HAVURAH HAPPENINGS 1 Upcoming Shabbat 2 Nov. 6 Deadline to RSVP for November Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner 3 Refugee Support Meeting Tomorrow 4 Recurring Happenings Tuesday Meditation, Wednesday Morning Minyan 5 Sanctuary Committee Meeting 6 W
Weekly Community Email, Nov. 1
HAVURAH HAPPENINGS
(1) Upcoming Shabbat (2) Nov. 6 Deadline to RSVP for November Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner (3) Refugee Support Meeting Tomorrow (4) Recurring Happenings: Tuesday Meditation, Wednesday Morning Minyan (5) Sanctuary Committee Meeting (6) Whose Bat or Bar Mitzvah Is It Anyway? (7) A Broken Hallelujah, Tribute to Leonard Cohen (8) One Last Chance to Help With Courtyard Mosaic Project (9) Dorot Shabbat (10) Water is Life (11) Book Discussion Group (12) New Submission Guidelines for Weekly Emails
ANNOUNCEMENTS
(1) Premiere of Documentary 'Priced Out' Tonight (2) Outside the Frame's 'Leaving Home' (3) 'Homeward' by Ari Shapiro (4) Awakening the Divine Jewish Spirituality Retreat
HAVURAH HAPPENINGS
(1) Upcoming Shabbat, Community Minyan, Saturday, Nov. 4, 10:00 am - Leaders and leyners at this Saturday’s community minyan include Rabbi Benjamin, Moriah Cordova, Susan Lazareck, Michele Goldschmidt, Diane Chaplin, Sam Sirkin, and Marty Brown. This week’s parsha Vayera includes a few notable moments, such as the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Isaac’s birth, Hagar and Ishmael’s banishment, and the near sacrifice of Isaac, all of which should make for an interesting discussion.
(2) RSVP by Nov. 6 for Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner & Service on Nov. 10 - Havurah musicians Margie Rosenthal, Tanja Lux, Sarah Shine, Steven Sandberg-Lewis and Larry Reichman will join Rabbi Benjamin in leading our Nov. 10th Kabbalat Shabbat service. The catered, vegetarian dinner is from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free options will be available, and you’re invited to bring wine or juice to celebrate Shabbat. Childcare is available for kids age 2 to 8. Please RSVP here for the dinner by Nov. 6. Cost adjustments are available at 503-248-4662.
(3) Refugee Support Meeting, Thursday, Nov. 2, 6:30-8:00 pm - This is an opportunity for new and veteran Catholic Charities volunteers from our congregation to meet for support, information, and inspiration. Please join us, even if you aren’t yet a volunteer and are simply curious. Questions? Email Rebecca Darling-Budner at rbudner@yahoo.com. Please RSVP here.
(4) Recurring Happenings: Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation, Tuesday, Nov. 7, at noon, and Morning Minyan, Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 8:30 am.
(5) Havurah Sanctuary Committee Meeting, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 7:00-9:00 pm - Let us continue together our work for immigrant justice. Join us for the next meeting of Havurah's Sanctuary Committee. Come hear how we are engaging with immigrant communities as well as political actions you can be involved with. We will discuss our plans for the Nov. 30th Vigil at the ICE offices, hear about IMIrJ Accompaniment work, and learn more about rapid response networks. We will continue our discussion about activities we can do as a congregation to educate and energize our community to continue to be engaged with our Sanctuary work. Questions? Contact Bob Brown (rebrown47@gmail.com) or Shari Raider (shari.raider@gmail.com).
(6) Whose Bat or Bar Mitzvah Is It Anyway?, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 7:00-8:15 pm - Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, Education Director, and Laura Orgel, Child & Family Therapist - This workshop is not about logistics or expectations: It is about the meaning of B'nai Mitzvah and its power as a rite of passage for the whole family. We will explore the hopes and fears that inspire, inform and complicate the preparation and planning process. How can we feel more connected to our child in this process? Our partner or ex-partner? Our family of origin? The rituals and liturgy? The community? How do we celebrate the occasion in a way that honors these connections, and our values? This frank and non-judgmental workshop is about the big questions and how they impact the concrete decisions that parents and youth are called upon to make. RSVP here by Nov. 2.
(7) “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 Beth Israel Cantor Ida Rae Cahana and Havurah Music Coordinator Ilene Safyan, and with the following special guests: Havurah members Sacha Reich and Andrew Ehrlich, Wendy Westerwelle, Courtney Von Drehl, Ralph Huntley, 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. (Above poster was designed by Hannah Westerman.)
(8) Last Chance to Help Finish Courtyard Mosaic - This is when it all comes together! Check out Barbara Gundle's photos of artist Lynn Takata and Havurah members applying the tiles and glass that Havurahniks made to the backing board. This is one of the last steps before the murals will be installed in our courtyard. Havurah members have one more opportunity to help: Sunday, Nov. 12, between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. Learn more and RSVP here!
Above photo taken by Barbara Gundle.
(9) Dorot Shabbat, Friday, Nov. 17, 6:00 pm - Join Havurah families for a casual family-friendly and music-filled service. Beginning with candle lighting, Kiddush and challah, the service continues with prayers and music led by Jacob Mandelsberg, Sarah Shine, Gabe Adoff, Tanja Lux, and Ilene Moss. A vegetarian potluck dinner will follow the service. Please bring a dish to share! Questions? Contact Karen Pomerantz at karen_pomerantz@yahoo.com. Please RSVP here by Nov. 15.
(10) Water Is Life, Thursday, Nov. 16, 6:30-9:00 pm - Join us to hear a unique perspective on the pipeline and its implications for water and climate. Panelists will include youth from the Yurok, Hoope and Karuk tribes, traveling all the way from Northern California to share their perspective and a video recently produced by the Klamath tribes in southeast Oregon in opposition to the massive proposals to pipe, liquefy, and export fracked gas through the Northwest. All are invited to the evening. Learn more here and how to RSVP for the evening. Havurah high school and middle school students are also invited to a dinner with the tribal youth at 5:30 pm. Click here to learn more about the dinner.
(11) Havurah Shalom Book Discussion Group, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 7:00-8:30 pm - Please join us for discussion led by Stacy Hankin of The Luminous Heart of Jonah S. by Gina Nahai. This book tells the story of an Iranian Jewish family that is tormented for decades by Raphael's son, a crafty and unscrupulous financier who has futilely claimed to be an heir to the family's fortune. Forty years later he has nearly achieved his goals when he suddenly disappears, presumed by many to have been murdered. "Lyrical, shrewd, and daring, novelist Nahai ... writes with acute emotional and nearly anthropological perception, laser-wit, and deep compassion." Contact marjoriewalters@gmail.comif you have questions.An RSVP through the Havurah website will help the discussion leader know how many will be attending.
(12) New Guidelines for Submitting News for Weekly Emails - We are an increasingly active community, so we have a growing number of posts in our weekly emails. To make it easier for Havurah members to find the news they're interested in, we're asking that future email submissions not exceed 125 words. You'll find the email submission form here and on our website. You can submit longer descriptions for our online calendar using the same link. Just indicate that the longer description is for our online calendar. Also, please select a maximum of three dates when you'd like your email to be in the weekly email. To request an exception, please email teri@havurahshalom.org. Thank you for your understanding!
Above photo taken by Michael Heumann.
Fun Photos of Singing in the Sukkah, Havurahniks of All Ages - Photos of Havurahniks singing in our sukkah on Oct. 8 just came in. Check them out here!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
(1) Premiere of Documentary Film 'Priced Out,' Wednesday, Nov. 1, 7:00 pm, Whitsell Auditorium in the Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park Ave – 'Priced Out,' the new film edited and co-produced by Havurah member Eric Maxen, will premiere at the 44th annual Portland Filmmakers Festival. The film is about gentrification and its impact on the African American population in Portland's Albina neighborhood, and is a sequel to the 2002 film 'Northeast Passage.' For more details about the premiere and to buy tickets: https://nwfilm.org/films/priced-out/. For more details about the film:www.PricedOutMovie.com. Questions? Contact Rachel Plotinsky, plotinsky@hotmail.com.
(2) Outside the Frame Gala Screening: 'Leaving Home,' Monday, Nov. 13 - Doors open at 5:30 pm with beverages and snacks provided; Seating at 6:00 pm; Portland Center Stage at The Armory - This show is for all ages! - Join Outside The Frame for a special gala screening of new films by and with youth experiencing homelessness in Portland, presented with Outside In and Prosper Portland. Filmmakers will be in attendance. A Lifetime Achievement Award this year will be presented to Tia Plympton to recognize her decades of work and mentorship with homeless youth. The theatre will undoubtedly fill up, so reserve your tickets online here. Questions? Contact Nili Yosha at nili@otfpdx.org.
(3) 'Homeward,' Nov. 16 & 17 at 7:30 pm, and Nov. 18 at 7:00 & 9:00 pm, World Trade Center #2, 121 SW Salmon - Ari Shapiro, son of Havurah members Len and Elayne Shapiro, will present 'Homeward,' his new one-man show with music, on Nov. 16, 17 and 18. Learn more about Ari and his one-man show in this month’s Oregon Jewish Life.
(4) Awakening the Divine Jewish Spirituality Retreat, Jan. 2-7 - Rabbi Benjamin will co-lead this five-day retreat on the East Coast in January, alongside other skilled teachers of contemplative Jewish practice. Rabbi James Jacobson-Maisels, the retreat’s lead teacher, is one of the foremost teachers of meditation in the Jewish world today. This is Rabbi Benjamin’s third year teaching at this retreat, and he would be happy to answer any questions for those who are interested. You can learn more on this flier.
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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.
[B'nei Mitzvah Run Through] Friday, Aug 15th 12:00p to 2:00p (This is a closed event and is included in our calendar for space reservation reasons and attendee reference.)
Shabbat Morning with Bat Mitzvah of Natasha Raish Shabbat, Aug 16th 10:00a to 12:00p Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Natasha Raish as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community.
(IP) Elul Gallery Art Drop-Off Sunday, Aug 17th 12:00p to 3:00p As part of our annual holiday cycle, Havurah members are invited to share our own reflections on the themes and stories of the High Holiday season. In addition to prose or poetry that may be shared on the bima at High Holiday services, we are putting out a call for artistic expressions in any visual medium, including paintings, drawings and photography. We welcome your reflections on any aspect of the High Holidays experience, whether they arise from our tradition’s core concepts of teshuvah (return) or seliḥah (forgiveness), or from any other aspect of your own process of looking inward during the time leading into the holiday season. The Elul and High Holiday Gallery is a project of the High Holidays Committee and the Design Committee, led by Joan Peck and Marcia Suttenberg.
(ZM) Climate Change Book Group Slow Reading of "Not Too Late" Monday, Aug 18th 5:30p to 6:30p All are welcome! Havurah members and non-members alike are invited to join us in this slow, section-by-section reading of "Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility." Click and RSVP. Attend any or all of these HCAT (Havurah's Climate Action Team) Book Group discussions about "Not Too Late."
(ZM) Healing the Heart, Soothing the Soul: A Grief Process Support Group Tuesday, Aug 19th 5:30p to 7:00p **Note: Registration for this group is now closed.** During the month of Elul, we are guided to examine our souls, explore our relationships, reflect on our actions with God and others, and prepare ourselves spiritually to begin a new year. With the Spirit of Elul, we will journey into exploring the aspects of grief. For Havurah members only. Limited to 8 people. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend all sessions.
(IP) Israeli Dancing Wednesday, Aug 20th 7:30p to 8:30p Join us to learn Israeli dancing! We’ll teach the steps and tell the stories behind Israeli dances while you enjoy the catchy rhythms, creative body movements, and spending time with friends.
Led by Havurah members Cindy Merrill and Gail Schwartz with dance instructor Rhona Feldman.
Hakol Deadline is Thursday, August 21 Thursday, Aug 21st (All day) Havurah members, click to learn how to submit your contributions to our monthly newsletter, Hakol.
(HYB) Solidarity Kabbalat Shabbat Friday, Aug 22nd 5:45p to 8:00p Join Havurah members and friends for a Solidarity Shabbat service and potluck nosh. This is a spiritual space for community members working in solidarity with Palestinians - and for the liberation of all peoples - to come together to pray, build connections, and renew ourselves on Shabbat to continue our justice work. Please review Havurah's Brit Kavod for our community guidelines. Masks strongly encouraged and provided.
