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)
(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.
