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Community Email, Aug 17

UNPICNIC THIS SUNDAY, MUSIC SHARING AUG. 27, AFFORDABLE HOUSING

  • Upcoming Shabbat
  • Mah Jongg, Bagel Eaters, Settlers, Bean Baggers, More!
  • Music Sharing & Havdalah with Ilene Safyan
  • Beginning Hebrew Teacher Opening
  • Coming to Your Mailbox Soon
  • Minyan & Mailing Next Wednesday
  • Lift Urban Portland "Making Connections"
  • In Sept. PHFS, Affordable Housing, B'nai Mitz Nitty Gritty, Book Group
  • A Ride for a Havurahnik, Parking Next Door & Public Transportation
  • In the Community ...
  • Rabbi Search Updates

 

UPCOMING SHABBAT

B'nai Mitzvah of Jordan & Dylan Moliken
Saturday, Aug. 20
10:00 am
Havurah Shalom

This Saturday, Dylan and Jordan Moliken, daughters of Sharon and Warren Moliken, will be called to the Torah as B'nai Mitzvah. Please join us in celebration and welcome them to our community. Mazel tov!


MAH JONGG, SETTLERS, BAGEL EATERS, BEAN BAGGERS, MORE!

Havurah Unpicnic
Sunday, Aug. 21
10:00 am
1:00 pm
Havurah Shalom

Join us this Sunday for our annual Havurah Unpicnic! Hot weather is predicted, but we'll be cool indoors (and bee-free too).

We will have tables for Mah Jongg and Settlers of Cataan, and lots of other games for people of all ages. Please bring your own game if you have a favorite! We'll have coffee, juice, bagels, schmear, cream cheese, fruit and sweets at 10:00 am, and we'll wrap up with a potluck vegetarian lunch. (Please bring a dish to share.) To make sure we have enough food and drinks for breakfast, please RSVP here if you plan to come. Thanks!

The above photo from Wikimedia does not represent the kind of bagels we will serve this Sunday. But if you know how to make this kind of bagel, please feel free to bring some to the Unpicnic!


 

MUSIC SHARING & HAVDALAH WITH ILENE SAFYAN

Saturday, Aug. 27
8:00 – 9:30 pm
Havurah Shalom or Ilene's Home ... Depends on RSVPs!

Please RSVP here so Ilene can plan for this musical evening where Havurah members interested in music will have an opportunity to share music, jam and sing. It will be a potluck of music and nibbles.

Also, please bring a dessert or beverage to share with others. Could some of you bring gluten-free, parve or dairy desserts, or wine or soft drinks? (Coffee and tea will be provided.) Thanks!


BEGINNING HEBREW TEACHER OPENING

Do you have teaching experience with children and Hebrew reading fluency? Havurah usually offers three levels of Youth Hebrew before Shabbat School, 15 Saturdays, 1:30-2:40 pm. Teachers use a well-developed curriculum, which focuses on learning how to read prayer and biblical Hebrew. This is a paid position. If you're interested, please contact Deborah Eisenbach-Budner.

The above photo is of Havurah's courtyard, which received some loving care from Havurah gardeners this week. The entire grounds look beautiful. Thank you to all who have watered the plants this summer and to all who pruned our plants this week, including but not limited to Josh Erde-Wollheim, Marlene Salon, Barbara Gundle, Monica Moriarty, and Deborah Kallen.


 

COMING TO YOUR MAILBOX SOON

Watch your mailboxes for our bright new community brochure for 5777, designed by Hannah Westerman, and for important information about our High Holidays services. If you can't wait for snail mail and need to learn more NOW, you can visit this page on our website. You can even register for the Erev Rosh Hashanah Dinner today, if you wish!

Many thanks to the Havurahniks who packaged and prepared the mailing this morning, including Marian Rhys, Roz Basin, Linda Zuckerman, Sandy Ramirez, Adele Thompson, Sandy Ramirez, Arleen Slive, Sue Danielson, Debbi Nadell, and Fran Berg. And thank you to Susan Lazareck for many weeks of important data entry assistance. (Please let the office know if anyone's name was missed.)


 

MINYAN & MAILING NEXT WEDNESDAY

Morning Minyan
Wednesday, Aug. 24
8:30 - 9
:00 am
Havurah Shalom

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. During the summer months, we sometimes have fewer people at the Wednesday service. You could be the one who makes a minyan, making it possible for others to say Kaddish! Please join us on Wednesday mornings at 8:30 am.

Hakol Mailing
Wednesday, Aug. 24
9:00 am
Havurah Shalom

Right after our minyan next Wednesday morning, we'll have a Hakol mailing party in the foyer. This is a big month for mailings, so we're especially thankful for our wonderful mailing volunteers! Please email Rachel if you can come.


LIFT URBAN PORTLAND "MAKING CONNECTIONS" AUG. 25

Lift Urban Portland is a local nonprofit that partners with the Oregon Food Bank and aims to reduce hunger and improve the lives of low-income residents of northwest and downtown Portland.

We invite you to join Lift Urban Portland for "Making Connections," a casual reception and evening of entertainment, including music, silent auction, drinks and hors d'oeuvres. You will hear stories about our impact on the community and learn more about our path to the future.

The event will take place Thursday Aug. 25, 5:30 8:30 pm at the Montgomery Park Atrium, 2701 NW Vaughn St, Portland. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.LiftUrbanPortland.org or call 503-221-1224.

You can also email Michael Feldman (mfeldman@gwu.edu), Havurah's member of the Lift Urban Portland Board of Directors.

Above photo is from Lift Urban Portland's website.


 

PORTLAND HOMELESS FAMILY SHELTER (PHFS) TIKKUN OLAM DIRECT SERVICE PROJECT

At the Goose Hollow homeless family shelter last week, a five-year-old told me that she lived in two places ... one during the days (PHFS day shelter at 13 Salmon) and one for nights (Goose Hollow). -Gloria Halper

Join us in doing this Tikkun Olam direct service work. The next orientations at Goose Hollow are Wednesday, Sept. 12 & 28, 5:00 – 6:00 pm, 1838 SW Jefferson, with parking behind the church. Questions: For Meals: Len Shapiro (One can participate in the meal preparation without attending an orientation.) All other PHFS questions: Gloria Halper, Tikkun Olam committee member.


AFFORDABLE HOUSING FORUM

Wednesday, Sept. 14
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Havurah Shalom

In November, the residents of Portland will vote on a $258 M general obligation bond that will provide more money for affordable housing in Portland. The Havurah Steering Committee has endorsed the passage of this bond. What is the scope and impact of the housing problem; what does this bond measure mean to you, to our community?

We have organized a panel discussion with our very own Havurah housing experts to give you the information you need to make an informed decision in November. We will also have a representative from Yes for Affordable Homes campaign who will let us know opportunities that they have to support the passage of this bond. Learn more about the forum here on Havurah's website.

Above photo from Street Roots shows housing advocates presenting City Commissioner Dan Saltzman and Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury with requests from Portlanders to address the shortage of affordable housing in our area.


 

GETTING DOWN TO TACHLIS (THE NITTY GRITTY) - B'NAI MITZVAH LOGISTICS

Wednesday, Sept. 14
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Havurah Shalom

Presented by Havurah's B’nai Mitzvah Committee, this class is best for those with Bar or Bat Mitzvah dates between December 2016 and December 2017. The class will cover many of the items in the B’nai Mitzvah Handbook and is designed to answer questions for those people concerned with the nuts and bolts of planning, building rental, setting up, catering, etc. Only parents need attend. Led by Rachel Palmer, Office & Facilities Manager. Please RSVP online by Sept. 7.


BOOK DISCUSSION - MY PROMISED LAND: THE TRIUMPH & TRAGEDY OF ISRAEL

Tuesday, Sept. 20
7:00 pm
Havurah Shalom

Join the Havurah Book Discussion Group to read and discuss both fiction and nonfiction books by Jewish authors on a variety of themes. In our next session, we will discuss My Promised Land: The Triumph & Tragedy of Israel by Ari Shavit, a prominent Israeli journalist. Unlike many books on Israel, My Promised Land incorporates the views of Israel's Arab minority, Mizrachi Jews, and the Palestinians. The result is a nuanced portrait of a country coming to grips with its past while moving forward into an uncertain future. This book is guaranteed to generate a lot of discussion. Please join us. Feel free to bring a nosh. RSVP here.


 

RIDE FOR HAVURAHNIK, NEXT-DOOR PARKING, OTHER OPTIONS

If you have a car and the South Park Blocks are on or near your path to Havurah, please consider giving Havurahnik Karen Labinger, who doesn't have a car, a ride to Wednesday Morning Minyans or Saturday services. Many thanks to those of you who have already been helping her come to our services!

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 public transportation (scroll to bottom of page) and Portland's new Biketown bicycles.


 

IN THE COMMUNITY ...

Summer of Hope Concert

Saturday, Aug. 28
4:00 - 6:00 pm

NE Portland

Your ticket purchase to Beth Hamon's private house concert on Sunday, Aug. 28, will raise funds to fight hunger in Oregon and help fund Beth's new album (which is ready to be recorded!). Tickets: http://bethhamonaug28.bpt.me

Moishe House Without Walls Kick-Off

Thursday, Aug. 25
6:00 - 9:00 pm
Moishe House

Moishe House Without Walls (MHWOW) empowers young adults to build Jewish community as they envision it by planning and hosting programs for their peers. Thanks to a grant from the Jewish Federation, MHWOW is now open to any Portlander who is 22-32 years old. In the past it was only available to Moishe House Resident Alumni and Moishe House Retreat Participants. Check out the Facebook event or email Moishe House to learn more.

Prayer Project's Month-Long Spiritual Writing for Elul, Sept. 4-30

“This is a fabulous opportunity to help us prepare for the Days of Awe, really starting the New Year with some intention and focus. I highly recommend the work of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, having studied Jewish Mindfulness and Meditation with them for two years. And we can participate here in our own homes on our own time.“ - Deborah Eisenbach-Budner

Offered online, you can choose the time that's most convenient for you to watch the weekly half-hour teaching video, engage in the brief but focused daily practice, and post your questions and reflections. Learn more here.

Birthright Israel 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.

Mother's Circle

The Mothers Circle is a 13-week community-wide empowering program geared to women of other religious backgrounds raising kids in a Jewish family environment. Held at the MJCC, this supportive class is for anyone wanting to learn more about the "how-to's" of tradition, holidays and ritual. There is no cost and childcare is provided. Come learn more at an information session Mothers' Circle style Rosh Hashanah "mini-lesson" and coffee on Sept. 18, 9:30-10:30 am, at the MJCC. Contact  programs@nevehshalom.org or 503 293-7313 to RSVP or  for more information.

Tivnu

The Tivnu: Building Justice gap year program, directed by Havurah member Steven Eisenbach-Budner, has one spot left for the program beginning on August 31. Do you know a 17-20-year-old whom you'd love to see spend nine months here in Portland, doing important social justice work?

Tivnu is also offering a new option for enrolled college students: having a college student live in the Tivnu bayit in NE Portland with Tivnu participants for the year. They could live in the bayit, cook and shop with the group, enjoy Shabbat and holidays together, and participate in some of Tivnu's educational and social activities including hikes and day trips. Tivnu already has one college student ready to claim a spot. Know someone who should snatch up the other one? Email Adina Miller to learn more.


 

RABBI SEARCH UPDATE

For the past several months, the Rabbi Search Committee has been receiving resumes for the position of rabbi starting August 1, 2017. The deadline for resumes to be received is Sept. 30, 2016.

During the summer we have been reviewing the resumes already received and are determining which candidates with whom we want to have skype interviews. We will decide which candidates to invite for the interview weekends by the end of the High Holidays. It will be announced in the community email and on the website. Bios of the candidates will be placed on the website in November.

There will be several opportunities during the interview weekends for you to see the candidates in action and for you to interact with them. The schedule for those weekends will be published in Hakol, the community email, and on the website in November. We are looking forward to seeing you at the different events and getting your feedback. Please remember to put on your calendar the following dates:

  • December 2-4, 2016
  • December 9-11, 2016
  • January 6-8, 2017

If you have any questions and/or concerns, please contact us at rabbisearch@havurahshalom.org.

 
Fri, March 29 2024 19 Adar II 5784