End of Life
Cemetery Committee
Havurah's Cemetery Committee is led by Dave Weil, David Ellenberg, and Evan King. 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.
In the Event of a Death
If you are a member of Havurah Shalom and experience a death in the family, you can reach Rabbi Benjamin at 503-248-4662 ext. 3. If you need to make funeral, burial or shiva minyan arrangements, and Rabbi Benjamin is out of town and can't be reached, his voicemail message will direct you to the pastoral support person who can assist you.
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).
Tue, March 19 2024
9 Adar II 5784
Need Help? If you are a Havurah member in need of help, log in to find resources here.
Havurah Updates
Hineinu: Purim is coming!! and lots more.
Havurah Purim Celebration
6 pm to 8 pm on Saturday, March 23 at Havurah Shalom
Come as you aren't! All are welcome! Fun f
Upcoming Events
-
Tuesday ,
MarMarch 19 , 2024
Tuesday, Mar 19th 6:30p to 8:00p
-
Wednesday ,
MarMarch 20 , 2024
Wednesday, Mar 20th 6:30p to 8:30p
-
Wednesday ,
MarMarch 20 , 2024
Wednesday, Mar 20th 7:00p to 8:30p
Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin. In this class, we’ll be exploring various ways in which the Divine is represented and imagined in Jewish tradition. Beyond simply the intellectual, our lens will be more one of spiritual reflection and practice. In other words: As we encounter and interact with the metaphors that the tradition offers for experiencing and connecting with God/Spirit/Life, what do we notice within our hearts and minds? How do particular images shape our consciousness and perception? As a guide for this exploration we will read Rabbi Toba Spitzer’s book, God is Here, which should be purchased for the class (contact Rabbi Benjamin for a free copy if needed). RSVP here by March 1. -
Thursday ,
MarMarch 21 , 2024
Thursday, Mar 21st (All day)
Click to learn how to submit your contributions to our monthly newsletter. The deadline for the April 2024 Hakol is Thursday, March 21. -
Thursday ,
MarMarch 21 , 2024
Thursday, Mar 21st 7:00p to 8:30p
Join the monthly meeting of the Racial Justice Committee to learn what we are up to and how you can be involved. Join us even if you haven't joined in the past. New members always welcome! Please note: While Racial Justice Committee Monthly Meetings normally meet on second Thursdays, this meeting will take place on March 21st. -
Saturday ,
MarMarch 23 , 2024
Shabbat, Mar 23rd 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. -
Saturday ,
MarMarch 23 , 2024
Shabbat, Mar 23rd 6:00p to 8:00p
All are invited to celebrate Purim at Havurah Shalom! Havurahniks: Check out our open volunteer roles for the Purim party (from decorating to teen helpers to bringing potluck snack items) and consider making Purim delicious by making hamantashen for the bake-off! -
Monday ,
MarMarch 25 , 2024
Monday, Mar 25th 6:00p to 7:30p
-
Tuesday ,
MarMarch 26 , 2024
Tuesday, Mar 26th 6:30p to 8:30p
-
Tuesday ,
MarMarch 26 , 2024
Tuesday, Mar 26th 7:00p to 8:30p
Bassam is a Palestinian Muslim who was imprisoned by Israeli officials for seven years. Rami is a Jewish man who was born in Israel and married into a well-heeled family that has some social capital in Israeli politics. But their lives, however circumscribed, are upended one after the other: first, Rami’s thirteen-year-old daughter, Smadar, becomes the victim of suicide bombers; a decade later, Bassam’s ten-year-old daughter, Abir, is killed by a rubber bullet from an Israeli soldier. Rami and Bassam had been raised to hate one another. And yet, when they learn of each other’s stories, they recognize the loss that connects them. The two men come together, across the animosity and violence of their respective home nations, over a shared desire to spread a message of education, understanding, and the end of Israel’s occupation of Palestine. Discussion led by Marjorie Walters. Nonmembers welcome. RSVP for Zoom info.