Hineinu, April 10, 2024

Passover Seder Matching Continues
Havurahniks, can you share a seat at your seder table? Or, are you a Havurahnik looking to join a seder? 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. Also, let Tara know if you are seeking a seat at a seder. Thank you!

Meet Up with the Havurah Alte Rockers: RSVP by April 15 or sooner
(FREE) Habitat for Humanity HopeBuilder Lunch
11:30 am, Wednesday, April 24 — Oregon Convention Center
Learn about the new Habitat for Humanity projects in Portland – probably near you! Keynote speaker Majora Carter is an urban revitalization strategist, author, and Peabody Award-winning broadcaster. Our table will have Passover-friendly foods!  To ask to reserve a seat with the Havurah table, RSVP to Ted Scheinman by April 15 (or sooner is even better). Ted expects to have room for all, but please let him confirm that there is space for you at this event. And you don't have to be in the Havurah Alte Rockers to join up with them for this lunch! 

Shabbat School Registation is Open: Enroll by April 26
Shabbat School is for Havurah families with children in grades K-6. Shabbat School gives our children a basis for Jewish learning and fosters a strong sense of community amongst families. Families must enroll their children in Shabbat School by April 26, 2024, to ensure a spot for the 2024-25 (5785) school year. You can find the enrollment link on our Shabbat School page (under the Learning tab on Havurah’s website).

Kabbalat Shabbbat is Friday, April 12
6 pm Oneg; 6:30 pm Service; 7:30 registration-only Dinner (dinner registration now closed), Friday, April 12  – Havurah Shalom (Service both in person at Havurah and online in Zoom Room Aleph)

A family-friendly oneg followed by a service led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians, with dinner afterward. No RSVP or registration is needed to join for the oneg and service; just join in! All are welcome! (Only the 7:30 pm dinner requires registration, and the dinner is registration is now full.)

Havurahniks, can you help out at our April Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration? Click here to explore available volunteer shifts, which start at just 15 minutes. Many helping hands are needed to make Kabbalat Shabbat a success each month.

Also: Prayer Flags for the Planet with Artist/Scientist Anne Nesse
Havurah will be hosting an art exhibit opening April 12 at Kabbalat Shabbat. The exhibit will consist of prayer flags that illustrate women’s role in preventing climate disaster. There will also be a reception and talk by artist and scientist Anne Nesse on Sunday, April 14 at 3 pm.

Upcoming Havurahnik Artistic Performances
Scroll down to the "Out in the Community" in this issue of Hineinu to learn more about some upcoming events featuring artistic works created by/performed by Havurahniks, including an April 11 concert (Alicia Jo Rabins, with Ethan Chessin), April 14 and April 21 concerts (Chari Smith), and an April 14 poetry reading (Willa Schneberg).

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 (Kai Berkson-Klaus, April 13; Beatrice Weiss Ekstrom, April 27) are listed below and in the website calendar. (There will also be a Tot Shabbat at 10:30 am on Saturday, April 20.)

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. (On Wednesday, April 29, there will be a Passover Minyan. We will meet at 8 am on this day and will observe Yizkor as well.)

Help Out a Havurahnik

Would Jewish-focused programming be beneficial for parents as they navigate raising their children, who may currently or at some point identify as LGBTQ+?
Talia Cordova, a Havurahnik and Family and Human Services student at the University of Oregon, is working on an undergraduate thesis exploring the potential benefits of theologically grounded Jewish educational resources for the parents of LGBTQ+ youth. As part of Talia’s research, she is conducting an anonymous online survey that seeks input from Jewish parents of all denominations and beliefs regarding the type of culturally specific parenting resources they would prefer, if any. Do you feel that your Jewish values shape your parenting practices? Are you interested in seeing more Jewishspecific parenting resources? Do you prefer secular parenting tools? Regardless of whether or not you have a child who currently identifies as LGBTQ+, we would love to hear from you! If you are interested, please share your perspective by going to this link.

Upcoming Havurah Events

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

Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration
6 pm Oneg; 6:30 pm Service; 7:30 registration-only Dinner, Friday, April 12 – Havurah Shalom (Service both in person at Havurah and online in Zoom Room Aleph). 
A family-friendly oneg followed by a service led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians, with dinner afterward. No RSVP or registration is needed to join for the oneg and service; just join in! All are welcome! (Only the 7:30 pm dinner requires registration, and the dinner is registration is now full.) (Havurahniks, can you help out at our April Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration? Click here to explore available volunteer shifts, which start at just 15 minutes. Many helping hands are needed to make Kabbalat Shabbat a success each month.)

Also at Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday, April 12: Prayer Flags for the Planet with Artist/Scientist Anne Nesse
Havurah will be hosting an art exhibit opening April 12 at Kabbalat Shabbat. The exhibit will consist of prayer flags that illustrate women’s role in preventing climate disaster. There will also be a reception and talk by artist and scientist Anne Nesse on Sunday, April 14 at 3 pm.

Shabbat Morning with Bar Mitzvah of Kai Berkson-Klaus
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, April 13 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph 
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Kai Berkson-Klaus as a Bar Mitzvah and member of our community.

Spring Gardening Day
10 am to 2 pm, Sunday, April 14 – Havurah Shalom
Come early, come in the middle, or come at the end; there is plenty to do. Or better yet, come for the whole thing! Bring gloves, pruners, and any other tools you can, plus water and a snack to share. RSVP

Prayer Flags for the Planet Reception with Artist/Scientist Anne Nesse
3 to 5 pm, Sunday, April 14 – Havurah Shalom
Join Havurah Climate Action Team to welcome and talk with artist Anne Nesse. Her Prayer Flags for the Planet art exhibit was inspired by Paul Hawkin's Project Drawdown, the top 100 Climate Solutions that together can help reverse our climate crisis. The reception event is excellent for ages middle school and above, it includes a hands-on Climate Flag making table. (The exhibit will be up through May 10.) RSVP for the reception.

Tot Shabbat
10:30 am to 11:30 am, Saturday, April 20 – Havurah Shalom
Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. All are welcome. RSVP

Meeting of Palestine Justice working group
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Sunday, April 21 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
Join for the regular monthly meeting of the Palestine Justice working group. The agenda will be distributed in advance on the listserv. If you are interested in being added to the listserv, please email David Lewis.
 
Experience the Omer: Making it Count!
7 pm to 7:30 pm, Tuesdays, April 23 to June 4 (RSVP to get the recording of the April 9 Intro session) – 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. 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 to join and to be emailed a recording of the hour-long intro session.

Havurah Staff Holiday: April 23, 24, 29, and 30
The office will be closed for the start and end of the Passover holiday.

Shabbat School Enrollment Deadline is Friday, April 26
Shabbat School is for Havurah families with children in grades K-6. Shabbat School gives our children a basis for Jewish learning and fosters a strong sense of community amongst families. Families must enroll their children in Shabbat School by April 26, 2024, to ensure a spot for the 2024-25 (5785) school year. You can find the enrollment link on our Shabbat School page (under the Learning tab on Havurah’s website).

Shabbat Morning with Bat Mitzvah of Beatrice Weiss Ekstrom
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, April 27 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph 
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Beatrice Weiss Ekstrom as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community.

Climate Action Fair at MJCC
12 pm to 4 pm, Sunday, April 28 – Mittleman Jewish Community Center, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219
HCAT (Havurah Climate Action Team) invites you to continue with our climate action month by attending a community wide Climate Action Fair at the MJCC (Mittleman Jewish Community Center). Cosponsored by the MJCC and the Jewish Federation’s Climate team, meet dozens of environmental organizations and discover resources for actions you can take. A series of speakers will talk about forestry, electrification, native plants and climate friendly foods. All are welcome! ASL interpretation will be provided for speakers. An arts activity area will be available for both children and adults. For more information on tablers, sponsors, and speakers see our Facebook page. The event and parking are free, or be climate friendly and come by bus. For questions, or if you would like to help volunteer, contact Michael Heumann. And please spread the word! All of us taking action is the solution to climate change. See the Havurah calendar event page for more info, including programming highlights.

Havurah Climate Action Team Monthly Meeting
5:30 to 7 pm, Monday, April 29 – Zoom Room Gimel 
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 via Zoom on fourth Mondays from 5:30 to 7 pm. Check the Havurah calendar for details/confirmation. Contact Elianne Lieberman or Harriet Cooke.

Passover Minyan (Yizkor)
8 am to 9:15 am, Wednesday, April 29 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish. We will observe Yizkor today as well. We meet both in person and streaming online in Zoom Room Aleph. All are welcome. Please email info@havurahshalom.org for join info.

Havurah Book Group: Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, April 30 – Zoom Room Bet
(Fiction/368 pages) February 1862. The Civil War is less than one year old. The fighting has begun in earnest, and the nation has begun to realize it is in for a long, bloody struggle. Meanwhile, President Lincoln’s beloved eleven-year-old son, Willie, lies upstairs in the White House, gravely ill. In a matter of days, despite predictions of a recovery, Willie dies and is laid to rest in a Georgetown cemetery. “My poor boy, he was too good for this earth,” the president says at the time. “God has called him home.” Newspapers report that a grief-stricken Lincoln returns, alone, to the crypt several times to hold his boy’s body. From that seed of historical truth, George Saunders spins an unforgettable story of familial love and loss that breaks free of its realistic, historical framework into a supernatural realm both hilarious and terrifying. Willie Lincoln finds himself in a strange purgatory where ghosts mingle, gripe, commiserate, quarrel, and enact bizarre acts of penance. Within this transitional state—called, in the Tibetan tradition, the bardo—a monumental struggle erupts over young Willie’s soul. Lincoln in the Bardo is an astonishing feat of imagination and a bold step forward from one of the most important and influential writers of his generation. Saunders has invented a thrilling new form that deploys a kaleidoscopic, theatrical panorama of voices to ask a timeless, profound question: How do we live and love when we know that everything we love must end? Discussion led by David Newman. Nonmembers welcome. RSVP for Zoom info.

Safety Corner

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
 
Countering Active Threat Training Session
7 pm, Wednesday, April 17 — Zoom by RSVP
A comprehensive training program to counter an active threat event developed for faith-based institutions and houses of worship. Provided by Jessica Anderson of the Secure Community Network. RSVP

More Tikkun Olam 

Sanctuary Committee
Seeking Volunteers to Assist with the Asylum Crisis: How to Support Recently-arrived Asylum Seekers
Seeking temporary housing (3 months) for asylum seekers arriving in Portland. Do you have space you can offer to temporarily house asylum seekers? This Sunday alone, more than 20 families will be losing their access to hotel sheltering. If interested in hosting, a Host Orientation and Support Group, sponsored by IMIrJ, will be held at Havurah on Sunday, April 14, from 2 to 3 pm.

We are building a list of volunteers who can provide interpretation and transportation to support families who step up to host. 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 of the March Hakol. This work is another way our community can live out our commitment to being a Sanctuary Congregation! Please contact Kathy Gordon with questions, or to volunteer.

Havurah Climate Action Team
Climate Action Fair at MJCC
12 pm to 4 pm, Sunday, April 28 – Mittleman Jewish Community Center, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219
HCAT (Havurah Climate Action Team) invites you to continue with our climate action month by attending a community wide Climate Action Fair at the MJCC (Mittleman Jewish Community Center). For more information on tablers, sponsors, and speakers see our Facebook page. For questions, or if you would like to help volunteer, contact Michael Heumann. And please spread the word! All of us taking action is the solution to climate change. See the Havurah calendar event page for more info, including programming highlights.

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

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, 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 Room links can be found near the end of this email.

Out in the Community

Parking 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.