Shabbat School gathering in Oak Park. Photo by Liza Springgate.
Congregational Meeting This Week!
Our congregational meeting is on June 6 at 10 am in Room Aleph, and that means it will be time to view and vote on the 2021-22 budget. There are decisions that the Steering Committee made this year which will impact next year’s budget. Click here to read an article about the work Steering has done this past year to move us forward on a financially prudent path that gives us greater certainty around our Reserve Fund and our annual building maintenance investments. Also, learn about Steering’s decision to direct this year’s operating budget surplus towards investments in our people, our values, and our facility.
COVID Core Team Update
Havurah’s Core Crisis Team met on May 27 to discuss next steps in Havurah’s “reopening.” We focused on how to re-open the sanctuary to B’nei Mitzvah celebrations and the Wednesday Morning Minyan group. Due to Oregon’s vaccine verification requirements, we are not planning on opening our building for other services and gatherings at this time. A longer update article can be found here. Given the current state of rapidly evolving government guidance, we intend to meet more often and continue to provide updates.
We understand the critical importance of resuming face-to-face gatherings as soon as possible. We want to create an environment where it is safe to daven, celebrate, and learn together in close proximity. In crafting policy guidelines, we remain mindful of balancing our core values of inclusivity and protecting the vulnerable with our desire to be together.
Upcoming Events
Understanding Havurah's Finances & Budget Process Thursday, June 3, 7-8:30 pm – Room Gimel NEW DATE
If you are curious about Havurah finances and wonder how the annual budget is built, we invite you to join former Treasurer and Finance Committee member Janet Byrd and current Treasurer Shari Raider for a closer look at our budget process. We will have a conversation about who is involved, what is considered, and how choices are made. This conversation is for all members – those who never think about organizational budgets and those who do!
Text & Torah: Sh'lach Saturday, June 5, 10 am – Room Aleph
Torah study and at-home bagel nosh followed by a shortened morning service. Led by Diane Chaplin or Rabbi Benjamin.
Annual Congregational Meeting Sunday, June 6, 10 am– Room Aleph
June is the last month in our fiscal year and it is the time to consider our annual budget for the coming year, which starts July 1, 2021. We will present the budget, the proposed Steering Committee slate, and other topics of importance to the congregation. This event is the one time each year when we, as participatory members, can get together to review where we are, discuss what the future looks like, and ask and answer questions you may have. Please plan to join us! All members in good standing are welcome to attend, participate, and vote on the budget. This event is put on by the Steering Committee.
Tightrope by Nicholas Kristoff Monday, June 7, 7 pm – Room Aleph
Nicholas Kristoff grew up in Yamhill, Oregon, riding the #6 school bus to and from school. What happened to those kids on the bus? What does research say about poverty? What can we do individually and collectively? We are invited to this event through the Poverty and Homelessness Committee's work with the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty. RSVP here. Contact Gloria Halper via the Havurah Member Directory for more info.
Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation Tuesday, June 8, 12 pm – Room Bet
We gather to find some moments of quiet and shalom. Led by Rabbi Benjamin, Adela Basayne, or Nancy Becker.
Morning Minyan Wednesday, June 9, 8:15 am – Room Aleph
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish. Led by Roger Brewer.
Kabbalat Shabbat Friday, June 11, 7 pm – Room Aleph
Please join us for our spirited and joy-filled Kabbalat Shabbat Service led by Leah Shoshanah and Rabbi Benjamin. Music will be provided by our talented Havurah musicians.
Bar Mitzvah of Judah Barnett Saturday, June 12, 10 am – Room Aleph
Please join us in welcoming Judah Barnett as a Bar Mitzvah and member of our community!
Tikkun Olam
No More Oil Trains: Press Conference, Speak Out, and Letter Writing Thursday, June 3, 11 am at Cully Park 5810 NE 72nd Ave, Portland
Join Havurah's Climate Action Team (HCAT) and over a dozen other organizations sponsoring the Press Conference and Speak-Out on June 3, the fifth anniversary of the Moiser Oil Train Derailment, and the subsequent letter writing and calling campaign to tell Commissioner Dan Ryan, 503-823-3589, to deny the permit to allow Zeneth Energy to ship by rail dangerous crude oil through Portland. For more info, visit this link or contact Elianne Lieberman, HCAT co-chair via the Havurah Member Directory.
Maria and Carlos have an apartment as of July 1. You will find the list of what is needed and can sign up to provide those items here. We have a generous community and many of the items they need have been promised already. If you are purchasing anything on the list, Maria prefers light and bright colors, but is grateful for any.
Two important outstanding items as of when I am writing are box springs and mattresses for two twin beds. We would like someone to grocery shop to stock the kitchen as well. A list will be provided. We will also need a number of able people to help move furniture and smaller furnishings into a truck from the storage spots and into the apartment. On the spreadsheet, I have added slots for people to sign up to help with this.
Nancy Chesser (Westside) and Barbara Hershey (inner NE) will provide collection spots. Please contact either of us via the Havurah Member Directoryif you are anxious to store items now. Otherwise, we will remind you to drop off items in the couple weeks prior to the actual move.
Monetary contributions are also accepted and you can give here. Thank you!
Transparency & Inclusivity Q&A
We recently received the following question from a congregant. The Steering Committee provided the answer.
Q: I am writing because of my concern and questions with the document “A Look at Steering Committee Decision-Making: Understanding the Impact of the Havurah Reserve Fund, the Building Maintenance & Repair Fund, and the Fiscal Year Surplus on the 2021-2022 Operating Budget” included in the weekly email.
Are these funds and how their money is spent part of the Havurah annual budget or is it separate from that? By my understanding of the bylaws, only the congregation approves the annual budget. Does that congregation approval include how the funds are spent of the Reserve Fund, Building Maintenance & Repair Fund, and the surplus of the 2021-2022 operating budget?
If so, why is the Steering Committee making these spending decisions, rather than the congregation? If not, where in the bylaws is the Steering Committee given the authority to make these spending decisions?
A: The Steering Committee’s response can be found in the article here.
COVID-19 Vaccines & Assistance
Congregation Neveh Shalom COVID-19 Outreach and Services (CNSCOS)
CNSCOS can help you make sense of all there is to know about the pandemic, testing, and vaccines. CNSCOS can help with finding and applying for financial resources, running errands, accessing food assistance, finding other helpful services, or just calling to chat with folks who are feeling isolated or lonely. The CNSCOS team also provides timely information online here and via a weekly email here. Contact covid19@nevehshalom.org or call 971-990-5652 if you need COVID-19 assistance.
Do You Need Help?
If you are facing emotional or 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 or emotional 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 Rabbi Benjamin.
Havurah Zoom Rooms
To see our full Zoom room instructions, click here. Member sign-in required.
Questions About Havurah?
The Transparency & Inclusivity Committee is an avenue within Havurah Shalom to help members find the answers to question they have wondered about. Please send your questions to transparency@havurahshalom.org. We will anonymously publish your question in Hakol and then answer that question. Everyone in our community benefits from this clarity!
(HYB) Shabbat Morning with Music Shabbaton (w/ Aly Halpert) Shabbat, May 10th 10:00a to 12:00p This community minyan will feature the musical contributions of Aly Halpert who is in residence with us this Shabbat. 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) Tot Shabbat Shabbat, May 10th 10:30a to 11:15a Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. All are welcome! Please RSVP when you plan to come. We provide free childcare for those staying to enjoy the full Shabbat service that ends at noon and which is followed by a light community brunch. Email info@havurahshalom.org to learn more.
(IP) Songs for Liberation Song Circle (w/ Aly Halpert) Shabbat, May 10th 4:30p to 6:30p (Currently this event is for Havurah members only, as registrations are capped at 80 people. Havurah members, be sure to RSVP.) Rising Song Records artist Aly Halpert concludes our music shabbaton with a Song Circle, a space to enjoy our voices together as we learn new and ancient Jewish songs and niggunim together. Aly Halpert is at the epicenter of a resurgence of Jewish music-making– introducing new tunes, new words, and new ways of bringing music into davening and community-building.
Rose Haven Walk (register at their 2025 Reigning Roses Walk site) Sunday, May 11th 10:00a to 1:00p Rose Haven supporters and guests will unite to stride a beautiful route through NW Portland on Mother’s Day at the 12th Annual Reigning Roses Walk. Walk with, or in honor of, a special woman in your life – a mother, grandmother, daughter, partner, or friend. 10 am check-in, 11 am begin walking. (We've cancelled the Havurah Teen Engagement plan for this event; just go to the Rose Haven 2025 Reigning Roses Walk website to register!)
(IP) Jewish Ethical Responses to the Problem of Racism Monday, May 12th 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.
(HYB) Steering Meeting Tuesday, May 13th 6:30p to 8:30p Steering members and staff will meet to consider matters of governance. All Havurah Shalom members are invited to attend Steering Committee meetings. For Zoom join links, visit havurahshalom.org/zoom (must be logged in) or call the office in advance for assistance (503-248-4662).
(IP) Hebrew as a Tool: Prayer and Torah (registration closed) Wednesday, May 14th 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.
(IP) B’nei Mitzvah Drash and Service Workshop Thursday, May 15th 7:00p to 8:00p Students and parents are guided through responding to Torah in a drash. You will also take a walk through the Shabbat Morning service. Led by Sarah Shine.
(HYB) Text and Torah Shabbat: "Forgotten" Jewish Rituals Shabbat, May 17th 10:00a to 12:00p One hour of text study with Diane Chaplin on special topics, followed by a brief service. 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@havurhshalom.org.
