HAVURAH HAPPENINGS 1 Upcoming Shabbat 2 Water Is Life 3 Dorot Shabbat 4 Tot Shabbat 5 Lev Tahor Pure Heart Chanting 6 No Meditation Next Tuesday 7 Text Torah 8 Silver Falls State Park Hike 9 Book Discussion 10 ICE Vigil Led by
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HAVURAH HAPPENINGS
(1) Upcoming Shabbat (2) Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) Chanting (3) No Meditation Next Tuesday (4) Text & Torah (5) Silver Falls State Park Hike (6) Book Discussion (7) ICE Vigil Led by Havurah (8) PHFS Goose Hollow Shelter (9) Energy Efficiency In Times of Darkness (10) Chanukah Celebration & Kabbalat Shabbat
ANNOUNCEMENTS
(1) Welcoming Andi, Havurah Shalom Program Director (2) 'Homeward' by Ari Shapiro (3) Moishe House Discussion for 20s & 30s (4) Sign Up Now for Lift Urban Portland Christmas Dinner (5) Fair Trade Judaica Gelt (6) Just Energy Transition Initiative Video (7) Jewish Spirituality Retreat & Weekend In Quest
HAVURAH HAPPENINGS
(1) Upcoming Shabbat -
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.
Community Minyan, Saturday, Nov. 18, 10:00 am - Join Rabbi Benjamin, Susan Brenner, Sam Sirkin, Emily Simon, Noah Goldenberg, Richard Goldenberg, and David Koff in davening, reading Torah, and discussing Torah this Saturday. In parsha Toldot, Jacob secures his brother's birthright and steals his blessing, then flees to escape his brother's anger.
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.
(2) Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) Chanting, Monday, Nov. 20, 7:00-8:00 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 monthly gatherings is open to anyone – no experience, musical ability, or commitment necessary. RSVPs are welcome.
(3) No Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation Next Tuesday - But, we continue bravely forward after that! It is amazing how this little group has sustained. This is the first Tuesday that we aren’t meeting for a whole year. Wishes for good health and thankfulness for all of us. - Deborah
(4) Text & Torah: The Torah and Gender Identification, Saturday, Nov. 25, 10:00 am - Come early to grab a breakfast nosh before we examine gender diversity in the Torah. Did you know that Classical Judaism identifies six categories of gender? We will read and discuss both ancient and contemporary Judaism’s views around non-binary genders.
(5) Silver Falls State Park Hike, Tuesday, Nov. 28 – Are you interested in exploring Oregon’s natural areas with other Havurahniks? Join the new Havurah Naturalists Group! Jeff Gottfried will lead the group’s first hike on Tuesday, Nov. 28, in Silver Falls State Park. The group will leave Portland at 8:30 am from Jeff’s house, 7040 SW 84th Ave, and drive through Silverton to Silver Falls. Learn more here.
(6) 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 to help the discussion leader plan. Questions? Contact marjoriewalters@gmail.com.
(7) Vigil at ICE Office led by Havurah Shalom, Thursday, Nov. 30, 10:00-11:00 am - Join Rabbi Benjamin, Illene Safyan, and the Havurah Sanctuary team as we lead the monthly "Last Thursday Witness" Vigil on Nov. 30 at ICE offices. Through song and prayer we will lift our voices together to express our solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters. Meet at 4310 SW Macadam Ave from 10:00-11:00 am. The Vigil will happen rain or shine. Questions, please contact Bob Brown rebrown47@gmail.com or Shari Raider shari.raider@gmail.com.
(8) Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS), Goose Hollow Shelter Direct Service Project - Come to an hour-long orientation to learn how Goose Hollow offers families temporary housing and helps them become stable and no longer homeless. Orientations: Nov. 30 at 4:00 pm, Dec. 6 at 5:00 pm, at 1838 SW Yamhill. RSVP to Bethany Rocci. From a PHFS volunteer: “Being a Kid Time Host is more than just playing a game with the kiddos. You have the opportunity to offer emotional support, peer contact, confidentiality, and skill-building in self-assertion and conflict resolution. Kids need to know that the trauma is not their fault and that adults are working to fix it.” For more info re: PHFS please contact Gloria Halper.
(9) Energy Efficiency in Dark Times, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 7:00-8:30 pm - This session, facilitated by the Lifelong Learning Committee, 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.
(10) 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)
You can download a flier here.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
(1) Welcoming Andi, Havurah Shalom Program Director - We are thrilled to let you know that Andi Bales Molnar will begin at Havurah on Monday, Nov. 27, as Havurah Program Director. This position was identified long ago as critical to supporting our growing community and contributing to a sustainable organizational infrastructure for staff, lay leaders, and members of Havurah. Remodeling is happening currently in the Gan room to create an office for Andi as well as to modify the Kerem classroom for Shabbat School. Read more here.
(2) '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.
(3) 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 here.
(4) Sign Up Now for 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.
(5) Fair Trade Judaica Chanukah Gelt - This Chanukah, we can support Kuapa Kokoo, a Fair Trade cooperative in Ghana who are co-owners of Divine Chocolate. Fair Trade standards prohibit the use of child labor. Learn more and order gelt here.
(6) If you missed the Just Energy Transition Initiative Conversation at Havurah on Oct. 27, you can watch it here!
(7) 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.
[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.
