We wanted to remind you of a holiday coming up very soon! 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. Although we can’t be together panim el panim (face to face) this year, we can come together as a community, virtually, to commemorate and celebrate!
Sincerely,
Havurah Staff
Celebrating Shavuot Thursday & Friday, May 28 & 29
Tikkun Leil Shavuot with Emek Shalom of Ashland
Through the Gate of Praise: Love and Fear, Intimacy and Retreat Thursday, May 28, 10 pm onward – RSVP for Zoom link With Rabbi Benjamin and Rabbi Joshua Boettiger of Emek Shalom
We often understand praise to mean heaping accolades upon a Divine being. But perhaps praise in the deepest sense is a singing from the heart, whether in grief or joy. We will explore texts ancient and contemporary expressing praise and inviting us into reimagining its relevance in our lives. RSVP here to receive Zoom info.
Shavuot Shabbat Service & Poetry Reading Friday, May 29, 7 pm onward – 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 pm, 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. RSVP here. Following your registration, you'll receive copies of the poems and a link to sign up for the discussion of your choice.
Additional opportunities for learning on Shavuot…
Celebrating at Sinai: A Virtual Shavuot Celebration for Reconstructing Judaism Thursday, May 28, 4:30 pm through Friday, May 29, 7:30 am
RJ's celebration will begin with Kabbalat Hag Song Fest and Candlelighting and continuing with a Tikkun Leyl Shavuot of teaching, learning, movement, and musical offerings through Friday morning. Reconstructionist communities and individuals will be welcome to join RJ's Zoom webinar or view on RJ's Facebook live stream for as much or as little as they would like. Registration and further details here. Watch on Facebook here.
Oregon Board of Rabbis Tikkun Leyl Shavuot Thursday, May 28, 6 pm - 11:30 pm
All are welcome to learn from Rabbis across the denominational spectrum, and from other students of Judaism from throughout Oregon and SW Washington. Registration and further info here.
[B'nei Mitzvah Run Through] Friday, Aug 15th 12:00p to 2:00p (This is a closed event and is included in our calendar for space reservation reasons and attendee reference.)
Shabbat Morning with Bat Mitzvah of Natasha Raish Shabbat, Aug 16th 10:00a to 12:00p Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Natasha Raish as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community.
(IP) Elul Gallery Art Drop-Off Sunday, Aug 17th 12:00p to 3:00p As part of our annual holiday cycle, Havurah members are invited to share our own reflections on the themes and stories of the High Holiday season. In addition to prose or poetry that may be shared on the bima at High Holiday services, we are putting out a call for artistic expressions in any visual medium, including paintings, drawings and photography. We welcome your reflections on any aspect of the High Holidays experience, whether they arise from our tradition’s core concepts of teshuvah (return) or seliḥah (forgiveness), or from any other aspect of your own process of looking inward during the time leading into the holiday season. The Elul and High Holiday Gallery is a project of the High Holidays Committee and the Design Committee, led by Joan Peck and Marcia Suttenberg.
(ZM) Climate Change Book Group Slow Reading of "Not Too Late" Monday, Aug 18th 5:30p to 6:30p All are welcome! Havurah members and non-members alike are invited to join us in this slow, section-by-section reading of "Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility." Click and RSVP. Attend any or all of these HCAT (Havurah's Climate Action Team) Book Group discussions about "Not Too Late."
(ZM) Healing the Heart, Soothing the Soul: A Grief Process Support Group Tuesday, Aug 19th 5:30p to 7:00p During the month of Elul, we are guided to examine our souls, explore our relationships, reflect on our actions with God and others, and prepare ourselves spiritually to begin a new year. With the Spirit of Elul, we will journey into exploring the aspects of grief. For Havurah members only. Limited to 8 people. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend all sessions.
(IP) Israeli Dancing Wednesday, Aug 20th 7:30p to 8:30p Join us to learn Israeli dancing! We’ll teach the steps and tell the stories behind Israeli dances while you enjoy the catchy rhythms, creative body movements, and spending time with friends.
Led by Havurah members Cindy Merrill and Gail Schwartz with dance instructor Rhona Feldman.
Hakol Deadline is Thursday, August 21 Thursday, Aug 21st (All day) Havurah members, click to learn how to submit your contributions to our monthly newsletter, Hakol.
(HYB) Solidarity Kabbalat Shabbat Friday, Aug 22nd 5:45p to 8:00p Join Havurah members and friends for a Solidarity Shabbat service and potluck nosh. This is a spiritual space for community members working in solidarity with Palestinians - and for the liberation of all peoples - to come together to pray, build connections, and renew ourselves on Shabbat to continue our justice work. Please review Havurah's Brit Kavod for our community guidelines. Masks strongly encouraged and provided.
