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 this Friday! The deadline has passed to order from our catered food options, but please come anyway with your own meal! Would you like to help with things like food distribution, helping attendees, setup and cleanup? Sign up here. Do you plan to attend Pride in the Park Kabbalat Shabbat? RSVP here.
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! RSVP here. Contact: Adela Basayne
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
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!
AlteRockers Eat, Schmooze at BG Food Cartel Saturday, June 18, 12:30-3 pm, 4250 SW Rose Biggi Ave, Beaverton
Come join us for food and scintillating conversation at one of the best food cart pods in the Portland area. There are 20 food trucks representing cuisine from around the world and a lot of outdoor seating, including some covered seating in case it rains. Plenty of parking and accessible from the Central Beaverton Max station. Look forward to seeing you! RSVP to Jackie Brookman.
Group Discussion of Braiding Sweetgrass Monday, June 20, 5:30 pm – Zoom Room Dalet
For this discussion, we will be talking about the section entitled "Tending Sweetgrass," which includes five sections and covers pages 63 to 120. All are welcome. RSVP to Michael Heumann.
Anti-Racism & Belonging Conversation for Past Presidents Sunday, June 26, 10 am– Zoom Room Bet
We invite you to embark with us on gaining a better understanding of how anti-racism and belonging shows up within the congregation through a small group conversation. This conversation is for Past Presidents of Havurah. Led by Havurah consultants Tabitha and Adam St. Bernard-Jacobs. Learn more. RSVP here.
Anti-Racism & Belonging Conversation for Current & Incoming Steering Committee Members Sunday, June 26, 11:30 am– Zoom Room Gimel
We invite you to embark with us on gaining a better understanding of how anti-racism and belonging shows up within the congregation through a small group conversation. This conversation is for Havurah's current and incoming Steering Committee members. Led by Havurah consultants Tabitha and Adam St. Bernard-Jacobs. Learn more. RSVP here.
RSVP links for the group conversations in August and September will go live about 30 days before each conversation. Find the complete schedule below.
Book Group Discussion of The Love of a Good Woman by Alice Munro Tuesday, June 28, 7 pm – Zoom Room Bet
Winner of the 2013 Nobel Prize for literature, Alice Munro is perhaps the greatest short story writer since Chekhov. What she achieves in a 30 page short story far exceeds in depth and complexity what many novelists struggle to accomplish in 500 pages. Her economy of words is breathtaking. If you have not read Munro you are in for a real treat. Discussion led by David Newman. Learn more.
B'nei Mitzvah of Megan Rose & Elijah Moss Saturday, July 2, 10 am
Please join us in welcoming Megan Rose and Elijah Moss as a b'nei mitzvah and members of our community. No invitation is required. All are welcome!
Independence Day Holiday Monday, July 4
Havurah's office will be closed for the July 4th holiday.
Tikkun Olam Updates
Havurah Welcomes Our Afghan Family!
The Havurah Sanctuary Committee is excited to announce that we are sponsoring the Darmani family – husband, wife, and infant daughter. Permanent housing is our biggest immediate need. The Afghan Family Support Group will help resettle the Darmani family, temporarily living in the Clarion Inn and Suites in Clackamas. The housing search is underway through our partnership with Lutheran Community Services Northwest. With Havurah members' generous contributions to date, we are committing to rental support. Please consider further (non-tax-deductible) contributions to the Afghan Family Support Fund so we can extend the Darmani's rental commitment. Contact: Beka Feathers or Jane Rice
Juneteenth 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.) Learn more. Contact Kathy Gordon or Kristine Munholland, and we will connect you to the event coordinators.
Racial Justice Committee First Ever Movie Discussion Tuesday, June 21, 7 pm– Zoom Room Bet
The Racial Justice Committee invites you to attend our first movie discussion night! We will meet virtually and will discuss the movie "I Am Not Your Negro," a documentary based on the writing of James Baldwin. The movie is available to watch prior to our meeting on many platforms for free, and on Netflix and Amazon. Please watch the movie on your own time and come on June 21 prepared for a facilitated discussion. Learn more. Questions? Contact: Bob Brown or Kathy Gordon
News from the Streets: Volunteer Opportunities
1) Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS): If interested in attending a volunteer orientation for PHFS, contact Gloria Halper. To help with Havurah's 2nd Wednesday Dinner at PHFS shelter, no orientation is needed. Contact Len Shapiro; 2) The Common Good Project: help pass out needed items at several NE homeless camps. Other volunteer opportunities too! Contact: Jenn Louis; 3) Check out Rose Haven, a women's day shelter near Havurah. This is a new organization that Havurah is now supporting. Contact: Marcia Suttenberg
Help End Senseless Gun Violence: Sign IP 17 Now
What will it take to pass common sense gun safety laws? We have an opportunity here in Oregon to act right now: Initiative Petition 17. This would ban ammunition magazines over ten rounds, would start a comprehensive permit process that would contain universal background checks, field training (so that if you want to buy a gun you have to first learn how to use it and how to keep it safe), and would start a database of all registered guns in the state. Research shows banning large magazines is the single best way to reduce gun deaths. Learn more. Contact: Barbara Gundle
Forum on the Global Refugee Crisis Wednesday, June 22, 5:30 pm – Zoom Room Aleph
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. Sen. Ron Wyden will deliver introductory remarks and 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. Click here for the event flier. RSVP here. Contact: Lauren Fortgang
Now Enrolling Middle School, B'nei Mitzvah Cohort, Havurah High
Middle School, B’nei Mitzvah Cohort, and Havurah High classes start October 19, 6:30-8:30 pm. Click here to enroll.
5783 B’nei Mitzvah Cohort – All students becoming B’nei Mitzvah through Havurah Shalom are required to participate in four sessions with Rabbi Benjamin.
Middle School (Grades 7-8) – The goals of Havurah Middle School are kehillah and kesher, community and connection.
Havurah High (Grades 9-12) – Teens explore questions from their multifaceted identities through a wide variety of learning activities and discussions.
Help Wanted! From the Leadership Development Committee
Community is an enduring value of Havurah. A great way to enrich your experience of community, meet new people, and make a meaningful contribution to our synagogue is to volunteer. There are many opportunities. What is right for you? Click below to see a flier featuring current opportunities.
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 from this clarity.
(HYB) Shabbat Morning with Music Shabbaton (w/ Aly Halpert) Shabbat, May 10th 10:00a to 12:00p This community minyan will feature the musical contributions of Aly Halpert who is in residence with us this Shabbat. 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.
(IP) Tot Shabbat Shabbat, May 10th 10:30a to 11:15a Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. All are welcome! Please RSVP when you plan to come. We provide free childcare for those staying to enjoy the full Shabbat service that ends at noon and which is followed by a light community brunch. Email info@havurahshalom.org to learn more.
(IP) Songs for Liberation Song Circle (w/ Aly Halpert) Shabbat, May 10th 4:30p to 6:30p (Currently this event is for Havurah members only, as registrations are capped at 80 people. Havurah members, be sure to RSVP.) Rising Song Records artist Aly Halpert concludes our music shabbaton with a Song Circle, a space to enjoy our voices together as we learn new and ancient Jewish songs and niggunim together. Aly Halpert is at the epicenter of a resurgence of Jewish music-making– introducing new tunes, new words, and new ways of bringing music into davening and community-building.
Rose Haven Walk (register at their 2025 Reigning Roses Walk site) Sunday, May 11th 10:00a to 1:00p Rose Haven supporters and guests will unite to stride a beautiful route through NW Portland on Mother’s Day at the 12th Annual Reigning Roses Walk. Walk with, or in honor of, a special woman in your life – a mother, grandmother, daughter, partner, or friend. 10 am check-in, 11 am begin walking. (We've cancelled the Havurah Teen Engagement plan for this event; just go to the Rose Haven 2025 Reigning Roses Walk website to register!)
(IP) Jewish Ethical Responses to the Problem of Racism Monday, May 12th 6:30p to 7:45p We will address topics such as countering white nationalism and antisemitism, Jewish perspectives on reparations, repairing Jewish pioneer memory, and responding to racial microaggressions. Facilitated by Karen Sherman and Adela Basayne.
(HYB) Steering Meeting Tuesday, May 13th 6:30p to 8:30p Steering members and staff will meet to consider matters of governance. All Havurah Shalom members are invited to attend Steering Committee meetings. For Zoom join links, visit havurahshalom.org/zoom (must be logged in) or call the office in advance for assistance (503-248-4662).
(IP) Hebrew as a Tool: Prayer and Torah (registration closed) Wednesday, May 14th 7:00p to 8:15p (This class will now be starting on January 8.) Using an in-depth, word-by-word approach, we discover literal meaning(s), ancient layers of understanding, and our own personal interpretations that stem from the nuances of the Hebrew text. Basic Hebrew decoding skills necessary.
(IP) B’nei Mitzvah Drash and Service Workshop Thursday, May 15th 7:00p to 8:00p Students and parents are guided through responding to Torah in a drash. You will also take a walk through the Shabbat Morning service. Led by Sarah Shine.
(HYB) Text and Torah Shabbat: "Forgotten" Jewish Rituals Shabbat, May 17th 10:00a to 12:00p One hour of text study with Diane Chaplin on special topics, followed by a brief service. 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.
