(1) Upcoming Shabbat: Kabbalat Shabbat & Bar Mitzvah (2) Phone Banking & Canvassing Against Measure 105 (3) Havurah Ballot Measure Endorsements (4) The Transparency/Inclusivity Committee Welcomes Your Questions (5) Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) Chanting (6) Screening of "The Reluctant Radical" (7) Refugee Shabbat (8) Book Group Discusses In the Place of Justice: A Story of Punishment and Deliverance (9) Climate Action Book Discussion & Beyond (10) Registration Opens for Weekend in Quest
The above art "L'Chaber" was painted by Havurah member Cassandra Sagan.
*** Please visit our blog to see if updates to the information in this email were made after the deadline for submissions on Sept. 28.***
(1) Upcoming Shabbat: Kabbalat Shabbat, Friday, Oct. 12, 7:30 pm –Our joyful and musical Kabbalat Shabbat service will be led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians. We will examine through music, narrative and spiritual references the impact Oregon Ballot Measure 105 will have on the lives of Oregon’s immigrants and refugees should it pass or should it fail. Although it is too late to reserve a seat for dinner, all are welcome to the service, and no RSVPs are required. Join us!
Bar Mitzvah of Kabir Josse, Saturday, Oct. 13, 10:00 am– This Saturday Kabir Josse, son of Anita Haeems, will be called to the Torah as a bar mitzvah. Please join us in celebrating with Kabir and his family, and welcome Kabir as a member of our community. Mazel tov!
(2) 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. 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
(3) 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.
(4) 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.
(5) 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.
(6) 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, heumanncycle@gmail.com or 503-880-2226. Presented in partnership with Congregations P’nai Or and Kol Shalom.
(7) 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.
(8) 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.
(9) 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.
(10) Registration Opens for Weekend in Quest 2019, March 1-3 – Modern Jewish Writers Reinterpreting Tradition – A Shabbaton: Weekend of Study & Community with Scholar-in-Residence Professor Naomi Sokoloff with the University of Washington. Professor Sokoloff will present four lectures entitled: Hey, Izzy, Listen Up! New Takes on the Shema; The Blessings of Women Poets; 13 ways of Looking at the Kaddish; and Prayer Shawls: Making Space for Prayer in Poetry. Professor Sokoloff will share her deep knowledge of Jewish literature and liturgy. The weekend also includes Shabbat services led by Ilene Safyan. Learn more and register: www.weekendinquest.org. Questions? Email mimiepstein42@comcast.net.
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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.
