Text & Torah: Moving into Elul from Parashah Re'eh
Saturday, August 7, 10 am – Room Aleph
We’ll look at the wealth of guidelines for a Jewish life as outlined in Parashah Re’eh, and discuss what it means to open our hearts during the month of Elul. Study session led by Diane Chaplin, followed by a shortened Shabbat service.
Elul Workshop - Embodied Teshuvah
Sunday, Aug. 8, 10 am – on the High Holidays Website
This workshop is an invitation to take an individual journey of introspection, self-compassion and forgiveness in the presence of community. Led by Amanda Davidowitz
Havurah's High Holidays Website Launch Party
Sunday, August 8, 7-8 pm – on the High Holidays Website
Sign in and say hi to all your friends at our High Holidays Website Launch Party. There will be games, schmoozing, and more as we welcome in the month of Elul. The party will take place on Havurah’s High Holidays website. Register for free starting August 4!
Forgiveness in Judaism and for One Another
Mondays, Aug. 9, 16, 23; 2-3:30 pm – on the High Holidays Website
Our Jewish tradition is rich in stories, laws and teachings about reconciliation and forgiveness. Led by Karen Mitzner, this series of three workshops will examine highlights from our tradition for inspiration and guidance.
Sound the Shofar
Every day except Shabbat, Aug. 9 to Sept. 5, 4 pm – on the High Holidays Website
It is customary to hear the sound of the Shofar every day of Elul. To observe this custom, Andrine de la Rocha, Howard Patterson and Diane Chaplin will sound the Shofar every afternoon during the month of Elul, except for Shabbos. They will use the traditional Shofar calls and give a bit of kavanot each time.
Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
Tuesday, August 10, 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, August 11, 8:30 am – Room Aleph
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish. Led by Rabbi Benjamin this week.
Shtiebelach – Conversations and Creations
Wednesdays, Aug. 11 and 25, 6:30 pm – on the High Holidays Website
Led by Buff Neretin. The High Holy Days are fast approaching! It's time to start thinking about making private spaces into Holy Places... and preparing to invite folks to join you in worship. Don't know where to start? Come join us for informal conversation.
Life Story Midrash: Uncovering Deeper Meaning in Our Life Stories
Wednesdays, Aug. 11, 18, 25; Sept. 1, 7-8:30 pm – on the High Holidays Website
Led by Tivona Reith. Over a four-week period, we will study traditional examples of midrash, and then creatively explore and rewrite episodes from our own life, with an eye toward “embracing our fragmented stories as a coherent, meaningful narrative.”
Israel’s Occupation, Jewish Tradition and Collective Responsibility
Wednesday, Aug. 11 and Sunday, Aug. 22, 7-8:30 pm – on the High Holidays Website
Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin and Joel Beinin. During this season of ḥeshbon hanefesh—honest self-examination—leading up to the Days of Awe, we will spend these sessions examining aspects of Israel’s occupation of the Palestinians and reflect on what our learning asks of us as Jews.
“40 Days of Teshuvah” Film and Discussion
Thursday, Aug. 12, 11-noon – on the High Holidays Website
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.
A "Still in Prison" Campaign Teach-In
Thursday, August 12, 12 pm – RSVP here
Do you want to work toward restoring justice? Learn about Oregon’s history with a racist law supported by the Ku Klux Klan that was recently declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Sadly, despite the decision, the work to undo the injustice of this racist Oregon law is not finished. You can take action to seek justice for all Oregonians. No one should remain wrongfully imprisoned by an explicitly racist, antisemitic, xenophobic discriminatory law. After nearly 90 years of injustice by an inequitable judicial system, the opportunity for justice should not be ignored. Speakers include Dr. Aliza Kaplan, Professor of Lawyering and Director, Criminal Justice Reform Clinic, and Terrence Hayes. Sponsored by Shir Tikvah, P'nai Or, Bend the Arc, Never Again Action - Portland, EJC, Tisch PDX, Alberta Shul, Matzah Block, and Havurah Shalom.
