Adela Basayne's Medical Leave Begins on Monday, July 15 Adela Basayne, Havurah Program Director, will be away on medical leave from July 15 until approximately September 15. We are all wishing for her complete healing and a speedy recovery: refuah shlemah.
Rachel Pollak, Havurah Office and Facilities Manager, will be availalbe to help with matters that would normally go to Adela, so feel free to reach out to Rachel (rachel@havurahshalom.org) as needed during this time.
Introducing Our Proposed Brit Kavod Read Havurah’s proposed Brit Kavod, a Covenant of Mutual Respect. This document embodies a decade plus of discussions and drafting regarding how we might address conflict within Havurah. The proposed Brit Kavod is based on values important to Havurah, that speak most directly to respectful behavior toward one another. At this stage, we are seeking feedback on the draft. Please refer to this article in the July Hakol for a more extensive discussion of the proposed Brit Kavod.
Havurah's Pride Shabbat in the Park 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm (6:30 pm Service, 7:30 pm Potluck Dinner), Friday, July 19 – Columbia Park (4503 N. Lombard Street)
Celebrate queer and Jewish joy with a special Kabbalat Shabbat service at Columbia Park! Led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians. We’ll enjoy a potluck dinner together afterward. Beverages will be provided. BYOB. RSVP & Learn More | Sign Up to Bring Food | Sign Up to Help Out
Questions? Email Maggie Weller.
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 (Noa Isabel Zaragoza, July 6; Lailah Kaplan, July 20) 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. Prospective members of Havurah Shalom interested in our mahjong group are invited to attend a game to become better acquainted with our group, but we ask that you already know how to play before coming. Please contact the Havurah office to schedule your visit. Havurah members, reach out to Leah Hershey if you want to be added to the group email list and receive notices of meeting changes.
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
Healing the Heart, Soothing the Soul 5:30 pm to 7 pm, Thursdays, July 11 to August 15 – Zoom Room Dalet
The Havurah Ma’avar Committee is offering a six-week grief process-support group for Havurah members in any stage of grief. Chaplain Candi Wuhrman will facilitate the group with a focus on the dying experience, the impact of the relationship, the things unsaid, making peace within ourselves, forgiveness, and continuing the relationship after death. (This group will be limited to eight participants. If we reach capacity, that will be indicated on the RSVP page.) RSVP
Racial Justice Committee Monthly Meeting 7 pm to 8 pm, Thursday, July 11 – Zoom Room Bet
Please join us for our monthly Racial Justice Committee meeting where we will discuss current relevant topics and plan for upcoming events at Havurah. New Havurah members or others Havurahniks who have not previously attended are welcome! Questions? Contact Kathy Gordon.
Asylum Seekers Host Support Group 2 pm to 4 pm, Sunday, July 14 – Havurah Shalom
Are you considering hosting an asylum-seeking family for a short, or medium stay? Please attend a Host Support Group on the Second Sunday of each month, at 2 pm at Havurah Shalom. As more and more people try hosting, a network of support makes hosting easier and more fun. These are sponsored by IMIrJ and the Asylum Seeker Solidarity Collective. This opportunity to host families and to attend host support group meetings are open to members of Havurah and non-members alike. We hope to see some of you at the upcoming July 14 IMIrJ Asylum Support Group meeting!
Havurah's Pride Shabbat in the Park 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm (6:30 pm Service, 7:30 pm Potluck Dinner), Friday, July 19 – Columbia Park (4503 N. Lombard Street)
Celebrate queer and Jewish joy with a special Kabbalat Shabbat service at Columbia Park! Led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians. We’ll enjoy a potluck dinner together afterward. Beverages will be provided. BYOB. RSVP & Learn More | Sign Up to Bring Food | Sign Up to Help Out
Questions? Email Maggie Weller.
Multi-synagogue Torah Study Led by Emily Simon 9 am to 10 am, July 20 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
On the third Saturday of the month (Shabbat morning), we have a multi-synagogue Torah Study, led by Emily Simon. Other congregations joining Havurah Shalom include Temple Sholom in Monticello New York, Emek Shalom in Ashland, Oregon, and Mayim Shalom in Coos Bay, Oregon. We may even have some folks joining us from other parts of the country and maybe the world. As with our regular Torah Study, no prior knowledge or study is necessary. All viewpoints are welcome as we try to draw lessons from our holy books.
Shabbat Morning with Bat Mitzvah of Lailah Kaplan 10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, July 20 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Lailah Kaplan as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community.
Climate Action Team Meeting 5 pm to 6:30 pm, Monday, July 22 – Zoom Room Gimel
All Havurahniks are invited to join the Climate Action Team's monthly meeting.
Book Group: Learning from the Germans by Susan Neiman 7 pn to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, July 23 – Zoom Room Bet
Susan Neiman is a Jewish philosopher who lives and teaches in Berlin. Her book insightfully looks at the journey that allowed the shift in German consciousness, from seeing themselves as the victims of WWII to taking responsibility for the atrocities done to Jews and others in the Holocaust. From the publisher: "As an increasingly polarized America fights over the legacy of racism... Neiman's book gives an urgently needed perspective on how a nation might come to terms with historical wrongdoing." I was moved to read this book while wondering how Israel might come to terms with her own historical wrongdoings toward Palestinians. I have about a hundred flags sticking out of the book- a testament to the wisdom I have found in these pages. Her writings and teachings have been used in Havurah's class on reparations. - Harriet Cooke
Discussion led by Harriet Cooke. Nonmembers welcome. RSVP for Zoom info.
Palestinian Justice Letter Writing Group 6 pm to 7:30 pm, Monday, July 29 – 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.
More Tikkun Olam
Nothing is Impossible Webinar with U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD) 5 pm to 6 pm, Tuesday, July 16 – RSVP to receive Zoom login info
Join Havurah's Climate Action Team and partner Jewish Earth Alliance to hear Rep. Jamie Raskin, an inspiring leader who challenges us to make democracy work for us. "Nothing is impossible and nothing is inevitable," Jamie says. "Change is only possible through the democratic arts of educating people and organizing towards real change.” Following Jamie’s remarks, meet, if interested, in breakout sessions to plan lobby meetings for a Virtual Lobby Day in August. Do you have questions for Havurah's Climate Action Team (HCAT) related to this event? Contact Elianne Lieberman.
Countering Active Threat Training Session 7 pm, Wednesday, July 17 – Zoom by RSVP
Learn how to counter an active threat event in this hourlong training developed for faith-based institutions and houses of worship. Provided by Jessica Anderson of the Secure Community Network. RSVP
Get Certified to Administer Narcan to Someone Having an Overdose 9 am, Wednesday, July 24 – Zoom by RSVP
This Community NARCAN Training is a hands-on opportunity to learn about how substance use affects the Jewish community (spoiler: much, much more than you think it does, and yes - if you’re wondering, you definitely know someone at risk of overdose right now), to become certified in the use and application of NARCAN to reverse a drug overdose, and to encounter Jewish wisdom to inspire us as harm reduction ambassadors. Each participant can choose to receive a NARCAN kit upon completion of the training. RSVP
Out in the Community
Cedar Sinai Park to Host Tikkun Olam Lecture Series 7 pm, Thursdays, July 11, July 25, and August 1 – Cedar Sinai Park's Rose Schnitzer Manor Assisted Living Facility, Zidell Hall (6125 SW Boundary St., Portland, Oregon)
These three lectures will cover environmental protection and the law, urban and suburban bird habitat, and the psychology of tikkun olam. You can learn more about this lecture series on the Cedar Sinai Park Facebook page (no log-in required, but scroll down to their June 28 post on this event to see the full details on the lecture series). No RSVP needed to attend.
Parking Available for Havurah Events
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 except spots 1 through 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.
Havurah Zoom Rooms
To see our full Zoom room instructions, click here. Member sign-in required.
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.
(HYB) Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration Friday, May 9th 5:45p to 8:00p A musical, all-ages Friday night service with family-friendly dessert and hearty nosh before and after. All are welcome! 5:45 pm Hearty Nosh, 6:30 Service, 7:30 Oneg. Free childcare is provided. Those joining on Zoom, please come at 6:30; the in-person hearty nosh portion and oneg will not be televised. For Zoom information, please email info@havurhshalom.org.
(HYB) Shabbat Morning with Music Shabbaton (w/ Aly Halpert) Shabbat, May 10th 10:00a to 12:00p This community minyan will feature the musical contributions of Aly Halpert who is in residence with us this Shabbat. 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@havurahshalom.org.
(IP) Tot Shabbat Shabbat, May 10th 10:30a to 11:15a Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. All are welcome! Please RSVP when you plan to come. We provide free childcare for those staying to enjoy the full Shabbat service that ends at noon and which is followed by a light community brunch. Email info@havurahshalom.org to learn more.
(IP) Songs for Liberation Song Circle (w/ Aly Halpert) Shabbat, May 10th 4:30p to 6:30p (Currently this event is for Havurah members only, as registrations are capped at 80 people. Havurah members, be sure to RSVP.) Rising Song Records artist Aly Halpert concludes our music shabbaton with a Song Circle, a space to enjoy our voices together as we learn new and ancient Jewish songs and niggunim together. Aly Halpert is at the epicenter of a resurgence of Jewish music-making– introducing new tunes, new words, and new ways of bringing music into davening and community-building.
Rose Haven Walk (register at their 2025 Reigning Roses Walk site) Sunday, May 11th 10:00a to 1:00p Rose Haven supporters and guests will unite to stride a beautiful route through NW Portland on Mother’s Day at the 12th Annual Reigning Roses Walk. Walk with, or in honor of, a special woman in your life – a mother, grandmother, daughter, partner, or friend. 10 am check-in, 11 am begin walking. (We've cancelled the Havurah Teen Engagement plan for this event; just go to the Rose Haven 2025 Reigning Roses Walk website to register!)
(IP) Jewish Ethical Responses to the Problem of Racism Monday, May 12th 6:30p to 7:45p We will address topics such as countering white nationalism and antisemitism, Jewish perspectives on reparations, repairing Jewish pioneer memory, and responding to racial microaggressions. Facilitated by Karen Sherman and Adela Basayne.
(HYB) Steering Meeting Tuesday, May 13th 6:30p to 8:30p Steering members and staff will meet to consider matters of governance. All Havurah Shalom members are invited to attend Steering Committee meetings. For Zoom join links, visit havurahshalom.org/zoom (must be logged in) or call the office in advance for assistance (503-248-4662).
(IP) Hebrew as a Tool: Prayer and Torah (registration closed) Wednesday, May 14th 7:00p to 8:15p (This class will now be starting on January 8.) Using an in-depth, word-by-word approach, we discover literal meaning(s), ancient layers of understanding, and our own personal interpretations that stem from the nuances of the Hebrew text. Basic Hebrew decoding skills necessary.
(IP) B’nei Mitzvah Drash and Service Workshop Thursday, May 15th 7:00p to 8:00p Students and parents are guided through responding to Torah in a drash. You will also take a walk through the Shabbat Morning service. Led by Sarah Shine.
