Hineinu, November 1, 2024

Havurah Shalom Gatherings 
This Evening, Tomorrow (Shabbat), and Sunday

On Friday, November 1, Havurah teens and their parents/guardians are invited to Teen Kabbalat Shabbat (6 pm, at Havurah, RSVP).

Join us on Saturday, November 2, for Torah Study at 9 am and Shabbat Morning at 10 am (refer to the calendar for Nov. 2 to learn more),
including Tot Shabbat (10:30 am, at Havurah, RSVP).

At Shabbat School in the afternoon, there will be a Parenting Huddle w/ Rabbi Benjamin & Deborah Eisenbach-Budner (3:05 pm, at Havurah, RSVP).

On Sunday, November 3, all are welcome to sign up to join us for Queer Torah Study (11 am, at Havurah and on Zoom, RSVP, the first of two sessions) and the Rosh Chodesh Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual (7 pm, RSVP to be sent location info: on Zoom or in NE Portland).

Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration
w/ Guest Musical Leader, Molly Bajgot
5:45 pm Hearty Nosh, 6:30 pm Service, 7:30 pm Continued Hearty Nosh Plus Dessert, Friday, November 8 – Havurah Shalom (w/ 6:30 pm Service on Zoom as well)
Join us on Friday evening, November 8 for a musical, all-ages service with hearty nosh before the service and continued hearty nosh plus dessert after. All are welcome! Free childcare is provided! 

All, please click to learn more about our upcoming Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration, including how you can provide support by donating to our Spiritual Life Fund.

Havurah members, please consider contributing a bit of your time to help out at the Nov. 8 Kabbalat Shabbat service.

At this upcoming Kabbalat Shabbat, musical guest Molly Bagjot will share some of her songs. And on Sunday, November 10, Molly Bajgot will hold a full concert at Havurah Shalom. All are welcome RSVP for the Nov. 10 Molly Bajgot Concert

Molly Bajgot Concert on Nov. 10:
Music from New Album, Revelry
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Sunday, November 10 – Havurah Shalom
After joining us at Kabbalat Shabbat, Molly Bajgot will hold a full concert at Havurah on Sunday, November 10! Join us for an inspiring evening of new Jewish music and powerful song. Molly will share music from her first full-length album Revelry, new tunes for Jewish liturgy and original songs of hope. Molly’s soulful voice and alluring melodies bridge the realms of Jewish, folk, and devotional music. Her orientation to community building and prayer shines through in her musical leadership. Together, we’ll create a sacred and songful space to revel in our aliveness, our grief, our healing, and our work for collective liberation.

RSVP for Molly Bajgot's Concert at Havurah Shalom (Sunday, Nov. 10, at 7 pm). Free, and welcome to all.

5785/2024 High Holidays Videos
Would you like to watch and listen to recordings of our recent High Holiday services? Check out our YouTube playlist, High Holidays 2024/5785. 
Rosh Hashanah drashot videos are included in the playlist; Yom Kippur drashot videos will be posted soon and then highlighted in Hineinu and Hakol, our weekly and monthly newsletters, respectively.

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, November 16.)

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 (Jude Esmer, November 2, Dylan Schatz, November 9) are listed below and in the website calendar. All are welcome.

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, 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.

More Upcoming Havurah Events

Teen Kabbalat Shabbat
6 pm to 8 pm, Friday, November 1 – Havurah Shalom
This Kabbalat Shabbat led by Rabbi Benjamin is for Havurah teens (7th to 12th grade) and their parents/guardians. We will welcome in Shabbat, and enjoy a musical evening all together. Dinner entrees will be provided for all. We ask each family to bring either a salad or dessert (gluten-free dishes welcomed and encouraged as well) or drinks to share with others. When you RSVP, please specify the number of teens and number of adults in the registration notes.

Shabbat Morning with the Bar Mitzvah of Jude Esmer
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, November 2 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Jude Esmer as a Bar Mitzvah and member of our community. All are welcome.

Tot Shabbat
10:30 am to 11:15 am, Saturday, November 2 – Havurah Shalom
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. RSVP

Parenting Huddle: Parenting/Being Jewish in the World Right Now, with Rabbi Benjamin and Deborah Eisenbach-Budner
3:05 pm to 4:20 pm, Saturday, November 2 – Havurah Shalom
Many people have expressed that the war in Israel/Palestine has brought up questions and challenges around parenting in Jewish families, around being a Jew (or in a Jewish family) in the world, in their workplace, in Portland… And, of course, there is this upcoming election! We will focus on those experiences, together, using some Jewish text wisdom as well as our collective wisdom. Please RSVP

Queer Torah Study
11 am to 12:15 pm, Sundays, November 3 and November 10 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
Emma Lugo of Shir Tikvah will visit to lead us in Queer Torah study, an intensive exploration of and wide-ranging conversation on the weekly parsha, or Torah portion, using material sourced in Queer identity from sources such as Svara, Torah Queeries, and the amazing online world of Queer Jewish content. Join us to study LGBTQ commentators with Emma and explore the Torah and learn together. All are welcome. RSVP

Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual: Cheshvan
7 pm, Sunday, November 3 - Either Zoom Room Heh or In Person in Inner NE; RSVP for location updates
A gender-inclusive New Moon group, learning and celebrating each Rosh Ḥodesh with ancient and contemporary ritual. Open to any and all genders, inviting each to connect with our closest heavenly body, the Moon. Gatherings take place monthly on or near the new moon of each Hebrew month at 7 pm on the Sunday closest to the New Moon, either on Zoom or in person - outdoors in inner North/East Portland - depending on seasonal shifts in the weather. Attend any or all sessions; all are welcome. RSVP to be updated on location and other details throughout the year.

Teen Tikkun Olam with Rose Haven
4:30 pm to 8 pm, Thursday, November 7 – Rose Haven (1740 NW Glisan Street, Portland, Oregon)
High school-age Havurah teens will volunteer at and attend Rose Haven’s annual Branching Out fundraising event. We'll help with final set-up tasks, then helping to table, sell raffle tickets and then help with clean up. This event will be an opportunity to learn more about Rose Haven, and to interact with individuals who utilize the services. Food and snacks will be provided! More information is included in the confirmation email after you RSVP. Email Michelle Bobowick with any questions. 

Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration (w/ Guest Molly Bajgot)
5:45 pm, Hearty Nosh; 6:30 pm, Service; 7:30 pm, Continued Hearty Nosh (Plus Dessert), Friday, November 8 – Havurah Shalom (Service is also in Zoom Room Aleph)
A musical, all-ages Friday night service with hearty nosh before the service and continued hearty nosh plus dessert after. All are welcome! See the calendar entry for more information; no need to RSVP.

Shabbat Morning with Bar Mitzvah of Dylan Schatz
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, November 9 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Dylan Schatz as a Bar Mitzvah and member of our community. All are welcome.

Molly Bajgot Concert, Music from New Album, Revelry
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Sunday, November 10 – Havurah Shalom
Join for an inspiring evening of new Jewish music and powerful song with Molly Bajgot. Molly will share music from her first full-length album Revelry, new tunes for Jewish liturgy and original songs of hope. Molly’s soulful voice and alluring melodies bridge the realms of Jewish, folk, and devotional music. Her orientation to community building and prayer shines through in her musical leadership. Together, we’ll create a sacred and songful space to revel in our aliveness, our grief, our healing, and our work for collective liberation. All are welcome. RSVP

Monthly Music Jam
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Monday, November 11 – Havurah Shalom
Monthly music jams are back! Tune your instrument, warm up your voice and head down to Havurah to jam with us. Join your fellow Havurah musicians for an evening of playing and singing together—for the joy of it! Jams are led by fellow Havurah members and are completely democratic—everyone chooses songs! Our songbook includes both Jewish and secular songs from a wide range of artists and eras. Can't waitt to sing and play with you! RSVP

Teen Engagement Committee Meeting
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Monday, November 11 – 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, November 12 – 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. Learn more.

History of HIAS
7:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesdays, November 12 and 19 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
Havurah member Michael Rice will present the storied history of HIAS from documentary sources, with personal insight as the son of James Rice, HIAS executive director 1956-1966. From predecessor organizations dating to 1870 in New York assisting Jews immigrating to the US or fleeing pogroms, HIAS has sheltered and supported refugees for over 150 years. Along with other Jewish organizations, HIAS took on the rescue and resettlement of Holocaust survivors during World War II and the post-war era. In 1965, thanks to the strong advocacy of HIAS and others, the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 ended decades of discriminatory nationality quotas. Now HIAS operates with 1,800 employees in 20 countries in Latin America, Africa, Europe, and Israel, with a large team at our Southern border and in Mexico. Asylum protection, resettlement of Afghan, Ukrainian, Venezuelan and other refugees through Jewish communities, and political advocacy for legal and budget support are ongoing work. All are welcome. RSVP

Wings of the Dove Campaign Community Conversations (Choose an Upcoming Session)
7 pm, Wednesday, November 13 – Havurah Shalom (During Havurah Middle School/Havurah High) or
3:15 pm, Saturday, November 23 – Havurah Shalom (During Shabbat School)
The Wings of the Dove Campaign is on track to lift the Havurah community to new heights, expanding the potential of our congregation in new spaces where we will gather, learn, sing, and celebrate! Your voice is needed. Havurahniks and those interested in supporting the future of our community, please choose one of the Wings of the Dove Community Sessions listed above and share in building the vision to address Havurah's future facility and staffing needs. RSVP for your preferred session. Questions? Email Aaron Pearlman, Campaign Manager, at aaron.pearlman@havurahshalom.org.

Havurah 101 (Next Havurah 101 now set for March 2025)
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursday, November 14 – Zoom Room Gimel
Are you interested in understanding Havurah's history and values and how our participatory culture has informed our governance structure? Do you have questions about how our committees work, the Havurah budget, or how you might get more involved? Members of the Havurah Leadership Development Committee will help you understand our unique community and the many roles members and staff take to support each other. All members welcome to join us!

Affordable Housing and Homelessness in Portland
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursday, November 14 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Heh
Homelessness remains one of the most important issues in Portland. A lot of money exists, and a bewildering array of solutions. To help our community better understand this issue, the Poverty and Homelessness Committee is offering this forum. Havurahnik, Steve Rudman, former director of Home Forward, will convene the forum with Havurah members, Rachael Duke with Community Partners for Affordable Housing, and Andrea Sanchez with Housing Development Center. Looking forward to a lively and informative evening. RSVP

Monthly Racial Justice Committee Meeting
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursday, November 14 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
Havurah members, join the Racial Justice Committee for our monthly meeting (2nd Thursdays, 7 pm to 8:30 pm, Zoom Room Bet). We will make plans to create learning opportunities for our community and engage in learning together during the meeting. Questions? Contact Julia Lager Mesulam. Learn more on the Havurah calendar.

Multi-Synagogue Torah Study, Led by Emily Simon
9 am to 10 am, Saturday, November 16 – 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. Multi-synagogue Torah Study includes engagement from members of congregations in Oregon and New York and beyond. All are welcome. Learn more on our calendar.

Discovering Shabbat Morning: Learner's Minyan
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, November 16 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
This upbeat, interactive service focuses on the structure, key themes, and prayers of the morning service. Open to all, especially for families with youth in Grades 5-7. Free childcare is provided. RSVP

Learn to Bake Babke
3 pm to 4:30 pm, Sunday, November 17 – Havurah Shalom
Impress your friends and family by baking babke for your next social gathering! We’ll provide the ingredients, and you’ll leave with a tasty recipe for future baking. Led by Elyse Hill. All are welcome. RSVP

Lives Lived, Lessons Learned
7 pm to 9 pm, Sunday, November 17 – Havurah Shalom
Join storytellers Edward Hershey, Cassandra Sagan, Sarah Stein and Yuvi Zalkow and musician Steven Mesulam for a fun and insightful evening of stories with musical accompaniment presented by Havurah Alte Rockers for the congregation and community — and feel free to bring a story or anecdote of your own to share! RSVP

How Precious the Ground on Which We Stand: Jewish Values that Could Save the Earth - A Slow Read w/ Havurah's Climate Action Team Book Group
5 pm to 6 pm, Monday, November 18 – Zoom Room Gimel
Join Havurah’s Climate Action Team (HCAT) for a slow read of How Precious the Ground on Which We Stand: Jewish Values that Could Save the Earth by Rabbi Sheldon (Shelly) Lewis. 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.” Discussion focus: Chapters 1 and 2. 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.

Interfaith Alliance on Poverty's First Thursday Learning Meeting
12 pm to 1 pm, Thursday, November 7 - RSVP for Zoom login
From the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty: Meet Transition Projects: 55 years helping people transition into a home and stability. Hear about their process and their strategies. Kelsey Stark, Volunteer Program Manager for Transition Projects, the largest shelter provider of shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness in Multnomah County, will talk about their programs and opportunities to be involved. Tara Slak, supervisor of the Transition Projects Navigation Team, and Peer Wellness Specialist, will share the story of her work and of living in one of the shelters in 2017. (Would you like to speak with an involved fellow Havurahnik about the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty and the First Thursday meetings? Contact Sue Abrams.)

Jewish Coalition on Immigrant Justice November Newsletter
Read the November newsletter of the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice, with information about our upcoming movie showing and accompaniment training, other upcoming events, and the latest immigration news.

 

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

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 (OJMCHE) (724 NW Davis St, Portland, Oregon)
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

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.