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.
Sun, July 25 2021
16 Av 5781
Upcoming Events
All Events
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Monday ,
JulJuly 26 , 2021Film Screening and Discussion: “Other Side of the Hill”
Monday, Jul 26th 7:00p to 8:15p
OTHER SIDE OF THE HILL explores the impacts of a changing climate as seen through the eyes of local leaders on the ground in rural Oregon. The film amplifies the voices of rural communities often left unheard, and shines a light on stories of progress and hope. In a time of unprecedented cultural divide between rural and urban communities, this film finds common ground in an urgency to address a changing landscape. Click into this event for film screening access. Our discussion will take place in Zoom Room Bet. -
Tuesday ,
JulJuly 27 , 2021Book Group: Journey From the Land of No: A Girlhood Caught in Revolutionary Iran, by Roya Hakakian
Tuesday, Jul 27th 7:00p to 8:30p
In Journey from the Land of No Roya Hakakian recalls her childhood and adolescence in pre-revolutionary Iran with candor and verve. The result is a beautifully written coming-of-age story about one deeply intelligent and perceptive girl’s attempt to find an authentic voice of her own at a time of cultural closing and repression. Remarkably, she manages to re-create a time and place dominated by religious fanaticism, violence, and fear with an open heart and often with great humor. This discussion will take place in Zoom Room Bet. -
Saturday ,
JulJuly 31 , 2021Community Minyan
Shabbat, Jul 31st 10:00a to 12:00p
Please join us for Shabbat morning! This service includes davening, Torah reading and discussion. 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 ,
AugAugust 7 , 2021Text & Torah: Moving Into Elul from Parashah Re’eh
Shabbat, Aug 7th 10:00a to 12:00p
Text & Torah: Moving Into Elul from Parashah Re’eh. We’ll look at the wealth of guidelines for a Jewish life as outlined in Parashah Re’eh, and discuss what it means to open our hearts during the month of Elul. Study session led by Diane Chaplin, followed by shortened Shabbat service. This service will take place on Zoom in Room Aleph. Please contact the office for help connecting: info@havurahshalom.org. -
Saturday ,
AugAugust 14 , 2021Community Minyan
Shabbat, Aug 14th 10:00a to 12:00p
Please join us for Shabbat morning! This service includes davening, Torah reading and discussion. 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 ,
AugAugust 14 , 2021Refa'einu Healing Service
Shabbat, Aug 14th 3:00p to 4:15p
Refa’einu Healing Services provide sacred space and time to focus on healing and wholeness. Through contemplative teachings, sacred chant, guided and silent meditations, embodied practice, and prayer, we open to healing energy—however it is needed in our lives, families, communities, planet. Please RSVP for the August 14th service, to be co-facilitated by Karen Mitzner and Tivona Reith. Refa’einu, Yah, v’neirafei—Heal us, Source of All Healing, and we will be healed. This service will take place on in a Zoom room that can be accessed through the Havurah High Holidays website. The website will become available the first week of August. -
Sunday ,
AugAugust 15 , 2021Hakol Deadline
Sunday, Aug 15th (All day)
Use the Submit tab on the website menu to send in news, photos, and announcements. For questions, email Brad Pector (brad@havurahshalom.org). -
Saturday ,
AugAugust 21 , 2021Bar Mitzvah of Harry Friedman
Shabbat, Aug 21st 10:00a to 12:00p
Please join us in welcoming Harry Friedman as a Bar Mitzvah and member of our community. This service will take place in Zoom Room Aleph. Please contact info@havurahshalom.org for access. -
Sunday ,
AugAugust 22 , 2021Tentative B'nei Mitzvah Gathering
Sunday, Aug 22nd 9:00a to 1:00p
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Sunday ,
AugAugust 22 , 2021Cemetery Clean-up
Sunday, Aug 22nd 1:00p to 3:00p
Get together with the Cemetery Committee to keep the space beautiful. The Cemetery and Garden Committees are co-sponsoring this event for the first time; all Havurah members, their friends and families are welcome to attend. Bring your own water and snacks, scrub brushes for scrubbing the gravestones, and pruners and gloves for trimming the hedge.
Sun, July 25 2021 16 Av 5781