Have You Logged into the High Holidays Website Yet?
There is no need for members to register for the Havurah High Holidays Website, we are all pre-registered! Click below to sign in with your name and email.
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.
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.
Service Leading & Music in the Sanctuary During High Holidays
Much time was spent last week closely looking at the issue of unmasked service leading and music presentation in the sanctuary during the High Holidays. The plan had been to require all service leaders and musicians to be vaccinated and allow them to be unmasked during services. But, as the delta variant continues to spread – even among vaccinated persons – it was important to re-examine that plan, ask whether it still made sense, and if so, to develop protocols to keep participants safe from potential COVID exposure.
After extensive consultation with Havurah’s public health and medical professionals on the Core Crisis Team, it was determined that unmasked service-leading, singing, and instrument-playing could be permitted with appropriate distancing and masking of others. To give participants a greater sense of security, testing protocols have also been added for anyone who will be unmasked in the sanctuary during High Holidays services. To read a full explanation of the analysis and consideration of this issue, click here. To read the updated COVID Safety Gathering Guidelines (see “5. High Holiday leading, etc.” in particular on page 3), click here.
If you have any questions about the High Holidays protocols or the updated Guidelines, or if you have a comment for the CCT, please send an email to info@havurahshalom.org. Your email will be shared with the committee and one of the members will get back to you as soon as possible.
Program Director: Medical Leave Postponed
Dear Havurahniks,
Due to the COVID surge overwhelming our medical system, my leave has been delayed to sometime in the future. I am happy to be able to be with you all during the High Holidays.
Shanah tovah u’metukah.
– Adela
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 and High Holiday 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.
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
Contemplative Shabbat Saturday, Sept. 11, 10 am– Room Aleph
We will chant verses and spend time in silent prayer or meditation, then connect through Torah discussion and share blessings by chanting a few aliyot. Led by Rabbi Benjamin.
High Holidays Cemetery Gathering Sunday, Sept. 12, 1-2:15 pm - Havurah Cemetery, 5656 SW Humphrey Blvd.
We gather to remember our loved ones, led in song and remembrance.
Young People's High Holiday Discussion (High School & College) Monday, Sept. 13, 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 one more 90-minute session for teens and the college crowd. 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, access 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?
Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation Tuesday, Sept. 14, 12 pm – Room Bet
We gather to find some moments of quiet and shalom. Led by Rabbi Benjamin, Adela Basayne, or Nancy Becker.
Morning Minyan Wednesday, Sept. 15, 8:30 am – Room Aleph
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish.
Kol Nidre Wednesday, Sept. 15 – on the High Holidays website
6:45 pm - Kol Nidre/Evening Service
Yom Kippur Thursday, Sept. 16 – on the High Holidays website
9 am - Lobby Room
9:30 am - Yom Kippur Morning Service
10 am - Family Service (children ages 0-10)
11 am - Torah and Haftarah Services
12:30 pm - Membership Tabling
1:20 pm - Tikkun Olam Discussion
2:30 pm - Contemplative Service
4 pm - Yizkor
5:30 pm - Mincha Service and Jonah
6 pm - Ne’ilah/Closing Service
Sanctuary Update: Ways to Get Involved Catholic Charities Refugee Services Volunteer Training: Sept. 18, 2021 10am-1:30pm or contact Catholic Charities of Oregon (catholiccharitiesoregon.org).
Volunteer Opportunities:
Refugee Service Program at refugee@ccoregon.org or call (971) 222-1883.
The Afghan Resource Group is seeking volunteers to help new Afghan arrivals fill out legal paperwork. You don't need to be a lawyer and training will be provided. Please contact beka.feathers@gmail.com if you are interested.
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 Machor(s). Those remaining dates below:
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.
Interfaith Alliance on Poverty News Thursday, Sept. 2, 12-1:30 pm – on Zoom here
On Sept. 2, 12-1:30pm at the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty's monthly meeting, Greg Holmes, 1000 Friends of Oregon, will explain the link between zoning and poverty, the sometimes subtle and not so subtle racism of land use policy. He will offer solutions based on action by the Oregon legislature and tell us how we can make a difference as Portland debates its response to land use legislative mandates.
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?
If you are facing emotional or financial hardship from a loss of employment, decrease in income, or any other impact of our recent crises; or, if you would benefit from the support of community members for grocery shopping, errands, or any other concrete or emotional needs, for any reason, please contact Rabbi Benjamin at benjamin.barnett@havurahshalom.org or 503-248-4662 ext. 3.
If you would like to be on a list of people who support others in concrete ways, such as grocery shopping or running other errands, please contact Rabbi Benjamin.
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.
(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.
(ZM) Israel-Palestine Committee Monthly Planning Meeting Sunday, Aug 24th 7:00p to 8:30p Havurah members, you are welcome to join the Israel-Palestine Committee planning group. We meet monthly in Zoom Room Dalet (fourth Sundays, 7 pm to 8:30 pm). For Zoom Room info, visit havurahshalom.org/zoom (be sure you log in to your Havurah member account).
Daily Shofar Blast Monday, Aug 25th (All day) Hear the Sound of the Shofar each day of Elul (except Shabbat): Andrine, Diane & Howard (& sometimes Dominic & Wesley) help prepare us for Rosh Hashanah with shofar, deep thoughts, and a touch of kavanah (intention). Videos will be posted daily on Havurah's YouTube and Facebook pages.
