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 our Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration services, which normally take place on the second Friday of each month from Sept. to May.
We also hold a Solidarity Kabbalat Shabbat service, normally on the fourth Friday of every month.
Check our online calendar for more information and to see the dates of Kabbalat Shabbat (Friday night, Welcoming Shabbat) services and 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.
Sun, February 15 2026
28 Shevat 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.
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Wednesday ,
FebFebruary 11 , 2026Modern Mishkan Installation
Wednesday, Feb 11th (All day)
More info soon! -
Sunday ,
FebFebruary 15 , 2026(HYB) Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual
Sunday, Feb 15th 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 ,
FebFebruary 16 , 2026Havurahnik Mahjong Group
Monday, Feb 16th 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 ,
FebFebruary 16 , 2026(ZM) HCAT's Slow-Reading of "The Problem with Plastic": Intro, Ch. 1, & Ch. 2
Monday, Feb 16th 5:00p to 6:30p
Havurah's Climate Action Team invites everyone (Havurah members or not) to join our next slow-read book group. Reading just several chapters at a time allows us to have deep discussions. Our next book group starts Monday, February 16, at 5 pm on Zoom. We’ll be discussing The Problem with Plastic by Judith Enck and Adam Mahoney. It’s an easy read, with a large section of references and foot notes. The book outlines the history of plastics, the effect of plastics on us and the environment, and ways to solve the problem. We'll read the intro, Chapter 1, and Chapter 2 for this first meeting. RSVP. At this meeting we’ll decide on the schedule for future meetings. -
Monday ,
FebFebruary 16 , 2026(IP) Modern Mishkan Artist Talk and Drum Circle
Monday, Feb 16th 5:45p to 8:00p
The Modern Mishkan art installation is at Havurah! Meet artist Diane Fredgant and learn about the making of the Mishkan at 5:45. Afterward, drum to your heart's delight with darbouka enthusiast Patty Magid-Volk in a Drum Circle at 6:30 pm. Please bring your own drum or percussion instrument. Homemade rhythm apparatuses are great! There will also be a few rhythm instruments available to borrow. Come as you are, no drum experience necessary! -
Tuesday ,
FebFebruary 17 , 2026(IP) Mishkan Hakol
Tuesday, Feb 17th 7:00p to 8:00p
Mishkan HaKol, the Sanctuary of the Voice, is a contemplative gathering of interspersed chanting and mindfulness meditation. Held alongside "Modern Mishkan," an art installation by Diane Fredgant, we build our own Mishkan out of sound and breath. In this time of uncertainty and drain, Havurah offers a restorative space, welcoming Shekhinah, the indwelling Divine Presence, to rest among us. Led by Rabbi Benjamin and Rabbinic Intern Noah Dor Lind. Everyone is welcome, no experience or musical ability required. -
Wednesday ,
FebFebruary 18 , 2026(IP) B'nei Mitzvah Run-through
Wednesday, Feb 18th 4:00p to 6:00p
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Wednesday ,
FebFebruary 18 , 2026(IP) Middle School
Wednesday, Feb 18th 6:30p to 8:30p
For grades 7 and 8. -
Wednesday ,
FebFebruary 18 , 2026(IP) High School
Wednesday, Feb 18th 6:30p to 8:30p
For grades 9-12. -
Wednesday ,
FebFebruary 18 , 2026(IP) Exploring Jewish Practices for Your Spiritual Journey
Wednesday, Feb 18th 7:00p to 8:30p
Deborah Eisenbach-Budner and Adela Basayne, both recently certified in Spiritual Direction, will facilitate a supportive, experiential community of learners who are interested in developing or deepening their Jewish/spiritual practice.
Address: 825 NW 18th Ave, Portland OR 97209 Phone: 503-248-4662
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