Hineinu, September 20, 2023

HIGH HOLIDAYS 5784 
We continue moving through the Days of Awe. Visit our High Holidays website for complete information on High Holidays with Havurah Shalom. Shanah Tovah!

 

HAVURAH HIGH HOLIDAYS CEMETERY REMEMBRANCE SERVICE
We'll gather Thursday, Sept. 21 at noon - Please click here for important details

 

ONGOING NEED
Volunteer during High Holidays!
We are looking for event monitors and family snacks aides on Yom Kippur. The day after, we need a lot more help moving out of the Tiffany Center and back into Havurah. This includes clearing the bima, packing things up, and putting things away at Havurah. Each is its own shift. Please sign up if this sounds right for you and you have the time!

DO-IT-YOURSELF TASHLICH ("CAST AWAY") CEREMONY
We are traditionally invited to perform tashlich between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. View/print Havurahnik Barbara Slader's DIY Tashlich 5784 guide

YOM KIPPUR
On Sunday evening (Erev Yom Kippur/Kol Nidre service) and all day Monday (Yom Kippur services), we'll be at the Tiffany Center (1410 SW Morrison St., Portland, Oregon) and live on YouTube.

SOME YOM KIPPUR ACTIVITIES THAT ARE ONLY IN PERSON AT THE TIFFANY CENTER

Tzedakah Projects: Food and Book Drives
All are invited to drop off donations throughout Erev Yom Kippur and Yom Kippur services (evening of Sunday, Sept. 24 and all day Monday, Sept. 25) — 4th Floor
For the specific book and food donation requests from Rose Haven and Lift UP, click here.

Tikkun Olam Yom Kippur Afternoon Education Program
1:30 pm to 3 pm, Monday, Sept. 25 (Yom Kippur) — 3rd Floor
All adults and teens are urged to take part in this discussion, which is focused on climate change and its connection to immigrant/refugee issues as well as global warming's disparate impacts on people of color and people living in poverty.

Yom Kippur Family Service
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm, Monday, Sept. 25 (Yom Kippur) — 2nd Floor
This rich and lively service is aimed at families with kids ages 5 to 11. Bring shofars to blow if you have them! Please RSVP for this gathering.

COMMUNITY YOM KIPPUR BREAK FAST
All are welcome to break the Yom Kippur fast with us.

Havurahniks, sign up to bring something tasty to share with everyone at our Yom Kippur Community Break Fast (food sign-ups due Sept. 24; our community break fast will take place at the Tiffany Center at 7:15 pm on Sept. 25)! 
Also, please affix a complete list of ingredients to any dish you bring—and also label your dishware/utensils so you can get them back. Thank you!

High Holidays Questions? Contact Rachel Pollak, rachel@havurahshalom.org

 

G'Mar Chatima Tovah

General Info

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

Our High Holiday services are free and open to all. Where specified, RSVPing is appreciated. For complete information about High Holidays 5784 with Havurah Shalom, click here. (All are welcome to our Shabbat and other holiday services throughout the year as well.)
 

Havurah members: 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. Or search in the online Havurah member directory. Zoom/YouTube stream links can be found near the end of this email.

Havurah's adult learning opportunities are available to all members free of charge, though a materials fee may apply (which should be specified in the calendar event page for a given class/activitiy). Non-members are welcome as space allows, though we ask that you consider  making a donation  to Havurah Shalom. Materials fees may also apply to non-members. Classes with participant limits will open to non-members one week before the start of class, if space is available.

Regular Happenings

September 23 will be Contemplative Shabbat. On the first Monday in October, Mahjong Group will resume meeting again.

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 and in the website calendar.
(September 23 will be Contemplative Shabbat. Chant verses and spend time in silent prayer or meditation, then connect through Torah discussion and share blessings. Led by Rabbi Benjamin.)

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, ask Leah to add you to the email list. (Mahjong is cancelled for September and will resume on Monday, October 2.) 

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

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. Please visit the event page in advance for key details on this Havurah gathering of remembrance.

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.

Erev Yom Kippur Service (Kol Nidre)
7 pm to 9 pm, Sunday, September 24 – The Tiffany Center (1410 SW Morrison St., Portland) and Havurah's YouTube channel
As the gates of prayer begin to close, join us in celebrating the start of Yom Kippur. All the High Holiday services are free and open to all. You can attend the Kol Nidre service either in person at the Tiffany Center or by streaming the services on Youtube. All are welcome.

Yom Kippur Services
9:30 am to 7:15 pm, Monday, September 25 – The Tiffany Center (1410 SW Morrison St., Portland) and (mostly) on Havurah's YouTube channel

Spend the day with us in prayer, meditation and contemplation for Yom Kippur. All of Havurah Shalom's High Holiday services are open to all, no tickets needed. We will be in person at the Tiffany Center and streaming on Youtube. All are welcome.

REMINDER: For complete information about High Holidays at Havurah Shalom, please visit our High Holidays page. For a quick guide to the Yom Kippur services schedule, you can also go to this page
 

Yom Kippur Family Service (Shofars encouraged!)
3:30 pm to 4:15 pm, Monday, September 25 – The Tiffany Center (1410 SW Morrison St., Portland)
All are welcome! The service is geared toward families with children ages 5-11. Our Yom Kippur Family Service helps people of all ages focus on our yearly tradition of celebration and renewal, with favorite songs and prayers, the Jonah story, and a chance to connect with others. Bring a shofar if you have one! Note that this service will not be streamed. Please RSVP for the Yom Kippur Family Service. All are welcome.

Havurah Book Group Discussion on The Treeline: The Last Forest and the Future of Life on Earth by Ben Rawlence
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, September 26 – Zoom Room Bet
After the ocean, the boreal forest is the largest biome—living system—on earth. Encircling the globe in a nearly continuous green ring, this "lung" is essential to the planet's health. Author Ben Rawlence journeys with the peoples of the North and interviews scientists and indigenous people whose families have lived in these regions for tens of thousands of years. All of it is suddenly changing with our warming climate and massive wildfires. His writing is lyrical, with rigorous reporting, as he grapples with the rapidly changing conditions and what this might mean for the future of life on Earth. (Non-Fiction/202 pages.) Discussion led by Harriet Cooke. Members and nonmembers welcome. RSVP for Zoom info.
 

Build the Sukkah!
9 am to 1 pm, Wednesday, September 27 – Havurah Shalom
Are you a little handy, good with diagrams, or just enjoy working outdoors? Come together with a fun group of people to raise the Havurah Sukkah in our courtyard ahead of Sukkot. Bring a drill if you have one, or just a sense of adventure. Not into building things but want to come anyway? We appreciate moral support as well. Sign up for this activity on our High Holidays Volunteer Sign-Up by scrolling down to the Sept. 27 date. Hope to see you there!

Sukkah Decoration Party
5:30 pm to 6:45 pm, Thursday, September 28  – Havurah Shalom
Our Havurah Sukkah is a place of meditation, meals, song, and community. Get together with other Havurahniks to make it look fantastic and feel as special to be in as it is. RSVP to receive details as the date comes closer.

Tuning In to Jewish Texts
7:30 pm to 8:45 pm, Tuesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, and 31; Nov. 21 and 28; Dec. 5 and 12  –  Havurah Shalom
Jewish text study is similar to tuning a radio. Each type of text—TaNaKH (Bible), Rabbinic Literature (Midrash and Talmud), Medieval Commentary (Rashi, ibn Ezra, Nachmanides, etc.) and Mystical (Kabbalistic and Hasidic)—operates on a different frequency. Each seeks to clarify what we are hearing about the world, following a set of rules. Each reads the world’s signals. We will spend two weeks on each genre, tuning into specific passages. Hebrew is not necessary for this overview, although we will read some of the “greatest hits” together in the original. Transistor radios preferred to digital, because we all get static - we're aiming for more resonance. Led by Rabbi Joey Wolf. RSVP

Special Israeli Folk Dance Class (Getting ready for Simchat Torah)
7:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Wednesday, October 4 – Havurah Shalom Social Hall
Let’s get ready to dance at Simchat Torah! Join long-time Israeli folk dancers Cindy Merrill and her friends Rhona Feldman and Sue Wendel to learn basic Israeli steps and dances. This one-time class will help prepare you to dance at Simchat Torah! All ages and levels are welcome. Questions? Contact Cindy Merrill. RSVP

Alte Rockers in the Sukkah
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Thursday, October 5 – Havurah Shalom (in the Sukkah)
Each year, the Havurah Alte Rockers gather for one night at Havurah Shalom to have a potluck dinner and/or dessert in the Havurah Sukkah. We will do the usual prayers in the Sukkah. Bring your Etrog and Lulav (if you have those) and/or some beverages to share! Questions? Contact Ted Scheinman. RSVP

Reparations Workshop: A Five-Session Course

6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursdays, Oct. 5, 19, and 26; Nov. 2 and 16 – Havurah Shalom (with virtual attendance accommodation, if needed) 
The class offers an opportunity to study and reflect on the works of prominent thought leaders on reparations for Black Americans as a path to restorative justice. Limited to 12 participants, there will be small-group and full-group opportunities to learn from each other. Class materials will be distributed before the first class and will include articles, excerpts from books, and videos. Questions? Email Karen Sherman. Registering ASAP is encouraged and appreciated! Learn more and RSVP

Havurah Simchat Torah Celebration

6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Saturday, October 7 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Neshemah
Join us for a family-friendly and joyous celebration featuring music and dancing with the Torah! Simchat Torah means "Rejoicing in the Torah." On Simchat Torah, we sing and dance with the Torah. As many people as possible are given the honor of carrying a Torah scroll, and as many people as possible are given the honor of an aliyah (reciting a blessing over the Torah reading). Children are called up for an aliyah, too. We will also have food and Israeli folk dancing, including a dance that will be easy enough for everyone to learn! All are welcome. RSVP
 

More Tikkun Olam 

The Evolve Experience: Havurah's Racial Justice Committee Promoting Upcoming Play
7:30 pm on Friday, Sept. 22; both 2 pm and 7:30 pm on Saturday, Sept 23; and 7:30 pm on Sunday, Sept. 24 – Winningstad Theatre (1111 SW Broadway, Portland, Oregon)
"The Evolve Experience is a unique arts-based workshop built around first-person narratives from police officers, judges, and Black community members describing their lived experiences at the intersection of race and the justice system." - From the Portland'5 Center for the Arts website. Learn more and buy tickets 

Notes from Havurah's Racial Justice Committee notes: If you saw "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" a few years ago, this is the third iteration of this ongoing conversation about the intersection of race and our justice system. If you need financial assistance to attend this play, please contact Havuranik Bob Brown.

Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice September 2023 Newsletter
Join with the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice (JCIJ) in seeking a new year of solidarity and justice. Click here (or click on the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice NW link at the bottom of this "More Tikkun Olam" section) for the most recent JCIC newsletter.

High Holidays Book Drive for Rose Haven and Food Drive for Lift Up
7 pm to 9 pm, Sunday, Sept. 24 and 9:30 am to 7:15 pm, Monday, Sept. 25 – Tiffany Center (1410 SW Morrison St., Portland, Oregon)
Thanks for the donations already made during Rosh Hashanah! Please continue to bring the following donations to the 4th floor of the Tiffany Center anytime during services for Erev Yom Kippur (Kol Nidre) and Yom Kippur Day. 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 Urban Portland: 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. Learn more here.

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 and small-group discussion focused on the disparate impact of climate change on refugees, people of color, and those living in poverty. about it. Learn more here.

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

Oregon Residents Ages 65+ Can Take Classes for Free at Portland State University (A Message from PSU's Judaic Studies Department)
Did you know that Oregon residents 65 years of age or older can audit Judaic Studies courses and other PSU courses for free? The Senior Adult Learning Center (SALC) facilitates and encourages lifelong learning for Oregon residents 65 years of age or older by registering them as auditors and offering access to most of Portland State University’s classes at little to no cost.

The Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies at Portland State University offers these intriguing courses for Fall Term 2023:
- Yiddish Folklore & Culture (Meir) – in-person or Zoom
- Introduction to the Hebrew Bible (Spielman) –  in-person
- Pagans, Christians, and Jews (Spielman) – in-person
- Museums and Memory in the US and Israel (Spiegel) – Zoom
- First-Year Hebrew  (Peleg) – in-person
- Second-Year Hebrew (Rachmuth) – in-person

Learn more at this PSU Judaic Studies website for their Fall 2023 courses. Classes begin September 26, so aim to register online by then.

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

High Holidays Services 5784 - Special Online Access Info

How to Attend Kol Nidre (Erev Yom Kippur), Yom Kippur, and Simchat Torah Services Online
Digital Machzor |  Digital Songbook
Please download a copy of the machzor to use during services from home, and the songbook too when it is ready. These links will be provided on the Youtube Streaming page for your convenience, and on Zoom, they will be provided by the Zoom host in the chat. We regret that all paper machzors are needed for in-person services, and cannot be lent out.
Link to Youtube Stream (for Erev Yom Kippur and Yom Kippur services)
All services at the Tiffany Center, except children’s programming, will be streamed on Youtube. The Youtube stream is one-way, allowing you to view the services without seeing other people who are also online.
Link to Join Zoom Room Neshamah (for Simchat Torah)
The SImchat Torah service at Havurah Shalom will take place in Zoom Room Neshamah. The Zoom Room is two-way, allowing you to see those who are also joining online. Additional Information:
Meeting ID: 898 0893 5437 
Passcode: 7290

Havurah Zoom Rooms

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