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From the Rabbi
Panim El Panim: Finding Kinship Rabbi Benjamin Barnett
Below are some adapted excerpts from my talk on
Erev Rosh Hashanah. It explores this year’s theme at Havurah, Panim el Panim: Encountering One Another. The whole talk is on our website at www.havurahshalom.org/hh-5779.
“God would speak to Moses panim el panim — ‘face to face’ — as one speaks with a dear friend” (Exodus 33:11). Panim el panim expresses kinship. One of Torah’s most powerful expressions of kinship is the daughter of Pharaoh uncovering the basket and seeing the infant Moses crying. “And she felt compassion for him,” the Torah says, “and she said, ‘this is one of the Hebrew children.’” The moment of kinship breaks through. This baby has been decreed by her father to be killed, yet she has compassion on him? But it was not a choice. Seeing another human vulnerable, she feels that vulnerability and acts on the child’s behalf. In an instant they are kin. She in fact takes him in as her own child.
The Torah knows that we do not always respond to vulnerability with compassion. When we are in power, tragically, we often abuse those who are weaker. That is why we are reminded dozens of times in Torah not to oppress the stranger. And so Torah gives us Pharaoh’s daughter as an emblem: The stranger, the vulnerable person, the one you find suffering — don’t just help them. See them as your kin.
Jacob also sees God face to face. After his wrestling with the angel, he names that place Peni’el, “the face of God” — “for I have seen God,” he declares, “panim el panim — face to face, yet my life has been saved.” Panim el panim incorporates struggle as well. To know and be known — in relationship, in family, in community — is to be vulnerable, is to wrest kinship and blessing from amidst tension. Even in our most intimate relationships, encounters involve wrestling. And out in the world — even as we oppose, we can still remember that we belong to each other.
HAKOL October 2018
October2018
Volume 40 Issue 11
Inside this Issue
Kehilah Cluster Committees...….……...Pages 1, 10
From the Rabbi…………….…….…….……....Pages 1, 5
Tikkun Olam Updates…………………...…...Pages 2,3
MACG Training Opportunity.…….………..…..Page 2
From the Music Director…..………………....…Page 4
From the Education Director…….……...…….Page 5
Ballot Measure Endorsements..………..…....Page 6
Oregon’s Sanctuary Law…….………………..….Page 7
Book Group Update…………………………….....Page 7
Join Us..………………………………………….....Pages 8, 9
Bulletin Board…………………………….…...……Page 11
Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner RSVP…..….….....Page 12
Continued on Page 5
Kehilah means community. At Havurah, we are blessed with a wonderful and vibrant community. At the 40-year mark in our history, it has also become quite a large com-munity with over 400 households. Since it takes all of us to weave this into a cohesive community, please read on to learn more and hear how you can help.
The Kehilah Cluster of committees has a vision to Infuse Havurah Shalom with a Culture of Participation through these goals: 1. Engage, empower, and appreciate all members and
participants in order to strengthen relationships, in-still leadership skills, and welcome all.
2. Create pathways across and between communities, committees and clusters, which infuse synergy and build one larger community out of our growing con-gregation.
From Steering
Becoming a(n even more) Welcoming Community
Aaron Pearlman, Kehilah Cluster Lead
Continued on Page 10
2 HAKOL October 2018
Tikkun Olam
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: BECOME A HAVURAH TUTOR Can you devote an hour once a week to tutor some of the most amazing children in our city? No teaching ex-perience is needed--just a knowledge of basic math and reading. If you are interested in joining this ex-citing Tikkun Olam project at the Baltazar Ortiz Com-munity Center (6736 NE Killingsworth St.) PLEASE CON-TACT Margie Rosenthal ([email protected]) or Jay Moskovitz ([email protected]).
At the present time of crisis and un-certainty, more and more political leaders believe it necessary to return to proven strategies of day-to-day or-ganizing.
Did you know that Saul Alinsky’s “Rules for Radicals,” published in 1971, was originally used as a guide to move the civil rights movement for-ward? Proven to be quite effective, it was later co-opted by the political right, not the left, who took its lessons to heart. The Tea Party used it, and it was the basis for the Republicans’ work to lure white Southern voters, and in their REDMAP redistricting pro-ject1.
The Industrial Areas Foundation—IAF, has taught organizers nationwide and internationally how to work to-ward the common good based on Alinsky’s model. Over 65 cities in the US have umbrella organizations that use and teach this model2. Portland’s Metropolitan Alliance for Common Good—MACG, is one of them.
MACG hosts in-depth training to delve into the building of a relational culture, organizing skills, philosophy and practices. As each MACG member organization—a church, synagogue,
parent-teacher organization, union, etc.—develops a group of people who are trained and committed to strengthening its institution, they can more effectively engage in the work of their individual institution as well as in planned public actions, joining with others to press for change within the larger community. For example, when they meet with local politicians, their power is increased by the fact that they represent a broad base of the politician’s constituency.
The MACG Leadership Training, which is open to all members of MACG institutions, is a two-session course that will be held on two Sundays, Oct. 14 and Oct. 21, from 2:00 to 7:00 pm (dinner included), where you have the chance to learn skills and understand this model and begin to use it to fur-ther the goals that we, members of Havurah, have defined. Specifically, this training will help us develop a cul-ture where we know more about each other, where our engagements are based on relationships among our members. Because Havurah is a mem-ber institution, there is no charge for this training. The training sessions will be at Havurah. (There will be
attendees from other MACG member organizations also.)
The topics include: • Strengthening our institutions –
Engage people systematically to develop a culture that is relational, action-oriented and reflective.
• Fundamental organizing skills – Learn tools to conduct individual relational meetings, listening ses-sions, research, negotiations and action to help obtain a concrete, winnable outcome.
• Problems vs. issues – Focus from general problems to concrete, winnable issues by using relational power in the public arena to nego-tiate for the common good.
Please join us to take advantage of this unusual opportunity for training in essential leadership and organizing skills!
Registration is required. RSVP to Bob Brown ([email protected]) to reserve your spot.
1See “Grand Scheme,” by Beverly Gage, The New York Times Magazine, Sunday, 9/9/18, pp.15-18 2See industrialareasfoundation.org
MACG Offers Members Invaluable Training
3
Tikkun Olam
HAKOL October 2018
On Aug. 24, Bienestar de la Familia, the county pro-gram located at the Ortiz Center, celebrated its 20th anniversary. Many Havurah members volunteer in various programs at the Ortiz Center as part of Tikkun Olam Ade-lante (TOA). Latino and Somali families who are served at the Ortiz Center attended the celebration, which included food, music and children's activities. TOA members volunteered at the festival. Mayor Wheeler, Chair Kafoury and Chief Outlaw were all there to celebrate the wonderful diversity of this community. For ongoing volunteer opportuni-ties at the Ortiz Center, please contact Deb Kallen ([email protected]).
Tikkun Olam Adelante celebrates with Ortiz Center partners
4 HAKOL October 2018
Community
Hello, Havurah! Did you know that this past High
Holidays was our 40th year of cele-brating the holidays as a congrega-tion? Amazing to think about, right?
To think about all the efforts, by fel-low congregants, past and present, and the mindful attention of all of our staff, combining to bring about such beautiful services, year after year. It’s a truly awesome effort on the part of so many.
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been in-volved, not only this year, but through all the years that I have been attend-ing or involved in Havurah High Holi-day services. Our first Havurah High Holiday services were in 1979—Mark and I had just moved to Portland two months earlier! It was a most memo-rable service that year, with all sorts of surprising and creative touches. We were hooked, and have been mem-bers ever since. Thank you ALL, for your countless efforts in creating a sacred and beautiful space; for bring-ing such beautiful and meaningful ser-vices to the community; and for your generosity in providing an affordable and secure space in which we can come together and pray.
Each year, Havurah has been blessed by some amazingly generous souls who share their talents, their spirit, their enthusiasm and their willingness to gather throughout the summer to both rehearse and prepare spiritually to help lift our voices even higher. This year, we sang our way through the month of Elul. We did more than sing-ing, however. We really talked about intention. We discussed the honor and responsibility of standing up in front of the congregation and trying to be a conduit for prayer rather than this
being a “performance.” We sang and dug into each melody and worked to make it our own. And it was remarkable.
There were more than 36 members who regularly came together to sing this summer, to form a musical kehillah. I wanted to thank each and every per-son with whom I worked on music over these holidays—and there are so many!—because this year, more than ever before, each rehearsal contained new insights and ideas.
To Charles Blanke, Susan Brenner, Roger Brewer, Bob Brown, Charles Green, Nancy Chesler, Mimi and Bob Epstein, Robin Esterkin, Barbara Gun-dle, Gloria Halper, Jeff Hammarlund, Sheryl Horowitz, Tanja Lux, Patty Magid, Jacob Mandelsberg, Dick Mast-brook and Arleen Slive, Sandy Ramirez, Larry Reichman, Miriam Re-shotko, Margie Rosenthal, Steven Sandberg-Lewis, Rachel Shimshak, Judi Soloway, DeAnn Sullivan-Fuks, Rosie Tanner, Fufkin Vollmayer, Ben Wal-ters, Marjorie and Phil Walters, and Chaim Wolin — thank you! To those who I may have overlooked, my deep-est apologies. I hope I have remem-bered everyone... and to those of you who were interested but unable to join us, here’s to the future!!
Also, a deep and sincere note of gratitude to Karen Westerman, tech-nical guru and generous spirit, who every year works painstakingly on our High Holiday handout; who adds songs, catches typos and corrects my mistakes; and who is a true joy to
work with. In addition to our handout, Karen has been our song sheet assem-bler, database guru and has main-tained our lyrics database for all of our holidays. Thank you, Karen.
To our illustrious Havurah staff—Rabbi Benjamin, Deborah, Teri, Ra-chel, Adela—for all your thoughtful work and loving attention to the de-tails of making our services the suc-cess that they are, thank you. Kol Hakavod.
There are so many folks who I have not specifically named—the folks in-volved in logistics, our ushers, those of you who set up and tore down, our security team, everyone involved in the holiday dinner and break fast and everyone who came together through-out the year to plan the services and assign leadership, and to those who stepped up to lead each service throughout the holidays—you know who you are, and I thank you.
We are a community that truly be-lieves in the phrase, “it takes a vil-lage.” We are a village, indeed, and we are stronger, better, happier for each and every one of us. May it be a glori-ous year for all. L’shana tovah.
—Ilene Safyan
Havurah Marks 40th High Holiday Celebration From the Music Director
5 HAKOL October 2018
Community
On the day that Rabbi Joey and I, along with twenty other faith leaders, were arrested protesting immigrant detention, I shared a moment with the officer who was placing me in handcuffs. In spite of himself, I think, he let on that his mother is Jewish. In our back and forth, I eventually said to him, “I am here because my great-grandparents would be treated as criminals today; I imagine yours would as well.” He shrugged, but did not refute me. In that moment I felt myself straddling kinship and opposition.
There exists a tension, that I believe we must hold, in recognizing the possibilities for kinship everywhere while simultaneously standing firmly in who we are and what we fight for. The kinship I sensed with law enforcement officers that day was, for me, ambivalent. I wondered whether they met with similar respect people who do not carry the authority and privilege that I do. Maybe some do. But the system for which they are vehicles views each undocumented immigrant as less than fully human. So while I will actively seek out those
encounters with each person in the equation, I believe that our deepest panim el panim commitment is to the powerless — as Torah demands, in the language of its time and place: the widow, the orphan, the stranger.
And yet, if we hope to truly transform conflict and tension, and genuinely build safer and more generous ways of being in this world, then we must seek out kinship everywhere, beginning with each other and expanding it out wherever possible.
—Rabbi Benjamin
Continued from Page 1
We all know that time hasn’t really changed. Some years the New Year slides in like a shadow, which we
know is with us but aren’t quite sure what “it” really is. Just getting to a Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur or Sukkot or Sim-chat Torah gathering is the big project. Other years we might prepare in some way--spending time with loved ones, cooking some foods, helping create Havurah services, watching the moon of Elul until it disappears into the New Month of Tishrei, talking with others about starting again, writing in a journal, RSVPing for community activities….
But, honestly, to START A NEW YEAR! How do we do that? Just because there is a fixed time on the calendar, do we really know how to begin again? What does it mean to start again? How do we say goodbye to the last year? And why? What do we gain from all this marking of time?
Whatever the answers we each find for these questions, be-ginning anew is a process. It is not only a moment, a ritual, a counting of time, a gathering of people, a turn from 5778 to 5779. All of those are parts of the process but not the sum.
Beginning a New Year is our almost arbitrary way of fulfilling that universal human desire to have another chance, be re-born, start afresh, construct an opportunity to get ourselves unstuck. We all know that time hasn’t really changed. But we hope that we have. Or can, at least, see some chance of chang-ing. I hope you enjoy this poem.
—Deborah Eisenbach-Budner
How Do We Really Begin a New Year? When the Holidays Have Ended:
A Blessing for the Return to Everyday Life
By Devon Spier After the holidays have ended, What is there to gaze upon? And what is there to praise? When the last word is uttered And the last song is sung Are we to be numbed by the ordinary? Or open to something extraordinary, still? As we prepare to take in the rounds of our joy, Let us remember the circles of our days. And that every "Beginning, " "Ending," and "During" Contains the Power And the Glory And the Journey To return us to the greatest source we have been given: The blessed possibility of being alive.
From the Rabbi, con’d: Finding Kinship
From the Education Director
6 HAKOL October 2018
Tikkun Olam
Havurah Shalom 2018 Ballot Measure Endorsements
One way we live Havurah’s mission to promote acts of social responsibility is through political action. Havurah’s Steering Committee has voted to take positions on the four ballot measures listed below based on the close align-ment of these critical ballot measures with work happening in our Tikkun Olam committees. There are other measures on the ballot that also need our attention. Please read your voter pamphlet and make sure to vote! Sanctuary (orunited.org) No on Measure 105 - Measure 105 on the November ballot would throw out Oregon’s “Sanctuary Law,” which passed more than 30 years ago with overwhelming bipartisan support. The law provides clear guidance to local po-lice on how to handle immigration issues. It was introduced to combat racial profiling while keeping the local police focused on protecting communities. If Measure 105 passes, Oregon will be left without this guidance and these im-portant protections. Havurah Shalom has made a formal decision to oppose Measure 105, and Rabbi Benjamin is an endorser of the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ) voters pamphlet argument in opposition. (Look for it when you get your voters pamphlet.) Havurah Shalom is an endorser of the Oregonians United Against Profil-ing Campaign. Affordable Housing (www.yesforaffordablehousing.com) Yes on Measure 102 - Measure 102 is a statewide constitutional amendment that will make affordable housing dol-lars go further by allowing local governments to partner with non-profit and private housing providers. This measure is the most effective and efficient way to leverage public investments in affordable housing. Yes on 26-199 - Voters in the Metro region will be asked to approve a regional bond to fund affordable housing for low-income families, seniors, veterans and people with disabilities. The bond will make it possible to build new affordable homes and renovate and preserve currently affordable homes for those in need of safe, stable housing. This bond is estimated to fund homes for over 7,500 people in the region, or 12,000 people if Measure 102 (statewide constitutional amendment) is also passed. Portland Clean Energy Fund (www.portlandcleanenergyfund.com) Yes on 26-201 - This local Portland measure will institute a small surcharge on large retailers operating in Portland. The proceeds will be used to fund clean energy projects and job training in low-income and minority communities most impacted by climate change in Portland. While over the years we have taken positions on ballot measures, we are aware that there is not always consensus within our community. We will be clarifying our process for taking political positions over the next 18 months. If you are interested in helping to develop that process, please contact Chris Coughlin, Tikkun Olam Lead.
Got Questions?
The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland celebrates its centennial in 2020 with YOU! Join us for one of two information sessions to learn more about this once-in-
a-century community trip to Israel.
Southwest Portland - Thursday, October 4 from 7:30 to 9pm Northwest Portland - Monday, October 29 from 7:30 to 9pm
Please email [email protected] to RSVP and for address/directions.
7 HAKOL October 2018
Tikkun Olam
Oregon’s sanctuary law (ORS 181A.820) is under attack. In 1987 Or-egon was the first state to adopt a law that prohibits state, county or munici-pal law enforcement from enforcing federal immigration laws that target people based on their race or ethnic origin. The law ensures that Orego-nians cannot be stopped, detained or interrogated just because someone thinks they might be an undocument-ed immigrant. Measure 105, which will be on Oregon’s November ballot, would repeal Oregon’s sanctuary law.
This ballot measure is an attempt by the anti-immigrant hate group Orego-nians for Immigration Reform (OFIR) to make possible racial profiling and the use of our state tax dollars to en-force federal immigration policy. OFIR is recognized by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a nativist extremist group with ties to white nationalism.
The supporters of Measure 105 want you to believe that Oregon’s Sanctuary Law prevents police from arresting immigrants suspected of
crimes. However there is nothing in current law that prevents the police from arresting anyone suspected of a crime. Nor is there anything in the sanctuary law that prevents local au-thorities from cooperating with feder-al agencies on criminal matters. OFIR wants you to believe that repealing Oregon’s Sanctuary Law will make you safer. However, by spreading fear of law enforcement throughout our im-migrant communities it will have the opposite effect. Nobody should be afraid to call the police because of their skin color or immigration status.
Havurah’s Steering Committee has voted to endorse the “NO” on 105 campaign. We have joined many other faith groups, immigrant rights groups, labor unions, 182 businesses, 21 law
enforcement groups and 70 elected officials in opposing this regressive anti-immigrant ballot measure. Meas-ure 105 would open up the flood gates of racial profiling and the harassment of our neighbors because of their skin color and perceived immigration sta-tus. We cannot allow this to happen.
You can help in numerous ways. Please come to Kabbalat Shabbat on Oct. 12, which will focus on defeating Measure 105. Havurah will be doing canvassing and phone banking. You can also contact OUAP to join in their many phone banking and canvassing activities. The campaign also needs donations to counter OFIR’s well-funded anti-immigrant dollars. If you want to be part of the Havurah team working to defeat measure 105 please contact David Newman ([email protected]) or Bob Brown ([email protected]) to learn more details about specific ways you can help. With your help we can keep Oregon from moving backwards.
—David Newman
Book Group to look at rehabilitation & the prison system In 1961, Wilbert Rideau, a disillu-
sioned, African American, 19-year-old high school dropout, attempted rob-bery, panicked, and killed a white bank teller. A secret police camera recorded his confession and then broadcast it on TV. Rideau was sen-tenced to death by an all-white jury in a segregated town. Although other convicts accused of
similar crimes were regularly granted clemency after a decade, Rideau re-mained incarcerated for 44 years, many of which he suffered on death row and in solitary. Once integrated into the broader
prison population, he worked his way onto The Angolite, the prison’s publi-
cation. Eventually becoming editor, he earned the respect of the warden, prisoners, guards, as well as the broader journalism profession, with exposés of the politics and economics of the prison system. In 1993, Life magazine declared him "the most re-habilitated prisoner in America." After
scores of ap-peals lost to political machi-nations, Rideau was finally freed in 2005. This is more than a prison memoir; it is a searing indict-ment of the American jus-
tice system. To a society that treats convicts as a worthless underclass, Rideau's story is a compelling remind-er that rehabilitation should be the focus of a penal system. Discussion will be led by Maud Naroll.
Havurah Book Discussion Group
Oct. 23 7:00 to 8:30 pm
In the Place of Justice: A Story of Punishment and Deliverance
by Wilbert Rideau
Help Preserve Oregon’s Sanctuary Law
8 HAKOL October 2018
Join Us
Havurah has been blessed since its founding with many musicians who have shared their musical gifts with the rest of the congregation. However, we have now grown into a congrega-tion of over 400 families with wide-ranging musical needs in many differ-ent areas, and we have no way, within our congregational organization, to address them all appropriately. Into this space a Music Disappearing Task Force (DTF) has been created. The DTF's charge is to identify Havurah's music needs and find a way for Havu-
rah to meet them. The task force has already met with
Rabbi Barnett, Deborah, Ilene, and other staff, as well as a few of the mu-sicians within the congregation who have been integral in bringing music to our worship services and Shabbat School. The DTF's next step is to reach out to the whole congregation with a survey to come out in November.
This survey is an opportunity for you to say what you like or don't like about how music is done at Havurah, as well as how you would like to see it going
forward. The DTF will then present its recommendations to the Steering Committee. Whatever the organiza-tional changes in the offing, we are certainly in debt, as a congregation, to all the musicians who have so en-riched our spiritual and educational life over many years and in the days to come.
—Music DTF Committee Andrew Ehrlich
Laura Ehrlich Alanna Hein
Lev Tahor Chanting Resumes Oct. 15
After a late summer break, Rabbi Benjamin's Lev Tahor (Pure Heart) Chanting returns Oct. 15 with an ongoing schedule adjustment. Sessions will now take place every third Tuesday of the month. The start time remains 7:00 pm.
Each of these gatherings is open to anyone – no experience, musical ability, or commitment neces-sary. Lev Tahor Chanting is free for members; non-members are asked to make a small donation.
Having the Conversation: What Quality Means at the End of Life Sundays, Oct. 21 & Nov. 4, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
It’s not easy to talk about how you want the end of your life to be, but it’s one of the most important conversations you can have with your loved ones; it can make decision-making at the end of life less pain-ful and overwhelming. With the help and guidance of your fellow congregants, who have been trained in end-of-life issues and The Conversation Project guide-lines, we will work together during two workshops to help people talk about their values around quality of life. If you have questions about this workshop, please contact one of our Ma'avar (Transitions) Com-mittee chairs, Sidney Gold ([email protected]) or Keren McCord ([email protected]).
RSVP through the Havurah online calendar or at tinyurl.com/HaveConv2018.
Celebrate Jewish Books in Portland! Havurah Shalom
joins the annual Portland Jewish Book Celebration to explore this year’s choice: David Fish-man’s award-winning The Book Smugglers: Partisans, Poets, and the Race to Save Jewish Treasures from the Nazis. Told with an historian’s precision and a storyteller’s art, The Book Smugglers brings to life the ghetto residents of Vilna, "The Jerusalem of Lithuania," who risked their lives to save thousands of Jewish books, letters, manuscripts, and cultural artifacts from the Nazis and then the Soviets. The book is now available in both hardcover and paperback and is available or can be or-dered through our local independent bookstores. The Ha-vurah library also has a copy. Unpacking The Book Smugglers Tuesday, January 22, 7:00-8:30 pm at Havurah Shalom Havurah’s monthly book discussion group provides anoth-er opportunity to explore The Book Smugglers in anticipa-tion of the author talk that week. Leaders for this meeting—Susan Danielson and Ruth Feldman—will offer light refreshments and stimulating conversation.
For the entire schedule of Portland Jewish Book Celebra-tion events, visit www.havurahshalom.org/pjbc2019.
Look forward to Havurah music survey
9 HAKOL October 2018
Join Us
Join us Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Havurah Shalom for a screening of “The Reluc-tant Radical,” followed by a discussion with Ken Ward. Doors will open at 6:30 pm for time to mingle and enjoy delicious snacks, and the program will begin promptly at 7:00 pm. The screening is presented in partnership with Congregations P’nai Or and Kol Shalom.
THE RELUCTANT RADICAL is an inti-mate portrait of climate activist Ken Ward, as he wrestles with what life choices he should make and what di-rect actions he should take in re-sponse to the greatest crisis that hu-man civilization has ever faced: Cli-
mate Change. Ultimately, he elects to break the
law as a last resort and with great trepidation, to fulfill what he sees as his personal obligation to future gen-erations. The film follows Ken through a series of civil disobedience direct actions, culminating in his participa-tion in the coordinated action that shut down all the U.S. tar sands oil pipelines in October 2016. Facing 20 years in prison for his actions, the film reveals both the personal costs and also the fulfillment that comes from following one’s moral calling.
The film asks us to ponder what should be our response to the great-
est crisis that human civilization has ever faced. We will have the oppor-tunity to discuss this very topic with Ken following the film. I hope you will join us.
For more information, please con-tact Michael Heumann ([email protected] or 503-880-2226).
Hello all you faithful gardeners for Havurah,
Yes, the heat and smoke are gone, and the rains have come to our land.... Amen.
The fall work party to clean and tidy up our garden will
be Sunday Oct. 14, from 10 to 2. Come for a part of it, or all of it. Bring: gloves, pruning shears, broom and dustpan, rain
gear, and snacks to share. I will bring garbage bags to transfer the pruning to my green can.
Please RSVP and let me know if you can come; thank
you so much. Here’s wishing each of you a happy and healthy new
year, and may the CHANGE we all hope for come SOON!
Hope to see you on Sunday, Oct. 14,
—Barbara Gundle
Save the Date The Institute for Judaic
Studies Presents the 13th Annual
Weekend in Quest
Modern Jewish Writers: Reinterpreting Tradition
Professor Naomi Sokoloff of the University of Washington
Dates: March 1-3, 2019 Location: Holiday Inn Express, Astoria, OR Shabbat Services: Ilene Safyan of Congrega-tions Havurah Shalom & Neveh Shalom
www.weekendinquest.org for more information and to register
Questions: Contact Mimi Epstein ([email protected])
Meet “The Reluctant Radical” at Havurah Screening
10 HAKOL October 2018
Community
3. Instill generosity of spirit, time and resources, which sustain and grow our communi-ty.
The Kehilah Cluster includes the Connections, Holidays, Leadership Development, History, Fundraising & Endow-ment committees, the Reconstructing Judaism liaison, and the Alter Rockers. Today, I will detail the exciting revision for the Connections Committee.
The Connections Committee has been working to wel-come and integrate new members. In January a group of 30 members brainstormed ideas of how we could better welcome members and break down silos within Havurah. The outcome is that the Connections Committee is forming teams as described be-low:
Welcoming Team The welcoming team
will both welcome new members (44 new mem-bers have joined since Rabbi Benjamin started) and create a team of Ha-vurah “Welcomers” who will attend events and seek to create connec-tions among members and make sure all attendees feel welcomed. For those who attended Tashlich you may have noticed them with our newly designed “Welcome!” pins. Please be in touch with Stefanie Haus-man ([email protected]) or Jen Litwin ([email protected]) if you are interested in welcoming new members or being a “Welcomer” at events.
Intergenerational Work Susan Lazareck, Andy Gordon, and Teri Ruch attended a
Reconstructing Judaism webinar series on breaking down barriers in congregational life between generations. Susan is drafting a document with suggestions of how to both plan and publicize your event to appeal to multiple genera-tions. Karen Erde is partnering with Sarah Shine and the Dorot Shabbat leaders to add an element to this family-
oriented service that will attract more “experienced” members. Our first two meetings had mainly empty-nesters, so we are especially seeking younger members to be involved in future cross-generational work.
If you are interested, reach out to Susan Lazareck ([email protected]) or Aaron Pearlman ([email protected]).
Havurah Neighborhoods An exciting idea grew out of our January brainstorm to
create mini-communities based on neighborhood. Alana Silverman has stepped up to spearhead an effort to create
email lists (kind of a Havu-rah NextDoor with a bit more heart) for every neighborhood that will allow for people to con-nect, offer to host holiday or Shabbat meals, offer rides, check-in on mem-bers seeking help through Helping Hands, and get to know the members who live nearby. We have mapped the con-gregation and are currently dividing into neighbor-hoods of 20-30 families each. If you are willing to help get this off the ground and/or serve as a modera-tor for your neighbor-hood’s list, please be in
touch with Alana ([email protected]).
Families with Young Children A final group that will likely land in Kehilah is trying to fill
a gap in our community: more programming for families with young children. There are a couple members interest-ed in this effort but we need more. Julia Lager-Mesulam is looking for members who have young children and those who want to connect with these families to be a team to work on this effort. Please be in touch with Julia ([email protected]) if you want to help!
—Aaron Pearlman
Continued from Page 1
Becoming a(n even more) Welcoming Community
11 HAKOL October 2018
General Contributions Margaret Gordon, in honor of David
Lewis's 70th birthday and with gratitude for his many kindnesses over the years.
David Frackelton, in memory of my wife, Marta Mellinger, on her yahrzeit.
Teri Ruch, in memory of Susan Newman. I miss your kind and optimistic spirit.
High Holidays Contributions Stephen Lieberman, in honor of
Vincent Karlberg. Welcome to the world, Vincent. Congratulations, Emily and Magnus.
Jeffry Gottfried, in memory of Emily Georges Gottfried, Henny Gottfried, and Bernie Gottfried.
Dr. Surah Hirsch, in memory of Louis
and Doris Hirsch. Michelle Bobowick and Chuck
Veneklase, in honor of Amy Ken Marina Nash Weissfeld-Levy. L'shana tova!
Library Fund Adela Basayne and Nick Iliinsky, in
memory of Jacob Babat. Havurah Endowment Fund Nancy Spigal, in memory of our
beloved Harvey. Rabbi Discretionary Fund Harriet and Richard Steinberg, in
memory of my mother, Gussie Goldfine.
Harriet and Richard Steinberg, in memory of Mary Goldstein, sister of Harriet Steinberg.
Educator's Discretionary Fund Linda Zuckerman, in memory of my
parents, Harriette and Lou Zuckerman.
Tikkun Olam Fund Carol Gelfer and Joe Sullivan, in loving
memory of Florine Gelfer. Spiritual Life Fund Monica Moriarty and Bill Kwitman, in
loving memory of my grandmother, Sophie Kwitman.
Mimi and Bob Epstein, in in appreciation of Marlene Salon's generosity in sharing her professional knowledge of landscape design.
Bulletin Board
November Hakol The deadline for submission of
articles, pics, tributes, announcements, etc. is
Tuesday, October 9
Email submissions to
In the coming month Havurah Shalom will call to the Torah
the following B’nai Mitzvah:
Saturday, September 29 Charlie Kirschner
Son of Carrie and Mitchell Kirschner
Saturday, October 6 Kai Paasch
Son of Greta Klungness and Christopher Paasch
Saturday, October 13 Kabir Josse
Son of Anita Haeems
Please join us in celebration and welcome them to our community.
MAZEL TOV!
Mazel Tov!
Alison Asarnow and Benjamin Foote
parents of Toby Baillet Asarnow Foote, born August 15
Joyce Pastine, mother of Liza Springgate, mother-in-law of Mark and grandmother of Frances and August, passed away September 20.
Condolences
October’s Calendar is Online! Print from the URL below, or stop by the office
for a copy. tinyurl.com/HavShal10
Tributes, con’d
12
Non-Profit Org. US Postage
PAID Portland OR
Permit No. 2180
Havurah Shalom 825 NW 18th Ave Portland OR 97209-2333
Address label here
Address Service Requested
RSVP for KABBALAT SHABBAT DINNER
Friday, Oct. 12, 2018
Dinner at 6:30 pm Services at 7:30 pm
Cost adjustments for the dinner are available.
Contact the Havurah office for information at (503) 248-4662.
Dinner will include dairy-free, gluten-free, & nut-free choices.
You are invited to bring wine/juice to celebrate.
RSVP by midnight, Sunday, Oct. 7
Please mail the completed form (right) with payment to the Havurah office or visit
www.havurahshalom.org/KabbalatShabbat
Due to space limitations, we must limit seats for the dinner, so please sign up as soon as possible to be assured of a seat.
Registration will close when seats are filled; however, RSVP no later than the time noted above. If your RSVP is being mailed, please let the office know. All are welcome to attend the service at 7:30 pm—no RSVP required. If you are unable to attend the dinner, we hope
you will join us for services.
Kabbalat Shabbat Registration Form
First and Last Name(s) for name tag(s): ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________
Childcare is available for ages 2-8, from 6:30 pm until the end of the service. Name(s)/age(s) of child(ren): ___________________
_____________________________
Number of Adults (Ages 13+) ________________
$16.50 Each $_______________
Number of children ages 4 to 12 ________________
$5.50 each $_______________
Number of children ages 3 & under ________________
No Charge
Consider an extra donation to help others attend
________________
Total Enclosed $_______________
