If you haven't filled out the B'Yachad please do so now! This is your last chance to do your part to fulfill Havurah's mission of being a vibrant and participatory community. There is a place for everyone. Check out the possibilities and find the way you can participate in the coming year!
If you borrowed a machzor this year and have been wondering when to return it, wonder no more! Here are dates and times when someone will be at the building to receive your machzorim.
Thursday, Oct. 7, 9-3 pm
Friday, Oct. 8, 12-5 pm
Monday, Oct. 11, 1-7 pm
Tuesday, Oct. 12, 1-7 pm
Thursday, Oct. 14, 1-7 pm
If you're at the building for an activity such as Shabbat School or Havurah High, you can also drop off your machzor then! Just drop it in one of the containers in the entryway. No need to sign it in, since we'll use the number in the cover for tracking purposes. Questions? Ask Rachel at rachel@havurahshalom.org.
Maria Needs a Phone
Maria, an asylum seeker that Havurah is supporting, needs a new phone. A Havurah member has generously offered to put Maria and Carlos on his phone plan. Two other members have done so since their arrival in early 2020. Maria is in need of a new phone. Here is what we are seeking: an iPhone 7 or newer in good condition. If you have one you are willing to donate, please contact Kathy Gordon via the Havurah Member Directory.
Program Director Absence
Adela will be out on medical leave until November 15. Please be in touch with Rachel Pollak (at rachel.pollak@havurahshalom.org), who can direct you to the appropriate person for questions regarding Adela's usual duties.
Upcoming Classes: Sign Up Now!
Personal Cyber Security Thursday, Oct. 7, 7-8:15 pm– Room Bet
Thinking about your safety online can be intimidating, but it does not have to be! Meet with the Safety Committee to learn how to secure your sensitive online accounts. We’ll show you how to install and use a free and simple password manager and how to handle multi-factor authentication. No matter your comfort level with computers, we will walk you through this process so your personal cyber security will be greatly improved by the end of the session. Led by Joel Bettridge and Curtis Shipley. Register here.
A Bird Eye's View of Jewish History Tuesday, Oct. 12, 19, 26; 7-8:15 pm– Room Heh
Do you have a vague sense that a lot happened between the Jews' presumed exodus from Egypt and our modern era–but you aren't sure what actually happened or where? Have you ever wondered how and why Jewish people dispersed from one small piece of real estate in the Middle East and came to live in every part of the globe? Do you want to know more but don't have the time or patience to read books on Jewish history? Using illustrations and maps, we will enjoyably learn the themes, geography and journey of the Jewish people. We will learn key events, where Jews lived and why, what languages Jews spoke, key contributions Jews have made to the world and key ways that Jews responded to events and ideas in world history. We'll learn where the ancestors of American Jews came from. Please obtain Barnavi's A Historical Atlas of the Jewish People from the Time of the Patriarchs to the Present, in advance. Led by Roger Brewer. Register here.
A Shmita for Hearts and Minds: Building Our Mental Health Resilience While Doing Climate and Social Justice Work, and Our Personal Healing Sunday, Oct. 17, 7-9 pm – Room Gimel
The Shmita year has foundational teachings to nourish our mental health. Please join Harriet Cooke, and others for a presentation and discussion on how we can build mental~emotional resilience inspired by shmita and other teachings. We will explore the four kabbalistic worlds to better understand and practice what contributes to our mental health. Register here.
Tikkun Middot, Tikkun Olam: Refining the Self for the Sake of the World Tuesdays, Oct. 19 - Dec. 14 (skipping Nov. 23), 4-5:30 pm– Zoom link with registration only (with potential for some in person)
In this cohort we will engage with Jewish spiritual practice in the name of building a more just and loving world. Our primary lens will be Mussar, an approach to living centered around middot, “soul traits.” In trusted community, we will explore middot vital to justice-seeking and examine how they manifest in our relationships and actions. We will meet every week, with direction for ongoing practice in between sessions. RSVP directly to Rabbi Benjamin at benjamin.barnett@havurahshalom.org.
Lev Tahor Chanting Circle Thursday, Oct. 28, 7-8 pm– Room Bet
Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin. We gather in community for an evening of contemplative practice, chanting interspersed with silence, guided by teachings from the tradition. Everyone is welcome, no experience or musical ability required. Register here.
Upcoming Events
Community Minyan Saturday, Oct. 9, 10 am– Room Aleph
Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion.
Refugee Volunteer Training with Catholic Charities Monday, Oct. 11, 7-8:30 pm– Register here
This is a reminder that Havurah has arranged to have a virtual training session with Catholic Charities for anyone interested in volunteering with them. This is supported by Havurah's Sanctuary Committee.
Israel/Palestine Committee Meeting Tuesday, Oct. 12, 7 pm – Room Bet
We will continue our discussion of Fall activities, including our Dec. 5 event with Hand-in-Hand and a potential follow-up discussion. All members of Havurah who are interested are welcome to attend.
Morning Minyan Wednesday, Oct. 13, 8:30 am – Room Aleph
We are getting an early start for Rosh Ḥodesh today. For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish.
Bat Mitzvah of Leyah Boussi Saturday, Oct. 16, 10 am – Room Aleph
Please join us in welcoming Leyah Boussi as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community.
Tikkun Olam Events & Updates
Interfaith Alliance on Poverty: First Thursday Meeting Thursday, Oct. 7, 12 pm
FEATURED SPEAKER: SAM ADAMS, PORTLAND'S DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC INNOVATIONS. Adams believes in public-private partnerships as the key to our city’s success. Five partnership groups, which Adams calls “action tables,” focus on promoting public safety, addressing homelessness, cleaning up trash across the city, and helping businesses reopen. Register in advance for this meeting here. After registering, you receive a confirmation email with information about joining the meeting. Contact Steve Rudman or Gloria Halper via the Havurah Member Directory if you have questions.
Havurah's Winter Shmita Collection Drive for Homeless
One of Havurah's first Smita events is a collection drive of clothing and housing necessities for NE homeless camps. Drop off info will be in our October Hakol.
Tikkun Olam's Poverty & Homelessness Committee member, Jenn Louis, has been supplying food, and more to those on the streets. Jenn posts regularly on Havurah's Facebook page "News from the Streets." Also, Havurah volunteers are needed on Tuesdays to hand out items, along with Jenn. For more info contact Jenn Louis. Info list here.
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 questions 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.
