Community Email, Aug 31
|
KABBALAT SHABBAT-RSVP BY SEPT. 5, MEDITATIVE & MUSICAL SELICHOT
UPCOMING SHABBAT Community Minyan This Saturday we will read and discuss Parsha Re’eh, (Re'eh means 'See'). The parsha reminds us that we can choose whether to receive God’s blessing or God’s curse. In Re’eh we also learn about tithing, helping others who need loans, freeing servants, and honoring the pilgrimage festivals of Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot. The above photo of Havurah's sukkah was taken by Ellen Regal. Watch for news about Havurah's Sukkot decorating times & celebrations - including a Sunday Sing-a-Long and an October Kabbalat Shabbat!
FIRST KABBALAT SHABBAT OF THE FALL IS HERE! Kabbalat Shabbat - RSVP BY MONDAY, SEPT. 5 Join us for our first Kabbalat Shabbat of the fall on Friday, Sept. 9. Rabbi Joey will join Havurah musicians Ilene Safyan, Scott Snyder, Steven Sandberg-Lewis, Chaim Wolin, and John Duke to lead this short, musical service. The catered vegetarian dinner will begin at 6:30 pm. Gluten-free, wheat-free and nut-free options will be provided. Childcare is provided. Please register here by Monday, Sept. 5. If you can't join us for dinner, we hope you'll join us for the service at 7:30 pm.
Above photo was taken at a recent Kabbalat Shabbat Service.
MEDITATIVE, MUSICAL SELICHOT ON SEPT. 24 Saturday, Sept. 24 This meditative, musical evening will help us usher in the High Holidays. This year Selichot takes place at a time in which we wonder how we are implicated in envisioning a more equitable and just society. What does it mean to ask for forgiveness amidst the pleas and demands for Black Lives Matter and the scorched-earth conspiracy rhetoric of Donald Trump? Do we see ourselves changing? Letting go – of what? Returning – to what? Praying – with what in mind and in our hearts? Join us as we begin the process of Teshuvah, of resolving those issues that have been heavy on our hearts and minds. Please arrive early and bring a candle in a container and a dessert to share.
NEXT WEEK AT HAVURAH Labor Day Office Closure Havurah's office will be closed on Monday, Sept. 5, for Labor Day. Morning Minyan, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 8:30 - 9:00 am 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. Music Sharing Night, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 7:00 pm Join Havurah Music Coordinator Ilene Safyan and other Havurah members interested in music to begin musical preparations for the upcoming High Holidays.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING FORUM Affordable Housing Forum At our Affordable Housing Forum, we will have a fantastic panel of Havurah members who have devoted their lives to housing issues:
We will also have a representative from the Yes for Affordable Homes campaign, who will let us know how we can support the passage in November of a $258 million general obligation bond to 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? Bring your questions. Bring your friends. Join us! Read more here.
URGENT NEED FOR HOMES FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES Catholic Charities is reaching out to a few congregations that they have been working with as they have three Syrian families of seven arriving next week (one of which they just found out about on Friday). In addition to the generally high number of arrivals this month and next, housing continues to be the greatest challenge. With these families arriving so close together, the need for three-bedroom units is intense. Catholic Charities recognizes that they may not be able to secure and set up that many in the next week and so are reaching out to try to find some temporary housing options and additional support for these families. Any leads or support you may be able to provide is tremendously appreciated. Michelle Welton of Catholic Charities would be happy to answer specific questions or to meet with anyone as it would be helpful to the process. If you have information that would be helpful, please email Michelle at MWelton@CatholicCharitiesOregon.org.
PORTLAND HOMELESS FAMILY SOLUTIONS (PHFS) TIKKUN OLAM COMMITTEE DIRECT SERVICE PROJECT NEWS "I am so glad that I was able to learn about this amazing organization through Havurah." - John Devlin, a new Goose Hollow volunteer. Check out in the October Hakol how he and Rachel Devlin helped the children at the Goose Hollow Shelter! Join us in doing this direct service project work. The next orientation at the shelter is Monday, Sept. 12, 5:00 to 6:00 pm, 1838 SW Jefferson. Parking is behind the church. Questions: To help with meal preparation: Len Shapiro at lenshap@gmail.com. Any other PHFS questions, Gloria Halper, Tikkun Olam Committee member, losninos6@gmail.com.
RABBI JOEY JOINS OTHER LEADERS TO SPEAK AT 9/11 COMMEMORATION Sunday, Sept. 11 On Sunday, Sept. 11, Rabbi Joey will join spiritual leaders of many different faiths and practices to commemorate the 15th anniversary of 9/11. The service will include music, reflections and remembrances.
TOT SHABBAT Saturday, Sept. 17 Young children (0-5) and their parents celebrate Shabbat with singing, movement, blessings and storytelling. We touch on the main highlights of the Shabbat morning service: wonder, fun, song, listening to the world, dancing and Torah. Tot Shabbat is fashioned for the under 6 crowd, but older kids are welcome (and can help tell a story, etc.) Afterwards we enjoy an informal oneg nosh and the chance to play and schmooze. Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. Please RSVP by Sept. 15 if you can join us!
GETTING DOWN TO TACHLIS (THE NITTY GRITTY) - B'NAI MITZVAH LOGISTICS Thursday, Sept. 15 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 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.
DOROT SHABBAT Friday, Sept. 23 Join us for a casual, family-friendly and music-filled service for people of all ages. Beginning with candle lighting, Kiddush and challah, the service continues with prayers and music led by congregants, followed by a vegetarian potluck dinner. Please RSVP here if you can come.
Photo was taken at a recent Dorot Shabbat.
EREV ROSH HASHANAH DINNER & HIGH HOLIDAYS VOLUNTEERING Sign up now for your favorite volunteer spots! Havurah can only open our doors to the community for our High Holidays services if each Havurahnik helps in some way! Please click below and find the volunteer position that's right for you.
Learn more about our High Holidays services here. Registration is open for our Erev Rosh Hashanah Dinner on Sunday, Oct. 2. Register here for Erev Rosh Hashanah Dinner!
IN OUR COMMUNITY ... BYTE - Border Youth Tennis Exchange Charlie Cutler, son of Havurah member Beverlee Cutler and one of Havurah's own "kids" (now grown) is hosting an information session for the NGO that he founded, Border Youth Tennis Exchange (BYTE). BYTE brings young people living on both sides of the border between Arizona and Mexico, in a town divided by a wall, together as they learn about each other as they play tennis. This video and this flier show and explain how BYTE works. Passport to Jewish Portland Havurah Shalom is participating in a new Passport to Jewish Portland program for young adults ages 22-30. The program provides a one-year synagogue membership (to only one of the participating synagogues), MJCC membership, Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education membership, and a subscription to the Oregon Jewish life magazine. The cost is $360 per person. Learn more here. 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.
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. You'll have 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:
If you have any questions and/or concerns, please contact us at rabbisearch@havurahshalom.org.
|
