HAVURAH HAPPENINGS 1 Upcoming Shabbat 2 Kristallnacht Tribute to Leonard Cohen 3 Last Chance to Help with Courtyard Mosaic 4 Alter Rockers Happy Hour 5 Hakol Deadline 6 PHFS Goose Hollow Shelter 7 Water Is Life 8 Dorot Shabbat 9 Tot
Weekly Community Email, Nov. 8
HAVURAH HAPPENINGS
(1) Upcoming Shabbat (2) Kristallnacht Tribute to Leonard Cohen (3) Last Chance to Help with Courtyard Mosaic (4) Alter Rockers Happy Hour (5) Hakol Deadline (6) PHFS Goose Hollow Shelter (7) Water Is Life (8) Dorot Shabbat (9) Tot Shabbat (10) Book Discussion (11) Energy Efficiency In Times of Darkness (12) Chanukah Celebration & Kabbalat Shabbat
ANNOUNCEMENTS
(1) Reconstructionism Today (2) Outside the Frame's 'Leaving Home' (3) 'Homeward' by Ari Shapiro (4) Moishe House Discussion for 20s & 30s (5) Sign Up Now for Lift Urban Portland Christmas Dinner (6) Jewish Spirituality Retreat & Weekend In Quest
HAVURAH HAPPENINGS
(1) Kabbalat Shabbat, Friday, Nov. 10, 7:30 pm - Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians Margie Rosenthal, Tanja Lux, Sarah Shine, Steven Sandberg-Lewis and Larry Reichman will lead this short and musical Kabbalat Shabbat service. Community Minyan, Saturday, Nov. 11, 10:00 am - Rabbi Benjamin will give a drash about this week's parsha Chayei Sarah, and Havurah members Maria Lisa Johnson, Arleen Slive, Marty Brown and others will lead and read Torah. Join us!
(2) “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, Havurah members Sacha Reich and Andrew Ehrlich and more. Sponsored by the Institute for Judaic Studies, Beth Israel, Havurah Shalom, Neveh Shalom, and OJMCHE.
(3) Last Chance to Help With Courtyard Mosaic - Havurah members have one more opportunity to help finish our new courtyard mosaic: Sunday, Nov. 12, between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. Learn more and RSVP here!
(4) Alter Rockers Happy Hour, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 5:00 pm - Alter Rockers are gathering Tuesday evening at 5:00 pm for a casual happy hour with Rabbi Benjamin. Please bring an appetizer to share and whatever you like to drink, and come meet the rabbi. Please RSVP to Sarah Rosenberg.
(5) Hakol Deadline, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 12:00 noon – Please submit all articles and photos via email to Rachel.
(6) Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS), Goose Hollow Shelter Direct Service Project - Interested in direct service, face to face with the people you intend to help? Check out the PHFS website or attend a short, a one-hour orientation on Nov. 14 or 30, at 4:00 pm. All orientations are at the Goose Hollow shelter, 1838 SW Jefferson. RSVP to Bethany Rocci. An even simpler way to see how the program is run, meet other Havurahniks, PHFS staff, and some of the families being served, is to sign up to help with a meal. Meal Providers don't need to attend an orientation! To arrange to be a part of the meal provider group, contact Elayne Shapiro or Len Shapiro. All other questions: Havurah member Gloria Halper.
(7) Water Is Life, Thursday, Nov. 16, 6:30-9:00 pm - Come hear a unique perspective on the proposed Pacific Connector fracked gas 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 tribe in southeast Oregon. The event is free and the public is invited. Learn more here. Havurah High 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.
(8) 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. Please RSVP here by Nov. 15.
(9) Tot Shabbat, Saturday, Nov. 18, 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. Afterwards, we enjoy an informal potluck nosh and the chance to play and schmooze. Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner and Rabbi Benjamin. RSVP here by Nov. 15.
(10) Book Discussion, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 7:00-8:30 pm - Join us for a 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 a crafty and unscrupulous financier who has futilely claimed to be an heir to the family's fortune. Forty years later he suddenly disappears. Learn more and RSVP on our website calendar. (RSVPs help discussion leaders plan.) Questions? Contact marjoriewalters@gmail.com.
(11) Energy Efficiency in Dark Times, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 7:00-8:30 pm - This class will offer reflection, encouragement, and renewal as we celebrate the second night of Chanukah. Please join us in community as we acknowledge challenges, tap into cultural sources that offer perspective, and find ways to mend, rededicate, and move forward. Tikkun olam comes in a variety of sizes, from the very personal to the global. Bring on the light! RSVP here.
(12) Joy & Light, 4th Night of Chanukah, Friday, Dec. 15, 6:00-8:30 pm
- Chanukah Celebration for All Ages, 6:00-6:45 pm: candle lighting, singing, storytelling, led by Rabbi Benjamin, Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, and Ilene Safyan. RSVP here by Dec. 4.
- Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner, 6:45-7:45 pm - Bring a chanukiah and candles for your dinner table if you wish! RSVP here by Dec. 4. Please note that this RSVP deadline is a week earlier than our usual RSVP deadline for dinner.
- Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 7:45-8:30 pm (No RSVP required)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
(1) Reconstructionism Today – This month’s issue includes news about Havaya Arts Camp and a podcast with Rabbi Shefa Gold on chanting. Read more here.
(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 - Join Outside The Frame for a special screening of new films by and with youth experiencing homelessness in Portland, presented with Outside In and Prosper Portland. Filmmakers will be in attendance. 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. Learn more about Ari and the show in this month’s Oregon Jewish Life.
(4) Moishe House Discussion, Games & Drinks for People in their 20s & 30s, Sunday, Nov. 19, 1:00-5:00 pm - The Jewish People Policy Institute will lead a discussion on Israel-Diaspora Relations at Moishe House in NE Portland. Discussion is from 1:00-3:00 pm. Games and cozy drinks from 3:00-5:00 pm.Learn more.
(5) Volunteer Opportunities at Lift Urban Portland Christmas Dinner - Havurah members often help serve Christmas dinner to NW Portland residents in need at Lift Urban Portland’s Community Christmas Dinner. If you would like to volunteer this year, sign up here.
(6) Jewish Spirituality Retreat & Weekend In Quest – Click here to learn about 'Awakening the Divine Jewish Spirituality Retreat' and 'Weekend In Quest.'
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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.
(HYB) Shabbat Morning Shabbat, Mar 30th 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, Mar 30th 10:30a to 11:30a Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. All are welcome.
Mahjong Group Monday, Apr 1st 1:00p to 4:00p We are excited to bring mahjong back to Havurah. It is a fun, social activity that builds community, encouraging new friendships and cementing old ones. And while some of us may play elsewhere as well, we all agreed that restoring its place as an ongoing congregational activity will be a good fit for Havurah and those of us who play or want to learn the game. So please don't hesitate to join us!
Naming the Unnameable: Exploring Theology and Practice through Rabbi Toba Spitzer’s God is Here Wednesday, Apr 3rd 7:00p to 8:30p Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin. In this class, we’ll be exploring various ways in which the Divine is represented and imagined in Jewish tradition. Beyond simply the intellectual, our lens will be more one of spiritual reflection and practice. In other words: As we encounter and interact with the metaphors that the tradition offers for experiencing and connecting with God/Spirit/Life, what do we notice within our hearts and minds? How do particular images shape our consciousness and perception? As a guide for this exploration we will read Rabbi Toba Spitzer’s book, God is Here, which should be purchased for the class (contact Rabbi Benjamin for a free copy if needed). RSVP here by March 1.
(IP) Understanding October 7, 2023 Thursday, Apr 4th 7:00p to 8:30p Rabbi Benjamin and Joel Beinin will offer three sessions on “Understanding October 7, 2023” – the Hamas attack on Israel and Israel’s response. The class will offer space for people to express their personal feelings about the events as well as explore the historical context of the events of October 7. Integrated into our examination of this moment, we will engage with a variety of Jewish texts: on grief and loss, on holding multiple truths, and on questions of fundamentalism and fixed views.
(HYB) Shabbat Morning Shabbat, Apr 6th 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.
Shabbat School Shabbat, Apr 6th 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.
(IP) Whose B'nei Mitzvah Is It Anyway? Shabbat, Apr 6th 3:10p to 4:00p Parents explore the hopes and fears that inspire, inform, and complicate the planning process. Led by Adela Basayne and Laura Orgel, psychologist and child/family therapist.