Sept 20 - Celebrating Sukkot & Simchat Torah, Encountering the Other
(1) Upcoming Shabbat (2) CHANGE OF START DATE: 'The Poetry of the Soul' Starts Sept. 27 - Not Today (3) Calling on Some Happy Hands! Sukkah Decorating Tomorrow and Sunday Morning (4) Folk Singing in the Sukkah (5) Office Closures Sept. 24 and 25 (6) Early Start - 8:15 am - for Wednesday Morning Minyan on Sept. 26 (7) Book Discussion of Union Square (8) Alter Rockers Happy Hour in the Sukkah (9) Shemini Atzeret (10) Simchat Torah (11) Encountering the Other: The Teaching of Martin Buber (12) Photos from Last Sunday's Tashlich (13) Two Trips to Israel (14) Hurricane Relief (15) Workshops on Having the Conversation: What Quality Means at the End of Life (16) Rafiki Village Project Benefit (17) Early Deadline for Oct. 3 and Oct. 10 Community Emails
(1) Upcoming Shabbat, Community Minyan, Saturday, Sept. 22, 10:00 am– At our Community Minyan this Saturday, Maria Lisa Johnson, Roger Brewer, Emily Simon, Marty Brown, and Sarah Wetherson will lead, read Torah, and drash about this week’s Torah portion, Ha’Azinu, which means “listen.” In this portion, the people of Israel listen to Moses’ last speech, a song of sorts, in which he recounts their many struggles and the challenges that lie ahead.Please note that last week's community email inadvertently announced a Text & Torah session this Saturday, but we will have a Community Minyan on Sept. 22.
(2) CHANGE OF START DATE: The Poetry of the Soul begins on Thursday, Sept. 27, 12:00-1:15 pm, instead of today, as originally planned – In this class, 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.
(3) Calling on Some Happy Hands! Sukkah Decorating All Day Friday, Sept. 21, and Sunday Morning, Sept. 23– Two Havurah members have been working hard for many days to build Havurah's sukkah in our courtyard. Thank you, Daniel Raider and Michael Alter! Now is the fun part! We just need to add Havurah's light-weight bamboo mesh (new this year) to the roof, hang strands of lights along the edges of the roof, and add Havurah's colorful fabrics, banners, and greenery to the walls. Please add your own decorations, too! Come by any time tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 21, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, or Sunday morning until 1:00 pm. Decorating the sukkah is a great activity for families and groups of friends. Above is a photo taken by Gretta Siegel of a beautiful decoration added to last year's sukkah.
(4) Folk Singing in the Sukkah, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2:30-4:30 pm – Bring your voices, your instruments, and your spirit. We will have some copies of “Rise Up Singing” to guide us. RSVPs are helpful but not required. Questions? Contact Susan Rosenthall at sarosenthall@msn.com or Judy Heumann at mjheumann@gmail.com. The above photo was taken by Michael Heumann at last year's folk singing in the sukkah.
(5) Office Closures for Sukkot Next Monday & Tuesday – Havurah's office will be closed on Sept. 24 and 25 for Sukkot.
(6) Early Start for Wednesday Morning Minyan, Sept. 26, 8:15 am– Please note that the morning minyan on Sept. 26 will begin early, at 8:15 am, to provide time for extra prayers said during Sukkot.
(7) 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. Read more here.
(8) Alter Rockers Get-Together in the Sukkah, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 4:00-7:00 pm – Come any time 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.
(9) Shemini Atzeret Service, with Yizkor, Monday, Oct. 1, 8:00-9:30 am – Our Shemini Atzeret service begins at 8:00 am on Monday, Oct. 1. Please note that this will be our weekday service for the week, and we will not have a Wednesday morning minyan on Oct. 3. You can learn about Shemini Atzeret here.
(10) Simchat Torah Celebration, Monday, Oct. 1, 6:30-8:30 pm – Join us for a family-friendly, joyous evening! We'll have potluck desserts from 6:30-6:50 pm, followed by music, dancing, and celebrating Torah. Please bring fruit or sweets to share that don'trequire plates and flatware. Gluten-free and dairy-free options are welcome. We'll have an adult drinks table, too, so bring the beverage of your choice to share. RSVP here!
(11) Encountering the Other: The Teaching of Martin Buber, Wednesdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 7:00-8:30 pm – Martin Buber taught that “all actual life is encounter.” He insisted on our relating to the other as subject rather than object. During these sessions, half in the fall and half in the spring, we will engage with some of the wisdom of this 20th century Jewish theologian and teacher, aiming to shed light on our lives and the world today through considering his teachings, and exploring together the vision of community and society which they inspire. Taught by Rabbi Benjamin. Free for members, $10/class for non-members. RSVP here.
Rabbi Benjamin spoke about encountering the other in his Erev Rosh Hashanah drash. You can read it here: Panim el Panim: In Kinship with One Another. We hope to add more drashot from this year's High Holidays services soon. If you gave a drash during High Holidays, please consider sharing your words with those who may have missed them. Send them to teri@havurahshalom.org. This year's and previous years' drashot can be found here on our High Holidays web page.
(12) Photos & Thanks For Tashlich Last Sunday – More than 100 people gathered at Willamette Park last Sunday for a potluck lunch, Tashlich service, and Tikkun Olam fair. This was the first time Havurah hosted Tashlich the Sunday between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Check out these photos from the day and a thank you to all who made it possible.
(13) Two Opportunities to Travel to Israel – If you’re interested in the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland’s 2020 trip to Israel, you can learn more at an evening meeting in SW Portland on Thursday, Oct. 4, or a meeting in NW Portland on Monday, Oct. 29. Email pdxisrael2020@jewishportland.org to RSVP and for address/directions. Please contact Havurah's Bill Kwitman (wkwitman@gmail.com) if you have questions. Also, Reconstructionist congregation Beth Sholom of Salem, Oregon, invites Havurah members to join them for a Community Hike on the Israel National Trail, March 22-30, 2019, which they're organizing through Israel Experts. The 8-day tour of the Israel National Trail will include 5-7 miles of walking each day, with a 10-mile amble on the last day. Accommodations will be made in hotels with an option to camp out two of the evenings. Click here for details or contact Bob Choderker at bobthefish50@aol.com or 503-480-9650.
(14) Hurricane Florence Support– Please consider supporting the victims of Hurricane Florence. Donations can be made through the Jewish Federations of North America or the Red Cross.
(15) Having the Conversation: What Quality Means at the End of Life, Sundays, Oct. 21 and Nov 4, 10:00 am-12:00 pm– Previous year's Having the Conversation workshops have been so well attended and appreciated that Havurah's Ma'avar (Transitions) Committee is offering them again this fall. Using materials provided by The Conversation Project, trained Ma'avar workshop leaders will help people plan for conversations with their loved ones about what quality means for them at the end of life. Please RSVP here by Oct. 9 if you're interested. You can learn more about The Conversation Project at theconversationproject.org.
(16) Benefit Concert for the Rafiki Village Project, Sunday, Sept. 23– You are invited to a fun-packed evening benefiting the work of the Rafiki Village Project. Learn more here.
(17) Early Deadlines for Upcoming Community Emails – Because Teri Ruch, who composes our weekly community emails, will be out of town from Sept. 30 through Oct. 10, please submit your posts for the Oct. 3 and Oct. 10 community emails by Friday, Sept. 28. Thank you for your understanding.
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.
(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.
