Tikkun Olam & Havurah Climate Action Team Meetings Thursday, September 5, 4:30 pm & 6:30 pm
Tikkun Olam will be meeting at 4:30 pm, and the Havurah Climate Action Team (HCAT) will be meeting at 6:30 pm.
This Week
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.
Dorot Shabbat This Friday! 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 TODAY.
Community Minyan Wednesday, September 7, 10 am - 12 pm
Our Community Minyan is a welcoming and spirited service that includes davening, Torah reading and discussion. Led by Rabbi Benjamin and community members. Childcare is available.
Registration for Kabbalat Shabbat Closes Sept. 8 Friday, September 13, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Join us for a catered vegetarian dinner on September 13 at 6:30 pm, followed by a short, musical service at 7:30 pm. RSVP for the dinner by Sunday, September 8. For cost adjustments, call 503-248-4662 ext. 2. No RSVP is required for the service portion. Childcare is provided.
Jewish Mindfulness and Meditation Tuesday, September 10, 12 pm - 1 pm
We gather on Tuesdays, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, to find some moments of quiet and shalom. Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, Rabbi Benjamin, and Nancy Becker.
Inside Havurah
Celebrating Dick Mastbrook
Longtime Havurah member Dick Mastbrook turned 90 on August 28, and celebrated, in his generous way, by sponsoring lunch for everyone the preceding Shabbat morning! The sanctuary was filled with Dick’s friends, fans, and well-wishers — you could feel the love, but only some were able to express their thoughts to Dick that day. He has truly lived a life of service to the vulnerable in our city, and beyond — in ways large and small. Many of us have been warmed by the welcome he and Arleen have extended to newcomers at every single Havurah service for, oh, about 34 years now!
If you would like to send a few words of appreciation to Dick, here’s how: email comments, memories, photos, or anything else you’d like to Barbara Slader at bslader@Q.com, and we’ll compile them into a collection he can enjoy and keep!
Transparency and Inclusion Info Every Week
The Transparency Team would like you to know that from now on their info will be featured in the bottom of every "Havurah Happenings" email. If you have any questions or concerns for them, you can find their info there.
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.
Coming Up in September
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.
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.
RSVP for Rabbi’s Contemplative Practice and Walk in the Forest Sunday, Sept. 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. SAVE CHANGES
Machzor Update: Our Semi-Finalists Demystified Thursday, Sept. 19, 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm at Havurah
We're shopping for a new machzor! Come a half hour early to the Hashiveinu: Musical and Spiritual Preparation for the Days of Returning class to learn about the pros and cons of each of the machzorim choices. Machzor Task Force members, Cindy Merrill, Susan Brenner and Sacha Reich will present the criteria we used for selecting our top three book candidates along with the strengths and weaknesses of each one. Later in the year you can fill out a survey in which you state your preferences for your favorite one.
Volunteer with Portland Homeless Families Solutions Monday, Sept. 23, 5 pm - 6 pm, Lents Shelter 6102 SE 92nd Ave.
PHFS helps families get back into permanent housing. Orientation is the first step in our on-boarding process. RSVP here if you can join us. Questions? Contact Volunteer Coordinator, Therese Schumacher at tc@pdxhfs.org or 971-865-1351.
Book Club Discussion Group: Three Floors Up by Eshkol Nevo Tuesday, Sept. 24th, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
An Israeli bestseller, this book is set in a Tel Aviv apartment building. A resident on each floor tells a story in 1st person narrative. Arnon is a tormented, retired military officer who fought the First Intifada. Conditioned to kill or be killed, he continues to make things worse for himself as he obsesses about his daughter’s safety. Hani, whose husband’s lucrative job keeps him traveling while she cares for their two children at home, brings emotional excitement into her life by risking hiding her brother-in-law from the police. Devora, a retired former judge, joins a social movement, tries to reconnect with her estranged son, and falls in love with a man who isn't what he seems. Discussion led by Sandy Bacharach.
Next Month
Sanctuary Committee Movie Night: Eternos Indocumentados Thursday, October 17, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm in the Sukkah
Havurah's Sanctuary Committee is organizing a movie night to provide us with more information about the realities at our southern border. Why are there caravans of asylum seekers at our southern border? As we all know, there are reasons why people leave their homes seeking safety and asylum. "Based on interviews with recently arrived Central Americans as well as interviews with organizers leading the struggle on the ground in Central America, this film captures the stories of Central American refugees and explores the root causes of forced migration. In the words of the late Salvadoran poet, Roque Dalton, as he says in his Poema de Amor, this film is about los Eternos Indocumentados (the Eternally Undocumented). " The movie will be followed by a panel discussion.
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.
(HYB) Solidarity Shabbat Friday, Jun 27th 5:45p to 8:30p Join Havurah members and friends for a Solidarity Shabbat service and potluck nosh. This is a spiritual space for community members working in solidarity with Palestinians - and for the liberation of all peoples - to come together to pray, build connections, and renew ourselves on Shabbat to continue our justice work. Please review Havurah's Brit Kavod for our community guidelines. Masks strongly encouraged and provided.
(HYB) Climate Change Shabbat Morning Shabbat, Jun 28th 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@havurhshalom.org.
(HYB) Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual Sunday, Jun 29th 7:00p to 8:15p A gender-inclusive New Moon group, learning and celebrating each Rosh Ḥodesh with ancient and contemporary ritual. Open to any and all genders, inviting each to connect with our closest heavenly body, the Moon. An introductory meeting will happen on the full moon of Elul on Wednesday, Aug. 30 outdoors—weather permitting—in North Portland. Subsequent meetings will be on or near the new moon of each month either in person in North Portland or on Zoom, depending on seasonal shifts in the weather. Attend any or all sessions. RSVP to be updated on location and other details throughout the year.
(ZM) Palestinian Justice Letter Writing Group Monday, Jun 30th 6:00p to 7:30p We hold monthly letter writing group Zoom gatherings to write letters to our lawmakers for Israel/Palestine justice. Questions? Email Dale Oller (member log-in required to access directory). Feel free to drop in any time! There’s no need to RSVP, but please do RSVP if you need the Zoom login. Non-Havurah-members very welcome as well.
(IP) Pride Kabbalat Shabbat in the Park Friday, Jul 11th 6:30p to 8:30p Celebrate queer and Jewish joy with a special Kabbalat Shabbat service at Columbia Park! We’ll enjoy a potluck dinner together afterward. Beverages will be provided. BYOB. All are welcome.
(HYB) Shabbat Morning Shabbat, Jul 12th 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.
