Hineinu, January 29, 2025

Coming Together, Learning with Each Other
Check out the rest of this newsletter to learn about our many upcoming Havurah events. Here's a quick run-down of some special Havurah gatherings taking place very soon:

- Reparations Shabbat: Exploring Our Relationships with Indigenous People (10 am, Sat., Feb. 1, at Havurah and on Zoom - RSVP)
- View on Your Own, Discuss Together: Short Films by Palestinian Filmmakers (11:30 am, Sun., Feb. 2, at Havurah - RSVP)
- Game Day for Havurah Members (3 pm, Sun., Feb. 2, at Havurah - RSVP) 
- Queer@Havurah Solidarity Potluck (4 pm, Sun., Feb. 9, at Havurah N. Portland home - RSVP for location)

Additionally, as of now, there are still a couple slots left in the Healing the Heart, Soothing the Soul grief-process support group (7 pm, Thursdays, Jan. 30 to Mar. 6, at Havurah - RSVP).

"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 this 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.

 

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. (Note that the February 1 Tot Shabbat has been cancelled; Tot Shabbat is set to take place again on March 8.)

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

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 Cancelled on Feb. 1; Join Us Again on Mar. 8
10:30 am to 11:15 am, Saturday, February 1 – Havurah Shalom
The Feb. 1 Tot Shabbat has been cancelled, but you can join us for our next Tot Shabbat on Saturday, March 8. 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.

View on Your Own, Then Discuss at Havurah: Short Films by Palestinian Filmmakers
11:30 am to 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 on their own, including Sorry Cinema and Soft Skin. This Sunday, join us at Havurah to discuss these and other Palestinian-made films with other Havurah members and guests. We'll have light snacks during our discussion as well. Questions? Contact Dale Oller (member login required to access the directory). RSVP

Game Day for Havurah Members
3 pm to 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! RSVP



Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual
7 pm to 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 am to 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.

Queer@Havurah Solidarity Potluck
4 pm to 6 pm, Sunday, February 9 — Havurah Shalom At N. Portland home; RSVP for location
All Havurah members who identify as LGBTQIA+ (and families!) are invited to our next solidarity gathering and potluck. In addition to sharing space and a meal, we'll talk about future activities to protect, strengthen, and support our community within Havurah. Please bring a vegetarian dish to share. We also ask that you stay home if you have any COVID symptoms. RSVPs are appreciated but not required; email Beka Feathers(member login required to access directory). RSVP

Monthly Music Jam
7 pm to 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.

Monthly Racial Justice Committee Meeting
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursday, February 13 — Zoom Room Bet
Are you curious about what the Racial Justice Committee is doing? Join us at our monthly meeting whether you have never been before or it's been awhile since you have joined. We welcome everyone to join us. In our meetings we spend time learning together about anti-racism and ways we can be better allies and dedicate time to planning events for our community. We hope to see you there!

Zionism, Anti-Zionism, and Antisemitism
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursdays, February 13, 20, and 27 — Havurah Shalom

We will explore a range of Jewish and non-Jewish understandings of Zionism, anti-Zionism, and antisemitism. Long before Oct. 7, 2023, their definitions have been debated, politicized, and weaponized for divergent purposes. Jews have never had a unified understanding of these terms or agreement about the political projects connected to them. All are welcome; priority given to Havurah members for courses with limited space. RSVP

Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration
5:45 pm Hearty Nosh, 6:30 pm Service, 7:30 pm Continued Hearty Nosh, Plus Dessert, Friday, Friday 14 — Havurah Shalom (w/ 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 RSVPs for this event.)

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:

• 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

25th Annual Community Havdalah Service from Jewish Women's Round Table and Cedar Sinai Park
7 pm to 8 pm, Saturday, January 25 -– Rose Schnitzer Manor, Zidell Hall (6125 SW Boundary, Portland)
Havdalah Service led by Rabbi Eve Posen and Cantor Eyal Bitton both of Congregation Neveh Shalom at Rose Schnitzer Manor. Co-sponsored by the Jewish Women's Round Table and Cedar Sinai Park. In-person only. Public is welcome! More info here. To learn more from a Havurahnik about this event, contact Adele Thompson (member login required to access directory).

Gather Grants from Jewish Federation of Greater Portland
Any Jewish-identifying group, individual, family or couple can apply. Receive up to $120 for hosting an event that you plan, at the place and with the people you choose! Grants are available now for programs hosted through March. New funding will be open on a quarterly basis. For details, visit the webpage. After reviewing requirements, apply for a Winter Gather Grant. Questions? Contact Caron Blau Rothstein via email or call (503) 246-6449.

Be Part of the Conversation with JFGP and Resetting the Table
From the Jewish Federation of Great Portland: Dear Jewish Community: When it comes to Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, there is a diversity of opinions within the Jewish community. One of the things that was made clear from our 2024 community study is a widespread desire for the creation of “safe spaces” to express our respective views on Israel. In response to this need, the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland is partnering with the national organization Resetting the Table to offer our community an opportunity to learn the tools and skills to transcend the “fault lines” within and across our community. We are looking for 72 participants consisting of three cohorts of 24 individuals. One of the cohorts will be exclusively for young adults ages 22-35, the other two will be intergenerational. Each cohort will include participants who represent a wide range of views on Israel. Those wishing to participate must be willing to commit to a three-hour in-person workshop followed by a two-hour commitment for a virtual program a month later. More details and an application can be found here.

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. (Note: Rabbi Benjamin's five-month sabbatical begins Feb. 1, 2025. We will be sharing information on our website about who to contact during this time.)

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.