Welcome Back to Havurah Shalom, Teri Ruch!
With pleasure we announce that Teri Ruch, Havurah's Communications & Engagement Manager from 2014 to 2019, has returned to manage our communications. Teri will be working part-time, remotely from her sunny new home, initially taking over the editing and publication of Hineinu and the website, and other work as time goes on. The Staffing Task Force will continue its focus on the optimum configuration for Havurah staff over the medium and long term. – Adela Basayne, Program Director

Email Impersonations
Chevre, As happens periodically, a number of members have received emails impersonating Rabbi Benjamin. Please be assured that his actual email remains secure; these messages are coming from a gmail address using his name as the username. You can tell the difference because anything from the real Rabbi Benjamin will come from an address ending in @havurahshalom.org. If a message ends in @gmail.com, it is fake. If the message asks you for anything, such as money or gift cards, it is also fake. Rabbi Benjamin will never ask for things, and you should never send money in response to an email like this. Instead, you can safely move these messages to your spam folder and block the sender. There’s no need to alert the Havurah office, but if you’re not sure, we’re happy to help verify the sender.  – L'shalom, Havurah Staff

Upcoming Classes and Events

Text & Torah: Tetzaveh
Saturday, Feb. 12, 10 am – Zoom Room Aleph
Torah study led by Rabbi Benjamin will be followed by a shortened morning service.

Refa'einu Healing Service
Saturday, Feb. 12, 4:30 pm – Zoom Room Aleph
This service will 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, families, communities, planet. Co-facilitated by Maria Lisa Johnson and Rabbi Benjamin. Refa’einu, Yah, v’neirafei – Heal us, Source of All Healing, and we will be healed.

Tikkun Olam Spiritual Support Group
Monday, Feb. 14, 7 pm – Zoom Room Gimel
Our work of tikkun olam can be exhausting and feed a sense of hopelessness if we are not careful. Please join us for friendship, mutual support, inspiration, and meditation. Through personal sharing, action updates, and reminders of the joys still so much a part of our lives, we put our challenges in context with our strong spiritual foundation and build our strength for the long-distance run of tikkun olam. For more information, contact Harriet Cooke. Please let us know if you can join us.

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
Tuesday, Feb. 15, 12 pm – Zoom Room Bet
We gather to find some moments of quiet and shalom. Led by Rabbi Benjamin, Adela Basayne, or Nancy Becker.

"Becoming Rooted" Book Group
Tuesday, Feb. 15, 5:15 pm – Zoom Room Aleph
“Becoming Rooted” explores the connections we have with the land and the tools of nature that allow us to live sustainably and justly on this planet. This book discussion group is an opportunity to be in touch with the spiritual events that occur each day and to be connected to the land we live on. We’ll discuss new chapters every week. Join us whenever you can. For information, reach out to Michael Heumann. RSVPs welcome.

Morning Minyan
Wednesday, Feb. 16, 8:30 am – Zoom Room Aleph
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying
Kaddish.

In-Depth Torah Study: Parashat Beshalaḥ
Wednesday, Feb. 16, 7 pm – Zoom Room Dalet or In Person (see below) 
A thorough decoding of Exodus 13:17-17:16, Song of the Sea. We continue to build vocabulary and delve into what it means to escape oppression, rejoice, receive privilege at the expense of others, and keep moving. We will refer to ancient and modern midrashim (interpretation) that stem from the nuances of the Hebrew text. Basic Hebrew decoding ability needed (even slowly). Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. 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. Please RSVP here.

Lev Tahor Chanting Circle
Thursday, Feb. 17, 7 pm – Zoom Room Bet
We’ll gather in community for an evening of contemplative practice, chanting interspersed with silence, guided by teachings from the tradition. Everyone is welcome. 

Tot Shabbat
Saturday, Feb. 19, 10:30 am – Zoom Room Bet or In Person (see below)
Led by Adela Basayne, young children (0-5) and parents will celebrate with singing, movement, blessings and storytelling. Please check back closer to the date of this event for information on gathering. Depending on circumstances, this Tot Shabbat may take place in person, on Zoom, or both. Please RSVP if you plan to participate.

Ma'avar Conversation: Everything is Changing
Sunday, Feb. 20, 4 pm – Zoom Room Bet
The Ma'avar Committee invites you to join us in developing our program for this year. Join us for "A Discussion: Everything is Changing." What opportunities can we open to look at the transitions of life? We want to hear your stories and life experiences to guide the actions of this committee. For more information, contact Karen Erde.

Tikkun Olam Updates

Poverty and Homelessness Committee: News From the Streets

Read the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty's (IAP) Monthly Newsletter
 
Portland Homeless Family Solutions has received a $2.5 million grant from the Bezos Day One Fund! Learn more in this OPB interview with the Executive Director and a mom who was helped by PHFS, one of our Tikkun Olam partner organizations.

Please Consider Donating Blood
Our national blood supply is at an all-time shortage. Please consider donating. The American Red Cross can set up a Sunday Havurah blood donation schedule sometime in the next few months at their N. Vancouver location. A minimum of 35 donors needed. If you're interested, please email Gloria Halper to tell her which time on a Sunday works best for you. 

News & Events from Our Tikkun Olam Partners

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

Weekend In Quest 2022

How the Soviet Jew Was Made: Literature, Culture, Humor

with scholar-in-residence Sasha Senderovich
March 5-6, 2022 | Registration $18 per household

Now open for registration, the program will be presented virtually, in Zoom format, over the course of two days, honoring the program’s roots as a Shabbaton Study Weekend.

Lectures include:

• Hammer and Pickle: How Soviet Jews Joked — And Were Joked About
• Rooted and Rootless: History, Memory and Cultural Mythology
• Scenes of Encounter: How American Jews Imagined Soviet Jews — and Vice Versa
   

See more about our program at the Jewish Review.

Havdalah service will be led by Cantor Barbara Slader.

This is the second year Weekend in Quest is held under the auspices of the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education. The program was arranged by the Weekend in Quest planning committee, chaired by Mimi Epstein.

Detailed Information and Registration | Questions? Email Gail Mandel.

Reconstructing Judaism

Reconstructing Judaism Convention

March 23-27, 2022 in Washington, DC, and Online

We will come together, both in person and virtually, from March 23 to 27, for B'Yachad: Reconstructing Judaism Together in the Washington, D.C. metro area. During the convention, we will 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.

Our convention will take place in the versatile spaces of the beautiful Hilton McLean Tysons Corner hotel, located in the Chesapeake region. The hotel is five minutes from the Metro Silver Line, putting D.C. destinations within reach. A free shuttle stops at Tysons Galleria and other locations within a mile. Reserve a hotel room for our convention at a special rate. Learn more. 

Reconstructing Judaism is Marking an Historic Event – 100 years since the founding of the first RJ synagogue! Read all about it here.

Special Trip to Israel with Reconstructionist Congregations
April 24 to May 6, 2022
Join travelers from other Reconstructionist congregations on this Israel trip geared towards people who want a thorough first introduction to Israel and its complexities. The trip is organized in conjunction with Regarding Israel, a dynamic and reputable tour company, and will introduce participants to key sites and important themes connected to Israeli civil society and conflict and co-existence that will allow people to gain a deeper understanding of some of the key issues affecting Israelis today. Participants must have received their booster shot by March 15. More details and itinerary coming soon. More info here.

Community Happenings

National Discussions About Israel/Palestine
Ongoing – RSVP Offsite
The Havurah Israel/Palestine Committee is encouraging Havurah members to register for and attend all or some of the nine 1½ hour national sessions of Reconstructionists Expanding Our Conversation about Israel/Palestine being offered by Reconstructionist rabbis with a range of perspectives.

17th Annual Solomon Memorial Lecture: "American Jews in 2022: Who Counts? And Why That's Important" with Dr. Mijal Bitton
Thursday, Feb. 10, 5:30 pm – RSVP Offsite
In recent years, American Jews have become much more aware of the diversity of their community. American Jews are not only Ashkenazi Jews whose ancestors immigrated to the U.S. from Eastern Europe, but also Sephardic Jews, Mizrahi Jews, Jews of color, and Jews of many other backgrounds. In this talk, sociologist and thought leader Mijal Bitton explains why understanding this diversity and its implications is so crucial for the future of American Jewry.⁠

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.

How can we support each other during the pandemic?
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 or concerns  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 here to 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.