Hineinu, June 1, 2022

Shavuot, a time of culmination, is a complicated holiday, which weaves two strands of tradition together. From the Torah we inherit an agricultural celebration that marks the end of the grain harvest, which began during Pesach.

From later tradition and rabbinic reconstruction, we receive the spiritual meaning of Shavuot. We mark the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai seven weeks after the exodus from Egypt, and revelation of the Torah follows directly from the experience of Exodus. We are freed not only from slavery but also to enter into a covenant between God and Israel.

Join us this Saturday, from 9-11 pm (or later), for "Na'aseh V'Nishma: On Discernment and Obligation," a Tikkun Leyl Shavuot facilitated on Zoom by Rabbi Benjamin. You are also invited to join our Shavuot service this Sunday at 10 am, on Zoom or in person. At the service, we will welcome a new Torah, which has been lent to Havurah by the Lager Mesulam family. See details about both gatherings below.

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

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!

Na'aseh V'Nishma: On Discernment and Obligation – Zoom Room Aleph
Saturday, June 4 from 9-11 pm (or later), Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin
Note the later start time than originally posted.
For our Tikkun Leyl Shavuot this year, we will begin with the moment at Sinai when the People declared, “We will do and we will listen.” Going deep into that verse and many responses to it over the generations, we will explore how we each, as progressive Jews today, understand and experience the nature of discernment and obligation. To what do we each feel obligated in our lives and the world, and how do those obligations emerge and endure? RSVP here.

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 Mesulam 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 - 12 pm – Zoom Room Aleph (Meeting by Zoom only)
We will present the proposed budget, the proposed changes to the bylaws, the proposed Steering Committee slate, and discuss other topics of importance to the congregation. This event is the one time each year when we—as participatory members of our community—can get together to review where we are, discuss what the future looks like, and ask and answer questions together in one virtual room. Please plan to join us! All members in good standing are welcome to attend, participate, and vote on the bylaws and budget. As is our custom, we will connect with each other through music, discussion, and learning. You can read the complete email about the congregational meeting, which was sent to all members on May 31. Please RSVP here.

"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.

Bar Mitzvah of Noah Shine
Saturday, June 18, 10 am – Zoom Room Aleph & In Person
Please join us in welcoming Noah Shine as a bar mitzvah and member of our community. No invitation is required. All are welcome!

Pride Parade
Sunday, June 19, 11 am, SW Broadway & Couch to SW Naito Pkwy
The Pride Festival is happening and Havurah Shalom is registered to march in the Pride Parade! We'll be marching along with other organizations in Jewish Pride Greater Portland. Are you coming? Let's represent Havurah! Contact: Adela Basayne. RSVP here.

Tikkun Olam Updates

Racial Justice Committee Volunteer Opportunity
Friday-Sunday, June 17-19; 4 hours between 12-8 pm
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 Havurahniks 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. RSVP 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

News & Events From Our Tikkun Olam Partners

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

Havurah Announcements

Transparency & Inclusivity Committee Seeking New Members
Interested in joining a vibrant and relevant committee? This committee's purpose is to ensure continued transparency of governance decisions to allow for greater communication between members and leadership – and among members – so that every congregant feels valued. We believe this leads to greater membership engagement and promotes inclusivity. We meet monthly and/or there are opportunities to work on specific projects. Contact: Janice Kettler

Please Finish Paying Your Dues
If you haven't already done so, please finish paying your Havurah dues for 2021-22. The fiscal year ends on 6/30. Contact Karen Westerman at karen.westerman@havurahshalom.org if you want to discuss your remaining balance. You can use this link to make your payment. You can pay via credit card (with a fee) or via automatic debit from your bank account. Otherwise, you can mail in a check. Be aware that dues renewal for 2022-23 begins in mid-June. Stay tuned for an e-mail with a request for your dues commitment for next year. Contact: Karen Westerman

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 new 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