If you borrowed a machzor this year please return it on Thursday, October 14, between 1-7 pm. If you cannot make the time, please contact Rachel at rachel@havurahshalom.org. 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. Contact Rachel with questions.
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 8 or newer in good condition. If you have one you are willing to donate, please contact Kathy Gordon via the Havurah Member Directory.
Looking for Connections
Anyone at Havurah around their 30s-40s that might want to grab a drink or a coffee sometime? We have a new Havurah member looking for some new friends! Contact brad@havurahshalom.org and he will put you in touch with them.
Upcoming Classes: Sign Up Now!
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.
Using Hebrew to Understand Judaism & Prayer Wednesday, Oct. 20 - Feb. 2, 7-8:30 pm – Room Dalet
An in-depth, word-by-word study of selected prayers, with a special focus on the Shema and Amidah. We build a vocabulary of words commonly used in Jewish prayer in order to uncover both ancient and modern understandings of the relationships between humans, God, and the rest of nature, how we call forth our best human selves, give and receive love, and struggle with an imperfect world. Basic Hebrew decoding ability needed (even slowly). Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. Register here.
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
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.
Morning Minyan Wednesday, Oct. 20, 8:30 am – Room Aleph
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish.
Racial Justice Meeting Thursday, Oct. 21, 7-8:30 pm – Room Bet
Interested in how you can work with other Havuraniks on issues of Racial Justice? A Racial Justice Committee is forming, and we are welcoming anyone interested. The work will consist of activities to guide us on our own individual reckoning with our whiteness and privilege, educating ourselves about the inherent racism that exists in our societal systems, and finding BIPOC organizations with whom we can partner. Come to this meeting and learn more!
Bat Mitzvah of Shani Ross Saturday, Oct. 23, 10 am– Room Aleph
Please join us in welcoming Shani Ross as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community.
Book Group Paper Bullets: Two Artists Who Risked Their Lives to Defy the Nazis
Tuesday, Oct. 26, 7-8:15 pm– Room Bet
Paper Bullets is the first book to tell the history of an audacious anti-Nazi campaign undertaken by an unlikely pair: two French women, Lucy Schwob and Suzanne Malherbe, who drew on their skills as Parisian avant-garde artists to write and distribute “paper bullets” — wicked insults against Hitler, calls to rebel, and subversive fictional dialogues designed to demoralize Nazi troops occupying their adopted home on the British Channel Island of Jersey. Devising their own psyops campaign, they slipped their notes into soldier’s pockets or tucked them inside newsstand magazines. Discussion led by Emily Simon.
AlteRockers Happy Hour Thursday, Oct. 28, 4:30 pm – Room Heh
Come schmooze with us. And mark your calendars for monthly schmoozes – the last Thursday of the month!
Tikkun Olam Events & Updates
Plastic Recycling Event Saturday, Oct. 16, 10-12:30 pm – 14370 NW Science Park Dr., Portand 97229
The Climate Action Team invites you to join us in recycling our plastics that can’t be recycled curbside, this weekend, at the James Recycling Event.
Havurah's Winter Shmita Collection Drive for Homeless Drop Off Info Sunday, Oct. 24, 1-3 pm at Havurah Shalom
Thank you for collecting items for several NE homeless camps. Item link here. Please drop your off items at Havurah at this time. Tikkun Olam Cluster members will receive, sort, and distribute at the camps. Check with your Havurahood Captain about possible neighborhood drop off sites. To learn more about the camps, please read Jenn Louis' "News From the Street" on Havurah's Facebook group. Contact Gloria Halper for more info.
Dream Hoarders Book Study Monday, Oct. 25, 7 pm–Register here
Havurah is a member of the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty who is "On a Mission to Alleviate Poverty in the Portland Region." We are invited to The Interfaith Alliance on Poverty Wealth Inequality Series Book Study of Richard V. Reeves book: Dream Hoarders. Hosted by George Johnson and Rev. Connie Yost. Register, read the book, and come discuss it. Contact Gloria Halper for more info.
Seeking Input
During Elul and Yom Kippur, members of Havurah joined the Tikkun Olam Cluster to brainstorm how to have a modern practice of this Shmita (release) Year where we have rest and rejuvenation for ourselves and the planet, address forms of modern day slavery, and forgive debt. To help us plan, please let us know which of the proposed programs for learning, study, action, and gathering with others you are interested in, fill this out by November 1. Questions? Contact shmita@havurahshalom.org.
Mending the Social Fabric Oct. 7 - Jan. 30
Come view OJMCHE's exhibition Mending the Social Fabric, by textile artist Bonnie Meltzer. It has at its core a parachute with a 314-foot circumference encircled by 75 handkerchiefs embroidered with text that amplifies a mending motif. Behind the parachute are textiles from across the globe. The parachute, a symbol of safety, has rips and tears and over the course of the exhibition interactive community building happens as visitors sit and mend the damage. More info here.
New Mexico Jewish Storytelling Festival Oct. 22-24
A weekend of storytelling services, concerts, and workshops. I'm thrilled to be one of the featured Tellers Saturday evening alongside Jewish Storytelling greats like Penninah Schram and Judith Black, and I'll be leading a workshop Saturday afternoon and telling a new Shabbat story right before services Friday. Services free, Saturday night concert $10, or $36 for the whole weekend. More info and registration here. - Cassandra Sagan
22nd Annual Reading of Oregon Jewish Voices Tuesday, Oct. 26, 7 pm – Register here
Havurah member, Willa Schneberg, has curated this event since its inception. She will be joined by Joan Dobbie, Ellen Michaelson, Daniel Pollack-Pelzner, and Amy Shapiro.
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?
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.
Tikkun Middot, Tikkun Olam: Refining the Self for the Sake of the World (Session 2) Thursday, Oct 28th 4:00p to 5:30p 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.
Lev Tahor Chanting Circle Thursday, Oct 28th 7:00p to 8:00p 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. This activity will take place online, in Zoom Room Bet.
Community Minyan Shabbat, Oct 30th 10:00a to 12:00p Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading and discussion. It takes place in Zoom Room Aleph. Contact info@havurahshalom.org for login info.
Tikkun Middot, Tikkun Olam: Refining the Self for the Sake of the World Tuesday, Nov 2nd 4:00p to 5:30p 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.
B’nei Mitzvah Planning Logistics Wednesday, Nov 3rd 7:00p to 8:00p Planning and setup at Havurah–a walk through the B’nei Mitzvah Handbook with Rachel Pollak, Havurah’s Office and Facilities Manager. (Please check back close to the date of this event for information on gathering. Depending on circumstances, it may take place in person, on Zoom or both. If it will be accessed via Zoom, please use Zoom Room Heh. For login info, contact info@havurahshalom.org or see Hineinu.)
