Letter from the Communications & Membership Coordinator

Dear Havurahniks,
 

After almost two and a half years of serving as your Communications & Membership Coordinator, I will be saying goodbye to the Havurah Shalom community on November 19. I'm so grateful to have been connected to a comprehensive Jewish organization whose history speaks for itself – creating something out of nothing and always striving to welcome anyone who shares its value set of bettering our world. This was the first Jewish organization I joined since I was a kid, and it has given me so much insight – it fundamentally changed what I imagined Jewish life to be. Since I joined in August 2019, I've welcomed in almost 100 new member families and we're now at almost 500 member families total – what a journey it has been.
 

For those whom I collaborated with and those who were always warm and welcoming – thank you. I will miss so many faces and spaces. Although I'm sad about leaving, I'm also excited to move on to new opportunities in Chicago. If you'd like to stay in contact, please reach out to info@havurahshalom.org and request my personal email address. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this wonderful community.
 

Sincerely,
Brad Pector

Latke Recipes & Hanukah Stories

Photo by Robert Zunikoff on Unsplash.

Upcoming Classes

Learn Something New About Our Teachers!
You probably know that Havurah offers a rich program of adult learning. In addition to classes taught by Education Director Deborah Eisenbach-Budner and Rabbi Benjamin, many are led by our own members. Who are our current teachers? Whether you are already signed up or think you may do so another time, click here to meet the people who are sharing their talents and perspectives with our community. We deeply appreciate their contributions.

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 here.

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 here.

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 of the Havurah Climate Action Team 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 here.

Upcoming Events

Bat Mitzvah of Marlo Dabareiner
Saturday, Nov. 13, 10 am – Room Aleph
Please join us in welcoming Marlo Dabareiner as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community.

Shmita Pre-Chanukah Swap to Lighten Our Impact on the Earth
Saturday, Nov. 13, 2-4:30 pm – Wallace Park Shelter, NW 25th Ave. & Raleigh St.
Looking for Chanukah gifts? Don’t buy new, come to Tikkun Olam’s swap meet. Come even if you have nothing to swap! Bring toys, books, games, jewelry, stuffed animals, etc., in good repair, that would make good gifts, to the shelter between 1:30-2 pm or at your neighborhood drop off site if you have one. The playground and grassy area are available to socialize. Masks required. Bring your own bag. Questions? Want to help? Email shmita@havurahshalom.org. RSVP here.

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 here.

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
Tuesday, Nov. 16, 12 pm – Room Bet
We gather to find some moments of quiet and shalom. Led by Rabbi Benjamin or Nancy Becker.

Lev Tahor Chanting Circle
Tuesday, Nov. 16, 7 pm – Zoom Room Bet & limited numbers at the Havurah building
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. While most people will participate via zoom, a small group will gather in the sanctuary to build energy together. Capacity is limited though, so if you are interested in being present in person, please contact Rabbi Benjamin at benjamin.barnett@havurahshalom.org.

Morning Minyan
Wednesday, Nov. 17, 8:30 am – Room Aleph
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish.

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.

Kabbalat Shabbat Ruach Service
Friday, Nov. 19, 6:30 pm – Room Aleph
A musical, soulful way to welcome Shabbat. Songs of joy and peace for rest, reflection, and renewal.

Community Minyan
Saturday, Nov. 20, 10 am – Room Aleph
Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion.

Refa'einu Healing Service
Saturday, Nov. 20, 3-4:15 pm – Room Aleph
Refa’einu Healing Services provide sacred space and time to focus on healing and wholeness. Through contemplative teachings, sacred chant, guided and silent meditations, embodied practice, and prayer, we open to healing energy — however it is needed in our lives, our families, our communities, our planet. Please RSVP for the November 20 service, to be co-facilitated by Laine Barbanell Schipper and Tivona Reith. Refa’einu, Yah, v’neirafei — Heal us, Source of All Healing, and we will be healed. RSVP here.

Shmita Living Lightly: Hanukah Card Making for Adults & Children
Sunday, Nov. 21, 2 pm – RSVP for Zoom link
Please join us at this event geared towards adults and children, making illustrated and collaged cards to send or hand deliver to friends and family. We will use supplies you can purchase, upcycle, or have at home already. Materials list at the RSVP link.

Book Group
An Egyptian Novel by Orly Castel-Bloom
Tuesday, Nov. 23, 7 pm – Room Bet
A family saga in realist style resembling a linked set of short stories. The protagonist has Egyptian roots going back many generations: on her father’s side, to the expulsion of the Jews of Spain in 1492, when seven brothers of the Kastil family (from Castille) landed on the Gaza. Two brothers of the family, Vita and Charlie Kastil (i.e. from Castille) immigrated from Egypt to Israel in the 1950s with their future wives Adele and Vivienne and settled on a kibbutz of the Marxist-Zionist Hashomer Hatzair. They were soon expelled for Stalinism and moved to Tel Aviv. Discussion led by Joel Beinin.

Hanukah Happenings
Tuesday, Nov. 30 & Sunday, Dec. 5 at 6:30 pm
Havurah’s Hanukah celebrations will be 100% remote again this year and lots of fun with latke cooking, recipe sharing, singing, candle lighting, storytelling, and schmoozing. We will celebrate together on two nights of Hanukah: the third (Tuesday, Nov. 30) and the last (Sunday, Dec. 5) at 6:30 pm. More details coming soon. Plan to join us for these joyous Hanukah get-togethers!

Tikkun Olam Updates & Events

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.

News & Events from Our Tikkun Olam Partners

Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) | Interfaith Alliance on Poverty (IAP) | Lift UP | MACG

Havurah Announcements

Changes in Invoicing
Havurah will be sending invoices for dues now entirely by email! Those with balances and not paying by ACH will receive email invoices quarterly – July, October, January, and April. Other collectibles such as tuition or fees will be billed at the same time. To see whether you have an open balance, log in to your account on the website and navigate to the My Transactions option. You’ll have the option to pay online, or you can send a check. Questions? Reach out to Rachel Pollak or Karen Westerman.

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.

Jewish Community Offerings

Order Guilt-Free Hanukah Gelt from T'ruah

T’ruah is partnering with Divine Chocolate USA to bring you kosher, guilt-free chocolate gelt made from Fairtrade cocoa grown by family farmers in Ghana. Order here. Divine Chocolate USA is co-owned by cocoa farmers who share in its profits. When you order gelt from Divine Chocolate USA this Hanukah, you’re making a commitment to value small-scale farmers by buying a product made of Fairtrade cocoa with no palm oil and no GMOs. When you buy Guilt-Free Gelt ⁠— available in both milk chocolate and dark chocolate — you will also be supporting T’ruah. Ten percent of all sales ordered through this link go directly to T’ruah.

Reconstructing Judiasm Together Convention
March 23-27, 2022 in Washington DC and online
Come gather from March 23–27, 2022 for B’Yachad: Reconstructing Judaism Together. During Convention, we will be together both in-person and virtually to learn from and with experts, scholars and lay leaders. We will engage in conversations, ask questions, and listen. We will pray together, sing together, dance together and celebrate all that we do every day in our communities to reconstruct Judaism. More info here.

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?

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.