Hineinu, March 20, 2024

Havurah Purim Celebration
6 pm to 8 pm on Saturday, March 23 at Havurah Shalom
Come as you aren't! All are welcome! Fun for all ages! 
Featuring: Pizza and healthy (and not-so-healthy) snacks for all! The Alte Rockers' infamous drinks table! Arts and crafts and/or games for the kids! Costumes! The Great Yiddish (Hamentashen) Bake Off! And, of course, Music and the Spiel! Learn more and register to attend here!

Havurahniks, we need (more) folks to sign up for:
- Decorations/Set-up!
- Baking and bringing hamantashen!

Questions? Email Avodah Cluster Lead and Purim Lead, Sarah Wetherson at sarah@havurahshalom.org. 

RSVP

A Seat at Your Seder?
Purim is upon us, and Pesach is coming soon! As you are planning your seder, please let Tara Anderson (tara@havurahshalom.org) know if you are able to host one, two or more guests at your table this year for our 5784 seder matching effort. Thank you!

Havurahnik Help Wanted
Community is an enduring value of Havurah. These are just some of the ways to be engaged in building our community—what ways are right for you?

Visit havurahshalom.org/helpwanted.org for the most up-to-date specific requests from groups and committees.

General Info

Thank you for following our COVID safety guidelines for in-person gatherings, which were updated on June 15, 2023. 

Contacting your fellow 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 (log into the website and go to the Contact tab). 

Zoom/YouTube stream links can be found near the end of this email.

Regular Havurah Happenings

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 are listed below and in the website calendar.
(There will be a Tot Shabbat  at 10:30 am on Saturday, March 30.)

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.

Upcoming Havurah Events

Racial Justice Monthly Meeting
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursday, March 21 (but normally on second Thursdays) – Zoom Room Bet
Join the monthly meeting of the Racial Justice Committee to learn what we are up to and how you can be involved. Join us even if you haven't joined in the past. New members always welcome! If you have questions about what the Racial Justice Committee does, feel free to reach out to Julia Lager-Mesulam, Bob Brown, Kathy Gordon or Jennifer Bruml.

Hakol Deadline: Thursday, March 21
The deadline to submit materials for the upcoming month's Hakol newsletter is usually the third Thursday of the month. The deadline for the April 2024 issue of Hakol is Thursday, March 21. Havurahniks, click here to learn more about how to submit to Hakol, Havurah's monthly newsletter.

Havurah Purim Celebration
6 pm to 8 pm on Saturday, March 23 – Havurah Shalom
Come as you aren't! All are welcome! Fun for all ages! 
Featuring: Pizza and healthy (and not-so-healthy) snacks for all! The Alte Rockers' infamous drinks table! Arts and crafts and/or games for the kids! Costumes! The Great Yiddish (Hamentashen) Bake Off! And, of course, Music and the Spiel! RSVP

Havurahniks: We need more bakers & bringers of hamantashen and helpers with decorations/set-up. Sign up here to help out at Purim. Questions? Email Avodah Cluster Lead and Purim Lead, Sarah Wetherson at sarah@havurahshalom.org.

Climate Team Action Monthly Meeting
5:30 pm to 7 pm, Monday, March 25 (last Mondays) -– Zoom Room Bet
With the new normal of extreme hot summer days and wildfire smoke, we are all affected by the climate crisis. Havurah Climate Action Team (HCAT) meets monthly and online as needed, to educate and support one another in tangible actions and political advocacy to address solutions. We are reaching out to Havuraniks of all ages and welcome new members to our team! We enthusiastically want to hear your thoughts and vision for actions! Please join us on fourth Mondays! Questions? Contact Elianne Lieberman or Harriet Cooke.

Monthly Letter-writing for Israeli/Palestinian Justice
6 pm to 7:30 pm, Monday, March 25 (last Mondays) – Zoom Room Heh
We gather via Zoom on the last Monday of each month at 6:30 pm. The purpose of the group is to write to legislators, organizations and influential individuals concerning such issues as ceasefire and Gaza food aid. For this upcoming letter-writing gathering on Monday, March 25, please check the calendar again to confirm that the exact start time and Zoom room are still the same as listed above. Questions? Contact Dale Oller.

Havurah Book Group: Apeirogon by Colum McCann
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, March 26 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
Bassam is a Palestinian Muslim who was imprisoned by Israeli officials for seven years. Rami is a Jewish man who was born in Israel and married into a well-heeled family that has some social capital in Israeli politics. They inhabit a world of conflict that colors every aspect of their lives, from the roads they are allowed to drive on to the schools their children attend to the checkpoints, both physical and emotional, they must negotiate. Ultimately, Apeirogon is a timely novel about war, violence, grief, forgiveness, and the human connection between everyone despite our differences. The novel expands to cross centuries and continents, stitching together time, art, history, nature, and politics in a tale both heartbreaking and hopeful. The novel received positive reviews and was longlisted for the Booker prize in 2020496 pages, fiction. Learn more about Apeirogon on the book group event page. Discussion led by Marjorie Walters. Nonmembers welcome. RSVP for Zoom info.

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

Wrestling with the Truth of Colonization Training with MACG
6 pm to 8 pm,  April 4th ,9th, 11th, 16th, and 18th -– external  MACG Zoom
(Register by April 1)
Wrestling with the Truth of Colonization is an eight-session training (the remaining 3 sessions will be planned with local Indigenous leaders as an outcome of the training) offered by the Metropolitan Alliance for the Common Good (MACG). Wrestling with the Truth of Colonization was created by a global team of Indigenous leaders offered locally by the Industrial Area Foundation Northwest and hosted by MACG. Last year, 14 members of our community participated. You are invited to join this year’s sessions in reflection and learning about the consequences of colonization and its ongoing impact on the region where we live. “These sessions were challenging but were so important in my understanding of the experiences of our Indigenous brothers and sisters.” Please see the REGISTRATION LINK to learn more about this offering and to register. The registration deadline is April 1st. Contact Michael Heumann or Bob Brown with questions or more information.

Nosh and Learn: Countering Active Threat Training
12:30 pm to 2:15 pm, Sunday, April 7 - Havurah Shalom
Come at 12:30 for bagels, stay for an engaging and informative safety training at 1 pm. We will learn best practices for how to counter an active threat at this training developed for faith-based institutions and houses of worship. Provided by Jessica Anderson of the Secure Community Network. RSVP

Teen Havurah: Viking Gameroom
3 pm to 5 pm, Sunday, April 7 - PSU Viking Gameroom (1825 SW Broadway, in the basement of Smith Memorial Student Union)
Havurah Teens: Join us at the Viking Gameroom at PSU for an afternoon of fun! Video games - Xbox One, billiards, popcorn & soda, foosbal, pop-a-shot. RSVP
Parent/guardian volunteers are needed. If you can chaperone, add your name in the RSVP/registration notes.

Zoom Check-in Meeting of the Palestine Justice Working Group
7 pm, Sunday, April 7 (first Sundays) – Zoom Room Bet 
We meet regularly on the third Sunday of every month, at Havurah and in Zoom Room Bet. We also meet on the first Sunday of the month, in Zoom Room Bet, for a Zoom check-in. If you are interested in being added to the listserv, please email David Lewis.

Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual
7 pm to 8:15 pm, Monday, April 8 – In Person or Zoom Room Heh (Leader will announce which.)
 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. The location (in-person or Zoom) for the April 8 gathering will be announced.

Music Jam
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Monday, April 8 (every second Monday) - Havurah Shalom
Havurah Music Jams Rock On! On the second Monday of the month, come sing and play in community! We will be in the Pardes classroom at Havurah. Songsheets will be provided and include a mix of country, folk, Jewish folk, liturgical and popular songs. Bring your instrument, your voice and your enthusiasm! Please RSVP for the April Music Jam.

Steering Meeting
6:30 pm to 9 pm, Tuesday, April 9 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Gimel
All Havurah members are invited to join for Steering Meetings. For thsi meeting, we will meet both in person at Havurah Shalom and virtually via Zoom Room Gimel.

Experience the Omer: Making it Count!
7 pm to 7:30 pm (except intro class is 7 pm to 8 pm), Tuesdays, April 9 to June 4 –Zoom Room Dalet
Join the Omer journey from Liberation to Revelation! Come learn about the ancient practice of counting the Omer and find your own best practice for making the transition out of the Narrow Place of Mitzrayim to the Expansive Reception at Sinai. We will learn about the mystical practice of counting each of the lower seven sephirot — Divine Emanations — of the Tree of Life, each of the seven days, of each of the seven weeks, bringing us a closer, clearer understanding of this journey. There are a variety of tools and practices, from saying the daily blessing, to sets of Omer cards, counting barley seeds, stitching patterns, to movement-based rituals, that you might choose to facilitate your own learning and experience. Apr. 9 (Intro), April 23 (Chesed), April 30 (Gevurah); May 7 (Tiferet), May 14 (Netzach), May 21 (Hod), May 28 (Yesod); June 4 (Malchut). Led by Andrine de la Rocha. RSVP

Havurah 101
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Wednesday, April 10 – Zoom Room Gimel
Join members of the Havurah Leadership Development Committee on Zoom 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

Safety Corner

BeAware: Introduction to Situational Awareness
7 pm, Tuesday, April 2 – Zoom by RSVP
Build observation skills and learn to recognize and react to various situations in your everyday life – from going to synagogue and dropping off children at school, to going to the gas station or an ATM. The course will cover the basics of situational awareness and how to help protect yourself, your family, and your community. Taught by Jessica Anderson, Secure Community Network Regional Security Director. RSVP
 
Nosh and Learn at Havurah! Countering Active Threat Training
12:30 pm, Sunday, April 7 — Havurah Shalom
Come at 12:30 for bagels, stay for an engaging and informative safety training at 1 pm. We will learn best practices for how to counter an active threat at this training developed for faith-based institutions and houses of worship. Provided by Jessica Anderson of the Secure Community Network. RSVP
 
Guardian Active Bystander Training
7 pm, Monday, April 8 — Zoom by RSVP
Secure Community Network's Jessica Anderson will teach us skillsets to help identify and respond to hazards, enabling you to become an Active Bystander--someone who helps and protects others with confidence and knowledge. RSVP

More Tikkun Olam 

Havurah Sanctuary Committee Seeking Volunteers to Support Recently-arrived Asylum Seekers
Havurah's Sanctuary Committee is building a list of volunteers from within our congregation to support the growing number of asylum seekers in our community. Do you speak Spanish? Do you have time to help with transportation? Are you open to temporarily housing asylum seekers? So far, a few Havurah families have stepped up to provide much-needed temporary housing. We are organizing to provide ongoing support to both the asylum-seeking and the Havurah families. We are beginning this support effort by helping with transportation and interpretation. You can volunteer once or many times. These efforts are connected to the work of IMIrJ and the Asylum Solidarity Collective. For background information on what IMIRJ is doing, please see page 10 in the March 2024 Hakol. 

If you are interested in adding your name to a list of potential volunteers for any of the above (regarding supporting asylum seekers), please contact Kathy Gordon. This is another way our community can live out our commitment to being a Sanctuary Congregation!

Havurah Poverty and Homeless Committee Encourages First Wednesday Volunteer Opportunity: Oregon Food Bank Ortiz Center's Free Food Market
9 am to 11:30 am/12 noon, First Wednesdays (next up: April 3) - Oregon Food Bank Ortiz Center Free Food Market - 6736 NE Killingsworth Street, Portland
Havurahniks (ages 16+) are invited and encourged to join on any first Wednesday morning of the month to volunteer at the Oregon Food Bank Ortiz Center's monthly outdoor free food market. 

Click here to learn more about this vital monthly volunteer opportunity and sign up to help out at the next first Wednesday of the month. Want to ask questions of a Havurahnik who has been involved in this volunteer work with the Ortiz Center Free Food Market? Email Judi Kloper.

Havurah Shalom 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 | Oregon Food Bank

Out in the Community

New Parking Now Available!
Legacy has generously given us permission to park in its lot at 1919 NW Lovejoy on weekdays after 5 pm and all day on weekends. We can park in any spot but 1-10. We hope this will make it easier to come for services and other programming! Please help us maintain our relationship with Legacy by honoring these guidelines.

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

Havurah Zoom Rooms

Room Aleph
PC/Mac/Smartphone: Click here to join.
Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 604560503 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5472.
Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 604560503.
 
Room Bet
PC/Mac/Smartphone: Click here to join.
Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 291215092 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5472.
Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 291215092.
 
Room Gimel
PC/Mac/Smartphone: Click here to join.
Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 502586440 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5472.
Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 502586440.

Room Dalet
PC/Mac/Smartphone: Click here to join.
Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 472484392 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5472.
Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 472484392.

Room Heh
PC/Mac/Smartphone: Click here to join.
Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 87852542099 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5472.
Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 87852542099.

To see our full Zoom room instructions, click here. Member sign-in required.