Thursday Witness: IMIrJ ICE Vigil Thurs., August 29, 10 am, PDX ICE Headquarters, 4310 SW Macadam Ave.
IMIrJ folks will be hosting a vigil as we express our support and love for families affected by ICE detentions. Join this monthly gathering to lift up the reality of what happens every day at the Portland ICE facility and participate in solidarity in various interfaith expressions and rituals.
This Week
Contemplative Shabbat and Torah Study Saturday, August 31, 10 am - 12 pm
Even though many Havurahniks are heading to Ashland for the “Indecent” Shabbaton at the end of August, there will still be a Shabbat morning service at Havurah Shalom on Saturday, August 31. The service will include contemplative chant, meditation, and Torah study, and will be led by Tivona Reith. This intimate gathering will be an opportunity for inner reflection and preparation for the High Holy Days, as well as welcoming Rosh Chodesh Elul. Mourners Kaddish, Kiddush, and Motzi will be included.
Jewish Mindfulness and Meditation Tuesday, September 3, 12 pm
We gather on Tuesdays, from 12 pm - 1 pm, to find some moments of quiet and shalom. Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, Rabbi Benjamin, and Nancy Becker.
Two Spots Left in Trope Class Wednesdays, September 4, 11, 18, 25, 7 pm - 8:15 pm
Learn with Ken Lerner, master leyner! If you are able to read Hebrew, and 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.
Morning Minyan Wednesday, September 4, 8:30 am
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish.
Inside Havurah
High Holiday Packet Corrections
Unfortunately, several typos made their way into the High Holiday Packet that you just received in the mail. Here is a corrected PDF version for all your reference needs! Corrections are on third page in purple text.
Add Your Voice to the High Holidays!
Havurahniks, we invite you to add your voice to our prayer and celebration at High Holidays this year by submitting a “mini-drash” or kavanah to be included in our services. These short reflections or sharing of life experience, 2-3 minutes long, can be either in response to this year’s theme “Hineinu” or connected to the annual themes of teshuvah (returning / renewal / repentance) or forgiveness. The writing can be your own, or it can be a reading that expresses something true for you.
Send to rachel.pollak@havurahshalom.org with the subject line “Mini-drash 2019”.
- Rabbi Benjamin Barnett
Celebrate 40 Years of Havurah Shabbat School with Us
Let’s hear and see your reflections! On November 23rd, 4:00 pm, we will look back and marvel on 40 years of our unique and amazing family cooperative Jewish education model, while envisioning our future. Will you share some reflections, recollections, photos, memories of the Shabbat School experience for you, your children, your family? Deborah and Brad (Havurah’s new Communications and Membership Coordinator) will create a short film for our celebration. You can find out more by clicking here.
Join Us for Dorot Shabbat Friday, September 6, 6:00 pm Service, 6:45 Potluck Dinner
Please join us for a casual, family-friendly, and music-filled service. Beginning with candle lighting, Kiddush and challah, the service continues with prayers and music, followed by a vegetarian potluck dinner. RSVP here by Sept 4th.
Kabbalat Shabbat is Quickly Approaching! Friday, September 13, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Join us for a catered vegetarian dinner on September 13th at 6:30 pm, followed by a short, musical service at 7:30 pm. RSVP for the dinner by Sunday, September 8th. For cost adjustments, call 503-248-4662 ext. 2. No RSVP is required for the service portion. Childcare is provided.
Learn About the Upcoming Global Climate Strikes! Saturday, Sept 14, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm at Havurah
The Havurah Climate Action Team invites you to attend an informational event about the Sept 20th & 27th Global Climate Strikes. We will hear from student climate activists, the Sunrise Movement, and other organizers about the upcoming strikes. This is a great opportunity to learn more and get questions answered. The strikes will be huge, international events focusing on the Climate Emergency and the lack of action to address the biggest crisis facing humanity. Students, parents, and others will strike from school and work to attend protests.
Hashiveinu: Musical and Spiritual Preparation for the Days of Returning Thursdays, Sept. 12, 19, 26, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm at Havurah
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.
RSVP for Rabbi’s Contemplative Practice and Walk in the Forest Sunday, September 15, 7:00 am, Lower Macleay Park
We will gather in Lower Macleay Park in the early morning, beginning with some chanting then walking mindfully along the trail. In the midst of this month of Elul, we will access teachings and intentions from the tradition to direct us toward teshuvah, the returning and renewal of this season. This will be a very short hike at a gentle pace. We will conclude by 8:30 am. Contact Rabbi Benjamin with questions. Click here to RSVP by Sept. 8th.
Have a Question About Havurah?
The Transparency and 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. 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.
Please use this form to submit stories for this weekly community email. Submissions are due by noon on Tuesday each week.
Havurah Shalom is a vibrant, diverse, participatory Jewish community steeped in Jewish values promoting spirituality, learning, and acts of social responsibility.
Jewish Power and Powerlessness Sunday, Jan 26th 10:00a to 12:00p “They tried to kill us, we survived, let’s… talk about it.” The 20th century gave us examples of the most extreme Jewish powerlessness and unheard-of Jewish power as well. But the history of Jews and political, military and social power — especially so-called “soft power” — is much more complicated, much more nuanced than popular consciousness has led us to believe. How did Jews use communal wisdom and the concerted application of influence to ensure centuries of survival? Where was the Church, the Reformation, the growth of secular power and the emergence of modern society for all of this? There are several perspectives to consider, and we’ll break it down, from Philo to philo-Semitism. Taught by David Feder. 10-11:30 am, Sundays, Jan. 19 & 26
Refa’einu Healing Circle Sunday, Jan 26th 3:00p to 4:15p Refa’einu: A Healing Circle
The Refa’einu Healing Circle will be offered periodically on Sunday afternoons. The purpose of this circle is to provide sacred space and time to focus on healing and wholeness. Through contemplative teachings, sacred chant, guided and silent meditations, and prayer, we open to healing energy—however it is needed in our lives, our families, our communities, our planet. Tivona Reith will lead the first of these circles on Sunday, January 26, from 3:00-4:15pm.
Refa’einu, Yah, v’neirafei — Heal us, Source of All Healing, and we will be healed.
(In case of inclement weather, efforts will be made to notify those who has RSVP'd and the Healing Circle will be rescheduled.)
