Hineinu, November 27, 2024

Upcoming Hanukkah Events to Check Out

Create a Personal Chanukah Card on December 8
4 pm to 5:15 pm, Sunday, December 8 – Zoom Room Bet and Havurah Shalom
Let's make virtual and paper collage Chanukah cards in December! This class is for children, teens, and adults. We will focus on symbols of the season and creating a personalized image (or set of images) that you can use in your cards this year to accompany a gift or send to friends and family. For virtual cards, you will need a computer that has Word or Google Docs or a sketching app like Sketchbook. For paper cards, you need colored or metallic card stock or construction paper, markers, colored pencils, metallic markers, scissors, white glue, origami metallic paper, or stickers. We will use clip art, and there will be samples images and messages at hand. Led by Carolina Martinez. All are welcome.
While Carolina will be online to teach, you are invited to join us at Havurah to learn in a group!  RSVP to receive more instructions ahead of time, including the Zoom login info.

Winter Marketplace at the MJCC from ORA Northwest Jewish Artists; Havurah Chaverim Musicians Playing on December 12
Sunday, December 8 (11 am to 4 pm) and Monday, December 9 to Thursday, December 12 (9 am to 7 pm) – Mittleman Jewish Community Center (MJCC) (6651 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, Oregon)
ORA Northwest Jewish Artists is holding its annual Hanukkah Marketplace from December 8 to December 12 at the MJCC. Art, music, and storytelling. Stock up on gifts, be entertained, and support local artists. Free admission. See this flyer for more on the Winter Marketplace.
The ORA Northwest Jewish Artists include several Havurahniks among their number. Additionally, the Havurah Chaverim—Havurah musicians you may recognize from our recent Havurah Shalom High Holidays services—will be providing live acoustic entertainment for the closing reception in the MJCC Lobby at 5:30 pm on Thursday, Dec. 12 - see poster.

Hauvrah Shalom Chanukah Celebration on December 29: Save the Date!
4 pm to 6 pm, Sunday, December 29 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
All are invited to celebrate the lights of Chanukah at Havurah Shalom! Fun for adults, teens, and children alike. There will be a Zoom track of programming for those who would like to join us online. Please check back on our Chanukah Celebration calendar event page closer to the celebration date for more information.

Our Next Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration is on Friday, December 13 - Come Join In!
5:45 pm Hearty Nosh; 6:30 pm Service; 7:30 pm Continued Hearty Nosh, Plus Dessert, Friday, December 13 – Havurah Shalom (7:30 pm Service 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! Free childcare is provided! (Learn more here.)

Havurah members, please consider donating a bit of your time to help out! Check out the volunteer sign-up for the December 13 Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration.

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.

Weekly/Biweekly 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, December 21.)

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 (Leo Friedman, November 23) are listed below and in the website calendar. All are welcome. (Tot Shabbat is set to take place on Saturday, December 7 at 10:30 am.)

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

Office Closed November 28 and 29
The Havurah Shalom office will be closed on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual: Kislev
7 pm, Sunday, December 1 – Meeting in Zoom Room Heh during the winter; future gatherings to take place in Zoom Room Heh or in Inner NE.
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.

Dreams in the Torah, Dreams in Our Lives
6:30 pm to 7:45 pm, alternating Tuesdays, December 3 to February 18 – Havurah Shalom
Dreams are important messages in the Torah and, some say, from our unconscious minds. Over six sessions, we will explore the dreams of our ancestors as a prelude to sharing and learning about our own dreams, using a facilitated process from the Haden Institute, based in Jungian, Gestalt and Jeremy Taylor methodologies. Facilitated by Adela Basayne. Limited to 8 participants. RSVP

Tot Shabbat
10:30 am to 11:15 am, Saturday, December 7 – 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: What to do with the G Word (God)?
3:10 am to 4:30 am, Saturday, December 7 – Havurah Shalom
Explore real-life questions that we face as parents/guardians, with some guidance from our Jewish texts and values, and each other. For the Dec. 7 Parenting Huddle: We will explore an expansive array of different ways that Jews think about God, including our own experiences and questions, as parents and as people. And we will talk about how all this relates to parenting, in both spiritual and practical terms. Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. For parents/guardians to enjoy during Shabbat School, at Havurah Shalom. Member and non-member parents/guardians welcome. RSVP.

Create a Personal Chanukah Card
4 pm to 5:15 pm, Sunday, December 8 – Zoom Room Bet
Let's make virtual and paper collage Chanukah cards in December! This class is for children, teens, and adults. We will focus on symbols of the season and creating a personalized image or set of images you can use in your cards this year to accompany a gift or send to friends and family. For virtual cards, you will need a computer that has Word  or Google Docs or a sketching app like Sketchbook. For paper cards, you need colored or metallic card stock or construction paper, markers, colored pencils, metallic markers, scissors, white glue, origami metallic paper, or stickers.  We will use clip art, and there will be samples images and messages at hand. RSVP to receive more instructions ahead of time, including the Zoom login info. All are welcome. Led by Carolina Martinez.

Teen Engagement Committee Meeting
7 pm, Monday, December 9 – 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, December 10 – 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. For Zoom join links, visit havurahshalom.org/zoom (must be logged in) or call the office in advance for assistance (503-248-4662).

Monthly Racial Justice Committee Meeting
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursday (2nd Thursdays), December 12 – Zoom Room Bet
Havurah members, join the Racial Justice Committee for our monthly (second Thursdays) meeting. 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.

Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration: Friday, December 13
5:45 pm (Hearthy Nosh), 6:30 pm (Service), 7:30 (Continued Hearty Nosh, Plus Dessert), Friday, December 13 – Havurah Shalom (and 6:30 pm Service 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! Free childcare is provided! No need to RSVP, but please see the Dec. 13 event page for important information.

More Tikkun Olam 

Seeking Hand-Knitted Scarves and Hats (Plus Non-Knitted Socks and Gloves) for Christmas Gifts for the Homeless: Collection Begins Dec. 1
The Poverty and Homelessness committee is supporting the Winter Holiday meal provided for homeless folks by Temple Beth Israel on Christmas Day (Wednesday, Dec. 25) from noon to 2 pm. This year, for health and safety reasons, the holiday meals will be provided as takeout boxes. In addition to a full dinner, each box will contain a handknitted scarf and hat, as well as gloves and socks. We are asking any knitters in Havurah to donate a scarf and/or a hat. (For non-knitters: quality socks and gloves are also needed.) There will be a box by the doors to Havurah’s sanctuary for dropoff of these items starting on December 1. Please help us create a nice collection of items we can bring over to Temple Beth Israel for this special holiday event. (Volunteers might also be needed to help stuff bags and/or pass out these gift bags out on Christmas Day.) Questions? Contact Marcia Suttenberg.

Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice: December 2024 Newsletter
From the JCIJ: Read the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice December newsletter to learn about our upcoming legislative priorities, the asylum and legal clinics we help organize, and some recent immigration news.

Interfaith Alliance on Poverty's First Thursday Meeting
12 pm to 1:30 pm, Thursday, December 5 – Westminster Presbyterian Church (1624 NE Hancock Street, Portland, Oregon)
From the IAP: The Interfaith Alliance on Poverty monthly meeting on December 5 will be in person. Our speaker will be Julia Nielson, Director of Organizing for Leaven Land and Housing Coalition, a statewide interfaith collective organizing people of faith to advocate for and steward faith land toward affordable and transitional housing. We will be serving lunch. Please RSVP by clicking on this link and completing the form. No other registration is required. The entrance to the meeting is across from the church parking lot on Hancock. 
(Havurahniks, if you're interested in connecting with a fellow Havurah member who has long been involved in these IAP First Thursday meetings, please feel free to reach out to Sue Abrams; member login required to access the Havurah member directory.)

 

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

Portland Jewish Academy K-8 Admissions Open House
10 am to 12 pm, Sunday, December 8 – Portland Jewish Academy (6651 SW Capitol Highway)
From Portland Jewish Academy: (For incoming K-8 students and their families) Learn all about Portland Jewish Academy's values-based education at our upcoming admissions open house. PJA is an inclusive Jewish community school that welcomes families of all backgrounds. We offer a well-rounded education infused with Jewish values that emphasizes collaboration, critical thinking, social-emotional learning, community engagement, and character development. Our students are empowered to think for themselves and work for the world.
RSVP today.  (If you can’t make the open house, click to inquire about a private tour with PJA.)

Winter Marketplace at the MJCC (Mittleman Jewish Community Center) from ORA Northwest Jewish Artists; Havurah Chaverim Music on Thursday
Sunday, December 8 (11 am to 4 pm) and Monday, December 9 to Thursday, December 12 (9 am to 7 pm) – Mittleman Jewish Community Center (MJCC) (6651 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, Oregon)
ORA Northwest Jewish Artists is holding its annual Hanukkah Marketplace from December 8 to December 12 at the MJCC. Art, music, and storytelling. Stock up on gifts, be entertained, and support local artists. Free admission. See flyer for more. (Check out the ORA-Northweset Jewish Artists website. And learn more about the individual ORA NW artists—a group that includes several Havurahniks in their number—and their artwork. Additionally, the Havurah Chaverim will be playing live acoustic music for the closing reception at 5:30 pm on Thursday, December 12.)

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.