Hineinu: Covid Policy Under Consideration, Shabbaton Invite
Author
Date Added
Covid Policy Update
Vaccination/Testing Requirement Being Considered
As the COVID Management Team (“CMT”) shared last month, the Steering Committee is considering a vaccination/testing requirement for the Havurah building that would be administered on an honor system. The Steering Committee considered this recommendation at its Nov. 9 meeting and it will be on the agenda again on Dec. 12. For more details about the recommendation, click here.
As always, if you have questions, comments or concerns about this recommendation, or any COVID policy issues, please send an email to info@havurahshalom.org. Your email will be shared with the CMT and one of the members will get back to you.
Upcoming Classes and Events
Community Minyan Saturday, Dec. 11, 10 am – Zoom Room Aleph Led by community members, this service includes davening, Torah reading and discussion.
Tot Shabbat Saturday, Dec. 11, 10:30 am – Zoom Room Bet Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings and storytelling.
Shmita Year Winter Art Class Sunday, December 12, 7-9 pm – RSVP to receive Zoom link A drawing class that will help with your Shmita year relaxation. Adults and children are welcome. No prior art experience necessary. Carolina Martinez will lead you in creating a picture that incorporates your style and uses a minimal amount of art supplies! Art supply list will be provided after RSVP.
A Shmita for Hearts and Minds Support Group Monday, Dec. 13, 5 pm – Zoom Room Bet Join the support group on Shmita for Hearts and Minds to help counter the anxiety and discouragement that can come with our climate and social justice work. Cultivate a balance of rest, personal care, activism, and faith in community with others. We’ll have time for sharing and discussion, a guided meditation, and planning for future meetings. All are welcome to attend, whether or not you attended the first workshop held in October.
Open Meeting on Hybrid Gatherings Monday, Dec. 13, 6 pm – Zoom Room Dalet When Havurah eventually transitions back to gathering in person, we will remain committed to the expanded access provided by the Internet. But what will access look like? How do we hold events, classes and services in person and online at the same time? Over the summer, a group of Havurahniks met to begin this conversation and were very productive. To continue this work, we will meet and share our thoughts about modes of attendance, meaningful participation, the role technology plays in experience, and most of all, what works for us. (We won't be discussing specific technologies or immediately making any decisions.) Join us to help imagine the Havurah gatherings of tomorrow. For more information, please contact Rachel Pollak.
Israel/Palestine Committee Meeting Wednesday, Dec. 15, 7 pm – Zoom Room Gimel We will assess where we have been and discuss our future approach and activities for 2022. All Havurah members are welcome to attend. RSVP
Lev Tahor Chanting Circle Thursday, Dec. 16, 7 pm – Zoom 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
Kabbalat Shabbat Ruach Service Friday, Dec. 17, 6:30 pm – Zoom Room Aleph A musical, soulful way to welcome Shabbat. Songs of joy and peace for rest, reflection, and renewal.
Bat Mitzvah of Eden Siegel-Lukin Saturday, Dec. 18, 10 am – Zoom Room Aleph Join us as we welcome Eden Siegel-Lukin as a bat mitzvah.
Tikkun Olam Updates
Join Us for the First Meeting of the the Racial Justice Committee Thursday, Dec. 9, 6:30-8 pm – Zoom Room Bet – RSVP Earlier in November, after months of groundwork and the input of many voices, the Racial Justice Committee became Tikkun Olam's newest official committee, thanks to a unanimous vote by Steering. Through two workgroups–Social Justice Advocacy and Individual Education/Reckoning–we will provide a container within Havurah to educate ourselves and to seek opportunities to work toward racial justice. Please join us for the first official meeting of this new committee! Questions or want to be added to the committee email list or join a workgroup? Contact Bob Brown for more info.
You are invited to a special Shabbaton Weekend with Rabbi Deborah Waxman, president of Reconstructing Judaism.
Friday, Dec. 10, 8 pm Kabbalat Shabbat services, and Rabbi Waxman will speak on "Working Toward Racial Justice Across the Reconstructionist Movement."
Saturday, Dec. 11, 9:30 am Rabbi Waxman will deliver a d'var Torah during services and later speak on "From the First Bat Mitzvah to Today: 100 Years on the Cutting Edge."
Join via Zoom, meeting ID: 441 857 610. The service is password protected. To receive the password, please send an email to info@adatshalom.net before 5 pm Friday, Dec. 10.
Jewish Community Offerings
Musical & Artistic Opportunities for Convention Deadline Dec. 15 for video premiere March 23-27 Calling all Reconstructionist singers, musicians, dancers and artists to participate remotely in a video that will premiere at Convention. Deadline to indicate interest is Dec. 15. Seeking new/recent Jewish music by writers connected to the Reconstructionist movement for inclusion in a Convention program. Deadline to submit is Dec. 31. More info here.
Reconstructing Judaism Together Convention March 23-27, 2022 in Washington DC and online Come gather from March 23 to 27, 2022, for "B’Yachad: Reconstructing Judaism Together." 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 .
Is this your tallit set?
Long ago, someone left their beautiful tallit, kippah and tallit bag in the sanctuary. It's been in lost and found ever since. Please email Rachel in the office (rachel@havurahshalom.org) if you know whom it belongs to!
Resources
COVID-19 Vaccines & Assistance Congregation Neveh Shalom COVID-19 Outreach and Services (CNSCOS) provides information about the pandemic, testing, and vaccines, and helps 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. Contact cnscos@nevehshalom.org or call (971) 990-5652.
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 answer your question in Hakol. Everyone in our community benefits from this clarity!
Havurah Zoom Rooms
Room Aleph PC/Mac/Smartphone:Click here to join. Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 604560503 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5472. Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 604560503.
Room Bet PC/Mac/Smartphone:Click here to join. Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 291215092 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5472. Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 291215092.
Room Gimel PC/Mac/Smartphone:Click here to join. Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 502586440 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5472. Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 502586440.
Room Dalet PC/Mac/Smartphone:Click here to join. Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 472484392 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5472. Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 472484392.
Room Heh PC/Mac/Smartphone:Click hereto join. Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 87852542099 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5472. Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 87852542099.
To see our full Zoom room instructions, click here. Member sign-in required.
(HYB) Solidarity Shabbat Friday, Jun 27th 5:45p to 8:30p 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) Climate Change Shabbat Morning Shabbat, Jun 28th 10:00a to 12:00p Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin (who is on sabbatical until July 1, 2025), 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@havurhshalom.org.
(HYB) Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual Sunday, Jun 29th 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) Palestinian Justice Letter Writing Group Monday, Jun 30th 6:00p to 7:30p We hold monthly letter writing group Zoom gatherings to write letters to our lawmakers for Israel/Palestine justice. Questions? Email Dale Oller (member log-in required to access directory). Feel free to drop in any time! There’s no need to RSVP, but please do RSVP if you need the Zoom login. Non-Havurah-members very welcome as well.
(IP) Pride Kabbalat Shabbat in the Park Friday, Jul 11th 6:30p to 8:30p Celebrate queer and Jewish joy with a special Kabbalat Shabbat service at Columbia Park! We’ll enjoy a potluck dinner together afterward. Beverages will be provided. BYOB. All are welcome.
(HYB) Shabbat Morning Shabbat, Jul 12th 10:00a to 12:00p Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin (who is on sabbatical until July 1, 2025), 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.
