Genizah Ritual Last Sunday
On May 22, Rabbi Benjamin led Havurah members in a ritual to respectfully bury the machzorim that we used for many years in our new genizah, or receptacle for sacred texts. As Jews, we are enjoined by tradition to treat our sacred texts as living entities. The photo below was taken at Sunday's Genizah Ritual by Rachel Pollak. More photos here.
Classes & Events
Please follow our safety requirements at all in-person gatherings. Thank you!
Weekly Happenings
Weekly Parsha Study Saturdays, 9 am, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
Join Havurah for a community-led study session of the weekly Torah reading before each Shabbat service.
Shabbat Morning Service Saturdays, 10 am, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
All are welcome at our Shabbat services, including b'nei mitzvah services. You don't need to receive an invitation. Just come celebrate with the b'nei mitzvah, their family, and the community! Check our online calendar for details about all Shabbat services.
Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation Tuesdays, 12 pm, Zoom Room Bet & In Person
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
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. No invitation is required. All are welcome!
Office Closure for Memorial Day Monday, May 30
Our office will be closed on May 30 for the Memorial Day holiday.
Bat Mitzvah of Arianna Gammage Saturday, June 4, 10 am – Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
Please join us in welcoming Arianna Gammage as a bat mitzvah and member of our community. No invitation is required. All are welcome!
Tikkun Leyl Shavuot: A Night of Learning and Connection Saturday June 4, 8 pm
More info coming soon!
Shavuot Service Sunday, June 5, 10 am – Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
We will celebrate Shavuot with a morning service, including Yizkor and a short Torah service, and we will also welcome a new Torah to Havurah Shalom, lent by the Lager family. Afterward, enjoy an oneg with simple dairy (and non-dairy!) treats. The photo above of Julia Lager Mesulam and her family's Torah was taken by Adela Basayne.
The Song Circle Monday, June 6, 7:30 pm – Zoom Room Dalet & In Person
The Song Circle is based on a program designed by Joey Weisenberg and the Rising Song Institute. It is open to all who wish to learn, share music, and grow their personal leadership techniques. The guided self-study requires access to a library of Joey’s music videos, written materials, and short instructional videos, which costs $18/month per person. Limited subsidies are available. Contact: Ken Lerner
Tot Shabbat Saturday, June 11, 10:30 am – Zoom Room Bet (Meeting by Zoom only.)
Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. RSVP here.
Annual Congregational Meeting Sunday, June 12, 10 am – Zoom Room Aleph (Meeting by Zoom only.)
Members will hear updates and vote on the 2022-23 budget.
"5 Broken Cameras" Film Discussion Sunday, June 12, 7 pm – Zoom Room Gimel
Please watch the film on your own prior to the discussion. It's available free through your county library system; sign up with kanopy.com. You can watch the trailer here. Sponsored by the Israel/Palestine Committee.
Save the Date: Pride in the Park Kabbalat Shabbat 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, setup and cleanup? Sign up here. RSVPs will open for the service soon, but for now we are looking for people who wish to help.
Tikkun Olam Updates
Racial Justice Committee Volunteer Opportunity Friday, June 17, 12-8 pm (and same time on Saturday & Sunday)
The Havurah Racial Justice Committee presents a unique volunteer opportunity! Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S., is now a federal and state holiday. Portland's Juneteenth Oregon organization is asking for volunteers on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 17-19. Could some Havuraniks support this event? (Four-hour shifts preferred.) Contact Kathy Gordon or Kristine Munholland, and we will connect you to the event coordinators. Learn more.
Save the Date: Forum on the Global Refugee Crisis Wednesday, June 22, 5:30 pm – Zoom Room TBA
The Sanctuary Committee recognizes that refugee resettlement and immigration are challenging at both the national and local level. We will hear from experts about the global refugee situation, the current status of the U.S. resettlement program, and how Jewish communities and individuals can help. Speakers include Naomi Steinberg, Vice President for Policy and Advocacy, HIAS; Myra Dahgaypaw, Refugee Congress Delegate and Senior Partnership Officer for Justice and International Accountability at UUSC; and Havurah members. Contact: Lauren Fortgang Register here.
News from the Streets: Monthly PHFS Dinner
Our monthly dinner at Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) has continued through the pandemic under the guidance of Len and Elayne Shapiro, who are in need of more volunteers. Two families are needed each month: one to bring a veggie main dish, the other to bring a salad and yogurt for approximately 30 people. The food can be dropped at their house in Garden Home or at the PHFS shelter in the Lents neighborhood on the afternoon of the second Wednesday of the month. Sign up at bit.ly/havurahshalom. Thanks to the many families who have done this mitzvah and to those considering! Contact: Len and Elayne Shapiro
Have You Updated Your Member Account Recently?
Please remember to update your member account whenever your contact information changes. It's helpful to log in occasionally to be sure your information is up to date. To access your account:
Click on the "log in" link in the upper right corner of the website.
Enter your email address and password.
Forgot your password? Create a new one! After you receive an email from Havurah/ShulCloud confirming the new password, you'll be ready to log in.
Click on "profile" or another icon to make your updates.
New Karen Labinger Misheberach Request Form
Havurah members can use our new Misheberach request form now to request that the names of relatives or Havurah members be read during the Misheberach (healing prayer) at Shabbat services. The form is linked below and can be found in the drop-down menu under “Services” on our website, when you are logged in as a member. During a three-month pilot project that began May 17, we invite you to use this form to send us comments or questions. The list is named after Karen Labinger, of blessed memory, who read the names of people in need of healing during the Misheberach. – Sam Sirkin, Tivona Reith, and Fran Berg
Paid Zoom Host Positions Open
Havurah is seeking to fill paid positions for two people to monitor our Zoom rooms during services and other events and to help support the online component of b’nei mitzvah. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Please share this job description with those who may be interested.
Community News
Aaron Kahn's OneTable Dinner: Music & the Mediterranean Friday, May 27, 7-9 pm
For location of event, contact Aaron Kahn
Travel with us in sound and nourishment to Israel as we eat food from the woman-owned Lil' Shalom and explore the musical instruments, songs, and events passed down through generations. If you play an instrument or sing, please bring it or your voice! Street parking is free – a bit tough in the NW Portland neighborhood, but you can find it. The dinner is for young adults ages 21-39 who play or appreciate music. Learn more.
Resources
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're interested in being on a list of people who support others in concrete ways, such as grocery shopping or running other errands, please contact Lotsa Helping Hands. To request that the name of a relative or Havurah member be read during the Misheberach (healing prayer) at Shabbat services, use this Misheberach Request Form.
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.
(HYB) Solidarity Shabbat Friday, Jun 27th 5:45p to 8:30p 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) Climate Change Shabbat Morning Shabbat, Jun 28th 10:00a to 12:00p Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin (who is on sabbatical until July 1, 2025), 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@havurhshalom.org.
(HYB) Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual Sunday, Jun 29th 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) Palestinian Justice Letter Writing Group Monday, Jun 30th 6:00p to 7:30p We hold monthly letter writing group Zoom gatherings to write letters to our lawmakers for Israel/Palestine justice. Questions? Email Dale Oller (member log-in required to access directory). Feel free to drop in any time! There’s no need to RSVP, but please do RSVP if you need the Zoom login. Non-Havurah-members very welcome as well.
(IP) Pride Kabbalat Shabbat in the Park Friday, Jul 11th 6:30p to 8:30p Celebrate queer and Jewish joy with a special Kabbalat Shabbat service at Columbia Park! We’ll enjoy a potluck dinner together afterward. Beverages will be provided. BYOB. All are welcome.
(HYB) Shabbat Morning Shabbat, Jul 12th 10:00a to 12:00p Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin (who is on sabbatical until July 1, 2025), 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.
