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.

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.

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 - 4:15pm. RSVP here.

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

Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation
Tuesday, Jan. 28, 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.

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.

Morning Minyan
Wednesday, Jan. 29, 8:30 am - 9:00 am
For all who want a regular prayer practice and for people saying Kaddish.

Adult B'nei Mitzvah
Saturday, Feb. 1, 10 am; 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.

Returning to Israel After 26 Years: Deborah Eisenbach-Budner Shares Impressions & Questions
Tuesday, February 4, 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm, Havurah Library
Deborah will share impressions and questions from her recent return to Israel/Palestine and her encounters with: religious relatives living on the West Bank, a few of today's Jewish and Palestinian peace activists, 'regular' Israelis trying to live their lives, Druze community members, and some of the amazing and disturbing changes in Israel in the last two and a half decades. She also learned far more than planned about the current health care systems in Palestine and in Israel due to a freak accident (everybody is okay now). Please RSVP here if you plan to come (or are unable to come but are interested; she may plan an additional time for this talk if there is interest).

Panim el Panim: Face to Face about Israel & Palestine
Thursday, February 6 & 27, 7 - 9 pm; RSVP by Feb. 3
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; RSVP by Jan. 24
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.

Reconstructing Judaism: An Exploration
Wednesday, Feb. 5, 12, 19; 7 pm - 8:30 pm; RSVP by 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!

Contemplative Retreats with Rabbi Benjamin and Others This Summer
July 21-26 & August 17-23
Rabbi Benjamin will be teaching on two contemplative retreats in Oregon this summer, and it would be wonderful to have many Havurahniks participate. July 21-26 he will be teaching in Ashland with Rabbis Yael Levy and Joshua Boettiger, and August 17-23, right outside of Portland with Rabbi Shefa Gold. These are each inspiring and generous teachers, and both retreats will be powerful opportunities for growth and connection. See description of July retreat here (pricing TBD soon) and August retreat here. No prior experience required. Scholarships available. Contact Rabbi Benjamin with any questions.

Climate Action Tu B'Shvat Seder
Sunday, Feb. 9, 1 pm - 2:30 pm at Havurah
From mysticism, to forest marvels, to saviors that need our protection, this year Havurah’s Climate Action Team will join with Congregation P’nai Or to host our Climate Action Tu B’shvat seder. Through song, storytelling, prayer, and activism, our seder interweaves this sacred ritual and celebration of Trees and Renewal with our modern forest and climate crisis. A children's Tu B'Shvat seder will be taking place simultaneously for youth elementary school and younger. Older children are invited to the community seder. Both will be followed by a pot luck oneg of fruit-inspired treats. Please RSVP here.

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 directly.

Family Yizkor Service (Remembering Those We Loved)
Sunday, Feb. 23, 1 pm - 2 pm
Has your family lost a loved one, who you continue to remember with your child/ren? We will gather to remember, share, sing, and reflect on the lives and the loss of dear ones – in a way that gently includes children and their experience. Your family loss may have been very recent or years ago. We are focusing this experience on children ages 4-14, but older and younger are also welcome.

We ask that you bring a photo or an object that reminds you of the person you are remembering, as well as something that your family wants to share about that person through words. Please RSVP here by Feb 18. Led by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner and Rabbi Benjamin.

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.

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.

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.

Let's Use Up the Jam in the Fridge!
If you are baking for a Havurah event, consider using some of the copious amounts of jam in the Havurah fridge. Thank you!

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. Cindy Merrill and Mimi Epstein will be part of the Israeli dance group!

World Zionist Congress Elections
Reconstructing Judaism would like you to know about the upcoming World Zionist Congress Election which takes place between January 21 and March 11. This election helps decide how to spend ~$1 billion dollars of funding. WZC elections take place every five years, and this year there are two slates that Reconstructing Judaism is supporting. The ARZA slate was formed by RJ and the reform movement, while the Hatikvah slate was formed by organizations in the Progressive Israel Network of which RJ is a member. Any self-identified Jew who in the US who is 18 years old can participate. There is a fee of $7.50 if you would like to vote, and American Jews will account for ~30% of the final delegate total. Visit the following link where you can vote and also find out more information on all the participating slates. The American Zionist Movement is hosting the election. You can read more in depth about its history and the organizations involved here.

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.