Hineinu, March 27, 2025

Passover Seder Matching
Havurahniks, can you share a seat at your seder table?
Or, are you a Havurahnik looking to join a seder?
Pesach is coming soon! As you are planning your seder, please let Tara Anderson (tara@havurahshalom.org) know if you are able to host one, two or more guests at your table this year for our 5785 seder matching effort. Also, let Tara know if you are seeking a seat at a seder. Thank you! (Non-Havurah members, you can reach out too, and we'll try to help connect you with seder opportunities as well.)

Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration: Friday, April 4
Spread the word to friends and family! Our April Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration will be on Friday evening, 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 at our Kabblat Shabbat Celebrations. No RSVPs.
(Havurah members, consider signing up to help out at our April 4 Kabbalat Shabbat; many volunteer shifts are just 15 minutes. Thanks!)
Also, everyone, be sure to save the date for our May 9 Kabblaat Shabbat Celebration, the last one before the summer break.

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.

 

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, on third Saturdays, 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. (On Saturday, April 5, Shabbat Morning will be Text and Torah: Vayikra. Learn more.)

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

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 at Havurah Shalom
7 pm to 8:15 pm, Monday, March 31 — Havurah Shalom
Join some members of a Havurah workgroup focused on Israel-Palestine to discuss the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land. The film is currently playing at Cinema 21 (616 NW 21st Avenue) through April 1. Tickets can be purchased from Cinema 21 here. At the March 31 discussion at Havurah, 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 to 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

Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration
5:45 pm Hearty Nosh, 6:30 pm Service, 7:30 pm Continued Hearty Nosh, Plus Dessert, Friday, April 4 — 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. At our April 4 Kabbalat Shabbat, Deborah Eisenbach-Budner is delivering the drash at Kabbalat Shabbat. The service will be led by Sarah Shine and Havurah musicians. No RSVPs. All are welcome! Learn more. (Havurahniks, click here to sign up for a volunteer shift; many shifts that are just ten or fifteen minutes.Thank you!)

Text & Torah: Vayikra
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, April 5 — Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
One hour of text study with Diane Chaplin on special topics, followed by a brief service. Join us afterward for a light community brunch provided by the Lunches and Noshes Committee. Learn more.

Bake Sale at Flor Wines for Havurah's Refugee and Immigrant Fund
1 pm to 3 pm, Saturday, April 5 — Flor Wines (825 NW Glisan St., Portland, Oregon)
Come to a delicious bake sale at Flor Wines! All proceeds go to the Refugee and Immigrant Fund (RIF) at Havurah Shalom to support the needs of refugee and immigrant families in our community. All are welcome. See flyer.

Queer Havdalah
7 pm to 9 pm, Saturday, April 5 — Havurah Shalom
All Havurah members who identify as LGBTQIA+ (and families!) are invited to our next queer community-building event at Havurah. We'll start with an ice-breaker, set intentions for the week to come, play some games, and sing our way out of Shabbat. No familiarity with Havdalah rituals required. There will be snacks. Questions? Contact Kayla Reiman or Beth Kaye (log in to your Havurah member account to access the directory). RSVPs are appreciated.

Guardian Active Bystander Safety Training
11:30 am, Sunday, April 6 – Havurah Shalom
Havurah members, come at 11:30 for nosh and schmoozing, then stick around together for Guardian Active Bystander Training at noon! Learn more & RSVP

Progressive Israel Network (PIN) Sessions
Sundays, April 6 (at 5 pm), April 20 (at 3 pm), April 27 (at 3 pm), and May 4 (at 11 am) — Zoom Room Bet
Put a PIN on it! Havurah Shalom's Lifelong Learning Committee is hosting a four-session series from the Progressive Israel Network (PIN). Per PIN: “The Progressive Israel Network brings together 12 organizations representing Americans who are committed to pursuing democracy, equality and peace in Israel.” Havurah members, please join us in a series of Zoom gatherings to learn about the Progressive Israel Network from several PIN organizations. Ask questions and learn how we can plug in. Attend any or all sessions. RSVP

Monthly Music Jams
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Monday, April 7 — Havurah Shalom
Havurahniks, tune your instrument, warm up your voice and head down to Havurah to jam with us. 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

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

Havurah Steering Meeting
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday, April 8 — Havurah Shalom 
Steering members and staff will meet to consider matters of governance. All Havurah Shalom members are invited to attend Steering Committee meetings. Learn more.

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

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[RSVP 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

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

No Trans Visibility Without Community Safety
4 pm Pacific Time, Monday, March 31 — RSVP for Zoom info
Per Keshet, "In this critical moment, our Jewish communities hold unique power to protect and advocate for our trans, nonbinary, and intersex communities. Join us as we hear directly from the community about what’s needed—and how we can all step up to ensure safety, dignity, and justice for trans people everywhere." Learn more & RSVP

Showing of Sabbath Queen, a Documentary Film about a Gay Rabbi, to be Recorded by Live Wire Radio
7 pm, Wednesday, April 2 — The PAM CUT Tomorrow Theater (3530 SE Division St., Portland)
SABBATH QUEEN, a feature documentary filmed over 21 years, follows Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie's epic journey as the dynastic heir of 38 generations of Orthodox rabbis including the Chief Rabbis of Israel. He is torn between rejecting and embracing his destiny and becomes a drag-queen rebel, a queer bio-dad and the founder of Lab/Shul—an everybody-friendly, God-optional, artist-driven, pop-up experimental congregation. Tickets $35. Watch trailer. | Buy tickets.

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 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.