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.
(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.
