Hashiveinu: Musical and Spiritual Preparation for the Days of Returning Thursdays, Sept. 12, 19, 26, 7:00 pm - 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.
This Weekend
Kabbalat Shabbat Friday, September 13, 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
A short, musical service for Shabbat! Childcare is provided. For those who already bought tickets, dinner preceeds the service and starts at 6:30 pm.
Community Minyan Saturday, September 14, 8:30 am - 9 am
Our Community Minyan is a welcoming and spirited service that includes davening, Torah reading and discussion. Led by community members. Childcare is available.
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. A few spots are left!
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, your friends, family and acquaintances to join us on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 7:00pm - 8:30pm at Havurah for an informational event to increase awareness of the Global Climate Strike planned for September 20. At 8:15 pm Rabbi Benjamin will lead us through Havdalah and provide some Torah wisdom. Find out more here.
High Holidays
High Holidays Are Almost Here! These helpful links will help you prepare:
All services except Selichot, Second Day Rosh Hashanah, and Tashlich will be held at the Tiffany Center, 1410 SW Morrison, in Portland. Selichot and Second Day Rosh Hashanah services will be at Havurah Shalom, 825 NW 18th Ave, in Portland. See schedule for Tashlich locations. All services are free and open to the public, without advance tickets or registration. You volunteering makes it all possible!
Questions? Email Rachel Pollak at rachel@havurahshalom.org.
Inside Havurah
More Website Changes!
Feel free to look around the website and get a feel for the new setup! There will be a lot more coming in the next few weeks, particularly to the "Clusters" tab. As committees and groups submit more info about themselves, you will be seeing more. Right now, there are only a couple committees listed. Don't worry, more will be added soon, along with descriptions and mission statements for those committees that have them.
To submit to our Havurah Happenings community email (this one) or the calendar, you can now find the "Submit" tab on our website all the way to the right next to the "Donate" tab. Apologies, as it has now moved twice, but hopefully this is its resting location.
You will also see that "Religious Life" has been renamed to "Services" to save space and keep people from confusing Avodah with basic info on our Shabbat and weekday services.
That's it for now. If you have any questions or concerns, contact me at brad@havurahshalom.org.
- Brad
Reconstructing Judaism Newsletter
From now on, we will be incorporating Reconstructing Judaism's newsletter into our weekly emails. It will be available at the bottom, and new ones will be announced within the "Inside Havurah" section. Here's this month's newsletter!
Celebrate 40 Years of Havurah Shabbat School with Us
Let’s hear and see your reflections! On November 23, 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.
Next Week
Jewish Mindfulness and Meditation Tuesday, September 17, 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.
Morning Minyan Wednesday, September 18, 10 am - 12 pm
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish.
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.
Global Climate Strike! Friday, Sept. 20, 10 am, Terry Schrunk Plaza, 431 SW Madison
Support young climate activists by joining the Global Climate Strike. March and attend other events and activities. This will be a huge international event as students and their supporters strike from school and work to protest lack of action on the climate emergency by governments, corporations, and others. The March begins at 10:30am, but join Havurah members and other faith-based organizations at 10:00 am. Look for the Havurah sign at Terry Schrunk Plaza across from City Hall.
Coming Up In Late September
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 Therese Schumacher at tc@pdxhfs.org or 971-865-1351.
Book Club Discussion Group: Three Floors Up by Eshkol Nevo Tuesday, Sept. 24, 7 pm - 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.
Lift Urban Portland Open House Wednesday, Sept. 25, 5:30 - 7:30 pm, 2860 NW 29th Ave.
Go behind the scenes to see how Lift UP provides food security for low-income residents in our community. Begin at the warehouse with wine and appetizers. Learn about the Delivered Food Box program and see an Emergency Food Closet. Take the Lift UP shuttle (or drive) to First Immanuel Lutheran Church (1816 NW Irving St.) to tour Preston's Pantry, and enjoy a Supper Club meal with the Lift UP team. Shuttle riders will be returned to the warehouse parking lot.
To reserve a spot, call Lift UP at 503-221-1224 or email brett@lifturbanportland.org.
Next Month
Singing in the Sukkah Sunday, October 13, 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Join us and musicians on Sunday, October 13 from 2:30-4:30pm to sing under the succah! We will gather again for this annual event that ushers in fall in a melodic way! Adults and children welcome! Musicians: Please come and bring your instruments! We’ll be using Rise Up Singing. And if the weather doesn’t cooperate, we will move inside. Light refreshments will be provided.
Contact Judy Heumann at mjheumann@gmail or Susan Rosenthall at sarosenthall@msn.com for information.
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.
Eastside Jewish Commons Sukkot Gathering Sunday, October 20, 4 pm - 6 pm, 5107 SE 35th Ave.
Havurah Members host and share the work of partner organizations: Portland Homeless Family Solutions, the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty and Lift - and address how individuals can take action. Contact Sacha Reich with questions.
Il Violoncello Capriccioso Sunday, October 27, 5 pm at Havurah
Havurah member and cellist Diane Chaplin presents a recital for solo cello, Il Violoncello Capriccioso. The program will include music by Jewish composers as well as virtuoso works for cello. Admission is free, although donations will be accepted at the door. The event is open to the public and will be followed by a reception. Contact Diane if you’d like to contribute anything for the reception.
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 contact us.
Send your questions to transparency@havurahshalom.org.
You can also contact Judy Steinberger and Fran Weick.
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) 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.
