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 David Dropkin 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, October 18 2025
26 Tishrei 5786
Need Help? If you are a Havurah member in need of help, log in to find resources here.
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.
-
Monday ,
OctOctober 20 , 2025Havurahnik Mahjong Group
Monday, Oct 20th 1:00p to 4:00p
Just for Havurah members, our Mahjong Group 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. -
Monday ,
OctOctober 20 , 2025(ZM) Climate Change Book Group Slow Reading of "Not Too Late"
Monday, Oct 20th 5:30p to 6:30p
All are welcome! Havurah members and non-members alike are invited to join us in this slow, section-by-section reading of "Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility." Click and RSVP. Attend any or all of these HCAT (Havurah's Climate Action Team) Book Group discussions about "Not Too Late." -
Monday ,
OctOctober 20 , 2025(IP) Thinking About Palestine and Israel After the Destruction of Gaza
Monday, Oct 20th 7:00p to 8:30p
Learn about the historical contexts behind Oct. 7, 2023, as well as the response that has resulted in massive destruction of life and society in Gaza. Led by Joel Beinin. -
Tuesday ,
OctOctober 21 , 2025Hakol Deadline is Tuesday, October 21
Tuesday, Oct 21st (All day)
Havurah members, click to learn how to submit your contributions to our monthly newsletter, Hakol. -
Tuesday ,
OctOctober 21 , 2025(ZM) Cohort D of Coming Home to Solidarity
Tuesday, Oct 21st 11:30a to 1:30p
What is Coming Home to Solidarity? Coming Home to Solidarity is a workshop designed to help us create a culture and community where all members freely show up as their authentic selves; where all are valued, appreciated, and have a sense of belonging. The workshop is an opportunity for white-bodied or white-identifying congregants to come together in a supportive and caring environment to reflect, learn and unlearn, heal from the ways we have been impacted by white supremacy, and start to recognize new possibilities for taking action. Havurahniks, click to learn more and RSVP. -
Tuesday ,
OctOctober 21 , 2025(HYB) Steering Meeting (Oct. 21)
Tuesday, Oct 21st 6:30p to 8:30p
Steering members and staff will meet to consider matters of governance. All Havurah Shalom members are invited to attend Steering Committee meetings. A link to a draft agenda, accessible only to logged-in members, will be posted here in advance of the meeting. -
Tuesday ,
OctOctober 21 , 2025(IP) Torah and Film: Ecclesiastes and Groundhog Day (1993)
Tuesday, Oct 21st 7:00p to 9:00p
What is the meaning of life, especially when you're living the same day over and over? In this two-part class, we’ll explore the themes of futility, impermanence, and transformation in the book Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) alongside the 1993 film Groundhog Day. Led by Rabbinic Intern Noah Lind. -
Tuesday ,
OctOctober 21 , 2025(Z) Grades 4-6 Parent-teachers' Consensus Meetings
Tuesday, Oct 21st 7:30p to 8:30p
Each grade meets on zoom to build consensus around expectations, lesson planning and group culture. Facilitated by staff. -
Wednesday ,
OctOctober 22 , 2025(IP) Sanctuary Coalition Work
Wednesday, Oct 22nd 3:30p to 5:00p
-
Wednesday ,
OctOctober 22 , 2025(IP) Middle School
Wednesday, Oct 22nd 6:30p to 8:30p
For grades 7 and 8.
Address: 825 NW 18th Ave, Portland OR 97209 Phone: 503-248-4662
Privacy Settings | Privacy Policy | Member Terms
©2025 All rights reserved. Find out more about ShulCloud