Hineinu

Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash. (Before COVID-19)

Hevre,  

This is quite a time in which to arrive at the 4th of July. Obviously, interrogating our nation’s identity is nothing new. But perhaps more of us this year than ever feel the inconsistencies in celebrating our founding. And beyond the national to a simply human level, in the midst of this global pandemic, what does it mean for us to celebrate independence? Rather, it seems an especially fitting time to celebrate our interdependence.
 
A couple months ago I wrote about the Shema as a reminder of our interconnectedness, and that amidst this pandemic we can feel this so clearly. Events of recent weeks challenge us to embrace this reality even more profoundly. At the very heart of our tradition, in our most central name of the Divine, we are brought into this awareness. Generally spoken as “Adonai,” it is actually the letters Yud-Heh-Vav-Hey, meaning essentially: All that Is, Was, and Will Be. So when we speak about God’s oneness, we are acknowledging that none of us is truly separate from each other.
 
As we go into this holiday weekend, let us take time to celebrate that truth, and honor our interdependence. If it feels safe for you to do so, that might mean attending one of the many marches or protests happening in this moment of revolution. It might mean supporting someone who is struggling or otherwise vulnerable during this time. Or it might mean taking extra precautions this weekend as people come out in large numbers, perhaps even simply staying home, in the name of our communal well-being. However, we each do so, let us rejoice in our interdependence.

– Rabbi Benjamin

Photo by Tanner Mardis on Unsplash

Upcoming Events & Classes
Dates, Times, and Zoom Rooms Listed Below

No Kabbalat Shabbat this week!

Community Minyan
Saturday, July 4, 10 am – Room Aleph
Please join Barbara Slader and Maria Lisa Johnson as they lead our community minyan. Emily Simon will be drashing and leading discussion. This service will be kept a little shorter than usual.

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
Tuesday, July 7, 12 pm – Room Bet
We gather to find some moments of quiet and shalom. Led by Rabbi Benjamin, Adela Basayne, and Nancy Becker.

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

Bar Mitzvah Max Symmes
Saturday, July 11, 10 am
Please join us in welcoming Max Symmes as a Bar Mitzvah and member of our community.

Four Wise Biblical Women and They Aren't Who You Think They Are
Monday, July 13 & 27, August 10 & 24, 3-4 pm
Over four sessions we will bring into the light four wise women from the Tanach who deserve recognition for their wisdom, courage and/or vitality. Classes are every other week to allow participants to have time to do the biblical reading about the woman we are studying prior to the class. Taught by Emily Simon. 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.

Photo by Brad Pector

Updates Inside Havurah

Havurah's Zoom Rooms Will Have Passcodes Starting July 15
On July 15, Havurah’s Zoom Rooms will become password protected. That morning, you will receive an email with the passwords and the updated links we will be using for our Zoom Rooms.

If you are used to clicking one of our links to enter a Zoom Room, just make sure to only click the updated links after July 15, and you won’t notice any difference. Old links will require a password. If you are used to typing a meeting ID into an app, then you will need to enter the password after July 15. If you are used to calling by telephone, then no password will be required; nothing will change for you.

More information can be found in our recent announcement here.

Should Havurah Buy a Building?
If you missed the meeting about whether or not we should consider buying the Bage Building property behind Havurah, contact Brad for a link!

Have You Filled Out Your Dues Commitment?

Havurah Shalom’s new fiscal year begins today, which means it’s time to renew your dues commitment. Please renew here ASAP. A heartfelt thank you for your continued support and participation in our community. We look forward to another year of financial health!

Havurah Job Opening: Music Coordinator
Click here to read more about what we're looking for!

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.

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!

COVID-19 Resources
Check out our COVID-19 resource page on our website for more information.

Tikkun Olam

A Quick Fact from Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS)
In 2019, 23% of families in PHFS shelter were African American. Portland's African American population is around 5.8 %.

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

Resources for Anti-Racism
Let's Inform Ourselves & Our Community

Havurah's BLM Resource Page
Check out our new Black Lives Matter resource page for more info!

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. 

Reconstructing Judaism: Standing Up for Racial Justice & Against Racial Violence
Read RJ's statement on the death of George Floyd and the protests here.

Listening to Jews of Color
Be’chol Lashon
13 Jews of Color to Follow Right Now
I’m a black rabbi. I’ve never been in a Jewish space where I wasn’t questioned
Black Jews Are Grieving, and We Need You to Help Us Mourn​​​​​​​  
‘Believe us’: Black Jews respond to the George Floyd protests, in their own words  
Jews of Color and the Policing of White Space​​​​​​​ 

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 or Rabbi Benjamin at the email above.