We have started planning for Hanukah at Havurah! Many details will be shared in the coming weeks. Please fill out our quick two-question survey below if you'd like to participate in the fun!
We are looking forward to an online celebration with the community!
Upcoming Events & Classes
Zoom room links and codes can be found at the bottom of the weekly email.
Post-Election Community Gathering Thursday, Nov. 5, 7 - 8:30 pm – Room Aleph
There are so many unknowns about what will happen on our next election day, November 3. You are invited to a facilitated community gathering so that we can be together for mutual support at a time when there may be some answers about the election outcome. Please email Bob Brown if you have any questions. RSVP here.
Kabbalat ShabbatNow every week at 7:30 pm on Fridays! Friday, Nov. 6, 7:30 pm – Room Aleph
Please join us for our spirited and joy-filled Kabbalat Shabbat Service, led by J.D. Kleinke. Music will be provided by our talented Havurah musicians.
Community Minyan Saturday, Nov. 7, 10 am – Room Aleph
Join us for Shabbat morning! Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading and discussion.
Step Into the Living Torah! Sunday, Nov. 8, 2 pm – Room Bet
We’ll begin wherever we are physically, emotionally, energetically, individually and collectively, and then step into the text where we’ll use simple storytelling practices to play with voice, movement, story, stillness, and a bissel silliness to encourage and cultivate personal midrash (Torah-based narrative). Through embodied Torah study, we will find ways to discover and express meaning, even when we can't articulate it! For newbies and Torah scholars, cultural creatives, and recovering serious people. It will also be great to be together in a new way during this stressful time! RSVP here.
Human Power & Human Dignity: A Conversation with PNW Reconstructionist Rabbis Sunday, Nov. 8, 2 pm – Join info to be emailed to RSVPs!
On the Sunday after election day, join a Pacific Northwest Reconstructionist conversation on human power through Jewish frames of human dignity. Rabbis (including Rabbi Benjamin) from Reconstructionist communities throughout the Northwest will speak to this topic in conversation with one another and each of us in this moment of precariousness and potential. RSVP here.
Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation Tuesday, Nov. 10, 12 pm – Room Bet
This week we will meditate together and also have time to reflect and derive support from each other’s presence, nourishing resilience as we move across the threshold of Election Day. Rabbi Benjamin will facilitate.
BIPOC Community Meetup Tuesday, Nov. 10, 7 pm – Room Dalet If you identify as Black, Indigenous or other 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 monthly 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 via the member directory.
Morning Minyan Wednesday, Nov. 11, 8:30 am – Room Aleph
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish.
Drop-In Grief Support GroupsNEW DATES Thursdays, Nov. 12, Nov. 19, Dec. 3, Dec. 24, 7-8:30 pm – Room Heh
As we approach the winter holidays, especially in this time of COVID, Havurah Shalom supports members grieving a death. Drop-in grief group sessions are facilitated by Havurah Shalom members experienced in grief support and confidential group facilitation. Pre-registration is required by Thursday noon the day of each session. Each session is limited to 10 people. Additional details will be sent to those registered. For more information, contact Tivona Reith at bikkurholim@havurahshalom.org. RSVP via the links on the dates above.
Tikkun Olam Events
Interfaith Alliance on Poverty: The Budget as a Moral Document Thursday, Nov. 5, 12 pm
The conclusion to our three-part series! Please contact Gloria Halper for the Zoom link.
PHFS New Volunteer Orientation Wednesday, Dec. 2, 5:30-6:30 pm An hour long zoom orientation with PHFS will leave you with an understanding of what PHFS does for homeless families at their Lents shelter, and what volunteer jobs are available during Covid-19. RSVP to TC Schumacher at tc@pdxhfs.org for Zoom access.
Tikkun Olam Updates
Interfaith Alliance on Poverty's November Newsletter
Read the November IAP newsletter here. Information on the Wapato prison building (now called Bybee Lakes Hope Center), Alternative Shelter and Village Forum: Learning From Seattle article, and speakers for their first Thursday meeting: November 5, 12-1:30 pm.
Update on Children's Book Donation Through Lift UP
There was a traffic issue/construction detour last week and some folks had issues donating children's books. If you are still able to donate books, please contact Leah Cooper via email (lcooper@innovativehousinginc.com) for more information.
What's Up with Lift UP?
Partner with Lift UP for the Fall Food and Fund Drive! Help us provide healthy, nutritious foods to our neighbors in need. To learn more, visit www.lifturbanportland.org or contact brett@lifturbanportland.org
Judaism for the World: Reflections on God, Life, and Love A talk by author Rabbi Art Green Tuesday, November 10, 8 pm –RSVP required Rabbi Art Green, PhD, is recognized as one of the world’s preeminent authorities on Jewish thought and spirituality. He is one of the founders of IJS and is currently professor at Hebrew College and rector of the Rabbinical School, which he founded in 2004. A prolific author, Rabbi Green's most recent book, Judaism for the World: Reflections on God, Life, and Love was published in September by Yale University Press. RSVP above.
Do You Need Help?
If you are facing financial hardship from a loss of employment, decrease in income, or any other impact of our recent crises; 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 and Rabbi Benjamin.
Havurah Zoom Rooms
For info on Zoom rooms, click here. You must sign-in after you visit the link.
Havurah Shalom
825 NW 18th Ave. Portland, OR 97209
(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.
