In this week’s Torah portion, Pinḥas, the daughters of Tzelof’had bring a plea to Moses. Their father has died, and they have no brothers. By the law of their time, they would have received no inheritance. Moses brings their case to God, who declares that it is just. The law is changed, for them and for future generations.
In the Hebrew, God declares that their case is ken — literally, “yes” — “right” or “proper.” A midrash interprets this to mean that the daughters of Tzelof’had saw with a clarity that Moses did not. What a beautiful affirmation to have woven into Torah — that a group of people with limited social status and power are recognized to perceive something that the leader of the entire people is missing.
How true this is, yet how little it resembles the world in which we live. The voices of those who are marginalized, no matter how clear and just, are repeatedly dismissed and repressed. There is no benevolent operating principle within our society which affirms the rightness of their pleas. So let us each receive this as a challenge, and a blessing, this week: to listen hard to the voice of one who is not being heard. What does this person’s story ask of me? How can I amplify the righteous case they are making?
May we each listen for the voices of those unheard.
Kabbalat Shabbat Friday, July 10, 7:30 pm– Room Aleph
Join us this Friday for a service led by Barbara Slader and Sarah Shine.
Bar Mitzvah of Max Symmes Saturday, July 11, 10 am– Room Aleph
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 – Room Gimel
Please join Emily Simon as she brings to 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 before each class. The first woman we will study on July 13 is Tamar. Before the class please read Genesis - Chapter 38. The second Woman we will study on July 27 is Devorah. Before the class please read Judges Chapters 4 & 5. RSVP here.
Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation Tuesday, July 14, 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 15, 8:30 am – Room Aleph
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish.
Uprooting and Rooting: A Jewish Meditation Retreat with Rabbis Benjamin Barnett, Joshua Boettiger, and Yael Levy Thursday-Saturday, 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.
Grab Your Book Now! Book Group Discusses An Oasis in Time Tuesday, July 28, 7pm – Room Bet
Please join us for a special book discussion. We will be discussing the book, An Oasis in Time, by Marilyn Paul. Marilyn will be joining us via zoom that evening. So, get a copy of the book and discover how a day of rest can save your life! Then join us that evening to hear directly from the author.
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.
Havurah Job Opening: Music Coordinator Click here to read more about what we're looking for!
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!
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.
COVID-19 Resources Check out our COVID-19 resource pageon our website for more information.
Tikkun Olam
Virtual Rally for a Green and Just Recovery Tuesday, July 14, any time from your home
Join the Havurah Climate Action Team in a virtual rally to push U.S. Senators to consider climate justice and green investments as they draft legislation in the near future. It's as simple as making a sign with a message, taking a photo and posting it on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Organized by the Jewish Earth Alliance. For complete instructions go to jewishearthalliance.org and click on the Virtual Rally for a Green and Faithful Recovery link.
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 %.
Reconstructing Judaism
Recon Connect & Virtual Shabbat Box
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!
Support Project Rozana
Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association are encouraging congregations and individuals to support this life-saving fund-raising effort organized by Project Rozana, a well-respected international non-profit organization that is leading a project supported by both Israel and the Palestinian Authority to purchase badly needed ventilators for West Bank and Gaza hospitals in light of the current COVID-19 spike in the region, which threatens to overwhelm Palestinian hospital ICUs. Project Rozana is also arranging specialized training at Rambam Hospital in Haifa for Palestinian medical staff as part of this program.
This initiative is supported by the World Health Organization, and it is one of the rare examples of cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority during this politically strained time. Several synagogues, including Reconstructionist affiliates, are currently participating in different ways. Individuals can also donate by clicking here.
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 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.
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.
(IP) Teen Honey Cake Baking Sunday, Sep 21st 10:30a to 12:30p Bake honey cake muffins to share with family and friends and start the New Year with a sweet treat.
(HYB) Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual Sunday, Sep 21st 7:00p to 8:15p A gender-inclusive New Moon group, learning and celebrating each Rosh Ḥodesh with ancient and contemporary ritual. Open to any and all genders, inviting each to connect with our closest heavenly body, the Moon. An introductory meeting will happen on the full moon of Elul on Wednesday, Aug. 30 outdoors—weather permitting—in North Portland. Subsequent meetings will be on or near the new moon of each month either in person in North Portland or on Zoom, depending on seasonal shifts in the weather. Attend any or all sessions. RSVP to be updated on location and other details throughout the year.
