Hineinu, May 31, 2023

Havurah Community Support Safety Briefing
6 pm, Wednesday, May 31 –
Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet: RSVP for May 31 sesssion
or
11 am, Sunday, June 4 – Zoom Room Bet: RSVP for June 4 session

Havurah Annual Congregational Meeting
10 am, Sunday, June 11 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph: RSVP

Pride Parade * Save the Date * Help Organize

Sunday, July 16, 11 am, meet on the parade route

Havurah Shalom will be once again showing up for Pride
with the Jewish Federation of Portland.
Save the date (July 16) and march together in
the parade in downtown Portland.

Want to help organize? We need you!
Contact Adela Basayne (adela@havurahshalom.org).

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.

On June 6, Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation will be in-person only at Havurah Shalom.

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

Shabbat Morning Service
10 am, Saturdays, Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
All are welcome at our Shabbat services, including b'nei mitzvah services. Upcoming b'nei mitzvah (Shoshana Eisner, June 10; Hugo Unger-Gutierrez, June 24) are listed in the website calendar.

Mahjong Group
1 pm, first and third Mondays, Havurah Shalom Library
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. To receive Mahjong Group updates, askLeah Hershey to add you to the email list.

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. (On June 6, Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation will only take place in person at Havurah.)

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

Havurah Community Support Safety Briefing
6 pm, Wednesday, May 31 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
11 am, Sunday, June 4 –  Zoom Room Bet
We are holding two sessions of a community support and safety briefing for Havurah members (one hybrid event on May 31 and one Zoom-only event on June 4). We invite Havurah members to come to either session. More information about these sessions and why they are being held was emailed to Havurah members last Thursday. Questions? Email Julia Lager-Mesulam or Ericka Kimball. RSVP for May 31 sesssion. RSVP for June 4 session.

Racial Justice Committee Movie Discussion: Judas and the Black Messiah
6:30 pm, Sunday, June 4 – Zoom Room Bet
Please join the Racial Justice Committee for a discussion of the movie Judas and the Black Messiah. (Please watch the film ahead of time; it's available on several platforms.) This is the second film in a series to commemorate Juneteenth. In the film, an FBI informant infiltrates the Black Panthers to keep tabs on its charismatic leader, Fred Hampton. Critics describe the movie as a offering insight into a man and a movement that has been overlooked far too long. Although it takes place in the late '60s, the movie is, unfortunately, very relevant today. Questions? Contact Kathy Gordon. RSVP.

Teen Engagement Committee Meeting
7 pm, Tuesday, June 6 – Zoom Room Heh
The Teen Engagement Committee works to encourage the continued involvement of our post B’nei Mitzvah youth members. Questions? Contact Andy Waxman.

Monthly Racial Justice Committee Meeting
7 pm, Thursday, June 8 (second Thursday of the month) – 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. Questions? Contact Julia Lager-Mesulam.

Bat Mitzvah of Shoshana Eisner
10 am, Saturday, June 10 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please join us in welcoming Shoshana Eisner as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community. 

Havurah Annual Congregational Meeting
10 am, Sunday, June 11 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please plan to join us — virtually or in person! All Havurah members in good standing are welcome to attend, participate, and vote on the budget. As is our custom, we will connect with each other through music, discussion, and learning. There will be a little food for those attending in person. (More details about the Congregational Meeting were emailed to Havurah members yesterday.) RSVP.

Taking Action Lunch Bunch
12 pm to 1 pm, Monday, June 12 – Zoom Room Heh (Note: June 12 Taking Action Lunch Bunch changed to Zoom-only.)
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, 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. Questions? Contact Elianne Lieberman. RSVP.

Steering Committee Meeting
6:30 pm, Tuesday, June 13 – Zoom Room Gimel
Havurah Shalom's Steering Committee will meet. All Havurah members are welcome to attend.

Grief Group
5:30 pm, Wednesdays from June 14 to July 26 – Zoom Room Gimel
The Havurah Ma’avar Committee is offering a seven-session grief process-support group for Havurah members. Havurahnik Chaplain Candi Wuhrman will facilitate the group with a focus on the dying experience, the impact of relationships, the things unsaid, making peace within ourselves, and continuing relationships after death. This is open to Havurah members at any stage and with any type of grief. It will be limited to eight to ten participants. Questions? Contact Chaplain Candi Wuhrman. RSVP.

Havurah Music Makers Jam Session: Jewish and Folk Music 
7 pm, Wednesday, June 14 – Havurah Shalom Sanctuary 
Gather with fellow Havurah Music Makers for a Jewish and folk music jam session. Questions? Contact Julie Walcer. RSVP.

Tot Shabbat
10:30 am to 11:30 am, Saturday, June 17 – Havurah Shalom
Young children (ages 0 to 5) and parents celebrate Shabbat with singing, movement, belessings, and storytelling. RSVP.

Sing-along: Songs of Liberation
7 pm, Thursday, June 22– Havurah Shalom Sanctuary 
In celebration of Juneteenth, please join us in song in the Sanctuary for a sing-along. We know that there are many Havurah folks who have expressed interest in singing in community—whether just for fun or to learn new songs. After the singing ends, we'll schmooze and share a little nosh. (Please refrain from attending if you are exhibiting any cold or flu symptoms. Click here to review Havurah’s COVID Safety Guidelines.) Questions? Contact Miriam Reshotko. RSVP.

Bar Mitzvah of Hugo Unger-Gutierrez
10 am, Saturday, June 24 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please join us in welcoming Hugo Unger-Gutierrez as a Bar Mitzvah and member of our community. 
 

Havurah's Music Makers gather for a jam session.

Tikkun Olam

What We Can Harvest Together: Read the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice Shavuot Newsletter
Help JCIJ celebrate our new nonprofit status, learn of latest legislative wins, and read about other ways to engage in immigrant justice actions.
(Click to read the May 2023 newsletter.)

First Thursday Meeting: Interfaith Alliance on Poverty
12 pm to 1:30 pm, Thursday, June 1 – Great Hall of Westminster Presbyterian Church (1624 NE Hancock Street, Portland, Oregon)
This is the first in-person meeting of the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty since Covid. We will meet to share hopes, views and strategies. Light snacks will be provided. Masks optional. (Click here to register. Learn more about the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty.) If you have questions for Havurah's Tikkun Olam Cluster about this event, email Havurah's liason, Sue Abrams.

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 ​​​​​​​

Out in the Community

Havurahnik Sacha Reich to be Honored on Sunday, June 4 at Jewish Women's Round Table Brunch
See brunch reservation form for event info
Join in honoring Havurahnik Sacha Reich and other outstanding Oregon Jewish women volunteers at the 2023 Song of Miriam Brunch, sponsored by Jewish Women's Round Table. 

If you would like to attend the brunch, print out this brunch reservation form, fill it out, make your check out to JWRT (Jewish Women's Round Table), and mail your check and the form to Jerrie Roth's address, as specified in the form. Special children's ticket pricing applies.

Mah Jongg Madness Brunch and Tournament
11 am - 4 pm, Sunday, June 4 – Congregation Neveh Shalom (2900 Peaceful Lane, Portland, Oregon)
Please join in for a fun-filled day of mah jongg and friendship. Sponsored by Neveh Shalom Sisterhood. Experienced and new players are welcome (not a teaching event though). Register by Friday, May 26. Cost to attend is $36. Learn more and register.

Music for the Jewish Soul: A Klezmer, Sephardic, and Eastern European Musical Gala
6:30 pm, Sunday, June 4 – Eastside Jewish Commons (2420 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, Oregon)
This fancy musical gala is a fundraiser for P'nai Or of Portland, a Jewish Renewal community. Music by Michelle Alany and The Mystics, plus special guest Eric Stern. P'nai Or asks that you wear fancy/dressy clothes. The gala will include appetizers, drinks, a silent auction, dancing, and schmoozing. To learn more and purchase tickets for this event, click here.

Jewish Community Orchestra Season Finale
3 pm to 5 pm (ticket counter opens at 2:15 pm), Sunday, June 11 – Mittleman Jewish Community Center (6651 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, Oregon)
This season finale concert is particularly special because the orchestra will be playing the world premiere of a new piece by Frederick Naftel, a living Jewish composer who resides in the U.K. Tickets are available at the door starting at 2:15 pm on June 11. There is special ticket pricing for students and senior citizens. Check out the flyer and event page.

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.