Happy Juneteenth! If you're interested, check outHavurahnik Victor Grimaldi's personal story of discovering his ancestral connection to the original Juneteenth, which was published in the June 2024 issue of Hakol.
Barry Sutton Burial 2 to 3 pm, Wednesday, June 26 – Havurah Cemetery (5656 SW Humphrey Blvd, Portland, Oregon - directions)
Barry Sutton's cremains will be buried in Havurah's Cemetery. Barry, a regular Havurah Shalom participant for over 30 years, died September 24, 2023, Erev Yom Kippur. His life was celebrated on November 16 by over 200 people from religious communities across Portland. This is Barry's story, as told by the Oregonian's Tom Hallman.
Pride Shabbat in the Park: Save the Date Havurah's Pride Shabbat will be held on Friday, July 19 in North Portland. Please save the date and stay tuned for more.
General Info
Thank you for following ourCOVID 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
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. All viewpoints are welcome as we try to draw lessons from our holy books.
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 (Jacob Blackstein, June 22; Noa Isabel Zaragoza, July 6) are listed belowand in the website calendar.
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, pleaseRSVP 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
Hakol (Monthly Newsletter) Deadline is Thursday, June 20
The deadline for submissions to the July 2024 issue of our monthly newsletter, Hakol, is Thursday, June 20, 2024. Click here to learn more.
Shabbat Morning with Bar Mitzvah of Jacob Blackstein 10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, June 22 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Jacob Blackstein as a Bar Mitzvah and member of our community.
Climate Action Team Meeting 5 pm to 6:30 pm, Monday, June 24 – Zoom Room Gimel
Join the Climate Action Team's monthly meeting.
Palestinian Justice Letter Writing Group 6 pm to 7:30 pm, Monday, June 24 – Zoom Room Heh
We will resume our monthly letter writing on the last Monday of each month to write letters to our lawmakers for Israel/Palestine justice. Questions? Contact Dale Oller (member log-in required to access directory). Non-Havurah-members very welcome as well. RSVP for Zoom info.
Book Club to Discuss All I Know and Love by Judith Frank 7 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, June 25 – Zoom Room Bet
A searing drama of a modern American Family on the brink of dissolution, one that explores adoption, gay marriage, and love lost and found. For years, Matthew Greene and Daniel Rosen have enjoyed a quiet domestic life together in Northhamton, Mass., But when they learn that Daniel’s twin brother and sister-in-law have been killed in a bombing in Jerusalem, their lives are suddenly and utterly transformed. The deceased parents wanted Matthew and Daniel to adopt their children—a six year old and a baby. Discussion led by Beth Kaye. Nonmembers welcome. RSVP for Zoom info.
Office Closure: Fourth of July Thursday, July 4
The Havurah office is closed on the Fourth of July.
Shabbat Morning with Bat Mitzvah of Noa Isabel Zaragoza 10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, July 6 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Noa Isabel Zaragoza as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community.
Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual 7 pm to 8:15 pm, Sunday, July 7 – 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.
Teen Engagement Committee Meeting 7 pm, Monday, July 8 – Zoom Room Bet
Monthly meeting for the Teen Engagement Committee leadership. Havurah teens and their parents are welcome.
Steering Meeting 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, July 9 – Zoom Room Gimel
All Havurah Shalom members are invited to join for Steering Committee meetings. (Havurahniks: If you'd like to join, log in to the website and then visit havurahshalom.org/zoom or call the office in advance for assistance, 503-248-4662.)
Save the Date: Havurah's Pride Shabbat in the Park!
We're getting ready for our Pride Shabbat, to be held on Friday, July 19 in North Portland. Please save the date and stay tuned for more.
High Schooler Opportunity: 2024-2025 Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation Now Accepting Applications Early bird registration ends Sunday, June 30 From OJCYF: The Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation (OJCYF) is a program of the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation (OJCF), designed to encourage a lifelong passion for Jewish philanthropy, leadership, and community. Through OJCYF, high school students develop a deep understanding of the importance and operations of nonprofit organizations. OJCYF students evaluate local Jewish and secular organizations through site visits as well as plan and lead a fundraising event. Last year's participants granted over $66,000! Learn More | 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.
(IP) History of Sephardic Jews and Their Language, Ladino Thursday, Jan 23rd 7:00p to 8:15p Who are the Sephardic Jews? We will focus on the Jews expelled from Spain and Portugal who settled in the Ottoman Empire and their language, Ladino. Learn about where they lived, their communities, what happened to them in the Holocaust and after. We'll get a taste of Sephardic culture, music, and literature, and the Ladino language. Led by Roger Brewer.
(HYB) Solidarity Shabbat Friday, Jan 24th 5:45p to 8:00p Join Havurah members and friends for a Solidarity Shabbat service and potluck nosh. This is a spiritual space for community members working in solidarity with Palestinians - and for the liberation of all peoples - to come together to pray, build connections, and renew ourselves on Shabbat to continue our justice work. Please review Havurah's Brit Kavod for our community guidelines. Masks strongly encouraged and provided.
(HYB) Shabbat Morning Shabbat, Jan 25th 10:00a to 12:00p Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. Join us afterward for a light community brunch provided by the Lunches and Noshes Committee! Free childcare is provided. For Zoom information, please email info@havurhshalom.org.
(IP) Shabbat School Shabbat, Jan 25th 3:00p to 5:15p This program gives children a foundation for lifelong Jewish learning and engagement while integrating parents and children in a caring Jewish community.
(IP) Parenting Huddle: Mindful Parenting Shabbat, Jan 25th 3:10p to 4:30p Click to RSVP/register. Members and non-member parents/guardians welcome. For parents/guardians to enjoy during Shabbat School, at Havurah Shalom. - Explore real-life questions that we face as parents/guardians, with some guidance from our Jewish texts and values, and each other.
(IP) Two-Part Series on Engaging with Antisemitism Sunday, Jan 26th 4:00p to 6:00p Note: RSVPs required; participants should be able to attend both sessions and do some reading and reflecting in between.
Using sections of the book Safety through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism...
Part 1: Sunday, January 12
We will gather as Havurah members to share personal experiences and reflect together about the reading and antisemitism in general.
Part 2: January 26
We will gather with members of First Unitarian Church to host co-author Shane Burley and explore how we can fight antisemitism, in solidarity with others.
(ZM) Wings of the Dove Engagement Session Sunday, Jan 26th 7:00p to 8:15p For Havurah members only: Your participation in one of the upcoming Wings of the Dove Engagement sessions will give us the feedback needed to create a campaign that assures Havurah will thrive as a participatory community while addressing our growing needs. Thank you to the over 200 members who have already given their input. There will be five more Wings of the Dove Engagement Sessions in January. We are seeking input on our goals and plans. Please RSVP here!
(ZM) Palestinian Justice Letter Writing Group Monday, Jan 27th 6:00p to 7:30p We hold monthly letter writing group Zoom gatherings to write letters to our lawmakers for Israel/Palestine justice. Questions? Email Dale Oller (member log-in required to access directory). Feel free to drop in any time! There’s no need to RSVP, but please do RSVP if you need the Zoom login. Non-Havurah-members very welcome as well.
(ZM) Make Your Own Haggadah Monday, Jan 27th 6:30p to 7:45p Adults and teens, make your own Haggadah to tell the story of the Exodus! At the end of our creative process, you will have a document you can print or share to be used at your seder, along with a songbook and playlist you can sing along with! Led by Carolina Martinez.
(ZM) Book Group: Tracing Homelands by Linda Dittmar Tuesday, Jan 28th 7:00p to 8:30p The Havurah Shalom Book Group meets monthly to discuss fiction and nonfiction books voted on by Havurah members. All are welcome to any and all meetings. Copies of our upcoming books can be checked out by members in the Havurah library.
