With Rosh Hashanah Just One Week Away ... We Thank All Who Signed Up to Help and ... All Who Will Sign Up Today - We Need You! Many thanks to Rachel Pollak for managing our High Holidays organizing so beautifully this year. And thank you to all who
Weekly Community Email, Sept. 13, 2017
With Rosh Hashanah Just One Week Away ... We Thank All Who Signed Up to Help and ...
All Who Will Sign Up Today - We Need You!
Many thanks to Rachel Pollak for managing our High Holidays organizing so beautifully this year. And thank you to all who have signed up to volunteer to help for Rosh Hashanah. Thanks also to those of you who will SIGN UP TODAY!
The only way we can open our doors to the community for High Holidays is if all Havurah members help in some way.
We especially need volunteers for the following:
- Tuesday, Sept. 19, 6:30 - 7:30 pm - We need 15 more volunteers to help unload boxes of service books, toys for the childcare area, the ark we use for High Holidays, and vases for flower arrangements at the Tiffany Center.
- Wednesday, Sept. 20, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm - We need 11 more volunteers to arrange the service books and other items for Rosh Hashanah services.
- Thursday, Sept. 21, 8:15 - 8:45 am - We need one wonderful food shlepper so the children in our childcare area don't go hungry.
- Thursday, Sept. 21, 12:45 - 1:30 pm - We could use a few more ushers for this shift on the first day of Rosh Hashanah.
- Friday, Sept. 22, 12:15 - 1:00 pm - We could use a few more ushers for this shift on the second day of Rosh Hashanah.
- Friday, Sept. 22, 1:00 - 1:30 pm - We need at least five people to collect flowers from the bima and make little bouquets to give people as they leave Rosh Hashanah Services. You'll see how happy people are when you offer them bouquets!
- Friday, Sept. 22, 1:00 - 2:00 pm - We need 14 Havurahniks to help move Havurah's belongings to a storage room inside the Tiffany Center.
Just click on the SignUp button below to add your name to one of these positions.
High Holidays Music Gathering, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 7:00 - 8:30 pm - We have a wonderful group of singers that have met the past couple of weeks. We have one more Wednesday night gathering scheduled, and an additional gathering whose day and time will be determined at tomorrow night's meeting. If you are considering playing an instrument on Erev Rosh Hashanah, please be in touch with Ilene Safyan (privately) so we can try our best to set up a date when you are able to attend practice.
Interested in Work Around Privilege and Equity at Havurah and/or with Havurah Folk?Wednesday, Sept. 13, 7:00 - 8:30 pm - Those of us who were part of the class last winter on Privilege & Equity would love you to join us September 13 (Wednesday night). We will be using a process to narrow our many options for next steps into those that most 'resonate' with folks. Click here to learn some of the options that have come up from our meetings so far, and who to contact if you are interested in this work or have questions.
Climate Action Team Meeting, Thursday, Sept. 14, 7:00 pm, at Havurah - This is a change of date. All interested Havurah members are invited to join us as we discuss and plan future activities. Contact Elianne Lieberman at elianne97202@yahoo.comfor questions.
Community Minyan, Saturday, Sept. 16, 10:00 am - Please join us this Saturday for our Community Minyan!
SeliḥotService, Saturday, Sept. 16, 8:00 - 9:30 pm, Havurah Shalom - Traditionally, Jews gather on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah to initiate the process of Seliḥot, “Forgiveness,” in preparation for the Ten Days of Teshuvah (“Returning/Repentance”). We will use some traditional Seliḥot prayers, as well as contemplative music and prayer, in order to access forgiveness and compassion as we move further into this sacred time.
It Takes a Village: A Benefit Concert for Tanzania, 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. The photo below was taken by David Newman.
Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) Goose Hollow Direct Service Project - Started in July 2015 with 10 Havurah families volunteering, now we have more than 40 signed up! Been thinking about involving yourself in something new at Havurah? Join our Portland Homeless Family Solutions project by attending an hour-long orientation. There are several volunteer positions that we fill once a month, so not only will you be helping homeless families, you will also be working along side other Havurahniks! Next Orientations: Sept. 27 at 5:00 pm, Oct. 17 at 4:00 pm. Orientations are at the shelter, 1838 SW Jefferson Ave. Parking is behind the church.** Please RSVP to Goose Hollow's volunteer coordinator: bethany Rocci Any other questions: Havurah member Gloria Halper: losninos6@gmail.com.
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.
Shabbat Service on Saturday, Sept. 23 - On this Shabbat morning following the two days of Rosh Hashanah, Rabbi Benjamin will guide us in contemplative practice. We will cover less of the liturgy than we normally do, instead taking our time to chant particular sections as well as leaving plenty of room for silent prayer and meditation. We will then take time for some reflective Torah discussion in connection to this season of renewal.
Sukkah Building, Sunday, Oct. 1, 11:00 am - Tivnu, a local nonprofit run by our Education Director's husband, Steven Eisenbach-Budner, is creating a new sukkah for us this year. It will be bigger than our previous sukkah and easier to build and decorate. Havurah member Michael Alter is one of the Havurah members working with Tivnu to build the sukkah. Michael and Tivnu will lead Havurah volunteers in building the new sukkah on Sunday, Oct. 1, at 11:00 am. If you are interested in joining the project,please RSVP here.
Sukkah Decorating, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 6:30 pm, Havurah member Carolina Martinez will lead Havurah members in decorating the sukkah with greenery and artwork. If you can join in the decorating, pleaseRSVP here.
Simchat Torah, Thursday, Oct. 12, 6:30-8:30 pm - Join us for a family-friendly, joyous celebration! We'll have a dessert buffet from 6:00 - 6:50 pm, followed by music, dancing and celebrating Torah.Please RSVP here.
Do You Want a Beautiful Sukkah? - Havurah has the framework for a small sukkah that is easy to put together and sturdy. If you would like a sukkah for your home and are interested in this one, please email teri@havurahshalom.org. Below is a photo of the structure.
Accessing Havurah's Membership Directory - Members of Havurah can access our membership directory by logging in as a member on our home page using the “login” link in the upper right corner and entering their email address as their ID and the password they created for themselves in the password field. Once logged in, members will find a link to the directory at the bottom of the drop-down menu under “Community.” The most effective way to search for another member’s listing is to enter the person’s name in the search box at the top of the page. Using the alphabetical listings can be problematic since many Havurah spouses have different last names from each other.If you are already logged in, you should be able to access the directoryby clicking here.
This issue of our weekly email doesn't have a table of contents at the top, but we hope to provide one in future issues.
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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.
(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.
