Human Rights Shabbat This Friday and Saturday
Friday, Dec. 13, 7:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 am - 12pm International Human Rights Minyan
Join us as we gather for Human Rights Shabbat, observed on the Shabbat closest to International Human Rights Day. T’ruah is inviting congregations to use Human Rights Shabbat 2019 as part of ongoing work to examine and undo the inherent racism in all our communities and systems. Services will include elements that open up the questions and realities, both historical and present, we must confront. We hope that this Shabbat will be a meaningful step in exploring how our community can engage with racial justice and combat racism. Please join us to pray, sing, learn, and talk about engaging with anti-racism work. Questions? Email Chris Coughlin.

"Will the Real Hanukah Please Stand Up?"
Saturday, Dec. 14, 3:30 pm
This is for parents of children of any age, and for parents of all backgrounds, Jewish and non-Jewish. We’ll look into the contentious historical roots of Hanukah, many of which parallel questions of cultural and religious identity that we still contend with today! We will try to articulate what we want Hanukah to really be about for our families as well as how to generally reclaim the holiday from commercialism and cooptation. We will discuss the particular challenges that our diverse families face at this time of year, as well. Bring your thoughts, questions, family traditions, favorite children's Hanukah books, etc. Facilitated by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. Please RSVP by Dec. 11.

Havurah Leadership Training
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.

Jewish Mindfulness and Meditation
Tuesday, Dec. 17, 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, Dec. 18, 8:30 am - 9:00 am
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish.

Host Your Own Hanukah Neighborhood Celebration!
Sunday, Dec. 22-30: 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? 

Click on the link here to register to host!

Hang with the Alter Rockers on Christmas!
Wednesday, December 25, 6 pm, Ocean City Seafood Restaurant at 3016 SE 82nd Ave, Portland 97266
Due to space concerns, the Alter Rockers have changed the location of their event to the Ocean City Seafood Restaurant at 3016 SE 82nd Ave, Portland 97266. The event will still be at 6pm.

Havurah Writers Workshop: Sign Up Now
Thursdays, Jan. 16, 23, 30, Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, March 5; 7 pm - 9 pm; Public reading at a Friday Oneg, March 6
The Havurah Adult Writers Workshop begins on January 16 – three weeks earlier than listed in the 2019-2020 Havurah calendar. The workshop is for anyone who wants to explore their interest in prose writing – and is not a published writer or seeking feedback on a writing project.

Havurah member David Kertzner leads the workshop which focuses on memoir writing. We generate short pieces each week. Participants develop one piece in depth to share at a culminating Friday Oneg.

Limited to 8 participants, we meet for 8 sessions on Thursdays. Contact David if you have questions.

A New Havurah Photo Submission Policy
If you submit photos to our staff, we have new rules about what we can do with them and how we will credit you! Check out the policy here.

No Meeting for Book Discussion Group in December
The next meeting will be January 28, 7 - 8:30 pm at Havurah. The book for that discussion is Necessary Stories by Haim Watzman. Discussion led by Stacy Hankin.

Dues & Donations for 2019 Tax Credit
In late January, we will send out the 2019 tax letter showing your donations (including dues) for the year. If you wish to make a donation or pay/pay off your dues, please make sure the funds reach the Havurah office by Dec. 31. If you are paying with stock, allow for a three-day settlement period. If you wish to pay online, use this link. If you are mailing in a check, please drop it off at the office or mail it with enough time for a 12/31 arrival. Thank you. Contact Karen Westerman at karen.westerman@havurahshalom.org with questions.

Are You a Descendant of German Speaking Jews?
Do you have documents or artifacts from pre-WWII Europe that are in a box somewhere? The Leo Baeck Institute in NYC may be interested in archiving and preserving your items. They have approached me to help them identify folks who have artifacts, photos, and documents to potentially donate for preservation, research, and scholarship. Please contact Nancy if you are interested in finding out more or have any questions.

Chari Smith offers two opportunities to sing our Jewish stories together.
Teens and adults welcome. Questions? Contact Chari.

Music Workshop - Songs from Freedom the Untold Story of Moses by Chari Smith
Sunday, Jan. 5, 4pm – 5pm
Do you love to sing and are looking for a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon? Come join this one-time musical workshop, exploring songs from my new musical, Freedom: The Untold Story of Moses. This special afternoon gathering will focus on exploring the songs, piloting the harmonies, and spending time hearing a brand new piece of art. The music ranges from rock‘n‘roll to blues, lots of opportunities for singers of any range! And if you love what you hear, you can join us for an extended workshop series January to March 2020. Register here.

Musical Theater New Works Workshop led by Chari Smith and Kelly Lyons
Rehearsals on Mondays, January 13, 20, 27; February 3, 10, 17, 24; March 2, 16, 30; 7 - 8:30 pm; Performance date: Sunday, April 5, 2 pm and 7 pm
If you consider yourself a creative actor/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—Freedom: The Untold Story of Moses—and 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. Please register here.

Poverty & Homelessness

Open House at the New Permanent Lents Location for Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS)
Thursday, Dec. 12, 4-7 pm, and Saturday, Dec. 14, 10-1 pm, 6220 SE 92nd Ave, PDX (near SE Foster)
Come see how trauma-informed understandings have informed the staff and volunteers in the remodeling of an old church building in Lents to become the permanent home of PHFS. Havurah volunteers have an impressive presence at the shelter: about 75 families have taken their orientation and more than half of those have been or are volunteers. You are welcome to attend without an RSVP, though it is appreciated: contact Bethany Rocci (bethany@pdxhfs.org).

Support Houseless Neighbors with Item Donations
Saturday, December 21, 3-5 pm, SE Salmon and Vera Katz Esplanade
Havurah, along with The Interfaith Alliance on Poverty, is collecting needed winter items (see this list) for houseless folks. On Dec. 21 there will be a vigil with items given out, a Las Posadas procession, and stories from houseless folks. After the vigil, people will be walking to City Hall to call for an end to "sweeps" of the houseless (see event flyer). Items collected after Dec. 21 will be brought to Sisters of the Road, a sponsor of this event.

Tikkun Olam Adelante

Volunteers Needed to Teach English!
Havurah volunteers continue in our 3rd year teaching English at the Ortiz Center in NE Portland to men and women from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Beginning in January, two more volunteers are needed, one just until the first week in April. We teach on Monday mornings from 10am to 12pm. Requirements: Willingness to engage with people from other countries and cultures and a cheerful disposition. You do NOT have to have an education degree! For more information, please contact Judi Kloper.

Havurah Climate Action Team

Climate Change: Is It a Jewish Issue?
Wednesday Dec. 11, 7 pm - 8:30 pm
Mittleman Jewish Community Center, Schnitzer Family Campus
6651 SW Capitol Highway, Portland
Join us for a panel discussion on the Climate Crisis from a Jewish perspective. The conversation will be led by Rabbi Tziv Fischer, Rabbi David Kosak and key experts.
The Havurah Climate Action Team is a cosponsor of this event with the Jewish Community Relations Council, MJCC, Portland Kollel, and Community Neveh Shalom. RSVP here.

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-knitted) hats and scarves to Havurah. Thank you!

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!

Havurahniks to Perform in Season of Lights Benefit Concert
Saturday, December 14, 7 pm, Rose City Park Presbyterian Church, 1907 NE 45th Avenue, Portland
For the past 13 years, the Season of Lights Concert has worked to help fund nonprofits in the Portland area. This year's concert shares music from many cultures and features Havurah members Andrew Ehrlich, Ilene Safyan and Ed Kraus, as well as musical luminaries such as Peter Zisa, Lauren Steele, Doug Smith, Yukiko Yumaguchi, Carlton Jackson, Steve Cohen and many others. Admission is free and contributions are most welcome.

The Sephardic Winter Film Series Returns!
Jan. 14; Feb. 11; March 2 at 7 pm, 6686 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland
Sponsored by Ahavath Achim, the series will feature a film monthly on Tuesday evenings from December to March. Click here for the schedule.

Weekend In Quest: The Dreyfus Affair
Friday, March 6, 3:00 pm and ending at noon on Sunday, March 8; Holiday Inn Express, Astoria, Oregon
The Institute for Judaic Studies Presents the 14th Annual Weekend in Quest — Friends, Foes, Fanatics and Proto-Fascists: The Dreyfus Affair in Fin-de-Siècle* France (1894-1906). Professor Evlyn Gould of the University of Oregon will present 4 lectures. Shabbat Services & Saturday evening program will be led by Havurah’s own Beth Hamon & Liz Schwartz. (*Fin-de-siècle = End of the century) Register here.

Bend the Arc's Jeremiah Fellowship (DEADLINE DEC. 15)
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.

Make Sure Your Chanukah Includes Guilt-Free Gelt!
Once again, T’ruah is partnering with Divine Chocolate USA to bring you the opportunity to stand with farmworkers and order your fair-trade, guilt-free kosher gelt. The chocolate industry is rife with child and slave labor, with more than 2.3 million children working in the cocoa fields in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire alone. This Chanukah, you can take one concrete step toward the "miracle" of protecting the human rights of all workers, and help empower farmers and activists to end the labor abuses in the cocoa industry. Plus: When you buy Guilt-Free Gelt  — available in both milk chocolate and dark chocolate — you will also be supporting T’ruah. Ten percent of all sales ordered through this link go directly to them and will go directly to their work advancing human rights in North America, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories.

Reconstructing Judaism Newsletter
Interested in what’s happening in the national Reconstructing Judaism movement? Looking for some new ideas? Check out Reconstructing Judaism news here, or listen to the latest  podcast.

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.

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.