(1) Upcoming Community Minyan (2) Shabbat in the Pool - For All Ages! (3) IMIrJ Protest Yesterday (4) Returning Again: Spiritual Preparation for the Days of Awe (5) Getting Ready for High Holidays with Music (6) Looking for Hebrew Teacher (7) Want to Represent Havurah at the Movement Level? (8) 20th Anniversary of Bien Estar at the Ortiz Community Center (9) Book Group Discussion of Shtetl by Eva Hoffman (10) Wise Aging, For Jewish Adults Age 55+ (11) Reconstructing Judaism Today (12) Hand In Hand Rally Against Israel's Nation-State Law (13) Urban Kibbutz Social Change (14) Tivnu Needs Furniture & Housewares (15) Call Mr. Robeson: A Life, With Songs

(1) Community Minyan, Saturday, Aug. 11, 10:00 am – This Saturday, Susan Brenner, Harriet Cooke, Maria Lisa Johnson, Richard Goldenberg, Karen St. Clair, Aron Klein, Olivia Silverman Scott, Ken Lerner, and Marty Brown will lead, drash, and read Torah as we explore the portion Re'eh (See). Re'eh includes the laws of kashrut and the pilgrimage festivals. Read more about this week's parsha here.

If you're interested in leading prayers, reading Torah, or participating in another way at Saturday services, we'd love to hear from you. Learn how you can help.

(2) Shabbat in the Pool - For All Ages!, Saturday, Aug. 11, 5:15-7:30 pm, Sellwood Park Pool, 7951 SE 7th Ave, Portland – We have the pool to ourselves from 5:15 to 6:15 pm, then gather for Havdalah singing, a story, and BYO picnic under the trees. This year we are collecting money to help the waterways around us. Please consider donating $5, $10 (or more). All donations exceeding the cost of lifeguards and pool rental will help fund Havurah’s Tikkun Olam work, in honor of the Climate Action Team’s efforts to protect 485 Oregon rivers and streams by stopping the construction of the Jordan Cove fracked-gas export terminal and Pacific Connector gas pipeline. Please RSVP here.

(3) Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice Protest Yesterday – Rabbi Benjamin joined other IMIrJ (Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice) religious leaders yesterday in a protest calling for the release of the asylum seekers imprisoned in Sheridan, Oregon. The protest included a march from Waterfront Park to the ICE facility in Portland. Watch these KGW videos to learn more about the situation in Sheridan and about yesterday's protest, which included the arrest of three clergy while Rabbi Benjamin led the protesters in singing "Wade in the Water."

(4) Returning Again: Spiritual Preparation for the Days of Awe, Wednesdays, Sept. 5 & 12, 7:00-8:30 pm – During the month preceding the High Holidays, our tradition instructs us to look closely at our lives. We devote ourselves to teshuvah, literally “returning”— to the path of our most wholesome selves and sincerest intentions. In these sessions, we will come together in support of this sacred work. Through close readings of texts on teshuvah, as well as contemplation and deep listening — to one another and to our own hearts and minds — we will aim to nurture the seeds of teshuvah within and amidst us. Taught by Rabbi Benjamin. RSVP here.

(5) Getting Ready for High Holidays with Music, Aug. 16, 23, 30; Sept. 6, 7:00 pm – 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. 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. Contact Ilene Safyan.

(6) Hebrew Teacher for Youth Needed, Saturdays, Sept. 22-May 11, 1:30-2:40 pm – Are you interested in working with youth, devoting some time to your own Hebrew learning? We need somebody who can teach beginning Hebrew reading with a very clear curriculum to children. Hours of instruction are 16 Saturdays before Shabbat School (already scheduled) between September 22 – May 11, 1:30-2:40 pm. 7-14 children per class. Competitive compensation. Please contact Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, Education Director. Describe your experience and expertise.

(7) Want to Represent Havurah at the Movement Level? – Havurah is affiliated with Reconstructing Judaism, a diverse organization of Reconstructionist congregations, seminary, rabbis and educators. Policy decisions are discussed at semi-annual plenum meetings. Havurah is one of the largest affiliate congregations, and Andy Gordon has been our Plenum Representative, whose primary function is to speak for Havurah at plenum meetings and report back to us. A successful rep must know Havurah’s current issues and communicate with the Associate Director of Affiliate Support, Rabbi Maurice Harris. This is a fun opportunity to see how the movement works, meet people from around the country, and learn from other Reconstructionists. We need a new rep to replace Andy as he will be moving to Seattle. Andy will be available for consult during the transition and beyond. For more information, call 503-313-6544.

(8) 20th Anniversary of Bien Estar at the Ortiz Community Center, Friday, Aug. 24, 2:30-6:00 pm, Ortiz Community Center, 6736 NE Killingsworth – Our volunteer work at the Ortiz Community Center has been the cornerstone of the community engagement branch of our Sanctuary Committee. Join us for this celebration. All are welcome.There are volunteer opportunities as well throughout the day. Contact Gloria Halper, losninos6@gmail.com, to sign up for a spot. Free food, music, games for children, and much more. Comida, música, juegos para los niños, y mucho más, todo gratis. **Please see flyer. Questions? Email Gloria Halper at losninos6@gmail.com. Please RSVP if you're interested in volunteering that day.
 

(9) Havurah Book Group Discusses Shtetl by Eva Hoffman, Tuesday, Aug. 28, 7:00-8:30 pm – This book explodes the common image of the shtetl, a lá Fiddler on the Roof, into something much more interesting and compelling. It traces the history of Jews in Poland over many centuries, the emergence of the shtetl and its characteristics, and the changes in the relations between Jewish and non-Jewish Poles from the 18th and 19th centuries and through the Shoah. The author does not ignore the continuing struggle over anti-Semitism in Eastern Europe and elsewhere. A mid-90s Frontline account of a young man who discovered in a cemetery in Bransk (a shtetl south of Bialystok) grave markers used as paving stones, who then reconstructed the cemetery in his cornfield, led Hoffman to employ a specific focus on Bransk in her review of this history. Discussion will be led by Marjorie Walters.

(10) Wise Aging, For Jewish Adults Age 55+, Four Sundays in Oct/Nov, 1:00-3:00 pm, Havurah Shalom – An innovative program developed by The Institute for Jewish Spirituality is being introduced in Portland by Jewish Family and Child Service (JFCS). A facilitated peer group will explore issues of aging through a Jewish lens; learn practices that foster resilience and growth; and create a supportive, confidential environment for reflection. Participants often describe the experience as transformative, "turning my worries into optimism." A pilot group is forming to begin in October 2018 to enable members of several congregations to preview the program. We are looking for a few Havurah members to participate for their own interest, as well as to provide feedback to Havurah on possible ways to bring a program such as this to Havurah. This opportunity was brought to the Gesher team by longtime Havurah member Barbara Slader, who will co-facilitate with David Molko, LCSW, of JFCS. JFCS asks a fee of $77 for the 4 sessions and class text. We don't want the fee to be a barrier to participation. Contact Barbara Slader at Bslader@Q.Com or 503-358-1629 if you're interested. Learn more here.

(11) Reconstructing Judaism Today – You can read the latest issue of Reconstructing Judaism Today here .

(12) Hand In Hand Rally Against Israel's Nation-State Law – Thousands of Jews and Arabs gathered in central Tel Aviv last week, standing up for shared living and against the Nation-State Law. Hand in Hand community staff planned and executed the event, which included the biggest public Arabic lesson in Israeli history and performances by well-known Arab and Jewish musicians, like Mira Awad and Ahinoam Nini. Read more here. Hand In Hand was co-founded by Havurah member Lee Gordon, Executive Director of American Hand In Hand.

(13) Urban Kibbutz Social Change – Ameinu, in cooperation with Dror Israel, is launching a new program called Urban Kibbutz Social Change. The first cohort of the five-month program will begin in February 2019 and is recognized by Masa Israel Journey. Participants will live communally in Haifa, volunteer in a range of social action settings alongside their Israeli counterparts, study Hebrew, and tour around Israel. “The distancing of young American Jews from Israel is well documented, and this program addresses that issue head on," said Ameinu President Kenneth Bob. “By living and working side by side with progressive Israelis who are making a difference in their society, young liberal American Jews will experience Israel with all its challenges and complexities. This will help the participants develop their own connection to Israel and the people.” Program and registration information available at www.kibbutzprogramcenter.net.

(14) Tivnu is Growing, Needs Furniture & Housewares – Tivnu: Building Justice the social justice gap year program that built our beautiful sukkah and that we have partnered with on low-income housing advocacy, is expanding their program to include TWO houses of participants. They need everything that you can think of to stock their new second home – furniture, a TV, metal or glass kitchenware, bicycles for 18-year-olds, etc. If you have something to donate to help make this house a home, or have questions about what their needs are, please reach out to Steve Eisenbach-Budner at 503-232-1864 or steve@tivnu.org. Thank you for supporting this organization, whose participants will contribute 15,000 hours this coming year to many of our most beloved local nonprofits.

(15) Call Mr. Robeson: A Life, With Songs, Friday, Aug. 10, 7:30-9:00 pm, Community Music Center, 3350 SE Francis St, Portland – This one-man show on the life of Paul Robeson is performed by Tayo Aluko, one of the actors from the Ashland Shakespeare Festival. Aluko is from Nigeria, and Robeson, a strong anti-colonialist, spent much of his time in Africa. Aluko revives one of the 20th century’s most impressive but overlooked figures in a powerful and compelling performance. Learn more and purchase tickets here. Questions? Contact Sue Danielson, daniels@pdx.edu.
 

Please use this form to submit stories for this weekly community email. Submissions are due by noon on Tuesday each week.

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.

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

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