The Core Crisis Team is considering having Havurah move toward reopening our building using an honor system protocol which would permit fully vaccinated persons to choose whether or not to wear a mask in the building. Unvaccinated individuals would be required to wear a mask. No vaccine verification process would be used and, if this protocol were adopted, we would strongly emphasize the message of de-stigmatizing masks since many people will continue to wear masks for many reasons. This protocol is initially being implemented on a small-scale “pilot” basis for the Wednesday morning minyan group and B’nai Mitzvah celebrations, but no decision has been made for larger gatherings in the building.
Click here to register for the Community Forum on Monday, July 19 at 7 pm in Room Aleph to understand more about the basis for this proposal, hear about the alternatives that are being considered, and share your input.
Upcoming Events
Kabbalat Shabbat Friday, July 16, 7 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.
Bat Mitzvah of Ella Bendsneyder-Koven Saturday, July 17, 10 am – Room Aleph
Please join us in welcoming Ella Bendsneyder-Koven as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community!
Tisha B'Av: 40 Day of Teshuvah film screening, panel, and discussion
Sunday, July 18, 10 am
On Tisha B’Av we commemorate the darkest moments in our Jewish history and begin to move from brokenness towards redemption. “Zion will be redeemed through justice” (Isaiah 1:27). As we emerge from the losses of the COVID pandemic, we have a fresh opportunity to reengage in the work of repair both at the level of our intimate communities and in the broader society. Havurah joins the Inside Out Wisdom and Action Project and the Reconstructing Judaism movement in showing the film, 40 Days of Teshuvah, Last summer, Yehudah Webster and Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ) protested for 40 days culminating with Tisha B'Av. The film offers a powerful model for integrating Jewish spiritual tools and technologies like prayer, teshuvah and Mussar into the work of social change in general and racial justice in particular. RSVP here.
Community Forum on Reopening Monday, July 19, 7 pm– Room Aleph
The Core Crisis Team is considering having Havurah move toward reopening our building using an honor system protocol which would permit fully vaccinated persons to choose whether or not to wear a mask in the building and require unvaccinated individuals to wear a mask. This protocol is initially being implemented on a small-scale “pilot” basis for the Wednesday morning minyan group and B’nai Mitzvah celebrations, but no decision has been made for larger gatherings in the building. The CCT wants your input about this proposal and the alternatives we are considering. Do you have questions or comments for the Core Crisis Team? Send them to info@havurahshalom.org and someone from the committee will get back to you.
Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation Tuesday, July 20, 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, July 21, 8:30 am – Room Aleph
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish. Led by J.D. Kleinke.
Bar Mitzvah of Ezra Webb Saturday, July 24, 10 am – Room Aleph
Please join us in welcoming Ezra Webb as a Bar Mitzvah and member of our community!
Film Screening & Discussion: "Other Side of the Hill" Monday, July 26, 7 pm – Room Bet
"Other Side of the Hill" explores the impacts of a changing climate as seen through the eyes of local leaders on the ground in rural Oregon. The film amplifies the voices of rural communities often left unheard, and shines a light on stories of progress and hope. In a time of unprecedented cultural divide between rural and urban communities, this film finds common ground in an urgency to address a changing landscape. The film will be available for free online viewing July 10-25. Register here to view the film at home. RSVP here to attend the discussion. Contact Michael Huemann with questions. This event is put on by our Havurah Climate Action Team.
Book Group Journey From the Land of No: A Girlhood Caught in Revolutionary Iran Tuesday, July 27, 7 pm – Room Bet
In Journey from the Land of No, Roya Hakakian recalls her childhood and adolescence in pre-revolutionary Iran with candor and verve. The result is a beautifully written coming-of-age story about one deeply intelligent and perceptive girl’s attempt to find an authentic voice of her own at a time of cultural closing and repression. Remarkably, she manages to re-create a time and place dominated by religious fanaticism, violence, and fear with an open heart and often with great humor. Discussion led by Mischa and Salome DuPont.
AlteRockers Happy Hour Thursday, July 29, 4:30-6 pm – Room Heh
Come schmooze with us. And mark your calendars for monthly schmoozes the last Thursday of the month!
B'nei Mitzvah Projects
Art was such an important part of my elementary school experience, so when school arts program funding was cut, I worried that students with less resources wouldn’t be able to provide their own supplies. I decided to use my Bat Mitzvah as an opportunity to break down barriers facing these youth. I will use all funds raised to purchase art supplies for a local SUN Community School IRCO program, and then deliver them to the kids at the start of the coming school year. Donate directly to the project by clicking here. In the donation notes, write “in honor of Ella’s Bat Mitzvah.” Thank you!
– Ella
Tikkun Olam
Particpate in the Racial Justice Committee There is a group of people who have been meeting to discuss and define a Racial Justice Committee within the Tikkun Olam Cluster. We have met twice. If you are interested in participating and have not been included in the previous meetings, contact Bob Brown via email at tikkunolam@havurahshalom.org and he will include you in communications about this effort.
High Holy Days Tzedakah Project: Coming Soon!
Our High Holy Days are approaching. In our efforts to do the work of Tikkun Olam, the Poverty and Homeless Tikkun Olam Committee will coordinate collections to support those in need. Lists of needed items will soon be posted in Hineinu and in the High Holy Day packet you will receive that the office staff are currently working on. Thank you for your support. Contact Gloria Halper if you have questions.
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 who support others in concrete ways, such as grocery shopping or running other errands, please contact Rabbi Benjamin.
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!
Havurah Zoom Rooms
To see our full Zoom room instructions, click here. Member sign-in required.
(HYB) Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration Friday, May 9th 5:45p to 8:00p A musical, all-ages Friday night service with family-friendly dessert and hearty nosh before and after. All are welcome! 5:45 pm Hearty Nosh, 6:30 Service, 7:30 Oneg. Free childcare is provided. Those joining on Zoom, please come at 6:30; the in-person hearty nosh portion and oneg will not be televised. For Zoom information, please email info@havurhshalom.org.
(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.
