Friday, Aug. 18 Dear Havurahniks, We have an exciting few days ahead! Tomorrow, Aug. 19, from 530 to 800 pm, Havurah is hosting a potluck picnic and Havdalah celebration at Laurelhurst Park to welcome Rabbi Benjamin and his family, Rachel, Arava
Next 4 Days - Havdalah Picnic, Travel Tips, B'racha for the Eclipse
Friday, Aug. 18
Dear Havurahniks,
We have an exciting few days ahead!
Tomorrow, Aug. 19, from 5:30 to 8:00 pm, Havurah is hosting a potluck picnic and Havdalah celebration at Laurelhurst Park to welcome Rabbi Benjamin and his family, Rachel, Arava, Judah and Lev. We will meet at sites E and F, which are closest to SE Ankeny St.
Please bring a vegetarian dish to share - your choice of main dish, side dish or dessert. Havurah will provide some vegetarian sub sandwiches, plates, napkins, juice, cups and water, but please bring your own drink to share as well, if you want to drink something other than water or juice.
We will have games for children, potluck dinner, music and Havdalah. Come at 5:30 to start the games, and dinner will begin around 6'ish. Please RSVP here if you can come.
Travel Tips for Weekend Events & Events on Monday & Tuesday
Please plan your travel to upcoming Havurah events head of time! This applies to all who are coming to our Community Minyan Saturday morning, our Tuesday noon meditation group, and the Tuesday evening Safety Committee Meeting and Book Group Discussion. Here are some guidelines provided by the Portland Bureau of Transportation:
Prepare for heavy traffic congestion on area highways and potential delays on public transit this weekend through Tuesday, as the state experiences an influx of visitors for Monday's total solar eclipse. On Monday, Portlanders should consider telecommuting, working flexible hours, walking, or biking to avoid travel delays. Carpooling can reduce the number of vehicles on the roads, reducing traffic for everyone. Portland Streetcar and BIKETOWN bike share service both plan normal operations.
Be alert! Be respectful!
The Portland area will experience a nearly total eclipse, so make sure you have your eclipse glasses with you, but also remember to use caution when traveling, especially around buses and trains.
Whether walking or driving, do not stop or park on train tracks or stand in the street to get a better view. Be especially careful on rail tracks, as streetcars and light rail vehicles require longer stopping distances.
People driving, especially downtown on Monday morning from 9 to 11:30 a.m., should expect crowded sidewalks and heavy pedestrian traffic.
Portlanders should be prepared for traffic delays, and check online resources, specifically:
Public transit service may also experience delays and congestion, especially as travelers use the MAX Red Line to reach Portland International Airport before and after the event. TriMet Riders can stay informed of delays or disruptions at trimet.org/alerts, using TransitTracker online or through the TriMet Tickets mobile app. Also TriMet's Rider Support team at 503-238-RIDE (7433) can help plan trips or help navigate delays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day.
Portland Streetcar service plans normal operations, though highway traffic could overflow onto city streets that share the road with streetcar. Check schedules and real time arrival times at PortlandStreetcar.org and service alerts at PortlandStreetcar.org/alerts.
Jewish View of Eclipses & B'racha for the Eclipse
Deborah Eisenbach-Budner has provided this link to interesting information about the Jewish view of eclipses over time, and a b’rachah (blessing) to say when you witness the eclipse:
Ancient rabbis actually thought an eclipse was a bad omen, so they weren’t so big on a b’rachah for it. But some folks will say “Barukh atah Adonai eloheinu melech haolam oseh ma’aseh b’reishit,” which praises the Divine for the works of creation.
Havurah Shalom is a vibrant, egalitarian, and diverse Jewish Reconstructionist community. Steeped in Jewish values, Havurah promotes spirituality, learning, and acts of social responsibility.
(CANCELED) Collage Art with Jewish Symbols Wednesday, May 7th 6:30p to 7:45p This class has been canceled by the instructor. If you are interested in doing art at Havurah, please reach out to Adela Basayne (info@havurahshalom.org). Bring your crafts and creativity out for making collage art with Jewish symbols. We will create hamzas, stars of David, trees of life, and images for blessing the home. All ages are invited! Led by Carolina Martinez.
(IP) Hebrew as a Tool: Prayer and Torah (registration closed) Wednesday, May 7th 7:00p to 8:15p (This class will now be starting on January 8.) Using an in-depth, word-by-word approach, we discover literal meaning(s), ancient layers of understanding, and our own personal interpretations that stem from the nuances of the Hebrew text. Basic Hebrew decoding skills necessary.
(HYB) Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration Friday, May 9th 5:45p to 8:00p A musical, all-ages Friday night service with family-friendly dessert and hearty nosh before and after. All are welcome! 5:45 pm Hearty Nosh, 6:30 Service, 7:30 Oneg. Free childcare is provided. Those joining on Zoom, please come at 6:30; the in-person hearty nosh portion and oneg will not be televised. For Zoom information, please email info@havurhshalom.org.
(HYB) Shabbat Morning with Music Shabbaton (w/ Aly Halpert) Shabbat, May 10th 10:00a to 12:00p This community minyan will feature the musical contributions of Aly Halpert who is in residence with us this Shabbat. 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@havurahshalom.org.
(IP) Tot Shabbat Shabbat, May 10th 10:30a to 11:15a 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.
(IP) Songs for Liberation Song Circle (w/ Aly Halpert) Shabbat, May 10th 4:30p to 6:30p (Currently this event is for Havurah members only, as registrations are capped at 80 people. Havurah members, be sure to RSVP.) Rising Song Records artist Aly Halpert concludes our music shabbaton with a Song Circle, a space to enjoy our voices together as we learn new and ancient Jewish songs and niggunim together. Aly Halpert is at the epicenter of a resurgence of Jewish music-making– introducing new tunes, new words, and new ways of bringing music into davening and community-building.
Rose Haven Walk (register at their 2025 Reigning Roses Walk site) Sunday, May 11th 10:00a to 1:00p Rose Haven supporters and guests will unite to stride a beautiful route through NW Portland on Mother’s Day at the 12th Annual Reigning Roses Walk. Walk with, or in honor of, a special woman in your life – a mother, grandmother, daughter, partner, or friend. 10 am check-in, 11 am begin walking. (We've cancelled the Havurah Teen Engagement plan for this event; just go to the Rose Haven 2025 Reigning Roses Walk website to register!)
(IP) Jewish Ethical Responses to the Problem of Racism Monday, May 12th 6:30p to 7:45p 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.
(HYB) Steering Meeting Tuesday, May 13th 6:30p to 8:30p Steering members and staff will meet to consider matters of governance. All Havurah Shalom members are invited to attend Steering Committee meetings. For Zoom join links, visit havurahshalom.org/zoom (must be logged in) or call the office in advance for assistance (503-248-4662).
(IP) Hebrew as a Tool: Prayer and Torah (registration closed) Wednesday, May 14th 7:00p to 8:15p (This class will now be starting on January 8.) Using an in-depth, word-by-word approach, we discover literal meaning(s), ancient layers of understanding, and our own personal interpretations that stem from the nuances of the Hebrew text. Basic Hebrew decoding skills necessary.
