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, June 18 2025
22 Sivan 5785
Need Help? If you are a Havurah member in need of help, log in to find resources here.
Havurah Updates
Hineinu: Kabbalat Shabbat & More Musical Shabbaton, New(ish) Member Welcome Brunch, Shavuot Approaches!
Join Our Musical Shabbaton, May 9 to 10,
with Musician-in-Residence Aly Halpert
- On Friday evening, May 9, all are welcome
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.
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Wednesday ,
JunJune 18 , 2025(IP) Climate Shabbat Music Practice
Wednesday, Jun 18th 11:15a to 12:30p
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Wednesday ,
JunJune 18 , 2025(IP) Hebrew as a Tool: Prayer and Torah (registration closed)
Wednesday, Jun 18th 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. -
Friday ,
JunJune 20 , 2025(IP) Bat Mitzvah Run-through
Friday, Jun 20th 10:00a to 11:30a
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Saturday ,
JunJune 21 , 2025Shabbat Morning with Bat Mitzvah of Maci MacDonald
Shabbat, Jun 21st 10:00a to 12:00p
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Maci MacDonald as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community. -
Saturday ,
JunJune 21 , 2025(IP) Queer Summer Solstice Shabbat
Shabbat, Jun 21st 7:00p to 8:30p
All Havurah members who identify as LGBTQIA+ (and families!) are invited to our next queer community-building event. We'll set intentions for embodying Shabbat in our time together, do an ice breaker, and play some games. It'll still be light when we leave, so there won't be Havdalah, but there will be snacks. RSVPs are appreciated but not required. Questions? Contact Kayla Reiman or Beth Kaye (log in to your Havurah member account to access the directory). -
Thursday ,
JunJune 26 , 2025(IP) HCAT Service Run-through
Thursday, Jun 26th 5:30p to 7:30p
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Friday ,
JunJune 27 , 2025(HYB) Solidarity Shabbat
Friday, Jun 27th 5:45p to 8:30p
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 ,
JunJune 28 , 2025(HYB) Climate Change Shabbat Morning
Shabbat, Jun 28th 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 ,
JunJune 29 , 2025(HYB) Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual
Sunday, Jun 29th 7:00p to 8:15p
A gender-inclusive New Moon group, learning and celebrating each Rosh Ḥodesh with ancient and contemporary ritual. Open to any and all genders, inviting each to connect with our closest heavenly body, the Moon. An introductory meeting will happen on the full moon of Elul on Wednesday, Aug. 30 outdoors—weather permitting—in North Portland. Subsequent meetings will be on or near the new moon of each month either in person in North Portland or on Zoom, depending on seasonal shifts in the weather. Attend any or all sessions. RSVP to be updated on location and other details throughout the year. -
Monday ,
JunJune 30 , 2025(ZM) Palestinian Justice Letter Writing Group
Monday, Jun 30th 6:00p to 7:30p
We hold monthly letter writing group Zoom gatherings to write letters to our lawmakers for Israel/Palestine justice. Questions? Email Dale Oller (member log-in required to access directory). Feel free to drop in any time! There’s no need to RSVP, but please do RSVP if you need the Zoom login. Non-Havurah-members very welcome as well.
Address: 825 NW 18th Ave, Portland OR 97209 Phone: 503-248-4662
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