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:

The Oregon Department of Transportation will be providing travel updates via www.Tripcheck.com and 511 so you can be prepared with the most current travel information available.

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.

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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