Sanctuary Committee
Sanctuary Committee
Chaired by Shari Raider, Kathy Gordon, and Robert Trachtenberg, the Havurah Sanctuary Committee engages in political action and direct service in its work of welcoming the stranger.
Tikkun Olam Adelante
Tikkun Olam Adelante is a community engagement arm of the Sanctuary Committee. We partner with the Ortiz Center/Bienestar de la Familia, a Multnomah County agency serving immigrants and refugees. Through this partnership, we established an English Language Learning class, and an after-school tutoring, a Spanish/English language exchange staffed by volunteers from the Havurah congregation. We have also supported a Guatemalan family applying for asylum.
Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ)
Alongside other congregations in the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice, we advocate for immigration-related public policy issues. We are part of the national HIAS Welcome Campaign and participate in National Refugee Shabbat and other HIAS actions. In partnership with Catholic Charities, we provide support to refugees relocating to the Portland area. We also participate in events organized by the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice Northwest.
Activism/Political Action
Our activism has included the following:
- Annual Refugee Shabbat
- Annual Passover Service and Vigil at ICE Headquarters
- Education for Havurah members about immigrant and refugee issues
- Salem Legislative Lobby Day
- Advocacy for legislative and regulatory changes
- Vigils at ICE headquarters and detention sites
- ACLU Legal Observers
- IMIRJ Accompaniment
Sanctuary Committee Charter
Purpose: The Sanctuary Committee is part of the Tikkun Olam cluster and provides members of Havurah Shalom with opportunities to support and advocate on behalf of immigrants and refugees at the local and national levels.
Scope of Activities
The committee organizes member participation in programs that serve local immigrants and refugees, such as English Language Learning classes for adults, Intercambio language-learning pairs, after-school tutoring for children, and assistance with food delivery. These programs may be offered in partnership with local agencies such as the Ortiz Center.
The committee may provide sponsorship and support to specific families and individuals who are applying for asylum, or are recently arrived immigrants or refugees. These activities may include partnerships with local agencies serving immigrants and refugees such as Catholic Charities or Lutheran Community Services Northwest.
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The committee organizes educational activities for the broader Havurah Shalom community, such as the annual National Refugee Shabbat (with HIAS, formerly known as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) and shabbat school activities.
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The committee advocates on behalf of immigrants and refugees at the local, state, and national levels, in partnership with organizations such as the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ), HIAS, and the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice Northwest.
Sat, July 2 2022
3 Tammuz 5782
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Upcoming Events
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Saturday ,
JulJuly 2 , 2022
Shabbat, Jul 2nd 10:00a to 12:00p
Please join us in welcoming Megan Rose and Elijah Moss as B'nei Mitzvah and members of our community. -
Monday ,
JulJuly 4 , 2022
Monday, Jul 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. But for mahjong at Havurah to work we all need to be willing to support it by participating as often we can, especially early on. So please don't hesitate to join us! -
Monday ,
JulJuly 4 , 2022
Monday, Jul 4th 5:30p to 6:30p
We are a group of Havurah members interested in climate social justice. We will be reading "Braiding Sweetgrass" to connect to indigenous wisdom about life and social action around the environment. We are reaching out to see if new people want to join our lively and joyful book discussions. Open to non-members as well as members. We will meet every other Monday through July 4. -
Wednesday ,
JulJuly 6 , 2022
Wednesday, Jul 6th 7:00p to 8:30p
Informal summer study sessions for the ABM cohort. -
Thursday ,
JulJuly 7 , 2022
Thursday, Jul 7th 10:00a to 12:00p
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Thursday ,
JulJuly 7 , 2022
Thursday, Jul 7th 6:30p to 8:00p
Join the Havurah Climate Action Team for a discussion about the crisis facing these wild fish and learn what we can do about this together. We will meet by Zoom on Thursday, July 7th, at 6:30pm. Register on the Havurah Calendar to get the Zoom Room. Contact: Michael Heumann -
Friday ,
JulJuly 8 , 2022
Friday, Jul 8th 10:00a to 12:00p
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Friday ,
JulJuly 8 , 2022
Friday, Jul 8th 10:45a to 12:00p
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Saturday ,
JulJuly 9 , 2022
Shabbat, Jul 9th 10:00a to 12:00p
Led by community members, this service includes davening, Torah reading and discussion. It takes place in person and in Zoom Room Aleph. Contact info@havurahshalom.org for login info. -
Friday ,
JulJuly 15 , 2022
Friday, Jul 15th (All day)
Please submit your content using the form (News >> Submit News & Requests) or send to Rachel Pollak/rachel@havurahshalom.org. We love photos too.