Aug. 7 - Tisha B'Av, Musical & Spiritual Preparation for the Days of Returning
(1) Upcoming Shabbat: Community Minyan & Shabbat in the Pool (2) Parking on Shabbat (3) Tisha B'Av Candlelight Vigil (4) IMIrJ Turn Out Time (5) Play Reading Tonight and Next Wednesday (6) Training with Catholic Charities to Support Refugees (7) PHFS Orientation (8) MACG Leadership Trainings (9) Book Discussion Group (10) Special Kiddush Lunch on Aug. 24 (11) Two Spots Open for Trope Class (12) Hashiveinu: Musical & Spiritual Preparation with Rabbi Benjamin for the Days of Returning (13) Interfaith Alliance on Poverty (14) Amateur or Pro Filmmaker Needed (15) Have a Question About Havurah? (16) Community News: Healing & Transformation for the Days of Awe
Havurah will join area rabbis and others of goodwill for a Tisha B'Av Candlelight Vigil at the Portland ICE Headquarters on Saturday, Aug. 10, to quietly protest oppression. Read more about the vigil below. Above photo provided by the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ).
(1) Upcoming Shabbat: Community Minyan, Saturday, Aug. 10, 10:00 am – This Saturday's leaders and leyners include Rabbi Benjamin, Emily Simon, Marty Brown, Elisabeth Lux, Susan Brenner, and Michael Alter. We will explore Parsha Devarim, in which Moses retells the story of the 40 years in the desert. Despite the many personal disappointments he weaves into the story, Moses concludes by assuring the people that God will be with them as they enter Canaan.
Shabbat in the Pool, Saturday, Aug. 10, 5:15-7:30 pm, Sellwood Pool – We've got Sellwood Pool to ourselves, for Shabbat games, followed by a potluck picnic and Havdalah. Music? Yes! Fun for everyone? You bet! RSVP here to save your spot and help us know how many lifeguards to request.
(2) Parking on Shabbat – Do you sometimes wonder where to park so you can attend a Friday night or Saturday morning service at Havurah? For several years now, Legacy Health Systems' corporate office at 1919 NW Lovejoy has generously offered free parking spaces to Havurah members and guests on weekends. Learn more about where to park here on our website. Please note that parking at the Legacy Health Systems corporate office is available only on Friday nights, Saturdays, and Sundays, when Legacy employees aren't using the lot. So for the second day of Rosh Hashanah, which is on a weekday, Havurah members and guests need to park elsewhere or take public transportation to the services, which will be held at Havurah instead of the Tiffany Center. Also, parking in the lot will not be available Nov. 22-23.
(3) Tisha B'Av Candlelight Vigil, Saturday, August 10, 8:30-10:00 pm, ICE Headquarters, 4310 SW Macadam Ave – According to Jewish tradition, on Tisha B’Av, the ninth day of Av, both the first and second Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed. Over the generations, as several other catastrophes are said to have occurred on this day, it came to represent devastation and exile in all its forms, both physical and spiritual. Traditionally we fast and chant the Book of Lamentations to mark the day, often sitting on the floor by candlelight. This year, we will join other Jews in our community for a Tisha B’Av observance in front of the ICE facility in Southwest Portland. As we light candles and publicly lament, we will do so in kinship with all those individuals and families imprisoned and enduring dehumanization at the hands of our country’s immigration enforcement system. We warmly invite all people, of any faith tradition or none, to join us in ritual, lamentation, and prayer. Sponsored by IMIrJ (Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice) and Rabbis of Portland.
(4) IMIrJ Turnout Time, Monday, Aug. 12, 10:00-11:30 am, Hillsboro Civic Center – When the laws and institutions meant to protect us fail to do so, we stand in the gap of protection. Oregon faith communities, legal advocates, and immigrant leaders invite Chief Justice Martha Walters to join us in this circle of protection by issuing an order prohibiting ICE arrests at our state courthouses. We'll gather at 10:00 am at the Hillsboro Civic Center, then move together across the block to the Washington County Courthouse for an action and 10:30 am press conference, where partners at the ACLU will announce a legal action related to courthouse arrests on behalf of a community member. A strong show of support would be most appreciated. RSVP and get the latest details here.
(5) Play Reading of "God of Vengeance" in Preparation for "Indecent" Shabbaton, Wednesdays, Aug. 7 & 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.
(6) 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.
(7) Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) Orientation, Thursday, Aug. 15, 5:00-6:00 pm – Havurah has been supporting PHFS on a monthly basis, filling all of the needed volunteer positions, since July 2015. Our PHFS Havurah volunteer list currently has over 70 families. Homelessness is something we all see daily in our city. An hour orientation is the first step to get involved. Orientations are at PHFS' new Lent location (address given when you RSVP). PHFS is just a few months away from opening its doors to approximately 26 homeless families; currently eight families are being housed there. These families 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. RSVP at TC@pdxhfs.org. 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 members who are logged in can access. Click here to learn how to access the directory.
(8) MACG Leadership Training Opportunities
Friday, Aug. 16, 7:00-9:00 pm & Saturday, Aug. 17, 8:00 am-2:00 pm, Columbia River Correctional Institution* in NE Portland, *Requires advance security clearance. Registration ends August 8.
Friday, Oct. 18, 7:00-9:00 pm & Saturday, Oct. 19, 9:30 am-4:30 pm, Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in NE Portland
Friday, Nov. 22, 7:00-9:00 pm & Saturday, Nov. 23, 9:30 am-4:30 pm, St. Andrew Lutheran in Beaverton
Havurah is a member of MACG, Metropolitan Alliance for the Common Good. MACG regularly provides leadership training based on the MACG organizing model. The training is focused on developing leaders to organize campaigns and actions that benefit the common good. There are three training opportunities coming up this year. The training sessions are free to all Havurah members.
You can see MACG's calendar on the MACG website: http://www.macg.org.
(9) Book Discussion Group: The Way to Spring, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 7:00-8:30 pm – The Way to the Spring: Life and Death in Palestine: Ben Ehrenreich, a novelist and writer for publications such as the New York Times Magazine and Harpers, lived in a particular West Bank village and documented its struggle against the Occupation. For this remarkable work of journalism, he received the National Magazine Award. The book has been praised as “a heartbreaking account of the brutal and often surreal realities of life under the Israeli occupation. After reading it, you don’t know whether to despair at the callousness and self-righteousness of human beings, or to wonder at their resilience and creativity.” (Yuval Noah Harari, The Guardian, Best Books of 2016) Discussion led by David Newman.
(10) Special Kiddush Lunch, Saturday, Aug 24, 12:15 pm – Dick Mastbrook is hosting a special kiddush lunch to celebrate his 90th birthday! Please come celebrate with us after services. RSVP to Arleen Slive, whose email address is in our online membership directory. Click here to learn how to access our online directory.
(11) Two Spots Open in Adult B'nei Mitzvah Fall Trope Class, Wednesdays, Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25 and Oct. 2, 7:00-8:15 pm – If you are able to read Hebrew, if you can attend all classes and agree to complete homework in between classes, this may be your opportunity to learn the fundamentals of leyning (chanting) Torah. Contact Deborah Eisenbach-Budner at deborah@havurahshalom.org for questions or for information about fees paid to teachers.
(12) Hashiveinu: Musical and Spiritual Preparation for the Days of Returning, Thursdays, Sept. 12, 19, 26, 7:00-8:30 pm – We will interweave singing High Holiday melodies with reflecting upon and discussing the themes and meaning of this sacred time. Everyone is welcome, whether or not you consider yourself a singer. Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin and others. RSVP here.
(13) Helping Through 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, 541-214-0546, nicole.jones@svdp.us. 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 or 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: rclark@agapecoc.com or by phone at 503-313-5329. Havurah contacts are Gloria Halper and Steve Rudman. (Email addresses are in our online directory. Learn how to access it here.) You can read the latest Interfaith Alliance on Poverty newsletter here.
(14) 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).
(15) 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. In June's Hakol, the question dealt with the issue of Havurah's growth. Our current co-presidents were interviewed to provide an answer. Questions? Contact Judy Steinburger or Fran Weick. Their email addresses are in our online membership directory, which you can learn how to access here.
(16) Community News: Healing & Transformation for the Days of Awe, Sundays, Aug. 11- Sept. 22 and Oct. 6, 7:00-9:00 pm, 2929 SW Multnomah Blvd – In “This Is For Real And You Are Totally Unprepared," the late Rabbi Alan Lew weaves a mystical approach to Torah in the weeks between Tisha B’Av and Sukkot. Rabbi Lew teaches that the seeds of the New Year, and our renewal, begin with the acknowledgement of our great losses, commemorated on Tisha B’Av. The ten weeks between this tragic date and Sukkot allow a deep introspective opportunity to run through our High Holidays. Through meditation, study, short free writes, and sharing, this weekly class invites participants to know these weeks and themselves through Torah and our Kabbalistic Tree of Life. If you have an interest in working with this powerful time of year in a small confidential group, please contact Havurah member Harriet Cooke. Class is limited to 12 people and offered at $180. Scholarships are available. Harriet's email address is in Havurah's online directory, which you can learn how to access here.
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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.
