We are in quite a moment. In the wake of George Floyd’s murder, thousands upon thousands of people are rising up, calling for transformation. While there are many forces standing in our way, amidst this struggle I have witnessed something from many activists, organizers, and community leaders that I did not anticipate: hope.
Ta-Nehisi Coates gave this powerful interview with Ezra Klein last week. Those who know his work know that he insists on encountering truth squarely. (Between the World and Me speaks with power and heartbreak and beauty to this moment — highly recommended if you have not yet read it.) I have heard him multiple times push back when interviewers ask him to paint a hopeful picture. His job, he asserts, is about empowering readers to meet the world as it is. So it was striking to hear him in this interview say that he sees “hope” and “progress” right now — that he believes we are closer today than we have been to reimagining our society. The work is long and full of obstacles, but windows of possibility are opening.
Viola Davis offered this wisdom last week:
some are posting on social media
some are protesting in the streets
some are donating silently
some are educating themselves
some are having tough conversations with friends & family
a revolution has many lanes — be kind to yourself and to others who are traveling in the same direction
just keep your foot on the gas
There is so much work to be done to end racial violence, dismantle structural inequalities, and build a more just and loving society. There is so much else to do besides being in the streets, where many of us should not be right now during the pandemic. If you do go out into the street, please take serious precautions to protect yourself and others. Our plan as leadership is to share various additional resources: for advocacy, organizational support, education, and self-reflection. See below for an installment. And of course, let’s continue to share with each other.
I have been returning to the image I mentioned in our congregational meeting, that the Keruvim on top of the Ark had to be made of hammered work. Not molten, like the golden calf, made in an instant, but hewn step by step, through slow and arduous work. Work not always clear but guided by a vision and created with diligence and care. This revolution calls for hammered work. What is the next courageous step I can take — internally, interpersonally, or publicly — as we together craft a society in which Black Lives Matter, and all people can live in safety and freedom?
– Rabbi Benjamin
Photo by Nicolas Thomas on Unsplash.
Resources for Anti-Racism Let's Inform Ourselves & Our Community
Educating Ourselves About Police Accountability & Funding
The Portland African American Leadership Forum has teamed up with Unite Oregon to articulate demands for change regarding the Portland Police Bureau. You can read an analysis from PAALF here, and see details of the campaign here.
Reconstrcuting Judaism: Standing Up for Racial Justice & Against Racial Violence
Read RJ's statement on the death of George Floyd and the protests here.
Disarm PSU Demonstration Friday, June 12, 11 am at 1800 SW 6th Ave.
The Portland State University community is organizing a demonstration outside the Campus Public Safety Office on to call for the immediate and permanent disarmament of campus safety officers. Gathering at PSU Urban Plaza (1800 SW 6th Ave), marching to CPSO (633 S. Montgomery St). Representatives from the PSU Community including family of Mr. Jason Washington, who was killed by CPSO in 2018, will share in the call. Full details here.
1619: A New York Times Podcast
Exploring American slavery and its legacy. Listen here.
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.
Photo by Rachel Pollak
PortlandPride! Celebrating Amid a Pandemic
June is Pride month! Check out Portland's Pride events here. They start Friday and go until the end of the month.
Kabbalat Shabbat: Pride Shabbat Friday, June 12, 7:30 pm – Room Aleph
Celebrating Pride, this year we especially honor the lives and experiences of LGBTQ+ folks of color and Black trans folks in particular. Please join us for an hour of song, reflection, and celebration.
Community Minyan Saturday, June 13, 10 am – Room Aleph
Join our Community Minyan in celebrating Shabbat. Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion, as well as an opportunity to say Kaddish.
And the Walls Came Tumbling Down Monday, June 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 16, 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.
Morning Minyan Wednesday, June 17, 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.
Israeli and Palestinian Literature Tuesday, June 23, 7 pm – Room Dalet
Joel Beinin will offer a class on Israeli and Palestinian Literature. See the schedule and readings and RSVP here.
Uprooting and Rooting: A Jewish Meditation Retreat with Rabbis Benjamin Barnett, Joshua Boettiger, and Yael Levy July 23-25
Honoring the reality of this time, we are shifting to a three-day retreat guided online. While our contact will be virtual, we will still build a very real community of retreat. A detailed schedule will guide us, including: sitting and walking meditation, prayer, chanting, teachings and instructions, and check-ins with teachers. Information and registration here.
Updates Inside Havurah
Sign Up to Be a Host or Scroller!
You have probably attended a service, class, meditation, or other Havurah event on Zoom by now. Have you ever wondered how we manage to get such a great experience for everyone, or who is scrolling through the siddur? Our hosts and scrollers are volunteers, and you can join them! Just sign up on the Hosts & Scrollers tab of this form. No experience? We can train you! Please sign up today, or contact Karen Westerman for more info.
Challahman Now Delivering to Your Home
Challahman has been supplying Havurah with kiddush and Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner challah for years, and is now doing home delivery. Orders received by noon each Tuesday will be delivered to people's homes that Friday. With each order, they will donate a loaf to the Holocaust Survivors Program of Jewish Family & Child Service. Order at www.challahman.com.
Confused by Zoom?
Havurah member Yuvi Zalkow has made us a helpful new instructional video! Click here to view.
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.
COVID-19 Resources Check out our COVID-19 resource pageon our website for more information.
Our Weekly Emails If you have something you think should be included in Hineinu, please submit to the regular weekly email form here.
(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.
