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 Shabbat, Mar 30th 10:00a to 12:00p Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. For Zoom link (Zoom Room Aleph), email info@havurahshalom.org.
(IP) Tot Shabbat Shabbat, Mar 30th 10:30a to 11:30a Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. All are welcome.
Mahjong Group Monday, Apr 1st 1:00p to 4:00p We are excited to bring mahjong back to Havurah. It is a fun, social activity that builds community, encouraging new friendships and cementing old ones. And while some of us may play elsewhere as well, we all agreed that restoring its place as an ongoing congregational activity will be a good fit for Havurah and those of us who play or want to learn the game. So please don't hesitate to join us!
Naming the Unnameable: Exploring Theology and Practice through Rabbi Toba Spitzer’s God is Here Wednesday, Apr 3rd 7:00p to 8:30p Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin. In this class, we’ll be exploring various ways in which the Divine is represented and imagined in Jewish tradition. Beyond simply the intellectual, our lens will be more one of spiritual reflection and practice. In other words: As we encounter and interact with the metaphors that the tradition offers for experiencing and connecting with God/Spirit/Life, what do we notice within our hearts and minds? How do particular images shape our consciousness and perception? As a guide for this exploration we will read Rabbi Toba Spitzer’s book, God is Here, which should be purchased for the class (contact Rabbi Benjamin for a free copy if needed). RSVP here by March 1.
(IP) Understanding October 7, 2023 Thursday, Apr 4th 7:00p to 8:30p Rabbi Benjamin and Joel Beinin will offer three sessions on “Understanding October 7, 2023” – the Hamas attack on Israel and Israel’s response. The class will offer space for people to express their personal feelings about the events as well as explore the historical context of the events of October 7. Integrated into our examination of this moment, we will engage with a variety of Jewish texts: on grief and loss, on holding multiple truths, and on questions of fundamentalism and fixed views.
(HYB) Shabbat Morning Shabbat, Apr 6th 10:00a to 12:00p Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. For Zoom link (Zoom Room Aleph), email info@havurahshalom.org.
Shabbat School Shabbat, Apr 6th 3:00p to 5:15p This program gives children a foundation for lifelong Jewish learning and engagement while integrating parents and children in a caring Jewish community.
(IP) Whose B'nei Mitzvah Is It Anyway? Shabbat, Apr 6th 3:10p to 4:00p Parents explore the hopes and fears that inspire, inform, and complicate the planning process. Led by Adela Basayne and Laura Orgel, psychologist and child/family therapist.