Havurah Community-wide Meetings on Gate Proposal for Courtyard and Kearney Street
There are two remaining Havurah community-wide meetings (one-hour long): 6 pm on Thursday, December 28 and 7 pm on Thursday, January 4 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Gimel
At the December Steering meeting, the Gate Resolution Work Group (GRWG) proposed that Steering approve installation of a gate in the courtyard entrance walkway and one at the Kearney Street alcove. Proposal details will be shared in a stand-alone email to the community on Thursday, December 14. A Steering vote on the proposal will take place on January 9, 2024. Havurah members can attend three community-wide meetings at Havurah and on Zoom-—on December 21, December 28, and/or January 4—to offer input and ask questions before the vote. The GRWG will reach out starting this week to committees and groups who use the building regularly for input. Contact David Kertzner, Co-President with questions. Havurah members, click on the links to RSVP for either of the two remaining hybrid, Havurah community-wide meetings: Dec. 28 at 6 pm; and/or Jan. 4 at 7 pm.
Havurah Office Closure: Administrative Holiday
The Havurah Shalom office will be closed on Monday, January 1 (New Year's Day).
Panim el Panim: Another Havdalah Gathering to Listen and Share Our Thoughts and Feelings about the Current Situation in Israel/Palestine
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Saturday, January 6 – Havurah and Zoom Room Gimel
As the heartbreak and precariousness of this moment continues, we are convening another opportunity to gather with each other to share and listen. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate, whether or not you attended the gathering in November. Once again, the intention will be for us each to name what we are experiencing, to be heard and hear one another without confrontation or pressure to identify any particular positions. We will again provide clear guidelines, so that each person will have equal opportunities to speak and equal responsibility to listen. Hopefully we are each continuing to tend to our needs in this trying moment. For some, encountering different perspectives may not be what you need. But if you are moved to join, we look forward to being together as we continue to build trust with one another. This hybrid gathering is intended for members of Havurah Shalom. Learn more and RSVP.
Good Grief?!? Welcoming the Complexity of Grief with an Open Heart
11 am to 12:30 pm, Sunday, January 7 – Havurah Shalom
The intention of this educational conversation is to help keep our hearts open in times when it's easier to be hardened. We are all carrying grief that has been exacerbated by the current event. Grief impacts people in different ways and different times. We discuss the many layers of grief and facilitate a conversation about the nature of grief as a process including the fear that prevents people from grieving. RSVP
Havurah Music Jams Rock On!
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Monday, January 8 (second Monday of each month) – Havurah Shalom (in the Pardes classroom)
Come sing and play in community! Songsheets will be provided and the jam will include a mix of country, folk, Jewish folk, liturgical and popular songs. Bring your instrument, your voice and your enthusiasm! Check the Havurah calendar for info on future second-Monday jams. RSVP for the January 8 Havurah Music Jam.
Making Loss Matter
7 pm to 8 pm, Mondays, January 8 to February 12 – Zoom Room Bet
This six-week class is inspired by Rabbi David Wolpe’s book Making Loss Matter: Creating Meaning in Difficult Times, which explores six kinds of loss — home, dreams, self, love, faith, and life. In his book, Rabbi Wolpe examines how we can use loss as a source of strength rather than despair, and as a generator of purpose and hope. Woven throughout each class session are teachings from a variety of traditional and contemporary Jewish sources, teachings from other traditions (particularly Buddhism), experiential practices, storytelling, and opportunities for self-reflection and chevruta/small-group discussion. Led by Tivona Reith, a retired hospice chaplain. Learn more and RSVP.
Steering Committee Meeting
6:30 pm, Tuesday, January 9 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Gimel
All Havurah members are invited to attend the monthly meetings of the Havurah Steering Committee.
Letter by Letter: Using the Alef-Bet for Self-Knowledge
7 pm to 8:15 pm, Tuesdays, January 9 to February 6 – Zoom Room Heh
Explore how to use Hebrew letters as a tool to access inner wisdom, taking a careful look at their meanings, connections to Time, Space, and Body/Soul. No knowledge of Hebrew necessary. This is not a course on reading or writing, nor explicitly about mysticism, but an exploration of the symbolism of the Alef-Bet and how to use it for reflection and illumination. Bring curiosity and an open heart. Led by Andrine de la Rocha. Learn more and RSVP.
Racial Justice Committee Monthly Meeting
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Thursday, January 11 – Zoom Room Bet
Please join the racial justice committee at our monthly meeting as we plan for ways to educate ourselves and our community, and work towards partnering with groups in our broader community in an effort to achieve racial justice.
Rosh Ḥodesh Tov! Gender-Inclusive New Moon Ritual
7 pm to 8:15 pm, Thursday, January 11 (and recurring with each new moon) - Zoom Room Heh (for the January 11 gathering)
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. Gatherings take place monthly on or near the new moon of each Hebrew month a 7 pm, either on Zoom or in person - outdoors in inner North/East Portland - depending on seasonal shifts in the weather. Attend any or all sessions. RSVP to be updated on location and other details throughout the year. The Jan. 11 meeting will take place online, in Zoom Room Heh. RSVP to receive the Zoom link in a confirmation email. RSVP
Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration
6 pm Oneg; 6:30 pm Service; 7:30 pm Dinner, Friday, January 12 – Havurah Shalom (and also Zoom Room Aleph for the 6:30 pm service)
We hold Kabbalat Shabbat celebrations on the second Friday evening of each month from October through May: All are welcome at this family-friendly oneg followed by a service led by Rabbi Benjamin and Havurah musicians, with a registration-based dinner afterward. (Note: Registration for the dinner will be opening on the Kabbalat Shabbat Celebration event page later this week; while the dinner requires registration, no RSVP/registation is needed to join for the oneg and service portions of the celebration.)
Shabbat Morning with Bat Mitvah of Sophie Wice-Budner
10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, January 13 – Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph
Please join us for Shabbat morning services, including welcoming Sophie Wice-Budner as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community.
Racial Justice Movie Night: I Am MLK Jr. (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
3 pm to 6 pm, Monday, January 15 – Havurah Shalom
In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Havurah Shalom will show the feature-length (1 hr 35 minutes) film I Am MLK Jr. The film tells the story of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the important beginnings of the Civil Rights movement. The movie will be shown at Havurah, followed by a discussion and food. Teenage members in particular, their families, and all other members are invited for this opportunity to connect our lives with the struggle for freedom and equality. Please RSVP by Friday, Jan. 12 so we can order sufficient pizza for everyone. RSVP
Let's Sing Songs of Peace and Justice (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
7 pm to 8:30 pm, Monday, January 15 – Havurah Shalom
This is a time for anyone who enjoys singing to circle round and join voices together (no expertise needed, just the willingness to sing). We will make music in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and our deep desire to see peace and justice honored in our world. RSVP
Havurah Office Closure: Administrative Holiday
The Havurah Shalom office will be closed on Monday, January 15 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.