Hineinu, February 27, 2025

Upcoming Havurah Event Highlights

Havurahniks and friends are invited to a Solidarity Shabbat, with snack buffet and (vegetarian) potluck nosh, this Friday evening, February 28, at Havurah Shalom and on Zoom. Learn more and RSVP. Havurahniks, please consider signing up to help out at this event.

All are welcome to join a special Shabbat Morning service, Text and Torah: Special Shabbatot, this Saturday morning, March 1, at Havurah Shalom and on Zoom. Followed by a light community brunch.
Learn more; no RSVPs.

No Other Land Film Havurahnik Meet-up and Debrief, this Sunday afternoon, March 2, at Cinema 21 and a nearby coffeeshop.
Learn more; Havurahniks, email David Lewis to RSVP. You can also reach out to Havurahniks Dale Oller and Matthew Nelkin to learn more about the area of the West Bank featured in the film; Dale and Matthew both recently spent time there through the Center for Jewish Nonviolence.

All are welcome to join our Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration next Friday evening, March 7, at Havurah Shalom and on Zoom. Includes a hearty nosh plus dessert. Learn more; no RSVPs.

Everyone is invited to read and discuss the book The Cost of Free Land: Jews, Lakota, and an American Inheritance, by Havurahnik Rebecca Clarren, next Sunday evening, March 9, at Havurah Shalom and on Zoom. Nosh before the discusion. Learn more and RSVP.

Check out the rest of our Hineinu weekly newsletter for more on these and other Havurah happenings!

Also, the Eastside Jewish Commons will be screening Muhammad Ali - The Greatest, a documentary, this Sunday afternoon, March 2. Learn more and register. The filmmaker, William Klein (z"l) is Havurahnik Lawrence Reichman's uncle. Havurahniks interested in William Klein and his work are invited to reach out to Larry Reichman.

Save the Date: Havurah's Purim Celebration is Thursday Evening, March 13
Our Purim Celebration is set for Thursday, March 13 at 6 pm. Join us for costumes, hamantaschen, revelry, and more! We'll get to watch the Purim spiel as well. All are welcome. More info coming soon.

Wings of the Dove Campaign:
Havurahniks, Become a Conversation Starter
The Wings of the Dove campaign has a goal to have individual conversations with every Havurah household. This is an opportunity for members to connect with each other to share stories and to talk about Havurah. We’ve already had 57 conversations. We are seeking members to join our team of conversations starters. For more information about becoming a conversation starter, email our Campaign Manager, Aaron Pearlman at aaron.pearlman@havurahshalom.org.

— Herman Asarnow, Alexis Baghdadi, Loree Devery, David Kertzner, Ericka Kimball, David Rosenfeld, and Rachel Shimshak (Wings of the Dove Taskforce)

 

General Info

 

Havurah members, are you having difficulty logging in to our website? Click here.

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. We also have a monthly Multi-synagogue Torah Study, led by Emily Simon. Note that Multi-synagogue Torah Study will be held on March 22. In April, the usual third Saturday schedule for Multi-synagogue Torah Study will resume. 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 (Hannaleah Lindner, February 15). Upcoming b'nei mitzvah are listed below and in the website calendar. (On Saturday, March 1, Shabbat Morning will be aText & Torah on Special Shabbatot. On Saturday, March 8, there will be a Tot Shabbat, in addition to the regular Shabbat Morning services. On Saturday, March 22, Shabbat Morning will be an Immigrant and Refugee Shabbat.)

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

Solidarity Shabbat
5:45 pm Hearty Potluck Nosh, 6:15 pm Grounding & Introduction, 6:30 pm Service, 7:30 pm Kiddush & Schmooze, Friday, February 28 -– 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 (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.
(Havurah members, please consider signing up for a volunteer role, like door greeting or helping with setup/clean-up. Non-members, please be our guests!) Looking forward to seeing you there! RSVP.

Text and Torah Shabbat: Special Shabbatot
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, March 1 - Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
One hour of text study with Diane Chaplin on the topic of Special Shabbatot, followed by a brief service. Join us afterward for a light community brunch provided by the Lunches and Noshes Committee! All are welcome. Free childcare is provided. For Zoom information, please email info@havurhshalom.org.

Meet Up to Watch No Other Land Together at Cinema 21, Followed by Havurahnik Debrief Nearby
1:30 pm to 4:30 pm, Sunday, March 2 - Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Avenue), w/ debrief afterward nearby
No Other Land, a Palestinian-Israeli directed and Oscar-nominated documentary, is presently set to play at Cinema 21 from February 27 to March 6.
Havurahniks, you're invited to meet up with David Lewis, Karen Mitzner, and more of your fellow Havurahniks at the Cinema 21 theater for the 1:30 pm showing on Sunday, March 2, to be followed by a debrief/discussion for Havurahniks at a nearby coffee shop. Because tickets for this film may sell out quickly, please aim to get your tickets ASAP. (Havurahniks who want to attend but can't afford a ticket, please email David Lewis ASAP; David may be able to provide you with complimentary tickets.). Learn more & RSVP.

Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual
7 pm to 8:15 pm, Sunday, March 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.

Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration
5:45 pm Hearty Nosh, 6:30 pm Service, 7:30 pm Continued Hearty Nosh, Plus Dessert, Friday, March 7 — 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. Learn more.

Book Discussion: The Cost of Free Land: Jews, Lakota, and an American Inheritance
6 pm to 8 pm, Sunday, March 9 - Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
Please join us for a book discussion on The Cost of Free Land: Jews, Lakota, and an American Inheritance by Havurah member Rebecca Clarren, whose book was just nominated for an Oregon Book Award! The book is available in all formats. Join us in grappling with the ideas presented in Rebecca's book. If you can, join us at 6 pm for pizza or other nosh, or come at 6:30 pm for the start of the discussion. Clarren’s book—a blend of history, journalism, and memoir—retells how U.S. policy helped her immigrant family at great cost to Native Americans. She grapples with the legacy of those harms today and whether repair is possible. Kirkus Reviews and The Forward named The Cost of Free Land a Best Book of 2023. Please indicate if you will be attending in person or via Zoom in the registration notes. All are welcome. (Questions? Contact Kathy Gordon or Karen Sherman. Member login required to access the directory.). RSVP.

Tot Shabbat
10:30 am to 11:15 am, Saturday, March 8 – Havurah Shalom
Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. All are welcome! 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, and note when you plan to come.

Teen Engagement Committee
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Monday, March 10 — Zoom Room Bet
Monthly meeting for the Teen Engagement Committee leadership. Havurah teens and their parents are welcome. Questions? Contact Andy Waxman and Michelle Bobowick. (*Havurah members: For Zoom room info, go to  HavurahShalom.org/Zoom and log in to your member account.*)

Monthly Music Jam
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Monday, March 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.

Steering Meeting
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, March 11 (second Tues-days) — Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Gimel
Steering members and staff will meet to consider matters of govern-ance. All Havurah Shalom members are invited to attend Steering Committee meetings. (*Havurah members: For Zoom room info, go to  HavurahShalom.org/Zoom and log in to your member account.*)
 

Book Group Annual Meeting
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, March 11 — Zoom Room Bet

The Havurah Book Group will be holding its annual meeting. All Havurahniks are welcome to attend as we consider possible changes in choosing books, scheduling discussions, and anything else book group related. Please RSVP by emailing Shana Elson (member log-in to access the directory). (*Havurah members: For Zoom room info, go to HavurahShalom.org/Zoom and log in to your member account.*)

Havurah Shalom Purim Celebration
6 pm to 9 pm, Thursday, March 13 — Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
A family-friendly Purim Celebration for all. More info coming soon!

Interfaith Earth Summit: Climate Safety and Health
1 pm to 4 pm, Sunday, March 16 — Havurah Shalom
Join us at Havurah Shalom as Havurah 's Climate Action Team (HCAT) hosts one of 17 statewide hubs for the 12th Annual Interfaith Earth Summit. The theme of this statewide gathering is “Climate Safety and Health.” Participants will learn what is happening with Oregon’s climate – and hear the responses of faith leaders, youth leaders, scientists and state officials. Free childcare available. Havurahniks with questions about this event can contact Michael Heumann. All are welcome. Learn more and RSVP.

Havurah 101
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Monday, March 17— Zoom Room Gimel
What does Havurah have to offer me? Where can I find other Havurah members involved in areas I feel passionate about? How do I join a committee, lead a Shabbat service, gather with musicians, find out about Tikkun Olam activities? How are decisions made and what does the Steering Committee actually steer? Join members of the Leadership Development Committee for answers to these questions and whatever you have been wondering abut Havurah.
New and longtime Havurah members welcome. RSVP.

Multi-Synagogue Torah Study, Led by Emily Simon
9 am to 10 am, Saturday, March 22 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
We will again have our monthly multi-synagogue Torah Study, led by Emily Simon. Other congregations joining Havurah Shalom include Temple Sholom in Monticello New York, Emek Shalom in Ashland, Oregon, and Mayim Shalom in Coos Bay, Oregon. We may even have some folks joining us from other parts of the country and maybe the world. No prior knowledge or study is necessary. All viewpoints are welcome as we try to draw lessons from our holy books. (Normally held on the third Saturday of the month, Multi-Synagogue Torah Study will be held on March 22, returning to the usual schedule in April.)

Refugee and Immigrant Shabbat Morning
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, March 22 — Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. Join us afterward for a light community brunch provided by the Lunches and Noshes Committee! Free childcare is provided. For Zoom information, please email info@havurhshalom.org. The March 22 Shabbat Morning will be our Immigrant and Refugee Shabbat. We will have special readings and information from HIAS about the current situation for refugees. Please join us for the service and lunch following.

Safety Corner

 

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)

Out in the Community

Screening of Muhammad Ali: The Greatest at EJC, Film by William Klein
2 pm to 4 pm, Sunday, March 2 - Eastside Jewish Commons (2420 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, Oregon)
Per the Eastside Jewish Commons: William Klein’s masterful portrait of the Man-So-Mean-He-Made-Medicine-Sick focuses on the lead-ups to and aftermaths of three of his signature fights (both title matches with Sonny Liston in 1964 and 1965, and the Rumble in the Jungle with George Foreman in 1974) and, in the process, miraculously manages to touch on nearly everything the three-time undisputed heavyweight champion of the world represented. Muhammad Ali, the Greatest is arguably the most complex documentary about an athlete ever made, as attuned to the fascinating sociopolitical climate surrounding the champ as it is to his incomparable achievements within the ring. An exhilarating medley of Ali’s unforgettable press-conference performances and incredible footage showcasing his physical and rhetorical prowess alike, the film argues for his status as one of the key cultural figures of his time. Learn more and get tickets. (Willaim Klein z"l is Havurah member Lawrence Reichman's uncle. Havurahniks, feel free to connect with Larry Reichman if you'd like to learn more about the film or William Klein.)

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. *Note that Rabbi Benjamin will be on sabbatical from February 1 to July 1, 2025. For pastoral needs during this time, please contact the Havurah Shalom office (info@havurahshalom.org, 503-248-4662) and Rachel Pollak will make the appropriate connection for you.

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.