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 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. During the 2024-25 (5785) school year, Grade 7 will meet on with Rabbi Benjamin for their Cohort classes on 10/23, 10/30, 11/6 and 11/13. Grade 8 meets for classes on 10/23, 10/30, 11/6 and 11/13 as well, then Grades 7 and 8 meet together for classes on 11/20, 12/4, 12/11, 12/18, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29 and 2/5.
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. Parent Orientation for Havurah Middle School will be held on October 23. Details and RSVP coming soon.
Tuition & Registration
Enroll here for 2024-25 (5785) Middle School - grades 7 and 8. Contact Carrie Kirschner with questions, carrie@havurahshlom.org
For tuition assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact Deborah Eisenbach-Budner.
Resources for Middle School Parents
Wed, March 19 2025
19 Adar 5785
Need Help? If you are a Havurah member in need of help, log in to find resources here.
Havurah Updates
Hineinu: Get Ready for Spring at Havurah Shalom
Key Due Dates for Havurah's Shabbat School
Shabbat School is for Havurah families with children in grades K-6. Shabbat Scho
Hineinu: Purim Celebration Thursday, March 13 (Hamantaschen & Helpers Needed!), Plus More Havurah Events
Havurah's Purim Celebration!
Thursday, March 13
6 pm to 8 pm, Thursday, March 13 - At Havurah Shalom (or join via Zoom—we
You're Invited: Kabbalat Shabbat Tonight, March 7; Purim Celebration on Thursday, March 13, and More at Havurah Shalom
to Havurah Shalom
Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration - Friday, March 7
5:45 pm Hearty Nosh, 6:30 pm Service, 7:30 pm Continued Heart
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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Wednesday ,
MarMarch 19 , 2025
Wednesday, Mar 19th 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 ,
MarMarch 20 , 2025
Thursday, Mar 20th 6:00p to 8:30p
Free, All are welcome. Click to go to the RSVP page. Doors & Info Tables Open: 5:30 pm; Panel Discussion Begins: 6:30 pm Havurah’s Climate Action Team (HCAT) is hosting this event. Just as it seemed that we were making real climate progress, the fossil fuel industry is sidetracking elected officials, regulators and business leaders with a rash of climate solution diversions. In the face of Zenith Energy’s plans to make Portland the West Coast center for so-called renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel, the panel will examine how renewable diesel is fraught with all kinds of problems and dangers—and actually may have a higher carbon footprint than petroleum-based fuels—and how renewable natural gas actually comes from methane produced by tortured animals in factory farms. -
Thursday ,
MarMarch 20 , 2025
Thursday, Mar 20th 7:00p to 8:30p
(Normally held on second Thursdays, this month's meeting is on March 20.) Havurah members, join the Racial Justice Committee for our monthly meeting (2nd Thursdays, 7 pm to 8:30 pm, Zoom Room Bet). We will make plans to create learning opportunities for our community and engage in learning together during the meeting. Questions? Contact Julia Lager Mesulam. *Log in to your Havurah member account on our website and look under the Contact tab for the Member Directory and Zoom Room login info.* -
Saturday ,
MarMarch 22 , 2025
Shabbat, Mar 22nd 10:00a to 12:00p
Led by community members, 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@havurhshalom.org. -
Sunday ,
MarMarch 23 , 2025
Sunday, Mar 23rd 12:00p to 3:00p
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Monday ,
MarMarch 24 , 2025
Monday, Mar 24th (All day)
Click to learn how to submit your contributions to our monthly newsletter, Hakol. -
Tuesday ,
MarMarch 25 , 2025
Tuesday, Mar 25th 7:00p to 8:30p
The Havurah Shalom Book Group meets monthly to discuss fiction and nonfiction books voted on by Havurah members. All are welcome to any and all meetings. Copies of our upcoming books can be checked out by members in the Havurah library. We'll meet on Zoom for March 25; RSVP for Zoom info. -
Friday ,
MarMarch 28 , 2025
Friday, Mar 28th 5:45p to 8:00p
Join Havurah members and friends for a Solidarity Shabbat service and potluck nosh. This is a spiritual space for community members working in solidarity with Palestinians - and for the liberation of all peoples - to come together to pray, build connections, and renew ourselves on Shabbat to continue our justice work. Please review Havurah's Brit Kavod for our community guidelines. Masks strongly encouraged and provided. -
Saturday ,
MarMarch 29 , 2025
Shabbat, Mar 29th 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@havurhshalom.org. -
Sunday ,
MarMarch 30 , 2025
Sunday, Mar 30th 2:00p to 4:30p
Come hear Dr. David G. Lewis, a specialist in the history of the Kalapuyans and other Western Oregon tribes. Join us in person at Havurah Shalom or online via Zoom. RSVP for Zoom info. All are welcome.
Address: 825 NW 18th Ave, Portland OR 97209 Phone: 503-248-4662
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