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).
Mon, February 10 2025
12 Shevat 5785
Need Help? If you are a Havurah member in need of help, log in to find resources here.
Havurah Updates
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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Monday ,
FebFebruary 10 , 2025
Monday, Feb 10th 7:00p to 8:15p
Are you interested in learning how to chant the Torah? This beautiful, ancient system is a treat to learn, and inspiring to sing. A five-session class led by Ken Lerner will teach you everything you need in order to connect with this heritage, and become a proud “leyner” (Torah chanter). Ken has been a patient teacher of beginning Torah readers for over 30 years at Havurah, and would be happy to help you feel the satisfaction of gaining this skill. There is a minimum of three interested students to make the class a reality, and there is a limit of seven people. Please RSVP soon if you are interested, but no later than Jan. 15, 2025, and Ken will be in touch about the class. -
Monday ,
FebFebruary 10 , 2025
Monday, Feb 10th 7:00p to 8:30p
Monthly music jams are back! Tune your instrument, warm up your voice and head down to Havurah to jam with us. Join your fellow Havurah musicians for an evening of playing and singing together—for the joy of it! Jams are led by fellow Havurah members and are completely democratic--everyone chooses songs! Our songbook includes both Jewish and secular songs from a wide range of artists and eras. Please RSVP. -
Tuesday ,
FebFebruary 11 , 2025
Tuesday, Feb 11th 6:30p to 8:30p
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 ,
FebFebruary 11 , 2025
Tuesday, Feb 11th 7:00p to 9:00p
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Wednesday ,
FebFebruary 12 , 2025
Wednesday, Feb 12th 4:00p to 5:30p
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Wednesday ,
FebFebruary 12 , 2025
Wednesday, Feb 12th 6:30p to 8:30p
A Tikkun Olam opportunity in Collaboration with the Poverty and Homelessness Committee. We will assemble Welcome Home kits for Community Warehouse who will share them with folks moving into new homes. -
Wednesday ,
FebFebruary 12 , 2025
Wednesday, Feb 12th 6:30p to 8:30p
For Grades 9-12. -
Wednesday ,
FebFebruary 12 , 2025
Wednesday, Feb 12th 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 ,
FebFebruary 13 , 2025
Thursday, Feb 13th 4:00p to 5:30p
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Thursday ,
FebFebruary 13 , 2025
Thursday, Feb 13th 5:30p to 7:00p
The Havurah Ma’avar Committee is offering a six-week grief process-support group for Havurah members in any stage of grief. 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. (This group will be limited to eight participants. If we reach capacity, that will be indicated here on the RSVP page.)
Address: 825 NW 18th Ave, Portland OR 97209 Phone: 503-248-4662
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