Hineinu, October 2, 2024

You can find important information on High Holidays with Havurah Shalom in the High Holidays Supplement, which includes a digital version of the songbook.

Havurahniks, Sign up to Volunteer at High Holidays.

Video Recording Roots Presentation
Click here to access the recording of Roots: Peacemakers at a Time of War, the September 29 event from Roots, hosted by Havurah.
Note that the website Dropbox only allows a person to stream the video for an hour or so. If you'd like to view the full video, please download it. 

A Year After October 7:
So Many Worlds Destroyed, We Gather to Grieve
As we approach October 7 and Simḥat Torah, many of us feel called to mark this time in community, with rituals of mourning, remembrance, and lamentation, as well as prayers for a different path forward.

Below are a few opportunities to gather in Jewish community. In whatever way we mark this time, may we each know comfort, and may we emerge more awake to our potential for a less violent future.

Community Gathering: A Night to Remember
7 pm, Sunday, October 6 – Congregation Neveh Shalom (2900 Peaceful Lane, Portland)
From the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland: It has been one year since the Hamas attacks on Israel. Our community will come together for an evening of song and prayer in memory of those impacted by this war and to give hope for the return of the hostages. Registration is required to attend and there are bag check requirements noted on the registration page. Havurah Shalom is one of a number of co-sponsors of this event. Click here to register. 
 
Let There be Light: A Vigil to Honor All the Lives Taken
7 pm, Monday, October 7 – Eastside Jewish Commons (2420 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland)
A space to grieve all those lost to the violence in Israel-Palestine over the last year, and to express the various layers of grief we might be holding during this time. We will mourn and honor the lives taken through poetry, an art installation, memorial candles, and room for personal reflections. Presented by Shir Tikvah, Havurah Shalom, TischPDX, the EJC, and the Alberta Shul.
 
A Yizkor to Remember Those Taken from Us on Simḥat Torah a Year Ago
5 pm, Thursday, October 24 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
On the last day of Sukkot every year, as we conclude the Days of Awe, we recite Yizkor  prayers for loved ones no longer with us. In addition this year, just before Simḥat Torah, we will gather for a special Yizkor service to remember those killed in the Hamas attacks on this day in the Hebrew calendar a year ago. We will then move directly into Simḥat Torah, rejoicing in all that connects us and renewing our story once again.

October Steering Committee Meeting
Moved to Tuesday, October 15
The monthly Steering Committee meeting scheduled for October 8 has been moved to October 15 so that Staff can have much needed space and time to manage all they are doing in support of our presentation of the High Holidays. We are grateful for their hard work and look forward to joyful and meaningful gatherings through the hagim.

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.

Coming to Havurah Shalom by bicycle? Feel free to bring your bike inside our building while you're at Havurah.

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. All are welcome. (On the third Shabbat of each month, there will be a multi-synagogue Torah Study led by Emily Simon, including on Saturday, October 19.)

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 (Isaac Colman, Oct. 19) are listed below and in the website calendar. All are welcome. (Join us for Contemplative Shabbat on Saturday, October 5.)

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, Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, 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.

High Holidays

High Holidays Tikkun Olam Tzedakah Project
During all High Holiday services taking place at the Tiffany Center only (Erev Rosh Hashanah, Rosh Hashanah Day 1, Erev Yom Kippur, and Yom Kippur Day)

Havurah's Poverty & Homelessness Committee is inviting congregants to bring one or more of the following items when you attend our High Holiday services taking place at the Tiffany Center (1410 SW Morrison - 4th Floor). Please only bring items to the Tiffany Center (4th Floor), as collection bins will not be available at Havurah Shalom.

Hygiene Item Requests for Rose Haven
LARGE containers (about 32 ounces) of: • Shampoo • Conditioner • Body Wash • Body Lotion/Moisturizer • Tubes of Neosporin or Benadryl (any size)

Lift Up Food Items Requested
• Low-sodium soups, broths, chili • Nut butters • Breakfast items such as cereal or granola bars • Any and all gluten-free items (snacks, cereals, pastas, crackers, etc)

Learn about the entire High Holidays Tikkun Olam Tzedakah Project on page 6 of the High Holidays packet, which is being undertaken in support of Rose Haven, Lift Up, and the Portland Food Project.
***

Erev Rosh Hashanah Service
7:30 pm to 9 pm, Wednesday, October 2 – Tiffany Center (1410 SW Morrison, Portland) and YouTube
We usher in the new year together with song, prayer, and reflection, setting the tone for our Days of Awe journey. All are welcome.

Rosh Hashanah Service Day 1
9 am to 1:30 pm, Thursday, October 3 – Tiffany Center (1410 SW Morrison St., Portland) and some services on YouTube
All are welcome.
9:30 am - Rosh Hashanah Morning Services
9:30 am - RSVP for 5785, A Sweet Year for Wee Jews (ages 0-5) (not streamed online)
10:30 am -  RSVP for Rosh Hashanah Family Service (ages 5+) (not streamed online)
10:30 am - Torah Service
10:30 am - Middle School Discussion (not streamed online)
11:30 am - Children’s Aliyah
12:30 pm - Musaf/Additional Service

A Sweet Year for Wee Jews (Ages 0-5)
9:30 am to 10 am, Thursday, Oct. 3 – The Tiffany Center (1410 SW Morrison St., Portland), Floor 2
A half-hour of singing and stories about the holiday for the 0-5 crowd and their parents. We'll be in person at the Tiffany Center. This activity will not be streamed online. All are welcome.  RSVP

Rosh Hashanah Family Service (Ages 5+)
10:30 am to 11:20 am, Thursday, Oct. 3 – The Tiffany Center (1410 SW Morrison St., Portland), Floor 2
Especially for families with children over age 5! This upbeat and participatory Rosh Hashanah service is for the whole family! Enjoy stories and skits, soulful prayers
and contemporary songs–as we all begin the year anew, together. This service will be in person only, with no online streaming. All are welcome. RSVP

Rosh Hashanah Service Day 2
9:30 am to 1:30 pm, Friday, October 4 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Neshamah
All are welcome.
9:30 am - Rosh Hashanah Morning Services
10:30 am - Torah Service
11:45 am - Shofar Service
12:15 pm - Musaf/Additional Service
1:00 pm - Community Potluck Luncheon
All are invited to the community potluck luncheon; Havurah members are invited to  sign up to bring food. Nonmembers, please be our guests!

Tashlich Service and Potluck Dinner
12 pm to 2 pm, Sunday, October 6 – Foothills Park, 199 Foothills Dr., Lake Oswego
We will gather by the water at Foothills Park in Lake Oswego to release our mistakes and regrets amid song and community. Bring a little vegetarian dish for a potluck afterward. All are welcome. RSVP

Erev Yom Kippur Service (Kol Nidre)
7 pm to 9:30 pm, Friday, October 11 – Tiffany Center (1410 SW Morrison, Portland, Oregon) and streaming on YouTube
As the gates of prayer begin to close, join us in celebrating the start of Yom Kippur. Services are free and open to all.

Yom Kippur Services & Programming
9:30 am to 7 pm, Saturday, October 12 – Tiffany Center (1410 SW Morrison, Portland, Oregon) and streaming on YouTube
Spend the day with us in prayer, meditation and contemplation for Yom Kippur. All of Havurah Shalom's High Holiday services are open to all, no tickets needed.
Items with asterisks will not be streamed online.
9:30 am - Yom Kippur Morning Services
10:45 am - Torah Service
12:15 pm - Musaf/Additional Service
1:15 - Break*
1:45 - Brit Kavod Discussion*
3:00 - Meditation
3:30 - Family Service (ages 5+)* — RSVP
4:00 - High School Discussion*
4:30 - Yizkor/Memorial Prayers
5:00 - Mincha Service
6:00 - Ne’ilah/Closing Service
7:00 - Havdalah
7:15 pm - Community Break Fast* — All are welcome.Members, please sign up to bring food. Non-members, be our guests!

Yom Kippur Family Service
3:30 pm to 4:20 pm, Saturday, October 12 –Tiffany Center (1410 SW Morrison, Portland, Oregon)
All are welcome! The service is geared toward families with children ages 5-11. Our Yom Kippur Family Service helps people of all ages focus on our yearly tradition of celebration and renewal, with favorite songs and prayers, the Jonah story, and a chance to connect with others. We are holding this service later in the day so that families can easily stay for the Mincha service with teen leadership, and for Ne’ilah, our short and sweet closing service to Yom Kippur. This service will not be streamed. All are welcome. RSVP

Sukkah Build
8 am to 1 pm, Monday, Oct. 14 – Havurah Shalom
Havurah members, come help build are Sukkah. Learn more & sign up

Intergenerational Sukkah Decorating Party
6 pm to 7:30 pm, Tuesday, Oct. 15 – Havurah Shalom
Kids, teens, and adults! Come over and bring your craft on as we decorate the sukkah with paper, fabric and posters to celebrate the Festival of Booths! All are welcome. RSVP

Alte Rockers in the Sukkah
5 pm to 7 pm, Thursday, Oct. 17 – Havurah Shalom
Come perform the mitzvah of eating in the sukkah with your fellow Alte-Rockers! We will have our annual dairy/fish potluck in the Sukkot (if weather permits, otherwise in the Synagogue). All are welcome. RSVP

Queer Sukkot Potluck
7 pm to 9 pm, Saturday, Oct. 19 – Reed College Neighborhood, RSVP for location
Come shake the lulav in the Sukkah with a bunch of Jewish Queers. Bring a tasty vegetarian contribution. Hosted by Lev Pearlman. All are welcome; RSVP.

Get Out the Vote Letter Writing Party in the Sukkah
Anytime between 12:30 pm and 2 pm, Tuesday, October 22 – Havurah Shalom
It’s fun to get together with others to do the writing, calling, or texting to encourage folks to vote. The Tikkun Olam Cluster invites you to join us in the Sukkah at Havurah Shalom on Tuesday, October 22, anytime between 12:30 pm and 2 pm, to shake the lulav and etrog and get out the last of the letters/postcards that need to be written to Get Out the Vote. Bring your lunch if you like. We’ll have snacks, along with paper and pens. RSVP

Morning Minyan (Yizkor)
8 am to 9:15 am, Thursday, October 24 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph

For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish. Today's service will include Shmeini Atzeret Yizkor. We meet both in person and streaming online in Zoom Room Aleph. All are welcome. Please email info@havurahshalom.org for join info.

A Yizkor to Remember Those Taken from Us on Simḥat Torah a Year Ago
5 pm to 6 pm, Thursday, October 24 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Neshamah

On the last day of Sukkot every year, as we conclude the Days of Awe, we recite Yizkor prayers for loved ones no longer with us. In addition this year, just before Simḥat Torah, we will gather for a special Yizkor service to remember those killed in the Hamas attacks on this day in the Hebrew calendar a year ago. We will then move directly into Simḥat Torah, rejoicing in all that connects us and renewing our story once again.
 

Simḥat Torah Celebration
6 pm to 9 pm, Thursday, October 24 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Shofar

Join us for a family-friendly and joyous celebration featuring music and dancing with the Torah! Simchat Torah means "Rejoicing in the Torah." On Simchat Torah, we celebrate the conclusion of our annual Torah reading cycle and the beginning of another. We read the last Torah portion, then the first chapter of Genesis, remembering that the Torah is a circle of life that never ends. Torah brings sweetness to the lives of all of us! More information on this celebration will be shared as the date nears.

More Upcoming Havurah Events

HCAT Get Out the Vote Lunch and Phone Banking
12 noon to 2 pm, Thursday, October 10 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet

Havurah's Climate Action Team (HCAT) will be hosting a Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action activity, Let’s Have Lunch Then Phone Bank to Get Out the Vote. Both a personal laptop or tablet and a smartphone are needed to phone bank. Further details will be posted on Havurah’s calendar and in Hineinu. We’ll provide lunch. Be sure to register here. Questions? Contact Judi Solaway. RSVP

Teen Engagement Committeee Meeting
7 pm, Monday, October 14 –  Zoom Room Bet
Havurah teens and their parents/guardians are welcome at the monthly meeting of the Teen Engagement Committee leadership.

Music Jam Planning Meeting
7 pm to 8 pm, Monday, October 14 – Zoom Room Dalet
This meeting is for Havurah member instrumentalists and singers who want to join Havurah's Music committee. We want to bring back Havurah's vibrant and fun monthly music jam program, where we play and sing Jewish and secular music in community. Learn more about meeting goals & RSVP

Steering Meeting
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, October 15 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Gimel
Steering members and staff will meet to consider matters of governance. All Havurah Shalom members are invited to attend Steering Committee meetings. Click here for Zoom login links (must be logged into your member account) or call the office in advance for assistance (503-248-4662).

Racial Justice Committee Meeting
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursday, October 17 – Zoom Room Bet
Havurahniks, join the Racial Justice Committee to see what the committee is up to, share your ideas of what we could do and engage in learning around racial justice topics. Join us even if you haven't before or it has been awhile.

Multi-Synagogue Torah Study, Led by Emily Simon
9 am to 10 am, Saturday, October 19 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
All viewpoints are welcome as we try to draw lessons from our holy books. No prior knowledge or study is necessary. All are welcome. Learn more on our calendar.

Shabbat Morning with Bar Mitzvah of Isaac Colman
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, October 19 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming as a member of our community Isaac Colman as a Bar Mitzvah. All are welcome.

Havurah's Climate Action Team Reads Rabbi Lewis (Chapter 1)
5 pm to 6:30 pm, Sunday, October 20 – Zoom Room Gimel
HCAT's slow read of an inspirational and informative book begins. We will discuss the first chapter of How Precious the Ground on Which We Stand: Jewish Values that Could Save the Earth by Rabbi Sheldon (Shelly) Lewis. During this meeting we will decide how often we want to meet, and at what pace. Dr. Adriane Leveen, Bible Scholar and Climate Activist writes, “Lewis conveys the many ways in which the Hebrew Bible celebrates the natural world as a sacred creation that we must cherish and work to preserve. His words are glorious, his vision illuminating. Reading his book fills me with joy.” RSVP

Book Group Discussion: The General’s Son: Journey of an Israeli in Palestine by Miko Peled
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, October 22 – Zoom Room Bet
Nonfiction, 272 pages. The powerful account of Israeli peace activist Miko Peled of his transformation from a young man who'd grown up in the heart of Israel's elite and served proudly in its military into a fearless advocate of nonviolent struggle and equal rights for all Palestinians and Israelis. His journey in many ways mirrors the transformation his father, a much-decorated Israeli general, had undergone three decades earlier. Alice Walker contributed a foreword to the first edition, in which she wrote, "There are few books on the Israel/Palestine issue that seem as hopeful to me as this one." In the new epilogue, Peled takes readers to South Africa, East Asia, several European countries, and the West Bank, Gaza, and Israel itself. Discussion led by Holly Hoffnung. Nonmembers welcome. RSVP for Zoom info.

Exploring Sephardic Music
6:30 pm to 8:15 pm, Wednesdays, Oct. 23, Oct. 30, and Nov. 6 – Havurah Shalom
In this class we will explore Sephardic music—the music of Jews in diaspora who were expelled from the Iberian Peninsula in 1492—through lecture, recordings, and live music. While many are familiar with Sephardic music through the more recent Art Song tradition of the genre, historically Sephardic music has many other iterations, including communal singing, nightclub performance, and liturgical traditions. Can we even define the genre of Sephardic music? Let's discover together! Participants will have the opportunity to learn and sing songs, but no singing ability is required. Led by Eric Stern, Events Coordinator and Cultural Arts Ambassador at the Eastside Jewish Commons. Eric is an intrnational performer best known as the founder, leader, and accordionist of Vagabond Opera. All are welcome to take this course. RSVP

More Tikkun Olam 

Get Out the Vote
The Tikkun Olam Cluster has been sending post cards, writing letters, and phone and text banking to get out the vote. This is an activity you can do at home, or with friends. If you would like to join other Havuranicks in this effort, contact Elianne Lieberman. Click here for resources on you can help "Get out the Vote" from home.

TIkkun Olam High Holidays Tzedakah Project
The Poverty & Homelessness Committee is asking congregants to contribute specified items to Rose Haven and Lift Up when they arrive for services (4th Floor of the Tiffany Center only) and to collect food for the Portland Food Project. Learn about the High Holidays Tikkun Olam Tzedakah Project in the focus box above and on page 6 of the High Holidays packet.

 

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 |Jewish Earth Alliance | IMIrJ (Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice)

Out in the Community

An Immersive Sukkot Experience
6:30pm (doors open at 6:15pm) Thursday, October 17 Eastside Jewish Commons (2420 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland)
Join us for an unforgettable evening of interactive art, poetry, and celebration in honor of Sukkot! The evening will begin with a short, spirit-filled musical Sukkot service, setting the tone for an event filled with creativity, meaning, and community connection. Local Jewish artist Diane Fredgant (and Havurhnik) will unveil her stunning and immersive Modern Mishkan—a room-sized homage to the Torah’s Mishkan, featuring layers of hand-painted silk where the Etz Chaim (Tree of Life) and the commandments, in both Hebrew and English, embrace the participant within a chuppah and two giant Torah scrolls. Performative poet and storyteller Brian Rohr will bring his words to life from the entrance of the Mishkan as he reads from his newly released collection, Shaken to My Bones: A Poetic Midrash on the Torah—a powerful, creative exploration of ancient stories. Following this, Diane and Brian will share the inspiration behind their work and answer your questions. Free admission. Light hors d'oeuvres. Click to RSVP.

ORA art, music, and storytelling show at the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education
10 am to 4 pm (1 pm to 2 pm: all-ages, storytelling time), Sunday, November 3 – Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education
You’re invited to a show and art sale put on by Ora–Northwest Jewish Artists. This is a free admission day. The show runs from 10 am to 4 pm. From 1 pm to 2 pm, we will have three Ora members telling stories for all ages with a musical group performing between each story. Ora is a community of Jewish artists, craftsmen, storytellers and book authors who share a love of art and creativity. We support each other through camaraderie, networking, and continued learning. Please come meet us, especially if you are an art lover or artist who would like to meet other artists or join our group.
Check out the ORA-Northweset Jewish Artists website.

Havurah Zoom Rooms

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.