Hakol November 2019 Volume 42, Issue 1

Photo by Ellen Regal

Hineinu: Being Here with Truth From the Rabbi Below are some adapted excerpts from the talk I gave on tyranny when you renounce the difference between what you Erev Rosh Hashanah. The whole talk can be found on our want to hear and what is actually the case.” And so, we must website at tinyurl.com/bbRH5780. be diligent, both in calling out falsehood from others as well ny positive change begins by perceiving the true as interrogating our own perspectives, our own narratives of nature of who we are and how we arrived at this who we are and how we got here. We must be willing to not moment. This can be applied on any level, from know — must be willing to encounter new truths when they A intimate interactions to global ones. Living truth- present themselves. fully means recognizing what has shaped our perspective and This tendency to hide is deep and old within us. From al- environment, and what motivates us to act one way or anoth- most the very beginning of Torah, we hide. After Adam and er. Being with what is true is one way in which we say Eve eat from the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and Hineinu: Here We Are — especially when that truth is un- evil, God asks, Ayeka? “Where are you?” Instead of owning comfortable. what they did, Adam blames Eve, and Eve blames the serpent. In Hebrew, truth is emet. The root of the word is not, as Before blaming Eve, though, Adam explains that they were one might expect it to be, its three letters, aleph-mem-tav. hiding because they knew they were naked. He acknowledges Rather, it is aleph-mem-nun, from the word emunah, faith. the hiding, as if the inclination to confess almost breaks The capacity to encounter and abide in truth emerges out of through. But that is quickly cast aside. I love this detail be- faith and trust — in ourselves, in our loved ones and our rela- cause it acknowledges that we cannot always face the truth tionships, in this life and in its potential for meaning and directly. We cannot always say the full Hineinu, so to speak. wholeness. Sometimes it’s too painful or too scary to be with life as it is. The poet David Whyte offers, “Confession is a stripping But even when we can’t, we can be truthful about our hiding. away of protection; the telling of a truth which might once And that is often the crucial first step. have seemed like a humiliation, becomes suddenly a gateway, Each time we live with truth, we access our potential for an entrance to solid ground; even a first step home… To con- learning and connection, and facilitate healing and transfor- fess is to declare oneself ready for a more courageous road.” mation. Let us link arms and navigate these waters together. Each time we are truthful internally, we condition our- Let us support each other as we take the necessary risks and selves to stand up for truth in the public sphere. Timothy step out onto that “more courageous road.” May we join with Snyder, in his essential little book On Tyranny, puts it simply: one another to boldly and graciously lift the banner of truth “Post-truth is pre-fascism.” He also writes, “You submit to wherever and however we are able.

Office Hours Monday — Thursday Friday Contents 10:00 am — 4:00 pm 10:00 am — 3:00 pm The Havurah Office will be closed on: Nov. 28 for Thanksgiving Rabbi’s Erev Rosh Hashanah Drash 1 Events 2 December Hakol Submission Deadline Tuesday, November 12 Thank You to Our Volunteers 3 MACG Addresses Mental Health 4 To find the form, click the “Submit” tab on Havurah’s website at havurahshalom.org. Tzedakah Project, Ortiz Center 4 Weekly Email tinyurl.com/ Deadline: HCAT Book Group & Updates 5 Submission Form HavShaNL Tuesdays, 12 pm Poverty & Homelessness Update 5 Cover photo: Harriet Cooke shows kids a portion of the Torah. Photo by Ellen Regal. Rabbi’s Kol Nidre Drash 6 Growing Our Roots 7 Book Discussion Group 7 The Kitchen Kvetch 8 Weekend in Quest 2020 8 Facebook Commentary 9 Brit Kehillah 9 Roots: On Palestine/Israel 9 Tributes, Leadership Development 10 Deborah Eisenbach-Budner refer- Calendar 11 ences the Torah during Simchat Torah. Photos by Ellen Regal.

Fighting Homelessness One Tiny House at a Time with Tivnu Story Swap at the Museum: Events Wednesdays, Nov. 6, 13, 20, 27; Dec. 4, 11, 10 am - 3 pm Resistance 6651 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland Wednesday, Nov. 13, 7 pm, Oregon Jewish Museum, Build a better Portland for all of us, one tiny house at a time! Join 724 NW Davis Street, Portland Havurah's longtime partner Tivnu: Building Justice, along with PJA Please join us for a powerful night of stories on the and Cascadia Clusters at the MJCC. Let's make this a New Year of theme of Resistance. Featured tellers include Jessica security, opportunity, and community, working alongside the folks Beckett, Executive Director of 350PDX.org, Kathi who really need it. Tivnu and partners will bring the tools and the Miller, a Native American fiber artist, Charleigh Shef- construction coach; you bring the hands and the heart. Sign up now: fer, a non-binary artist, hairdresser, and storyteller, and tinyurl.com/TivnuWednesdayBuild. Alaide Vilchis Ibarra, Executive Director of the Inter- faith Movement for Immigrant Justice and a former Questions? Email Erik at [email protected]. Dreamer. Open mic follows the featured tellers! Pur- chase advance tickets here: tinyurl.com/storyswap13. Musical Theater New Works Workshop Series dates: Mondays, Jan. 13, 20, 27; Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24; March Celebrate 40 Years of Shabbat School! 2, 16, 30; 7 pm - 8:30 pm, Havurah Shalom Saturday, Dec. 7, 4 pm - 5:15 pm Performances: Sunday, April 5, 2 pm & 7 pm, Havurah Shalom Shabbat School is in session! Let’s hear and see your If you consider yourself a creative actor or singer who loves musical reflections. We will look back and marvel on 40 years theater and trying new things, then please join us for this first ever of our unique and amazing family cooperative Jewish musical theater workshop series. We are writing a musical called education model, while envisioning our future. Families "Freedom: The Untold Story of Moses.” We want to work with a welcome! group of passionate performers to develop a physical, spiritual, and musical language for the piece. You can be a part of bringing the New & Prospective Member Welcome Tea script to life and pick up a few tips and tricks to musical theater Sunday, Dec. 8, 11 am - 1 pm, Havurah Shalom performance along the way! This will culminate in a staged reading A chance to come together for new members, new-ish performance of the first act at Havurah Shalom. Scripts are used in members, prospective members, and all members the staged reading performances — no line memorization is re- seeking more connection. We'll schmooze, nosh, kib- quired! Ten spaces open to adults on a first come, first served ba- butz, and learn about Havurah happenings. Join the sis. Register here: tinyurl.com/RegisterNewWorks Welcome Committee as we show up to build and en- rich our relationships with one another in the spirit of Want to hear some of the songs or read a script excerpt? Have oth- Hineinu: “We are Here.” Register here: tinyurl.com/ er questions? Contact Chari Smith at [email protected]. DecWelcomeTea.

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Community Volunteers Made Our World Go Round by Rachel Pollak igh Holidays have come and gone for our partici- To help look after our safety, a team of event monitors patory community. Without the help of many, took watch-shifts, led by Andy Beers and Barry Lavine. Jody many volunteers, we could not have created the Anderson created arts and crafts projects for the kids in child- H spaces that brought us together in so many ways. I care, while Sarah Wetherson managed the teen break room. would like to thank certain people in particular — those who Elianne Lieberman edited the service supplement, ensuring its took on the responsibility to become leads for certain areas: fine quality. Erev Rosh Hashanah Dinner, meanwhile, was a Heidi Bader once again managed the Yom Kippur Break labor of love for Buff Neretin. Fast, a complicated and labor-intensive endeavor. Our Usher 122 other people helped support us, and they took on a Coordinators, David Lewis, Barb Ruben, Sandy Ramirez, and total of 225 volunteer spots! Every spot counted, allowing us Len Shapiro, provided order and leadership in the foyer out- to fulfill our tasks on time and with excellence. Thank you to side of services. Monica Moriarty and her team of flower ar- everyone who volunteered! rangers outdid themselves, as they do every year, by bringing Excited about helping out? Look for volunteer requests beauty to all our spaces. Stacy Hankin managed logistics for over the coming year, and if you’re involved with a Havurah George Rogers Park Tashlich, while Beth Shreve once again group, ask the leaders how you can help. And of course, look put together Tashlich in Cedar Hills — both gatherings sweet for the High Holidays sign-ups late next summer. We always and meaningful. need all hands on deck!

People greet one another just before High Holiday Services begin at the Tiffa- ny Center (left). Music is played at a Tashlich gathering (above).

We Are So Grateful for Our Service Leaders and Organizers!

We would like to acknowledge the following individuals We want to especially recognize Margie Rosenthal, who for their thoughtful planning and beautiful leadership across led, mentored, and collaborated across the service cycle to the High Holiday services: Rabbi Benjamin Barnett, Debo- meaningfully address gaps created by Ilene Safyan's ab- rah Eisenbach-Budner, Ken Lerner, Susan Brenner, Barbara sence this year. Slader, Elizabeth Schwartz, Maria Lisa Johnson, Chaim We would also like to appreciate the following members Wolin, Tivona Reith, Diane Chaplin, Howard Patterson, who prepared and leined Torah and Haftorah: Howard Pat- Andrine de la Rocha, Justin Carroll, Keren McCord, Lisa terson, Tivona Reith, Ken Lerner, Diane Chaplin, Sam Ellenberg, Oren Kosansky, Warren Moliken, Rachel Duke, Sirkin, Chaim Wolin, Miriam Reshotko, Roger Brewer, Steve Mesulam, Adela Basayne, Cassandra Sagan, Jared Marty Brown, Enie Vaisburd, Steve Goldberg, Sadie Druck- Goodman, Beth Shreve, Dave Weil, Ruth Wikler-Luker, er, Lev Wolin, Maia Gordon, and Allan Cordova. Buff Neretin, Jonas Frost-Hausman, Chaim Gerber, Arava We are so grateful to Sacha Reich for her tireless organi- Barnett, Lev Barnett, David Link, Sylvie McCord, Lev zational guidance in the lead-up to the High Holidays. Wolin, Serena Goldstone, Uma Frost-Hausman, and Maia To all, you nourish us. We appreciate your generosity, Goldberg. collaboration, and creative contributions.

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Tikkun Olam MACG Addresses Mental Health Issues Among Latinx Youth

he MACG Washington County Immigration Research Ac- Upcoming MACG Leadership Training Session T tion Team is planning a campaign to address mental health issues among Latinx youth in Washington County. These issues emerged as a major concern from MACG listening campaigns. This session is free and available to all Havurah members. The Latinx population is the largest ethnic minority in the county, making up approximately 18% of the population. Leadership Institute for Public Life MACG members have met with Erin Jolly, Senior Program Friday & Saturday, November 22-23 Coordinator in Health Equity, Planning, and Policy at Washing- St. Andrew Lutheran in Beaverton ton County Public Health. She coordinates community health improvement planning, performance management, quality im- A two-day Leadership Institute for Public Life training to provement, accreditation, and the school-based health center learn the MACG organizing model and to be part of MACG's program. Jolly was asked ques- work for the common good. Topics include: tions about the current mental health resources available for the Why organize? Latinx community, particularly Examine the history, traditions, and values of our labor, faith, youth. MACG members also community and educational organizations. shared their own personal stories related to mental health issues present in their communities. Fundamental organizing skills Jolly shared what is currently available, as well as her sugges- Learn tools to conduct individual relational meetings, listen- tions for the gaps in care that a MACG campaign may be able ing sessions, research, negotiations and action to help obtain to address. The team has also engaged with Erin Sewell, Life- a concrete, winnable outcome. works NW Senior Program Director, and Jessica Ortiz, a Pro- motora Home Visitor and Parent Educator, to discuss mental Strengthening our institutions health services for Latinx youth in Washington County. Engage people systematically in a culture that is relational, While the research is ongoing, the MACG team is in the action-oriented and reflective. process of identifying a winnable campaign that will help to increase awareness and result in additional support for youth Problems vs. issues who are struggling with mental health issues. Focus from general problems to concrete, winnable issues by If you are interested in joining the team to work on these using relational power in the public arena to negotiate for the issues, please do not hesitate to contact Andy Beers at common good. [email protected].

High Holidays Tzedakah Project Produces 333 Pounds of Donations! Lift Urban Portland reports that food the Rafiki Village Project, which serves Our tradition reminds us that the contributions at the Tiffany Center and villages in Tanzania. shoresh (three-letter root) for tzedakah Havurah Shalom during the High Holi- — often translated as “charity” — is days weighed in at a hefty 333 pounds. tzadi-dalet-qof. It is the same shoresh This is in addition to pounds of goods for tzedek — often translated as for Portland Homeless Family Solutions “justice” or “fairness.” This year’s Tzed- (www.pdxhfs.org), in the form of dia- akah Project was truly an outpouring of pers, underwear, and baby wipes, as generosity and love that responds to well as items for the new Lents shelter, poverty, and that nurtures justice and including bedding and toiletries. fairness in our world. To see more about There were also many other items, the organization Lift Urban Portland, including sport and school supplies for visit: lifturbanportland.org.

It’s Our Third Year Teaching at the Ortiz Center! After taking off July and August from pinecones, squirrels, and off-leash dogs teaching at the Ortiz Center, our Tikkun — all to help them learn new vocabulary Olam Adelante volunteer English teach- words. ers Robbin DeWeese, Judi Kloper, Fran We're now into our third year at the Berg, and Julie Hastings started fall off Ortiz Center; enrollment has increased, with many students eager to get back to and we continue to offer fun and educa- learning. tional activities. We receive so much Our second class in September took pleasure from teaching and getting to us to Fernhill Park in NE where our stu- know our students from around the dents went on a scavenger hunt (see pho- world! to) searching for signs of fall, including If you’d like to get involved, contact Students from the Center practicing outside. leaves changing color, moss on trees, Judi Kloper at [email protected]. 4

Tikkun Olam Join the HCAT Book Group! Havurah Climate Action Team facilitated by Harriet (HCAT) invites you to join us for a six- Cooke. week book study on the deep root causes Questions? Email and solutions to the twin crises of climate [email protected]. and social justice. We will predominant- ly be reading EcoMind, by Frances Join HCAT for our fall Moore Lappe, with additional readings book study Thursday from Drawdown, and other resources. evenings 7 pm - 9 pm! We will close with readings on the Ore- Nov. 7, 14, 21 gon Green New Deal. Dec. 5, 12, 19 Please sign up on the online calendar to receive a syllabus for the class and additional materials. You do not need to Havurah members gather at attend all classes to participate. It will be the Global Climate Strike on September 20. Havurah at the Climate Strike On Friday, September 20, many Havurahniks and friends Bridge, cars blew their horns in support. At OMSI a well- from P'nai Or joined the thousands of youth and adults at the organized climate fair provided many options for actions. Climate Strike rally and march. Here is Andy Beers’s personal Time is running out. But the fact that youth are taking on account of the event: this issue provides hope. Many of them will be eligible to vote I attended the Global Climate Strike and had my hope re- in 2020. Their votes could be pivotal in electing a president newed. The climate crisis gets more severe every day. It is easy who believes climate change is real, believes it is caused by to lose hope as more and more reports and studies tell us that human activities, believes in policies that will be effective, and the emergency is more urgent than previously reported. Thou- believes in the will to work globally to make change happen. sands of Portland area youth and adults showed up to protest a Getting the vote out may be the most effective way to make lack of action on the climate crisis. this happen. We must convince young voters that their partici- The rally before the march was inspirational. The youth who pation in elections can have an impact. I urge you to get in- addressed the crowd were so well informed, motivated, articu- volved with organizations that are part of the get-out-the-vote late, passionate, and hopeful. And they challenged us to join effort. Together, with the leaders of tomorrow, we can make a them to help assure that future generations will have a healthy difference. world to live on. As we marched to OMSI over the Hawthorne To join HCAT, email Andy Beers at [email protected].

Check out our new web page at havurahshalom.org/hcat to see HCAT’s discussion on Yom Kippur! Update from the Poverty & Homelessness Work Group by Gloria Halper Portland Homeless Family Solutions Interfaith Alliance on Poverty

Havurah's volunteers are well known Monthly meetings are always the first Thursday of the month to PHFS, showing up on Havurah- from 12 pm – 2 pm. There are always guest speakers with rele- Adopt-A-Night shifts for the past five vant information on the issue of poverty in Oregon. October's years. Some Havurahniks are also put- speaker was from the Living Cully about the Cully Land Fund. ting in many more hours on their own. We also heard from the Alliance’s Study Group that was study- We have provided a dinner meal once a ing the ECONorthwest report. Three suggested Task Force month for these past five years. groups are open to us as Alliance partners: Again, those volunteers coming on their own time sometimes also choose • Myths of Poverty: Speak as allies for those in poverty to provide meals. We used some of our Tikkun Olam Funds to • Understanding of Funding for Children and Families make several meals at Havurah that PHFS froze. These are backup meals. Havurah also supports the work of PHFS with an • Determine the Role of the Alliance in the Current State of annual amount that is listed in our Havurah budget. Homelessness See more information about PHFS, including a very in- formative graph on Tikkun Olam’s Poverty and Homelessness If you are interested in any of Tikkun Olam's Poverty and webpage here: havurahshalom.org/poverty-and-homelessness- Homelessness work with PHFS or the Interfaith Alliance on committee. Poverty, please contact Gloria Halper or Steve Rudman. To work on food insecurity with Lift Urban Portland, contact Ruth Feldman.

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From the Rabbi Amidst Fear, Building Refuge Rabbi Benjamin on Kol Nidre 5780 ne of the stories about reach out to others, to take action or otherwise respond to our Martin Luther King situation. By meeting fear intentionally and mindfully, we can Jr. that has impacted help one another know safety even in the midst of fear. O me most happened These holidays are called Yamim Nora’im, the Days of around his kitchen table. It was Awe. That word “awe,” though — Yirah, with its adjective January of 1956, the Montgom- Nora — is also associated with fear. As in the “fear of God.” In ery Bus Boycott was ramping up general we avoid that translation in the progressive world, and and King was receiving regular for good reason. We do not view fear-based spirituality as a threats on his life. One night, healthy model. But there is a weight to the words Nora and after a long day of organizing, he Yirah that is not necessarily conveyed by “awe.” Another trans- arrived home very late and the lation I have appreciated is the word “apprehension.” Both in phone rang. A nasty voice on the the sense of a deep grasp or understanding of what is happen- other end said: "Leave Mont- ing, as well an awareness of the seriousness and potential con- gomery immediately if you have no wish to die." Dr. King sequences of a given moment. hung up the phone, trembling, put on a pot of coffee and sat Tomorrow we will chant Unetaneh Tokef, as we did on down at the table. Rosh Hashanah. In the prayer we call this is “a day filled with This is how he describes the next moments: awe and trembling” — that this day is nora, and also ayom, that I was ready to give up. With my cup of coffee sitting un- second word explicitly connoting dread or terror. What is it that touched before me, I tried to think of a way to move out of we might be so afraid of? Well, the familiar poetry of Unetaneh the picture without appearing a coward. In this state of ex- Tokef follows: “Who shall live and who shall die? Who in the haustion, when my courage had all but gone, I decided to fullness of years and who before their time?” The prayer goes take my problem to God. With my head in my hands, I on: “We are fragile as pottery, so easily shattered, like the grass bowed over the kitchen table and prayed aloud. that withers, like the flower that fades…” A catalyst for the awe The words I spoke to God that midnight are still vivid in and trembling is this awareness that we, like all life, will pass my memory. "I am here taking a stand for what I believe is away. right. But now I am afraid. The people are looking to me for In this vein, Yom Kippur is often called “a rehearsal for our leadership, and if I stand before them without strength and death.” But for the rabbis this was not a morose exercise. It was courage, they too will falter. I am at the end of my powers. I meant to wake us up more fully to our lives. have nothing left. I've come to the point where I can't face it In the midst of world events right now, these verses feel alone.” especially powerful. I think in particular of marginalized com- At that moment, I experienced the presence of the Divine munities around the world who are facing increased threats to as I had never experienced God before. It seemed as though their livelihood and well being. And of course of the Jewish I could hear the quiet assurance of an inner voice saying: community, as we turn the page on a year in which we suffered "Stand up for justice, stand up for truth; and God will be at the Tree of Life and Chabad of Poway attacks. The fragility of your side forever.” life is quite present. But I share this background about the I have drawn great solace from this story. It is heartening for Yamim Nora’im to reveal that, from the tradition’s perspective, me to hear about legendary, courageous leaders also being there is benefit in beholding fear directly. A sense that by see- afraid. And I love that King didn’t deny the fear or fight it off. ing it and naming it we can channel it toward being a life- He named it. He met it, right there at his kitchen table. The oth- affirming force. er crucial detail for me is that the assurance he received wasn’t “While generally devalued in our culture,” writes therapist that God would protect him from harm. It was simply that God and author Miriam Greenspan, “…emotions [such as fear] have would be by his side. In the face of terror, fearing for his life, a wisdom that is essential to the work of healing and transfor- he felt a sense that he would not be alone. And that enabled him mation on both individual and collective levels.” In her book, to go on. Healing through the Dark Emotions, Greenspan explores the I am speaking tonight about fear, and how we might also potential inherent in such emotions: in particular, fear, grief, meet it with faith and wisdom, and amidst it, or even through it, and despair. While the common reaction, for understandable find our way together to courage and safety. reasons, is to run from or repress them, she instructs that to do I imagine that most of us are feeling, on a collective level, so is to make ourselves, and those around us, more vulnerable more fear than we have before. What does safety and security to their negative impacts. We can instead get to know “the con- look like in the face of this? Both physically, as well as emo- tours of our fear” and the ways in which we need to tionally and spiritually, how are we to respond to fearful times? “experience it authentically [and] speak about it openly.” Even After the September 11 attacks, a rabbi I knew gave a ser- with children, when they are afraid, she advises against telling mon in which he told his community: “Don’t be afraid.” It was them, “There’s nothing to be afraid of. It’s okay.” Rather, she a powerful message. But it is not the message I am going to suggests, “We might put our arms around them and say, ‘It’s give. And that is because I do not think that telling someone, or okay to be scared when scary things happen. Being aware of telling ourselves, not to be afraid is necessarily helpful. In my fear makes you stronger than pretending you don't feel it. Let’s experience denying fear does not make it go away. It in fact see if we can find something to do that would make you feel inhibits us from being able to respond in ways that help us. better.” … Feeling fear can be an appropriate cue for us to pay attention, to Continue reading online at tinyurl.com/bbKN5780 6

Learning Beginnings by Deborah Eisenbach-Budner Growing Our Roots

What do these phrases have in common? (two vertical dots underneath), a grammatical symbol repre- senting the absence of a vowel. We hear only the letter bet. • When God began to create heaven and earth (Jewish Publi- This “B” sound differs from having a kamatz (the little T cation Society Tanakh) underneath), an “ah” sound under it. The “B” plus the • At the beginning of God’s creating of the heavens and the “ah” in Hebrew denote a specific thing, the definite article. earth (The Five Books of Torah translated by Everett Fox) Because there is no definite article, no “Ah” sound under- • In a beginning God created the heaven and earth neath the bet, we must translate this word to mean “In A beginning” rather than “in THE beginning.” They all strive to translate the first three words of the Torah, Even Rashi, the classical Torah commentator (France 1040- B’reishit bara Elohim, which we chant at Simchat Torah when 1105) says, “This verse says nothing but – Explain me!” we start our yearly Torah reading cycle again and in Parashat (Darshani – Make a drash out of me!). He goes on to say that B’reishit (Genesis 1:1 – 5:32). the heavens and earth could not have been created first because To our English-speaking minds, these three translations may water and fire were. And then Rashi concludes, “Therefore you not seem so different. However, there are major philosophical must needs admit that the text teaches nothing about the earlier differences wrapped up in the meaning of the first word — or later sequence of the acts of Creation.” B’reishit. So, if this formulaic account of creation day by day is not describing the order of creation then what is it doing? Perhaps The shoresh, the root or base of a Hebrew word, is not the we are being reminded of a truth about beginnings. Most are problem. It is clearly reish-alef-shin. This shoresh means head, messy, confusing, and have a swirl of elements that we humans beginning, leader, or top. It is the same shoresh that we use in will want to put in order. Rosh Hashanah (head or beginning of the New Year). The state of beginnings is not definite, with a neat ‘the’ to The problem, in a nutshell, is how to understand the first package it all together but rather a collection of many begin- vowel under the first letter bet, which acts as a prefix meaning nings. And as Robert Harris says: “The Torah essentially begins in, with, or at, before our shoresh (root), reish-alef-shin. I will with a sentence that is ambiguous. Or put differently, the Torah be happy to geek out with anybody on this fine point of gram- begins with a text that requires our involvement and interven- mar if you want to go into more depth. But, for now, let’s take tion in order to achieve some meaning.” Michael Harvey’s explanation of the problem with the common translation “In the beginning”: “Growing Our Roots – Shorashim” is brought to you This isn’t correct because the phrase “in the beginning” monthly by the Limud (Learning) cluster to help create more contains the definite article the, “the beginning,” and this shared language and cultural understanding within our com- does not match the Hebrew. If we were to look at the word munity. If you have a question or a favorite shoresh (Hebrew root with vowels, based on the pronunciation, we would hear the base word) that you would like to share, please contact Debo- “B” sound, B’Reishit, and we would see what’s called Shva rah at [email protected].

The Book Group Discusses Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver November 26, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at Havurah Dellarobia, a restless farm wife who like a lake of fire. While she understands she confronts her family, her church, her gave up her own plans when she acci- it as a cautionary miracle, a raft of other town, and a larger world, in a flight to- dentally became pregnant at seventeen, explanations is heard from scientists, reli- ward truth that could undo all she has ever has spent a decade of domestic disharmo- gious leaders, and the media. Rural farm- believed. Discussion led by Andy Beers. ny on a failing farm. She seeks escape ers come into unexpected contact with “Kingsolver has written one of the through a flirtation with a younger man. urbane journalists, opportunists, sight- more thoughtful novels about the scien- While hiking up a mountain road toward a seers, and a striking biologist with his own tific, financial and psychological intrica- secret tryst, she encounters a shocking stake in the outcome. The community cies of climate change.” (Ron Charles, sight: a silent, forested valley that looks judges Dellarobia and her miracle, while Washington Post)

Interested in Connecting with Our Shabbat School Students? Last year at our Tikkun Olam fair, Shabbat School students were excited to connect with Havurah members who are active in the community. Havurah members have also spoken with Shabbat School students about marriage, the history of Havurah, and some people have even shared music and stories during Havdalah and Shabbat School classes. If you are interested, please let us know and we can discuss how you can seamlessly mesh with the Shabbat School curriculum.

Please contact Michelle Bobowick, Shabbat School Co-Chair, via email at [email protected] with questions or interest.

7 HAKOL November 2019

Community

The Kitchen Kvetch: The Question of Leftovers by Adele Thompson e anticipated a normal (read prescriptive) column this ship. Please let us know what you think about leftovers both in month — compost food discards, wash fork tines and theory and as you are confronted with them. I learned, courtesy W plate backs, stack stainless stool bowls politely, etc. of Ed Reckford, a policy translates an organization's values to But as it turns out, we have fresh fish to fry (metaphoric frying real life. What values are you finding in current practice? What only; as you know our kitchen is not equipped for safe stovetop values would you like to express? Please help shape these deci- frying). sions if you have input! This past year the kvetch has been participating with a group Refrigerator practices have been shifting in recent months of members who have extensive experience in Havurah's kitch- with the addition of shelf labels that offer places for the staff en in a temporary task force. With Nancy Becker's guidance the and the caterers as well as leftovers and food meant for specific group is slowly scrolling through a range of issues involving events. Note that effective this month, volunteers will be clean- food and the kitchen. ing the refrigerator every two weeks. All prepared food (cut up Some decisions were easy, and Steering Committee approv- or cooked) should be labeled with the date prepared and the al was prompt. The old freezer, a generous gift from the Halper nature of its contents. Food more than one week old and unla- -Moskovitz family, served us well but it needed retiring and beled food will be discarded. Condiments and foods such as proper recycling. A new freezer would be frost-free, saving the whole fruits and vegetables in good condition are not included labor no one wished on themselves or others. It is also far more in this rule. Food on the staff shelf will not be disturbed unless energy efficient. A new freezer has been procured and installed. it is visibly deteriorated. Come see it! Please let us know what you think about all this! And about Guidelines on freezer use might be helpful but no draft has last month's quiz — as you know, any difficulties reflect the emerged. In general, please store only items that have clear teacher as much as the student. Together we will go forth! future purpose. Wrap them well. Label them with the date and contents. Recent b'nei mitzvah families were surveyed by Stacy Hankin on many areas related to the kitchen and catering. We received input which is helping us delineate policies for cater- REFRIGERATOR CLEANING ing and will hopefully help other families find the experience less intimidating and more satisfying. Every two weeks, beginning this month Other topics, though, have led to somewhat contentious dis- cussion and an array of potential solutions. "Leftovers" from All prepared food (cut up or cooked) must be congregational events have become a central question. Current- labeled with the date prepared and contents. ly some leftover food is used by the many groups and classes Unlabeled food or food more than one week old whose meetings follow. Some is eaten by casual browsers. will be discarded. Some is eaten by staff. Some is frozen and remains suspended indefinitely. Some is trashed or composted. Condiments, whole produce in good condition, The Havurah tradition of protracted discussion has not given and food on the staff shelf will not be affected. us comfortable consensus. With encouragement from Adela Basayne we bring this excess to those who own it: the member-

Weekend in Quest 2020: The Dreyfus Affair

The fourteenth annual Weekend in Quest, a Shabbaton (study weekend), will be held on the weekend of March 6-8, 2020 in Astoria, Oregon. Weekend in Quest is sponsored by The Institute for Judaic Studies in Portland. Evlyn Gould is College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor in the Humanities and Professor Emerita of French at the University of Oregon, where she has taught since 1983. She also serves as cantorial intern at Temple Beth Israel in Eugene and as Hazzanite at Temple Har Zion in Mt. Holly, New Jersey. Prof. Gould's work focuses on 19th century French literature, culture, and the performing arts, as well as issues in Jewish and European Studies. She is the author of Virtual Theater from Diderot to Mallarmé (1989), The Fate of Carmen (1996; 2001), and co-author and editor of Engaging Europe: Rethinking a Continent in Change (2005; 2007). Her latest book, Dreyfus and the Literature of the Third Republic: Secularism and Tolerance in Zola, Barrès, Lazare and Proust (2012) explores the "Jewish question" during the Dreyfus Affair in France and the moral turning of each of these authors around this question. She will present four lectures on the topic “Friends, Foes, Fanatics and Proto-Fascists: The Dreyfus Affair in Fin-de-Siècle France (1894-1906).” Her lecture titles are “The Dreyfus Affair and the Origins of Modern Anti-Semitism,” “Bernard Lazare: Unsung Hero of the Dreyfus Affair,” “Modern Marranos: Marcel Proust and the Salons of Turn-of-the-Century France,” and “The Trials of Public Education and the Rise of the Modern Secular State.” Also included in the Shabbaton will be Shabbat services led by Beth Hamon and Elizabeth Schwartz of Havurah Shalom. We will enjoy catered kosher-style meals including a festive Erev Shabbat dinner, Kiddush lunch and Saturday evening dinner. So- cial time, entertainment and possibly a Shabbat afternoon walk along the Columbia River will also be woven into the experience. The weekend promises to be a dynamic, spiritual, and educational experience.

For more information, go to weekendinquest.org or contact Mimi Epstein at [email protected].

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Community What Staff Members Say When They’re Talking About Facebook transcribed by Adela Basayne Havurah staff meets together every do things we don’t agree with. We pay quence?” Tuesday morning at 10 am. On a recent taxes when we don’t support wars. We “People who are isolated rely on Tuesday, you may have overheard these don’t have viable alternatives. Facebook Facebook for connection.” segments of our conversation: has monopolized community networks.” “If Havurah is hoping to build a “I think we need to talk about the “They own Instagram and youth culture, social media will have to ethics of being on Facebook. They have WhatsApp, too.” play a role in that.” said publicly that they will not limit “The purpose of being on Facebook “Morality has to be part of this con- politicians’ ads which contain proven when Havurah first joined was to give versation, though.” lies. Even after what happened during members another place to build commu- “We need to find out what the mem- the last election. There has to be a limit nity.” bers and leadership think about this.” somewhere.” “But how much of that is really hap- “Do you think we should take our pening? And does Havurah want to be Reader, what do you think about page down?” contributing to their company as an in- this? Please share your opinions with “Well, how important is our being stitution?” us. Drop Brad a line or post your on the platform to Havurah members? “What’s our leverage? We don’t thoughts on the Havurah Shalom Face- How necessary is social media in gen- advertise, so it’s only our data we could book group. eral to Havurah?” take away from them. Would our small “We’re all part of evil empires that institution’s loss be of any conse-

Brit Kehilla: Covenant for Community An Israeli & Palestinian Engaged in

How do we want to treat each other? What do we expect of a Deep Communication Practice each other? Building a covenant of community for Havurah Shalom will let us answer this question. Roots, a local Palestinian-Israeli initiative for under- What’s imagined is a series of neighborhood meetings with standing, non-violence, and transformation, will be visiting facilitated conversations during which Havurahniks will engage Portland the weekend of November 22 - 24. Shadi Abu Aw- with some questions, panim el panim (face to face — last year’s wad and Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger, two representatives of theme! Not forgotten). What do our values of inclusivity and this trust-building, grassroots network, will bring their participation look like between two members? In committees? presentation, “Painful Hope” to Neveh Shalom on Novem- Between committees and Steering? Between members and ber 23 from 7 pm - 9 pm. Read more about their organiza- staff? What are the ways we want our actions to manifest re- tion here: friendsofroots.net. spect, generosity, or chesed (lovingkindness)? What strengthens As one of the co-sponsors of their visit, we are excited to our community? have Rabbi Hanan join Havurah for text study during Shab- There are several ways you can support the Brit Kehilla pro- bat morning services at 10:00 on November 23. Please wel- cess at Havurah: come them with your presence!

• Join the group designing the process. • Be a meeting facilitator. • Host a meeting. • Say yes when you’re asked to get involved. • And sign up to attend a meeting when the schedule is an- nounced! Shadi Abu Awwad The Brit Kehilla will be a significant foundation in the next (left) and Rabbi long-range plan. Hanan Schlesinger (right).

Calling All D.I.Y. Enthusiasts! If you enjoy doing minor repairs and maintenance, we have a place for you on our Building Maintenance Team. We have a small group who meet about once a quarter on a Sunday, bring some tools, and fix various items around the Havurah building. Past maintenance has included small paint jobs, fixing doors, closets, kitchen and lighting help. All skill levels are welcome.

Contact Debbi Nadell at [email protected] or Bruce Barbarasch at [email protected] if you’d like to sign up, or if you have any questions!

9 HAKOL November 2019

In the coming months, Tributes Havurah Shalom will call to General Contributions Educator's Discretionary Fund David Frackelton, in memory of Marta Mellinger. Andy and Heidi Waxman, in honor of Deborah the Torah the following Eisenbach-Budner for passing the Torah and being High Holidays Contributions Bodek at Sam's Bar Mitzvah. Tammy Kramer, in honor of the Havurah team. B’nei Mitzvah: Patty Kaplan, in memory of Malvern, Beatrice, and Spiritual Life Fund Sharon Kaplan. Monica Moriarty and Bill Kwitman, in memory of our grandmother, Sophia Kwitman. Amanda Werner, in memory of Daniel Werner. December 7 Monica Moriarty and Bill Kwitman, in memory of Sterling Clarren, in honor of Greg Esmer and my mother, Ann Kwitman. Rebecca Clarren, from Mom and Dad. Levi Mandelsberg Carol Haris, in honor of Rhoda Cady. Prayerbook Fund Son of Susan Williams and Steven Fainbarg, in honor of Laurie Brown, wishing Steven Leider, in honor of Rabbi Benjamin's Kol her a misheberach. Jacob Mandelsberg Nidre drash, from a former member of his Corvallis congregation. Andy and Heidi Waxman, in honor of Susan Brenner, for working with Sam through all of his Tivona Reith and Henry Werch, in honor of all the Bar Mitzvah preparation and learning. High Holidays service leaders, organizers and January 18 volunteers. Tikkun Olam Fund Elisabeth Rogolsky, in honor of Gloria Halper and Nathaniel Shine Lorissa Klaus and Mark Berkson, in memory of Jay Moskovitz for their generosity of spirit and Robert Berkson. hospitality of heart. Son of Sarah and Greg Shine Carrie Gotkowitz, in appreciation of Havurah's Elisabeth Rogolsky, in memory of Marlyss community Rosh Hashanah services. Schwengels and Meryl Weiss-Perlman. Amy Gordon, in memory of Samuel Gordon. Please join us in celebration Fran and Tom Berg, in memory of Lou Cohn Kate Haas and Bruce Barbarasch, in loving memory (Father, Papa, Friend), from his loving family. of Rhoda Willner Haas. and welcome them to our Devin and Jen Getreu, in memory of Robert Rebecca and Ben Darling-Budner, in memory of Wollheim. community. MAZEL TOV! Alan Budner. Building Fund Bija Gutoff, in memory of Patrick Dougherty, Linda and Michael Evans, in memory of Hyman beloved brother of Kathleen Dougherty. Evans.

Bija Gutoff, in memory of Lou Toft, beloved wife Rabbi Discretionary Fund of Lee Toft. Andy and Heidi Waxman, in honor of Rabbi Lesley and Michael Alter, in memory of Marvin Benjamin for the beautiful service and music Verman, father to Lesley. associated with Sam's Bar Mitzvah. Condolences Monica Moriarty and Bill Kwitman, in honor of Harriet and Richard Steinberg, in memory of Gussie everyone who helped make High Holidays so Goldfine. Harold J. Levy, father of Ken Levy, wonderful. Joni Kutner and Dan Miller, in honor of Dick father-in-law of Amy Weissfeld, Margie and Elden Rosenthal, in loving memory of Mastbrook's 90th!

Margie's parents, Muriel and Burton Kieffer, and in Frona Kahn, in honor of the Havurah community grandfather of Marina and Nash, loving memory of Elden's mom, Ruth Rosenthal. and Rabbi Benjamin. passed away October 2 surrounded Naomi Kaufman Price, in memory of Stew Albert. by loving family. Autumn Davidson, in honor of Sadie and Theo Wrobel.

Leadership Development Training

Havurah’s Leadership Development Committee and MACG tracking notes and Havurah’s budget and event planning (Metropolitan Alliance for the Common Good) are teaming up processes to present a series of three workshops for Havurah leaders and • Building relationships members. • Dealing with difficult situations

Who should attend? Sessions will be from 9:30 am – • Committee chairs 12:00 pm on: • Committee members • New and not-so-new members interested in learning more Sunday, December 15, 2019 about leadership at Havurah Sunday, January 12, 2020 What will the training cover? Sunday, March 15, 2020

• Defining leadership at Havurah To register, go to tinyurl.com/y6b6aa3n. For info, contact • Nuts and bolts of chairing meetings, including clarifying Debbi Nadell at [email protected]. meeting objectives, setting agendas, running the meeting, Childcare available with prior arrangement.

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November 2019

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Havurah Shalom Non-Profit Org. 825 NW 18th Ave US Postage PAID Portland OR 97209-2333 Portland OR Permit No. 2180

Address Service Requested

Address label here

RSVP for KABBALAT SHABBAT DINNER Kabbalat Shabbat Registration Form Friday, November 8, 2019 First and last name(s) for name tag(s): Dinner at 6:30 pm ______Services at 7:30 pm ______

Cost adjustments for the dinner are available. Number of Adults (Ages 13+) ______Contact Rachel in the Havurah office for information $16.50 Each $______at (503) 248-4662. She will be happy to help. Number of children ages 4 to 12 ______Dinner will include dairy-free, gluten-free, $5.50 each $______& nut-free choices. Number of children ages 3 & under ______You are invited to bring wine/juice to celebrate. No Charge RSVP by midnight, Sunday, November 3 Please mail the completed form (right) with payment Consider an extra donation to ______to the Havurah office or visit help others attend www.havurahshalom.org/KabbalatShabbat Total Enclosed $______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. Childcare is available for ages 2-8, from 6:30 pm until the Registration will close when seats are filled; however, RSVP no later than the time noted above. If your RSVP is being mailed, please let end of the service. the office know. All are welcome to attend the service at 7:30 pm— Name(s)/age(s) of child(ren): ______no RSVP required. If you are unable to attend the dinner, we hope you will join us for services. ______

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