Jan. 2 - Music Survey Results, Kabbalat Shabbat, Tu B'Shvat
(1) Upcoming Shabbat (2) Music Survey Results Presentation - Note Change of Time (3) Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner Deadline (4) Family Yizkor (Remembering Those We Loved) (5) New Volunteer PHFS Orientation at Havurah (6) Presentation by John Talberth & Tu B'Shvat Seder (7) Tu B'Shvat Tree Planting (8) Discussion of The Book Smugglers (9) Tu B'Shvat Book Reading by Havurah Authors Alicia Jo Rabins & Rebecca Clarren (10) Weekend in Quest
(1) Community Minyan, Saturday, Jan. 5, 10:00 am– In Parsha Va'era, God reveals himself to Moses, Moses and Aaron ask Pharaoh to let their people go, Pharaoh repeatedly refuses, and God sends multiple plagues, including the plague of frogs. How does this relate to our lives today? Share your thoughts at the minyan this Saturday. Please consider leading a part of the service or reading Torah. Learn how you can be a service-maker volunteer here on our website.
(2) Havurah Music Survey Results Presentation - Change of Time, Sunday, Jan. 6, 11:00 am-12:30 pm – Instead of having two meetings this Sunday, as originally planned, we will have a single meeting from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. Laura Ehrlich and Andrew Ehrlich will describe how the Music Disappearing Task Force came into being, outline their process of information gathering, report the results of the survey, and discuss next steps. Refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP. (Please note the time change from previous posts.) Questions? Email Andrew Ehrlich at andrew.d.ehrlich@gmail.com.
(3) Jan. 6 Deadline to RSVP for Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner. Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner & Service are on Friday, Jan. 11: Dinner at 6:30 pm, Service at 7:30 pm – All are welcome at our musical and upbeat Kabbalat Shabbat service on Jan. 11, and no RSVPs are required. The service will be led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians. Advance registration is only required for the catered vegetarian dinner. Please RSVP here for the dinner by Jan. 6. Kabbalat Shabbat dinner happens with the help of many volunteers! If you are a member of Havurah, please sign up to help when you RSVP. Childcare is available for kids ages two to eight. If you're interested in a cost adjustment for the dinner, please call 503-248-4662.
(4) Bob Brown Accepted to National Tikkun Olam Commission– Havurah member Bob Brown was part of the slate of approximately 20 members from across the country unanimously approved during the Reconstructionist Convention in November to serve on the Tikkun Olam Commission, jointly established by Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association (RRA). This national group will launch their work together in January with a goal of deepening tikkun olam work across the Reconstructionist world. Congratulations and thank you to Bob for taking on this role to strengthen our relationship with Reconstructing Judaism and to explore ways to link our social justice work with other congregations.
(5) Family Yizkor (Remembering Those We Loved), Sunday, Jan. 13, 4:00-5:00 pm– Has your family lost a loved one, who you continue to remember with your child/ren? We will gather to remember, share, sing, and reflect on the lives and the loss of dear ones – in a way that gently includes children and their experience. Your family loss may have been very recent or years ago. We are focusing this experience on children ages 4-14, but older and younger are also welcome. Please RSVP with names and ages of children. We will ask you to bring 1-2 of these: a photo, an object that reminds you of the person you are remembering, something that your family wants to share about that person through words. Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner and Rabbi Benjamin.
(6) New Volunteer PHFS Orientation at Havurah for the Family Winter Shelter/Lents or 13 Salmon, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 7:30-8:30 pm– So you've been reading about Havurah's volunteering with Portland Homeless Family Solutions, (PHFS) for some time now. An orientation could be your first step to becoming a volunteer or an opportunity to learn more about homelessness in Portland and the work that PHFS does. This is **A First ** PHFS orientation at Havurah for Havurah members only. Children can attend if they will be volunteering too, but their attendance at the orientation is not required. Space will be limited. RSVP with your name and the number of family members coming to Gloria Halper at losninos6@gmail.com.
(7) Wise Aging Pilot Group Invites New Participants, Sundays, Jan 20, Feb 3, Feb 24, March 10, 1:00-3:00 pm – For adults age 55 and up, this innovative program invites you to take charge of the next stage of life! Not a Havurah-sponsored activity, Wise Aging is offered independently by trained facilitators, David Molko, LCSW, of Jewish Family & Child Service, and Barbara Slader, a longtime Havurah member. The program is based on the book Wise Aging: Living with Joy, Resilience and Spirit, by Cowan & Thal. Group discussion is interwoven with mindfulness practices that strengthen personal resilience. Topics include: Life Review / Finding our Essential Self ... Independence / Interdependence ... Forgiveness / Reconciliation ... Living with Loss / Finding Light. There is a modest fee for the series (sliding scale available) and participants will need a copy of the book. Interest, questions? Contact Barbara Slader, bslader@Q.com, 503-358-1629.
Above is Georgia O'Keeffe's painting, "The Lawrence Tree."
(8) Presentation by John Talberth on the State of Our Forests & Tu B'Shvat Seder, Sunday, Jan. 20, 6:30-8:30 pm– Midwinter. The sap begins to rise in the trees. A time of reenergizing and awakening. Tu B’Shvat, the New Year of the Trees. With climate solutions significantly connected to the restoration of healthy forests, the Havurah Climate Action Team (HCAT) will host three events in honor of Tu B’Shvat. The first is on Sunday, Jan. 20. Forest ecologist John Talberth will offer a presentation on the state of our forests and how we can help restore their health and draw down carbon at the same time. Following his presentation, Rabbi Benjamin and the Havurah Climate Action Team will guide us through a Tu B'Shvat seder with ritual foods, song, and potluck oneg dessert. Please RSVP here.
(9) Tu B’Shvat Tree Planting with Friends of Trees, Monday, Jan. 21, 8:45 am-12:00 pm – Families are invited to join Friends of Trees to plant native trees and shrubs at Ibach Park, 10455 SW Ibach St, Tualatin. Please arrive by 8:45 am to sign in and enjoy some breakfast treats and coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. The planting starts promptly at 9:00 am. Friends of Trees provides gloves, tools, and guidance, so all you need to do is show up dressed for the weather and wearing sturdy shoes or boots. A maximum of 36 people can register from Havurah Shalom. At least one adult is required for every five youth 15 and under. RSVP by Jan. 7.
(10) Book Discussion Group, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 7:00-8:30 pm, Havurah Shalom – The Book Smugglers, by David Fishman, is the true, nearly unbelievable, story of the ghetto residents of Vilna, "The Jerusalem of Lithuania," who rescued hundreds of thousands of rare books, manuscripts, and cultural treasures—first from the Nazis and then from the Soviets—by hiding them on their bodies, burying them in bunkers, and smuggling them across borders. Fishman’s powerful account describes the “paper brigade” of Vilna (now Vilnius) during World War II. Discussion led by Ruth Feldman. This Havurah Shalom Book Discussion is included in a series of community-wide events leading up to David Fishman’s visit to Portland on Sunday, Jan. 27. You can attend his talk as well: 1:00 pm, Portland State University, Browsing Lounge (Room 238), Smith Memorial Student Union, 1825 SW Broadway.
(11) Tu B'Shvat Book Reading by Havurah Authors Alicia Jo Rabins & Rebecca Clarren, Thursday, Jan. 24, 7:00-8:30 pm – Havurah members Alicia Jo Rabins and Rebecca Clarren will read from their newly published books, Fruit Geode and Kickdown. Alicia's first collection of poems, Divinity School, won the APR/ Honickman First Book Award; she is a poet, musician and Torah teacher, and will perform live music as part of the reading. You can hear her Think Out Loud interview on OPB here. Rebecca is an award-winning journalist with extensive experience reporting on environmental issues; Kickdown, her debut novel, was shortlisted for the PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction. In the spirit of Tu B’Shvat, the authors will read passages from their books related to the natural world. The reading is sponsored by the Havurah Climate Action Team. Learn more and RSVP here.
(12) Weekend in Quest, March 1-3, Astoria, Oregon – 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. She will share her deep knowledge of Jewish literature and liturgy. The weekend also includes Shabbat services led by Ilene Safyan. Learn more and register here. Questions? Email mimiepstein42@comcast.net.
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.
