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 contact one of the chairs, Stacy Hankin.
Havurah Book Group 2023-2024 Discussion Schedule Chart
[Click here for blurbs on each book.]
September 26, 2023: The Treeline by Ben Rawlence (led by Harriet Cooke)
October 24, 2023: Comrades and Chicken Ranchers by Kenneth Kann (led by Holly Hoffnung)
November 28, 2023: The Dark Queens by Shelley Pukak (led by Maude Naroli)
December 26, 2023: The Promise by David Galgut (led by David Newman)
January 23. 2024: The Best Strangers in the World by Ari Shapiro (led by Beth Kaye)
February 27, 2024: Horse by Geraldine Brooks (led by Leah Hershey)
March 26, 2024: Apeirogon by Colum McCann (led by Marjorie Walters)
April 30, 2024: Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders (led by David Newman)
May 28, 2024: Whatever Happened to Antisemitism by Anthony Lerman (led by Joel Beinin)
June 25, 2024: All I Know and Love by Judith Frank (led by Beth Kaye)
July 23, 2024: Learning from the Germans by Susan Neiman (led by Harriet Cooke)
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
Sat, July 27 2024
21 Tammuz 5784
Need Help? If you are a Havurah member in need of help, log in to find resources here.
Havurah Updates
Hineinu: Pride Shabbat in the Park This Friday, Call for Visual Art, and More
Havurah's Pride Shabbat in the Park
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm (6:30 pm Service, 7:30 pm Potluck Dinner), Friday, July 19
Upcoming Events
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Saturday ,
JulJuly 27 , 2024
Shabbat, Jul 27th 10:00a to 12:00p
Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. For Zoom link (Zoom Room Aleph), email info@havurahshalom.org. -
Monday ,
JulJuly 29 , 2024
Monday, Jul 29th 6:00p to 7:30p
We will resume our monthly letter writing on the last Monday of each month to write letters to our lawmakers for Israel/Palestine justice. Questions? Contact David Lewis. Havurah members and non-members welcome. RSVP for Zoom info. -
Thursday ,
AugAugust 1 , 2024
Thursday, Aug 1st 5:30p to 7:00p
The Havurah Ma’avar Committee is offering a six-week grief process-support group for Havurah members. Each group session will be held virtually Thursday evenings, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm, beginning July 11 through August 15. Chaplain Candi Wuhrman will facilitate the group with a focus on the dying experience, the impact of the relationship, the things unsaid, making peace within ourselves, forgiveness, and continuing the relationship after death. -
Saturday ,
AugAugust 3 , 2024
Shabbat, Aug 3rd 10:00a to 12:00p
Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. For Zoom link (Zoom Room Aleph), email info@havurahshalom.org. -
Monday ,
AugAugust 5 , 2024
Monday, Aug 5th 1:00p to 4:00p
We are excited to bring mahjong back to Havurah. It is a fun, social activity that builds community, encouraging new friendships and cementing old ones. And while some of us may play elsewhere as well, we all agreed that restoring its place as an ongoing congregational activity will be a good fit for Havurah and those of us who play or want to learn the game. So please don't hesitate to join us! For Havurah members and prospective members. -
Monday ,
AugAugust 5 , 2024
Monday, Aug 5th 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. -
Thursday ,
AugAugust 8 , 2024
Thursday, Aug 8th 5:30p to 7:00p
The Havurah Ma’avar Committee is offering a six-week grief process-support group for Havurah members. Each group session will be held virtually Thursday evenings, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm, beginning July 11 through August 15. Chaplain Candi Wuhrman will facilitate the group with a focus on the dying experience, the impact of the relationship, the things unsaid, making peace within ourselves, forgiveness, and continuing the relationship after death. -
Friday ,
AugAugust 9 , 2024
Friday, Aug 9th 10:00a to 12:00p
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Saturday ,
AugAugust 10 , 2024
Shabbat, Aug 10th 10:00a to 12:00p
Please join us in welcoming Sebastian Mellman as a Bar Mitzvah and member of our community. -
Monday ,
AugAugust 12 , 2024
Monday, Aug 12th 8:00p to 9:30p
Tisha B’Av is a powerful holy day in our cycle of Jewish time. Yet, it is often overlooked, considered as just a day of mourning for the destruction of the temples. We will look at how Tisha B’Av came to be the collecting point of Jewish loss, grief, and displacement as well as what Alan Lew calls “the moment of turning, the moment when we turn away from denial and begin to face exile and alienation as they manifest themselves in our own lives...Teshuvah – turning is the essential gesture of the entire High Holiday season.” We will also commemorate Tisha B’av with a short ritual that helps us being the process of Teshuvah. All are welcome. Stay tuned for an update on the location/medium of delivery: This event will be at Havurah Shalom and/or on Zoom. Havurahniks, please contact Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, deborah@havurahshalom.org if you would like to help plan this ritual.