Today will be the 97th consecutive day of protests in Portland. It is amazing to reflect upon the fact that for over three months, hundreds and often thousands of people have gathered every day to declare that Black Lives Matter and to oppose police violence.
As we all know, things have tragically taken a more violent turn in recent days. I imagine that many of us are confused and not sure which leaders or which strategies we align with. As has been the case throughout the protests, there are diverging voices. Anyone present at the NAACP rally last Friday witnessed this diversity of perspective on full display among Black leaders in particular.
One of the speakers that day was Reverend Lenny Duncan of Jubilee Collective in Vancouver. He delivered a powerful statement composed by BIPOC faith leaders in Oregon. Among them were other trusted Portland leaders including: Reverend Bill Sinkford of First Unitarian, Reverend Cecil Prescod of Ainsworth UCC, Alaide Vilchis Ibarra from IMIrJ, and LaVeta Gilmore Jones from Leaven Community / Salt and Light Lutheran. I strongly encourage you to read the whole statement here.
I feel honored to be speaking on a panel with some of these leaders this Thursday evening. See details below. May we each, however we are called and able, echo that cry of creation. Black Lives Matter.
– Rabbi Benjamin
High Holidays Info & Registration
Click the button below to view our High Holidays packet for this year! It has a lot of valuable information, including a full schedule, how to pick up your machzor, a selection of Elul offerings, and an in-depth look at all that Havurah has to offer.
Have you logged into the High Holidays web portal or app yet? All of our Elul events will be there leading up to High Holiday services. Here's how to get started:
Registration
1. Register by filling out the form at the registration site here. (Skip this step if you've already done it.) Make sure you hit the "submit" button at the end of the form to complete your registration!
Use your name and email, then a verification code will be sent to you by email. It make take a few minutes to receive it. A new verification code will be sent every time you log in. You can avoid being logged out by just keeping your window open.
3. You will receive an additional email within 48 hours with links to the web portal (same as above) and to the App Store, where you can download the app and participate on your devices. Both the web portal and app have identical content and features, but the app may be more convenient for some folks.
You can also find the app yourself after you register by searching for "CrowdCompass AttendeeHub" in the App Store. Once it's downloaded, open the app and search for "Havurah Shalom" and you will find our High Holidays app! Sign in and you're all set to go! The app will stay logged in.
Attending Events
After you’re logged in to the web portal or the app, navigate to the schedule and click on the event you want to attend. There will be a Zoom link there! If you do not see a Zoom link, make sure you're on this site.
Video Tutorial
For a thorough video tutorial on everything mentioned above, please click here!
Sign up here to to be a volunteer librarian or to pick up your hard copies of our brand new Kol Ha Neshama Days of Awe machzor. We will record your name and manage returns after the holidays end. Read more about this project in the High Holidays packet or in the Tikkun Olam section of the email below.
High Holidays On-Demand Content
For you to enjoy!
Havurah musicians have recorded beautiful albums that are available to you any time on the High Holidays web portal. If you have registered and gained access to the platform, you will find the sounds of the chagim in the On Demand section. Instructions for getting access here or above. You can also view and download our digital machzor and watch previous Elul offerings.
Upcoming Events & Classes
Portland Protests: Faith Leaders on the Frontlines of Our Slide Toward Fascism Thursday, Sep. 3, 6 pm –Facebook Live
Sponsored by The BIPOC Faith Leaders Council for Black Lives and the Transform Network. Rabbi Benjamin will be on the panel alongside BIPOC faith leaders, addressing questions about the protest movement and reflecting on what is being learned about responding to state violence.
Kabbalat Shabbat Friday, Sept. 4, 7:30 pm – Room Aleph
Join us for our Friday night service to welcome in Shabbat. Led by J.D. Kleinke.
Bat Mitzvah of Pricilla Aliyar Saturday, Sept. 5, 10 am – Room Aleph
Please join us in welcoming Pricilla Aliyar as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community!
Social Action Poetry: For Those Who Seek Justice and Love Literature
Thursdays, Sept. 10 - Oct. 1, 7 pm
Tashlich: Outdoor In-Person Tashlich, Sunday, September 20 (in person, outdoors: 3 options below)
A. 3:30-4:15 pm at Commonwealth Lake Park (97225)
B. 3:30-4:15 pm at Willamette Park (off S.W. Macadam)
C. 4:45-5:30 pm at Willamette Park
We gather by a flowing body of water in order to take stock and cast out our misdeeds, and begin to be cleansed. Tashlich is a short ritual: a bit of music, an intention or prayer, and the sounding of the shofar. Then we go to do our individual casting away into the riverMasks required and 8 feet distance.
RSVP here by September 14; maximum 25 persons. Please DO NOT come without an RSVP. Bring a rhythm instrument if you like; we will not be singing. Thanks for helping us all stay safe!
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Elul Offerings Schedule
Sound of the Shofar
Daily (except Shabbat)
Teen Improv Games Thursday, Sept. 3, 4 pm
Hashiveinu: Musical & Spiritual Preparation for the High Holidays Thursday, Sept. 3, 7 pm
Telling the Jonah Story Through Minecraft Friday, Sept. 4, 2 pm
Listening, Doodling, Snacking, and Talking: Moving into the Turning Monday, Sept. 7, 8:30 pm
Elul Mindfulness & Meditation
Tuesday, Sept. 8, 12 pm
Jewish High Holiday Cooking: Modern Recipes and Classics Tuesday, Sept. 8, 6:30 pm
Hashiveinu: Musical & Spiritual Preparation for the High Holidays Wednesday, Sept. 9, 7 pm
Writing into the High Holidays Wednesday, Sept. 9, 7 pm
Selichot Saturday, Sept. 12, 8 pm
Morning Minyan
Wednesday, Sept. 9, 8:30 am – Room Aleph
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish.
Grief Support Group: Online Drop-In Wednesday, Sept. 9 & 23, 12:30-2 pm
Havurah Shalom is initiating a facilitated Grief Support Group. Participants receive support and are invited to share feelings and experiences in a confidential peer-group setting. Each session also includes grief education focused on a theme, such as common grief reactions or coping with stress. Participants are asked to pre-register for each individual session they wish to attend, and may attend as many or as few sessions as needed. Limited to 10 people, age 18+. The Zoom Room will be given out with the registration confirmation email. To register, click your desired date(s): Sept. 9 | Sept. 23
Havurah Zoom Rooms
High Holiday Zoom rooms are only accessible through Havurah's High Holidays web portal or app. Register for High Holidays here to gain access.
For info on Zoom rooms, click here. You must sign-in after you visit the link.
Tikkun Olam
High Holidays Tzedakah Project
At High Holidays we engage in a Tzedakah Project. This year Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS), Lift UP Portland, and Jewish Family & Child Services (JFCS) Emergency Aid have been chosen. See PHFS needs here. See Lift UP needs here. Jewish Family & Child Services (JFCS) Emergency Aid needs funding for: community resources, grocery aid, and limited financial assistance to individuals, couples, and families. Checks can be mailed to: Jewish Family & Child Service 1221 SW Yamhill St., Suite 301 Portland, OR 97205. Check the Cvent web portal for machzor pick up schedule. Tzedakah Project items can be dropped off at these times. Containers will be in the foyer with signs.
Art in the Time of COVID: Virtual Reception Sunday, September 13, 6:30 pm – Special Zoom room Presented by Mittleman Jewish Community Center, in partnership with ORA, this exhibit lets you participate in a reflective, thought-provoking, creative experience, and you can purchase the art if you wish.Cassandra Sagan, a Havurah member, will be showcasing her work "MULTI-LAYERED MICROCOSMIC MULTIVERSE" which was created completely out of tea stains, tea bags, tea strings, tags, packaging, and even a bissel tea leaves.
Moishe House Is Looking for New Residents! Moishe house is looking for two roommates who are excited about building community, planning and putting on creative events, and joining a vibrant home in Portland, OR sometime between October and November 1st. Is this you or someone you know?
The first step in applying is filling out the application. They will be following up with people on a rolling basis. Got questions? Email moishehousepdx@gmail.com or message any of the residents on Facebook!
An ideal candidate is fun-loving, welcoming, creative, a great communicator, and has the time and energy to commit (~10 hours per week). If you enjoy planning, hosting, building community, and dancing in the kitchen, then you're exactly who we want to meet.
Do You Need 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.
(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.
