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.
Conversation Group for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & People of Color) and Multiracial Families
Wednesday, May 18, 6:30 pm, Zoom Room Bet
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. This conversation is for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous & People of Color) and multiracial families. Led by Havurah consultants Tabitha and Adam St. Bernard-Jacobs. RSVP here.
"The Worst Thing"
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
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 – Zoom Room TBA
The Havurah Israel/Palestine Committee continues its discussion series of three Israeli documentaries on May 23. You can watch the trailer for "The Law in These Parts" here. Please watch the film, which is available through Kanopy.com, prior to the discussion. The discussion will be led by Fran Payne Adler and Lois Bronfman and is for Havurah members only. We encourage you to invite your Havurah friends to join us. Contact: Lee Gordon. RSVP here.
Book Group Discussion of Beloved
Tuesday, May 24, 7 pm – Zoom Room Bet
Winner of the 1988 Pulitzer Prize, Toni Morrison’s Beloved is a spellbinding and innovative portrait of a woman haunted by the past. Sethe was born a slave and escaped to Ohio, but eighteen years later she is still not free. This novel has much to offer, whether you have never read it or have read it a dozen times. Discussion led by David Newman. Learn more.
AlteRocker Happy Hour
Thursday, May 26, 4:30 pm – Zoom Room Heh
Come schmooze with us. And mark your calendars for monthly schmoozes – the last Thursday of the month!
Lev Tahor Chanting Circle
Thursday, May 26, 7 pm – Zoom Room Bet & In Person
Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin. We'll gather in community for an evening of contemplative practice, chanting interspersed with silence, guided by teachings from the tradition. Everyone is welcome! RSVP here.
Bar Mitzvah of Sasha Blau
Saturday, May 28, 10 am – Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
Please join us in welcoming Sasha Blau as a bar mitzvah and member of our community.
Office Closure for Memorial Day
Monday, May 30
Havurah's office will be closed on May 30 for Memorial Day.
Pride in the Park Kabbalat Shabbat is Seeking Volunteers
Friday, June 17, 6 pm – Columbia Park
Celebrate Kabbalat Shabbat and Pride with a special service at Columbia Park! We’ll enjoy a paper-sack catered dinner afterwards. Would you like to take part in our Pride service leadership by helping to plan the service, offering intentions, sharing readings/poetry or playing music? Please contact Rabbi Benjamin. Would you like to help with things like food distribution, helping attendees, set-up and clean-up? Sign up here. RSVPs will open for the service in a couple weeks, but for now we are looking for people who wish to help.