HAVURAH HAPPENINGS 1 Upcoming Shabbat 2 Shemini Atzeret with Yizkor Service 3 Simchat Torah 4 Office Closures Hakol Deadline 5 Passport to Empowerment 6 Lev Tahor Pure Heart Chanting 7 Ambiguity the Multiple Narratives of Torah 8
Weekly Community Email, Oct. 11
HAVURAH HAPPENINGS
(1) Upcoming Shabbat (2) Shemini Atzeret with Yizkor Service (3) Simchat Torah (4) Office Closures & Hakol Deadline (5) Passport to Empowerment (6) Lev Tahor ‘Pure Heart’ Chanting (7) Ambiguity & the Multiple Narratives of Torah (8) Tot Shabbat (9) The Settlers (10) Courtyard Mosaic Project (11) Book Group Meeting (12) Erev Shabbat with Portland Just Energy Transition Initiative (13) PHFS Goose Hollow Direct Service Project (14) Tribute to Leonard Cohen on The Night of Broken Glass (Kristallnacht)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
(1) Chavruta: A Drummer's Bat Mitzvah (2) Developing an Eastside Jewish Commons (3) ACLU’s Resistance Book Club for Young Oregonians (4) Jewish Pride Greater PDX Happy Hour
HAVURAH HAPPENINGS
Above photo of painting by Paul Cezanne is from Wikimedia.
(1) Upcoming Shabbat, Saturday, Oct. 14, 10:00 am – Join Barbara Slader, Sam Sirkin, Emily Simon, Roger Brewer and Marty Brown this Saturday as we begin a new year of Torah readings by exploring Bereshit and its creation stories.
(2) Shemini Atzeret with Yizkor, Thursday, Oct. 12, 8:00 am – Join us tomorrow morning for Shemini Atzeret and Yizkor services. Learn more about the holiday here.
(3)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. We’ll also have an adult beverage table, so please feel free to bring a bottle and/or mixer to share. RSVP here!
(4) Office Closures & Hakol Deadline – Havurah’s office will be closed for Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah on Thursday, Oct. 12, and Friday, Oct. 13. The deadline for the November Hakol is Tuesday, Oct. 17. Please send articles, event reminders, or photos to Rachel by noon.
(5) Passport to Empowerment, Green Empowerment 20-year Anniversary Celebration, Saturday, Oct. 14, 5:00-midnight, North Warehouse, 723 N Tillamook St, Portland - Havurah Shalom's Tikkun Olam Committee is a sponsor for Green Empowerment's "Passport to Empowerment," its celebration of 20 years of social justice through partnering with local NGOs to bring clean water and sustainable electricity to remote villages in Latin American and Asia. Over the past 10 years, Havurah members have raised funds for a solar water system, latrines, and clean cookstoves in El Jocote, Nicaragua, and during service trips assisted villagers in setting up patio gardens and grey water systems. Learn more atwww.greenempowerment.org/passport. Questions? Contact Linda Boise at boiselinda48@gmail.com.
(6) Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) Chanting, Monday, Oct. 16, 7:00 pm - We will gather to lift sacred phrases through melody, harmony, and rhythm in order to open our hearts, clarify our minds, and cultivate qualities such as gratefulness and compassion. Interspersed with periods of silent meditation, the chanting will be guided by teachings and intentions from Rabbi Benjamin. Each of these gatherings is open to anyone – no experience, musical ability, or commitment necessary. RSVPs are welcome.
(7) Ambiguity & the Multiple Narratives of Torah, Taught by Rabbi Benjamin, Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30 pm, Oct. 18, 25; Nov. 1, 8, 15, 29 - The Hebrew Bible is rich with ambiguity. While we carry many assumptions about its points of view, the Torah is in fact multilayered and nuanced. Through close readings of particular Biblical narratives, including those of Abraham, Hagar, Jacob, and David, and with the aid of ancient and contemporary responses, we will re-read the literature that is Torah, exploring its artistry and reflecting on the ways in which it expresses and comments upon the nature of humanity. Please RSVP here.
(8) Tot Shabbat, Saturday, Oct. 21, 10:30-11:30 am – Young children and their parents celebrate Shabbat with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. We touch on the main highlights of the Shabbat morning service: wonder, fun, song, listening to the world, dancing, and Torah. Tot Shabbat is fashioned for the under-6 crowd, but older kids are welcome (and can help tell a story, etc.). Afterwards, we enjoy an informal potluck oneg nosh and the chance to play and schmooze. Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. Please RSVP by Wednesday, Oct. 18.
(9) Israeli Film "The Settlers" Screening, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2:00 pm, Neveh Shalom, 2900 SW Peaceful Lane - Join us for a screening of the film, "The Settlers," previously shown at the Jewish Film Festival. “Opens a rare window into the reclusive and politically explosive ‘hilltop youth’ movement. … Chronicles the germination of the early settler movement after Israel captured the West Bank from Jordan in 1967, including the ideas and religious zeal that fueled it. … One of the first close-up views of the motives and personalities in a group that rarely opens up to outsiders.”- James Glanz, The New York Times. Refreshments and discussion to follow screening. Free and open to the public. This event is co-sponsored by Havurah’s Tikkun Olam Committee. Questions? Contact Nancy Becker at nancyjbecker@gmail.com. Learn more on this flier.
Above photo of tile making at Havurah was taken by Barbara Gundle.
(10) Courtyard Mosaic Project, Oct. 22-24 - Come help with our mosaic art project! We will apply the tiles and glass that we made several months ago to the backing board in preparation for the installation of our new murals. Let us know on this doodle poll, tinyurl.com/HSmosaic, when you'd like to join us by selecting the time(s) and day(s) that work for you.
(11) Book Discussion Group, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 7:00-8:30 pm - Please join us for a geography lesson of the heart. Ruth Feldman will lead us in a discussion of The Best Place on Earth (HarperCollins Canada), a collection of short stories by Ayelet Tsabari. A child of the 1970s and 1980s, Tsabari was born in Israel to a family of Yemeni descent. “I grew up not seeing myself and my family in literature,” she says, “so writing The Best Place on Earth was a way to create the characters that were missing from my childhood stories." Learn more and RSVP here if you can come.
(12) Erev Shabbat with Portland Just Energy Transition Initiative, Friday, Oct. 27, 7:00 pm - The Havurah Climate Action Team invites you to this Erev Shabbat service, where we will be joined by Jo Ann Hardesty, President of the Portland NAACP, and Anaïs Tuepker, from 350PDX, who will lead a presentation after services about the Portland Just Energy Transition Initiative. The initiative has been developed by a diverse group of local organizations representing communities of color and the climate movement in Portland. Come, learn more, and find out how you can help. Questions? Contact Michael Heumann (503-880-2226) or Elianne Lieberman (503-422-6402). Learn more and RSVP here.
(13) Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) Goose Hollow Direct Service Project - If the concept of direct service, that is meeting face to face with the people you intend to help, has meaning for you, check out PHFS. How? On their website or by attending a very short orientation -- only 1 hour. Next orientations: Oct. 17, at 4:00 pm and Oct. 25, at 5:00 pm, at the Goose Hollow shelter, 1838 SW Jefferson. RSVP to Bethany Rocci at bethany@pdxhfs.org. An even simpler way to see how the program is run and to meet other Havurahniks, as well as staff and some of those families being served, is to sign up to help with a meal. Meal Providers do not need to attend an orientation! Contact Elayne Shapiro, elayneshapiro@gmail.com or Leonard Shapiro, lenshap@gmail.com. All other questions: Gloria Halper, losninos6@gmail.com.
(14) “A Broken Hallelujah,” Tribute to Leonard Cohen on The Night of Broken Glass (Kristallnacht), Thursday, Nov. 9, 7:00 pm, Congregation Beth Israel, 1972 NW Flanders St - A community gathering of music, poetry and reflection, with Cantor Ida Rae Cahana and Ilene Safyan, and with special guests Sacha Reich, Wendy Westerwelle, Courtney Von Drehl, Ralph Huntley, Andrew Ehrlich, Ji Tanzer, and Ben Sandler. Sponsored by the Institute for Judaic Studies, Beth Israel, Havurah Shalom, Neveh Shalom, and the Oregon Jewish Museum & Center for Holocaust Education. Light reception and discussion to follow. Suggested donation of $10.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
(1) Chavruta: A Drummer's Bat Mitzvah, A Ritual Performance about Faith, (Eco)-Feminism, Drumming, & Ancient Sumerian Goddesses, Saturday, Oct. 14, 7:30 pm, Leavenspace, 5431 NE 20th Ave, Portland - This unique evening of interwoven performance, lecture and ritual is led by Havurah member Alicia Jo Rabins and drummer/entomologist Lisa Schonberg, co-sponsored by Interfaith Muse, and open to all. Over the course of the past year, Alicia taught Lisa to chant Torah and led her adult bat mitzvah; Lisa taught Alicia to play drums; both women turned 40; and they engaged in chavruta-style research about faith, feminism, pre-Israelite goddesses and women's drumming traditions of the ancient Near East. Join them for mini-lectures, performance and ritual reflecting what they have learned! Supported by RACC. Questions? Contact Alicia at aliciajo@gmail.com.
(2) Developing an Eastside Jewish Commons - Community leaders have been actively discussing developing a shared Jewish community space on Portland's Eastside. The Jewish Eastside Commons initiative envisions a large enough space to accommodate multiple programs at the same time. The project team is seeking input from the Eastside Jewish community. Please join one of three community conversations: Sunday, Oct. 22, 4-6 pm, Mt Scott Community Center, 5530 SE 72nd Ave; Sunday, Nov. 12, 2-4 pm, Taborspace, 5441 SE Belmont St; Tuesday, Nov. 14, 6-8 pm, McMenamins Kennedy School, 5736 NE 33rd Ave. RSVP athttp://bit.ly/2xJlUjjas space is limited.
(3) The Resistance Book Club - The ACLU of Oregon has organized a new youth-focused initiative, the Resistance Book Club, in anticipation of Angela Davis keynoting the ACLU’s annual dinner in March. The ACLU is looking for 20 high school aged and 20 college aged participants to participate in this book club, which starts on Oct. 21. The commitment is roughly 1 to 1.5 hours of preparation for each of the three sessions, which includes readings by Angela Davis and other thought leaders. Sessions are facilitated by two youth participants, staff, and others. The participation fee is $25 – but only payable upon acceptance into the book club. Click here for more information and an application, which is due by Oct. 17.
(4) Jewish Pride Greater PDX Happy Hour & Trivia Game Night, Thursday, Oct. 26, 6:30 pm, Hobo’s Bar, 120 SW Third Ave, Portland – First drinks and appetizers are on Jewish Pride PDX!
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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.
Shabbat HaGadol: Special Multi-synagogue Torah Study Led by Emily Simon Shabbat, Apr 20th 9:00a to 10:00a We will be discussing why this shabbes is called Shabbat HaGadol, and the special Haftarah, which is Malachi 3:4-24. Interestingly enough, there is no special Torah reading for what would seem like such a special occasion. In addition to Havurah Shalom, other congregations are being invited, and we may even have some folks joining us from other parts of the country and maybe the world. No prior knowledge or study is necessary. All viewpoints are welcome as we try to draw lessons from our holy books
(HYB) Shabbat Morning Shabbat, Apr 20th 10:00a to 12:00p Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. For Zoom link (Zoom Room Aleph), email info@havurahshalom.org.
(IP) Tot Shabbat Shabbat, Apr 20th 10:30a to 11:30a Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. All are welcome.
Shabbat School Shabbat, Apr 20th 3:00p to 5:15p This program gives children a foundation for lifelong Jewish learning and engagement while integrating parents and children in a caring Jewish community.
(HYB) Meeting of Palestine Justice working group Sunday, Apr 21st 7:00p to 8:30p Our regular monthly meeting of the Palestine Justice working group will take place on the third Sunday of every month, at Havurah and in Zoom Room Bet. The agenda will be distributed in advance on the listserv. If you are interested in being added to the listserv, please email David Lewis.
Experience the Omer: Making it Count! Tuesday, Apr 23rd 7:00p to 7:30p [RSVP to be emailed a recording of the April 9 intro session.] The Omer is an ancient tradition marking time between the Exodus from the Narrow Place to the Expanse at Sinai. Explore tools and practices to facilitate your own learning and experience from Liberation to Revelation. We will have an intro class followed by half-hour check-ins, one for each Sephira. Led by Andrine de la Rocha. 7 pm, Tuesdays, Apr. 9 (Intro), 23 (Chesed), 30 (Gevurah); May 7 (Tiferet), 14 (Netzach), 21 (Hod), 28 (Yesod); Jun. 4 (Malchut) Led by Andrine de la Rocha.
Passover Minyan Wednesday, Apr 24th 8:00a to 9:15a For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish. We meet both in person and streaming online in Zoom Room Aleph. All are welcome. Please email info@havurahshalom.org for join info.
Prayer Flags for Our Planet Thursday, Apr 25th 11:00a to 3:00p This exhibit is about science and art.
It is meant to be a learning experience, about the top 60 solutions to climate change, as researched by over 5,000 scientists.
And most importantly it is about hope.
It is about learning about these solutions to climate change and
changing the hearts and minds of those around us,
so that we can all work together.
Anne Nesse, 2024
(ZM) Racial Justice Committee Meeting Thursday, Apr 25th 7:00p to 8:30p Please join us for our monthly Racial Justice Committee Meeting. We will learn of upcoming events and plan new ones.
