The login will ask for your name and email address, then send you a verification code. This is to help keep us secure in our virtual tent.
Next, look for the All Sessions link.
Click into an event for more information, and when it's time for the session to start, come back the same way. A Zoom link to the event will be posted there five minutes ahead of the start time.
Sound the Shofar--Every day except Shabbat! through 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.
Elul 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.
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.”
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.
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.
“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.
Services This Weekend
Kabbalat Shabbat for Elul Friday, Aug. 13, 7 pm - on the High Holidays Website
Led by J.D. Kleinke and Friends. A special welcoming of Shabbat for during the month of Elul. Music and meditations on the meaning of return and renewal.
Refa'einu Healing Service Saturday, Aug. 14, 3 pm - on the High Holidays Website
Refa’einu Healing Services provide sacred space and time to focus on healing and wholeness. Through contemplative teachings, sacred chant, guided and silent meditations, embodied practice, and prayer, we open to healing energy—however it is needed in our lives, families, communities, planet. Co-facilitated by Karen Mitzner and Tivona Reith. Refa’einu, Yah, v’neirafei—Heal us, Source of All Healing, and we will be healed.
Looking Ahead to Next Week
Forgiveness in Judaism and for One Another with Karen Mitzner (Monday at 2 pm)
Jewish New Year Cooking 101 with Jenn Louis (Monday at 7 pm)
Elul Mindfulness & Meditation (Tuesday at noon)
“40 Days of Teshuvah” Film and Discussion with Adela Basayne (Tuesday at 7 pm)
Life Story Midrash with Tivona Reith (Wednesday at 7 pm)
Lev Tahor Chanting Circle with Rabbi Benjamin (Thursday at 7 pm)
(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.
(HYB) Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual Sunday, Aug 24th 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.
