Hineinu: Havurah Gathering for Prayer and Support; Important Shabbat School Message
Author
Date Added
Hineinu, October 11, 2023
A Gathering for Prayer and Support This Saturday, October 14, 6:30 to 8 pm
At Havurah, and also accessible via Zoom Room Aleph In this painful moment, we will come together at Havurah to connect and support one another. We are collectively holding so many emotions — fear, anger, grief, despair, and others — and they will all be welcome as we gather. We will pray for our fellow Jews in Israel, including many family and loved ones of Havurah members, and for the people of Gaza — honoring the humanity and the suffering of every innocent person caught in this nightmare. The evening will include Havdalah, followed by silence, song and poetry, and space for anyone who wants to share from our hearts and experience in this tragic and frightening time.
Being with/Talking with Our Children in a Time Like This Saturday, 3:10 to 4:30 pm, during Shabbat School, at Havurah
Are you a parent or grandparent (with children of any age) who is sorting out your own feelings and thoughts about the tragic human story unfolding for Israelis and Palestinians right now, while also figuring out how to be with your children? Please join together for support, sharing resources, and community, Saturday, during Shabbat School, at Havurah.
Kabbalat Shabbat Returns on Friday, October 13 We hope to see you this Friday evening for our Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration.
All are welcome to come to Havurah Shalom or to join via Zoom Room Aleph.
Note: Only the dinner portion of the evening (7:30 pm) requires an RSVP/registration—and we expect to be full to capacity with dinner registrations very soon. No RSVP/registration is needed to join for our oneg (6pm) or our lively, family-friendly service, led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians (6:30 pm); you can just show up in person or on Zoom to usher in Shabbat together.
Click on the link to sign up to volunteerwith your fellow Havurahniks during Kabbalat Shabbat.
Reminder Regarding Safety Guidelines
We are aware that there has been an increase in the number of Covid cases in Oregon and in our Havurah community. If you are experiencing any respiratory symptoms, please do not attend Havurah events in person. Our most important safety guideline remains: "Feeling Sick? Stay home!" We encourage you to get your Covid booster, influenza vaccine, and RSV vaccine, all of which are now available. Our official Safety Guidelines can be found on our website here.
Questions or concerns? Contact Loree Devery, Chair of the Covid Management Team.
Please Complete the High Holidays Survey ASAP
If you haven't done so already, please click hereto take the Havurah Shalom High Holidays 5784 Survey (Appoximate time: 15 minutes. Skip any questions you don't want to answer.) Your feedback will give us insight into Havurahniks' different experiences and help us improve next year.
General Info
Thank you for following ourCOVID safety guidelines for in-person gatherings, which were updated on June 15, 2023.
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.
Regular Happenings
Notes: Jewish Mindfulness and Meditation is now hybrid every Tuesday. Mah Jong Group has returned! Kabbalat Shabbat returns on Friday, October 13. Tot Shabbat will take place on Saturday, October 14.
Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration
6 pm, second Fridays, October to May –Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
A family-friendly oneg followed by a service led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians, with dinner afterward. 6 pm Oneg, 6:30 Service, 7:30 Dinner. All are welcome! Note: The dinner portion requires RSVPing on the calendar and will likely be full to capacity. The oneg and service portions of our Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration don't require any RSVP/registration, and we hope all will come together to usher in Shabbat. Havurahniks, click here to go to the volunteer sign-up for the October 2023 Kabbalat Shabbat.
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 (Nathan Zahm, October 21; Leo Seidman, October 28)are listed belowand in the website calendar. (On October 14, there will be a Tot Shabbat starting at 10:30 am.)
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, pleaseRSVP on the calendar. To receive Mahjong Group updates, ask Leah to add you to the email list. (Mahjong Group has now resumed meeting.)
Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation 12 pm, 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. (Starting in October, Jewish Mindfulness and Meditation will be both in person at Havurah Shalom and on Zoom every Tuesday.)
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
Racial Justice Committee Monthly Meeting 7 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursday, October 12 – Zoom Room Bet
Come join us for our monthly Racial Justice Committee meeting to learn what we have been up to and find out ways you can engage with the work of this committee.
Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration 6 pm, Friday, October 13 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
A family-friendly oneg followed by a service led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians, with dinner afterward. 6 pm Oneg, 6:30 Service, 7:30 Dinner. All are welcome! (Just for the dinner portion, registration on the calendar is required, and we may be at capacity for dinner very soon. No registration or RSVP is needed to join our oneg or services. We hope to be with everyone to usher in Shabbat this Friday evening.) Havurahniks, click here to go to the volunteer sign-up for the October 13 Kabbalat Shabbat.
Tot Shabbat 10:30 am to 11:30 am, Saturday, October 14 – Havurah Shalom
Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. All are welcome.
Being with/Talking with Our Children in a Time Like This 3:10 pm to 4:30 pm, Saturday, October 14 (during Shabbat School) – Havurah Shalom
Are you a parent or grandparent (with children of any age) who is sorting out your own feelings and thoughts about the tragic human story unfolding for Israelis and Palestinians right now, while also figuring out how to be with your children? Please join together for support, sharing resources, and community, Saturday, during Shabbat School, at Havurah.
A Gathering for Prayer and Support 6:30 pm to 8 pm, Saturday, October 14 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
In this painful moment, we will come together at Havurah to connect and support one another. We are collectively holding so many emotions — fear, anger, grief, despair, and others — and they will all be welcome as we gather. We will pray for our fellow Jews in Israel, including many family and loved ones of Havurah members, and for the people of Gaza — honoring the humanity and the suffering of every innocent person caught in this nightmare. The evening will include Havdalah, followed by silence, song and poetry, and space for anyone who wants to share from our hearts and experience in this tragic and frightening time.
Havurah Climate Action Team Book Group (Under the Sky We Make, Ch. 2 & 3)
All Havurah members are welcome to become part of the HCAT Book Group as we go through each chapter of our next book addressing the climate crisis, Under the Sky We Make, by climate scientist Kimberly Nicholas, PhD. In this best-selling book, Dr. Nicholas offers a hopeful, clear-eyed, and sometimes hilarious guide to affecting real change. For the October 16 meeting, please aim to read Chapters 2 and 3. Future book group sessions for Under the Sky We Make will usually take place on the first and third Mondays of each month. Questions? Contact Michael Heumann.
Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual 7 pm to 8:15 pm, Monday, October 16 – In person in North Portland or in Zoom Room Heh (Leader will announce which.)
A gender-inclusive New Moon group, learning and celebrating each Rosh Ḥodesh with ancient and contemporary ritual. Open to any and all genders, inviting each to connect with our closest heavenly body, the Moon. Attend any or all sessions. RSVPto be updated on location and other details throughout the year.
Occupation 101 7 pm to 8:30 pm, Mondays, October 16, 23, 30; November 13, 20, 27; December 4, 11 –Havurah Shalom
Israel has been engaged in a military occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip for 56 years, since the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. Explore key questions in this eight-week, mainly film-based class. Course participants will watch the films at home and come together in person each week for a contextual lecture and discussion of the films. Taught by Joel Beinin. RSVP
Shabbat Morning with Bar Mitzvah of Nathan Zahm 10 am, Saturday, October 21 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Nathan Zahm as a Bar Mitzvah and member of our community. All are welcome.
Havurah Climate Action Team (HCAT) Monthly Meeting 5:30 pm, Monday, October 23 – Zoom Room Gimel
Join the Havurah Climate Action Team's monthly meeting.
Havurah Book Group - Comrades and Chicken Ranchers: The Story of a California Jewish Communityby Kenneth Kann 7 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, October 24 – Zoom Room Bet
During the heyday of the kibbutz movement, several leftie communities formed in California and New Jersey to practice the Kibbutz lifestyle, sort of. Kenneth Kann, an oral historian who interviewed more than 200 of the former members of this California commune, presents three generations talking about being radical chicken ranchers, their Yiddish cultural life, and their intense political commitments and conflicts. By juxtaposing often opposite views of the same situation, the interviews come alive, and on the whole, it's a pretty amusing and also honest look at a radical Jewish community. Discussion led by Havurah's Holly Hoffnung. Nonmembers welcome. RSVP for Zoom info.
Shabbat Morning with Bar Mitzvah of Leo Seidman 10 am, Saturday, October 28 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Leo Seidman as a Bar Mitzvah and member of our community. All are welcome.
Save the Date/Sign Up: Havurah Racial Justice Committee Book Discussion How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith 7 pm to 8:30 pm, Sunday, November 12 – Havurah Shalom
Please come for a lively discussion! How the Word is Passed illustrates how some of our country's most essential stories are hidden in plain view—like in downtown Manhattan, in which the brutal history of the trade of enslaved peoples has been deeply imprinted. Clint Smith's book is a landmark work of reflection and insight that offers a new understanding of the hopeful role that memory and history can play in understanding our country. Questions? Contact Kathy Gordon orBarbara Gundle. RSVP
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.
Oregon Jewish Voices Reading 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm, Tuesday, October 17 – Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education (724 NW Davis Street, Portland)
Come to the 24th annual reading of "Oregon Jewish Voices" at OJMCHE! Oregon Jewish Voices will be LIVE this year. Kerry Cohen, William Deresiewicz, Miriam Gershow, Marvin J. Lurie and Willa Schneberg will be reading. To learn more and register for this event, click here. Tickets cost $8 for members of OJMCHE and $10 for non-members. Registration is required to attend this annual reading of Oregon Jewish Voices. Questions? Contact Havurahnik Willa Schneberg.
MONUMENT Film Showing for One Night Only (with Filmmaker Q & A) 7:15 pm, Wednesday, October 18 - Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Avenue, Portland, Oregon)
For one show only, and with the filmmaker staying for a post-film Q & A, Cinema 21 will host a special screening of MONUMENT in community partnership with the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education. Filmmaker Michael Turner (The Way We Talk) documents his first visit to a Holocaust memorial created by his grandmother Lici, a Hungarian Jew whose parents and sister were killed in Auschwitz. The resulting personal documentary is a powerful and poetic story of two relatives meeting through time and space to carry their family memory forward. (75 minute film + filmmaker Q&A afterward.) For the trailer and more, click here(or go straight here for ticket purchases, $12 general, $10 students/seniors).
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.
(HYB) Shabbat Morning Shabbat, Aug 23rd 10:00a to 12:00p Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. 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.
(HYB) Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual Sunday, Aug 24th 7:00p to 8:15p A gender-inclusive New Moon group, learning and celebrating each Rosh Ḥodesh with ancient and contemporary ritual. Open to any and all genders, inviting each to connect with our closest heavenly body, the Moon. An introductory meeting will happen on the full moon of Elul on Wednesday, Aug. 30 outdoors—weather permitting—in North Portland. Subsequent meetings will be on or near the new moon of each month either in person in North Portland or on Zoom, depending on seasonal shifts in the weather. Attend any or all sessions. RSVP to be updated on location and other details throughout the year.
(ZM) Israel-Palestine Committee Monthly Planning Meeting Sunday, Aug 24th 7:00p to 8:30p Havurah members, you are welcome to join the Israel-Palestine Committee planning meeting. We meet monthly in Zoom Room Dalet (fourth Sundays, 7 pm to 8:30 pm). For Zoom Room info, visit havurahshalom.org/zoom (be sure you log in to your Havurah member account).
Daily Shofar Blast Monday, Aug 25th (All day) Hear the Sound of the Shofar each day of Elul (except Shabbat): Andrine, Diane & Howard (& sometimes Dominic & Wesley) help prepare us for Rosh Hashanah with shofar, deep thoughts, and a touch of kavanah (intention). Videos will be posted daily on Havurah's YouTube and Facebook pages.
(ZM) Havurah Climate Action Team Meeting Monday, Aug 25th 5:00p to 6:30p Havurah members, join the next monthly meeting of Havurah's Climate Action Team in Zoom Room Gimel, from 5 pm to 6:30 pm. ***For Havurah members who are not already on HCAT, RSVP/register to be emailed the agenda for our next meeting when it's ready. You don't have to commit to attending all the meetings listed.*** Questions? Contact Elianne Lieberman or Marianna Grossman.
(IP) Hebrew for Prayer: The Ashamnu Monday, Aug 25th 6:30p to 7:30p Come explore key prayers of the High Holiday liturgy. We will be looking at the Ashamnu prayer through the lens of Hebrew grammar and vocabulary in order to gain some translation skills and find essential meanings of the prayer. It is helpful to be able to decode the aleph-bet, although not necessary if you are comfortable with transliteration. Led by Patty Magid-Volk.
(ZM) Palestinian Justice Letter Writing Group Monday, Aug 25th 7:00p to 8:00p We hold monthly letter writing group Zoom gatherings to write letters to our lawmakers for Israel/Palestine justice. Questions? Email Dale Oller (member log-in required to access directory). Feel free to drop in any time! There’s no need to RSVP, but please do RSVP if you need the Zoom login. Non-Havurah-members very welcome as well.
(ZM) Healing the Heart, Soothing the Soul: A Grief Process Support Group Tuesday, Aug 26th 5:30p to 7:00p **Note: Registration for this group is now closed.** During the month of Elul, we are guided to examine our souls, explore our relationships, reflect on our actions with God and others, and prepare ourselves spiritually to begin a new year. With the Spirit of Elul, we will journey into exploring the aspects of grief. For Havurah members only. Limited to 8 people. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend all sessions.
(HYB) Special Steering Meeting: Staffing Task Force Presenting Comprehensive Staffing Plan Tuesday, Aug 26th 6:30p to 8:30p The Staffing Task Force will be presenting the comprehensive staffing plan which has been created through community and staff feedback about the needs of our community to support members, staff and ensure our sustainability as a participatory community. The plan includes a number of staffing models for Steering to consider. This meeting is to introduce the plan and respond to questions from Steering and Staff.
At the September Steering meeting, the Staffing Task Force will have another opportunity to answer questions from Steering and Staff and then a decision will be made in October by Steering on how to proceed.
Havurah members are invited to this presentation on 8/26 but questions will only be entertained from Steering and Staff so as to ensure that Steering and Staff have ample opportunity to understand the models being presented so Steering can make an informed decision in October.
(IP) What’s All This About Prayer? Wednesday, Aug 27th 6:30p to 8:00p What blocks you from praying? Maybe you don’t believe in God, or see no purpose in sitting there pretending to be spiritual. This class will study the reasons for prayer as explained and amplified by our sages, both ancient and current. It will be very interactive.
Emily Simon has been a member of Havurah since 1980. She now resides in Ashland where she is also a member of Temple Emek Shalom. She is a devoted student of Jewish text and an enthusiastic and effective teacher.
