June 27 - A Moral Emergency, Shabbat in the Park, Tisha B'Av
(1) Upcoming Shabbat (2) Who Wants to Go to Philadelphia for the Reconstructing Judaism Convention? (3) A Moral Emergency (4) Wednesday Morning Minyan on July 4 (5) Text & Torah: What are the Three Weeks & Tisha B'Av? (6) Shabbat in the Park (7) An Evening of Learning & Taking Action (8) Tisha B'Av Ritual: A Lament for Tragedy & Suffering (9) Getting Ready for High Holidays – Music Group Gatherings (10) Membership Dues Reminder (11) Next MJCC Concert
Please join us for Shabbat in the Park on July 13! (Learn more below.)
(1) Upcoming Shabbat - Bat Mitzvah of Sadie Gavriela Drucker, Saturday, June 30, 10:00 am – This Saturday Sadie Gavriela Drucker, daughter of Andrea Sanchez and Benjamin Drucker, will be called to the Torah as a bat mitzvah. Please join us in celebrating with Sadie and her family, and welcome her as a member of our community!
(2) Who Wants to Go to Philadelphia for the Reconstructing Judaism Convention? – Have you ever davened with 400 joyous people who have come long distances just to be with you? Have you ever been to a convention where 400 people brought their own traditions to share with you? That's what a Reconstructionist convention is like. Please join me at the Reconstructing Judaism Convention in Philadelphia Nov. 15-18. A generous donor has offered $5,000, which we will provide in four $1,250 scholarships towards a significant portion of the registration, flight, and hotel for four members. Space is still available! Email Andy Gordon at andygordon1017@gmail.com by Thursday, June 28, if you are interested. Early Bird rate ends 6/30! Learn more here. Julia Lager-Mesulam
(3) A Moral Emergency – Following Havurah's commitment as a Sanctuary congregation and longtime membership in the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ), our Steering Committee voted to add Havurah Shalom's signature to Bend the Arc's State of Moral Emergency protesting the Trump administration's inhumane immigration policies. You can read and sign it here as an individual. Also, last Thursday Rabbi Benjamin joined IMIrJ spiritual and religious leaders in speaking out on behalf of detainees at the federal penitentiary in Sheridan, Oregon. Watch KGW's video here. And last Friday, Havurah members joined Shir Tikvah and others for a Kabbalat Shabbat at the OccupyICEPDX encampment at 4310 SW Macadam Ave. Barbara Gundle took these photos.
(4) Morning Minyan, Wednesday, July 4, 8:30 am – Though Havurah's office will be closed for the 4th of July holiday, our Wednesday Morning Minyan will still meet at 8:30 am.
(5) Text & Torah: What are the Three Weeks & Tisha B’Av?, Saturday, July 7, 10:00 am-12:00 pm – Torah study led by Diane Chaplin will be followed by a shortened Saturday morning service. Breakfast and coffee will be served, including bagels and lox and gluten-free options. Please arrive early to eat before the study begins at 10:00 am. Childcare is available.
(6) Shabbat in the Park, Friday, July 13, 6:00-8:00 pm, Wallace Park, NW 25th & Raleigh – Enjoy a summertime Shabbat in the Park. We’ll gather at 6:00 by the picnic tables and sing the Kiddush and Motzi blessings at 6:30 before eating a potluck supper. Our musical Kabbalat Shabbat service begins at 7:30. Be environmentally friendly by bringing your own plates and utensils. However, we’ll have backup disposable supplies available. All ages are welcome. Shabbat shalom from the Spiritual Life Committee! RSVPs are welcome to help with planning but aren’t required.
(7) An Evening of Learning & Taking Action, Tuesday, July 17, 7:00-8:30 pm – Join us for a fun, informative, and community comment writing event. Members of Stop Fracked Gas PDX will open with a short play, “Folly of Frack,” an informative romp, followed by a community writing workshop. Doors open at 6:30 pm for information table viewing. Youth ages 10 and up are encouraged to attend. Comments are needed to stop Oregon's worst climate-busting proposal, the Canadian company Pembina’s proposed Jordan Cove fracked-gas export terminal & Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline. The 229-mile pipeline and export terminal would impact 485 rivers, streams, and water bodies. We need your voice let our agencies know how you would be impacted by the pollution and degradation of our rivers and streams. Please add your voice! For more information, please contact Elianne Lieberman, elianne97202@yahoo.com, Jan Zuckerman, ses_janz@yahoo.com, or Michael Heumann, heumanncycle@gmail.com.
Above Tisha B'Av photo is from BINA.
(8) Tisha B’Av Ritual: A Lament for Tragedy and Suffering, Sunday, July 22, 10:00-11:30 am – As tradition tells it, on the ninth day of Av the Jewish People suffered the destruction of both the First and Second Temples, as well as several other catastrophes. Jews gather each year to commemorate those tragedies, chanting the book of Lamentations to a haunting yet beautiful melody. In response to tragedies in today’s world, as we gather this year we will also acknowledge suffering that individuals and families across the globe are enduring right now. Through reflection, prayer, and ritual, we will open our hearts to these destructions, and turn ourselves toward working for healing and security for all beings.
(9) Getting Ready for High Holidays, Aug. 2, 16, 23, 30; Sept. 6, 7:00 pm (Daytime options TBD) – It may be summer, but the focus is now on High Holidays. Erev Rosh Hashanah begins on Sept. 9. Consider being a part of this year’s music! Typically, a group of singers and instrumentalists participate during Erev Rosh Hashanah and N’eilah, with more limited participation on Kol Nidre. There may be additional opportunities this year … TBD. We begin by exploring the music and themes of the holiday, so we can talk about which songs might be most meaningful to share. If you love to sing and plan to be with us over the holidays, please be in touch. If you can’t make all rehearsals or have concerns about the schedule, let me know. I'm sure we can figure something out. All ages welcome! There's nothing better than singing in the summertime. Ilene Safyan, Ilene.Safyan@HavurahShalom.org
(10) Fiscal Year Ending June 30: Pay Your Dues, Make Your New Commitment – First, thank you to Havurahniks who have already submitted their membership/dues renewal for 2018-19. If you haven’t done so, pleaseclick here to renew your dues commitment. If you are on automatic debit, pay unadjusted dues and there are no changes, nothing more is needed. But if you adjust or pay by check, stock or credit card, please fill out the forms. We have 401 members for whom we need to keep dues records. More information / more communication about your intentions regarding dues is BEST! And, as we approach the end of the current fiscal year, we ask that you finish paying your 2017-18 commitment. If you pay by check, please send it to Havurah Shalom, 825 NW 18th Ave, Portland, OR 97209. You can pay by credit card using this link. A 3% fee is added. Thank you. Karen Westerman Havurah Shalom Membership/Dues, Karen.Westerman@HavurahShalom.org, 503-421-4533
(11) MJCC Summer Concert by Moshav, Thursday, July 26, 7:00 pm – Internationally acclaimed American-Israeli rock group Moshav began when childhood friends Yehuda and Duvid made music together on Moshav Mevo Modlin, a cooperative community of farmers in Israel. As a sponsor of the MJCC Summer Concert Series, Havurah Shalom has been offered four tickets for each concert. If you’re interested in the July 26 concert, please email teri@havurahshalom.org. Cost: $10. Kids 3 and under free. Learn more here.
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Havurah Shalom is an engaged, 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.
