HAVURAH HAPPENINGS
Update on Rabbi Joey (1) Upcoming Shabbat (2) PHFS Direct Service (3) Climate: Do We Need to Change? Can We Change? (4) It Takes a Village (5) Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) Chanting (6) Energy Efficiency in Dark Times (7) Night of Joy & Light (8) Las Posadas (9) Begin With Aleph: Learn to Read Hebrew (10) Rabbi Benjamin's Installation

ANNOUNCEMENTS
(1) Tikkun Olam Adelante (2) Havurah Dues & Donations (3) Water Is Life Videos (4) Photos of ICE Vigil (5) Reconstructionism Today

UPDATE ON RABBI JOEY - Rabbi Joey is going home today! All of our prayers and support continue to be greatly appreciated.

HAVURAH HAPPENINGS

(1) Upcoming Shabbat - Human Rights Community Minyan, Saturday, Dec. 9, 10:00 am - Human Rights Shabbat is honored by many Jewish communities every year on the Shabbat closest to International Human Rights Day. At Havurah, during our drash and discussion, we will reflect together upon Jewish values connected to human rights. Through engaging with texts and images from the tradition which embody these values, we will consider how they might inform and inspire our work for human rights. Our intention is that this discussion will be part of an ongoing exploration of how we can more meaningfully infuse our efforts in the world with Jewish values, thus imbuing those efforts with holiness, strengthening our connections with one another, and enhancing our capacity to make positive change. Parenting & Grandparenting Class for Chanukah, December Dilemmas, Dec. 9, 3:10-4:30 pm - Join Rabbi Benjamin for a frank conversation about what it means to parent in Jewish families at this time of year, be a Jew in Portland, be a non-Jew in a Jewish family. RSVP here.

(2) Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) Direct Service - A new temporary winter shelter will be opening at Congregation Beth Israel (CBI) Dec. 11, 2017, closing April 30, 2018. PHFS will operate it. The shelter will start with only adult volunteers (18 years and older). We will continue our Adopt-a-Night at Goose Hollow as well as volunteer at the temporary winter shelter. If interested in volunteering at either Goose Hollow or the winter shelter, an hour-long orientation is required. Goose Hollow Orientation: Dec. 6 at 5:00 pm, at 1838 SW Jefferson. Orientations at the winter shelter are at Beth Israel: Dec. 7 at 7:30 pm, Dec. 10 at 12:30 pm. RSVP to Bethany Rocci with name, date of orientation and which shelter. For more info about PHFS, please contact Gloria Halper.

(3) Climate - Do We Need to Change? Can We Change?, Thursday, Dec. 7, 7:00-8:30 pm - Please join Deb Lev for a presentation titled 'Climate – Do we need to change? Can we change?' Deb is from the Climate Reality Project, and is an active member of 350PDX, and a Havurah member. The presentation is sponsored by the Havurah Climate Action Team, part of Tikkun Olam. There will be a Q&A session and discussion following the presentation. RSVPs are welcome.  Questions? Please contact Steve Birkel at sjbirkel@gmail.com.

(4) It Takes a Village: A Tikkun Olam Committee Sponsored Event, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2:00-4:00 pm, Havurah Shalom - Do the problems of the developing world seem overwhelming? What can we realistically do to help? When there is so much that needs to be done in our own community, why should we help people who live far away? The Rafiki Village Project (RVP)  is a Portland-based non-profit that is working to help Gijega Village, a community of about 2000 people in Tanzania. Rooted in the idea that the problems associated with poverty in the developing world are less overwhelming when broken down to the village level, the RVP is partnering with the villagers to address their problems one project at a time. Please join us for a presentation and discussion about the RVP, economic justice, the problems facing Gijega and the meaning of Tikkun Olam. Learn more . Questions: David@rafikivp.org. Above photo taken by David Newman.

(5) Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) Chanting, Monday, Dec. 11, 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. Second Monday of each month. Lev Tahor Chanting is free for members; non-members are asked to make a small donation.

(6) 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.

(7) Joy & Light, 4th Night of Chanukah, Friday, Dec. 15 - Chanukah Celebration for All Ages, 6:00-6:45 pm: Candle lighting, singing, storytelling, led by Rabbi Benjamin, Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, and Ilene Safyan. In addition to Ilene Safyan, musicians for the evening include Sarah Shine, Tanja Lux, Jacob Mandelsberg, Scott Snyder, Steven Sandberg-Lewis, Chaim Wolin, and Larry Reichman.

Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 7:45-8:30 pm (See musicians listed above.)
Tzedakah for Chanukah Celebration: Bring a book for children ages 1-10 to read at a local community center. Spanish or bilingual English/Spanish books are preferred. These books do not have to be new; well loved books will also be treasured.

(8) Annual Las Posadas Community Building Event, Sunday, Dec. 17, 6:00 pm, in the Cully Neighborhood - Las Posadas are an opportunity to reflect, celebrate, and grow in relationship and mutual accompaniment with our immigrant neighbors in Cully! A different congregation joins each night to share cultures including food. It’s a beautiful opportunity to receive hospitality and share in a tradition that is meaningful to those hosting while bringing some of our own traditions and wisdom and considering our collective work for justice. As the visiting congregation, we'll share briefly about our Sanctuary work, and we will light Chanukah candles. We bring sweet snacks and, as a bonus, we bring an activity/craft for the kids. The host then usually serves food to everyone. Please RSVP so we can tell you where to meet on Dec. 17. Questions?  Bob Brown, rebrown47@gmail.com.

(9) Begin with Aleph: Learn to Read Hebrew, Wednesdays, Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and Feb. 7, 7:00-8:30 pm - This course is for beginners, even those who have “begun” before. Focusing on basic reading competency, we will uncover bits of Judaism that are only accessible through its original language. Our text has online home practice. Taught by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. RSVP here.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(1) Direct Service Volunteering with Tikkun Olam Adelante, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 2:00-4:00 pm (volunteering with a group of Latino women and men once or twice a month) - The group Tikkun Olam Adelante grew out of Havurah's Sanctuary work. We wanted to work with Latinos who were and continue to be targeted. We meet our clients on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00-4:00 pm, who come in with a variety of issues: U visa help, job seeking, desire to start a small business, etc.One can sign up for once a month or more. If you are interested please note that there is also the expectation of some time spent outside of a Tues./Thurs. shift. Please contact Gloria Halper.

(2) Havurah Dues and Donations for 2017 - The end of 2017 is rapidly approaching.  If you wish to have any dues payments or other donations to Havurah included in your year-end tax letter, be sure to make your payment well before the end of December. Checks should reach the Havurah office by Dec 29.  Credit card payments can be made (on line) up until Dec 31. Stock donations need to arrive in Havurah's Ameritrade account by Dec 26 to allow time for the sale and settlement of the transaction. Contact Karen Westerman at 503-421-4533 with questions or if you need stock donation instructions.
Thank you!

(3) Water Is Life Videos - If you missed the November 'Water Is Life' event, or if you'd like to relive it, check out this video of the evening made by Steve Birkel and this video produced by the Klamath Tribes, entitled "No LNG Pipeline!," which was shown that evening.

(4) Photos of Last Week's ICE Vigil - Last Thursday Havurah led the monthly interfaith vigil at the local ICE office. Here are photos Barbara Gundle took at the vigil, which was led by Rabbi Benjamin and Beth Hamon, and organized by Shari Raider and Bob Brown.

(5) Reconstructionism Today - Check out this month's Reconstructionism Today.

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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.

Find our calendar and learn more at www.havurahshalom.org.

825 NW 18th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
503-248-4662