Hineinu, October 26, 2023

Not Losing Sight of the Human Face
 
Dear friends,

As I take in the ongoing suffering, I return again and again to what has become for me a sort of grounding verse: Don't lose sight of the human face. Amidst all our anger and analyses, our condemnations and fear, to not forget the millions of human faces bearing the pain of this tragedy.

(Please click here to read the rest of Rabbi Benjamin’s message.)

Join Our Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration Friday, Nov. 10

A family-friendly oneg followed by a service led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians. All are welcome.
RSVP for the dinner (if you want to join for that part of the evening).
Sign up to volunteer with your fellow Havurahniks. Most shifts are 15 minutes.

Talking about Israel & Palestine with Children
Click here for some suggested resources for parents, children, and others trying to understand and talk about the situation, as well as a list of just some of the charitable organizations you may wish to consider supporting at this time.

 

Now Hiring: Zoom Host
Havurah is hiring a Zoom host to manage the tech side of online gatherings, providing smooth and welcoming experiences for online attendees. Typical schedule consists of Shabbats and holidays, occasional other special events, usually 2-3 hours at a time. You will share the schedule with our other Zoom host, and you will choose the dates you wish to work or have off. Work is from home or onsite at Havurah. A laptop is available to use at Havurah. Training will be provided. Pays $40/hr. Please contact Rachel Pollak (rachel@havurahshalom.org). 

General Info

Thank you for following our COVID 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

Note: Tot Shabbat will take place on Saturday, November 4. Kabbalat Shabbat is Friday, November 10.

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 (Leo Seidman, October 28; Sidney Epstein, November 11) are listed below and in the website calendar. (On November 4, there will be a Tot Shabbat at Havurah Shalom from 10:30 am to 11:30 am. RSVP for that Tot Shabbat.)

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.

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.

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.

Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration
6 pm Oneg; 6:30 pm Service; 7:30 pm Dinner, Friday, November 10 – Havurah Shalom (and also Zoom Room Aleph for the 6:30 pm service)
We hold Kabbalat Shabbat celebrations on the second Friday evening of each month from October through May: A family-friendly oneg followed by a service led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians, with dinner afterward. Free childcare is provided. No RSVP is needed to come to the oneg or service. All are welcome! Be sure to RSVP for the dinner (if you want to join for that part of the evening). And sign up to volunteer with your fellow Havurahniks. Most shifts are 15 minutes.

Upcoming Events

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.

Meeting of the Proposed Committee for Palestinian Justice
7 pm, Sunday, October 29 - Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
From the group working to establish a Committee for Palestinian Justice at Havurah: The (proposed) Committee for Palestinian Justice is holding a general hybrid meeting on Sunday at 7. An advocacy work group has been meeting to formulate ideas that will be presented to the Steering Committee. Many excellent ideas have been proposed. These ideas will be discussed and voted on. During this time of crisis, it is more important than ever that we advocate for justice for Palestinians. We hope you will attend and share your ideas. Note: Havurah members only please. Contact  David Newman with questions about this event. RSVP ​​​​​​

Tot Shabbat
10:30 am to 11:30 am, Saturday, November 4 – Havurah Shalom
Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. All are welcome. RSVP

The Naked Room, by Willa Schneberg: A Synthesis of the Life of a Poet and Psychotherapist with Discussant Frances Payne Adler
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, November 7 – Havurah Shalom and Special Zoom Room
In this time of mental health crisis among youth and adults, as well among the houseless, Willa's new poetry collection, The Naked Room, illuminates such issues pertaining to mental health. These are poems of the unconscious, the dreamscape, the despondent, the unmoored and the mortal. RSVP

Learn about Chevra Kadisha
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, November 7 – Zoom Room Gimel
The Ma'avar Committee is hosting an evening discussion with David Lewis on the ritual and practices of Chevra Kadisha. A chevra kadisha is a group who perform the traditional Jewish ritual of preparing individuals for burial. David will share information then facilitate conversation including questions and answers. RSVP

What Chappened to Chanukah? (Registration deadline: November 4)
12:30 pm to 1:45 pm, Wednesdays, November 8, 15, and 29 – Havurah Shalom
We’ll look into the contentious historical roots of Chanukah—religious pluralism, fanaticism, nationalism, spiritual renewal, cultural and gastronomical adaptation to name a few!—and how the holiday evolved over time, in different communities. We’ll explore how we can be part of that evolution, interpreting Chanukah in rituals and meanings that will speak to us today. Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner.
Contact Deborah Eisenbach-Budner (deborah@havurahshalom.org) with any questions. All three sessions will be take place in person at Havurah Shalom. RSVP by the registration deadline: November 4.

Havurah 101
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursday, November 9 – Havurah Shalom
Join members of the Havurah Leadership Development Committee to learn more about our unique community and the ways we all support each other in our participatory culture. All members are welcome to join us! RSVP

Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration
6 pm Oneg; 6:30 pm Service; 7:30 pm Dinner, Friday, November 10 – Havurah Shalom (and also Zoom Room Aleph for the 6:30 pm service)
A family-friendly oneg followed by a service led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians, with dinner afterward. Free childcare is provided. No RSVP is needed to come to the oneg or service. All are welcome! Be sure to RSVP for the dinner (if you want to join for that part of the evening). And sign up to volunteer with your fellow Havurahniks. Most shifts are 15 minutes.

Shabbat Morning with Bat Mitzvah of Sidney Epstein
10 am, Saturday, November 11 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Sidney Epstein as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community. All are welcome.

Havurah Racial Justice Committee's Book Group 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. Aim to read the book (How the Word is Passed) beforehand for this book group discussion. Questions? Contact Kathy Gordon or Barbara Gundle with questions. Please RSVP/sign-up as soon as possible!

Havurah Music Jam Begins Again
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Monday, November 13 (and every second Monday of the month) - Havurah Shalom (in Pardes, a room to the left of the Havurah entrance)
Come play together in community! Bring your enthusiasm, and your instrument! Jams will be held the Second Monday of the month, starting Monday, November 13th. Song sheets will be provided and include a mix of folk, Jewish and popular music. RSVP for the November 13th jam session.

Steering Committee Meeting
6:30 pm, Tuesday, November 14 – Zoom Room Gimel
All Havurah members are invited to attend the monthly meetings of the Havurah Steering Committee.

Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual
7 pm to 8:15 pm, Tuesday, November 14 (and monthly with new moon) – RSVP for location updates and details throughout the year
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. Gatherings take place monthly on or near the new moon of each Hebrew month at 7 pm, either on Zoom or in person—outdoors in inner North/East Portland—depending on seasonal shifts in the weather. Attend any or all sessions. RSVP to be updated on location and other details throughout the year.

Workshop: Discussing and Writing Poems of Strong Emotional States
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, November 14, 2023 – Havurah Shalom
We will read and discuss poems by masters who have written about strong emotional states, such as Anne Sexton, Robert Lowell, Hannah Bloch, Edward Hirsch, Yehuda Amichai and Ross Gay. Handout will be provided. We will write first drafts, and share what we have written or discuss our process. Led by Willa Schneberg. RSVP

More Tikkun Olam 

October Newsletter for Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice
Immigrant justice opportunities abound this fall. Read about them in the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice October newsletter. Keep In touch with the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice NW at jcij.nw@gmail.com.

Rose City Dayenu Circle meeting (a Jewish call to climate action)
5 pm to 6:30 pm, Sunday, October 29 – Eastside Jewish Commons (2420 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland, Oregon)
Havurah's Climate Action Team (HCAT), a member of the Rose City Dayenu Circle invites you to join in a Jewish call to climate action. This group is a local chapter of the national organization Dayenu (dayenu.org). We plan to meet on the last Sunday of each month and collaborate to take both locally relevant climate action as well as support the actions proposed by the national organization. Come join us to learn more and connect with others who are ready to make a difference together. To let HCAT know you would like to join for this event, please email Havurahnik Judi Soloway; your RSVP is appreciated but not required.

Interfaith Alliance on Poverty First Thursday (November 2, ft. Dan Field)
12 pm, Thursday, November 2 – Zoom hosted by the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty (register with the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty here to get the Zoom details from them)
The Interfaith Alliance on Poverty First Thursday speaker is Dan Field, recently appointed Director of the Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS). Mr. Field comes to that position from a long history in bridging health and housing, and a commitment to making that office all that it is intended to be. To learn more about the challenges and opportunities for JOHS, click on this link to the findings in the recent audit completed at the request of the IAP's speaker. Register in advance for this event via this link provided by the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email from the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty containing information about joining the Nov. 2 meeting.

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

An Hour of Jewish Stories: Laughter and Tears Encore (for adults)
3 pm to 4 pm, Sunday, November 19 –  Eastside Jewish Commons (2420 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland, Oregon)
Havurahnik Sarah Stein is a professional storyteller and founder of the Portland Storytellers Guild. Born in New York City in 1944, Sarah Stein loves telling Jewish stories filled with irony and the special Jewish sense of humor. She said this about Laughter and Tears Encore: "There will be lots of new exciting stories from Chelm, King Solomon and a longer tale of a trickster and a miser. Plus many more stories from the wealth of Jewish folklore. There will also be music between the stories." Note that this show is for adults only. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors pre-sale; $17 and $12 at the door. Click here to register and get tickets in advance.

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.