect? But truly at any time. Don’t we always need to push forward, always need the prophetic voice? Indeed we do. But Hod adds appreciation of the preciousness of every life. As we call out during the Kedushah on Shabbat morning: So very sacred is Life in all its varied expression. Our fight then is not merely on behalf of issues, but rather is a striving in kinship with all who are left out of our protective and nurturing Mishkan.
 
Hod asks us, with curiosity and acceptance, to confront the truths about these inequities, about how and why some of us are so much more protected than others. When we shine upon these understandings the light of intimate attention, they can be transformed into life-giving material. This is a vital step in whatever effort we invest in pursuing justice and healing.
 
May we recognize the sacredness of all life, and be guided in action by that awareness.

Rabbi Benjamin
 
Here  is the complete post for this week of Hod.

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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.

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

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

Annual Cemetery Beautification
Sunday, May 17, 1 pm at the Havurah Cemetery
To beautify our cemetery, please wear masks and gloves as well as weather appropriate clothing, and bring your own garden implements.  Social distancing will be observed.

Class with Emily Simon
Monday, May 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.

Morning Minyan
Wednesday, May 20, 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.

Bar Mitzvah of Orion Segal
Saturday, May 23, 10 am – Room Aleph
Please join this simcha as the community welcomes Orion to the Torah.

Celebrating Shavuot

Shavuot, which begins at sunset on May 28, commemorates the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai after the Exodus from Egypt. Also originating in an ancient pilgrimage holiday celebrating the grain harvest, today it’s a community observance, with Jews coming together to read the Book of Ruth, eat blintzes, and participate in Tikkun Leil Shavuot, study sessions lasting into the night. Those who attended Havurah’s Shavuot celebration last year will remember the festive spring greenery decorating the sanctuary and the poetry readings and late-night learning we enjoyed together

Tikkun Leil Shavuot with Emek Shalom
Thursday, May 28 – RSVP for Zoom link
Rabbbi Benjamin will join Rabbi Joshua, Emily Simon, and others from Emek Shalom in teaching and learning.

Shavuot Shabbat Service, Poetry Reading, and even more learning
Friday, May 29, 7 pm to midnight – Room Aleph
Havurah Shalom celebrates Shavuot during this extraordinary time, when we need our community more than ever. We’ll begin with a short and sweet Shabbat service at 7, led by Rabbi Benjamin. Then stick around for a poetry reading and discussion featuring poems on this year’s congregational theme, Hineinu: we are here. Following the poetry, Rabbi Benjamin will lead Leil Shavuot learning beginning at 9:15. RSVP here. Following your registration, you'll receive copies of the poems and a link to sign up for the discussion of your choice.

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Welcoming Maria and Carlos

Maria and Carlos are a mother and son from Guatemala seeking asylum in the U.S. Havurah will be with them on this journey by providing housing, pro bono legal representation, medical care, and more.

Click here for our announcement several weeks ago.

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

Confused by Zoom?
Havurah member Yuvi Zalkow has made us a helpful new instructional video! Click here to view.

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). In addition, to help with our monthly food commitment, coordinated by Len and Elayne Shapiro, sign up here.

Here are two sample boxes:

Sample Box 1:
Pasta
Pasta sauce
Shelf stable milk
Cereal or granola
Boxes of mac & cheese
Rice
2 cans of beans
Any leftover salt and pepper packets you have lying around
4-pack of toilet paper
Small pack of paper plates and box of plastic cutlery 

Sample Box 2:
Bread
Peanut butter
Jelly
4 cans of soup 
4 cans of chili
Box of granola bars
Container of apple sauce 
4-pack of toilet paper
Small pack of paper plates and box of plastic cutlery

PHFS  is suggesting folks look for items that are the least amount of work, like canned soup and chili, mac & cheese, instant rice, etc. Things that you only have to heat up or add hot water to. Just make sure items go together and you don’t need any extra things to make a meal.

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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
.
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!