Here we are, in Bamidbar, the wilderness that seems to grow wilder, more confusing and newly difficult. I am grateful for our on-going connection at Havurah Shalom, for your faces and your voices as we meet and plan our future together. Whatever happens next, we will continue to be a vibrant, diverse, participatory Jewish community steeped in spirituality, learning, and acts of social responsibility.
Some planning highlights:
– Although Multnomah County and the governor are suggesting June 12 as a date for opening up, Havurah leadeship and staff want to make sure we are doing what is safest for all of us. We will be meeting with the Crisis Core Team, established in March, to review the research and look at patterns in places that have opened earlier, to develop best practices for Havurah in each phase of the county's reopening. You'll be hearing more about this next week.
– A group of service leaders are meeting with Rabbi Benjamin and other staff to plan for the High Holidays, from Elul through Simchat Torah.
– The Lifelong Learning Committee has made a calendar of classes with something for every interest.
– Shabbat School enrollment is complete and parent teaching teams are being formed.
And don't forget the Congregational Meeting! As the Steering Committee wrote last week, June is the last month in our fiscal year and is the time to consider our annual budget for the coming year, which starts July 1, 2020. The annual Congregational Meeting is scheduled to take place Sunday. June 7, from 1-3 pm, at which time we will present the budget and other topics of importance to the congregation. This event is the one time each year when we, as participatory members, can get together to review where we are, discuss what the future looks like, and ask and answer questions you may have. Please plan to join us and bring your thoughts to share. All members in good standing (meaning, those who are current with their dues commitment, or have made other arrangements for payment) are welcome to attend and participate.
We will find our way to the next place, together.
B'shalom,
Adela Basayne Program Director
Photo by Nicolas Thomas on Unsplash.
Help Maria & Carlos Do You Have a Spare Smartphone?
Our Guatemalan family is in need of a cell phone that works with Verizon! If you have a recent model Apple or Samsung phone that you can donate, please contact Steve Birkel.
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.
Discussion of Dr. Katharine Hayhoe's Keynote Earth Day Presentation Wednesday, June 3, 7 pm – Special Zoom Room
Join Havurah Climate Action Team for a discussion of Dr. Katharine Hayhoe’s thought provoking, and hopeful Earth Day Keynote Address, titled Healthy People, Healthy Planet. Her presentation, sponsored by Citizen’s Climate Lobby is here. The forty minute keynote starts at the five-minute mark. Dr. Hayhoe is a climate scientist who believes together we can fix global warming because many of the solutions are already in our backyard.
Kabbalat Shabbat Friday, June 5, 7:30 pm – Room Aleph
Welcome in Shabbat with a service led by Margie and Elden Rosenthal!
Text & Torah: Pirkei Avot Saturday, June 6, 10 am – Room Aleph
Join us for a beginner's guide to Pirkei Avot, one of the most accessible Jewish texts. Diane Chaplin will guide us through an understanding of its history and what it meant to generations of Jews. We’ll discuss what meaning there is for us today. A short service follows the study. Shammai would say: Make your Torah study a permanent fixture of your life. Say little and do much. Receive everyone with a pleasant countenance. (Pirkei Avot 1:15)
Annual Congregational Meeting Sunday, June 7, 1 pm – Room Aleph
June is the last month in our fiscal year and is the time to consider our annual budget for the coming year, which starts July 1, 2020. We will present the budget and other topics of importance to the congregation. This event is the one time each year when we, as participatory members, can get together to review where we are, discuss what the future looks like, and ask and answer questions you may have. Please plan to join us and bring your thoughts to share. All members in good standing are welcome to attend and participate. RSVP here. Anyone who has trouble using Zoom can contact our IT Team at techteam@havurahshalom.org to request assistance or instruction on how to use Zoom.
And the Walls Came Tumbling Down Monday, June 8 & 15, 3 pm – Room Bet
A follow up to Emily Simon's May class "Staying Inside/Staying Alive." In the book of Joshua, we read of spies, G-d drying up a body of water for us to cross over into the Promised Land, and social disruption. Does any of this strike a familiar chord? Bring a Tanakh if possible. We also read (and will focus on) an absolutely heroic woman, Rahab and her role in the walls tumbling down. Join us as we explore the first six chapters of the book of Joshua.
Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation Tuesday, June 9, 12 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.
Israeli and Palestinian Literature Tuesday, 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.
Morning Minyan Wednesday, June 10, 8:30 am – Room Aleph
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish.
Thinking About the Futures of Israel/Palestine Part I: Wednesday, June 17, 7 pm – Room Dalet This first part of a two-session conversation will focus on whether the two-state solution paradigm is viable or whether other alternatives need to be examined. We'll consider perspectives from several sources, which can be found here at the RSVP page.
Part II: Sunday, June 28, 10:30 am – Room Dalet
This discussion will focus on the implications of the ambition of the current Israeli government to annex large parts of the West Bank with the approval of the Trump Administration. We will be joined by a panel of progressive Israeli activists and academics, names to be announced. Each of the panelists will speak for 10 minutes and then we will have a general Q&A. RSVP here.
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 Have Donated 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.
Tikkun Olam A Path Towards Justice
Interfaith Alliance on Poverty: First Thursday Meeting Thursday, June 4, 12 pm via Zoom (contact Gloria Halper for Zoom link) Our hearts break because of the recent deaths of black men and women. These deaths confirm to us once again the underlying racism that pervades our country. We stand next to our black neighbors and friends during this time of grief. Our topic: “Where Are We? Where Is Our Alliance Going?” For info on the Alliance and more info on joining the June 4 meeting, contact Steve Rudman or Gloria Halper.
Other Resources for You From Our Siddur 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.
