Hineinu, January 22, 2025

Rabbi Benjamin's Sabbatical Begins Feb. 1
From the Havurah Presidents Team: Rabbi Benjamin will take part one of a well-deserved sabbatical for five months, beginning on February 1, 2025, and returning to our thriving community on July 1, 2025. During this time, the many functions of his position will be picked up by … everyone – as a participatory community is compelled to do. Many will take on these responsibilities, from our staff and lay leaders to committee chairs and congregants who have pastoral skills, are musically inclined, or otherwise want to help lead services. What an opportunity for us to stretch and grow!

Click here to see a list of some of the Havurahniks who are stepping up. For their contact info, please see the member directory (member login is required) or reach out to staff.

Finally, if you have questions or need to communicate with Rabbi Benjamin, please reach out to him before the last minute.

"Be 2 Weeks Ready" to be offered to Havurahniks
The fires in LA are a tragic reminder that unexpected events can strike a community with little or no notice, severely limiting the availability of essential services like water, sewer and electricity for days or even weeks. But there are ways that we can take simple steps as individuals, families and communities to be more resilient together.

To help Havurahniks to be prepared for events, we will be offering a series of information/workshop sessions based on the content from "Be 2 Weeks Ready", a community-based program that helps people prepare for long-duration emergencies. If you have experience with emergency preparedness and would like to help with this effort, please contact Michael Heumann or Steve Birkel.

Brit Kavod Trainers Workshop: Join Us!
Coming soon: a one-time workshop for folks interested in helping our community understand our new Brit Kavod (Covenant of Mutual Respect). This interactive class, taught by a local professor who specializes in values-based communication, will feature real-life scenarios that illustrate our Brit Kavod. Participants will come away equipped to introduce our Brit Kavod at various Havurah gatherings, using the techniques you will learn. Please join us! Email Shelley Sobel if you’re interested. Date TBA.

Calling Out Antisemitism
If you are concerned about Elon Musk’s fascist/antisemitic predilections on view at the inauguration on Monday (see Slate article for unvarnished coverage) or the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) denial of the significance of Musk’s Nazi salute, consider joining this Bend the Arc petition action. The ADL exists to identify, track, and fight antisemitism and purports to be the representative of the American Jewish community in this field. We need to build alternatives; here are two organizations that actually do this work—in solidarity with other targeted groups: Western States Center, Southern Poverty Law Center.

We are amidst a bombardment of executive orders meant to demoralize and overwhelm; we need to figure out how to see past theatrics calculated to distract us from the actual destruction being wreaked. And we each need to figure out how to build and sustain 4 years of resilience and resistance. The Havurah community will expand to hold many efforts. This is a call out to those who may want to focus on antisemitism – be in touch with Deborah Eisenbach-Budner.

High Holiday Survey Report
Curious about the results of the post-High Holidays Survey? You can now read all about them in an Executive Summary developed by the High Holidays Core Team, which is composed of Ericka Kimball, Bija Gutoff, Adela Basayne, and Rachel Pollak. The summary and accompanying slides and visual digest show us what we can learn from the 112 survey responses. The focus this year was on Youth and Families, Music, Participation, and Jewish Wisdom and Practice, with an overall concern for creating a community of care shaped by our values, as articulated in the proposed Brit Kavod. Please read and send any questions to info@havurahshalom.org.

Executive Summary | Survey Result Slides | Visual Digest

Steering Summary
Havurah's monthly Steering Committee met for a monthly meeting on January 14, facilitated by Co-President David Kertzner. See a summary of the discussions that took place.

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, with a multi-synagogue Torah Study every third week of the month led by Emily Simon. No prior knowledge or study is necessary. All viewpoints are welcome as we try to draw lessons from our holy books. All are welcome.

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 are listed below and in the website calendar.

Mahjong Group
1 pm, first and third Mondays – Havurah Shalom
Mahjong is a fun, social activity that builds community, encouraging new friendships and cementing old ones. Reach out to Leah Hershey to be added to the email list.

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
12 pm, Tuesdays – Havurah Shalom 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.

Upcoming Havurah Events

History of the Sephardic Jews and Their Language, Ladino
7 pm to 8:15 pm, Thursdays, January 23, January 30, and February 6 – Havurah Shalom

Who are the Sephardic Jews? What is their history and what is their language? We will focus on the Jews expelled from Spain and Portugal who settled in the Ottoman Empire and their language, Ladino. You will learn where they lived, the communities they formed, and what happened to them in the Holocaust and post-Holocaust. You will be exposed to Sephardic culture, music, and literature. You will get a taste of the Ladino language, how it formed, how it was used, its literature, and its proverbs. If you speak modern Spanish, you should take this class. If you don’t speak modern Spanish, you should take this class. Led by Roger Brewer. RSVP

Solidarity Shabbat
5:45 pm Hearty Potluck Nosh, 6:15 pm Grounding & Introduction, 6:30 pm Service, 7:30 pm Kiddush & Schmooze, Friday, January 24-– Havurah Shalom (w/ the 6:15 pm Grounding & Introduction and 6:30 pm Service also in Zoom Room Aleph)
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. Free childcare. Questions? Contact Rocky Cohen or Nat Lerner (member login required to access directory) or leave a question in your registration notes. Visit the RSVP page to register to attend and learn more, including potluck and snack buffet specifics, masking requests, and community guidelines. Looking forward to seeing you there!  RSVP

Havurah's Climate Action Team's Monthly Meeting (HCAT)
5 pm to 6:30 pm, Monday, January 27 -– Zoom Room Bet
Havurahniks, join the Climate Action Team's monthly meeting.

Palestinian Justice Letter Writing Group
6 pm to 7:30 pm, Monday, January 27 -– Zoom Room Heh
We hold monthly letter-writing group Zoom gatherings (last Mondays) to write letters to our lawmakers for Israel/Palestine justice. Feel free to drop in any time!  
Questions? Email Dale Oller. Non-Havurah-members very welcome to join as well.

Book Group: Tracing Homelands: Israel, Palestine, and the Claims of Belonging by Linda Dittmar
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, January 28 – Zoom Room Bet
For January, we invite you to read and discuss Tracing Homelands by Linda Dittmar (nonfiction, 240 pages), which is, per the publisher, "an intimate, beautifully written account that uncovers inconvenient truths about an embattled Israeli-Palestinian history that is often buried in silence." Discussion led by Barbara Hershey. Nonmembers welcome. RSVP. A list of the 2024-25 books is available here.

Healing the Heart, Soothing the Soul
5:30 pm to 7 pm, Thursdays, Jan. 30 to March 3 – 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. RSVP

Reparations Shabbat: Exploring Our Relationships with Indigenous Peoples.
10 am to 2:30 pm, Saturday, February 1 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
All are invited to a Shabbat Morning Service, Reparations: A Journey. The focus of our Shabbat service (including a drash and mini drashot) will be hearing Havurah members describing their individual journeys of reckoning with their relationships with Indigenous Peoples. Lunch will follow. This Reparations Shabbat is presented by Havurah's Racial Justice Committee. Questions? Please contact Kathy Gordon or Julia Lager Mesulam (member login required to access the directory). RSVP for lunch or childcare by Tuesday, January 28.

Tot Shabbat
10:30 am to 11:15 am, Saturday, February 1 – 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 

Short Films by Palestinian Filmmakers
11:30-1 pm, Sunday, February 2 — Havurah Shalom
As part of the Center of Jewish Non-Violence’s Solidarity Month, Havurah members are invited to view  short films by Palestinian filmmakers from the collection From Ground Zero, which can be viewed at home or at Cinema 21, then come to a discussion and nosh. Please RSVP. Links to the films will be sent when you RSVP. For more information, contact Dale Oller. RSVP 

Game Day for Havurah Members
3-5 pm, Sunday, February 2 — Havurah Shalom
The Havurah Welcome Committee invites Havurah members to Game Day. Fun! Meet new people! Bring a game. There will be coffee and cookies! Let's play!



Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual
7-8:15 pm, Sunday, February 2 — Zoom Room Heh
A gender-inclusive New Moon group, learning and celebrating each Rosh Ḥodesh with ancient and contemporary ritual. Led by Andrine de la Rocha. RSVP

Havurah's Participation & Leadership Retreat
9:45-3 pm, Sunday, February 9 — Havurah Shalom
We are inviting Havurah community members who are already involved with a committee, or those who would like to become involved, to join us at the annual leadership retreat. Please RSVP at this link by January 29. Questions? Contact Debbi Nadell, co-chair of Havurah's Leadership Development Committee.

Monthly Music Jam
7-8:30 pm, Monday, February 10 — Havurah Shalom
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. RSVP

Tikkun Olam Corner

Havurah Shalom Tikkun Olam Partners:
Rose Haven (day shelter for women, children, and marginalized genders) | Path Home (family transitional shelter) |
Interfaith Alliance on Poverty (IAP) | Lift UP | MACG |Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice NW ​​​​​​| Jewish Earth Alliance | IMIrJ (Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice)

Wings of the Dove Campaign for Havurah Shalom January Engagement Sessions — Seeking Your Input on Havurah's Future
For years, Havurah volunteers have been working on plans for our space and staffing needs. Now it is your time to step forward and give us some input. 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. Please RSVP for one of the upcoming engagement session dates:

• Zoom Session – Sunday, January 26, 7 pm, RSVP
• SE Neighborhood Session — Time and Location TBD
• NE Neighborhood Session — Wednesday, February 5, 7 pm, RSVP

Note that these are not fundraising sessions. We are seeking input on our goals and plans. Thank you.

Out in the Community

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

Havurah Zoom Rooms

Zoom Room Aleph
PC/Mac/Smartphone: Click here to join.
Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 604560503 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5472.
Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 604560503.
 
Zoom Room Bet
PC/Mac/Smartphone: Click here to join.
Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 291215092 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5472.
Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 291215092.
 
Zoom Room Gimel
PC/Mac/Smartphone: Click here to join.
Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 502586440 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5472.
Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 502586440.

Zoom Room Dalet
PC/Mac/Smartphone: Click here to join. 
Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 472484392 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5472.
Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 472484392.

Zoom Room Heh
PC/Mac/Smartphone: Click here to join.
Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 87852542099 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5472.
Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 87852542099.

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.