Book Group
Book Group
The Havurah Book Group grew out of Havurah’s commitment to creating a vibrant Jewish community steeped in learning. The group allows us to know one another better through opportunities to share ideas and knowledge that excite us. One of the group’s goals is to become a venue for discussion of complex, controversial issues, discussions that may be difficult to have in other settings.
Meetings are held once monthly to discuss books that have been chosen by the group. We meet on Zoom (Zoom Room Bet - Members can log in to see Zoom room information) from 7 pm to 8:30 pm on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Members are not obligated to come every month, and can come just to the book discussions that interest them.
Book suggestions are gathered yearly. The person who suggests the book leads the discussion or arranges for someone else to do it. We currently read a mix of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, and memoirs. Member suggestions can also include poetry and drama.
More than 120 people are on the Book Discussion Google Group. (Click on "HS Book Discussion Google Group" below to join.) If you have questions or would like to be added to the email list please co-chair Stacy Hankin.
Havurah Book Group 2024-2025 Discussion Schedule Chart
[Click here for blurbs on each book.]
Resources
Book Group's 2023-2024 Reading Schedule with Book Blurbs
Book Group's 2022-2023 Reading Schedule with Book Blurbs
Book Group's 2021-2022 Reading Schedule with Book Blurbs
Tips for Book Discussion Leaders
Previously-Read Books
Book Group General Meeting Minutes, March 2023
Book Group General Meeting Minutes, March 2022
Wed, March 19 2025
19 Adar 5785
Need Help? If you are a Havurah member in need of help, log in to find resources here.
Havurah Updates
Hineinu: Purim Celebration Thursday, March 13 (Hamantaschen & Helpers Needed!), Plus More Havurah Events
Havurah's Purim Celebration!
Thursday, March 13
6 pm to 8 pm, Thursday, March 13 - At Havurah Shalom (or join via Zoom—we
You're Invited: Kabbalat Shabbat Tonight, March 7; Purim Celebration on Thursday, March 13, and More at Havurah Shalom
to Havurah Shalom
Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration - Friday, March 7
5:45 pm Hearty Nosh, 6:30 pm Service, 7:30 pm Continued Heart
Upcoming Events
IP = In person only (normally at Havurah Shalom);
ZM = On Zoom/online only;
HYB = In person and online; and
ANN = In person at Havurah's Annex.
-
Wednesday ,
MarMarch 19 , 2025(IP) Hebrew as a Tool: Prayer and Torah (registration closed)
Wednesday, Mar 19th 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. -
Thursday ,
MarMarch 20 , 2025(IP) Rumble on the River Community Forum
Thursday, Mar 20th 6:00p to 8:30p
Free, All are welcome. Click to go to the RSVP page. Doors & Info Tables Open: 5:30 pm; Panel Discussion Begins: 6:30 pm Havurah’s Climate Action Team (HCAT) is hosting this event. Just as it seemed that we were making real climate progress, the fossil fuel industry is sidetracking elected officials, regulators and business leaders with a rash of climate solution diversions. In the face of Zenith Energy’s plans to make Portland the West Coast center for so-called renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel, the panel will examine how renewable diesel is fraught with all kinds of problems and dangers—and actually may have a higher carbon footprint than petroleum-based fuels—and how renewable natural gas actually comes from methane produced by tortured animals in factory farms. -
Thursday ,
MarMarch 20 , 2025(ZM) Monthly Racial Justice Meeting
Thursday, Mar 20th 7:00p to 8:30p
(Normally held on second Thursdays, this month's meeting is on March 20.) Havurah members, join the Racial Justice Committee for our monthly meeting (2nd Thursdays, 7 pm to 8:30 pm, Zoom Room Bet). We will make plans to create learning opportunities for our community and engage in learning together during the meeting. Questions? Contact Julia Lager Mesulam. *Log in to your Havurah member account on our website and look under the Contact tab for the Member Directory and Zoom Room login info.* -
Saturday ,
MarMarch 22 , 2025Refugee and Immigrant Shabbat Morning
Shabbat, Mar 22nd 10:00a to 12:00p
Led by community members, 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@havurhshalom.org. -
Sunday ,
MarMarch 23 , 2025(IP) Asylum Seeker Solidarity Collective
Sunday, Mar 23rd 12:00p to 3:00p
-
Monday ,
MarMarch 24 , 2025Hakol Deadline is Monday, March 24
Monday, Mar 24th (All day)
Click to learn how to submit your contributions to our monthly newsletter, Hakol. -
Tuesday ,
MarMarch 25 , 2025(ZM) Book Group: Surviving Autocracy by Masha Gessen
Tuesday, Mar 25th 7:00p to 8:30p
The Havurah Shalom Book Group meets monthly to discuss fiction and nonfiction books voted on by Havurah members. All are welcome to any and all meetings. Copies of our upcoming books can be checked out by members in the Havurah library. We'll meet on Zoom for March 25; RSVP for Zoom info. -
Friday ,
MarMarch 28 , 2025(HYB) Solidarity Shabbat
Friday, Mar 28th 5:45p to 8:00p
Join Havurah members and friends for a Solidarity Shabbat service and potluck nosh. This is a spiritual space for community members working in solidarity with Palestinians - and for the liberation of all peoples - to come together to pray, build connections, and renew ourselves on Shabbat to continue our justice work. Please review Havurah's Brit Kavod for our community guidelines. Masks strongly encouraged and provided. -
Saturday ,
MarMarch 29 , 2025(HYB) Shabbat Morning
Shabbat, Mar 29th 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@havurhshalom.org. -
Sunday ,
MarMarch 30 , 2025(HYB) Come Hear Specialist on History of Western Oregon Tribes
Sunday, Mar 30th 2:00p to 4:30p
Come hear Dr. David G. Lewis, a specialist in the history of the Kalapuyans and other Western Oregon tribes. Join us in person at Havurah Shalom or online via Zoom. RSVP for Zoom info. All are welcome.
Address: 825 NW 18th Ave, Portland OR 97209 Phone: 503-248-4662
Privacy Settings | Privacy Policy | Member Terms
©2025 All rights reserved. Find out more about ShulCloud