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.
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.
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 pageon 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
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.
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.
Daily Shofar Blast Sunday, Sep 14th (All day) Hear the Sound of the Shofar each day of Elul (except Shabbat): Andrine, Diane & Howard (& sometimes Dominic & Wesley) help prepare us for Rosh Hashanah with shofar, deep thoughts, and a touch of kavanah (intention). Videos will be posted daily on Havurah's YouTube and Facebook pages.
(IP) My Soul Thirsts for You: Elul Watercolor Workshop Wednesday, Sep 17th 7:00p to 8:15p Elul opens the gates of return. It’s a time when we are invited to soften, reflect, and seek out closeness with the Divine. In this workshop we'll explore watercolor, which is an especially effective medium for holding and expressing emotion. Our learning will center on the 13 Attributes, a sacred text recited throughout the High Holiday season, as we invite in qualities of compassion, honesty, and patience. No art experience needed, just a willingness to experiment and be present. All materials provided. Led by Noah Lind, Rabbinic Intern.
Hakol Deadline is Thursday, September 18 Thursday, Sep 18th (All day) Havurah members, click to learn how to submit your contributions to our monthly newsletter, Hakol.
(HYB) Torah Study for the High Holy Days Thursday, Sep 18th 7:00p to 8:30p During the High Holy Days we read four sections of the Torah. This series of study sessions will give us an opportunity to read the texts and explore their meanings. We will look at what our teachers before us thought of the readings, as well as investigate modern commentators. We also will come up with our own thoughts and see how we can understand the texts for our lives today.
Led by David Dropkin. No experience necessary. Please join us.
(HYB) Shabbat Morning Shabbat, Sep 20th 10:00a to 12:00p Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, 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.
Daily Shofar Blast Sunday, Sep 21st (All day) Hear the Sound of the Shofar each day of Elul (except Shabbat): Andrine, Diane & Howard (& sometimes Dominic & Wesley) help prepare us for Rosh Hashanah with shofar, deep thoughts, and a touch of kavanah (intention). Videos will be posted daily on Havurah's YouTube and Facebook pages.
