Hineinu, May 22, 2024

Havurah Members: Join Our Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 2
10 am to noon, Sunday, June 2 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please plan to join us—virtually or in person! All Havurah members in good standing are welcome to attend, participate, and vote on the budget. As is our custom, we will connect with each other through music, discussion, learning, and a little food for those attending in person. This event is for Havurah Shalom members only. Childcare will be provided at Havurah. RSVP

Panim el Panim: Reflecting on Havurah's Engagements with Israel/Palestine
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Wednesday, June 5 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
The third Panim el Panim dialogue invites Havurah members to reflect on their experiences of Havurah’s multiple engagements with Israel/Palestine. This will also be an opportunity to begin imagining principles and processes for guiding our future engagements across commonalities and differences. The intention will be for us each to name what we are feeling, to be heard and hear one another, and to think together about how we can move forward in dialogue and community. We will again provide clear guidelines so that each person will have equal opportunities to speak and equal responsibility to listen. Please join in person if you’re comfortable and able, and we will also provide a Zoom option. The opening and closing of the program will be hybrid, while the sharing itself in pairs and small groups will be separate, with in-person and Zoom programs running simultaneously. RSVP

Jewish Women's Round Table Song of Miriam Brunch: Sunday, June 9 (Register by Mail)
10 am to noon, Sunday, June 9 – Mittleman Jewish Community Center (6651 SW Capitol Highway, Portland, Oregon)  [To enter the MJCC, bring photo ID and be ready for potential bag inspections.]
Join other Havurahniks at the Song of Miriam Brunch, sponsored by the Jewish Women's Round Table, to celebrate the contributions of Havurahnik Sarah Shine and 17 other stellar volunteers from the local Jewish community.
* Advanced registration and pre-payment are needed to join this brunch. Please print the registration form and mail the filled-out form—along with your check made out to the JWRT—to the the mailing address provided on the registration form. (Sorry, checks only; credit cards cannot be accepted.)
* Regular tickets cost $32 (or $34 after May 29). Children 12 or younger: $10. Patron/sponsor: $45.
Havurahniks, Adele Thompson is happy to answer your questions and tell you more about the Song of Miriam Brunch.

Shavuot - Celebrate the Giving of the Torah!
7 pm to 11 pm, Tuesday, June 11 – Havurah Shalom
Join us at Havurah for our Shavuot celebration: a night of noshing, music, and learning! Bring a dairy dessert, or some other sweet noshing, or just yourself! Come join us for all or part of Tikkun Leyl Shavuot! All ages are invited! RSVP

Shavuot commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai and was also one of the three major pilgrimage festivals, celebrating the wheat harvest. It ends the counting of the Omer, which began the second day of Passover. Two observances we’ll be doing at Havurah Shalom are enjoying dairy and dairy-substitutes and studying Torah into the night, meaningful traditions with storied origins.

Tasty food is provided by Havurah members, but more potluck commitments are needed! Volunteers to help during part of the night will also make the night even more enjoyable for all: 
Food sign-up | Volunteer sign-up

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.

Regular Havurah Happenings

Note: The Spiritual Life Committee has considered the pros and cons of where the giant screen in the sanctuary should be placed for services and has decided on the following procedure: “The screen shall be in the back and turned on during services by default. In the case of extended remote service leadership, it may be brought to the front of the room when decided in advance. (Extended service leadership means most of the service, not leyning.) If the screen is ever left in the front on a service day, perhaps from previous use, procedure is to move it to the back.” Questions can be directed to Sam Sirkin or Diane Chaplin. Thank you!

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 (Nadine Luker, May 25) are listed below and in the website calendar. (There will be a Tot Shabbat from 10:30 am to 11:30 am on Saturday, June 1. RSVP)

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 Ria de Neeve.

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

Shabbat Morning with Bat Mitzvah of Nadine Luker
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, May 25 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph 
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Nadine Luker as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community.

Office Closure: Memorial Day
Monday, May 27
The Havurah office is closed on Monday, May 27 (Memorial Day).

Book Group Discussion: Whatever Happened to Antisemitism? By Anthony Lerman
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, May 28 – Zoom Room Bet
The public, academics, journalists, activists and Jewish people themselves are divided over the meaning of antisemitism. Antony Lerman shows that this is a result of a 30-year process of redefinition of the phenomenon, casting Israel, problematically defined as the “persecuted collective Jew,” as one of its main targets. This political project has taken the notion of the “new antisemitism” and codified it in the flawed International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s “working definition” of antisemitism. This text is the glue holding together an international network comprising the Israeli government, pro-Israel advocacy groups, Zionist organizations, Jewish communal defense bodies and sympathetic governments fighting a war against those who would criticize Israel. The consequences of this redefinition have been to suppress free speech on Palestine/Israel, legitimize Islamophobic right-wing forces, and politicize principled opposition to antisemitism. Discussion led by Joel Beinin. Nonmembers welcome. RSVP for Zoom info.

Tot Shabbat
10:30 am to 11:30 am, Saturday, June 1 – Havurah Shalom
Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. All are welcome. RSVP

Havurah's Congregational Meeting
10 am to 12 pm, Sunday, June 2  – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please plan to join us — virtually or in person! All members in good standing are welcome to attend, participate, and vote on the budget. As is our custom, we will connect with each other through music, discussion, learning, and a little food for those attending in person. This event is for Havurah Shalom members only. Childcare will be provided at Havurah. RSVP

Steering Meeting
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, June 4 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Gimel
All Havurah Shalom members are invited to join for Steering Committee meetings. This hybrid Steering meeting is taking place a bit earlier in the month than usual due to the Shavuot holiday the following week. (Havurahniks: If you'd like to join via Zoom Room Gimel, log in to the website and then visit havurahshalom.org/zoom or call the office in advance for assistance, 503-248-4662.)

Panim el Panim: Reflecting on Havurah's Engagements with Israel/Palestine
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Wednesday, June 5 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
The third Panim el Panim dialogue invites Havurah members to reflect on their experiences of Havurah’s multiple engagements with Israel/Palestine. This will also be an opportunity to begin imagining principles and processes for guiding our future engagements across commonalities and differences. The intention will be for us each to name what we are feeling, to be heard and hear one another, and to think together about how we can move forward in dialogue and community. We will again provide clear guidelines so that each person will have equal opportunities to speak and equal responsibility to listen. Please join in person if you’re comfortable and able, and we will also provide a Zoom option. The opening and closing of the program will be hybrid, while the sharing itself in pairs and small groups will be separate, with in-person and Zoom programs running simultaneously. RSVP

Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual
7 pm to 8:15 pm, Thursday, June 6 – In Person or Zoom Room Heh (to be announced)
Our gender-inclusive New Moon group celebrates each Rosh Ḥodesh with learning and ancient and contemporary ritual. Everyone is invited to connect with our closest heavenly body, the Moon. Gatherings take place on or near the new moon of each Hebrew month. Attend any or all sessions. RSVP to be updated on the location and other details throughout the year.

Shabbat Morning and Bat Mitzvah of Raisa Zusman-Carr
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, June 8 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Raisa Zusman-Carr as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community.

Shavuot - Celebrate the Giving of the Torah
7 pm to 11 pm, Tuesday, June 11 – Havurah Shalom
Join us at Havurah for our Shavuot celebration: a night of noshing, music, and learning! Bring a dairy dessert, or some other sweet noshing, or just yourself! Come join us for all or part of Tikkun Leyl Shavuot! All ages are invited! RSVP  (Also, click on the links for the food sign-up and volunteer sign-up.)

Office Closure: First Day of Shavuot
Wednesday, June 12
The Havurah office is closed on Wednesday, June 12 (First Day of Shavuot).

Safety Corner

Stop the Bleed
7 pm, Tuesday, May 28 — Zoom by RSVP
You’ll gain the ability to recognize life-threatening bleeding and intervene effectively. This training is relevant to all aspects of our lives, outdoor recreation, household accidents, etc. You'll learn the concepts of wound pressure and packing skills, and learn how to use a tourniquet on yourself and others. The person next to a bleeding victim may be the one who’s most likely to save them. RSVP

BeAware: Introduction to Situational Awareness
7 pm, Monday, June 3 — Zoom by RSVP
Learn observation skills and best-practice techniques 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. It will help you protect yourself, your family, and your community. RSVP

More Tikkun Olam 

Sanctuary Committee
Car Seat Needed for a Two-Year-Old
The two-year-old member of our Afghan family needs a new or gently-used car seat. It must meet safety standards. Please be in touch by email with Robbin Isaacson DeWeese. Thank you from the Afghan Family Support Group!

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

The Rafiki Village Project presents LaRhonda Steele
5 pm to 9:30 pm, Saturday, June 1 – The Breathe Building, 2305 SE 50th Ave., Portland, Oregon
The Rafiki Village Project is holding its first live event in several years. We are fortunate to have booked the amazing LaRhonda Steele, “The First Lady of Portland Blues.” LaRhonda, is a powerhouse of a performer and a true Portland treasure. If you attended our previous events, you know the food will be great, the music will be outstanding, the silent auction will be enticing, and the raffle will be fun. More than just a great evening, you will be contributing to a wonderful cause and getting a chance to learn much more about the Rafiki Village Project. Visit rafikivillageproject.org for more information and tickets (scroll down just a bit after you reach the Rafiki Village Project home page). Admission includes dinner. Kids get in free. Hope to see you there. (The Rafiki Village Project was founded by Havurahniks David Newman and Laura Orgel; see "Rafiki Means Friend" in the December 2023 Hakol.)

Jewish Poetry Book Club at the EJC: Led by Havurah's Betsy Fogelman Tighe
12:30 pm to 2:30 pm, Wednesday June 5 – Eastside Jewish Commons, 2420 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland, Oregon
Love to read poetry? Drawn to Jewish poets writing in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish in translation? Let's lift the poetry off the page with some communal meaning-making. Quarterly meetings led by group members on books of their choosing. (Remaining 2024 meeting dates: June 5th; September 4th; December 4th.) For the June 5th meeting, we'll be discussing Paradise by Victoria Redel. Feel free to bring your lunch and please plan on making a small donation to EJC each time we meet. $3-$10 is suggested. No one turned away for lack of funds. Discussion led by Havurahnik Betsy Fogelman Tighe; feel free to email Betsy with any questions. Learn more here.

Dror Israel Member Presentation: Building a Better Future in a Time of Crisis
6:30 pm, Wednesday June 5 – Eastside Jewish Commons, 2420 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland, Oregon
An inspiring evening with a member of Dror Israel, a grassroots organization that promotes equality and social justice through education and community work. Dror Israel is comprised of 1300 educators living in 16 intentional communities in Israel’s social and economic periphery. Noam Schlanger is Dror’s liaison to the Pacific NW. He will be talking about Dror Israel before October 7th, their work since October 7th, and their hopes for the future. Find more information and tickets here.

Moishe House Seeking Portland Community Builders to Establish New Moishe House(s): Accepting Applications Now
From Moishe House: Moishe House is looking for the next generation of Portland Community Builders to create a new 2 or 4-5 person Moishe House(s). We're accepting applications from individuals and groups of 2-5 people to create a new Moishe House(s) in the Greater Portland Area. All locations and living situations will be entertained, so if you already have a two-person home and think you would be a good fit, apply! If you have 3 friends you want to move in together with, apply! If you are flying solo and looking to start building Jewish Community in Portland, apply! What do you bring? 22-32 years old; Excited about creating a strong Jewish Community; Able to commit to at least 1 year; Wants to host people in their home for events 3-5 times/month. What do we provide? Rental subsidy of up to 70%; A program budget to host events; Jewish Educational support; Training; National Resident Conference in Atlanta; Roommate bonding budget; Cleaning budget; Scholarships. Please contact Jake.House@MoisheHouse.org with questions or to apply.

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

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