Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, Nov. 8, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Our catered vegetarian Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner begins at 6:30 pm, followed by a Kabbalat Shabbat Service at 7:30 pm. The dinner portion is RSVP only. Anyone is welcome to come to the service! Please sign up to volunteer if you're attending.

Community Minyan
Saturday, Nov. 9, 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.

Jewish Mindfulness and Meditation
Tuesday, Nov. 12, 12 pm - 1 pm
We gather on Tuesdays, from 12 pm to 1 pm, to find some moments of quiet and shalom. Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, Rabbi Benjamin, Adela Basayne, and Nancy Becker.

Morning Minyan
Wednesday, Nov. 13, 8:30 am - 9:30 am
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish.

Text & Torah: Vayera
Saturday, Nov. 16, 10 am - 12 pm
In this Torah portion, three guests arrive at Abraham and Sarah’s tent. They inform Abraham that God will give the elderly Sarah a child. The prophesy comes true, and they name their son Isaac. God informs Abraham that Sodom and Gomorrah will be destroyed, though Abraham attempts to convince God otherwise. God tells Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham obliges but is told that it was a test of faith and offers a ram to sacrifice instead.

Tallit Class
Sundays, Nov. 17 & Dec. 8, 10:30 am - 12 pm
We will learn to create a tallit, tie the tzitzit and learn the meaning of the gematria wound and knotted into the holy fringe. $7 for supplies! RSVP here.

Moroccan Flavors of Jewish Cooking
Sunday, Nov. 17, 3 pm - 5 pm
An introduction to the broad scope of Moroccan Jewish cooking in its cultural and historical context. Taught by Oren Kosansky. Free to members! RSVP here.

Book Group Discusses Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver
Tuesday, Nov. 26, 7 pm - 8:30 pm
Dellarobia, a restless farm wife who has spent a decade of domestic disharmony on a failing farm after she accidentally became pregnant at seventeen. Seeking escape through a secret tryst, she encounters a shocking sight instead: a silent, forested valley that looks like a lake of fire. She understands it as a cautionary miracle, and a raft of other explanations is heard from scientists, religious leaders, and the media. Rural farmers come into unexpected contact with urbane journalists, opportunists, sightseers, and a striking biologist with his own stake in the outcome. 

Winter Welcome Tea for New and Prospective Members
Sunday, Dec. 8, 11 am - 1 pm
A chance to connect for new and prospective members seeking more connection. We'll come together to schmooze, nosh, kibbutz, and learn about Havurah happenings. Join the Welcome Committee as we show up to build and enrich our relationships to one another in the spirit of Hinenu: We Are Here! Sign up for the event on our website by clicking here.

Contact Brad Pector at brad@havurahshalom.org with any questions.

Hanukah Neighborhood Celebrations
Sunday, Dec. 22-30, various times - sign up!
This year, we are trying something different. Instead of one large Havurah Hanukah party, we will get together in smaller groups to light candles, sing songs, play dreidel, and eat latkes. If you are already hosting a Hanukah party, why not add some Havurahniks to your guest list? Or, if you would like to attend a neighborhood Hanukah party, let us know and we will find you a party to join.

Click on the link here to register to host or attend!

Havurah Leadership Training Time Change
Sunday, Dec. 15; Jan. 12; March 15, 2 pm - 4:30 pm
Please note that we are changing the time of our Leadership Training Classes to the afternoon. The new time is 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm on all three dates. More information on the three sessions can be found in the November HaKol or here.

If you have questions about the training, contact Debbi Nadell.

Musical Theater New Works Workshop (corrected link)
Series dates: Mondays, Jan. 13, 20, 27; Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24; March 2, 16, 30; 7 pm - 8:30 pm, Havurah Shalom
Performances: Sunday, April 5, 2 pm & 7 pm, Havurah Shalom
If you consider yourself a creative actor or singer who loves musical theater and trying new things, then please join us for this first ever musical theater workshop series. We are writing a musical called "Freedom: The Untold Story of Moses.” We want to work with a group of passionate performers to develop a physical, spiritual, and musical language for the piece. You can be a part of bringing the script to life and pick up a few tips and tricks to musical theater performance along the way! This will culminate in a staged reading performance of the first act at Havurah Shalom. Scripts are used in the staged reading performances — no line memorization is required! Ten spaces open to adults on a first come, first served basis. Register here!
 
Want to hear some of the songs or read a script excerpt? Have other questions? Contact Chari Smith.

Submit to Hakol Using Our New Form!
Staff has decided to phase out of emailing Hakol submissions due to organizational concerns. The deadline for the December issue of Hakol is November 12.  Please use this form to submit in the future! 

Wanted: Havurah Historian
Are you looking for a project that can be done mostly on your own, but that will enrich the life of the congregation? Havurah has a 40+ year history. We are looking for someone who can add memorable events to our timeline documents, both as they happen and by using archival material (like old Hakols) as a source. If this project sounds up your alley, contact Rachel Pollak to learn more!

Be a Welcomer at Havurah!
Attending an event at Havurah? If so, you can be a welcomer! Sign up here, grab a welcome button from the basket in the hallway, smile, be friendly, check in with people who may have come alone, and introduce people to each other!
Contact Stefanie Hausman if you have questions.

Sharing a Birth with the Havurah Community
If you'd like to share a birth with our community, and you're logged into our website as a member, you can submit all relevant info to this form. The birth will be recorded and mentioned in the next Hakol! You can also find this form on our website under the "Life Cycle" tab and then under "Births."

Climate Action Team Meeting (HCAT)
Thursday, Nov. 7, 4:30  pm - 6:30 pm, Havurah
This is the monthly meeting of the Havurah Climate Action Team. Zoom is available for those who cannot make it there physically!

Climate Action Team: Causes and Solutions Study Group
Thursday, Nov. 7, 7 pm - 9 pm, Havurah
Please join HCAT, for our fall climate action book study! We will be reading EcoMind, by Frances Moore’ Lappe, supplemented by sections from Paul Hawken’s Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming. We will also review chapters from Dietz and O’Neil’s Enough is Enough: Building a Sustainable Economy in a World of Finite Resources, and we will conclude with an introduction to the Green New Deal, how it can support sustainable solutions, and how we can participate in the great T’shuvah of our times.

MACG Delegate Assembly
Thursday, Nov. 14, 7 pm - 8:45 pm at Lake Oswego United Methodist Church
Havurah is a member organization of MACG - Metropolitan Alliance for the Common Good. Delegates from all member organizations meet to review and discuss MACG plans, campaigns, trainings, budget and news. Open to all Havurahniks. This is a great way to learn more about MACG and meet folks from other member organizations.

MACG Leadership Training Opportunities
Friday, Nov. 22, 7 pm - 9 pm
Saturday, Nov. 23, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
St. Andrew Lutheran in Beaverton
Havurah is a member of MACG, the 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, and the training sessions are free to all Havurah members. For more info, you can see MACG's calendar on the MACG website.

Volunteer for Lift UP Community Christmas Dinner
Wednesday, Dec. 25, 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Congregation Beth Israel, Goodman Hall
Congregation Beth Israel is again hosting the Lift Urban Portland Community Christmas Dinner. This beloved neighborhood event is attended by several hundred guests and is a popular volunteer opportunity. Last year over 200 people helped to make the dinner a success. This event will take place on Christmas Day in Goodman Hall, located on NW Flanders in the Schnitzer Family Center. Dinner will be served from 12 pm - 2 pm. Meals are also delivered to homebound individuals. Many volunteers are needed to make this event happen, including drivers to deliver meals. Delivering meals can be a family activity. Sign up to volunteer here starting November 1!

Needed for the LIFT UP Community Christmas Dinner
Drop off at Havurah by December 20
Each year, several hundred guests come for dinner on Dec 25 and each guest is given a toiletry kit and makes a choice for a hat, scarf, gloves and a pair of socks. We've noticed that there aren't enough large sizes and that many of our guests prefer dark colors. Are you a knitter? Can you make some hats and scarves? Or can you pick up some gloves and socks to donate? Please bring your (purchased) gloves and socks and your (hand-kinitted) hats and scarves to Havurah. Thank you!

Fighting Homelessness One Tiny House at a Time with Tivnu
Wednesdays, Nov. 13, 20, 27; Dec. 4, 11, 10 am - 3 pm
A field outside the MJCC, on Capitol Highway, opposite the Federation
Build a better Portland for all of us, one tiny house at a time! Join Havurah's longtime partner Tivnu: Building Justice along with PJA and Cascadia Clusters. Let's make this a New Year of security, opportunity, and community, working alongside the folks who really need it. Tivnu and partners will bring the tools and the construction coach; you bring the hands and the heart. Sign up now!

Questions? Email Erik at Erik@Tivnu.org.

Story Swap at the Museum: Resistance
Wednesday, Nov. 13, 7 pm, Oregon Jewish Museum, 724 NW Davis St.
Please join us for a powerful night of stories on the theme of Resistance. Featured tellers include Jessica Beckett, Executive Director of 350PDX.org, Kathi Miller, a Native American fiber artist, Charleigh Sheffer, a non-binary artist, hairdresser, and storyteller, and Alaide Vilchis Ibarra, Executive Director of the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice and a former dreamer. Open mic follows the featured tellers! Purchase advance tickets here.

Michael Winograd & Christina Crowder, Live in Portland!
Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019 at 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm, SE Portland, OR (house concert)
Join Klezmer clarinet virtuoso Michael Winograd and Accordion whiz Christina Crowder for over 100 years of Jewish music in one night! RSVP  here. Suggested donation $20-25 or what you can. All door proceeds go to the artists! Contact Abbie Weisenbloom at abbiew@froggie.com with questions or for directions.

Concert for the Village
Saturday, Nov. 23, 6 pm, Subud House: 3185 NE Regents Drive, Portland
Join us for a fun packed evening benefiting the work of the Rafiki Village Project. Listen to music, eat, drink, socialize, bid on auction items, and shop for Chanukah gifts; all while supporting a great cause.

Okaidja is a singer-songwriter from Ghana. Okaidja was born into a family of musicians and storytellers. Continuing and expanding the tradition, he has become a master multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and arranger. Seffarine offers an ear-caressing blend of sounds from Spain and north Africa, combining the soulful sounds of Moroccan singer Lamiae Naki with flamenco guitarist Nat Hulskamp, their music melds into an intoxicating blend of ancient and modern that is a mix of Spanish flamenco, Arabic and Andalusian music, Persian classical, and jazz. Purchase tickets here.

Bend the Arc's Jeremiah Fellowship
Applications are open for the 2020 cohort of the Jeremiah Fellowship, Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice’s national leadership program for young adult Jews who want to mobilize their community to fight for progressive change. Click here to start your application.

Volunteer at the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education
The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education (OJMCHE) is currently looking to expand our group of trained volunteer educators. As part of the Education Team, docents play a critical role in helping thousands of visitors and school groups engage with museum content each year. Docents participate in in-depth educational sessions on the Holocaust, Oregon Jewish history, and the history of discrimination and resistance in Oregon as well Jewish art and culture. In the museum, docents lead conversation style tours of core exhibitions as well as national and international temporary exhibits.

If you are interested in expanding your knowledge and giving back to the community as part of a like-minded group of volunteers, follow this link to fill out an application before the December 8, 2019 deadline.

Reconstructing Judaism Newsletter
From now on, we will be incorporating Reconstructing Judaism's newsletter into our weekly emails. Here's this month's newsletter! You can also check out their  podcast here.

You Made It to the End of the Newsletter: Claim Your Prize!

It's clear you care about what we have going on, and as a token of our gratitude, we'd love to give you a free copy of a book written by a soon-to-be member, Florence Grende. The book is The Butcher's Daughter, a memoir about growing up after the Holocaust. We have 6 copies left. Email Brad at brad@havurahshalom.org to set a time to pick up your book.

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.

Find our calendar and learn more at havurahshalom.org or call 503-248-4662.