Weekly Community Email, August 16

FROM OUR CALENDAR
(1) Upcoming Shabbat - Bring a Vegetarian Dish to Havdalah Potluck Picnic (2) Tikkun Olam Committee Meeting (3) Connections Committee Meeting (4) Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation (5) Book Group Meeting (6) 8:15 am Early Start for Wednesday Morning Minyan (7) Music Group Gathering to Prepare for the Yamim Noraim (8) Portland Homeless Family Solutions Backpack Project & Upcoming Orientation (9) Courtyard Mosaic Project

ANNOUNCEMENTS
(1) Rabbi Benjamin's Letter to Havurah Following Charlottesville (2) Portland Interfaith Service in Response to Events in Charlottesville (3) Shabbat & Resilience Podcast from RRC (4) Moishe House Mindfulness Retreat (5) High Holidays Food Schlepper for Childcare Needed (6) High Holidays Tzedakah Project (7) Many Opportunities to Help During High Holidays (8) Summer Concerts at MJCC (9) Jewish Pride PDX Happy Hour (10) If I Had a Hammer(er) (11) Pa'lante Latin Jazz Quartet (12) Shabbat Shira

Above is a photo from our first Kabbalat Shabbat service with Rabbi Benjamin on Aug. 11. Many thanks to Rabbi Benjamin, Ilene Safyan, Margie Rosenthal, Chaim Wolin and Larry Reichman for the beautiful service and thank you to the Kabbalat Shabbat Planning Team for working with our caterer Barbara Block to organize the dessert oneg. Wonderful to see so many familiar and new faces! And thank you to Saturday morning's Community Minyan leaders and leyners and to Roger Brewer for his inspiring drash about gratitude.

FROM OUR CALENDAR

(1) Upcoming Shabbat - Community Minyan, Saturday, Aug. 19, 10:00 am - Rabbi Benjamin, Natalie Lerner, Ken Lerner, Marty Brown, Sam Sirkin, Roger Brewer, and Barbara Slader will lead, leyn and drash at Saturday’s Community Minyan. In this week’s Torah portion, Re’eh (Hebrew for “see”), Moses gives the people instructions before they enter the Promised Land, including to build a Temple, to follow the commandments, to set aside money for the poor, and to remember the pilgrimage festivals of Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot. We're sure to have a lively discussion. Please join us!

Havdalah Picnic to Welcome Rabbi Benjamin, Rachel, Arava, Judah and Lev Barnett, Saturday, Aug. 19, 5:30 pm at Laurelhurst Park in SE Portland - We are holding a potluck picnic/Havdalah celebration to welcome Rabbi Benjamin and his family, Rachel, Arava, Judah and Lev. We will meet at Laurelhurst Park, sites E & F, which are closest to Ankeny St. Please bring a vegetarian dish to share - your choice of main dish, side dish or dessert. Havurah will also provide vegetarian sub sandwiches, plates, napkins, juice and water, but feel free to bring your own drink to share too. We will have games for children, music and Havdalah. Come at 5:30 pm to start the games, and dinner will begin around 6'ish. Please RSVP here if you can come! (Photo below of Havdalah is from Moishe House.)

(2) Tikkun Olam Committee, Thursday, Aug. 17, 7:00 pm - Havurah's Tikkun Olam Committee will meet at Havurah Thursday night.

(3) Connections Committee, Monday, Aug. 21, 7:00 pm - Havurah's Connections Committee will meet at Havurah Monday evening.

(4) Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation, Tuesdays at Noon - Our Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation group will continue to meet at noon on Tuesdays during the summer whenever at least two people can attend. Deborah will be at Havurah most Tuesdays. Please add your name to this doodle poll to indicate when you can come.

(5) Book Group Discussion on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 7:00 pm - Join us as Arleen Slive leads a discussion of The Plot Against America by Philip Roth. This book presents the 1930s and 1940s in the U.S. The twist occurs when Roosevelt is not re-elected in 1940 but rather the election is won by Charles Lindbergh, who makes a better hero and lightning rod than a leader. It goes downhill from there. Charles Lindbergh negotiates a cordial "understanding" with Adolf Hitler, and the new government embarks on a program of folksy anti-Semitism. It is horrifying to realize that this book, published in 2004, so perfectly describes our current political climate. Some commentators describe Roth's book as "eerily prescient." RSVP here if you can come.

(6) Wednesday Morning Minyan, Aug. 23, Early Start - 8:15 am - Our weekly Wednesday morning service is for those who wish to incorporate daily practice in their lives and those saying Kaddish, or both. All are welcome. Our Aug. 23 minyan will begin at 8:15 am for Rosh Chodesh Elul.

(7) Music Group Gatherings to Prepare for the Yamim Noraim, Wednesdays, Aug. 23 & Aug. 30, 7:00 – 8:30 pm, Havurah Shalom - Havurah will begin musical preparation for the Yamim Noraim in earnest the week of Aug. 23, when the new month of Elul begins, and we will spend the next weeks singing and feeling the rhythms of the upcoming holidays. The first couple of sessions will occur on Wednesday nights, and we will expand to accommodate anyone interested but is unable to make those times. Please contact Ilene Safyan  if you can make it or if you are interested but can't make those dates.

(8) Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) Backpacks and School Supplies for Children Experiencing Homelessness - A Havurah group volunteers once a month at Portland Homeless Family Solutions, a local organization that helps families experiencing homelessness. John and Rachel Devlin are raising money to purchase backpacks and school supplies for the 86 children currently being helped by PHFS. These children are currently experiencing homelessness or recently have moved from homelessness into stable housing. School is the lifeline to a better future, and it is important to start the school year with confidence. If you would like to contribute, please contact John at john.t.devlin@gmail.com.

Havurah began the PHFS Adopt-A-Night volunteering direct service project a few years ago as a way to help people experiencing homelessness locally. We fill all of the needed volunteer positions once a month. Our list of volunteers continues to grow, as well as the need for shelter. Come be a part of this experience. The only requirement other than your willingness to put yourself in what may be a new, sometimes uncomfortable situation, is a one-hour orientation. Next orientation: Aug. 24 at 4:00 pm. All orientations are at the shelter, 1838 SW Jefferson. Please let Gloria Halper know if you are planning on attending: losninos6@gmail.com.

(9) Courtyard Mosaic Project, Aug. 27, 28 & 29; 10:00-12:30 pm, 1:00 - 4:00 pm, 6:30 - 8:30 pm - We will meet at the same three times on each date. Come help with our mosaic art project! We will apply the tiles and glass that we made to the backing board in preparation for the installation of our new murals. We will work at all the times listed above. Let us know on this doodle poll when you'd like to join us by selecting the time(s) and day(s) that work for you! (Above photo of one of the Havurah-made tiles was taken by Barbara Gundle.)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(1) A Letter from Rabbi Benjamin to Havurah Following Charlottesville -  Hearts are heavy throughout the country right now following Saturday’s tragedy in Charlottesville. We mourn the murder of Heather Heyer, killed by a crazed individual as she was peacefully protesting a hate-filled rally of white supremacists. Our prayers are with all those injured and all those whose lives were torn apart by Saturday’s tragic events. Let us utilize these prayers as a means of connection amidst the vulnerability of this moment. And let us channel these prayers and this grief into action — responding to darkness with the lights of faith and courage. Read more here.

(2) Interfaith Service in response to events in Charlottesville, Virginia - Augustana Lutheran Church, Thursday, August 17, 7:00 pm, 2710 NE 14th Ave (NE 15th & Knott) - Faith leaders and people of good will from around Portland will come together to stand in solidarity against hate groups around the theme, “United in Love to Overcome Hate.” This continues a long-standing interfaith practice in Portland of speaking out together in critical times while taking non-violent direct action for change. Doors will open at 6:00 pm, music beginning soon after. Interfaith service from 7:00 to  8:30 pm ending with a candlelight procession out to the street. 500-1000 people are expected, so outdoor speakers will be set up for overflow. Top Portland musicians will be participating. All are welcome. A brief pre-service press conference will be held outdoors at 6:00 pm.

(3) Shabbat & Resilience Podcast from RRC & JRC - You can listen here to the first of a series of podcasts called "Hashivenu: Jewish Teachings on Resilience" hosted by Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D., President of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and Jewish Reconstructionist Communities. Hashivenu means "return us." The “us” is the Jewish people, asking to be renewed, cultivating resilience. It's an especially meaningful word today because these times are challenging. It's easy to get exhausted as we build our communities, as we do our part to repair the world. Even keeping up with the news every day can be draining. In her first episode, Deborah and Rabbi Jacob Staub explore innovative ways that Shabbat observance can renew our spirit and replenish our body.

(4) Moishe House Mindfulness Retreat - Do you know anyone between the ages of 22 and 32 who wants to combine their loves of mindfulness and Judaism? Tell them to join Moishe House this November for our Jewish Mindfulness Intensive Retreat! Spend four days and three nights in forested Oregon, practicing meditation, mindfulness, and yoga. Dr. Zvi Bellin will guide us through periods of silence and reflection, weaving Judaism throughout. Apply at  moishehouse.org/intensive. The retreat itself is free and a stipend is offered for those who need to travel to Portland. A shuttle will be offered to the retreat center from Portland.

(5) Food Schlepper Needed for High Holidays Childcare - The food schlepper plays a critical High Holidays function by bringing snacks and disposable plates and bowls to the Childcare Room before the start of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. Lists of appropriate food and supplies are provided, and so is reimbursement for all expenses. This is a great role for someone who wants to make an important impact with minimal time commitment. Please be in touch with Rachel Pollak (503-248-4662 ext. 2, or rachelp@havurahshalom.org) to volunteer.

(6) High Holiday Tikkun Olam Tzedakah Project Donations - High Holiday Tikkun Tzedakah Project Donations can be dropped off in containers on the fourth floor of the Tiffany Center during High Holidays. Over this past year, Havurahniks have volunteered countless hours of direct service with two local organizations helping families get settled in new homes. Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) supports homeless families at the Goose Hollow Family Shelter transition to new homes, and Catholic Charities supports new refugees arriving in Portland. To further support this work, this year's Havurah High Holiday Tikkun Olam Tzedakah Project will be, as it was last year, to collect household items that will be used by PHFS and Catholic Charities in creating Welcome Baskets for the families each organization helps. Read more here about donation needs.

(7) Many Ways You Can Help During High Holidays - As always, it takes a village to make our services happen. Please look through the many types of volunteer positions open at our SignUp website and see what fits you best. Thank you to all our volunteers! Click here to find RSVP forms for Erev Rosh Hashanah Dinner, High Holidays childcare, and our Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur family services.

(8) Mittleman Jewish Community Center Summer Concert Series - Havurah supports the MJCC's Summer Concert Series. Learn more and buy tickets here.

(9) Jewish Pride PDX Happy Hour at Hobo's on Aug. 24, 6:30 pm - The first round of drinks will be on Jewish Pride PDX!

(10) If I Had a Hammer(er) - Are you good with tools, small repairs, and solving problems? Havurah is seeking a handy-person who can be on call for odd jobs related to the building and grounds. This can be either a paid or volunteer position, depending on your preference. For more information, please email Rachel.

(11) Pa’lante! Latin Jazz Quintet, Saturday, Sept. 16, 6:00 - 10:00 pm - A fun-packed evening at 1711 SE 40th Ave, Portland, benefiting the work of the Rafiki Village Project (RVP). The RVP is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation founded by Havurah member David Newman, working on small-scale, collaborative development projects in rural Tanzania. The Sept. 16 concert features the danceable rhythms of Pa’lante! and The AfroFolk Project, led by Havurah member Jan DeWeese. The evening will include African food, beverages, a silent auction, a raffle and a slideshow about the Rafiki Village Project. Tickets ($30) are on sale at Brownpapertickets/com/event/3056351 Questions? Contact David at davnew2@earthlink.net. Photo from Rafiki below was provided by Laura Orgel and David Newman.

(12) Shabbat Shira, Nov. 2-5 - OSRUI (URJ Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute) announces that registration will open soon for Shabbat Shira, OSRUI's music experience for adults - a great opportunity for spiritual renewal and making community through music. This flier provides more information.

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Havurah Shalom is a vibrant, egalitarian, and diverse Jewish Reconstructionist community. Steeped in Jewish values, Havurah promotes spirituality, learning, and acts of social responsibility.

Find our calendar and learn more at www.havurahshalom.org.

825 NW 18th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
503-248-4662

Havurah Shalom
825 NW 18th Ave
Portland, OR 97209

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