May 1 - Writing Group Oneg, 40th Anniversary Celebration, Happy Hour
HAVURAH HAPPENINGS: (1) Upcoming Shabbat: Friday Oneg with the Writing Group, Bat Mitzvah of Eliza Kerstetter, Tot Shabbat (2) Death Cafe (3) Annual Cemetery Beautification Day (4) Happy Hour for New & New-ish Members (5) 350PDX Climate Change Talk by Mary DeMocker: The Parents’ Guide to Climate Revolution (6) Sanctuary Committee Meeting (7) Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner & Service (8) Enountering the Other: The Teaching of Martin Buber (9) Song of Miriam Award Brunch (10) 40th Anniversary Celebration (11) Have a Question About Havurah? (12) Poverty & Homelessness Workgroup Update
COMMUNITY NEWS: (1) Yom Hashoah Commemorative Celebration (2) Poverty in Portland: Root Causes & Strategies (3) Packing Food Boxes for Lift Urban Portland
(1) UPCOMING SHABBAT
Shabbat Oneg with the Writing Group, Friday, May 3, 6:30-8:00 pm – The current Havurah Writing Group will share short, reflective works we have been developing over the past two months in our Thursday evening gatherings. This will be a fast-moving, lyrically-compelling, and plain old-fashioned evening of unfinished and far from perfect, creative expression. Oneg to follow. Questions? Contact David Kertzner at: dkertzner@proactive-english.com.
Bat Mitzvah of Eliza Kerstetter, Saturday, May 4, 10:00 am – This Saturday, Eliza Kerstetter, daughter of Jessie and Brad Kerstetter, will be called to the Torah as a bat mitzvah. Please join us in celebration and welcome Eliza as a member of our community!
Tot Shabbat, Saturday, May 4, 10:30-11:30 am – Young children (0-5) and their parents celebrate Shabbat with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. We will touch on the main highlights of the Shabbat service: wonder, fun, song, listening to the world, dancing, and Torah. Afterward we will enjoy an informal oneg nosh and the chance to play and schmooze. Please RSVP hereand bring a vegetarian nosh to share.
(2) Death Cafe at Havurah Shalom, Sunday, May 5, 10:00 am-12:00 noon – At a Death Café folks gather to converse about the ever so many aspects of dying and death, including but not limited to end-of-life paperwork, the multitude of feelings about caring for one who is ill/dying, what might a good death look like, grieving, celebrating and any/everything else this topic inspires for you. This is not a therapy or counseling group. Feel free to speak or just listen. Or both. Completely confidential. For those who are 21 and over. Refreshments will be available. Please join us. RSVP here with your email address and preferred phone number. Questions? Email Buff Neretin at aurorasilks@gmail.com.
(3) Annual Cemetery Beautification Day, Sunday, May 5, 1:00-3:00 pm, 5656 SW Humphrey – We will gather at our cemetery to garden and honor our relatives who are no longer with us.
(4) Happy Hour for New, New-ish & Prospective Members, Sunday, May 5, 4:30-6:30 pm, Havurah Shalom – Happy Hour: A chance to connect for new members, new-ish members, prospective members, and all members seeking more connection. In the spirit of Panim el Panim: Encountering one Another, we'll meet face-to-face to shmooze, nosh, kibbutz, and learn about Havurah happenings ... and we'll leave with something "more" in us as we embrace Panim el Panim. According to Philosopher Martin Buber, a face gazing into another face is a moment of "revelation." All ages welcome! Childcare provided. RSVP here if you can join us. Please include names and ages of children when you RSVP.
(5) 350PDX Climate Change Talk by Mary DeMocker: The Parents’ Guide to Climate Revolution, Tuesday, May 7, 7:00-8:30 pm – Join us for an inspiring evening filled with practical advice that will leave you and your family feeling empowered to engage in positive climate solutions, no matter how busy you are. Mary DeMocker’s book The Parents’ Guide to Climate Revolution: 100 Ways to Build a Fossil-Free Future, Raise Empowered Kids, and Still Get a Good Night’s Sleep, is a finalist for the 2019 Oregon Book Award and has been featured on Yale Climate Connections and recommended in The New York Times. DeMocker is the co-founder and former creative director of 350 Eugene and has written about climate recovery for many publications, including The Sun and The Oregonian. Visit marydemocker.com to learn more. Sponsored by NW Neighborhood Team of 350PDX, The Wetlands Conservancy, ECO (Ecology in Classrooms & Outdoors) and Havurah Shalom Climate Action Team. Questions? Contact Steve Birkel at sjbirkel@gmail.com.
(6) Sanctuary Committee Meeting, Thursday, May 9, 7:00-9:00 pm – In the past month, 22 Havurahniks participated in an awesome IMIrJ Advocacy Day in Salem, we organized and lifted our collective voices at the Last Thursday Passover Vigil at ICE and we continue to build relationships through our intercambio program. Please come to our next meeting as we come together to explore future programming, debrief current actions and discuss our shared mission and vision with the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ). Questions? Email shari.raider@gmail.com or Bob Brown rebrown47@gmail.com.
(7) Kabbalat Shabbat, Friday, May 10, 6:30 pm Dinner, 7:30 pm Service – Join us for a catered vegetarian dinner at 6:30 pm, followed by a short, musical service at 7:30 pm. RSVP herefor the dinner by Sunday, May 5. For cost adjustments, call 503-248-4662 ext. 2. No RSVP is required for the service. Just join us as we welcome Shabbat! Childcare is provided.
Make New Connections at Kabbalat Shabbat Dinners – For the next three months, Kabbalat Shabbat dinners will offer an opportunity for members to meet “new faces” and make new connections within our community. This is entirely optional. We know that these dinners provide a welcome opportunity for many to catch up with old friends. For members who choose to participate, we will offer reserved seating at “New Connections” tables, where you will have an opportunity to talk to someone you do not know, or do not know well. The new Kabbalat dinner form will have a place for you to indicate if you wish to be seated at a New Connections table.
(8) Encountering the Other: The Teaching of Martin Buber, Wednesdays, May 15, 22 & 29, 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. Register here.
(9) Song of Miriam Brunch Honoring Nancy Becker, Sunday, June 2, 10:00 am-12:15 pm, MJCC – Havurah is honoring Nancy Becker at this year's Song of Miriam Brunch. Nancy has been involved in many different areas of Havurah and is known for her Tikkun Olam efforts and for representing us at the Jewish Community Relations Council. Nancy is also our current Fundraising Committee Chair. Register for the brunch using the form linked here. We will be saving a table for Havurahniks. Let Debbi Nadell know (debbinadell@gmail.com) if you want a seat at the Havurah table.
(10) Havurah 40th Anniversary Celebration, Sunday, May 19, 5:00-8:00 pm, Havurah – Havurah Shalom is 40 years old! Join us to celebrate and support your favorite community with shmoozing, food, drink and music! Whether you've been a member for one year or for 40, our party will be a great time to reflect on our history and look forward to the next 40 years! Party is for members ages 21 and over. If you aren't available on May 19, you can donate to our Mitzvah Moment at the RSVP link below. Questions? Contact Debbi Nadell, debbinadell@gmail.com. RSVP here.
(11) 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.
(12) Poverty and Homelessness Workgroup Update – On April 30, the Family Winter Shelter (FWS) coordinated by Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) closed, having met its goal to house throughout our winter whatever number of families comprise the 75 person limit. In the spirit of Tikkun Olam, Havurah played a formidable role in volunteer hours at the shelter as well as meal preparation at home and at Havurah. We will continue to support PHFS at its new site in the Lents neighborhood throughout the year. To volunteer an orientation is required. For info about PHFS orientations please contact Havurah memeber Gloria Halper at losninos6@gmail.com.
COMMUNITY NEWS
(1) Yom Hashoah Commemorative Service, Wednesday, May 1, 7:00 pm, Congregation Neveh Shalom, 2900 SW Peaceful Lane – Yom Hashoah commemorates those who perished and those who survived the Holocaust, and the generations that have carried on the legacy of our community. The topic is heavy but our focus is hopeful. Join in a musical performance of two songs by Cantor Eyal Bitton. We invite all generations of descendants of the Holocaust as well as anyone else who would like to participate to join for a performance rehearsal on Monday, April 29, at 7 pm, in the Stampfer Chapel at Neveh Shalom. The service is sponsored by the Oregon Board of Rabbis and the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education.
(2) Interfaith Alliance on Poverty Presents Poverty in Portland: Root Causes & Strategies, Monday, May 13, 6:30-8:30 pm, Madeleine Parish Center, 3123 NE 24th Ave, Portland – 6:30 pm, pizza, beverages, cookies; 7:00 pm, Mayor Ted Wheeler’s presentation with time for Q & A; 8:00 pm small table debriefs. Please register by May 6 to bonniejgregg@msn.com. Childcare available, pre-registration required. No charge, but free-will offering appreciated. Havurah Shalom is a partner with the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty in Portland.
(3) Packing Food Boxes for Lift UP, Wednesday, May 22, 2:00-3:30 pm, Lift UP warehouse (in U-Store facility), 2860 NW 29th Ave, Portland– DATE CHANGE! Our food box packing at Lift Urban Portland’s warehouse has changed from May 15 to May 22 at 2:00 pm. We’ll be packing boxes to be delivered to residents in low-income housing in northwest and downtown Portland. The warehouse is at 2860 NW 29th Ave. This will take about 60-90 minutes, no heavy lifting, families welcomed. WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS. Havurah Shalom is a supporter of Lift UP. Questions? Please contact Ruth Feldman at 503-530-0072 or ruthtenzerfeldman@gmail.com. Thanks!
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Havurah Shalom is a vibrant, diverse, participatory Jewish community steeped in Jewish values promoting 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.
