(1) Upcoming Shabbat (2) Orientations for PHFS Shelters (3) Adelante Volunteering (4) Office Closures (5) Meditation & Morning Minyan (6) No Community Email Next Week (7) Havurah Dues & Donations (8) Learn to Read Hebrew (9) Exploring Our Assumptions (10) Measure 101 Telathon (11) Installation of Rabbi Benjamin (12) Parents, Let's Talk Race (13) Creative Energy Abounding! (14) Moishe House Opening for Resident Age 22-30
(1) Upcoming Shabbat - Community Minyan, Saturday, Dec. 23, 10:00 am - Join Maria Lisa Johnson, Beth Hamon, Diane Chaplin, Harriet Cooke, Karen St. Clair, Marty Brown, and Roger Brewer at this Saturday's Community Minyan, where they will lead and read Torah. This week's parsha is Vayegash, in which Judah offers to take his captured brother Benjamin’s place, an act that leads Joseph to reveal his identity to his brothers. (Above Wikimedia photo is of a painting by Jacopo Pontormo.)
(2) Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) New Temporary Winter Shelter at Beth Israel: Orientation, Thursday, Dec. 21, 4:00-5:30 pm - A new temporary winter shelter operated by PHFS at Congregation Beth Israel offers overnight shelter to our homeless neighbors until April 30. The shelter will start with only adult volunteers (18 years and older). Volunteers are needed! If you can attend the orientation on Dec. 21, RSVP to Bethany Rocci.
Adopt-a-Night at PHFS Goose Hollow Shelter - Havurah is continuing our Adopt-a-Night volunteering at Goose Hollow Shelter. To volunteer, an hour-long orientation is required. On Jan. 8, 6:15-7:15 pm, an orientation will be offered at 13 Salmon (the PHFS day shelter that will be receiving 25 more people each day from the new winter shelter at Beth Israel). On Jan. 18, 5:00-6:00 pm, an orientation is offered at Goose Hollow, 1838 SW Jefferson. Please RSVP to Bethany@pdxhfs.org with your name and the date and location of the orientation you're interested in attending. For more info about PHFS, contact Gloria Halper or John Devlin.
The above photo is of Havurah second graders serving dinner at Bud Clark Commons earlier this month.
(3) 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.
(4) Office Closures - Havurah's office will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 for the holidays.
(5) Meditation & Morning Minyan - We will gather for Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation on Dec. 26 from noon to 1:00 pm, and we will have Morning Minyan at 8:30 am on Wednesday, Dec. 27.
(6) No Community Email - Due to the winter holiday, we will have no community email next week. The next issue will be sent on Jan. 3.
(7) 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!
Thank you to all who made our Dec. 15 celebrations possible, including (but not limited to) Rabbi Benjamin, Ilene Safyan, Sacha Reich, Aaron Pearlman, Sarah Shine, Tanja Lux, Jacob Mandelsberg, Scott Snyder, Steven Sandberg-Lewis, Chaim Wolin, Larry Reichman, Mimi Epstein, Gloria Halper, and Nancy Weintraub.
(8) 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.
(9) Exploring Our Assumptions: How Do We Live in a Diverse World?, Tuesdays, Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30 and Feb. 6, 13, 7:00-9:00 pm - The first step in embracing diversity is acknowledging that we all carry assumptions and experiences that influence the way we interpret and interact with people we perceive as “not like us” or “the other." We will explore our personal and collective perspectives about diversity within an accepting and open format, using the book Waking Up White: And Finding Myself in the Story of Race, by Debby Irving, to provide an initial structure for discussion. Participants will read sections of the book prior to each class. We will use the ideas to prompt participants to explore their own assumptions and biases and discuss how our collective biases impact our interactions in a diverse world. Please RSVP here. Questions? Contact Susan Lazareck or Judy Steinberger.
(10) Yes on Measure 101 Telethon, Sunday, Jan. 7, 12:00-3:00 pm - YOUR HELP IS NEEDED. On Jan. 23, Oregon voters will decide whether to ensure that the state’s most vulnerable citizens continue to have access to health care. Voting YES on Measure 101 will enable Oregon to continue insuring low-income Oregonians. Measure 101 protects health care coverage for one in four Oregonians, including 400,000 kids. Havurah has joined over 100 groups in endorsing Measure 101. Your help is needed to ensure it passes. Please come and help call your fellow Havurah members to ask them to vote for Measure 101. A good time is guaranteed. Pizza and snacks provided. If you are able to volunteer please contact David Newman at davnew2@earthlink.net to be put on the list.
(11) Save This Date!
(12) Parents - Let's Talk About Race, Sunday, Jan. 21, 1:00-4:00 pm - This is an anti-racism workshop for parents and caregivers of young children, facilitated by and for parents who benefit from white privilege. It is organized by the Portland Chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ), Family Action. SURJ is a national group of individuals and groups organizing white people for racial justice. Learn more about the objectives and expectations of the workshop, and how to RSVP HERE.
(13) Creative Energy Abounding! - Let’s meet for two hours (come late/leave early) to work on individual art or arts & crafts projects. Time/ frequency to be determined. If interested, contact Eileen Deerdock by email or text: Deerdock@aol.com or 503-928-1910 (I'm a new member, but my photo is in the directory.)
(14) Moishe House Portland Seeking New Resident, Aged 22-30 - Moishe House Portland is seeking a new resident and accepting applications through the end of December at www.moishehouse.org/apply. After being part of Havurah High School and graduating from Colorado College, I have moved into Moishe House Portland. My four housemates and I host Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, Jewish learning and social events for the young professional Jewish community in Portland seven times a month, supported by the national Moishe House non-profit organization. One of our housemates is moving on so we are looking for a new community builder aged 22-30 to live with us and create events starting in March. Benefits include Jewish learning scholarships and retreats, programming budget, and a rent subsidy. Please get in touch with any questions and/or recommend someone that you think would be a good fit. Thanks! - Jake Sullivan, jake.moishepdx@gmail.com.
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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.
(CANCELED) Collage Art with Jewish Symbols Wednesday, May 7th 6:30p to 7:45p This class has been canceled by the instructor. If you are interested in doing art at Havurah, please reach out to Adela Basayne (info@havurahshalom.org). Bring your crafts and creativity out for making collage art with Jewish symbols. We will create hamzas, stars of David, trees of life, and images for blessing the home. All ages are invited! Led by Carolina Martinez.
(IP) Hebrew as a Tool: Prayer and Torah (registration closed) Wednesday, May 7th 7:00p to 8:15p (This class will now be starting on January 8.) Using an in-depth, word-by-word approach, we discover literal meaning(s), ancient layers of understanding, and our own personal interpretations that stem from the nuances of the Hebrew text. Basic Hebrew decoding skills necessary.
(HYB) Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration Friday, May 9th 5:45p to 8:00p A musical, all-ages Friday night service with family-friendly dessert and hearty nosh before and after. All are welcome! 5:45 pm Hearty Nosh, 6:30 Service, 7:30 Oneg. Free childcare is provided. Those joining on Zoom, please come at 6:30; the in-person hearty nosh portion and oneg will not be televised. For Zoom information, please email info@havurhshalom.org.
(HYB) Shabbat Morning with Music Shabbaton (w/ Aly Halpert) Shabbat, May 10th 10:00a to 12:00p This community minyan will feature the musical contributions of Aly Halpert who is in residence with us this Shabbat. 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.
(IP) Tot Shabbat Shabbat, May 10th 10:30a to 11:15a Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. All are welcome! Please RSVP when you plan to come. We provide free childcare for those staying to enjoy the full Shabbat service that ends at noon and which is followed by a light community brunch. Email info@havurahshalom.org to learn more.
(IP) Songs for Liberation Song Circle (w/ Aly Halpert) Shabbat, May 10th 4:30p to 6:30p (Currently this event is for Havurah members only, as registrations are capped at 80 people. Havurah members, be sure to RSVP.) Rising Song Records artist Aly Halpert concludes our music shabbaton with a Song Circle, a space to enjoy our voices together as we learn new and ancient Jewish songs and niggunim together. Aly Halpert is at the epicenter of a resurgence of Jewish music-making– introducing new tunes, new words, and new ways of bringing music into davening and community-building.
Teen Tikkun Olam Walk with Rose Haven Sunday, May 11th 10:00a to 1:00p Rose Haven supporters and guests will unite to stride a beautiful route through NW Portland on Mother’s Day at the 12th Annual Reigning Roses Walk. Walk with, or in honor of, a special woman in your life – a mother, grandmother, daughter, partner, or friend. 10 am check-in, 11 am begin walking. Sponsored by Teen Engagement Committee.
(IP) Jewish Ethical Responses to the Problem of Racism Monday, May 12th 6:30p to 7:45p We will address topics such as countering white nationalism and antisemitism, Jewish perspectives on reparations, repairing Jewish pioneer memory, and responding to racial microaggressions. Facilitated by Karen Sherman and Adela Basayne.
(HYB) Steering Meeting Tuesday, May 13th 6:30p to 8:30p Steering members and staff will meet to consider matters of governance. All Havurah Shalom members are invited to attend Steering Committee meetings. For Zoom join links, visit havurahshalom.org/zoom (must be logged in) or call the office in advance for assistance (503-248-4662).
(IP) Hebrew as a Tool: Prayer and Torah (registration closed) Wednesday, May 14th 7:00p to 8:15p (This class will now be starting on January 8.) Using an in-depth, word-by-word approach, we discover literal meaning(s), ancient layers of understanding, and our own personal interpretations that stem from the nuances of the Hebrew text. Basic Hebrew decoding skills necessary.
