HCAT
Havurah Climate Action Team
Click here to read what the Havurah Climate Action Team has been talking about.
Watch a video of them and others at the Global Climate Strike here.
Havurah’s Climate Action Team (HCAT) is Participating in Earth Day Activities: Join Us!
April 22 is the 50th Anniversary of the 1st Earth Day. Ironically, our need for social distancing has made our air cleaner, and has cut down on our emission of green house gases.
The following on-line events will enable you to join with others in fun, inspiration, education and action.
Anytime, Between Earth and Sky (movie)
An engaging, beautifully shot documentary filmed in Alaska. Alaska has been the source of myth and legend in the imagination of Americans for centuries, and what was once the last frontier of American expansion, has become the first frontier in climate change. Between Earth and Sky examines climate change through the lens of impacts to native Alaskans, receding glaciers, and arctic soil. betweenearthandskymovie.com
To stream the movie: https://tv.kttz.org/local-productions/between-earth-and-sky/
Wednesday April 22 – Friday, April 24, Earth Day Live
The youth-led 72-hour live stream and online mobilization will aim to engage people around the world in collective action to protect our climate and communities, and will feature performances from artists and influencers, panels with activists who are on the front lines of the climate crisis, trainings and teach-ins with partners, and conversations with elected officials to keep people engaged, informed, and inspired during this difficult time. For details: https://www.earthdaylive2020.org
Saturday, April 25, starting at 10 am, Uniting at Home
Hosted by Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL), hear from climate leaders, learn about quick actions we can take to help climate change, and get trained. Join for the whole event, or parts of it.
10 am PDT - Keynote speaker Dr. Katharine Hayhoe. Dr. Hayhoe is a world-renowned climate scientist, evangelical Christian, and host of the podcast, “Global Weirding”.
10:45am PDT - 3 easy actions you can take from home to help the climate right now.
11 am PDT - Choose one of four breakout sessions. Breakout lengths vary from 1-2 hours. Each breakout will be held in an individual Zoom meeting room.
For more information:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/uniting-from-home-registration-101119077884.
Registration is optional. https://citizensclimatelobby.org
Sunday, April 26, 7-8 pm, Movie Discussion - The Human Element
HCAT is leading this zoom discussion of The Human Element. An arresting new documentary from the producers of Racing Extinction and Chasing Ice, environmental photographer James Balog captures the lives of everyday Americans on the front lines of climate change. With rare compassion and heart, The Human Element relays captivating stories from coast-to-coast, inspiring us to reevaluate our relationship with the natural world. It’s a must see for people concerned about the impact of climate change on human life in the United States.
The movie is available for downloading from Friday, April 17 through Sunday, April 26 here.
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HCAT Breakout Group on Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur break’s engaging discussion about meaningful actions we can take to address the climate crises started in the traditional way of having a chevrutah, where people are studying in pairs and reading Jewish texts.
“The whole world of humans, animals, fish, and birds all depend on one another. All drink the earth’s water, breathe the earth’s air, and find food created on the earth. All share the same destiny — what happens to one happens to all.” — Tanna d’bei Eliahu (10th century)
This is just one of several relevant quotes about taking care of our common home, embracing an ecological spirituality, and developing a justice. These texts, ranging from the 4th-21st century, showed us we have a long Jewish tradition of being reminded of the interconnection of humans and the environment, and the need to be good stewards of the natural world.
In small groups of 8-10 we shared our answers to “What gives you hope?” and “What actions are you already taking?” A common source of hope is the involvement of youth in the climate movement, both in Portland and worldwide. Individual actions ranged from driving electric cars or taking public transportation to using reusable “go boxes” at New Season’s deli, eating less meat, reducing use of disposable plastic silverware and cups, and installing solar panels or investing in community solar. It was agreed that political action is also needed such as: contacting your representatives, voting in elections, and making structural and corporate changes. Many of us are involved with community activities and organizations that are making a difference.
A troubling aspect for some of us is our air travel. We were encouraged to offset that carbon emission by contributing to the Oregon Youth Conservation Corp’s efforts to plant trees in Oregon.
Sat, January 16 2021
3 Shevat 5781
Upcoming Events
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Sunday ,
JanJanuary 17 , 2021
Sunday, Jan 17th 4:00p to 6:00p
The new Israel/Palestine Committee will hold its first meeting since becoming an official committee. We will begin planning future events. This is a meeting of a working committee, not an event to discuss Israel/Palestine issues. Any member of Havurah is welcome to work with us. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact one of the co-chairs: Joel Beinin, Elinor Gollay, or Lee Gordon (contact info is in the member directory). The meeting will take place in Zoom Room Bet. Members only, please. RSVP here. -
Sunday ,
JanJanuary 17 , 2021
Sunday, Jan 17th 7:00p to 9:00p
Have you ever wanted to explore stories in Torah and use the writing process to personally understand the significance of Torah stories in your life? Join a small group of Havurahniks to delve into Torah using the writing process to explore and record our journey. Each evening will include a summary of that week's Torah portion and pearls from commentary. We will then begin two free-writes from prompts from the portion. All that is required is a journal. There is an optional opportunity to choose one portion to study, summarize and use to create writing prompts. Facilitated by Harriet Cooke and Jenni Besen. Harriet trained and led groups with Portland's Write Around Portland, then led an eight-year writing group on Torah. 10-person maximum. This class takes place in Zoom Room Gimel. Please see the weekly Hineinu newsletter for the link. -
Tuesday ,
JanJanuary 19 , 2021
Tuesday, Jan 19th 7:00p to 8:30p
Through readings, writing prompts and discussion, we will deepen our understanding of how we are impacted by the intersection of Jewishness and white supremacy. Facilitated by members of the IMIrJ Countering White Nationalism cohort. Limited to 20 participants. This class takes place in Zoom Room Gimel. Please see the weekly Hineinu newsletter for the link. -
Wednesday ,
JanJanuary 20 , 2021
Wednesday, Jan 20th 5:00p to 6:30p
This meeting will be in Room Gimel. -
Wednesday ,
JanJanuary 20 , 2021
Wednesday, Jan 20th 7:00p to 8:30p
The biblical prophets left us a legacy of clarion calls opposing inequity and demanding a more just society. Their vision and poetic voice has inspired Jews and others throughout the generations. In this class we will explore the prophets’ theology and worldview, and the language they used to express them. In particular, we will consider the role of the prophetic voice and approach in our own pursuits of justice, examining tensions between truth and compassion, activism and organizing, and confrontation and relationship-building. Taught by Rabbi Benjamin. This class takes place in Zoom Room Bet. Please see the weekly Hineinu newsletter for the link. -
Thursday ,
JanJanuary 21 , 2021
Thursday, Jan 21st 7:00p to 8:00p
Would you like to improve your ability to speak conversational Hebrew? Can you already read Hebrew but don't always know what you're reading? Did you take Hebrew lessons ages ago or did you participate in an Ulpan experience in Israel but have forgotten all you learned? Would you like to laugh and learn with fellow Havurahniks? Come join Racheli Ross as she continues a beginning Hebrew class in which the focus is on functional Hebrew conversations and vocabulary development. Thursdays, 7-8:00 pm, with an optional 8-8:30 practice session, starting on January 14, and continuing until March 18. This will be in Zoom Room Heh. -
Thursday ,
JanJanuary 21 , 2021
Thursday, Jan 21st 7:00p to 9:00p
Have you thought about trying to write prose? Do you want to try with others? This year’s Havurah Adult Writers Workshop (for Non-Writers!) begins January 14 and continues for the next 7 Thursdays, through March 4. The workshop is for anyone who wants to explore prose writing – and is NOT a published writer or working on a big writing project. The focus is memoir writing generated through reflection, engaging prompts, discussion and feedback. While the Jewish experience often comes up in memoir writing in a Jewish community, our focus is the writer’s personal exploration from any perspective. Participants develop one piece from the workshop and may choose to read at a culminating Friday Oneg Reading for the Havurah community. Led by David Kertzner. Group size limited to 8. -
Friday ,
JanJanuary 22 , 2021
Friday, Jan 22nd 7:30p to 8:30p
Please join us for our spirited and joy-filled Kabbalat Shabbat Service, led by Susan Brenner. Music will be provided by our talented Havurah musicians. This service will take place in Zoom Room Aleph. Please email info@havurahshalom.org if you need Zoom join info. -
Saturday ,
JanJanuary 23 , 2021
Shabbat, Jan 23rd 10:00a to 12:00p
This upbeat, interactive service, led by Rabbi Benjamin, focuses on the structure and key themes and prayers of the morning service. For the time being, all services will take place on Zoom in Room Aleph. Please contact the office for help connecting: info@havurahshalom.org. -
Saturday ,
JanJanuary 23 , 2021
Shabbat, Jan 23rd 3:00p to 5:15p