Purim
Purim
The Book of Esther tells the story of the Jews of Persia, during the time of King Ahasuerus. After Queen Esther's cousin Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman, the king's minister, Haman tried to wipe out the Jews. The king gave him permission to draw lots (pur) to determine the day of destruction.
When Mordecai learned about the plan, he asked his cousin Esther to intercede. At a banquet for the king and Haman, she denounced Haman, who was hanged.
Celebrations of this story include humorous spiels with costumes, jokes and songs, and boundary-crossing on issues of gender, sexuality, authority, and relations with the non-Jewish world.
In this photo taken by Barbara Gundle at Havurah's 2018 Purim celebration, Rabbi Benjamin, dressed as Esther, addresses the crowd in a Brooklyn accent.
Mon, May 27 2019
22 Iyyar 5779
Upcoming Events
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Tuesday
May 28Bar Mitzvah Rehearsal
Tuesday, May 28th 4:30p to 6:30p
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Tuesday
May 28Book Discussion of Shanghai Diary
Tuesday, May 28th 7:00p to 8:30p
Book Group Discusses Shanghai Diary by Ursula Bacon, Tuesday, May 28, 7:00- 8:30 pm - Autobiography by a woman who now lives in the Portland area. By the late 1930s, as the holocaust approached, many Jewish families in Germany fled to one of the only open ports available: Shanghai. Eleven-year-old Ursula Bacon and her family made the difficult 8,000-mile voyage to Shanghai. But instead of a storybook China, they found streets teeming with peddlers, beggars, opium dens and prostitutes. Amid these abysmal conditions, Ursula learned of her own resourcefulness and found within herself the fierce determination to survive. She taught English to Chinese concubines and they became very good friends. She learned about spirituality and herself from a Buddhist monk. She also met the man she eventually married. There are many stories rolled into this one book. Discussion led by Stacey Hankin. -
Wednesday
May 29Encountering the Other: The Teaching of Martin Buber
Wednesday, May 29th 7:00p to 8:30p
Martin Buber taught that “all actual life is encounter.” He insisted on our relating to the other as subject rather than object. During these sessions, half in the fall and half in the spring, we will engage with some of the wisdom of this 20th century Jewish theologian and teacher, aiming to shed light on our lives and the world today through considering his teachings, and exploring together the vision of community and society which they inspire. Taught by Rabbi Benjamin. Free for members, $10/class for non-members. -
Friday
May 31Bar Mitzvah Rehearsal
Friday, May 31st 2:00p to 4:00p
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Sunday
Jun 2Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) Chanting in the Park
Sunday, Jun 2nd 7:00a to 9:00a
Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin. We will gather in Lower Macleay Park in the early morning, beginning with some chanting then walking mindfully along the trail. With teachings and intentions from Jewish tradition to guide us, we will intersperse chanting, silence, and reflective sharing as a means to connect within and without, and to wake up more fully in our lives. This will be a short hike at a gentle pace. We will conclude by 8:30 or 9am. Contact Rabbi Benjamin with questions. -
Sunday
Jun 2Song of Miriam Brunch
Sunday, Jun 2nd 10:00a to 12:15p
Join the community in honoring women volunteers, including one honored by Havurah. -
Sunday
Jun 2Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, Jun 2nd 1:00p to 3:00p
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Sunday
Jun 2Memorial for Daniel Hillel Werner
Sunday, Jun 2nd 5:00p to 8:00p
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Wednesday
Jun 5Adult Bnai Mitzvah Class
Wednesday, Jun 5th 7:00p to 9:00p
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Thursday
Jun 6Bat Mitzvah Rehearsal
Thursday, Jun 6th 6:30p to 7:30p