Sound the Shofar
Every day except Shabbat, Aug. 9 - 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.
Shtiebelach – Conversations and Creations
Wednesdays, Aug. 11 & 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 & Discussion
Thursday, Aug. 12, 11 am – 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, Aug. 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.
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.
Community Minyan
Saturday, Aug. 14, 10 am – Room Aleph
Please join us for Shabbat morning! Led by community members or Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion.
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.
Jewish New Year Cooking 101
Monday, Aug. 16, 7 pm – on the High Holidays website
Prepare for the holidays with some new Jewish foods from countries around the world with Jenn Louis. Cook along or watch the demonstration as Jenn tells stories of dish origins and how Jewish foods from around the world make up today’s Israeli cuisine.
Elul Mindfulness & Meditation
Tuesday, Aug. 17, 12 pm – on the High Holidays website
We gather to find some moments of quiet and shalom. Led by Rabbi Benjamin, Adela Basayne, or Nancy Becker.
Morning Minyan
Wednesday, Aug. 18, 8:30 am – Room Aleph
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish. Led by Rabbi Benjamin this week.
Lev Tahor Chanting Circle
Thursday, Aug. 19, 7 pm – on the High Holidays website
We gather in community for an evening of contemplative practice, chanting interspersed with silence, guided by teachings from the tradition. In the spirit of this month of Elul, we will focus on opening and directing our hearts toward teshuvah — return and renewal. Everyone is welcome, no experience or musical ability required. Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin.
Bar Mitzvah of Harry Friedman
Saturday, Aug. 21, 10 am – Room Aleph
Please join us in welcoming Harry Friedman as a Bar Mitzvah and member of our community!
Cemetery Cleanup
Sunday, Aug. 22, 1-3 pm
Get together with the Cemetery Committee to keep the space beautiful. The Cemetery and Garden Committees are co-sponsoring this event for the first time; all Havurah members, their friends and families are welcome to attend. Bring your own water and snacks, scrub brushes for scrubbing the gravestones, and pruners and gloves for trimming the hedge.
