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) Solidarity Shabbat Friday, Jun 27th 5:45p to 8:30p 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.
(HYB) Climate Change Shabbat Morning Shabbat, Jun 28th 10:00a to 12:00p Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin (who is on sabbatical until July 1, 2025), this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. 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@havurhshalom.org.
(HYB) Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual Sunday, Jun 29th 7:00p to 8:15p A gender-inclusive New Moon group, learning and celebrating each Rosh Ḥodesh with ancient and contemporary ritual. Open to any and all genders, inviting each to connect with our closest heavenly body, the Moon. An introductory meeting will happen on the full moon of Elul on Wednesday, Aug. 30 outdoors—weather permitting—in North Portland. Subsequent meetings will be on or near the new moon of each month either in person in North Portland or on Zoom, depending on seasonal shifts in the weather. Attend any or all sessions. RSVP to be updated on location and other details throughout the year.
(ZM) Palestinian Justice Letter Writing Group Monday, Jun 30th 6:00p to 7:30p We hold monthly letter writing group Zoom gatherings to write letters to our lawmakers for Israel/Palestine justice. Questions? Email Dale Oller (member log-in required to access directory). Feel free to drop in any time! There’s no need to RSVP, but please do RSVP if you need the Zoom login. Non-Havurah-members very welcome as well.
(IP) Pride Kabbalat Shabbat in the Park Friday, Jul 11th 6:30p to 8:30p Celebrate queer and Jewish joy with a special Kabbalat Shabbat service at Columbia Park! We’ll enjoy a potluck dinner together afterward. Beverages will be provided. BYOB. All are welcome.
(HYB) Shabbat Morning Shabbat, Jul 12th 10:00a to 12:00p Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin (who is on sabbatical until July 1, 2025), this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. 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.
