Hineinu, May 4, 2022

Reviewing Long Range Planning Data on Sunday, May 22

The Long Range Planning Data Analysis Team has been working for the past few months on combing through the information gathered through the Havurah census, survey, focus groups, and other recent work in the community. We have data on a range of issues – many related to our growth, our governance and staffing structures, our financial model, and how our mission statement and values are reflected throughout the congregation. 

We are looking forward to sharing the data with you and hearing your observations and recommendations as we put a formal Long Range Plan together. We have scheduled a meeting on May 22, 9-11:30 am. Based on attendee responses, we will determine if we will meet in person at Havurah or on Zoom. Please RSVP for the meeting below.

We will send participants materials for the meeting so you will have a chance to review the data before we convene. We hope you can join us on May 22!

 – Adela Basayne, Debbi Nadell, and Sam Sirkin

Genizah Ritual and Cemetery Beautification Day (Also on May 22)

As Jews, we are enjoined by tradition to treat our sacred texts as living entities. At noon on May 22, we will gather to open Havurah Shalom's genizah (a repository for our sacred texts) for the first time and respectfully retire our old machzorim. The ritual will be led by Rabbi Benjamin. Our annual Cemetery Beautification Day will follow the service. Additionally, Oren Kosansky will teach a class on May 17 for members interested in learning about the genizah tradition. (Details below.)

Upcoming Classes & Events

Please follow our safety requirements at all in-person gatherings. Thank you!

Weekly Happenings

​Shabbat Morning Service
Saturdays, 10 am, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
Check our online calendar for details.

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

Morning Minyan
Wednesdays, 8:30 am, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
For all who want a regular prayer practice and those saying Kaddish.

Upcoming Events

CANCELED: Anti-Racisim and Belonging Conversation
Wednesday, May 4, 6:30 pm
The Anti-Racism and Belonging Conversation originally scheduled for tonight has been canceled. Click here for the schedule of upcoming conversations. Below you can find information and RSVP links for conversations for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & People of Color) and Multiracial Families on May 15 and 18. All conversation groups are structured by self-selected shared identity. 

B'nei Mitzvah Event Planning 101
Thursday, May 5, 7 pm, Zoom Room Bet
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
Saturday, May 7, 10:30 am, Zoom Room Bet (Online Only)
Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. RSVP here.

Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, May 13, 6:30 pm, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
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
Saturday, May 14, 10 am, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
Please join us in welcoming Ari Strom as a bar mitzvah and member of our community.

Conversation Groups 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 Havurah through this small group conversation. All conversation groups are structured by self-selected shared identity. These conversations are for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & People of Color) and multiracial families. Led by Havurah consultants Tabitha and Adam St. Bernard-Jacobs.

New & Prospective Member Afternoon in the Park
Sunday, May 15, 4 pm
Wallace Park, NW 25th & Raleigh. Meet at the shelter.
The Welcoming 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. (Artwork by Cassandra Sagan)

Sustainability Actions We Can Each Take
Sundays, May 15 & 22, 7 pm, Zoom Room Bet
Steve Katz and Carolina Martinez welcome the Havurah community and non-Havurah friends to learn more about and discuss climate sustainable actions we each can take. Tell your friends and family, because together our actions can help the climate crisis! Learn more and register. 

"Braiding Sweetgrass" Book Study – Zoom Room Dalet
Begins Monday, May 16, 5:30 pm - Meets every other Monday.
We will be reading "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer to connect to indigenous wisdom about life and social action around the environment. We are reaching out to see if new people want to join our lively and joyful book discussions. We will meet every other Monday beginning May 16. Open to nonmembers as well as members. Sponsored by the Climate Action Team. Contact: Michael Heumann. Learn more and RSVP here.

Havurah Shalom's Genizah: What & Why
Tuesday, May 17, 7 pm, Zoom Room Aleph
The genizah has been an integral part of Jewish ritual life in communities across time and space. Come spend an hour learning about the tradition of treating sacred texts as living beings deserving of honor and respect at the end of their useful lives. In preparation for the first opening of our genizah on May 22, this class will give us an opportunity to think deeply and expansively about life, death, and Torah. Led by Oren Kosansky. RSVP here.

"The Worst Thing" (German Title: "To Germany, With Love")
Thursday, May 19, 5 pm
Movie will be shown in Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
In 1985, Kathleen lost her brother Eddie, an American soldier, to the Red Army Faction (RAF), a German leftist terrorist organization. This film follows Kathleen decades later as she travels to Germany to make peace with aging former members of the RAF. The documentary shows new possibilities for forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation and provides an intimate window into the long-term friendship between two queer women of color. Kathleen and the filmmaker, Des, will join us virtually after the movie. Pizza will be provided for in-person viewers. Sponsored by Lifelong Learning. RSVP here.

Long Range Planning Data Review: Open Meeting
Sunday, May 22, 9-11:30 am, Location TBD
The Long Range Planning Committee invites all interested members to review the census and survey responses together with committee members as we move towards distilling recommendations from the data collected so far. Please RSVP here to help us determine whether we will meet in person or on Zoom.

Genizah Ritual
Sunday, May 22, 12 pm, Havurah Cemetery (Directions to Cemetery)
As Jews, we are enjoined by tradition to treat our sacred texts as living entities. We will gather to open Havurah Shalom's genizah, our repository for sacred texts, for the first time and respectfully retire our old machzorim. Led by Rabbi Benjamin.

Annual Cemetery Beautification Day
Sunday, May 22, 1 pm, Havurah Cemetery (Directions to Cemetery)
To beautify our cemetery, please bring garden implements and wear appropriate clothing.

"The Law in These Parts" Film Discussion
Monday, May 23, 7 pm (Location TBA)
The Havurah Israel/Palestine Committee invites you to join us on a powerful journey through a series of discussions of three Israeli documentaries. "The Law in These Parts" is the second in the series. Discussion will be led by Fran Payne Adler and Lois Bronfman. Please watch the film on your own prior to the discussion. Contact: Lee Gordon or Elinor Gollay. Learn more and RSVP.

Tikkun Olam Updates

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: Sue Abrams.

Landscaping Job for Carlos
Carlos, a Guatemalan immigrant being sponsored by Havurah, is looking for a landscaping job this summer. A junior at Beaverton HS, Carlos likes working outside with his hands and is eager to help support himself and his mother, Maria. If you have leads, please contact Kathy Gordon.

James Recycling Drop Off Event
May 15, 10 am - 12:30 pm, Mittleman Jewish Community Center
All items must be clean, dry, and sorted. Learn What to Bring, How to Sort Items and What Goes in Curbside Recycling/not accepted at event. Each grocery bag or 5-gallon container of sorted plastics costs $3 to recycle, and Styrofoam costs $3 per 39-gallon garbage bag. Hosted by the Climate Action Committee of the JCRC/Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. Steve Katz of Havurah's Climate Action Team is Havurah's representative on the committee.

News & Events From Our Tikkun Olam Partners

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

Announcements

Congregation to Vote to Amend Havurah's Bylaws at Annual Meeting
Havurah Shalom’s annual Congregational Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, June 12, at 10 am. This year’s meeting will include a request for approval of amendments to Havurah’s Bylaws. An annotated version of the Bylaws summarizing the requested changes is linked below. The changes propose an additional officer position, Recording Secretary for the Steering Committee, who will serve a two-year term and be responsible for taking minutes at Steering Committee meetings and maintaining the archives of the Steering Committee. The proposed Bylaws amendments also reflect general housekeeping changes, including deleting obsolete committee references and requirements. Please send questions or comments to corporatesec@havurahshalom.org.

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.

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 

To see our full Zoom room instructions, click here. Member sign-in required.