Havurah is partnering with Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW) to help resettle an Afghan family in Portland. While LCSNW will place the family in permanent housing, Havurah’s direct fundraising will help support the family’s other needs. For this purpose, Havurah's Sanctuary Committee and Steering Committee have created the Afghan Family Support Fund. Please consider a contribution in any amount to help us welcome the Afghan family. (At this time, your contributions are not tax-deductible.)
Shabbat Morning Service – Zoom Room Aleph & In Person Saturdays, 10 am
Check our online calendar for details.
Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation – Zoom Room Bet Tuesdays, 12 pm
We gather to find moments of quiet and shalom. Led by Rabbi Benjamin, Adela Basayne, or Nancy Becker.
Morning Minyan – Zoom Room Aleph & In Person Wednesdays, 8:30 am
For all who want a regular prayer practice and those saying Kaddish.
UPCOMING ...
Joint Yom HaShoah Service and Special “Voices of the Generations” Presentation with Julie Kohner Wednesday, April 27, 7 pm, Zoom Link & Login Here
Please join Havurah Shalom and five other west coast congregations for a special Yom HaShoah Service and presentation by Julie Kohner, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor. Ms. Kohner will be sharing some of her mother’s story, as well as the changing way her mother’s story was told over the years. We will watch a 1953 episode of “This is Your Life,” which was the first time a Holocaust survivor shared her story on national television. The presentation will be held in the larger context of a service honoring the Holocaust with music, prayers, and ritual contributions from all six of our congregations. Learn more.
AlteRocker Happy Hour– Zoom Room Heh Thursday, April 28, 4:30 pm
Come schmooze with us. And mark your calendars for monthly schmoozes – the last Thursday of the month!
Bar Mitzvah of Benjamin Bettridge – Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
Saturday, April 30, 10 am
Please join us in welcoming Benjamin Bettridge as a bar mitzvah and member of our community.
Mah Jongg Group Meeting– In Person Sunday, May 1, 1 pm
At this first meeting in person at Havurah since the pandemic began, we will get acquainted and settle on a tentative schedule. Experienced players and people new to the game are welcome. If you have questions or would like to be added to the email list, please contact Leah Hershey.
Israeli Documentary Discussion– Zoom Room Bet Sunday, May 1, 7 pm
The Israel/Palestine Committee invites you to join us on a powerful journey through a Spring Zoom discussion series of three Israeli documentaries. The first discussion, about "1948: Creation & Catastrophe," will be led by Lee Gordon and Harriet Cooke. Please watch the film on your own in advance. Learn more here.
The Song Circle– Zoom Room Dalet & In Person Monday, May 2, 7:30 pm
The Song Circle meets on the first Monday of the month and is open to all who wish to learn, share music, and grow their leadership skills. Based on Joey Weisenberg and the Rising Song Institute's program, it involves guided self-study of communal songs and niggunim using Joey’s videos and written materials. Access to Joey's library costs $18/month per person, but limited subsidies are available. Contact: Ken Lerner
Anti-Racisim and Belonging Conversation for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & People of Color) Youth Ages 14-24 – Zoom Room Bet Wednesday, May 4, 6:30 pm
We invite you to embark with us on gaining a better understanding of how anti-racism and belonging shows up within the congregation through this small group conversation. All conversation groups are structured by self-selected shared identity. This discussion is for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & People of Color) youth ages 14-24. Led by Havurah consultants Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs and Adam St. Bernard Jacobs. RSVP here.
New & Prospective Member Afternoon in the Park Sunday, May 15, 4-5:30 pm
Wallace Park, NW 25th & Raleigh: Meet at the shelter.
The Welcome Committee invites new and newish faces to an afternoon at the park for a chance to get to know each other and Havurah! Come and meet other new and prospective members and some longtime members too! Ask questions about Havurah and be ready to have some fun! RSVP here.
B'nei Mitzvah Event Planning 101 – Zoom Room Bet Thursday, May 5, 7 pm
In this workshop, we will walk through event planning basics for both the service and reception. We will break down the event planning process into manageable steps, with a worksheet to help you stay on track. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, connect with others, and take the stress out of event planning so you can experience the joy that comes with this special occasion. Taught by Chari Smith. RSVP here.
Tot Shabbat – Zoom Room Bet (Online Only)
Saturday, May 7, 10:30 am
Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. RSVP here.
Kabbalat Shabbat – Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
Friday, May 13, 6:30 pm
A spirited, all-ages service led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians. All are welcome! Unfortunately we will not yet be able to include an oneg or dinner, but stay tuned – plans are in the works!
Bar Mitzvah of Ari Strom– Zoom Room Aleph & In Person Saturday, May 14, 10 am
Please join us in welcoming Ari Strom as a bar mitzvah and member of our community.
Conversation Group for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & People of Color) and Multiracial Families Sunday, May 15, 10 am (Zoom Room Gimel) RSVP here.
Wednesday, May 18, 6:30 pm (Zoom Room Bet) RSVP here.
We invite you to embark with us on gaining a better understanding of how anti-racism and belonging shows up within the congregation through this small group conversation. All conversation groups are structured by self-selected shared identity. This conversation is for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & People of Color) and multiracial families. Led by Havurah consultants Tabitha and Adam St. Bernard-Jacobs.
"Youth v Gov" Discussion – External Zoom Links
Today at 4:30 pm and Sunday, May 1, at 2 pm
"Youth v Gov," the award-winning documentary film about our constitutional right to a livable climate future, comes to Netflix on Friday. Live Zoom webinars on the legal case behind this film, with a focus on faith perspectives of the issue, will take place today at 4:30 pm (RSVP here) and on Sunday at 2 pm (RSVP here).
News From the Streets: First Thursday Interfaith Alliance on Poverty: Presenting Rahab's Sisters– External Zoom Link Thursday, May 5, 12 noon
Rahab’s Sisters offers stability, connection and acceptance to all who come. We believe community is a basic human need essential to well-being, and everyone deserves to feel they belong somewhere. Radical hospitality strives to break down barriers of fear, shame and judgment and create a healing space where individuals feel valued and find solidarity with one another. Register here in advance. Contact: Havurah member Sue Abrams
Nominating Committee Looking for Treasurer Candidates
Do you have some experience with organizational budgets or finance? Havurah's Nominating Committee is interested in talking to you about the Treasurer position on the Steering Committee. This is a great opportunity to join a group of amazing leaders and help Havurah manage our financial picture. Please contact Debbi Nadell or Ben Walters for more information.
Seeking Construction Job for Carlos
Carlos is a Guatemalan asylum seeker being sponsored by Havurah. A junior at Beaverton HS, he learned construction from his grandfather back in Guatemala and is seeking a job in the field on the west side this summer. Do you have any contacts or information? Please contact Kathy Gordon with leads.
Do You Need Support?
If you are facing emotional, financial, or health challenges and would welcome support, please consider contacting the (a) Bikkur Holim (Visiting the Sick) Committee for spiritual support, (b) Lotsa Helping Hands for help with food, transportation, or other errands, or (c) Rabbi Benjamin, for spiritual and moral support. (benjamin@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 Lotsa Helping Hands.
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!
To see our full Zoom room instructions, click here. Member sign-in required.
(ZM) Climate Change Book Group Slow Reading of "Not Too Late" Monday, Aug 18th 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) Healing the Heart, Soothing the Soul: A Grief Process Support Group Tuesday, Aug 19th 5:30p to 7:00p **Note: Registration for this group is now closed.** During the month of Elul, we are guided to examine our souls, explore our relationships, reflect on our actions with God and others, and prepare ourselves spiritually to begin a new year. With the Spirit of Elul, we will journey into exploring the aspects of grief. For Havurah members only. Limited to 8 people. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend all sessions.
(IP) Israeli Dancing Wednesday, Aug 20th 7:30p to 8:30p Join us to learn Israeli dancing! We’ll teach the steps and tell the stories behind Israeli dances while you enjoy the catchy rhythms, creative body movements, and spending time with friends.
Led by Havurah members Cindy Merrill and Gail Schwartz with dance instructor Rhona Feldman.
Hakol Deadline is Thursday, August 21 Thursday, Aug 21st (All day) Havurah members, click to learn how to submit your contributions to our monthly newsletter, Hakol.
(HYB) Solidarity Kabbalat Shabbat Friday, Aug 22nd 5:45p to 8:00p 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) Shabbat Morning Shabbat, Aug 23rd 10:00a to 12:00p Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, 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.
(HYB) Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual Sunday, Aug 24th 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) Israel-Palestine Committee Monthly Planning Meeting Sunday, Aug 24th 7:00p to 8:30p Havurah members, you are welcome to join the Israel-Palestine Committee planning group. We meet monthly in Zoom Room Dalet (fourth Sundays, 7 pm to 8:30 pm). For Zoom Room info, visit havurahshalom.org/zoom (be sure you log in to your Havurah member account).
Daily Shofar Blast Monday, Aug 25th (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.
