Religious Life
Avodah (Spiritual Life)
Our Avodah Cluster of committees, led by Cindy Merrill, strives to help each community member find their own path to meaning and connection through Jewish practice.
Committees
- Bikkur Holim (Visiting the Sick)
- B'nei Mitzvah
- High Holidays
- Ma'avar (End of Life)
- Music
- Rachel's Well Community Mikvah - Havurah liaisons are Ruth Feldman and Evan King.
- Spiritual Life (Shabbat Services)
Shabbat & Weekday Services
Shabbat is an integral part of our gathering as a Jewish community. It is a day of rest, a time to suspend the demands of our rigorous daily schedules and focus on renewing our souls within. In addition to Shabbat services, Havurah Shalom offers morning services every Wednesday. Learn more here.
Holidays
Our High Holiday services are held at the Tiffany Center, except during the pandemic, when they were held online. They are free of charge and open to the Portland community. Our members play an active role both behind the scenes and in the services and programs to make it all happen. Learn more here.
Other holidays at Havurah Shalom play an important role in our community as we gather to celebrate and learn about the rhythm of Jewish life. Learn more here.
Tue, May 30 2023
10 Sivan 5783
Need Help? If you are a Havurah member in need of help, log in to find resources here.
Havurah Updates
Hineinu: Opportunities to Come Together, Opportunities to Engage
Hineinu, May 17, 2023
Shavuot Begins Next Thursday Night: Join Us! Celebrate the start of Shavuot with all-night learning and lots of cheesecake!
Shavuot Begins Next Thursday Night: Join Us! Celebrate the start of Shavuot with all-night learning and lots of cheesecake!
Upcoming Events
All Events
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Wednesday ,
MayMay 31 , 2023(HYB) Community Support Safety Briefing
Wednesday, May 31st 6:00p to 8:00p
We are holding two sessions of a community support safety briefing for Havurah members. The Wednesday, May 31 evening session will be hybrid. The Sunday, June 4 morning session will be held on Zoom only (Zoom Room Bet). Havurah members are invited to attend either session. -
Thursday ,
JunJune 1 , 2023(IP) B'nei Mitzvah Drash and Service Workshop
Thursday, Jun 1st 7:00p to 8:15p
Rabbi Benjamin will guide students and parents in responding to the text with their own questions and walk through the Shabbat morning service. -
Saturday ,
JunJune 3 , 2023(HYB) Community Minyan
Shabbat, Jun 3rd 10:00a to 12:00p
Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. We meet in person and in Zoom Room Aleph. Please email Rachel for Zoom info: rachel@havurahshalom.org. -
Sunday ,
JunJune 4 , 2023(IP) Bonim Retreat
Sunday, Jun 4th 10:00a to 4:00p
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Sunday ,
JunJune 4 , 2023(ZM) Community Support Safety Briefing
Sunday, Jun 4th 11:00a to 12:30p
We are holding two sessions of a community support safety briefing for Havurah members. The Wednesday, May 31 evening session will be hybrid. The Sunday, June 4 morning session will be held on Zoom only (Zoom Room Bet). Havurah members are invited to attend either session. -
Sunday ,
JunJune 4 , 2023B'nei Mitzvah run through
Sunday, Jun 4th 5:00p to 7:00p
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Sunday ,
JunJune 4 , 2023(ZM) Racial Justice Committee Movie Discussion: Judas and the Black Messiah
Sunday, Jun 4th 6:30p to 8:30p
Please join the Racial Justice Committee for a discussion of the movie Judas and the Black Messiah. (Please watch the film ahead of time; it's available on several platforms.) This is the second film in a series to commemorate Juneteenth. In the film, an FBI informant infiltrates the Black Panthers to keep tabs on its charismatic leader, Fred Hampton. Critics describe the movie as a offering insight into a man and a movement that has been overlooked far too long. Although it takes place in the late '60s, the movie is, unfortunately, very relevant today. -
Monday ,
JunJune 5 , 2023(IP) Mahjong Group
Monday, Jun 5th 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 ,
JunJune 5 , 2023(ZM) Climate Book Group: A Better Catastrophe
Monday, Jun 5th 5:00p to 6:00p
Please join Havurah Climate Action Team for ongoing discussion of how to face the climate crisis. We will read "I Want a Better Catastrophe, Navigating the Climate Crisis with Grief, Hope, and Gallows Humor," by Andrew Boyd. Through interviews with prominent climate scientists, indigenous teachers, and sociologists, Andrew Boyd takes us through the process of looking squarely at the crisis we are in, feeling our emotions, and using them to power our response to the climate crisis. Open to members and non-members. Discussions will follow the book. One need not attend all the discussions. For questions, reach out to Michael Heumann or Harriet Cooke. RSVP for updates. -
Monday ,
JunJune 5 , 2023(IP) Dismantling Racism from the Inside Out
Monday, Jun 5th 6:00p to 8:00p
A course for transforming our antiracism efforts through Jewish spiritual practice. Facilitated by Rabbi Benjamin and María Lisa Johnson Learn concrete Jewish spiritual tools alongside other Havurah members to confront, subvert, and heal implicit and internalized racism within ourselves and others. This course explores the inner work necessary to change our habits of mind, body, and spirit to dismantle racism, in support of whatever organizing, advocacy, and service-work we’re each engaged in. Our core spiritual practice will be Mussar, the Jewish spiritual discipline designed to integrate what the head understands with what the heart feels through daily practice. Participants will be expected to attend every session (as much as possible) and commit to consistent practice in between sessions, including meeting with a learning partner once every other week. This is not an antiracism 101 course, but rather is intended to build on an existing antiracism foundation, so participants need to have an understanding of systemic racism in the United States. Please contact Rabbi Benjamin if you are interested in participating.
Tue, May 30 2023 10 Sivan 5783