Hineinu, September 6, 2023

Join an Elul activity!
Havurah is continuing to celebrate the month of Elul with gatherings spanning spiritual, text-based, political, ecological and creative topics.

RSVP for something interesting today!

Preparing for High Holidays 5784
Visit Havurah's High Holidays web page today.

ONGOING NEED
Volunteer during High Holidays! 

We rely on one another to make Havurah's High Holidays programming a success.

Elul or High Holidays Questions?
Contact Rachel Pollak (rachel@havurahshalom.org).

Regular Happenings

Thank you for following our COVID safety guidelines for in-person gatherings, which were updated on June 15, 2023.

If a member's name is hyperlinked below, you can go directly to their contact page in the directory by clicking on their name and then logging into your Havurah account.
Zoom Room links can be found near the end of this email.

Note: Mahjong is cancelled for the month September and will resume the first Monday in October.

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
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 are listed below (Abraham Cogan, September 9) and in the website calendar.

Mahjong Group
1 pm, first and third Mondays – Havurah Shalom Library (Mahjong is cancelled for September and will resume on Monday, October 2) 
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, ask Leah to add you to the email list.

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
12 pm, Tuesdays – 1st, 3rd, and 5th Tuesdays: Zoom Room Bet only; 2nd and 4th Tuesdays: Havurah Shalom (Sanctuary or Library) and Zoom Room Bet.
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.

Morning Minyan
8:30 am, Wednesdays – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
For all who want a regular prayer practice and those saying Kaddish. All are welcome.

Upcoming Events

Daily Shofar Blast - Beginning on Rosh Chodesh Elul 5783
Friday, August 18 to Friday, September 15 (except on Shabbat) – Accessible via the Havurah YouTube page and the Havurah Facebook page
Daily Elul Kavannah and Shofar blasts will be posted on the Havurah Shalom Facebook page by Diane Chaplin, Howard Patterson & Andrine de la Rocha. Elul Tov! The daily shofar blasts are being offered as part of Havurah Shalom’s celebration of the Hebrew month of Elul.

A Reparations Primer
6 pm to 7:15 pm, Wednesday, September 6 – Zoom Room Dalet
Considerations about reparations are complicated. This causes any meaningful discussion about reparations not to go anywhere. This discussion will not answer many questions but will provide a framework for thinking about what it means to plan for a reparations program. The hope is that people will learn the language and tools to discuss reparations. This discussion might also motivate people to participate in our 5-part class offering about reparations offered by the Racial Justice Committee in the fall. There may be some short pre-readings. Questions? Please reach out to Bob Brown. All are welcome. RSVP

Safety and Situational Awareness: Useful Skills For Greeters, Ushers, and All Members
6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Wednesday, September 6 – Zoom Room Heh RSVP
or 1 pm to 2 pm, Sunday, September 10 – Havurah Shalom RSVP
During Elul, all Havurah members are warmly encouraged to sign up for our safety and awareness training, listed in the Elul offerings as Greeter and Usher Training. While anyone who is interested in ushering at High Holidays or in being a greeter at High Holidays and at Havurah throughout the year is encouraged to take this training, it’s not just for greeters and ushers! This training gives you valuable skills around situational awareness, welcoming, and de-escalation (among others) that can benefit everyone. You will learn how to respond appropriately to challenging situations that can come up in anyone’s life — at home, at work, at school, or out in the community. The two remaining class sessions are the same, except one is on Zoom and the other is in person at Havurah. Questions? Contact  Joel Bettridge or Rachel Pollak (rachel@havurahshalom.org). (These trainings are for Havurah members only.)

Growing a Tree of Intentions After the Al Chet
7 pm to 8:15 pm, Thursday, September 7 – Havurah Shalom
How do you make baring your soul (anonymously) fun? By participating in a ribbon tree project! Participate in this kick-off event of the Ribbon Tree Project, a way to inspire each other as we begin the new Jewish year. The Yom Kippur Al Chet prayer has us examine where we “missed the mark” in the past year. After taking a closer look at the prayer, and using a Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) lens and personal reflectional time, we’ll start creating a tree of intentions and hope for the coming year. Led by Elianne Lieberman. All are welcome. RSVP 

Shabbat Morning with Bar Mitzvah of Abraham Cogan
10 am, Saturday, September 9 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Abraham Cogan as a Bar Mitzvah and member of our community. All are welcome.

Selichot
9 pm to 10 pm, Saturday, September 9 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Neshamah
The Saturday before Rosh Hashana, we gather to begin to ready our hearts for the compassion and forgiveness the High Holidays ask of us. All are welcome. (See Havurah's High Holidays page for Zoom Room Neshamah log-in info.)

Birding at Bybee
10 am to 12 pm, Sunday, September 10 – Smith & Bybee Wetlands Natural Area in North Portland
Meet outside at Smith & Bybee Wetlands Natural Area in North Portland for a leisurely walk on the paved Interlakes Trail to look for birds. Join experienced birders Cindy and Andrew Merrill to see how many different species we can find and identify together. Birding expertise is not required, but interest in nature is helpful. Wheelchairs and strollers are welcome, but bikes and dogs are not permitted. All are welcome. RSVP

Make Your Own Tzedakah Box
2 pm to 3 pm, Sunday, September 10 – Zoom Room Heh
Make your own tzedakah box using a wooden box from the craft store! All ages are invited, and this is a great project to do with friends or family. All are welcome. RSVP

Havurah Climate Action Team Meeting
5:30 pm, Monday, September 11 – Zoom Room Bet
Join for the Havurah Climate Action Team's monthly meeting, which will take place at 5:30 pm in Zoom Room Bet. (In October, the monthly HCAT meeting will again take place at 5:30 pm on the fourth Monday of the month in Zoom Room Gimel.) Havurahniks are encouraged to join.

Music Maker Jam Session: Jewish and Folk Songs of Returning/Teshuvah
7 pm, Monday, September 11 – Havurah Shalom
Play music with fellow Havurah Music Makers at an Elul themed Jewish and folk music jam session. Bring music to share. Questions? Contact Julie Walcer. RSVP
 
Steering Committee Meeting
6:30 pm, Tuesday, September 12 – Zoom Room Gimel
All Havurah members are invited to attend the monthly meetings of the Havurah Steering Committee.
 
Fall Garden Work Party
1 pm to 4 pm, Thursday, September 14 – Havurah Shalom
Grab your shears and gardening gloves and meet at Havurah to beautify our space! RSVP
 
Racial Justice Committee Monthly Meeting
7 pm to 8 pm, Thursday, September 14 – Zoom Room Bet
Attend the monthly Racial Justice Monthly Committee meeting to connect with each other, hear what we are up to and be part of planning meaningful events for our community. We haven't met since July, so please join us for some important and brief updates. We'll keep the meeting to an hour since it's the night before Erev Rosh Hashanah.

Erev Rosh Hashanah Dinner
6 pm, Friday, September 15 – The Tiffany Center (1410 SW Morrison St., Portland)
Erev Rosh Hashanah Dinner will take place at the Tiffany Center. Note: the RSVP deadline for this dinner was September 4.
 
Erev Rosh Hashanah Service
7:30 pm, Friday, September 15 – The Tiffany Center (1410 SW Morrison St., Portland) and Havurah's YouTube channel
This year, we usher in Shabbat and the new year together with song, prayer, and reflection, setting the tone for our Days of Awe journey. Erev Rosh Hashanah services will take place at the Tiffany Center and will stream on Youtube. All are welcome.

Rosh Hashanah Day 1 Services
9:30 am to 1 pm – The Tiffany Center (1410 SW Morrison St., Portland) and Havurah's YouTube channel
The first day of Rosh Hashanah services will take place at the Tiffany Center and will also stream on Youtube. All are welcome.

A Sweet Year for Wee Jews
9:30 am to 10 am, Saturday, September 16 – The Tiffany Center (1410 SW Morrison St., Portland) (in person only)
A half hour of singing and stories about the holiday for the 0-5 crowd and their parents. We'll be in person at the Tiffany Center. This activity will not be streamed online. All are welcome. RSVP
 
Rosh Hashanah Family Service
10 am to 11:15 am, Saturday, September 16 – The Tiffany Center (1410 SW Morrison St., Portland) (in person only)
Especially for families with children over age 5! This upbeat and participatory Rosh Hashanah service is for the whole family! Enjoy stories and skits, soulful prayers and contemporary songs–as we all begin the year anew, together. This service will be in person only, with no online streaming. All are welcome. RSVP
 
Rosh Hashanah Day 2 Services
9:30 am to 1 pm, Sunday, September 17 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Neshamah (Go to the Havurah High Holidays page for log-in info for Zoom Room Neshamah.) 
For the second day of Rosh Hashanah, we will hold services at home at our building at 825 NW 18th Ave. We warmly invite you to join us in person or on Zoom. All are welcome.

Community Tashlich Service and Potluck Dinner
4 pm to 5:30 pm, Sunday, September 17 – Foothills Park in Lake Oswego
We will gather by the water at Foothills Park in Lake Oswego to release our mistakes and regrets amid song and community. Bring a little dish for a potluck afterward. Please RSVP to receive updates. All are welcome.

Hakol Deadline: Thursday, September 21
The deadline to submit materials for the upcoming month's Hakol newsletter is the third Thursday of the month. The deadline for the October issue of Hakol is Thursday, September 21. Havurahniks, click here to learn more about how to submit to Havurah's Hakol monthly newsletter.

High Holidays Cemetery Remembrance Service
12 pm to 1 pm, Thursday, September 21 – Havurah Cemetery, 5656 SW Humphrey Blvd., Portland, Oregon
We gather to remember our loved ones, led in song and remembrance. All are welcome.

For more on upcoming High Holidays and Elul gatherings—including Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services—check out theHavurah High Holidays website.

More Tikkun Olam 

Meet Frank So at the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty's “First Thursday” Lunchtime Meeting - Note Time and Location Change for September 7
12:30 pm to 2 pm, Thursday, September 7 – Rose City Park Presbyterian Church (1907 NE 45th Avenue near Hancock Street) in Fellowship Hall
Join the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty’s First Thursday gathering and meet Frank So, the new executive director of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. The title of Frank So’s presentation is “The Boy on the Other Side.” Questions? Contact Havurah’s Sue Abrams.

High Holidays Book Drive for Rose Haven and Food Drive for Lift Up
Our Teen Engagement Committee and the Poverty and Homelessness Committee are collecting books and food to benefit Rose Haven and Lift UP Urban Portland, respectively.

Please bring the following donations to the 4th floor of the Tiffany Center (1410 SW Morrison Street) when High Holiday services are taking place there: Erev Rosh Hashanah; Rosh Hashanah Day I; Erev Yom Kippur; and Yom Kippur Day (all the days except Rosh Hashanah Day II, which will be held at Havurah Shalom).​​​​​​

• Book Requests for Rose Haven
  Novels, self-help, and art books are all popular. Children’s books and fiction for youth will also be appreciated.​​​​
• ​​​​​​​Food Requests for Lift UP
  Plastic jars of nut butter: peanut, almond, cashew, hazelnut, etc.; rice; whole-grain pasta; easy-to-prepare breakfast items like instant oatmeal cups and granola bars.

Questions about the book drive? Contact Tamara Lindemann, co-chair of the Teen Engagement Committee. Questions about the food drive? Contact Steve Rudman or Gloria Halper, co-chairs of the Poverty and Homelessness Committee.

Yom Kippur Afternoon Tikkun Olam Discussion: Climate Change and Its Disparate Impact
1:30 pm to 3 pm, Monday, September 25 – Tiffany Center (1410 SW Morrison St., Portland, OR)
Immediately following the Yom Kippur morning service and in the same room (in person only), please join Havurah's Climate Action, Sanctuary, Racial Justice, and Poverty and Homelessness Committees for a panel discussion. The topic will focus on the disparate impact of climate change on refugees, people of color, and those living in poverty. We will have small group breakouts following the panel presentations.

Learn more about these and other Tikkun Olam cluster activities during Elul and the High Holidays in the 5784 High Holidays packet and in Havurah's other emails/publications.

News & Events from Our Tikkun Olam Partners

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

Out in the Community

Coming to Portland in October: theatre dybbuk
From the theatre dybbuk website: “theatre dybbuk creates provocative performances and innovative educational encounters that explore Jewish thought to illuminate universal human experience. We envision a world where people challenge themselves to revel in the complexity of our shared humanity.” There should be a wide array of opportunities for engagement with theatre dybbuk. Information about upcoming residencies with theatre dybbuk can be found here.

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.