Jan. 9 - Rabbi Waxman Visit, Tu B'Shvat, Book Reading/Live Music
(1) Upcoming Shabbat: Kabbalat Shabbat, Text & Torah, Bo Nashir Workshop (2) Family Yizkor (3) Registration to Open for "Thinking about Israel/Palestine" Classes (4) PHFS Volunteer Orientation & Training at Havurah (5) Presentation by John Talberth & Tu B'Shvat Seder (6) Tree Planting (7) Discussion of The Book Smugglers (8) Rabbi Deborah Waxman to Speak About Reconstructionism & Resilience (9) "Poetry of the Soul" Begins Again (10) Tu B'Shvat Book Reading & Live Music by Acclaimed Authors & Havurah Members Alicia Jo Rabins & Rebecca Clarren (11) Shabbaton Weekend with Joey Weisenberg (12) Have a Question About Havurah? (13) Jewish Grandparents Network Discussion (14) Story Swaps with Cassandra Sagan (15) December Steering Committee Minutes
Reconstructing Judaism President Rabbi Deborah Waxman will speak at Havurah on Wednesday, Jan. 23. Learn more below.
(1) Upcoming Shabbat: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, Friday, Jan. 11, 7:30-8:15 pm – All are welcome at our musical and upbeat Kabbalat Shabbat service, and no RSVPs are required. The service will be led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians. Childcare is available. Text & Torah: Bo, Saturday, Jan. 12, 10:00 am-12:00 pm – Deborah Eisenbach-Budner will lead a study of Parsha Bo, in which the death of the Egyptian's firstborn sons finally convinces Pharaoh to free the Hebrew people. Study will be followed by a short morning service. Coffee, bagels and lox will be served, and childcare is available. Bo Nashir: Music Leadership, Saturday, Jan. 12, 3:00-3:30 pm – We will play and sing together while exploring approaches to engaging our students through melody, rhythm, and meaning. No instruments required, but bring yours if you play. With Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah members. RSVP here. (Please note time change from previous listing.)
(2) 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.
(3) Registration Opens at Noon on Jan. 15 for “Thinking About Israel/Palestine” Classes to be Offered at 4:30 pm and 7:00 pm on Tuesdays, March 5, 12, 19, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14– Why did Eastern European Jewry come to embrace Zionism in the late 1800s? Was it inevitable that the revival of a Jewish national community in Eretz Yisrael would entail confrontation with the existing Palestinian Arab community and repeated wars with its Arab neighbors? How did a movement among a minority of Jews become the normative outlook for most Jews in the late 1900s? Why haven’t efforts to resolve the conflict since the 1979 Israeli-Egyptian Peace Treaty succeeded? We will address these and other questions without presuming to offer definitive answers. All points of view are welcome and will be respected. Taught by Prof. Joel Beinin, Havurah member and Donald J. McLachlan Professor of History and Professor of Middle East History at Stanford University. RSVP for the 4:30 pm class here. RSVP for the 7:00 pm class here.
(4) PHFS Orientation for Family Winter Shelter/Lents or 13 Salmon, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 7:30-8:30 pm + Bonus Training, 8:30-9:00 pm– New volunteer PHFS orientation AND training (keep reading) at Havurah. 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. Children can attend if they will be volunteering too, but their attendance at the orientation is not required. **EXTRA BONUS: From 8:30-9:00 pm you can attend a training that is now required for new volunteers who have never attended an orientation. RSVP with your name and the number of family members coming to Gloria Halper at losninos6@gmail.com.
(5) Presentation by John Talberth on the State of Our Forests & Tu B'Shvat Seder, Sunday, Jan. 20, 7:00-9:00 pm– Tu B’Shvat, the New Year of the Trees, begins the night of Jan. 20. 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. 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. We will learn about specific political actions that we can take. Following his presentation, Rabbi Benjamin and HCAT will guide us through a Tu B'Shvat seder with ritual foods, song, and potluck oneg dessert. The evening is co-sponsored by Havurah Shalom, Shir Tikvah, and Kol Shalom. Please RSVP here. (Above is a painting by David Hockney.)
(6) 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 at Ibach Park, 10455 SW Ibach St, Tualatin. Arrive by 8:45 am to sign in and enjoy a brief Tu B'Shvat seder and some breakfast treats. The planting starts promptly at 9:00 am. Friends of Trees provides gloves, tools, and guidance. Just come dressed for the weather and wearing sturdy shoes or boots. At least one adult is required for every five youth 15 and under. RSVP by Jan. 14.
(7) 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.
(8) Rabbi Deborah Waxman to Speak at Havurah, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 7:00 pm – Reconstructing Judaism President Rabbi Deborah Waxman, Ph.D., will speak at Havurah about the Reconstructionist movement and resilience during this challenging political climate. The first woman rabbi to head a Jewish congregational union and a Jewish seminary, Rabbi Waxman became president of Reconstructing Judaism in 2014 and is the movement’s leading voice in the public square. She is a cum laude graduate of Columbia College, Columbia University, and a recipient of a rabbinical ordination and a Master of Arts in Hebrew letters from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 1999. She earned a Ph.D. in American Jewish history from Temple University in May 2010. Rabbi Waxman is committed to visiting all Reconstructionist communities and has already visited more than 50. She is also the sister of Havurah member Andy Waxman.
(9) "The Poetry of the Soul" Begins Again, Thursdays, Jan. 24, 31, Feb. 14, 21, 28, March 7, 12:00 noon-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. Please RSVP here if you plan to attend, even if you RSVPed for the fall classes previously.
(10) Tu B'Shvat Book Reading & Live Music by Havurah Authors Alicia Jo Rabins & Rebecca Clarren, Thursday, Jan. 24, 7:00-8:30 pm – Nationally acclaimed authors and 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. RSVP here. Photo above of Alicia Jo Rabins was taken by Alicia J. Rose, and photo below of Rebecca Clarren was taken by Shelby Brakken.
(11) Shabbaton Weekend with Joey Weisenberg, Friday-Sunday, Feb. 15-17, Shaarie Torah, 920 NW 25th Ave – Havurah members are invited to participate in a Shabbaton weekend at Shaarie Torah with acclaimed musician, author, and teacher Joey Weisenberg. No community minyan will be planned at Havurah that Saturday to give Havurah members an opportunity to join the Friday night and Saturday morning services with Joey Weisenberg. The Saturday service will be followed by a Kiddush lunch and, later that afternoon, a singing circle. A special singing workshop is scheduled for Sunday. All events are free except the Friday evening dinner and Sunday workshop, which require a modest fee. The cost for all weekend events is $36. Learn more and RSVP here on Shaarie Torah's website. Listen to Joey Weisenberg's music on his website.
(12) Have a Question About Havurah? – The Transparency/Inclusivity Committee welcomes your questions! 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 send your question to transparency@havurahshalom.org.
(13) Jewish Grandparents Network Discussion, Monday, Jan. 21, 4:00 pm, Jewish Federation, 6680 SW Capitol Hwy – Join a discussion with Grandparents Network Co-Founder David Raphael about the role of Jewish grandparents in their grandchildren's lives. Limited space available. RSVP to caron@jewishportland.org.
(14) Story Swap with Cassandra Sagan, Tuesdays, Jan. 29, Feb. 26, and March 19, Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education – This winter Havurah member Cassandra Sagan, an ordained maggid-educator on the faculty of Reclaiming Judaism’s Jewish Spiritual Education program, will work with representatives of Portland-area social service and cultural organizations to shape their stories and present them in a series of Story Swaps at Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education. Read about Cassandra, the Story Swaps, and how you can participate in this month's Oregon Jewish Life magazine.
(15) December Steering Committee Meeting – You can read the December Steering Committee Minutes & Reports by scrolling down this web page.
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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.
(IP) HCAT & Partners' Climate Action Fair at MJCC Sunday, Apr 28th 12:00p to 4:00p HCAT invites you to continue with our climate action month by attending a community wide Climate Action Fair at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center. Cosponsored by the MJCC and the Jewish Federation’s Climate team, meet dozens of environmental organizations and discover resources for actions you can take. A series of speakers will talk about forestry, electrification, native plants and climate friendly foods. (And let Elianne Lieberman know if you can give someone a ride or are seeking a ride!)
Passover Minyan (Yizkor) Tuesday, Apr 30th 8:00a to 9:15a For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish. We will observe Yizkor today as well. We meet both in person and streaming online in Zoom Room Aleph. All are welcome. Please email info@havurahshalom.org for join info.
Experience the Omer: Making it Count! Tuesday, Apr 30th 7:00p to 7:30p [RSVP to be emailed a recording of the April 9 intro session.] The Omer is an ancient tradition marking time between the Exodus from the Narrow Place to the Expanse at Sinai. Explore tools and practices to facilitate your own learning and experience from Liberation to Revelation. We will have an intro class followed by half-hour check-ins, one for each Sephira. Led by Andrine de la Rocha. 7 pm, Tuesdays, Apr. 9 (Intro), 23 (Chesed), 30 (Gevurah); May 7 (Tiferet), 14 (Netzach), 21 (Hod), 28 (Yesod); Jun. 4 (Malchut) Led by Andrine de la Rocha.
(ZM) Book Group: Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders Tuesday, Apr 30th 7:00p to 8:30p February 1862. The Civil War is less than one year old. The fighting has begun in earnest, and the nation has begun to realize it is in for a long, bloody struggle. Meanwhile, President Lincoln’s beloved eleven-year-old son, Willie, lies upstairs in the White House, gravely ill. In a matter of days, despite predictions of a recovery, Willie dies and is laid to rest in a Georgetown cemetery. “My poor boy, he was too good for this earth,” the president says at the time. “God has called him home.” Newspapers report that a grief-stricken Lincoln returns, alone, to the crypt several times to hold his boy’s body.
From that seed of historical truth, George Saunders spins an unforgettable story of familial love and loss that breaks free of its realistic, historical framework into a supernatural realm both hilarious and terrifying.
Prayer Flags for Our Planet Thursday, May 2nd 11:00a to 3:00p This exhibit is about science and art.
It is meant to be a learning experience, about the top 60 solutions to climate change, as researched by over 5,000 scientists.
And most importantly it is about hope.
It is about learning about these solutions to climate change and
changing the hearts and minds of those around us,
so that we can all work together.
Anne Nesse, 2024
(ZM) B'nei Mitzvah Event Planning 101 Thursday, May 2nd 7:00p to 8:30p We will break the event planning process into manageable steps. Led by Chari Smith. We will meet in Zoom room Gimel
