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) Shabbat Morning with Music Shabbaton (w/ Aly Halpert) Shabbat, May 10th 10:00a to 12:00p This community minyan will feature the musical contributions of Aly Halpert who is in residence with us this Shabbat. 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.
(IP) Tot Shabbat Shabbat, May 10th 10:30a to 11:15a Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. All are welcome! Please RSVP when you plan to come. We provide free childcare for those staying to enjoy the full Shabbat service that ends at noon and which is followed by a light community brunch. Email info@havurahshalom.org to learn more.
(IP) Songs for Liberation Song Circle (w/ Aly Halpert) Shabbat, May 10th 4:30p to 6:30p (Currently this event is for Havurah members only, as registrations are capped at 80 people. Havurah members, be sure to RSVP.) Rising Song Records artist Aly Halpert concludes our music shabbaton with a Song Circle, a space to enjoy our voices together as we learn new and ancient Jewish songs and niggunim together. Aly Halpert is at the epicenter of a resurgence of Jewish music-making– introducing new tunes, new words, and new ways of bringing music into davening and community-building.
Rose Haven Walk (register at their 2025 Reigning Roses Walk site) Sunday, May 11th 10:00a to 1:00p Rose Haven supporters and guests will unite to stride a beautiful route through NW Portland on Mother’s Day at the 12th Annual Reigning Roses Walk. Walk with, or in honor of, a special woman in your life – a mother, grandmother, daughter, partner, or friend. 10 am check-in, 11 am begin walking. (We've cancelled the Havurah Teen Engagement plan for this event; just go to the Rose Haven 2025 Reigning Roses Walk website to register!)
(IP) Jewish Ethical Responses to the Problem of Racism Monday, May 12th 6:30p to 7:45p We will address topics such as countering white nationalism and antisemitism, Jewish perspectives on reparations, repairing Jewish pioneer memory, and responding to racial microaggressions. Facilitated by Karen Sherman and Adela Basayne.
(HYB) Steering Meeting Tuesday, May 13th 6:30p to 8:30p Steering members and staff will meet to consider matters of governance. All Havurah Shalom members are invited to attend Steering Committee meetings. For Zoom join links, visit havurahshalom.org/zoom (must be logged in) or call the office in advance for assistance (503-248-4662).
(IP) Hebrew as a Tool: Prayer and Torah (registration closed) Wednesday, May 14th 7:00p to 8:15p (This class will now be starting on January 8.) Using an in-depth, word-by-word approach, we discover literal meaning(s), ancient layers of understanding, and our own personal interpretations that stem from the nuances of the Hebrew text. Basic Hebrew decoding skills necessary.
(IP) B’nei Mitzvah Drash and Service Workshop Thursday, May 15th 7:00p to 8:00p Students and parents are guided through responding to Torah in a drash. You will also take a walk through the Shabbat Morning service. Led by Sarah Shine.
(HYB) Text and Torah Shabbat: "Forgotten" Jewish Rituals Shabbat, May 17th 10:00a to 12:00p One hour of text study with Diane Chaplin on special topics, followed by a brief service. 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.
