Hineinu, March 19, 2025

Key Due Dates for Havurah's Shabbat School
Shabbat School is for Havurah families with children in grades K-6. Shabbat School gives our children a basis for Jewish learning and fosters a strong sense of community amongst families. To ensure a spot for the 2025-26 (5786) school year, families must (1) be members of Havurah Shalom by mid-April 2025 and (2) enroll their children in Shabbat School by May 1, 2025. Please visit our Shabbat School page under Learning on Havurah’s website for more information. If you have friends or family who are interested in participating in Shabbat School, please pass along this information.

Havurah Seeking Child Care Provider
Havurah Shalom offers childcare at all our Shabbat services as well as other events at the request of the event organizers. We are seeking a new person to fill the position of child care provider. Must be responsible, always on time, a good communicator, and of course great with children and families. The child care provider also helps facilitate Tot Shabbat with Program Staff and helps reset the space afterward. Minimal lifting required. This staff person is an essential part of our Saturday morning community, and beyond. Pays $25/hr., weekly shifts 2.25 hrs. Please contact Rachel Pollak (rachel@havurahshalom.org) to apply or learn more.
 
LGBTQ+ Havurahniks and Allies: Join the Reconstructing Judaism-Keshet Shivyon Cohort!
Havurah Shalom recently applied to and was accepted into the Reconstructing Judaism-Keshet Shivyon 2025 Equality Project cohort! Staff members Adela Basayne, Rachel Pollak and Tara Anderson have begun the preliminary work, but the participation of members is essential and very much wanted. Through this year-long cohort, you’ll gain access to in-depth education, practical training, personal coaching, skill-building, and knowledge to spark long-lasting change right here. We will look at programming, policy, and culture at Havurah Shalom and create an action plan to enhance them all for our LGBTQ+ Havurah community. The program lasts a year, but the monthly commitment is only a few hours, with high flexibility for your schedule. Please email Rachel Pollak (rachel@havurahshalom.org) to learn more.

Increasing Understanding Through Film
The Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land (purchase tickets here) is playing through Thursday, March 27, at Cinema 21 on NW 21st Ave. The Israel-Palestine workgroup will hold a discussion about No Other Land on Monday, March 31, at 7 pm in person at Havurah Shalom.

 

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. 

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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 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. Upcoming b'nei mitzvah are listed below and in the website calendar. On Saturday, March 22, Shabbat Morning will be a Refugee and Immigrant Shabbat; RSVP if joining for lunch.

Mahjong Group
1 pm, first and third Mondays – Havurah Shalom
For Havurah members. 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 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

Rumble on the River Community Forum & Panel Discussion on So-called "Renewable Fuels"
5:30 pm/6 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursday, March 20 – Havurah Shalom
Join Havurah's Climate Action Team as we host Rumble on the River Community Forum #21. Doors open, tabling and snacks begin at 5:30 pm. Panel discussion starts at 6:30 pm. A panel discussion on the problems and dangers of so-called “renewable fuels,” the fossil fuel industry’s climate solution. All are welcome; open to Havurah members and the greater community. (Havurahniks with questions can contact Elianne Lieberman.) Learn more and RSVP.

Monthly Racial Justice Committee Meeting
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursday, March 20 (but normally held on second Thursdays) – Zoom Room Bet
Havurahniks, join the Racial Justice Committee Monthly Meeting, where we spend some time learning together and planning activities for our community. We welcome new committee members all the time! Come check us out if you are curious! Questions? Contact Julia Lager Mesulam. (Log in to your Havurah member account to access our Zoom Room login info and member directory.)

Multi-Synagogue Torah Study, Led by Emily Simon
9 am to 10 am, Saturday, March 22 (but normally on third Saturdays) – 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 are in Monticello, New York; Ashland, Oregon; and Coos Bay, Oregon. We may have folks from around the world. No prior knowledge or study is necessary. All viewpoints are welcome as we try to draw lessons from our holy books.

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

Havurah's Climate Action Team's Monthly Meeting (HCAT)
5 pm to 6:30 pm, Monday, March 24 – Zoom Room Bet
Havurahniks, join the Climate Action Team's monthly meeting on last Mondays.
 

Hakol Submission Deadline is March 24
Havurahniks, the deadline for submissions to the April 2025 issue of our monthly newsletter, Hakol, is Monday, March 24. Learn more.

Book Group: Surviving Autocracy by Masha Gessen
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, March 25 – Zoom Room Bet
For February, Havurah's Book Group invites you to read and discuss Surviving Autocracy (288 pages, nonfiction). Masha Gessen is a Russian-American writer, journalist, and activist. They are an opinion columnist for the New York Times and were a staff writer at the New Yorker for many years. They are also an outspoken critic of Vladimir Putin and a clear-eyed observer of America’s disjointed and tepid response to threats to our democracy. Discussion led by Beth Kaye. Nonmembers welcome. RSVP

Solidarity Shabbat
5:45 pm Hearty Potluck Nosh; 6:30 pm Grounding & Introduction; 6:40 pm Service; 8 pm Kiddush & Shmooze, Friday, March 28 – Havurah Shalom (w/ Zoom Room Aleph option starting at 6:30 pm for Grounding & Intro and Service)
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. Please review Havurah's Brit Kavod for our community guidelines. Masks strongly encouraged and provided. All are welcome. Learn more & RSVP. (Havurahniks, consider signing up to help out at this event; most shifts are just 15-minutes.)

“Tribal Histories of the Willamette Valley” Author Talk
2 pm to 4 pm, Sunday, March 30 — Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Bet
As part of our programming focusing on Jewish reparations to Native Americans, Havurah Shalom is featuring a talk by Dr. David G. Lewis, the author of the first comprehensive history of indigenous peoples of the Willamette: Tribal Histories of the Willamette Valley. Dr. Lewis has studied these histories for over two decades and relies heavily on primary sources. He is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and is a Professor of Anthropology and Indigenous Studies at Oregon State University. This talk is open to the community and will be followed by light refreshments. RSVP

Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual (Nisan)
7 pm to 8:15 pm, Sunday, March 30 — 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.

Palestinian Justice Letter Writing Group
6 pm to 7:30 pm, Monday, March 31 – 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! There’s no need to RSVP; however, please do RSVP/register if you need the Zoom login. Non-Havurah-members very welcome to join as well.

No Other Land Film Discussion
7 pm to 8:15 pm, Monday, March 31 — Havurah Shalom
Join members of the Israel-Palestine workgroup in discussing the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, currently playing at Cinema 21 through March 27. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.cinema21.com/movie/no-other-land We will be joined by Havurah members who have visited the places in the film. Questions? Reach out to Harriet Cooke. RSVP

Tivnu SPENT Simulation for Grades 8-12
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, Wednesday, April 2 — Havurah Shalom
What’s it like to live in the US on the verge of houselessness? Could you make tough choices as you face daily challenges? Come try out the fast-paced simulation SPENT, created by Durham Urban Ministries, and adapted in a Jewish context by Tivnu Program Director Adinah Miller. What safety nets and solutions are out there to support people and how can you take action? Pizza dinner included. RSVP

Progressive Israel Network Sessions
2 pm to 3 pm, Sundays, April 6, 20, third date TBA — Zoom Room Bet
Havurah Shalom is hosting a three-session series from the Progressive Israel Network. RSVP

Playing Klezmer Music
6:30 pm to 7:45 pm, Tuesday, April 8 — Havurah Shalom 
Klezmer: where does it come from and where is it going? We will look at dance melodies and other musical forms and see how they were made and used. We will also see if we can create our own melodies. Led by Andrew Ehrlich. RSVP

Teen Night with the Sanctuary Committee
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, Wednesday, April 9 — Havurah Shalom
Join us to learn the many ways that Havurah has been supporting immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers and how, over the last several years, we have assisted one family from Guatemala and one from Afghanistan. We will also make sweet matzah treats (with melted chocolate and toffee) to taste and bag up for congregants who make a donation to the Refugee and Immigrant Fund. RSVP

Join Ahead of Time: Jewish Ethical Responses to the Problem of Racism
6:30 pm to 7:45 pm, Monday, May 5 — Havurah Shalom
We will address topics such as countering white nationalism and antisemitism, Jewish perspectives on reparations, repairing Jewish pioneer memory, and responding to racial microaggressions. Facilitated by Karen Sherman and Adela Basayne. RSVP

Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration: Friday, April 4
Spread the word to friends and family! Our April Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration will be on Friday, April 4 (to leave lots of time to prep for Pesach).

Deborah Eisenbach-Budner will present the drash and the service will be led by Sarah Shine and Havurah musicians!

- Learn more about our April 4 Kabbalat Shabbat. All are welcome. No RSVPs.
- Havurahniks, consider signing up to help out at our April 4 Kabbalat Shabbat; many volunteer shifts are just 10 or 15 minutes. Thank you!

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

Kenahorror! Behind the Evil Eye - Jewish Lore that Begat the Horror Genre
7 pm to 9 pm, Wednesday, March 19 – Eastside Jewish Commons (2420 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, Oregon)
Throughout history, the stories, myths, and fears by and about Jewish customs and Jewish people have been used to create literature, film and art, often without the consent of, or input from, the people depicted. In the first film of this upcoming series, we present the Yiddish folktale "The Finger" and screen Tim Burton's Corpse Bride which is based upon this Jewish story, yet never acknowledged. Discussion following the film. (Co-facilitated by Havurahnik Andrine de la Rocha.)
Learn more and get tickets. Sliding scale tickets fee.

Conciliation by David Fuks
1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, Sunday, April 6 — Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education
A staged reading of Havurahnik David Fuks’ new play, Conciliation, will take place at the Fertile Ground Festival of New Works! Tickets are $10 or pay what you will! RSVP
 

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 (a) Bikkur Holim (Visiting the Sick) Committee for spiritual support, (b) Lotsa Helping Hands for help with food, transportation, or errands, or (c) Rabbi Benjamin*, for spiritual and moral support. *Note that Rabbi Benjamin will be on sabbatical until 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 wndered 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.