End of Life
Cemetery Committee
Havurah's Cemetery Committee is led by Cindy Merrill. The committee helps Havurah members purchase cemetery plots and manages other aspects of the cemetery. Every year the committee brings the Havurah community together during High Holidays to remember loved ones who have passed away and organizes an annual cemetery beautification day. You can find information about the cemetery below.
Yahrzeits
If you would like Havurah to notify you when the yahrzeit dates of your loved ones are approaching, you can log into your Havurah membership account and add the names and dates there.
If you haven't logged in as a member yet, click on the "login" link in upper right corner of our website, enter the email address where you receive Havurah correspondence, and create a password for yourself. You'll receive an email from Havurah confirming that your password has been received, and then you'll be able to log into your account any time. If you have questions, call 503-248-4662.
Chevra Kadisha
A chevra kadisha is a group of men and a group of women who perform the traditional Jewish ritual of preparing individuals for burial. This service is one of chesed shel emet (ultimate kindness). In order to maintain the dignity of the one who has died, the ritual is performed by chevra members who are the same gender as the deceased. Chevra Kavod haMet is a chevra kadisha for several Jewish communities in the Portland area.
Resources
- Commentary and Research by Diane Chaplin about Jewish mourning traditions
- Books for Children and Families about terminal illness, aging and death, in a Jewish context
- Books for Adults About Death in a Jewish Context, which can be checked out from Havurah's library
- Reference Information from end-of-life workshops at Havurah by former Havurah member Rabbi Me'irah Iliinsky
- Video of Rabbi Iliinsky's Interactive Play at Havurah on Tahara
Cemetery
Havurah Shalom's cemetery is located off the Sylvan Hill, just west of downtown Portland, at 5656 SW Humphrey Blvd. You can find directions below.
This interview with founding member Elden Rosenthal describes how and why Havurah established the cemetery shortly after the congregation was formed and the egalitarian concepts the cemetery reflects.
Havurah works closely with Holman’s Funeral Service to coordinate funerals at our cemetery. Holman's is located at 2610 SE Hawthorne Blvd. You can call 503-232-5131 to make arrangements or to learn about preplanning to make the end of life less stressful.
If you are a member of Havurah and need to make funeral, burial, or shiva minyan arrangements, please contact Rabbi Benjamin at 503-248-4662 ext. 3. If he is out of town and can't be reached, his voicemail message will direct you to the pastoral support person who can assist you.
These are some helpful resources for making burial arrangements:
Directions to the Cemetery
Click here to see driving and public transit (TriMet) directions to Havurah's cemetery, a section of the Jones Cemetery located at 5656 SW Humphrey Blvd in Portland, Oregon (Southwest Hills).
Sat, July 5 2025
9 Tammuz 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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Friday ,
JulJuly 11 , 2025
Friday, Jul 11th 11:00a to 2:00p
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Friday ,
JulJuly 11 , 2025
Friday, Jul 11th 6:30p to 8:30p
Celebrate queer and Jewish joy and resistance with a special Kabbalat Shabbat service at Columbia Park! We’ll enjoy a potluck dinner together afterward. Beverages will be provided. BYOB. All are welcome. -
Saturday ,
JulJuly 12 , 2025
Shabbat, Jul 12th 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@havurahshalom.org. -
Monday ,
JulJuly 14 , 2025
Monday, Jul 14th 11:00a to 2:00p
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Tuesday ,
JulJuly 15 , 2025
Tuesday, Jul 15th 6:30p to 8:30p
**Our Steering Meeting this month will be held on Tuesday, July 15 instead of on the usual day (second Tuesdays).** Steering members and staff will meet to consider matters of governance. All Havurah Shalom members are invited to attend Steering Committee meetings. For Zoom join links, visit havurahshalom.org/zoom (must be logged in) or call the office in advance for assistance (503-248-4662). -
Tuesday ,
JulJuly 15 , 2025
Tuesday, Jul 15th 7:00p to 8:30p
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Wednesday ,
JulJuly 16 , 2025
Wednesday, Jul 16th 1:00p to 2:00p
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Saturday ,
JulJuly 19 , 2025
Shabbat, Jul 19th 10:00a to 12:00p
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Sylvia Hartman as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community. -
Sunday ,
JulJuly 20 , 2025
Sunday, Jul 20th 10:30a to 2:00p
Havurah is marching in Pride! Havurah Shalom is a parade contingent in the 2025 Portland Pride Parade. **Havurahniks, please RSVP to let us know you'll be marching with us in the Portland Pride Parade. It will really help us with planning and communications.** (Note: 10:30 am is when parade organizers have asked marchers to arrive by.) -
Monday ,
JulJuly 21 , 2025
Monday, Jul 21st 7:00p to 8:00p
Join us for our first meeting for the book "Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility."
Address: 825 NW 18th Ave, Portland OR 97209 Phone: 503-248-4662
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