Community Email, Aug 3
|
BLACK LIVES MATTER TONIGHT, NEW BABY, MUSIC, TISHA B'AV
UPCOMING SHABBAT Community Minyan This week’s Torah portions are Matot (“Tribes”) and Masei (“Journeys”). Since we’re in the second year of the triennial cycle, this Saturday we’ll read the last part of Matot and the first part of Masei: Numbers 32:1 through 33:49. In these verses, two tribes persuade Moses to let them settle on land east of the Jordan and all the Israelites’ journeys are recapped, from the Exodus to their current location in Moab. Come join a lively discussion about these passages or other parts of Matot and Masei, which include both one of the saddest stories and one of the most inspiring stories in the Torah. In the saddest, Moses orders the killing of the Midianite women and baby boys. In the inspiring story, Moses gives permission to the daughters of Zelaphehed to inherit land. Above photo of the daughters of Zelaphehed is from rastafarirenaissance.com. Shabbat in the Pool - Spaces Still Available - Join Us! We will have the Sellwood Park Pool to ourselves from 5:15 to 6:15 pm, then gather for Havdalah singing, a story, and BYO picnic under the trees. In order to defray the major cost of renting the pool/lifeguards, please consider making a donation of $5–$15. The photo below was taken at last year's Shabbat in the Pool.
BLACK LIVES MATTER OPEN CONVERSATION TONIGHT
Wednesday, Aug. 3 The Tikkun Olam Committee is hosting an open conversation about the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and police violence on Wednesday, Aug. 3, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Havurah. This gathering, open to the Havurah community, is intended to provide a safe space to discuss issues and share feelings. Please RSVP here so we know how many people to expect. Questions? Contact Tikkun Olam Co-Chair Liz Schwartz. Read about other upcoming BLM-related events here.
MAZEL TOV TO BECKY, JARED, LENA & NEW BABY JONAH Becky Seel and Jared Goodman, and their daughter Lena, recently welcomed a new member of their family - Jonah. Welcome to our community, Jonah, and mazel tov to the entire family!
MAH JONGG Sunday, Aug. 7 Join us for a fun afternoon of Mah Jongg. Beginners and experts are welcome. Questions? Email Gloria Halper.
HIGH HOLIDAYS MUSIC SHARING Our musical High Holiday preparations will begin in earnest later this month, but we will meet this Monday, Aug. 8, to continue what we started last week — deciding what music we might wish to include this year and sharing new melodies and ideas with each other. Upcoming music sharing sessions are: Monday, Aug. 8 — 7:00 pm at Havurah Saturday, Aug. 27 — Havdalah and Music Sharing — time and place to be determined More sessions on different nights will begin later in August, and we’ll do our best to accommodate everyone’s schedule with regard to scheduling the music sharing sessions. In the meantime, come join us this Monday! - Ilene Safyan
MORNING MINYAN Wednesday, Aug. 10 Our weekly Wednesday Morning Minyan is for people who want to incorporate a regular prayer practice in their lives and for people saying Kaddish for their loved ones. Please join us on Wednesday mornings at 8:30 am.
TISHA B'AV SERVICE Saturday, Aug. 13 Susan Brenner and Roger Brewer have kindly offered to lead a Tisha B'Av Service at Havurah on Saturday, Aug. 13, beginning at 8:30 pm. If you're interested in helping, please contact Susan. She's looking for Havurahniks to help with the planning!
Tisha B'Av means Ninth of Av. It is a day of mourning to commemorate the tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people, many of which have occurred on the Ninth of Av. Learn more about Tisha B'Av here. If you can attend the service on Aug. 13, please bring a flashlight. The above photo is from Wikimedia.
HAKOL DEADLINE Please submit your stories, story titles, and any accompanying artwork for the next Hakol to Rachel by Monday, Aug. 15.
HOW WE CAN HELP REFUGEES Refugee Protection Act
Rachel Oh, Ken Lerner, and Chris Coughlin have continued to stay in touch with the Hassan family as their Cultural Navigator team. Between the three of them, some of the ways they have supported the family have been to go to the Social Security Administration office to help Aden unravel the delay with getting a social security number, drive Aden to an informational interview at Portland Public Schools, locate a donated computer and help Aden get it set up, revise Aden's resume, take the whole family to the zoo, and try to check in on a regular basis to see how they are doing. Overall they seem to be adjusting. But they can use our help. Learn how you can help. Above photo of the Hassan Family was taken by Chris Coughlin.
PARKING NEAR HAVURAH FOR THE MOBILITY-CHALLENGED For members experiencing mobility challenges (whether temporary or permanent) finding parking near Havurah on Saturday mornings can be a barrier to attending Shabbat services. Neighbors to the rescue! One of our neighboring businesses has offered us the use of ten spots on Saturdays, 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. There are certain rules and restrictions. If you have mobility issues, and a nearby spot would make it easier for you to attend Saturday morning services, please contact the office, and we will provide more information. Other ways to travel to Havurah include these public transportation options (scroll to bottom of page) and Portland's new Biketown bicycles.
UNPICNIC IS COMING! GAMES, FRIENDS, FOOD & FUN Havurah Annual Unpicnic The Unpicnic is Coming! We will start with bagels at 10:00 am, then games, either the standing and moving kind (bean bag toss or other games) or the intellectual sort (board games, Settlers of Cataan, chess, Mah Jongg), or just catch up with old and new friends.
Organized games for children – any volunteers to help with this would be appreciated! If you'd like to lead an art project so people of all ages can create collages from leaves, sticks, grass, and other outdoor items, please contact Sarah Rosenberg. Games will be followed by a vegetarian potluck lunch at 12:30 pm. Please come and join us. And if you have any games or activities to bring, please do. The more the merrier! RSVP here. Questions? Email Sarah Rosenberg. Above photo is from Wikimedia. IN THE COMMUNITY ... Summer of Hope Concert Your ticket purchase to Beth Hamon's private house concert on Aug. 28 will raise funds to fight hunger in Oregon and Beth's new album (which is ready to be recorded!). The Portland Food Project concert is Sunday, Aug. 28, 4:00 to 6:00 pm, in NE Portland. Tickets: http://bethhamonaug28.bpt.me Birthright Israel: Israel Experts – Reconstructionist Adventure Camp JRF, the Jewish Reconstructionist Communities, and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College invite you and your friends (ages 21 to 26) to explore Israel over ten days this December. Hike, learn, sing and connect with the land, people, history and culture. Whether you’ve visited before or this will be your first time, you’ll have an incredible experience. Learn more here.
ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR RABBI THROUGH SEPTEMBER Based on information from all who participated in Havurah’s rabbi search survey and focus groups, Havurah Shalom has posted this job description on our website for the position of rabbi. The Rabbi Search Committee will begin reviewing applications on July 17, 2016, and applications will be accepted through Sept. 30, 2016. All inquiries about the job should be directed to Rabbi Joel Alpert, Director of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Placement Center. His contact number is 215-576-0800 ext 304. Please do not send resumes to the committee! |
