Feb. 7 Email - Live the Chai Life!, Kabbalat Shabbat, Lev Tahor
HAVURAH HAPPENINGS - (1) Upcoming Shabbat (2) Live the Chai Life!: A Purim Celebration (3) Call for Actors, Writers, Chanters & Musicians! (4) Fundraiser Planning Meeting (5) Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) Chanting (6) Portland Homeless Family Solutions (7) February Book Discussion
ANNOUNCEMENTS - (1) Shabbat Morning Service-Maker Volunteers (2) After School Tutoring (3) English Conversation Hour (4) Rising Voices Fellowship (5) Community Concert-Neshama Carlebach
(1) Upcoming Shabbat, Kabbalat Shabbat Service, Friday, Feb. 9, 7:30 pm - Join us for an evening of music and celebration with Rabbi Benjamin, Havurah Music Coordinator Ilene Safyan, and Havurah musicians Scott Snyder, Andrew Ehrlich, Chaim Wolin, Chava Wolin, Steven Sandberg-Lewis, John Duke, and Tanja Lux. All are welcome!Above photo of Kabbalat Shabbat Service was taken by Barbara Gundle.
Shabbat Family Service, 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! This service will have a bare bones liturgy with a 30-minute teaching in which families will be in small groups by grade. We'll have only one aliyah at this service. Everybody is absolutely welcome. There will, of course, be mourner’s Kaddish. RSVP here.
(2) 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'chaiims. 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!
Tzedakah - Please consider making a cash donation for Portland Homeless Family Solutions to support family homeless shelters, or 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.
(3) 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.
(4) 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 if you can come to the meeting. And 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.
(5) 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 on the second Monday of the month is open to anyone – no experience, musical ability, or commitment necessary. Lev Tahor chanting is free for members; non-members are asked to make a small donation to Havurah.
(6) 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 & 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 & 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.
(7) Havurah Book Discussion Group, Tuesday, Feb. 27, 7:00-8:30 pm - Please join us for a discussion of The Yiddish Policeman’s Union by Michael Chabon. After 60 years of prosperity for Jewish refugees and their descendants in the "temporary" safe haven of Sitka, created in the wake of the Holocaust, their home is set to revert to Alaskan control. Homicide detective Meyer Landsman has enough problems in his life, his marriage, and his career. But as he investigates a murder that is committed in the hotel where he lives, Landsman contends with all the powerful forces of faith, obsession, evil, and salvation that are his heritage. The discussion will be led by Maud Naroll, who says “One of my favorites, this is an alternative reality, detective, love story, sometimes laugh-out-loud funny page turner.” RSVP here.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
(1) Shabbat Morning Service-Maker Volunteers – Our community Shabbat services are lay-led and rely on a core of volunteers with Rabbi Benjamin. We want to make sure everyone is aware of the opportunity to contribute and learn. We want to expand and diversify the cohort who make Shabbat morning community services happen. If you are interested in learning more about how to plug-in click here.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.
(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.
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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.
