None of us are ever truly ready. Here are some things you can do right now to prepare:
Surround yourself with the music of the season!
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 are below. Thank you so much: Diane Chaplin, Steven Mesulam, Rachael Duke, Ilene Safyan, Margie Rosenthal, Barbara Slader, Ken Lerner, Beth Hamon, Chaim Wolin, Rabbi Benjamin, Justin Carroll, Barry Lavine, Maria Lisa Johnson, Susan Brenner, Natalie Lerner. Editing by Megan Koler.
Come to the Selichot Service at 8:00 on Saturday night!
Traditionally, Jews gather on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah to initiate the process of Seliḥot, “Forgiveness,” in preparation for the Ten Days of Teshuvah (“Returning/Repentance”). This year, Rabbi Benjamin and Karen St. Clair will interweave traditional Seliḥot prayers, contemplative music and reflection, as well as somatic meditation, in order to access the compassion and openness we need as we enter further into this season of Return.
Read your packet and get to know the schedule!
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.
Grab one of the remaining spots at the outdoor, distanced Tashlich! There are a few spots left at each of the Tashlich services. Gather by a flowing body of water to take stock, cast out misdeeds and begin to be cleansed. Tashlich is a short ritual: a bit of music, an intention or prayer, and (this year) the sounding of the shofar. Then we go to do our individual casting away into the river.
3:30-4:15 pm at Commonwealth Lake Park (SW Huntington Ave & SW Butner Rd, Portland, OR 97225. MAP)
3:30-4:15 pm at Willamette Park (off S.W. Macadam)
4:45-5:30 pm at Willamette Park (off S.W. Macadam) Click here to RSVP
Make sure you can log in to the web portal before Erev Rosh Hashana!
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 event.crowdcompass.com/havurahshalom/.
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.
Hashiveinu: Musical and Spiritual Preparation for the High Holidays
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 • 7:00 PM - 8:30 We will interweave singing High Holiday melodies with reflecting upon and discussing the themes and meaning of this sacred time. Everyone is welcome, whether or not you consider yourself a singer. Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin.
Social Action Poetry: For Those Who Seek Justice and Love Literature
1. Thursday, September 10, 2020 • 21 Elul 5780
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
2. Thursday, September 17, 2020 • 28 Elul 5780
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
3. Thursday, September 24, 2020 • 6 Tishrei 5781
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
4. Thursday, October 1, 2020 • 13 Tishrei 5781
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Read and discuss poems across diverse cultures about such issues as Black Lives Matter anti-war/waging peace, and others. Please acquire the text, Fire and Ink: An Anthology of Social Action Writing, before the first class. Taught by poets Frances Payne Adler and Herman Asarnow. Limit 20 people.
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Other Elul Offerings
Sound of the Shofar Daily at 3:30 (except Shabbat)
Teen Improv Games Thursday, Sept. 10, 4 pm
Telling the Jonah Story Through Minecraft Friday, Sept. 11, 2 pm
Listening, Doodling, Snacking, and Talking: Moving into the Turning Monday, Sept. 14, 8:30 pm
Elul Mindfulness & Meditation
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 12 pm
Morning Minyan
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 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. 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 Sept. 23
Tikkun Olam
BIPOC Community Meet Up
Tuesday, Oct. 6, Nov. 3, Dec. 1, 7-8:30 pm – Room Gimel
If you identify as Black, Indigenous, or as a person of color, we hope you will join us. This will be a casual get-together with the sole purpose of listening to, learning from, and supporting one another. This meeting requires no ongoing commitment. Please RSVP here, or just show up. If you're unable to make it but like this idea, or have other ideas as a BIPOC community member, please contact Yshai Boussi via the member directory.
Me and White Supremacy group forming
Havurah’s Countering White Nationalism cohort is using Layla Saad’s ‘Me and White Supremacy’ as a tool for self-reflection to unpack our histories and roles within our white supremacy culture. The recording of the session they held about their experiences is available in the On Demand section of the High Holiday platform. There is interest in forming one or more new groups to work through the material together. Interested in joining a group? Email Chris Coughlin.
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 are in the foyer with signs.
Interfaith Alliance on Poverty
The Interfaith Alliance on Poverty has compiled an educational packet on Poverty for its congregations, including a book list, videos, etc. A 3 minute youtube put out by the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN) is in this compilation. It's short, informative, real view of poverty in Portland presents another perspective on this issue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe9WheOXicE
If you missed the Transform Network panel, featuring Rabbi Benjamin, you can watch it here.
Havurah's BLM Resource Page
Check out our new Black Lives Matter resource page for more info!
Jewish Community
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.
