Shabbat Services
Saturday Morning Services
Saturday Services for Everyone
All are welcome at our Saturday services! Childcare is provided and the services are followed by a light brunch, thanks to the Lunches and Noshes Committee and our b'nei mitzvah families, depending on the week.
If you are a member of Havurah and would like to request that the name of a relative or Havurah member be said during the Misheberach (healing prayer) at Shabbat services, please use this form. You will need to log in as a member to access the form.
Shabbat Morning
Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. 10 am-12 pm. (See our online calendar for dates.)
Contemplative Shabbat
We will chant verses and spend time in silent prayer or meditation, then connect through Torah discussion and share blessings by chanting a few aliyot. Led by Rabbi Benjamin. 10 am-12 pm. (See our online calendar for dates.)
HIAS Refugee Shabbat
We will join congregations nationwide in dedicating our Shabbat services to honoring refugees and asylum seekers. 7 pm. (See our online calendar for dates.)
Saturday Services Especially for Families
Tot Shabbat
Young children (0-5) and parents celebrate with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. 10:30-11:30 am. (See our online calendar for dates.)
Discovering Shabbat Morning: Learners’ Minyan
This upbeat, interactive service focuses on the structure, key themes and prayers of the morning service. Especially for families with youth in grades 5-7. 10-11:30 am. (See our online calendar for dates.)
Family Shabbat
Fabulous morning of singing, storytelling, and Torah learning. Especially for families with youth in grades K-6. 10:30 am-12 pm. (See our online calendar for dates.)
Please check our online calendar for confirmations and updates to the information above.
Friday Evening Services
Once a month, we have a spirited, all-ages Kabbalat Shabbat service led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians. All are welcome to the Kabbalat Shabbat service, which normally takes place on the second Friday of each month from Sept. to May.
Check our online calendar for more information and to see the dates of Kabbalat Shabbat services and additional Friday services scheduled throughout the year.
Wednesday Morning Services
Our Wednesday morning minyan is for people who want to incorporate a regular prayer practice into their week and those saying Kaddish. It is usually 8:30 to 9:00 am, but the start time is earlier for Rosh Chodesh and some holiday observances. Check our online calendar for updates.
Spiritual Life Committee
Co-chairs Diane Chaplin and Sam Sirkin work with members of the Spiritual Life Committee to schedule, plan, and support religious services.
The services are lay-led and rely on a core group of volunteers along with Rabbi Benjamin. The Spiritual Life Committee would like to expand and diversify the group of people who make Shabbat community services happen. If you are interested in learning more about how to plug in, please contact the Havurah office.
Resources
Friday Night
This is the blessing for lighting the candles of Shabbat, sung by Havurah member and musician Ilene Safyan. You can also hear Ilene sing the kiddush for Friday night Shabbat. View all of our Shabbat songs here.
Saturday Morning
Being called up for an aliyah is an honor. These are the words to the blessings before and after a Torah reading. You can listen to recordings of the blessings below:
Saturday Morning Service Melodies by Michelle Goldschmidt
Blessing Before the Torah Reading
Blessing After the Torah Reading
Goleil Instructions - The Goleil or Gelilah dresses the Torah when a reading is done.
Magbiah Instructions - The Magbiah lifts the Torah scroll after the reading
Deborah Eisenbach-Budner’s Illustrated Guide to a Shabbat Morning Service (PDF)
Order of Service Chart (PDF) – This chart walks you through each part of the Shabbat morning service, including page numbers in our siddur.
Sat, July 27 2024
21 Tammuz 5784
Need Help? If you are a Havurah member in need of help, log in to find resources here.
Havurah Updates
Hineinu: Pride Shabbat in the Park This Friday, Call for Visual Art, and More
Havurah's Pride Shabbat in the Park
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm (6:30 pm Service, 7:30 pm Potluck Dinner), Friday, July 19
Upcoming Events
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Saturday ,
JulJuly 27 , 2024
Shabbat, Jul 27th 10:00a to 12:00p
Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. For Zoom link (Zoom Room Aleph), email info@havurahshalom.org. -
Monday ,
JulJuly 29 , 2024
Monday, Jul 29th 6:00p to 7:30p
We will resume our monthly letter writing on the last Monday of each month to write letters to our lawmakers for Israel/Palestine justice. Questions? Contact David Lewis. Havurah members and non-members welcome. RSVP for Zoom info. -
Thursday ,
AugAugust 1 , 2024
Thursday, Aug 1st 5:30p to 7:00p
The Havurah Ma’avar Committee is offering a six-week grief process-support group for Havurah members. Each group session will be held virtually Thursday evenings, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm, beginning July 11 through August 15. Chaplain Candi Wuhrman will facilitate the group with a focus on the dying experience, the impact of the relationship, the things unsaid, making peace within ourselves, forgiveness, and continuing the relationship after death. -
Saturday ,
AugAugust 3 , 2024
Shabbat, Aug 3rd 10:00a to 12:00p
Led by community members and Rabbi Benjamin, this service includes davening, Torah reading, and discussion. For Zoom link (Zoom Room Aleph), email info@havurahshalom.org. -
Monday ,
AugAugust 5 , 2024
Monday, Aug 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! For Havurah members and prospective members. -
Monday ,
AugAugust 5 , 2024
Monday, Aug 5th 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. -
Thursday ,
AugAugust 8 , 2024
Thursday, Aug 8th 5:30p to 7:00p
The Havurah Ma’avar Committee is offering a six-week grief process-support group for Havurah members. Each group session will be held virtually Thursday evenings, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm, beginning July 11 through August 15. Chaplain Candi Wuhrman will facilitate the group with a focus on the dying experience, the impact of the relationship, the things unsaid, making peace within ourselves, forgiveness, and continuing the relationship after death. -
Friday ,
AugAugust 9 , 2024
Friday, Aug 9th 10:00a to 12:00p
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Saturday ,
AugAugust 10 , 2024
Shabbat, Aug 10th 10:00a to 12:00p
Please join us in welcoming Sebastian Mellman as a Bar Mitzvah and member of our community. -
Monday ,
AugAugust 12 , 2024
Monday, Aug 12th 8:00p to 9:30p
Tisha B’Av is a powerful holy day in our cycle of Jewish time. Yet, it is often overlooked, considered as just a day of mourning for the destruction of the temples. We will look at how Tisha B’Av came to be the collecting point of Jewish loss, grief, and displacement as well as what Alan Lew calls “the moment of turning, the moment when we turn away from denial and begin to face exile and alienation as they manifest themselves in our own lives...Teshuvah – turning is the essential gesture of the entire High Holiday season.” We will also commemorate Tisha B’av with a short ritual that helps us being the process of Teshuvah. All are welcome. Stay tuned for an update on the location/medium of delivery: This event will be at Havurah Shalom and/or on Zoom. Havurahniks, please contact Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, deborah@havurahshalom.org if you would like to help plan this ritual.