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.
Sat, December 2 2023
19 Kislev 5784
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Havurah Updates
Hineinu: Rebecca Clarren Book Convo, Adult B'nei Mitzvah Due Date, Kabbalat Shabbat, Chanukah
The Cost of Free Land: Jews, Lakota, and an American Inheritance by Havurahnik Rebecca Clarren
5:30 to 7 pm, Wednesday,
Hineinu Correction: Regarding Two Events Tomorrow (Tuesday, November 28)
Correction: Upcoming Havurah Events
Havurah Book Group to Discuss The
Upcoming Events
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Saturday ,
DecDecember 2 , 2023(IP) Shabbat School
Shabbat, Dec 2nd 3:00p to 5:15p
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Saturday ,
DecDecember 2 , 2023Grade 4 Kehillah Night
Shabbat, Dec 2nd 5:15p to 8:00p
Grade 4 Shabbat School class gets together to hang out and have fun! -
Sunday ,
DecDecember 3 , 2023(IP) Mitzvah Project
Sunday, Dec 3rd 10:00a to 12:00p
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Sunday ,
DecDecember 3 , 2023(ZM) Racial Justice Film Discussion: Watch Selma Beforehand
Sunday, Dec 3rd 6:30p to 8:00p
Watch Selma before we meet, and we'll discuss the film together over Zoom. (Film rating: PG-13; teens welcome to join too.) -
Monday ,
DecDecember 4 , 2023Mahjong Group
Monday, Dec 4th 1:00p to 4:00p
We are excited to bring mahjong back to Havurah. It is a fun, social activity that builds community, encouraging new friendships and cementing old ones. And while some of us may play elsewhere as well, we all agreed that restoring its place as an ongoing congregational activity will be a good fit for Havurah and those of us who play or want to learn the game. So please don't hesitate to join us! -
Monday ,
DecDecember 4 , 2023(IP) Occupation 101
Monday, Dec 4th 7:00p to 8:30p
We will explore the military occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip through film, lectures, and discussion. We will ask questions about the declared purposes, political and legal foundations, impact, and future of the Occupation. Led by Joel Beinin. -
Tuesday ,
DecDecember 5 , 2023(ZM) Havurah 101
Tuesday, Dec 5th 7:00p to 8:30p
Join members of the Havurah Leadership Development Committee to learn more about our unique community and the ways we all support each other in our participatory culture. All members are welcome to join us! -
Tuesday ,
DecDecember 5 , 2023(HYB) Sacred Music of Moroccan Jews
Tuesday, Dec 5th 7:00p to 8:30p
Eyal Bitton is the cantor at Portland's Neveh Shalom and was raised in the Moroccan Jewish community in Montreal. Through lecture and song, he will examine various elements of Moroccan sacred music—synagogue song, cantillation of sacred texts, the piyyut (liturgical poetry), and life cycle songs. Moroccan Jews have a very rich and proud religious culture, and a varied and ancient musical tradition, reflecting its Moroccan milieu, its Andalusian heritage, and more. -
Tuesday ,
DecDecember 5 , 2023(IP) Tuning In to Jewish Texts
Tuesday, Dec 5th 7:30p to 8:45p
Jewish text study is similar to tuning a radio. Each type of text—TaNaKH (Bible), Rabbinic Literature (Midrash and Talmud), Medieval Commentary (Rashi, ibn Ezra, Nachmanides) and Mystical (Kabbalistic and Hasidic)—operates on a different frequency. Each seeks to clarify what we are hearing about the world, following a set of rules. Each reads the world’s signals. We will spend two weeks tuning into specific passages from the four genres. Hebrew is not necessary for this overview , although we will read some of the “greatest hits” together in the original. Transistor radios preferred to digital, because we are all subject to static. Led by Rabbi Joey Wolf. -
Wednesday ,
DecDecember 6 , 2023(IP) Campaign for Havurah Exec. Meeting
Wednesday, Dec 6th 4:00p to 6:00p