Feb. 21 - Music MeetUp, Purim for Grownups, Purim for All
HAVURAH HAPPENINGS - (1) Upcoming Shabbat (2) Purim Celebration (3) Jewish Parenting: What is Going on in There Anyway? (4) Last Thursday IMIrJ I.C.E. Vigil (5) Music MeetUp - A Time to Play (6) Book Discussion Group (7) Portland Homeless Family Solutions (8) Kabbalat Shabbat (9) Discovering Shabbat Morning (10) Save the Date for Havurah's Premiere Fundraising Party
ANNOUNCEMENTS - (1) Share Your Hopes for the Coming Year (2) Shabbat Morning Service-Maker Volunteers (3) Rosh Chodesh Openings
(1) Upcoming Shabbat
Community Minyan, Saturday, Feb. 24, 10:00 am-12:00 pm - This Saturday, Maria Lisa Johnson, Roger Brewer, Michele Goldschmidt, Laura Orgel, Arleen Slive, and Sam Sirkin will lead, drash, and read Torah as we explore the parshaTetzaveh ("You Shall Command"). In addition to reading about the priestly garments and the mysterious urim and thummim in the parsha, we will read a passage in Devarim describing the defeat of Amalek. We read this each year just before Purim, as Haman is thought to be a descendent of Amalek. "Purim" means "lots," and some have speculated that the urim and thummim might have been used to cast lots. (Above photo is from the We Are In Israel website.)
Kiddush Lunch after Community Minyan - After a morning of tefillah (prayer) and Torah, the body gets hungry! The Spiritual Life Committee invites you to please stay for a Kiddush lunch or nosh after services this Shabbat. Come eat, schmooze, and connect. All are welcome.
Purim for Grownups, Saturday, Feb. 24, 3:00 pm - This adult education class will be facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin, and it is open to everyone. In certain circles, Purim is thought of primarily as a children’s holiday. And while there is ample fun to be had for kids on that day, the themes of Purim are quite adult. The Scroll of Esther tells of a terrifyingly precarious chapter in the history of our people, and the name of the festival itself means “lots” or chance. In this way, Purim begs us to encounter life’s uncertain and precarious nature. In this session, we will engage with texts and themes connected to Purim, and reflect together upon the ways in which it asks us to engage with our lives.
(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!
All are encouraged to bring hamantaschen and adult beverages to share!
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) Jewish Parenting: What is Going on in There Anyway? Windows into Adolescent Development, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 7:00-8:30 pm - Laura Orgel will help us clean some shmutz off the windows so that we can see more clearly. What is the work of adolescence? What physiological, mental, emotional, and behavioral changes might accompany that work? How do we, as parents, know when to sit tight (or loose) and when to worry? Deborah Eisenbach-Budner will provide a Jewish values and community framework for our learning about adolescent development. All parents and grandparents are welcome to participate in this frank and non-judgmental workshop. Led by Laura Orgel, Child & Family Therapist and Havurahnik, and Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, Education Director. Please RSVP here.
(4) Last Thursday IMIrJ I.C.E. Vigil - Thursday, Feb. 22, 10:00 am, Portland I.C.E. Building/Headquarters, 4310 SW Macadam Ave - All are welcome to gather in vigil as we express our support and love for families affected by I.C.E. detentions in Oregon. Join this monthly gathering to lift up the reality of what happens every day at the Portland I.C.E. facility - and participate in various, interfaith expressions and ritual in solidarity. Carpooling is encouraged as parking is very limited.
(5) Music MeetUp - A Time to Play, Sunday, Feb. 25, 4:00-7:00 pm, Havurah - A great way to end the weekend! And a great way to meet fellow Havurah folks who love making music. Any kind of music. Bring your voices, an instrument or two, a favorite song or two to share, and perhaps a nosh or beverage to share. Please RSVP to Ilene at ilene.safyan@havurahshalom.org with your name and how many people are coming ... and if you might be bringing something for potluck. (The above photo from Wikimedia is of a painting by Gerard van Honthorst.)
(6) 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.
(7) Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) Goose Hollow Shelter, Havurah Volunteer Night - Havurah's next monthly Adopt-a-Night volunteering at Goose Hollow Shelter, 1838 SW Jefferson will be on Thursday, March 1. For information about PHFS, contact Gloria Halper, losninos6@gmail.com, or John Devlin, john.t.devlin@gmail.com.
(8) Kabbalat Shabbat, Friday, March 9, 7:30-8:30 pm - Join one of Portland’s most musical and spirited Shabbat gatherings, led by Rabbi Benjamin and our talented Havurah musicians. Childcare is available. The service is preceded by a catered dinner at 6:30 pm, which requires advance registration. Due to space limitations, we must limit seats for the dinner, so please sign up as soon as possible to be assured of a seat. Registration will close when seats are filled; however, RSVP no later than noon on Wednesday, March 7. If your RSVP is being mailed, please let the office know. RSVP for the dinner here. All are welcome to attend the service at 7:30 pm - no RSVP required. If you are unable to attend the dinner, we hope you will join us for services starting at 7:30 pm.
(9) Discovering Shabbat Morning, Saturday, March 10, 10:00-11:30 am - Join this upbeat workshop/minyan where we will walk through the Shabbat morning service, learn about the general structure of the service, the key themes and prayers, and some of the choreography. We will practice some prayers together and answer questions. This service is especially for families with youth in grades 5 and up who are in the B’nai Mitzvah process, all adults who are curious or perplexed, and anybody else. Childcare is available every Saturday morning for children 0-9. Please RSVP in advance for childcare.
(10) Save the Date, May 6, for Havurah's Premier Fundraising Party! - Make connections, meet old and new friends, and have a good time! Join us in shaping/creating this event. We welcome you to join the planning committee to help create a beautiful, fun and community building event at our building. We’ll need your energy and input to make this a success! Please contact Nancy Becker at nancyjbecker@gmail.com or Fran Berg at bergfr@gmail.com to tell us how you’d like to participate in the planning. We welcome everyone, no matter how big or small your efforts may be. It’s gonna be fun!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
(1) Sharing Your Hopes - Thank you to the 65 people who already completed our annual survey! For those of you who didn't see the "Share Your Hopes" email last Friday, here's a summary of it and a link to the survey: As Passover and Spring approach, Havurah members are invited to share their hopes for the coming year to help in planning upcoming programs and activities. This year’s survey reflects a wide range of activities – some old, some new, some just being formed. Inspiring plans are underway! Please take a moment to share your ideas and interests with us.
(2) 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.
(3) Havurah Shalom Rosh Chodesh Group, Meets once a month on Rosh Chodesh (Jewish new moon), Location rotates among different members' homes - Calling all Havurah female-identified teens and women! Did you know Havurah Shalom has a Rosh Chodesh group? Every month we gather to celebrate the new moon, learn about the events/holidays/history of each Jewish month, and enjoy a nosh. Our group has openings for two new members. Contact Liz Schwartz at schwartzelizabeth@yahoo.com for more information.
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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.
(IP) Shabbat School Shabbat, May 3rd 3:00p to 5:15p This program gives children a foundation for lifelong Jewish learning and engagement while integrating parents and children in a caring Jewish community.
(ZM) Progressive Israel Network Sessions Sunday, May 4th 11:00a to 12:00p Havurah Shalom is hosting a four-session series from the Progressive Israel Network. Come learn in collaboration with representatives from five to six of the participating Progressive Israel Network organizations, including T’ruah, New Jewish Narrative, Partners for Progressive Israel, New Israel Fund, J Street, and Reconstructing Judaism.
All perspectives on Israel-Palestine, as well as all curious people, are welcomed and encouraged. Our guests will give presentations and take questions. You can register for all sessions, below, but it's okay if you can't attend all three sessions.
(Reconstructing Judaism, the central organization of the Reconstructionist movement, of which Havurah Shalom is a part, is a member of the Progressive Israel Network.)
(IP) Writing for Peace and Reconciliation, Within and Between Us Sunday, May 4th 6:30p to 8:30p Commemorate the last day of Pesach and Yitzkor in community Passover not only invites us to retell our ancient story but to look at our current reality and ask: what is our mitzrayim today? The obstacle in our personal and communal life? Where can we break through in an act of courage and compassion? April 20th & May 4th, 6:30 PM at Havurah, join Harriet Cooke for a writing/drawing group to explore this theme along with Yitzkor, the Sephirot and Counting the Omer. (It is recommended to attend either just the first session or both sessions.)
(IP) Jewish Ethical Responses to the Problem of Racism Monday, May 5th 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.
(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.
