Middle School Grades 7-8
Middle School, Grades 7-8
Havurah's Middle School emphasizes kehillah and kesher (community and connection). It strives to be fun and to help students stay connected with their friends and/or expand their circle of relationships and community. Recognizing that many families are involved with B'nai Mitzvah preparation, the program is held in groups of classes throughout the school year. Classes and activities focus more on culture than religion, with the intent of exposing students to diverse ways of being Jewish.
Designed for 7th and 8th graders, our Middle School offers students and families a unique blend of programs. In prior years, students have learned about and experienced Jewish cooking, watched and discussed Jewish films, considered Jewish customs and rituals concerning health and body image, and participated in tikkun olam projects.
Meeting Times
Havurah Middle School meets on 12-14 Wednesday evenings during the school year, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Each class begins with dinner (6:30 to 7:00 pm), when students socialize with each other and with Havurah's High School students. Then students have class from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Additional social and other activities occur on other dates. We will post the class dates for 2020-21 as soon as they are finalized.
Parent Participation
All parents participate in facilitating the Middle School program. Some join the High School parents in providing dinner on class nights, while others assist in the classroom or plan activities. At times parents are also asked to drive students to events.
Tuition & Registration
2020-21 Havurah Youth Education Program Enrollment Form
For tuition assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact Deborah Eisenbach-Budner.
Resources for Middle School Parents
Thu, March 4 2021
20 Adar 5781
Upcoming Events
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Thursday ,
MarMarch 4 , 2021Beginning Conversational Hebrew
Thursday, Mar 4th 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 ,
MarMarch 4 , 2021Writer’s Workshop (for Non-Writers!)
Thursday, Mar 4th 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. -
Thursday ,
MarMarch 4 , 2021The Torah of Our Lives: Havurah Spiritual Writing Group
Thursday, Mar 4th 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. -
Friday ,
MarMarch 5 , 2021HIAS Refugee Shabbat
Friday, Mar 5th 7:00p to 8:00p
Havurah Shalom will participate in HIAS’ Refugee Shabbat, during which Jews in the United States and around the world will take action for refugees and asylum seekers. Please join Rabbi Benjamin, Leah Shoshanna and community members for services on Friday, March 5 at 7 pm as we integrate themes of refugees and asylum seekers into the readings, prayers and music of our service, and learn how we can take action. -
Saturday ,
MarMarch 6 , 2021Community Minyan
Shabbat, Mar 6th 10:00a to 11:30a
Join us for an uplifting morning service. For the time being, all services will take place on Zoom in Room Aleph. Please contact the office to connect: info@havurahshalom.org. -
Saturday ,
MarMarch 6 , 2021Shabbat School
Shabbat, Mar 6th 3:00p to 5:15p
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Saturday ,
MarMarch 6 , 2021Community Havdallah
Shabbat, Mar 6th 5:00p to 5:15p
Join Shabbat School for a community celebration of Havdallah, led by Leah Shoshanah, Rabbi Benjamin and Deborah Eisenbach-Budner in Room Aleph. -
Saturday ,
MarMarch 6 , 2021Grade 5 Kehillah Night
Shabbat, Mar 6th 5:30p to 8:30p
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Saturday ,
MarMarch 6 , 2021Q&A with the filmmakers of "A Kaddish for Bernie Madoff"
Motzei Shabbat, Mar 6th 8:30p to 9:30p
A Kaddish for Bernie Madoff, the acclaimed one-woman show by Alicia Jo Rabins, has been adapted into a film, to be featured in Portland International Film Festival. Join us as Havurah Shalom hosts the Jewish community in a talk-back and Q&A with Alicia Jo and her director, Alicia J. Rose! To participate, purchase a ticket through PIFF for virtual viewing. The film will be available to you Friday, March 5, to Sunday, March 14. Consider watching it individually or in a group you organize at 7 pm on March 6, then join our Havurah-hosted Zoom Room at 8:30 pm for the talkback. RSVP below. Zoom join info will be included in your confirmation email. Questions? Email info@havurahshalom.org. -
Sunday ,
MarMarch 7 , 2021Weekend in Quest
Sunday, Mar 7th 11:00a to 2:00p
Free with registration—This year’s program has shifted to a webinar format with Scholar in Residence Stav Meishar. The true stories of Jewish circus artists between the world wars are told with sensitivity and humor by Stav Meishar, a circus artist and academic. The lecture is based on over seven years of extensive research and combines photos from personal albums, recorded testimonies, and personal stories. Additionally, Meishar will present excerpts from her show "The Escape Act", based on one of the stories she uncovered–that of a Jewish acrobat who survived the Holocaust hiding in a German circus. Stav Meishar is a theatre maker, multidisciplinary performer, academic researcher and educator, working across circus, theatre, and contemporary performance. Register for Weekend in Quest at OJMCHE website. Within 24 hours after registering, participants will be sent a list of links to background articles and information to review prior to the program. 2021 Weekend in Quest is a free virtual program that honors the roots of the program as a Shabbaton Study Weekend.