“My Word is Like Fire”: The Vision, Theology, and Voice of the Prophets Wednesdays, January 13, 20; February 3, 10, 7 pm – Room Bet
The biblical prophets left us a legacy of clarion calls opposing inequity and demanding a more just society. Their vision and poetic voice has inspired Jews and others throughout the generations. In this class we will explore the prophets’ theology and worldview, and the language they used to express them. In particular, we will consider the role of the prophetic voice and approach in our own pursuits of justice, examining tensions between truth and compassion, activism and organizing, and confrontation and relationship-building. Taught by Rabbi Benjamin. Register here.
Beginning Conversational Hebrew Class Is Back! Thursdays, Jan. 14 – March 18, 7-8 pm (optional 8-8:30 pm conversation sessions) – Zoom Room Heh
Would you like to improve your ability to speak conversational Hebrew? Can you already read Hebrew but don't always know what you are reading? Did you take Hebrew lessons ages ago or did you participate in an Ulpan experience in Israel but have forgotten all you learned? Would you like to laugh and learn with fellow Havurahniks? Come join Racheli Ross as she continues a beginning Hebrew class in which the focus is on functional Hebrew conversations and vocabulary development. Register here.
Writers’ Workshop (for Non-Writers!) Thursdays, Jan. 14, 21, 28; Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25; March 4, 7-9 pm Oneg Reading, Friday, March 19, 7:30 pm – Zoom Room Bet
Explore your interest in memoir writing through guided reflection, engaging prompts and supportive group feedback. Develop a short piece and challenge yourself to read at a wonderful Friday Oneg for the Havurah community. Led by David Kertzner. Register here.
Grappling with White Supremacy & White Nationalism as Jews Tuesdays, Jan. 19; Feb. 2, 16; March 2, 7 pm – Zoom Room Gimel
We will explore and grapple with where Jews fit, as individuals and as a community, on the minority/majority and oppressed/privileged continuums. Facilitated by members of the IMIrJ Countering White Nationalism cohort. Register here.
Dancing In God’s Earthquake Book Talk & Discussion with Rabbi Arthur Ocean Waskow Saturday, Jan. 30, 3-5 pm – unique Zoom link (info below)
Between climate change, COVID, great social injustice, and more, we are living in powerfully transformative times. Rabbi Arthur Ocean Waskow’s latest book, Dancing In God’s Earthquake, The Coming Transformation of Religion, will help guide us through. He will be joining Havurah & P’nai Or, Jan. 30, 3-5 p.m. for a book talk and discussion, followed by Havdalah, led by Rabbi Benjamin. Books can be preordered through Havurah at a discount for $15 through January 3. Register here for Zoom access and to order a book if you desire!
Intergenerational Conflict & Sexuality in Yiddish Poetry Postponed to Wednesdays, May 26; June 2, 9, 12 pm – Zoom Room Gimel
Using sexuality as a focal point, we will see how Jewish language and culture are used to explore themes of generational conflict, identity, and cultural transition. Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. Register here.
Jews of the Middle East & North Africa Mondays, Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22; March 1, 8, 15, 22, 7-8:30 pm – Zoom Room Bet
This class will focus on the modern history of the Jewish communities of the Middle East and North Africa, 1860 to the present. We’ll examine the complex relationship between these communities, the local cultures and European colonialism. We will also discuss the sociology, politics and culture of these communities in Israel today. Taught by Joel Beinin. Register here.
Mountains of Evidence? Sunday, Feb. 14, 11-12:30 pm – Zoom Room Bet
We will examine the rise and fall of Masada as history and its uses as a founding myth of Israel. Taught by David Feder. Register here.
Jewish Understandings of Slavery & Freedom: The Passover Seder Evolves Wednesdays, Feb. 24; March 3, 10, 17, 7-8:30 pm – Zoom Room Bet
One of the four names for Pesach is Hag ha-Herut (The Feast of Freedom). Jews in different historical contexts have understood Mitzrayim (the narrow space) differently and therefore freedom has looked different in different generations. We will look at this evolution; one focus will be on the liberation of gender, which has been a hallmark of contemporary seders. Taught by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. Register here.
Adult B’nei Mitzvah Group Forming! We have a new Adult B’nei Mitzvah Group forming! Are you interested in deepening your knowledge and commitment to Torah, Tefillah (Prayer) and Kehillah (Community)? Expanding your Jewish literacy skills, confidence, and sense of connection with Judaism? Nourishing your intellect and spirit, individually and within the context of an ongoing learning community. Then consider joining the new Adult B'nei Mitzvah Group!
This group will study together from early April 2021 – February 2023, almost two years, with Havurah Education Director, Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, Rabbi Benjamin, and other teachers. If anything above sparks your interest, please contact the Havurah Education Director, Deborah Eisenbach-Budner at deborah@havurahshalom.org soon!
Shabbat Morning with Bat Mitzvah of Natasha Raish Shabbat, Aug 16th 10:00a to 12:00p Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Natasha Raish as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community.
(IP) Elul Gallery Art Drop-Off Sunday, Aug 17th 12:00p to 3:00p As part of our annual holiday cycle, Havurah members are invited to share our own reflections on the themes and stories of the High Holiday season. In addition to prose or poetry that may be shared on the bima at High Holiday services, we are putting out a call for artistic expressions in any visual medium, including paintings, drawings and photography. We welcome your reflections on any aspect of the High Holidays experience, whether they arise from our tradition’s core concepts of teshuvah (return) or seliḥah (forgiveness), or from any other aspect of your own process of looking inward during the time leading into the holiday season. The Elul and High Holiday Gallery is a project of the High Holidays Committee and the Design Committee, led by Joan Peck and Marcia Suttenberg.
(ZM) Climate Change Book Group Slow Reading of "Not Too Late" Monday, Aug 18th 5:30p to 6:30p All are welcome! Havurah members and non-members alike are invited to join us in this slow, section-by-section reading of "Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility." Click and RSVP. Attend any or all of these HCAT (Havurah's Climate Action Team) Book Group discussions about "Not Too Late."
(ZM) Healing the Heart, Soothing the Soul: A Grief Process Support Group Tuesday, Aug 19th 5:30p to 7:00p **Note: Registration for this group is now closed.** During the month of Elul, we are guided to examine our souls, explore our relationships, reflect on our actions with God and others, and prepare ourselves spiritually to begin a new year. With the Spirit of Elul, we will journey into exploring the aspects of grief. For Havurah members only. Limited to 8 people. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend all sessions.
(IP) Israeli Dancing Wednesday, Aug 20th 7:30p to 8:30p Join us to learn Israeli dancing! We’ll teach the steps and tell the stories behind Israeli dances while you enjoy the catchy rhythms, creative body movements, and spending time with friends.
Led by Havurah members Cindy Merrill and Gail Schwartz with dance instructor Rhona Feldman.
Hakol Deadline is Thursday, August 21 Thursday, Aug 21st (All day) Havurah members, click to learn how to submit your contributions to our monthly newsletter, Hakol.
(HYB) Solidarity Kabbalat Shabbat Friday, Aug 22nd 5:45p to 8:00p Join Havurah members and friends for a Solidarity Shabbat service and potluck nosh. This is a spiritual space for community members working in solidarity with Palestinians - and for the liberation of all peoples - to come together to pray, build connections, and renew ourselves on Shabbat to continue our justice work. Please review Havurah's Brit Kavod for our community guidelines. Masks strongly encouraged and provided.
(HYB) Shabbat Morning Shabbat, Aug 23rd 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.
