July 17 - Interfaith Alliance on Poverty, Walk with Immigrants & Refugees
(1) Upcoming Shabbat: Bar Mitzvah of Milo Schwartz (2) Hebrew Teacher for Youth Needed (3) Amateur or Pro Filmmaker Needed (4) Portland Homeless Family Solutions Orientation (5) Interfaith Alliance on Poverty "Coming Home Party" (6) Interfaith Alliance on Poverty Opportunities to Help (7) Walk With Immigrants and Refugees (8) Book Discussion of The Tortilla Curtain(9) Amazing Jewish Conference in Portland (10) Play Reading of "God of Vengeance" in Preparation for "Indecent" Shabbaton (11) Training with Catholic Charities to Support Refugees (12) Minutes from Annual Congregation Meeting
This week's Torah portion, Balak, involves interesting interactions with a donkey. The above painting of a donkey is by Santa Fe artist Barbara Meikle.
(1) Bar Mitzvah of Milo Schwartz, Saturday, July 20, 10:00 am – This Saturday, Milo Schwartz, son of Marla Pallin and Joel Martinez, will be called to the Torah as a bar mitzvah. Please join us in celebrating with Milo and his family, and welcome Milo as a member of our community.
(2) Hebrew Teacher for Youth Needed – Havurah Shalom seeks a part-time teacher for youth ages 8-10, who can teach beginning Hebrew reading with a very clear Tora Aura curriculum. Hours of instruction are 16 Saturdays (already scheduled) between Sept. 21 and May 9, 1:30-2:40 pm, at Havurah. 7-14 children per class. Competitive compensation. Please contact Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, Education Director, deborah@havurahshalom.org; describe your experience and expertise.
(3) Amateur (or Pro) Filmmaker Needed! – Would you like to collaborate with Deborah Eisenbach-Budner on a short and casual movie (5-8 minutes) that we could use to help celebrate Shabbat School's 40th Birthday on November 23 (and put on our website after that). The vision is 2-3 minutes of interviews interspersed with photos from the last 40 years and some fun music from our own musicians. Youth (high school, college age) filmmaker or adult is great! Contact Deborah Eisenbach-Budner (deborah@havurahshalom.org).
(4) Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) Orientation, Thursday, July 18, 5:00-6:00 pm, PHFS Lent Location (address given when you sign up to attend) – The building in the Lents neighborhood purchased by PHFS is just a few months away from opening its doors to approximately 26 homeless families. These families will not have to move between two buildings for day and night shelter as in the past. Join our very dedicated, active group of Havurah volunteers at the Lents shelter by attending a PHFS orientation. Next one is at the Lents building on July 18 from 5:00-6:00 pm. RSVP at TC@pdxhfs.org. PHFS questions? Email John Devlin (Havurah member and PHFS board member) or Gloria Halper (Havurah member and PHFS coordinator). Their email addresses are listed in Havurah's online directory, which every member who is logged in can access.
(5) Interfaith Alliance on Poverty "Coming Home Party," Saturday, July 20, 11:00 am-2:00 pm, Oak Leaf Mobile Home Park, 4556 NE Killingsworth (Parking at St. Charles Church, 5310 NE 42nd Ave) – As partners of the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty, Havurah Shalom is invited to visit and view the Oak Leaf Mobile Home Park, which reports describe as being 'like new.' There will be barbeque and music. Over the last nine months, Oak Leaf residents have been living temporarily off-site while St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County (nonprofit park owners) made improvements to the park, including new mobile homes, a community center and food pantry, and kids' play area. These changes were possible because residents and neighbors came together to protect the park from closure in 2016. Let’s come together again and welcome home Oak Leaf neighbors with food, storytelling, entertainment, and kids activities. If you are able, bring canned food to kick-start the food pantry! Questions? Email Gloria Halper or Steve Rudman. Their email addresses are in our online directory, which logged in members can find at the bottom of the drop-down menu under "Community." You can read the latest Interfaith Alliance on Poverty newsletter here.
(6) The Interfaith Alliance on Poverty – Havurah is still a fairly new partner of the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty. Here are some “hands on” opportunities for us: 1) Renovation of the Oak Leaf Mobile Home Park. The residents will be moving back gradually over the coming weeks, and they can use help unpacking, sorting through stored items, etc. If able to assist, please contact Nicole Jones, Resident Services, St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County, nicole.jones@svdp.us, 541-214-0546. 2) The Walnut Park Shelter (at MLK and Killingsworth) continues to be open. Some congregations helped a lot with preparing dinner during the colder months; this has dropped off and there is need now for groups to help. Please contact Emily Coleman, Volunteer Coordinator with Transition Projects, 503-488-7745, emily.coleman@tprojects.org. 3) Help continues to be needed this summer with Agape Village and the building of tiny houses. Please contact Ron Clark for specific times at rclark@agapecoc.com or by phone at 503-313-5329. Interfaith Alliance on Poverty contacts are Co-Chairs Carol Turner and David Groff, carol@carolfturner.com or dgroff45@yahoo.com Havurah contacts are Gloria Halper and Steve Rudman. (Gloria and Steve's email addresses can be found in our online membership directory.)
(7) Walk with Immigrants and Refugees, Sunday, July 21, 11:00 am, East Portland Community Office, 1017 NE 117th Ave, Portland – We are invited to meet at the East Portland Community Office for a one-mile walk to Knott Park, to WALK with Refugees and Immigrants as a show of support. This event recognizes the unique experiences of new Portlanders, of all ages and backgrounds. There will be music, food, and other activities for families, and the opportunity to hear refugee and immigrant stories. This Parks for New Portlanders program event is in partnership with Sunday Parkways, nonprofits, refugee and immigrant organizations, and local elected leaders. We are invited to participate on this walk to inspire a more compassionate, generous, and welcoming Portland.
(8) Book Discussion of The Tortilla Curtain, Tuesday, July 23, 7:00-8:30 pm – Originally published in 1994, The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle is very topical now. Topanga Canyon is home to two couples on a collision course. Los Angeles liberals Delaney and Kyra Mossbacher lead an ordered sushi and-recycling existence in a newly gated hilltop community: he is a sensitive nature writer, she an obsessive realtor. Mexican illegal immigrants Candido and America Rincon desperately cling to their vision of the American Dream as they fight off starvation in a makeshift camp deep in the ravine. And from the moment a freak accident brings Candido and Delaney into intimate contact, these four and their opposing worlds gradually intersect in what becomes a tragicomedy of error and misunderstanding. The book is about middle class values, illegal immigration, xenophobia, poverty and environmental destruction. In 1997 it was awarded the French Prix Medicis Etranger prize for best foreign novel. Discussion led by Susan Lazareck.
(9) Amazing Jewish Conference in Portland, Sunday-Wednesday, July 28-31, Reed College – NewCAJE’s mission is to connect, inspire and affirm all Jewish educators to build a stronger Jewish community, but many of the workshops and performances at the Portland conference this month will be great for anybody who is interested in Jewish life. See the schedule of over 200 workshops here or attend the pre-conference Shabbat and other learning, prayer, and entertainment gatherings. Special opportunities for Portland folks are the Intensives, which are a chance to study one subject for five hours (Sunday, July 28, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm) with a great teacher/expert or team (only $75.00):
Bringing Jewish History to Life Through Documents
Exploring the Outdoor Classroom through the Jewish Lens
Are We Educating All of Our Children? What You Need to Know About Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities
Houseless in Portlandia: Texts, Tours, and Tachlis
Walk Softly and Carry a Jewish Schtick: Jewish Nature Awareness in Action (A Nature Hike)
You can find complete information at //www.newcaje.org/home/newcaje10/intensive-seminars/.
(10) Play Reading of "God of Vengeance" In Preparation for "Indecent" Shabbaton, Wednesdays, Aug. 7 and Aug. 14, 7:00 pm, Havurah Shalom – To support the joint Shabbaton over Labor Day weekend with Temple Emek Shalom, Emily Simon will lead an informal, participatory play reading of "God of Vengeance," the play on which "Indecent" is based. Act I will be read on Aug. 7, and Act II will be read on Aug. 14. The evenings will begin with a short show introduction by Emily, who will then assign the parts based upon who shows up and what part they want to read. Hopefully there will be enough time after the reading to then discuss the play. Everyone is welcome to participate in either evening event (no need to attend both), whether they are attending the Shabbaton, seeing "Indecent" at another time, have already seen it, or are not seeing it at all. Please RSVP here for Aug. 7 and RSVP here for Aug. 14.You can read a pdf file of the play here. PLEASE NOTE: You will need to download, print, and bring your own copy of the play to the readings. Havurah will not be able to provide printed copies for attendees.
(11) Training with Catholic Charities to Support Refugees, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 6:30-8:30 pm, 2740 SE Powell Blvd, Portland – As part of Havurah's Tikkun Olam work to support refugees arriving in Portland, we partner with Catholic Charities. A number of Havurah members have been trained over the last several years to volunteer to support refugee families. Catholic Charities is hosting another refugee volunteer training on Aug. 13, and we hope some Havurah members will be trained. For more information and how to register, click here.
(12) Minutes from Congregational Meeting – Click here to read the minutes from the June 2 Annual Congregational Meeting.
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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.
