Shabbat School Grades K-6
Shabbat School (Grades K-6)
Our cooperative Shabbat School is one component of the Havurah Shalom community and of Jewish living. Over time, our experiences in Shabbat School are complemented by celebrating holidays and life-cycle milestones, tikkun olam (repair of the world), tefillah (prayer/reflection), and by bringing Jewish values into our daily life.
Havurah Shalom Shabbat School is for member families with children in grades K-6 and meets approximately 17 Saturday afternoons throughout the school year from 3 to 5:15 pm. Learn more about the school's history and listen to testimonials below.
Family Cooperative Jewish Education Model
Our cooperative Shabbat School is one component of the Havurah Shalom community and of Jewish living. Over time, our experiences in Shabbat School are complemented by celebrating holidays and life-cycle milestones, tikkun olam (repair of the world), tefillah (prayer/reflection), and by bringing Jewish values into our daily life.
With the help of our education staff, parents work together in teams to plan and implement the curriculum and community-building activities for their child’s grade. Each teaching team is responsible for planning and implementing four sessions.
In addition to giving our children a basis for Jewish learning, Shabbat School fosters a strong sense of community among families. Many parents feel that they, too, enhance their knowledge about and connection to Judaism through the Shabbat School experience. All levels of experience and knowledge are welcome in our Shabbat School.
Please see the Havurah Shalom Shabbat School Parent Handbook and Curriculum Overview for detailed information about the Shabbat School structure, parent teaching and curriculum.
Goals of Shabbat School
The goals of the Havurah Shalom's Shabbat School are to:
- Develop and/or deepen our enthusiasm for Jewish learning and living.
- Embrace the Jewish values of study, social justice, celebration in home and synagogue, and participation in life cycle events.
- Appreciate and rely upon Jewish values as a guide to moral and responsible decision making for ourselves and our community.
- Engage substantively with Jewish tradition and deepen our attachment to our community.
It is our hope that the Shabbat School experience, in concert with home and community and Jewish involvement, will facilitate these long-term outcomes:
- Children will build the beginning of a foundation for lifelong Jewish learning and engagement.
- Parents and children will be drawn into a warm and caring Jewish community that will enhance our Jewish living.
The two smaller photos above were taken at Shabbat School on March 12, 2022, by Talia Hack-Davie Stein.
Enrollment Policies
In order for our family cooperative model of Grades K-6 Jewish education to continue to meet the diverse needs of families, their children and the larger Havurah community, we have the following policies for Shabbat School enrollment:
Timeline
All potential new families must be in touch with Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, Education Director, to discuss the unique model of Shabbat School, a family cooperative, before enrolling.
Families must be Havurah Shalom members by April 15 and enroll their children in Shabbat School by May 1 to ensure a spot for the upcoming year. From May 1 to August 1, enrollment in a particular grade is subject to space availability, at the discretion of the Education Director.
Enrollment in Shabbat School is not available after August 1 for the upcoming year.
Families are always welcome to participate in Havurah Shalom holidays, Shabbat celebrations, and other family activities.
For tuition assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact Shari Raider, Financial Manager.
Post-Enrollment
We kick off the 2025-26 (5786) school year with the Shabbat School Summit on May 17, 2025, 3-5 pm. At that point, the whole Shabbat School community of parent-teachers organize themselves to prepare for when classes officially begin in September.
Enrollment for the 2025-26 (5786) school year is closed.
Shabbat School Quick Links
Shabbat School Treasury
Shabbat School Parent Handbook 2025-26
DRAFT Family Calendar 2025-26 (5786)
Rainbow Curriculum Guide
2023-24 (5784) Shabbat School Program Evaluation Report
Shabbat School History
Learn more about the school's history and listen to testimonials below.
History of Shabbat School
40th Anniversary Shabbat School Video
Above photo of sixth graders at end of Shabbat School celebration in May 2022 was taken by Sandy Bacharach.
Wed, June 18 2025
22 Sivan 5785
Need Help? If you are a Havurah member in need of help, log in to find resources here.
Havurah Updates
Hineinu: Kabbalat Shabbat & More Musical Shabbaton, New(ish) Member Welcome Brunch, Shavuot Approaches!
Join Our Musical Shabbaton, May 9 to 10,
with Musician-in-Residence Aly Halpert
- On Friday evening, May 9, all are welcome
Upcoming Events
IP = In person only (normally at Havurah Shalom);
ZM = On Zoom/online only;
HYB = In person and online; and
ANN = In person at Havurah's Annex.
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Wednesday ,
JunJune 18 , 2025
Wednesday, Jun 18th 11:15a to 12:30p
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Wednesday ,
JunJune 18 , 2025
Wednesday, Jun 18th 7:00p to 8:15p
(This class will now be starting on January 8.) Using an in-depth, word-by-word approach, we discover literal meaning(s), ancient layers of understanding, and our own personal interpretations that stem from the nuances of the Hebrew text. Basic Hebrew decoding skills necessary. -
Friday ,
JunJune 20 , 2025
Friday, Jun 20th 10:00a to 11:30a
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Saturday ,
JunJune 21 , 2025
Shabbat, Jun 21st 10:00a to 12:00p
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Maci MacDonald as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community. -
Saturday ,
JunJune 21 , 2025
Shabbat, Jun 21st 7:00p to 8:30p
All Havurah members who identify as LGBTQIA+ (and families!) are invited to our next queer community-building event. We'll set intentions for embodying Shabbat in our time together, do an ice breaker, and play some games. It'll still be light when we leave, so there won't be Havdalah, but there will be snacks. RSVPs are appreciated but not required. Questions? Contact Kayla Reiman or Beth Kaye (log in to your Havurah member account to access the directory). -
Thursday ,
JunJune 26 , 2025
Thursday, Jun 26th 5:30p to 7:30p
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Friday ,
JunJune 27 , 2025
Friday, Jun 27th 5:45p to 8:30p
Join Havurah members and friends for a Solidarity Shabbat service and potluck nosh. This is a spiritual space for community members working in solidarity with Palestinians - and for the liberation of all peoples - to come together to pray, build connections, and renew ourselves on Shabbat to continue our justice work. Please review Havurah's Brit Kavod for our community guidelines. Masks strongly encouraged and provided. -
Saturday ,
JunJune 28 , 2025
Shabbat, Jun 28th 10:00a to 12:00p
Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin (who is on sabbatical until July 1, 2025), this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. Join us afterward for a light community brunch provided by the Lunches and Noshes Committee! Free childcare is provided. For Zoom information, please email info@havurhshalom.org. -
Sunday ,
JunJune 29 , 2025
Sunday, Jun 29th 7:00p to 8:15p
A gender-inclusive New Moon group, learning and celebrating each Rosh Ḥodesh with ancient and contemporary ritual. Open to any and all genders, inviting each to connect with our closest heavenly body, the Moon. An introductory meeting will happen on the full moon of Elul on Wednesday, Aug. 30 outdoors—weather permitting—in North Portland. Subsequent meetings will be on or near the new moon of each month either in person in North Portland or on Zoom, depending on seasonal shifts in the weather. Attend any or all sessions. RSVP to be updated on location and other details throughout the year. -
Monday ,
JunJune 30 , 2025
Monday, Jun 30th 6:00p to 7:30p
We hold monthly letter writing group Zoom gatherings to write letters to our lawmakers for Israel/Palestine justice. Questions? Email Dale Oller (member log-in required to access directory). Feel free to drop in any time! There’s no need to RSVP, but please do RSVP if you need the Zoom login. Non-Havurah-members very welcome as well.
Address: 825 NW 18th Ave, Portland OR 97209 Phone: 503-248-4662
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