Sept. 5 - High Holidays, New Sunday Tashlich, IMIrJ ICE Protest
(1) Upcoming Shabbat (2) Returning Again: Spiritual Preparation for the Days of Awe (3) High Holidays Music Rehearsal (4) Faith Leaders Protest ICE Detentions (5) High Holiday Volunteers Still Needed (6) New Year, New Tashlich (7) Early Deadline for Next Week's Email (8) Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation (9) The Poetry of the Soul (10) Sukkah Decorating & Events (11) Simchat Torah (12) Asylum-Seeking Families in Israel (13) Hebrew Teacher Needed (14) Book Discussion of Union Square
Above photo is from last Thursday's Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ) protest against ICE detentions in Oregon.
(1) Upcoming Shabbat: Community Minyan, Saturday, Sept. 8, 10:00 am–Join Rabbi Benjamin, Chris Coughlin, Sam Sirkin, and other Havurah leaders and readers as we gather for the last Shabbat before Rosh Hashanah. In this week’s Torah portion, Nitzavim (“Standing Ones”), everyone is called to stand – all genders and ages, native born and immigrants – to enter into a covenant with God. We learn about freedom of choice and teshuvah, “returning” to the path of our most wholesome selves. In honor of Rabbi Benjamin’s completing a full year at Havurah, Sam will offer congratulatory words and lead everyone in a shehecheyanu blessing during the Torah service. As usual, a kiddush lunch will follow the service. We would love to have more Havurah leaders and readers this Saturday and on Saturdays in the new year. Learn more about the many Shabbat morning volunteer roles available.
(2) 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.
(3) Getting Ready for High Holidays with Music, Sept. 6, 7:00 pm – Join us tomorrow to rehearse one last time for High Holidays. Contact Ilene Safyan if you have questions.
(4) Faith Leaders Arrested in Protest Against ICE Detentions– Read about last week's Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ) protest against ICE detentions in Oregon here on our blog.
(5) High Holidays Volunteers Still Needed! – Volunteer positions are still open for High Holidays. Here are a few still in need of support:
Teen Break Room Attendant, Monday, Sept. 10, 10:45-11:45 am
Move Equipment to Storage, Monday, Sept. 10, Right after Services
Arrange Flowers at Tiffany Center, Sunday, Sept 9, 10:00-12:30 pm
Sign up here! Plus, it’s not too early to plan on bringing something to share at Break Fast! (Photo above is from the Daily News.)
(6) New Year, New Tashlich, Sunday, Sept. 16, 12:00 noon, Willamette Park, 6805 SW Macadam– This year Havurah will host a new kind of Tashlich gathering on the Sunday between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Whatever your age and stage in this journey of life, Tashlich is for YOU: younger and older adults, parents of younger and older children, teens, tweens, single people, non-single people, empty nesters, alter rockers, and more. Join us for a potluck lunch, followed by music and a Tashlich service. Enjoy the music, singing, engaging service, casting off ritual at the river, and Tikkun Olam fair. Learn more and RSVP here.
(7) Early Deadline For Next Week's Community Email – Due to holiday office closures next Monday and Tuesday, there will be less time than usual to compose next week's community email. Please submit your posts for the Sept. 12 email by noon this Friday. Thank you!
(8) Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation, Tuesdays, 12:00-1:00 pm – Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation will continue during September, except on Sept. 11, the second day of Rosh Hashanah.
(9) The Poetry of the Soul, Thursdays beginning Sept. 20, 12:00-1:15 pm – We will read the Psalms closely, one by one. How they lend voice to our oscillating emotions, engagement with a sublime Other, and a longing for refuge will help us honor our own truths. We will use English translations and commentaries and refer to the Hebrew. Taught by Rabbi Joey. RSVP here.
(10) Sukkah Decorating, Folk Singing, Alter Rockers Happy Hour – We expect our sukkah to be completed by Friday, Sept. 21. Your outdoor art, decorations, and creative energy are needed! Please stop by Havurah Friday afternoon, Sept. 21, or Sunday morning, Sept. 23, to add fabric, lights, ornaments, and greenery. Havurah has some ornaments, but we welcome yours. The sukkah needs to be decorated by Sunday, Sept. 23, 2:30-4:30 pm, for our annual Folk Singing in the Sukkah: Bring your voices, your instruments, and your spirit! We will have some copies of “Rise Up Singing” to guide us. Questions? Contact Susan Rosenthall at sarosenthall@msn.com or Judy Heumann at mjheumann@gmail.com. Or join the Alter Rockers for a Sukkot Get-together on Wednesday, Sept. 26. Come anytime between 4:00 and 7:00 pm, bring a nosh and whatever you are drinking, and spend some time shmoozing with friends, old and new! Please RSVP to sarah.r.rosenberg@gmail.com so we have an idea about setting up.
(11) Simchat Torah Celebration, Monday, Oct. 1, 6:30-8:30 pm – Join us for a family-friendly, joyous evening! Potluck desserts from 6:30-6:50 pm, followed by music, dancing, and celebrating Torah. Please RSVP here.
(12) Join the NW Effort to Help Sudanese and Eritrean Asylum-Seeking Families in Israel Find Safe Homes on a Kibbutz– There are currently 35,000 African asylum seekers living in Israel after fleeing violence and genocide in Sudan and Eritrea. Life in Israel has been very difficult for asylum seekers. In response, kibbutz communities around Israel recently stepped forward to help families currently living in dire conditions in South Tel Aviv. The Consortium for Israel and the Asylum Seeker wants to resettle 100 families before Sukkot, when we celebrate temporary shelter, and the kibbutzim need help to cover initial costs of moving, job training, apartment repairs, counseling, school supplies, and other expenses. Washington and Oregon have a goal of collectively raising $5,000 to cover one family’s resettlement by Sukkot. If you would like to help, please visit the Never Again Coalition's website for more information on where to send a check.
(13) Hebrew Teacher for Youth Needed, 16 Saturdays, Sept. 22, 2018, to May 11, 2019, 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.
(14) Book Group Discussion: Union Square by Meredith Tax, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 7:00 pm – Union Square paints a complex, believable picture of the life of socialist workers and confirmed Marxists within a Russian-born immigrant family in Manhattan during the tumultuous years between World War I and World War II. This book brims over with the passions and struggles of five indomitable women: Hannah Levy, the Russian immigrant matriarch; Sarah, a communist organizer who sides with the union - and against her Bolshevik husband - in opposing the Hitler-Stalin pact; Ruby, who covertly undercuts her department store magnate husband's business with her own clothing designs; Rachel, a wealthy widow dedicated to bohemian life and the pleasures of the Jazz Age; and Rachel's sister-in-law, Tish, a lesbian expatriate who seeks sexual and artistic fulfillment in the salons of Paris and Weimar Germany. Discussion will be led by Sharon Reyes. Questions? Contact Marjorie Walters at marjoriewalters@gmail.com.
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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.
