Beyond the Count: Perspectives & Experiences of Jews of Color

The Jews of Color Initiative recently commissioned a study, “Beyond the Count: Perspectives and Lived Experiences of Jews of Color.” Gathering stories and data from Jews of color across the Jewish spectrum, including representation from Havurah Shalom, the study provides important insights for all of us who aspire to dismantle racism within our communities.

Here is the study and here is an article about it. I encourage us all to read through them and consider the significance and potential impacts for us within Havurah. One of the intentions of the Antiracism & Belonging Work Group, as we move into initial stages, is for us to gather details of experience such as these to help us reflect, envision, and work together to create community in which everyone can engage authentically, in the fullness of who they are.

Where Is Our Program Director?

Dear Havurahniks,

I will be on medical leave for surgery and recovery from Monday, Augsut 30 until early to mid-October. I will not be looking at email at all until September 27, by which time there will likely be a lot of mail to sort through. I hope you will hear back from me by the end of the first week of October.
 
During this time, please reach out to Rachel with any questions about my areas of work.  She will be able to direct you to whomever is covering in my absence.
 
May we all be written for a sweet and healthy New Year!

– Adela

Rosh Hashanah Is Around the Corner

The login there 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. Once logged in, you can browse and RSVP for programming and services using the Sessions link, edit your profile, connect with friends, access music and more. Please feel free to invite friends and family by sending them this registration link: https://cvent.me/xk9dbG

Sign Up to Pickup a Machzor
High Holiday services are online again, and we won't be scrolling the pages onscreen! We have a great digital machzor, but if you'd like to hold the book in your hands, we are lending out our beautiful new ones again! Click here to sign up.

More information on High Holidays
Take a look at our High Holiday Packet which shows everything we have to offer for the season!
 

Order a lulav and etrog
 This year we will not be selling lulavs and etrogs from Havurah. Portland Kollel has us covered though!

Need help? Email info@havurahshalom.org.

Upcoming Events & Classes

Use this link to login to our High Holidays website. You can also find the event details on our Havurah calendar. Elul events highlighted in orange below.

Sound the Shofar
Every day except Shabbat until 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.

AlteRockers Happy Hour
Thursday, Aug. 26, 4:30 pm – Room Heh

Come schmooze with us. Mark your calendars for monthly schmoozes on the last Thursday of the month!

Be Antiracist: Participate 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.

Bar Mitzvah of Jordan Devlin
Saturday, Aug. 28, 10 am – Room Aleph
Please join us in welcoming Jordan Devlin as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community!

Sunrise Selichot Service
Sunday, Aug. 29, 6:30-7:45 am – Irving Park
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 in the lower ball field. Bring a chair and mask.

Young People's High Holiday Discussion (High School & College)
Monday, Aug. 30, 6-7:15 pm – on the High Holidays website
Following a successful peer-led Young People’s Discussion Program during Shavuot, our community will be facilitating two more 90-minute sessions for teens and the college crowd: one during Elul (Aug. 2021) and one during the High Holidays (Sept. 6-16). While many concerns remain present as we move into a new phase of the pandemic, there is also much-awaited excitement about the reopening of institutions like school and community activities. At the same time, young people who are paying attention are aware of many new challenges from the rise of bigotry and anti-Semitism to the critical need for inclusion and the fight for LGBTQ opportunities and basic dignity. As our year ends and we begin 5782, in what ways are you re-opening, personally and with your community? Why is it hard to re-open sometimes? How different are you now compared to before the pandemic? Do you feel hopeful and why or why not? Join us for a vibrant discussion.

Elul Mindfulness & Meditation
Tuesday, Aug. 31, 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.

Israel/Palestine Committee Meeting
Tuesday, Aug. 31, 7 pm – Room Bet
The Israel/Palestine Committee will meet to discuss our fall activities. Included will be an event with Hand-in-Hand and yet-to-be-determined opportunities for communal conversations about the situation in Israel/Palestine. All members of Havurah are welcome to attend the meeting. RSVP here. 

Morning Minyan
Wednesday, Sept. 1, 8:30 am – Room Aleph
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish.

Community Minyan
Saturday, Sept. 4, 10 am – Room Aleph
Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion.

Erev Rosh Hashanah
Monday, Sept. 6 – on the High Holidays website
7:30 pm - Erev Rosh Hashanah Service

Rosh Hashanah Day 1
Tuesday, Sept. 7 – on the High Holidays website
9 am - Lobby Room  
9:30 am - Rosh Hashanah Morning Service  
11 am - Torah Service, Shofar Service
12:30 pm - Lobby Room   
12:15 pm - Membership Tabling
12:30 pm - Meet Tikkun Olam
3 pm - Family Service (with children ages 0-10)

Jewish Soul for the New Year
Tuesday, Sept. 7, 6:30 pm – on YouTube
Havurah member Diane Chaplin plays a solo cello livestream performance on the evening of the first day of Rosh Hashanah. Welcome the New Year with the rich and poignant sound of the cello in music by Israeli composers, a Sephardic prayer, Klezmer and more. Program will last 40-45 minutes. Watch on the Havurah High Holiday website, or for higher quality, go to Diane’s YouTube channel.

Rosh Hashanah Day 2
Wednesday, Sept. 8 – on the High Holidays website
9:30 am - Rosh Hashanah Morning Service
10:30 am - Torah Service  
11:45 am - Shofar Service
12:15 pm - Lobby Room

To see the entire activity schedule for the month of Elul,
view the High Holiday Packet.

Art Cards by Carlos

Many of us have been following the journey of Maria and Carlos, Guatemalan asylum seekers being sponsored by Havurah. This September, as we send New Year's greetings, consider supporting high school junior Carlos, a talented artist who has created lovely, colorful notecards featuring his favorite designs. A set of 8 is $15 and can be ordered through CarlosArtCards@gmail.com.

Tikkun Olam

High Holidays Tzedakah Project
We are again supporting Portland Homeless Family Solutions and Lift UP during the High Holy Days. Check with your Havurahood captains as to whether or not they or someone in your neighborhood group will be a drop off place for items listed below. Also, items can be dropped off when picking up machzorim. Those dates below:
 

• 8/18 (12-2:10)
• 8/19 (10-12:10)
• 8/20 (12-2:10)
• 8/24 (4-6:10)
• 8/25 (12-2:10)
• 8/26 (4-6:10)
• 8/27 (10-12:10)
• 8/30 (4-6:10)
• 8/31 (12-2:10)
• 9/1 (2-4:10)
• 9/2 (10-12:10)

For PHFS:
• Full-size shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion (men, women and kids)
• Deodorant (men and women)
• Baby powder and baby lotion
• Dish soap, hand soap, various cleaning supplies (cleaning spray, wet wipes, etc.)
• Small and large laundry detergent (nice to have some of each)
• White, light blue or light green twin and full sheet sets
• White twin and full comforters
• White, light blue or light green hand towels, bath towels and washcloths
(Online items)

For Lift UP:
• All varieties shelf-stable milk (dairy/non-Dairy, unsweetened)
• Proteins (nut butters/tuna/shelf-stable tofu)
• Coffee/Tea
• Canned Fruit
• Canned Vegetables
• Whole Grain Pasta
• Brown Rice
• Low-Sodium Vegetables (140 mgs or less)
• Soup
• Ready-to-Eat Items (microwavable)
• Kosher Items (all are welcome)
Thank you for such incredible support of our Poverty and Homelessness Committee's decision to work with these two amazing organizations as well as the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty.

Still in Prison Campaign: Sign-on Letter and Teach-in Recording
We are collecting signatures through August 31 to urge our Attorney General to support legislation ending harm from the racist practice, with antisemitic roots, of non-unanimous jury convictions. After 86 years, the law has ended but the harm continues for those who remain in prison or living with unjust felony convictions. You can take action by signing the letter here. If you missed the August 12 teach-in with Aliza Kaplan and Terrence Hayes, here is a recording.

Interfaith Alliance on Poverty News
THe Poverty & Homelessness Committee works with the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty (IAP). Link here to their August newsletter: first half is accomplishments/where we are going, second half: Unsheltered/EDPA2 (Emanuel Displaced Person's Assessment 2). For more info on our committee's work contact Gloria Halper.

News & Events from Our Tikkun Olam Partners

Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) | Interfaith Alliance on Poverty (IAP) | Lift UP | MACG

COVID-19 Vaccines & Assistance

Congregation Neveh Shalom COVID-19 Outreach and Services (CNSCOS)
CNSCOS can help you make sense of all there is to know about the pandemic, testing, and vaccines. CNSCOS can help with finding and applying for financial resources, running errands, accessing food assistance, finding other helpful services, or just calling to chat with folks who are feeling isolated or lonely. The CNSCOS team also provides timely information online here and via a weekly email here. Contact covid19@nevehshalom.org or call 971-990-5652 if you need COVID-19 assistance.

Do You Need Help?

Questions About Havurah?

The Transparency & Inclusivity Committee is an avenue within Havurah Shalom to help members find the answers to question they have wondered about. Please send your questions to transparency@havurahshalom.org. We will anonymously publish your question in Hakol and then answer that question. Everyone in our community benefits from this clarity!

Havurah Zoom Rooms

To see our full Zoom room instructions, click here. Member sign-in required.