Covenant of Hope News
May 3, 2012
Good news!
Our Tikkun Olam Committee’s recent calls for help (with the Covenant of Hope, a partnership with Portland’s Human Solutions, empowering families recovering from homelessness) have been met by the Havurah community quickly and with generosity.
Thanks to Havurah member contributions of more than $3,000 we now support a Covenant of Hope family that before last weekend had no home.
Our initial support is financial. It pays for one family’s rent and utilities for three months which, when added to Human Solutions’ matching funds, provides “our family” with a six-month foundation on which to re-create heretofore lost hearth and home.
Then, there’s Havurah’s help with “stuff.” Simple household stuff that families need. Bowls, plates, blankets, pots and pans. Stuff “our” family doesn’t have.
Or, rather, didn’t have. ‘Cause we published a Havurah community email call for donations last week, and immediately Havurahniks stepped up. Bringing items to the Synagogue after our Scholar-in-Residence weekend with Rabbi Sheila Pelz-Weinberg. Items we’ve since been schlepping to our family as quickly as we can (I mean, how do you cook for a six-year old when you don’t have any pots and pans?)
Who is “our family?” They are Jim, Zoe and their 6-year-old grandson, Connor.
Portlanders, they found themselves homeless a while back after family crisis and unemployment forced them to California. But that didn’t work! So they’re back in Portland. And struggling. But with the help of Friendly House (adsfadsfafd,) Human Solutions, and now Havurah they’re getting back on their feet.
Jim’s found work. School and after-school programs are being arranged for Connor. And they’ve got an apartment! In NW Portland. Which they moved into last weekend, thanks to Havurah and Human Solutions support.
Layton and Steve, two of our Tikkun Olam Committee co-chairs, visited them as they moved in.
And it’s a joy to help them.
(By the way, maybe there’s something else they need? Floor covering? A couple of chairs, maybe? Please check out the wish list we’ve set up for our family to see if there’s a few more household items that YOU could offer as Jim, Zoe, and Conor set themselves up – with a roof over their heads! By the way, if you’ve committed to this or that donation, we’re collecting items in the Pardes room at Havurah through Friday, May 4.)
Thanks, everyone!
Steve Rudman and Doug Ambort
P.S.
Steve plans to visit our Covenant of Hope family again this Sunday, to drop off some of the stuff they need. You wanna come, too? If so, let Steve know, at (503) 201-4361.
P.P.S.
Given that Havurah’s response to Tikkun Olam Committee’s Covenant of Hope has been so positive, we’re thinking that we might be able to partner up with another Covenant of Hope faith community to help support another family!
We’ll keep you posted.
Introducing Havurah’s New Music Coordinator: Ilene Safyan!
November 22, 2011
Music is a core value for Havurahniks.
Throughout the high holidays, music helped create the atmosphere and opportunity for prayer and reflection. During the “Operation Reconnect” process last year, many noted the importance of music as a way they initially connected with Havurah Shalom.
Your Steering Committee took that sentiment seriously. We amassed over $14,000 during the Mitzvah Moment at our bi-annual Auction to support a part-time Music Coordinator position. We recently advertised and interviewed many exceptionally qualified candidates.
We are delighted to announce that our very own Ilene Safyan was hired as our new Music Coordinator! Please note that the Music Coordinator is not a performance role (e.g., a resident chazzan). Rather, the purpose of the position is to locate, inspire, and train musicians to contribute to our community, and build a long-term, sustainable music program for Havurah Shalom.
Thank you for your support in getting us to this meaningful milestone in Havurah’s history!
Join us for a Night of “Jewish Humor and Resiliency” on Wednesday, November 30 at 7:00 pm
November 8, 2011
Join David Fuks, Jewish communal leader and part-time comedian, for an enlightening talk peppered with his own original stories, essays, and astute observations on the role of Jewish humor in American culture.
Register by November 22.
Havurah and Cedar Sinai Park elders celebrate Yiddish!:L’Chaim! To Life! November 13, 1:30-3:30 pm
November 2, 2011
L’Dor V’Dor! Celebrate Shabbat with members of every generation! Friday, November 4, 6:00 pm
October 26, 2011
Services: 6:00 pm
Potluck: 6:45 pm
