Psalms: A Deep Dive Into the Five Books of David Thursday, Nov. 4, 6:30 pm – Room Dalet
We will explore the Book of Psalms through historical, theological, structural and poetic lenses. Focusing then on selected psalms, we will compare translations, examine them as stories of emotional journey, and try our hand at writing our own psalms. Led by Tivona Reith. RSVP
Be Anti-Racist Journaling Group Wednesday, Nov. 10, 7 pm – Room Bet
The first meeting of this journaling group, which will use prompts from Ibram X. Kendi's book Be Anti-Racists: A Journal for Awareness, Reflection, and Action, will focus on organizing future meetings. Facilitated by Adela Basayne. RSVP
What Is Israeli Food? Sunday, Nov. 14, 2 pm – Room Bet
Jenn Louis will teach you about the rich and savory collection of Israeli food, how it came to be and what are some of her favorites. This class, a combination of demonstration, lecture and Q&A, will focus on what Israelis eat and how modern Israeli cuisine developed. RSVP
Upcoming Events
Alte Rocker 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!
Lev Tahor Chanting Circle Thursday, Oct. 28, 7 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. RSVP
Welcome Tea Sunday, Nov. 14, 4:30 pm – Room Aleph
The Welcome Committee invites new and newish faces to the New & Prospective Member Welcome Tea—an informal Zoom gathering. Come and meet other new and prospective members and some long-time members too! Ask questions about Havurah and be ready to have some fun! BYOT! (Bring Your Own Tea!) RSVP
Community Minyan Saturday, Oct. 30, 10 am– Room Aleph
Led by community members or Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading and discussion.
Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation Tuesday, Nov. 2, 12 pm – Room Bet
We gather to find some moments of quiet and shalom. Led by Rabbi Benjamin or Nancy Becker.
Morning Minyan
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 8:30 am – Room Aleph
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish.
Please mark your calendars: Headstone Unveiling Ceremony for Dick Mastbrook z”l Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2 pm – Havurah Cemetery
Gather in memory at the Havurah cemetery. Covid precautions will be observed.
Tikkun Olam Updates and Events
Tikkun Olam Cluster Update 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.
Racial Justice Committee Update Opportunities for Involvement with The Racial Justice Committee
The Racial Justice Committee is moving forward by launching two workgroups, one focused on individual and personal education/reckoning, the other on education and political action about criminal justice reform and policing. Contact Bob Brown if you are interested in learning more contributing to either or both these working groups as they get started.
Poverty and Homelessness Committee Update SHMATA SHMITA!
A todah rabbah from Jenn Louis after last weekend’s homeless supplies drive: “Thank you to everyone who dropped clothes off on Sunday at Havurah. I am so grateful to have an abundance of clothes to share with our neighbors who are living on the street. Portland is a tough place to live outside during the fall and winter and your generosity will be gratefully accepted. Please feel free to contact me with any questions."
Volunteers for the Winter Weather Clothing and Housing Needs Drive on Sunday pose among the copious donations brought by Havurahniks.
Tikkun Olam Cluster Event Shmita Year: Pre-Chanukah Swap Meet to Lighten Our Impact on the Earth Saturday, Nov. 2, 2-4:30 pm – Wallace Park Shelter, NW 25th Ave. and Raleigh St.
Looking for Chanukah gifts? Have toys, books, games, jewelry, stuffed animals, or other items in good repair that you no longer use/need but would make a good gift? The Tikkun Olam Cluster is sponsoring this Covid-safe (masks required) Chanukah swap meet. Join us even if you have nothing to swap! The playground and grassy area are available to socialize. If you do have items, bring them to the shelter between 1:30-2 or at your neighborhood drop off site if you have one. Questions? Want to help? Email shmita@havurahshalom.org. RSVP
Climate Action Team Event Shmita Economics: Transforming Our Relationship to Money Sunday, Nov. 14, 7 pm – Room Bet
The Shmita year has ancient teachings to release debts and care for each other and the earth. Please join Marianna Grossman and Dr. Harriet Cooke as we spring from these Torah teachings into understanding our modern economy and money systems. How can we participate in transforming our economic system and our own financial lives in a way that upholds our core Shmita values? RSVP
Creative Project Help Needed
A short (20-second) video about Havurah Shalom is needed. Reconstructing Judaism is asking all congregations to submit a video that best depicts our members B’Yachad – engaged in Reconstructing Judaism Together. It will be shown at the opening of the RJ Convention in March. Later the assembled videos will be used to create an interactive directory of congregations. Can you help? If so, please contact Evan King.
Please Complete the Havurah Survey
Recently, every adult member of your household received an invitation to complete the Havurah survey. The results of the survey will guide the congregation for the near future as we tackle a variety of issues that affect us individually and as a community. Your input is crucial. The survey will take about 30 minutes to complete. But–you can start it, save your answers, and come back at another time to complete it. Thank you for contributing to the future of Havurah!
Nominating Committee Looking for Members
Havurah's Nominating Committee recruits candidates annually to serve in all Steering positions, and also helps with preparing the election slate and with onboarding of new Steering members. We are beginning our work for the 2022 Steering slate and are looking for a few new committee members. If you would like to know more or join us for a meeting, please contact Debbi Nadell.
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 or info.
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!urah Zoom Rooms
To see our full Zoom room instructions, click here. Member sign-in required.
Daily Shofar Blast Sunday, Sep 14th (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.
Havurahnik Mahjong Group Monday, Sep 15th 1:00p to 4:00p Just for Havurah members, our Mahjong Group is a fun, social activity that builds community, encouraging new friendships and cementing old ones. And while some of us may play elsewhere as well, we all agreed that restoring its place as an ongoing congregational activity will be a good fit for Havurah and those of us who play or want to learn the game.
(ZM) High Holiday Safety Training Monday, Sep 15th 6:30p to 7:30p All Havurah members are invited to this important safety training. High Holidays event manager Rachel Pollak will cover the procedures and practices that keep us safe at the Tiffany Center and at the Havurah building, and Secure Community Network Regional Security Advisor Jessica Anderson will teach us situational awareness and de-scalation. There will be time for questions at the end. All High Holiday greeters, ushers and event monitors are especially encouraged to attend this training. It will be recorded for those not able to attend.
(ZM) Climate Change Book Group Slow Reading of "Not Too Late" Tuesday, Sep 16th 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) Story Turning: Harvesting Joy in the Past Tuesday, Sep 16th 7:00p to 8:15p Teshuvah is the ongoing process of Turning and Returning. Using brief, simple, playful forms: sound, movement, story, stillness—which EVERYONE can do—we'll discover and shape our own tales of transformation and renewal.
Together we’ll play with a few classic Jewish tales and find our own voices, visions, ancestors, light, and revelations. This is not a performance class. No experience is required, just a willingness to be curious and a little silly.
Led by Cassandra Sagan, a twice-ordained Maggid (Jewish storyteller/teacher), and a lifetime creative process/poetry/arts educator.
(IP) My Soul Thirsts for You: Elul Watercolor Workshop Wednesday, Sep 17th 7:00p to 8:15p Elul opens the gates of return. It’s a time when we are invited to soften, reflect, and seek out closeness with the Divine. In this workshop we'll explore watercolor, which is an especially effective medium for holding and expressing emotion. Our learning will center on the 13 Attributes, a sacred text recited throughout the High Holiday season, as we invite in qualities of compassion, honesty, and patience. No art experience needed, just a willingness to experiment and be present. All materials provided. Led by Noah Lind, Rabbinic Intern.
Hakol Deadline is Thursday, September 18 Thursday, Sep 18th (All day) Havurah members, click to learn how to submit your contributions to our monthly newsletter, Hakol.
