Jan. 31 Email - Tu B'Shevat, Tot Shabbat & Kabbalat Shabbat
HAVURAH HAPPENINGS - (1) Tu B'Shevat (2) Upcoming Shabbat (3) Papers: Stories of Undocumented Youth (4) PHFS Adopt-A-Night + CBI Shelter (5) B'nai Mitzvah Planning Basics + B'nai Mitzvah: Why, When, How? (6) Kabbalat Shabbat (7) Calling All Purim Writers, Actors & Musicians (8) Fundraiser Planning Meeting & Save the Date! (9) Family Shabbat (10) Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) Chanting
ANNOUNCEMENTS - (1) After School Tutoring (2) English Conversation Hour (3) Awaken Your Inner Keyboard (4) Rising Voices Fellowship (5) Community Concert - Neshama Carlebach (6) Guides for Rachel's Well
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(1) Today is Tu B'Shevat, the Jewish holiday celebrating trees. Following months of gray skies, the days have begun to lengthen, sap is rising, and buds are forming on trees and shrubs. It's an opportunity to feel hope and gratitude! Below is a photo of The Lawrence Tree, by Georgia O'Keeffe, from the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. (The painting isn't upside down. The artist saw this scene while on her back, looking up.)
(2) Upcoming Shabbat - Community Minyan, Saturday, Feb. 3, 10:00 am - Join Maria Lisa Johnson, Beth Hamon, Sam Sirkin, Rabbi Benjamin and other Havurah leaders and Torah readers this Saturday. We will daven and discuss parsha Yitro, in which Moses' father-in-law Jethro (Yitro in Hebrew) advises Moses to appoint others in the community to assist him in governing, a timely message as Havurah is enhancing our governance structure to empower cluster and committee leaders and to integrate their work more intentionally and effectively.
Tot Shabbat, Saturday, Feb. 3, 10:30-11:30 am - Join us for a Tu B'Shevat Tot Shabbat! 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. Tot Shabbat is fashioned for the under-six crowd, but older kids are welcome (and can help tell a story, etc.). Afterwards, we enjoy an informal potluck oneg nosh and the chance to play and schmooze. Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. Please RSVP here.
(3) Papers: Stories of Undocumented Youth - Screening and Panel Discussion, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 6:30-8:30 pm - Join Havurah's middle and high school students for a special screening of an important and timely documentary. "Papers: Stories of Undocumented Youth" highlights the challenges faced by young people without legal status. A panel discussion will follow the film, led by producer Rebecca Shine of Graham Street Productions and joined by two youths deeply affected by these issues. Every day 122 Dreamers may lose their DACA status, making them undocumented in the only country they have known. Come be part of this vital discussion, hosted by the Havurah Sanctuary Committee. No RSVP is required. Questions? Contact shari.raider@gmail.com.
(4) Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS), Volunteers Needed at Three Sites - A New Temporary Family Winter Shelter (FWS) at Congregation Beth Israel (CBI) is open nightly, 6:00-9:00 pm, through April. Orientations required before volunteering are Feb. 7 and 15, 4:30-5:30 pm. The 75-space capacity shelter is for families with children, and is starting with only adult volunteers (18 years and older). Daily 25 people from the FWS are invited to the 13 Salmon Day Shelter, 1010 SW 13th Ave, so more volunteers are needed there, too. Next orientation at 13 Salmon is Feb. 8, 6:15 pm. Havurah also is continuing our Adopt-a-Night volunteering at Goose Hollow Shelter, 1838 SW Jefferson. Orientations are required, and will be held at 1838 SW Jefferson on Feb. 12 and Feb. 15, at 5:00 pm. RSVP to Bethany@pdxhfs.org with name of shelter and date of orientation. For general information about PHFS, contact Gloria Halper, losninos6@gmail.com, or John Devlin, john.t.devlin@gmail.com. The next Adopt-a-Night is Thursday, Feb. 1, 6:30 pm, at Goose Hollow Shelter.
(5) B'nai Mitzvah Planning Basics, Saturday, Feb. 3, 3:15 pm - The logistics of B’nai Mitzvah planning and set up at Havurah is the focus of this workshop. Parents will learn about reserving and using Havurah’s spaces and the items in them (like tables, plates, etc.) from Havurah Office & Facilities Manager Rachel Pollak. A new addition to this workshop is a deeper dive into “event planning,” led by Havurah member, Chari Smith. RSVP here.
The B'nai Mitzvah: Why, When, How? on Sunday, Feb. 4, 10:00 am - This workshop was formerly known as Date Selection Meeting, and it is specifically for families in the 2019-20 cohort and families who do not yet have a B'nai Mitzvah date. This workshop intends to launch families on the B’nai Mitzvah journey. Rabbi Benjamin will begin with a focus on the rite of passage itself, and then families will learn about the date selection process. Rabbi Benjamin, David Newman, and Michael Evans will lead this workshop. RSVP here.
(6) Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner & Service, Friday, Feb. 9, 6:30 pm Dinner, 7:30 pm Service - Our next Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner & Service will be Friday, Feb. 9, 6:30 pm (dinner) and 7:30 pm (service). Join us for an evening of music and celebration with Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians. The catered vegetarian dinner begins at 6:30 pm, with nut-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free options, followed by the service at 7:30 pm. Registration is required for the dinner. PLEASE RSVP BY THE DEADLINE to help our Kabbalat Shabbat planners prepare for the evening. If you miss the deadline, your name can be added to a wait list, so you can be notified if we have cancellations. Register here! No RSVP is required for the 7:30 pm service; all are welcome! Questions? Email rachel@havurahshalom.org.
(7) Purim 2018: Live the Chai Life!, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 6:00-8:30 pm - Come one, come all, for a night of joy, masquerade, and retelling the story of some courageous individuals from long ago whose valor saved the Jewish People. We will interweave some chanting of the Megillah with dramatic narration and off-the-wall spieling. Get ready to make some noise as we recount the fateful events that led to the spoiling of the wicked plot of you-know-who! Followed by dancing, revelry, pomp, circumstance and l'chaims. Havurah will provide pizza, and people with last names starting with A-L are asked to bring a salad or side dish to share. People with last names starting with M-Z are asked to bring a dessert. All food should be on plates or in bowls ready to be served. RSVP here!
Calling All Actors, Writers, Chanters & Musicians for PURIM!
This year we will do a few short skits and musical numbers. Be a part of a group that rehearses in advance or one that just meets earlier on Feb. 28 for an improv performance. Screenwriter? Great! Write a script! Rehearsal dates TBD. Everyone welcome! Questions? Contact Ellen Regal, ellenregal@yahoo.com, 503-288-5042.
If you are interested in learning to chant a few verses of the Megillah, please contact Rabbi Benjamin at benjamin.barnett@havurahshalom.org.
(8) Planning Meeting for Havurah Fundraiser, Thursday, Feb. 8, 7:00-8:30 pm - Join us to help plan for our fundraising event on May 6. We have the basic framework set up, and need your ideas to flesh out the picture. Fran Berg and Nancy Becker are coordinating. We love to plan parties and raise money and want to share the joy! Questions? Contact Nancy at nancyjbecker@gmail.com or Fran at bergfr@gmail.com. RSVP here to let us know if you are coming.
Save the Date! May 6, 4:00-8:00 pm - Let's celebrate! and raise some money!
We've come a long way and have lots more to do. Come enjoy the company of your fellow Havurahniks, eat, drink and be merry, and help raise a bunch of money so we can continue to be the great community that we all love so much. Details forthcoming.
(9) Family Shabbat Morning, Saturday, Feb. 10, 10:30 am-12:00 noon - Especially for families with children in grades K-6. Our community will gather together for an uplifting morning of family activities including Torah exploration, singing, and celebration - and a little nosh, too! RSVP here.
(10) Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) Chanting, Monday, Feb. 12, 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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
(1) After School Tutoring, Wednesday & Thursdays, 3:00-4:15 pm, Baltazar Ortiz Community Center, 6736 NE Killingsworth - Can you devote an hour or two once a week to tutor some of the city’s most disadvantaged children? You'll enjoy every minute with these great kids. As a Sanctuary congregation, Havurah partners with the Ortiz Center, a Multnomah County health facility working with Latino and East African refugees and immigrants. No teaching experience is needed, just a knowledge of basic math and reading. We know you can't be there every week. We will work with you on scheduling. RSVP to rosenthalpdx@comcast.net or moskovitzj@gmail.com with your name and dates you are available. The county asks people to complete a background check form and provide a copy of their driver's license.
(2) English Conversation Hour, Tuesdays, Noon-1:00 pm - Our Sanctuary work is growing at the Ortiz Community Center. When we began with this diverse immigrant group, we stepped in to keep their ELL program going. During class the issue of practicing English arose, which has led to another volunteer opportunity! Come join a group of animated, enthused people as they work their way through our complicated language during an hour of conversational activities. Tuesdays, Noon-1:00 pm, 6736 NE Killingsworth. Please RSVP to Julie Hastings at julie.hastings64@gmail.com to let her know which Tuesday you are coming.
(3) Writing Group - Awaken Your Inner Keyboard - Do you like to write? David Kertzner and Sharon Reyes are organizing a Havurah adult writers workshop for anyone who wants to explore writing from any level. They want to bring people together for eight sessions culminating in a Friday night reading and oneg in June. Dates TBD, but they expect to meet every other week for two-hour sessions, starting mid-late February or March, at Havurah and/or willing participants’ homes. David has offered to lead the sessions which will include a warm-up activity, followed by sharing of writing and supportive feedback. Writers may continue meeting after the reading. They’d like to cap the group at eight. Questions? Email (or RSVP to) David, dkertzner@proactive-english.com, or email Sharon, adelmanreyes12@yahoo.com.
(4) Rising Voices Fellowship for Female-Identified 10th-12th Graders - Calling all female-identified teens in grades 10-12 who are passionate about feminism, Judaism, social justice, and writing! Jewish Women's Archives is now accepting applications for the 2018-19 Rising Voices Fellowship. Applications, FAQ and more information about the fellowship can be found at jwa.org/risingvoices. Applications are due by March 28.
(5) PDX Community Concert with Neshama, Sunday, Feb. 11, 4:30 pm, Congregation Neveh Shalom - Join Neshama Carlebach and her full band at Congregation Neveh Shalom for a soulful concert that will raise the spirits of Portlanders of all ages. Neshama Carlebach, a leading superstar in Jewish entertainment, is continuing the legacy established by her father, Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. Questions? Contact Saul Korin at skorin@oregonjcc.org. Buy tickets online here.
(6) Guides Needed for Rachel's Well - We were excited to celebrate the Grand Opening of Rachel’s Well Community Mikvah a week ago Sunday. This was the culmination of a great deal of planning and the input and efforts of many in our community to bring to life a mikvah that is open and accessible for traditional and contemporary use. The mikvah has been in operation for nearly three months, and we’ve learned many things along the way to better serve our community’s mikvah needs. One of the most important: WE NEED MORE GUIDES! To learn more, call 503-245-6449.
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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.
