Pre-ordered a lulav and etrog for Sukkot
Havurah will not be offering lulavs and etrogs this year, but you can find them at the Kollel and Everything Jewish.
Shared your insights with a mini-drash
Mini-drashot are due Tuesday. These are brief reflections on the holidays or this year's theme, Shleimut v'Shever, Wholeness and Brokeness. Please email your mini-drash to info@havurahshalom.org.
Jewish Learning This Week
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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.
Israel’s Occupation, Jewish Tradition and Collective Responsibility 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.
Forgiveness in Judaism and for One Another Monday, Aug. 23, 2-3:30 – on the High Holidays Website
Led by Karen Mitzner, this series of workshops will examine highlights from our tradition for inspiration and guidance on forgiveness. It is not necessary to attend the prior classes to join in on this one.
"Why Should You Hang on to That Old Shmita?" Monday, Aug. 23, 7-8:15 pm – on the High Holidays Website
This coming year is a shmita year, which occurs every seven years beginning at Rosh Hashanah. It is a time of rest and release for the earth and people in debt. Join us for a short program examining the shmita year, from its Biblical origins and ancient practice to modern examples of literal observance.
Elul Mindfulness & Meditation Tuesday, August 24, 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.
Shtiebelach – Conversations and Creations Wednesday, Aug. 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. 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.”
Be Antiracist: Participating in an Antiracism Journaling Group Thursday, Aug. 26, 7-8 pm – on the High Holidays Website
The daily practice of being antiracist can be supported by working through our internalized white supremacy in a small group, sharing our personal learnings. This hour will introduce a model for forming an antiracism journaling group and support for getting one started.
Additional Activities
Cemetery Clean-up Sunday, Aug. 22, 1-3 pm - at the Havurah Cemetery, 5656 SW Humphrey Blvd, Portland
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.
Book Group
The Last Million: Europe's Displaced Persons from World War to Cold War
by David Nasaw Tuesday, Aug. 24, 7-8:30 – Zoom Room Bet
By 1952, the Last Million postwar displaced were scattered around the world. As they crossed from their broken past into an unknowable future, they carried with them their wounds, fears, hopes, and secrets. David Nasaw illuminates their incredible history and, with profound contemporary resonance, shows us that it is our history as well.
Moving into the Holidays
Sunrise Selichot Service at Irving Park
Sunday, Aug. 29, 6:30-7:45 am
Traditionally, Jews gather on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah to initiate the process of Seliḥot, Forgiveness, in preparation for the Ten Days of Teshuvah, Returning. This year we will gather early on Sunday morning instead, so that we can be together in person outside. We will spend time chanting and reflecting internally, supporting each other as we examine where and how we need to ask for forgiveness and extend forgiveness toward others. Led by Rabbi Benjamin. We'll gather at Irving Park (707 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97212), in the lower ball field. Bring a chair and mask.
Young People’s High Holiday Discussion (Monday, Aug. 30 at 6 pm)
Life Story Midrash (Wedneday, Sept. 1 at 7 pm)
Erev Rosh Hashanah (Monday, Sept. 6)
Rosh Hashanah (Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 7 and 8)
Contemplative Shabbat (Saturday, Sept. 11 at 10 am)
High Holidays Cemetery Gathering (Sunday, Sept. 12 at 1 pm)
Young People’s High Holiday Discussion (Monday, Sept. 13 at 6 pm)
(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.
