Oct 3 - Encountering the Other, Kabbalat Shabbat, Sukkah Take Down
(1) Upcoming Shabbat (2) Encountering the Other: The Teaching of Martin Buber (3) Sheridan to NORCOR Pilgrimage with Rural Organizing Project and IMIrJ, Oct. 4 All Day In Portland (4) Sukkah Greenery & Decoration Take Down This Week (5) Early Start for Wednesday Morning Minyan on Oct. 10 (6) Kabbalat Shabbat: RSVP for Dinner by Midnight this Sunday (7) Phone Banking & Canvassing Against Measure 105 (8) Havurah Ballot Measure Endorsements (9) Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) Chanting (10) Transparency/Inclusivity Committee Welcomes Your Questions (11) Screening of "The Reluctant Radical" (12) Refugee Shabbat (13) Fall "Having the Conversation" Workshops Cancelled (14) Book Group Discusses In the Place of Justice: A Story of Punishment and Deliverance (15) Climate Action Book Discussion & Beyond (16) Captain Ofer Erez Speaks at OJMCHE
The above photo of our sukkah roof was taken by Ellen Regal.
*** Please visit our blog to see if updates to the information in this email were made after the deadline for submissions, Sept. 28.***
(1) Upcoming Shabbat: Bar Mitzvah of Kai Paasch, Saturday, Oct. 6, 10:00 am– This Saturday Kai Paasch, son of Greta Klungness and Christopher Paasch, will be called to the Torah as a bar mitzvah. Please join us in celebrating with Kai and his family, and welcome Kai as a member of our community. Mazel tov!
(2) 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.
(3) Sheridan to NORCOR: Unshackle Oregon, 7 Day Pilgrimage (Sept. 30-Oct. 6) with Rural Organizing Project and IMIrJ, All Day In Portland, Thursday, Oct. 4, 10:00 am – Meet up with us at Elizabeth Caruthers Park and march a few blocks to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, where we’ll make our message clear: end the contracts in NORCOR and Sheridan. Join rural and urban Oregonians as we come together and march to several locations along the water, throughout downtown, and across the bridge where we’ll close in front of our congressional delegation offices at Holladay Park at 3:30 pm. All are invited to join us for all or part of the day. For more information on stops and a detailed agenda to share with your group, please fill out the registration form. Find all details here.
(4) Sukkah Decoration Take Down, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Oct. 3-5 – Can you help take greenery and decorations down from our sukkah walls and roof? Please let Rachel Pollak know if you can help, or just drop to help if you don't have time to email in advance. Your help is greatly appreciated!
(5) Early Start for Wednesday Morning Minyan, Oct. 10, 8:15 am – This Wednesday Morning Minyan will start early, at 8:15 am, for Rosh Chodesh.
(6) Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner & Service, Friday, Oct. 12, 6:30 pm Dinner, 7:30 pm Service – Our catered Kabbalat Shabbat dinner begins at 6:30 pm, followed by a brief, musical service at 7:30 pm led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians. All are welcome at the service, and no RSVPs are required. Advance registration is only required for the dinner. Please RSVP here for the dinner by midnight this Sunday, Oct. 7. Cost adjustments are available at 503-248-4662.
(7) Measure 105 Phone Banking – Havurah is taking an active role in defeating Measure 105, which would end Oregon’s 31-year-old Sanctuary law. We have set up three dates for our community to do phone banking together (it’s more fun that way!) and two for canvassing. Please sign up and help defeat this racist profiling ballot measure. RSVP for one or more shifts to Nancy Becker.
Phone banking (1259 Lloyd Center)
Thursdays, Oct. 4, 11 and 18, 5:30-8:30 pm, Lloyd Center (reminder calls, not persuasion calls)
Canvassing
Sunday, Oct. 14, 11:30 am-2:00 pm, 3645 SE 32nd (AFL-CIO)
Thursday, Oct 18, 5:30-8:30 pm, 1259 Lloyd Center
(8) Havurah 2018 Ballot Measure Endorsements – One way we live Havurah’s mission to promote acts of social responsibility is through political action. Havurah’s Steering Committee has voted to take positions on the four ballot measures listed below based on the close alignment of these critical ballot measures with work happening in our Tikkun Olam work groups: No on Measure 105 (Sanctuary), Yes on Measures 102 (Housing), Metro 26-199 (Housing), and Portland 26-201 (Clean Energy). Other measures on the ballot also need our attention. Please read your voter pamphlet and make sure to vote! Click here for more information. While over the years we have taken positions on ballot measures, we are aware that there is not always consensus within our community. We will be clarifying our process for taking political positions over the next 18 months. If you are interested in helping to develop that process, please contact Chris Coughlin, Tikkun Olam Lead.
(9) Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) Chanting, Monday, Oct. 15, 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. Each of these gatherings on the third Monday of the month is open to anyone – no experience, musical ability, or commitment necessary. Lev Tahor Chanting is free for members; non-members are asked to make a small donation.
(10) The Transparency/Inclusivity Committee Welcomes Your Questions– The Transparency/Inclusivity Committee welcomes your questions about Havurah! We will find the answer and publish the question (but not the questioner) and answer in an upcoming Hakol. It is our intention at Havurah that what you know and understand about our congregation should not be a function of who you know. So if you find yourself wondering about something related to Havurah, or if someone shares their question with you, we hope you will remember to send the question to info@havurahshalom.org with “For the Transparency Committee” in the subject line.
(11) Screening of “The Reluctant Radical," Tuesday, Oct. 16, 6:30 pm, Havurah Shalom – Doors open at 6:30 pm for time to mingle and enjoy delicious snacks, and program begins promptly at 7:00 pm. "The Reluctant Radical" is an intimate portrait of climate activist Ken Ward as he wrestles with life choices in deciding which direct actions he should take. As a last resort and with great trepidation, he elects to break the law to fulfill what he sees as his personal obligation to future generations. The film is an intimate look at how one person’s values and beliefs are put into action. We will have the opportunity to discuss Ken's choices with Ken after the screening. For more information, please contact Michael Heumann at heumanncycle@gmail.com or 503-880-2226. Presented in partnership with Congregations P’nai Or and Kol Shalom.
(12) Refugee Shabbat, Saturday, Oct. 20, 10:00 am– Over the Shabbat of October 19-20, the American Jewish community will dedicate sacred time and space to refugees and asylum seekers as part of HIAS’ National Refugee Shabbat. Join us for Shabbat morning services during this time of unprecedented attempts to close America’s doors to those seeking freedom from violence and persecution.
(13) Fall "Having the Conversation" Workshops Cancelled– Due to limited enrollment in the Oct. 21 and Nov. 4 "Having the Conversation" workshops, the Ma'avar Committee has decided to cancel them and to encourage people to sign up for the May 5 and 19 workshops. Registration is already open!
(14) Book Group Discusses In the Place of Justice: A Story of Punishment and Deliverance by Wilbert Rideau, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 7:00 pm– In 1961, Rideau, a disillusioned African American 19-year-old high school dropout, attempted robbery, panicked, and killed a white bank teller. Rideau was sentenced to death by an all-white jury in a segregated town. Rideau remained incarcerated for 44 years, many of which he suffered on death row and in solitary. Gradually he worked his way onto The Angolite, the prison’s publication, and become editor. He earned the respect of the warden, prisoners, guards, as well as the broader journalism profession, with exposés of the politics and economics of the prison system. Life magazine declared him "the most rehabilitated prisoner in America." After scores of lost appeals, Rideau was finally freed in 2005. This book is a searing indictment of the American justice system. Discussion will be led by Maud Naroll.
(15) Climate Action Book study and Beyond, Thursdays, Nov. 1, 8, 15 and 29, 7:00-9:00 pm– The Havurah Climate Action Team invites you to a book study and discussion on the deeper roots and local solutions to our critical environmental and social justice crises and how we can further these solutions in our Portland- Metro region. Real life economics is more exciting and understandable than you think! We will use, Enough is Enough, Building a Sustainable Economy on a Finite Planet, by Dietz and O’Neill, with two chapters from Frances Moore Lappe’s, EcoMind. Copies can be made of the EcoMind chapters. Supplemental pages and intro will also be provided from Paul Hawken’s Drawdown, and Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics. Attending all four classes is not necessary. Please email questions, syllabus request, and RSVP to Holisticooke@aol.com. Small fee for handouts.
(16) Captain Ofer Erez Speaks at OJMCHE, Thursday, Oct. 11, 7:00 pm– In honor of National Coming Out Day, a Wider Bridge is bringing Captain Ofer Erez to Portland to speak at the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education. Ofer is the first transgender service member to rank as an officer in the Israeli Defense Forces. During his army service, Ofer led an historical change with regard to the army's regulations on enlisting trans-gender soldiers and was an advisor on LGBTQ-related issues in the IDF and an adviser to the US and Canadian armies on inclusivity. This past spring Ofer completed his service with the IDF and became the CEO of the Jerusalem Open House, a long time LGBTQ community center in Jerusalem and the organizer of the Jerusalem March for Pride and Tolerance. Tickets are $10 through the OJMCHE website.
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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.
