The following events have been cancelled:
Music & Meaning in the Shabbat Morning Service - Jan. 15
InterPlay Torah Study - all future sessions
Mah Jongg - Jan. 17

Bar Mitzvah of Nate Shine
Saturday, Jan. 18, 10 am - 12 pm
Please join us in welcoming Nate Shine as a Bar Mitzvah and member of our community.

Maintenance Work Party!
Sunday, Jan. 19, 2 pm - 4 pm
Join our handy-people as they work on fix-it projects around the building.

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
Tuesday, Jan. 21, 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, Jan. 22, 8:30 am - 9:00 am
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish.

Bat Mitzvah of Cora Paasch
Saturday, Jan. 25, 10 am - 12 pm
Please join us in welcoming Cora Paasch as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community.

Jewish Power & Powerlessness
Sunday, Jan. 19 & 26, 10 am - 12 pm
Facilitated by David Feder
The 20th century gave us examples of the most extreme Jewish powerlessness and unheard-of Jewish power as well. But the history of Jews and political, military, and social power — especially so-called “soft power” — is much more complicated, much more nuanced than popular consciousness has led us to believe. How did Jews use communal wisdom and the concerted application of influence to ensure centuries of survival? Where was the Church, the Reformation, the growth of secular power and the emergence of modern society for all of this? There are several perspectives to consider, and we’ll break it down, from Philo to philo-Semitism. Sign up here!

Sacred Action: Contemplative Practice for Engaging in the World
Wednesdays, Jan. 29 - March 4, 12 pm - 1 pm; Deadline Jan. 22
Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin
In what ways can Jewish spiritual practice guide our work for healing and justice in the world? In this group we will explore this question together through learning, discussion, and practice. At each meeting we will engage in various modalities, including meditation, chanting, contemplative study, and self-reflection. Guidance will be given for continued practice and engagement between sessions. Our intention will be to form a trusting and supportive group as a foundation for this sacred work. No experience necessary, but participants should be able to commit to all or nearly all of the meetings. Please sign up here! Limited to 12 participants. Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin.

Reconstructing Judaism: An Exploration
Wednesday, Feb. 5, 12, 19; 7 pm - 8:30 pm; Deadline Jan. 29
Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin
What does it mean that Havurah is a member of Reconstructing Judaism? We will explore values and approaches that have inspired and guided the movement, engaging with material from founder Rabbi Mordechai Kaplan as well as contemporary Reconstructionist leaders. Sign up here!

Panim el Panim: Face to Face about Israel and Palestine
Thursday, February 6 & 27, 7 - 9 pm
Coordinated by Nancy Becker, Lee Gordon, Eliana Temkin, and Rabbi Benjamin.
For too long the subject of Israel/Palestine has been almost taboo within Havurah, as it is in Jewish communities around the world. Havurahniks are invited to a venue where we can speak truthfully and also listen respectfully to one other about this complex and challenging subject. Each session will be carefully facilitated to allow for speaking, listening, and understanding about where we each are coming from. These will not be arguments nor attempts at political solutions, but rather opportunities to share our thoughts, feelings, and struggles, and to respect each other amidst our disagreements. No prior knowledge or experience required. RSVP here by Feb. 3. Please reach out to any of us with questions.

Parenting with Multiple Layers
Monday, Feb. 10 & 24, 7 pm - 8:30 pm; Deadline Jan. 20
Facilitated by Laura Orgel (psychologist, therapist) and Deborah Eisenbach-Budner
Parenting is challenging at some points no matter what. Although each situation is unique and parenting experiences differ tremendously, mental or physical health conditions, addiction, history of trauma, and some kinds of disabilities can add another layer to parenting. Systemic social issues like stigma, marginalization, lack of services, or general lack of knowledge can add yet more layers and create further challenge. These 2 sessions aim to begin to build a safe space for parents to be heard, break down the isolation that can come with parenting with many layers, and explore how Jewish community and Judaism can be helpful. Max. 8 participants (members of Havurah); commitment to confidentiality prior to attendance required. Please contact Laura at ljorgel@earthlink.net by January 20 to indicate your interest in addition to signing up here.

Dorot Shabbat
Friday, Jan. 24, 6 pm - 7 pm
Casual, family-friendly, music-filled service that begins with candle lighting and Kiddush, followed by prayers, music, and vegetarian potluck.

Step into Havurah
Saturday, Jan. 25, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Are you new to Havurah? Or have you been a member for awhile but don't know what's been going on in the synagogue? Have questions about how decisions are made? This is an opportunity to learn about the inner workings of Havurah! This session will offer some history, explain its organizational structure, and explore how our congregation is different from other synagogues. RSVP here.

Refa’einu Healing Circle
Sunday, Jan. 26, 3 pm - 4:15 pm at Havurah
The Refa’einu Healing Circle will be offered periodically on Sunday afternoons. The purpose of this circle is to provide sacred space and time to focus on healing and wholeness. Through contemplative teachings, sacred chant, guided and silent meditations, and prayer, we open to healing energy—however it is needed in our lives, our families, our communities, our planet. Tivona Reith will lead the first of these circles on Sunday, January 26, from 3 pm - 4:15 pm.

Refa’einu, Yah, v’neirafei — Heal us, Source of All Healing, and we will be healed.

Book Group Discusses Necessary Stories by Haim Watzman
Tuesday, Jan. 28, 7 pm - 8:30 pm at Havurah
Twenty-four stories of Israeli and Jewish life, chosen from the more than one hundred Haim Watzman has written over the last nine years in his "Necessary Stories" column in the Jerusalem Report. Bookended by a flashback to his first weekend in Israel forty years ago and a storytelling encounter on a recent flight back home from the US, these stories-funny, meditative, and sad, set in immigrant camps, the army, and the author's own neighborhood in south Jerusalem-uniquely capture what it is like, in our age, to be an Israeli and a Jew. The stories touch on technology, immigration, marriage, parenting, death, duty, and tradition in modern Israel and contemporary Judaism. Discussion led by Stacey Hankin.

Adult B'nei Mitzvah
Saturday, Feb. 1; 6 Sh’vat 5780; Parashat Bo
Please share in the joy of community and learning as Havurah Shalom’s Adult B’nai Mitzvah group is called to the Torah. RSVP here.

Amy Lennon
Kate Dreyfus
Benjamin Walters
Beth Yohalem-Ilsley
Laurel Singer
Patricia Schwartz
Curtis Shipley
Rachel Shipley
Nancy Spigal
Rochelle Hannah Cohen
Charles Green
David Naftali Kertzner

After services, you are invited to a luncheon sponsored by the B’nai Mitzvah group along with the help of the Havurah Community and other friends and family.

Alter Rockers' Russian Lunch
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 11:30 am at Kachka: 960 SE 11th Ave.
Join us for delicious food at Kachka, considered by many as the best Russian restaurant in the country. Sign up here!

Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, Feb. 14, 6:30 pm dinner & 7:30 pm service
Our catered vegetarian Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner begins at 6:30 pm, followed by a Kabbalat Shabbat Service at 7:30 pm. This event happens with the help of many volunteers. RSVP here, and please sign up for a volunteer spot by clicking here if you're able to help.

Mah Jongg
Sunday, Feb. 16, 2 pm - 5 pm
Mah Jongg at Havurah! We meet on Sundays, which are determined by the Havurah calendar, so they are not consistent at this point. A doodle poll goes out to those on our list. If you are interested in being on the list and would like more info, contact Gloria Halper.

Legislative Forum
Sunday, Jan. 15, 2 pm - 4 pm
Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1624 NE Hancock St.
Annual legislative forum where Oregon State Senators, House Members and advocacy representatives will discuss plans for the next legislative session.

Sanctuary Committee Meeting & Potluck
Thursday, Jan. 16, 6:30 pm - 9 pm
Our regularly scheduled Sanctuary Committee meeting will include a potluck sharing of food. Come at 6:30 pm to share and socialize. Are regular meeting will start around 7:15 pm. Agenda will be sent to the Sanctuary Committee email list. All are welcomed. Contact Bob Brown to be added to the Sanctuary Committee email list.

HCAT Book Discussion: The Hidden Life of Trees
Monday, Feb. 3, 7 pm - 8:30 pm at Havurah
Leading up to B'Shvat, the Havurah Climate Action Team is sponsoring a special book group to discuss The Hidden Life of Trees. We will have a conversation about this groundbreaking book that is guaranteed to surprise you and change the way you think about trees and forests. Read before your next hike in the woods! Discusssion led by Andy Beers.

Poverty and Homelessness Committee: Portland Homeless Family Solutions
Monday, February 3, 10 am or 6:30 pm; Family Village, 6220 SE 92nd Ave.
Wednesday, February 5, 10 am or 6:30 pm; Family Village, 6220 SE 92nd Ave.
PHFS has moved into their new Lent's building - The Family Village! Havurah members continue to volunteer as a group one night a month. Many are also volunteering with Havurah as well as putting in hours on their own.
Volunteer tasks, some new, some old: Sunrise Host, Midday Host, Kid Time Host, Helping Hand, Meal Provider, and Back Up Meals. Look for more details in February Hakol. The orientations are an hour and will give you a good idea if one or more of these volunteer tasks is just what you have been looking for or something to push you a bit past your comfort zone! Please RSVP to tc@pdxhfs.org with the time and date you'll be attending. Contact Gloria Halper or John Devlin with questions.

Interfaith Alliance on Poverty: First Thursday Monthly Meeting
Thursday, Feb. 6, 12 pm - 2 pm at Beth Israel, 1972 NW Flanders St.,
Goodman Hall across from the main building - enter through the glass doors. The meeting will be on the main floor.
Nan Stark of the PDX Bureau of Planning and Sustainability is the speaker. Her focus will be on upcoming recommendations re: zoning of church land and other community based organizations for use for affordable housing.

Lost Your Tallis?
Havurah has a growing collection of tallitot that have perhaps been left behind after services. Could one of them be yours? Contact Rachel Pollak if you suspect the answer is yes! You can arrange to come in and look at them.

Hakol Corrections
The print version of the January 2020 issue has the December 2019 calendar on page 11, and a misprint on the cover, stating "January 2019" instead of "January 2020." The online version of Hakol has been released with these issues corrected.Read the new issue of Hakol here!

20th Annual Community Havdalah
Saturday, Jan. 25, 7 pm
Cedar Sinai Park, Rose Schnitzer Manor, 6140 SW Boundary St.
Rabbi Hannah Laner (P'nai Or) will lead the service and dancers from local Israeli Folk Dancing groups will entertain. Refreshments provided. Havurah has been a sponsor of this event for many years.

The Sephardic Winter Film Series Returns!
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.

Women’s Giving Circle Is Now Accepting Grant Proposals
Grant submission deadline: February 21, 2020
Award date: June 30, 2020
The Jewish Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy’s Women’s Giving Circle is now accepting grant proposals. The Women's Giving Circle is proud to impact our community through our collective giving. Together our giving reflects a vision and process that allows us to build a better world. This year, we are proud funders of the Rachel's Well Bodies of Water program, BB Camp's summer camp inclusion coordinator, the Rosh Chodesh annual joint women's retreat for the University of Oregon and Oregon State University Hillel students, the Shmirat Haguf Jewish yoga for women at the MJCC, and Rosh Chodesh groups at Chabad of Hillsboro Oregon. The Women’s Giving Circle’s now in our fourth year! We are looking forward to furthering our impact in the community. Apply here! If you have questions, please email Wendy at wendy@jewishportland.org.

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.