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
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.
