Hineinu, May 3, 2023

Havurah's Community-wide Survey Being Sent on May 5!

On Friday, May 5, a short, confidential survey will be emailed to Havurah members from Rose City Philanthropy. We want to hear from all Havurahniks as we assess the feasibility of our upcoming Campaign for Havurah. The survey will only take 3-5 minutes and is being sent to every Havurah member with an email address (unless you participated in a one-on-one interview). For more information about the feasibility study and the survey, click here. If you have any additional questions, please contact Havurah Co-President, Loree Devery, whose contact information is in the Havurah Directory.

 

The month of Elul carries us into the High Holidays. Whether you've taught several Elul classes at Havurah before or have never even considered creating an Elul activity, now is the time to start exploring the possibility of proposing, designing, and leading a class or activity for Havurah's 2023 Elul programming.

Fellow Havurahniks: We hope you will get involved, and we want to provide you with the support you need to feel welcome in becoming Elul programming leaders!

Check out our Havurah Elul 2023 programming website (you may need to log into your Havurah account) to get answers to frequently asked questions, learn about our Elul vision, see a collection of example Elul programming ideas, and access the submission form for Elul class and activity proposals. (Note: The submission deadline for Elul 2023 class and activity proposals is July 6, 2023. Visit the website linked to above for more information.)

 

Yom HaShoah 5783/2023

An Afternoon with David Fuks: Short Stories from a Child of Holocaust Survivors
With regret, this event–previously scheduled for April 30– had to be canceled/postponed. We hope to be able to reschedule this event soon.

 

Regular Happenings

Thank you for following our safety requirements at in-person gatherings. 

Zoom Room links can be found near the end of this email.

(Note: The May 9 Steering Committee Meeting will take place both on Zoom and in person at Havurah.)

Kabbalat Shabbat Service and Dinner
Second Fridays, 6:00 - 8:30 PM, Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
All are welcome as we gather to bring in Shabbat.
These monthly celebrations are held on the second Friday, from October through May. A  light, pre-service oneg will be followed by a spirited, all-ages service led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians, with dinner afterward for those who wish to stay. 
6 pm   Light Snack     
6:30    Service (Come to Havurah or join us remotely in Zoom Room Aleph.) 
7:30    Dinner (Click here to RSVP for the Friday, May 12 dinner.)

(Kabbalat Shabbat Volunteers Needed and Appreciated: Want to help out at the May 12 Kabbalat Shabbat? Volunteer shifts range from 15 to 90 minutes in length. Sign up to volunteer here.)

Weekly Torah Study​ 
9 am, Saturdays — Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
An in-depth look at the weekly parsha, led by congregants. No prior knowledge or study is necessary. Join Havurah for a community-led study session of the weekly Torah reading at 9 am.

Shabbat Morning Service
10 am, Saturdays, Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Alef
All are welcome at our Shabbat services, including b'nei mitzvah services. Upcoming b'nei mitzvah (Sarai Fairchild, May 6) are listed in the section below and on the website calendar. (On Saturday, May 13, there will be a Contemplative Service at 10 am and a Tot Shabbat at 10:30 am.)

Mahjong Group
1 pm, first and third Mondays — Havurah Shalom Library (to receive updates and changes, contact Leah Hershey to be put on the email list)
Mahjong is a fun, social activity that builds community, encouraging new friendships and cementing old ones. If you want to learn how to play, please contact Leah Hershey for teaching resources. If you are ready to join a game, please RSVP on the calendar.

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
12 pm, Tuesdays, Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet, with some exceptions (check the calendar).
We gather to find moments of quiet and shalom in a welcoming space. Various styles of Jewish meditation are explored. No meditation experience necessary. All are welcome to drop in. Led by Rabbi Benjamin, Adela Basayne, Nancy Becker, or Deborah Eisenbach-Budner.

Steering Meeting
6:30 pm, second Tuesdays (On May 9: Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Gimel)
All members are welcome to attend. On May 9, the Steering Committee Meeting will be hybrid.

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

 

Upcoming Events

B'nei Mitzvah Event Planning 101
7 pm, Thursday, May 4 – Zoom Room Dalet
The B'nei Mitzvah event planning process will be broken into manageable steps. Led by Chari Smith. RSVP.

Bat Mitzvah of Sarai Fairchild
10 am, Saturday, May 6 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please join us in welcoming Sarai Fairchild as a bat mitzvah and member of our community.

Outside the Frame at Havurah
3 pm, Sunday, May 7 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Heh
Havurah's Poverty and Homelessness Committee is hosting a program featuring a film and discussion with the nonprofit Outside the Frame. For the past seven years, Outside the Frame has trained over 100 homeless and marginalized youth “to be directors of their own films and lives.” Portland Award Founder & Executive Director Nili Yoshi, also a former Havurah High teacher, will join us along with some of her young directors. Our discussion will be around their projects and houselessness in Portland. Questions? Contact Marcia Suttenberg. RSVP.

Discussion of the Joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Ceremony
7 pm, Sunday, May 7 – Havurah Shalom Sanctuary and Zoom Room Bet
We will solicit reactions to the recent Joint Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Ceremony and discuss what activities, if any, people would like the Havurah Israel/Palestine Committee to undertake next. Before attending this May 7 Havurah discussion, we urge participants who have not already done so to watch the recording of the ceremony and the recording of a post-event discussion. Questions? Contact Elinor Gollay. Click here to RSVP for the May 7 Havurah follow-up discussion event.

Taking Action Lunch Brunch
12 pm, Monday, May 8 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Heh
Do you get emails asking you to contact your elected official, but don’t find the few minutes it takes to call or email them? Looking to connect with other Havurahniks? We have the solution. Together, by Zoom or at Havurah, we’ll eat lunch, chat, and spend a few minutes taking our political action. From climate change to social justice, we’ll have info on who to call or write. Bring your suggestions too. RSVP.

Steering Committee Meeting
6:30 pm, Tuesday, May 9 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Gimel
All Havurah Shalom members are welcome to attend.

Monthly Racial Justice Committee Meeting
7 pm, Thursday, May 11 – Zoom Room Bet
Join the Racial Justice Committee's monthly meeting to hear what we have been up to and learn how you can be involved! Open to members and non-members.

Kabbalat Shabbat Service and Dinner
Second Fridays, 6:00 - 8:30 PM, Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
All are welcome as we gather to bring in Shabbat. A light, pre-service oneg will be followed by a spirited, all-ages service led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians, with dinner afterward for those who wish to stay. 
6 pm   Light Snack     
6:30    Service (Come to Havurah or join us remotely in Zoom Room Aleph.) 
7:30    Dinner (Click here to RSVP for the Friday, May 12 dinner.)

Contemplative Service
10 am, Saturday, May 13 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
We will chant verses and spend time in silent prayer or meditation, then connect through Torah discussion and share blessings by chanting a few aliyot. Led by Rabbi Benjamin.

Tot Shabbat
10:30 am, Saturday, May 13 – Havurah Shalom
Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. RSVP.

Reflections on Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Birmingham, Selma, Montgomery, and Atlanta
2 pm, Sunday, May 14 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
Come to shul (or join on Zoom) and hear us describe and reflect on our recent visit representing Havurah to Montgomery, Selma and Birmingham, Alabama and Atlanta, Georgia. We were four participants of 200 who went on "Reckoning Together:  A Reconstructionist Pilgrimage Towards Racial Justice." All are welcome. RSVP.

Continued Conversation on Living Well Jewishly with Chronic Illness
7 pm, Thursday, May 18 – Zoom Room Heh
Join us in the continued conversation about living well Jewishly with chronic illness as we dive into the experiences of shame and grief. Annie Goldberg, Adela Basayne, and Shira Sameroff will briefly discuss their experiences of navigating the shame and grief of living with chronic illness. After the brief panel discussion, others will be invited into the conversation to share their experiences and how they live well Jewishly with chronic illness. If you have questions, contact Annie Goldberg. This event is open to members and non-members; RSVP.

Havurah Spring New (and Newish!) Member Welcome Brunch
10 am, Sunday, May 21 – Havurah Shalom
A schmear & schmooze brunch from the Havurah Welcoming Committee for new members, newish members, and all Havurahniks who would appreciate being welcomed in again and learning about new ways to become more connected within the community. Questions? Contact Jen Litwin. RSVP.

Tikkun Olam

Interfaith Alliance on Poverty: First Thursdays
12 pm, Thursday, May 4, 2023 – Off-site Zoom (see key details, below)
The Interfaith Alliance on Poverty invites you to join the May “First Thursday” meeting for an inside look into Homeless Court and Built for Zero. Featuring Keith Wilson (Shelter NOW), Sean Green (Shelter NOW), Amanda Wall (Community Relations, Clackamas Workforce), and Leni Tupper (Director, PCC Clear Clinic).
To get the Zoom link, register for the event with the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty.

Interfaith Advocacy Day
9 am to 4 pm, Wednesday, May 10 – in-person at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Salem, Oregon
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon is once again organizing an in-person interfaith lobby day that supports the Tikkun Olam values we hold dear. Exploring the matters of climate and the environment; criminal justice reform and gun violence prevention; healthcare; housing and homelessness; hunger; and immigration and refugees, we'll engage with the issues, learn about proposed legislation, and meet with our legislators. Register online at emoregon.org/event/advocacy2023; online registration now closes in the evening on Monday, May 8, and walk-in registrations will be welcome. Fee $20 (or $10 for students), fee-waived scholarship rate also available; lunch provided.

Vote for Eviction Protections
On May 16, Multnomah County voters will vote on Measure 26-238. The ballot measure provides attorneys at no cost for anyone facing eviction. The measure is funded by an adjustable 0.75% capital gains tax that should only impact the wealthiest in our community. It has been endorsed by Havurah’s Poverty & Homelessness Committee, as well as several other faith communities.

News & Events From Our Tikkun Olam Partners

Path Home (formerly PHFS): volunteer for our monthly PHFS dinner | Interfaith Alliance on Poverty (IAP) | Lift UP | MACG | Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice NW ​​​​​​ | Rose Haven ​​​​​​​

Community

The Intersection between White Supremacy and Antisemitism: An Online Panel Discussion
5:30 pm, Wednesday, May 10 - Online, register for log-in info
The Racial Justice Working Group of the Episcopal Church in Western Oregon is sponsoring a panel discussion: The Intersection between White Supremacy and Antisemitism. Two of the presenters are Jewish leaders from Portland. Find details on this event and instructions for registering in  this flyer. You can also register directly through this registration link. Contact Kathy Gordon with any questions.

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, please 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.

Havurah Zoom Rooms

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