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.
Hashiveinu: Musical and Spiritual Preparation for the Days of Returning Thursday, Sept. 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.
Safety Training for Greeters Thursday or Monday, Sept. 19 or 23, 6 pm - 8:30 pm
Gene Moss, Regional Security Director for the Jewish Federation, will be providing Greeter & Usher Training. Shaarie Torah and Neveh Shalom were kind enough to provide class rooms space for the training. This is a valuable opportunity before the High Holy Days begin. Please just sign up for one class.
This Weekend
Global Climate Strike! Friday, Sept. 20, 10 am, Terry Schrunk Plaza, 431 SW Madison
Join other Havurahniks at Terry Schrunk Plaza, across from City Hall, at 10 am on Sept 20 to march for action on the Climate Emergency. Look for the Havurah sign. At 10:30 am we will march to OMSI (approximately one mile) where we can participate in a climate fair. Strike and march for your kids, grandkids, and all future generations. Time is running out!
Community Minyan Saturday, Sept. 21, 10 am - 12 pm
Our Community Minyan is a welcoming and spirited service that includes davening, Torah reading and discussion. Led by community members. Childcare is available.
Selichot Service Saturday, Sept. 21, 8 pm - 9 pm, Havurah
Traditionally, Jews gather on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah to initiate the process of Seliḥot, “Forgiveness,” in preparation for the Ten Days of Teshuvah (“Returning/Repentance”). We will use some traditional Seliḥot prayers, as well as contemplative music and prayer, in order to access forgiveness and compassion as we move further into this sacred time.
Inside Havurah
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 Avenue, 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.
Shabbat School Begins: Celebrate 40 Years!
Shabbat School begins this weekend! Let’s hear and see your reflections. On November 23 at 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.
Mazel Tov!
Miryam And Roger Brewer are pleased to announce the arrival of their granddaughter Naomi Hershenberg Brewer who was born September 13, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. Naomi, her big sister, Dafna, parents, Ben and Rachel are all doing well.
Next Week
Volunteer with Portland Homeless Family Solutions Monday, Sept. 23, 5 pm - 6 pm, Lents Shelter, 6102 SE 92nd Ave.
Start the new year by going to a PHFS orientation! Learn about the shelter and organization that has been working over the past 10 years to better the lives of those who are homeless in Portland. 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.
Jewish Mindfulness and Meditation Tuesday, Sept. 24, 12 pm - 1 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.
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.
Morning Minyan Wednesday, Sept. 25, 8:30 am - 9 am
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish.
Lift Urban Portland Open House Wednesday, Sept. 25, 5:30 pm - 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.
Last Thursday Witness: IMIrJ ICE Vigil Thursday, Sept. 26, 10 am, 4310 SW Macadam Ave.
Gather in 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. Carpooling is encouraged as parking is limited.
Text and Torah: Preparing for the High Holidays Saturday, Sept. 28, 10 am
Led by Diane Chaplin.
High Holidays
Erev Rosh Hashanah: Evening Service Sunday, Sept. 29, 7:30 pm - 9 pm, Tiffany Center
Rosh Hashanah: First Day Services Monday, Sept. 30, 9:30 am - 1 pm, Tiffany Center
Rosh Hashanah: Morning Family Service Monday, Sept. 30, 9:30 am - 10:15 am, Tiffany Center
Apples, Honey, and Fun! (Grades 3-5) Monday, Sept. 30, 10:30 am, Tiffany Center
A program for kids in Grades 3-5! Come sing, play, and enjoy a sweet treat.
Cedar Hills Tashlich & Potluck Monday, Sept. 30, 4 pm - 6 pm, Commonwealth Lake Park
Rosh Hashanah: Second Day Services Tuesday, Oct. 1, 9:30 am - 1 pm, Tiffany Center
Tashlich: Potluck Lunch Sunday, Oct. 6, 12 pm, George Rogers Park
Yom Kippur: Kol Nidre Tuesday, Oct. 8, 7 pm, Tiffany Center
Yom Kippur: Day Service Wednesday, Oct. 9, 9:30 am - 8:30 pm, Tiffany Center
Coming Up In October
Monthly Meeting for Interfaith Alliance on Poverty Thursday, October 3, 12 pm - 2 pm
Havurah has joined other faith based congregations, along with many other organizations in supporting the work of the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty. Their monthly meetings are well organized, informative, and educational on the topic of poverty and homelessness in Portland!
Contact Gloria Halper for location and details.
Singing in the Sukkah Sunday, October 13, 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Join us and musicians on Sunday, October 13 from 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm 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 or Susan Rosenthall for information.
Happy Hour in the Sukkah Tuesday, October 15, 4 pm - 7 pm
Alter Rockers are planning a happy hour in the Sukkah on Tuesday, October 15. Come any time between 4 pm - 7 pm, and bring a little nosh of some sort to share with the group. Bring whatever you like to drink as well. If the weather cooperates, we will be in the Sukkah. If not, we will be inside.
Please RSVP with Sarah Rosenberg.
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, Interfaith Alliance on Poverty, and Lift UP to 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.
Reconstructing Judaism Newsletter
From now on, we will be incorporating Reconstructing Judaism's newsletter into our weekly emails. Here's this month's newsletter!
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.
