HAVURAH HAPPENINGS (1) Upcoming Shabbat - Kabbalat Shabbat & Community Minyan (2) Mother's Day Interfaith Vigil (3) Lev Tahor Chanting (4) Havurah Hike at Opal Creek National Scenic Area (5) Dorot Shabbat (6) Text & Torah (7) Tikkun Leyl Shavuot: A Night of Learning, Connection, and Cheesecake (8) Book Discussion Group (9) A Night of Reading (10) Annual Congregational Meeting
ANNOUNCEMENTS (1) Shindig Videos, Pics & Kudos (2) Program Director Opening (3) English Conversation Hour (4) "Keep the Change" & Portland Jewish Film Festival
(1) Upcoming Shabbat - Kabbalat Shabbat Service, Friday, May 11, 7:30 pm – Join one of Portland’s most musical and spirited Shabbat gatherings, led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians. No RSVP is required, and all are welcome! Childcare is available. (Photo above was taken by Barbara Gundle at our last Kabbalat Shabbat.)
Community Minyan, Saturday, May 12, 10:00 am - This Saturday, Karen St. Clair, Richard Goldenberg, Emily Simon, and Sarah Wetherson will read Torah, as we explore parshaBehar, which means “on the mountain,” and parsha Bechukotai, which means “my laws.” In these parshot, Moses receives the laws of the Sabbatical year, in which the land is to rest every seventh year, and anything produced on it is free for everyone to eat. We also learn the requirements of the 50th "Jubilee" year, when the land is to rest and all indentured servants are to be freed.
(2) Faithful Resistance: Mother's Day Interfaith Vigil, Saturday, May 12, 12:00-1:30 pm, Northwest Detention Center (NWDC), 1623 E J St, Tacoma, WA – Immigrant rights advocates will gather for the 10th annual Mother's Day Vigil in Tacoma. (See photo from annual vigil at the top of this email.) NWDC is an ICE prison for undocumented immigrants. This has been an exceptionally difficult year for immigrants and refugees under persecution from the current administration. The event is a celebration of faith groups’ shared values and determination to resist racism and xenophobia. Join the Havurah contingent at this fun, inspirational, and important event. Carpool meet-up for Portlanders is 9:00 am, Ascension Catholic Church, 743 SE 76th Ave. To carpool with Havurah members, contact David Newman at davnew2@earthlink.net. RVSP is not strictly needed but it's good to know who is planning to go.
(3) Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) Chanting, Monday, May 14, 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. Lev Tahor is open to anyone – no experience, musical ability, or commitment necessary. It is free for members; non-members are asked to make a small donation.
(4) Havurah Hike in the Opal Creek National Scenic Area, Tuesday, May 15, 8:00 am – Join fellow Havurah members for a hike in the Opal Creek National Scenic Area, led by Havurah member Jeff Gottfried. Hikers will leave Jeff’s house at 7040 SW 84th Ave, Portland, at 8:00 am. It will take about two hours to reach the trailhead. The hike will be fairly level, approximately five miles round trip through spectacular ancient forest with trees over 400 years old, spring wildflowers, waterfalls, and sparkling clear water. You’ll learn about the contentious battle that resulted in saving Opal Creek, "Oregon's Uncut Gem," from logging. RSVP to Jeff by Friday, May 11.
(5) Dorot Shabbat, Friday, May 18, 6:00 pm Service, 6:45 pm Potluck – Join us for this casual, family-friendly, and music-filled service. Beginning with candle lighting, Kiddush and challah, the service continues with prayers and music, followed by a vegetarian potluck dinner. Led by Jacob Mandelsberg, Sarah Shine, Gabe Adoff, and Tanja Lux. Please RSVP here.
(6) Text & Torah, Saturday, May 19, 10:00 am-12:00 pm – Torah text study will be led by Diane Chaplin, followed by a shortened Saturday morning service. We will serve breakfast and coffee, including bagels and lox and gluten-free options. Please arrive early to eat before the study begins at 10:00 am. Childcare is available.
(7) Tikkun Leyl Shavuot: A Night of Learning, Connection, and Cheesecake for Teens and Adults, Saturday, May 19, 7:30 pm to Late – Please join us as we celebrate the festival of Shavuot by connecting with the wisdom of our tradition and with one another. Deborah Eisenbach-Budner will lead off the evening with “The Book of Ruth: Witnessing Personal and Spiritual Change.” At the same time, David Feder will facilitate some meaningful discussion for teens. At 9:00 pm we will all break for cheesecake, followed by more learning into the night for those who have the energy. Rabbi Benjamin will lead us in exploring texts and images of Revelation and Witness, and how we might understand the notion of revelation as progressive Jews today. Please RSVP here, and bring fruit or a dairy dessert to share for the potluck.
(8) Havurah Book Discussion Group, Tuesday, May 22, 7:00-8:30 pm – Please join us for a discussion of Henna House by Nomi Eve, led by Maud Naroll. Adela, a young Jewish girl in early 20th century Yemen, lives with her garrulous brothers, ailing father, and bitter mother. In a hidden cave, Adela dreams while protecting herself from the Confiscator, a Muslim official who seizes Jewish children whose fathers have died. Racing against time, Adela’s family makes an engagement with a distant cousin, Asaf, whom Adela invites into her heart. When Asaf leaves town, Adela is comforted by the arrival of her aunt, a henna artist. As Adela grows, we follow her journey to the prosperous port of Aden, and departure for Israel in the famous airlift Operation On Wings of Eagles. This novel is a welcome glimpse into this little-known culture. Please RSVP here. Questions? Contact Marjorie Walters at marjoriewalters@gmail.com.
(9) A Night of Reading, Thursday, May 31, 7:30 pm – The current Havurah Writing Group will share short, reflective works they have been developing over the past three months in their Tuesday evening gatherings. Join us for a fast-moving, lyrically-compelling, and plain old-fashioned evening of creative expression. Snacks and coffee with these possibly soon-to-be-really-famous authors to follow. Questions? Contact David Kertzner, dkertzner@proactive-english.com.
(10) Annual Congregational Meeting, Sunday, June 3, 1:00-3:00 pm - Join fellow Havurah members at our Annual Congregational Meeting. Agenda items include voting on bylaws changes and voting on our annual budget. Watch this weekly community email and your email inbox for more information!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
(1) Havurah Shindig News and Update - Thank you to everyone who came to our party on May 6 and who contributed to our very successful fundraiser. We raised quite a bit of money! Details to come, after all of the loose ends have been tied up. Meanwhile, if you were unable to come to the event and would like to contribute to the Mitzvah Moment, please click below to make your contribution! Here are videos of Mitzvah Moment emcee Hymie Bloom, the Wichita Landsman (aka Howard Patterson), doing his schtick – plus juggling.
Did you take photos at the Shindig? Please share them with us! Send your photos to teri@havurahshalom.org.
Mazel tov to the Shindig organizers, Nancy Becker and Fran Berg!
(2) Program Director Opening – Help us recruit Havurah's next Program Director! This position will be a key member of Havurah's leadership team along with Rabbi Benjamin and Education Director Deborah Eisenbach-Budner and work in close coordination with our 400 families to help the community meet our congregational goals. You can see the job desription here. All interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to havurahjobpost@gmail.com.
(3) English Conversation Hour, Tuesdays, 12:00-1:00 pm, Ortiz Community Center, 6736 NE Killingsworth - For our Latin brothers and sisters to succeed, it is most helpful to be able to communicate in English. If you are interested in helping an hour a week at an English Conversation Hour, Tuesdays, 12:00-1:00 pm, please contact Deb Kallan at debkall2010@gmail.com. It is possible that the day and/or hour might change in the future.
(4) “Keep the Change,” May 9 & 10, Living Room Theaters & Portland Jewish Film Festival, June 10-24 – “Keep the Change” is the first feature film in which autistic characters are played by actors on the autism spectrum. The film begins when aspiring filmmaker David (Brandon Polansky) is mandated by a judge to attend a social program at the Jewish Community Center. He is sure of one thing: he doesn’t belong there. But when he’s assigned to visit the Brooklyn Bridge with the vivacious Sarah (Samantha Elisofon), sparks fly and his convictions are tested. Their budding relationship must weather Sarah’s romantic past, David’s judgmental mother (Jessica Walter), and their own pre-conceptions of what love is supposed to look like. Watch the trailer here. Havurah is one of the sponsors of this year's Portland Jewish Film Festival, which is June 10-24. Learn more 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.
(HYB) Shabbat Morning Shabbat, May 3rd 10:00a to 12:00p Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin (who is on sabbatical until July 1, 2025), this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. 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) 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.
