Hineinu, November 1, 2023

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.

Hanukkah at Havurah Shalom - Save the Date!
 Sunday, December 10 - 4:30 to 6:30 pm
Join us for an evening of Chanukah fun for everyone!
All are welcome!

Child Care Option from Neveh Shalom:
Nov. 1 to End of PPS Strike
Join BB Camp for camp-style programs including Music, Art, Cooking, Science, Jewish Enrichment, Outdoor Play and many more activities!
For K-8th Graders | Fee per camper: $80/day
WHEN: November 1st through end of strike
TIME: Drop off 8:00-8:30am | Pick up 3:30-4:00pm
WHERE: Congregation Neveh Shalom
You can register now at https://bbcamp.org/camp-days/
Questions? Contact Abby at aevonuk@bbcamp.org

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.

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

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

Havurah 101: You're a Havurah Member - Now What?
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursday, November 9 – Havurah Shalom
Do you have questions about how Havurah's committee structure works?  What makes our participatory model different?  How can you connect with areas you may be interested in?  Join members of the Leadership Development Committee for a discussion to learn more about the inner works of Havurah and how you can find your place in the community.  All members welcome. RSVP here.

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 13 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 – 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

Rumble on the River Community Forum Panel and Action Night #10: Stop Zenith Energy
6:30 pm to 9 pm (doors open for tabling at 6:30; program begins at 7 pm), Thursday, November 16 – Havurah Shalom and Special Zoom Room
The Havurah Climate Action Team (HCAT) is hosting another Rumble on the River Community Forum. This Rumble’s panel discussion is on the upcoming DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality) decision regarding Zenith Energy’s Air Quality Permit. Without the permit Zenith will not be able to operate and pollute our air. Afterwards, we’ll be guided in a Writing Effective Comments Workshop, and write a letter to Governor Kotek. Panelists are Bob Sallinger - Urban Conservation Director with Willamette Riverkeeper, Kate Murphy - Community Organizer with Columbia Riverkeeper, Nick Caleb - Climate and Energy Attorney with Breach Collective. Click here for the event flyer. Feel free to come to the event in person at Havurah without RSVPing--all are welcome--but if you want to be emailed Zoom login details before the event, please 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.

Interfaith Alliance on Poverty First Thursday (November 2, w/ 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

Jewish Community Orchestra: Fall Concert
3 pm, Sunday, November 12 – Mittelman Jewish Community Center (6651 SW Capitol Highway, Portland, Oregon)
See the Jewish Community Orchestra perform their 2023 Fall Concert. Click hereto learn more about this upcoming performance. Tickets are available at the door (General Admission: $15; Senior Citizens: $10; Students: $8).

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.