“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!
(HYB) Solidarity Shabbat Friday, May 23rd 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.
Shabbat Morning with Bat Mitzvah of Maya Rosenbaum Shabbat, May 24th 10:00a to 12:00p Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Maya Rosenbaum as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community.
(HYB) Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual Sunday, May 25th 7:00p to 8:15p A gender-inclusive New Moon group, learning and celebrating each Rosh Ḥodesh with ancient and contemporary ritual. Open to any and all genders, inviting each to connect with our closest heavenly body, the Moon. An introductory meeting will happen on the full moon of Elul on Wednesday, Aug. 30 outdoors—weather permitting—in North Portland. Subsequent meetings will be on or near the new moon of each month either in person in North Portland or on Zoom, depending on seasonal shifts in the weather. Attend any or all sessions. RSVP to be updated on location and other details throughout the year.
CANCELED - Palestinian Justice Letter Writing Group Monday, May 26th (All day) We are taking May off for Memorial Day. See you in June! We hold monthly letter writing group Zoom gatherings to write letters to our lawmakers for Israel/Palestine justice. Questions? Email Dale Oller (member log-in required to access directory). Feel free to drop in any time! There’s no need to RSVP, but please do RSVP if you need the Zoom login. Non-Havurah-members very welcome as well.
(ZM) Book Group: A Day in the Life of Abed Salama by Nathan Thrall Tuesday, May 27th 7:00p to 8:30p The Havurah Shalom Book Group meets monthly to discuss fiction and nonfiction books voted on by Havurah members. All are welcome to any and all meetings. Copies of our upcoming books can be checked out by members in the Havurah library. *This is the last meeting for the year. We will start up again in September 2025.*
(IP) Hebrew as a Tool: Prayer and Torah (registration closed) Wednesday, May 28th 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.
(HYB) Shabbat Morning Shabbat, May 31st 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.
