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.)

(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.

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

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