Havurah, OJM to Co-Host Screening of “400 Miles to Freedom” May 11
April 24, 2013
Havurah is partnering with Oregon Jewish Museum to present a special screening of 400 Miles to Freedom for Havurah folks on May 11 at 3:15 PM. The film explores complex issues around race, Jewish community, loss (and stealing) of identity, claiming identity, and telling one’s story.
In 1984, the Beta Israel, a secluded 2,500-year-old community of observant Jews in the northern Ethiopian mountains, fled a dictatorship and set out on a secret, dangerous journey of escape. Co-director Avishai Mekonen, a 10 year old at the time, was among them. 400 Miles to Freedom follows his story as he breaks the twenty-year silence around the brutal kidnapping he endured as a child in Sudan during his community’s exodus out of Africa . In doing so, he explores issues of racial diversity amongst Jews, immigration, community ‘norms, and personal self-acceptance. His is the story of the intersection between deeply personal experience and collective narrative.
PLEASE RSVP
BY WEDNESDAY, MAY 8
NOTE: We will meet at 3:00 pm at Havurah to walk 1.5 blocks to OJM OR you can meet at OJM for the 3:15 start time. The film is one hour long.
Havurah High Schoolers Feed Transition Projects Homeless
January 31, 2013
by Havurah High Coordinator Leeza Negelev
“January 13, 2013
We got to Kenny and Zukes on a truly east-coast weather afternoon: sun shining and the air, cold enough to make your teeth hurt when you smile. But we braved it to see each other! After some time waiting, we ate some delicious food: I won’t list all of the items ordered, but it was quite the spread! After our meal, we walked over to Transition Projects (TPI) in the chilly afternoon sun and upon arrival in the kitchen, Bea led us into groups of 3-4, for cookie making fun. It was sticky, ridiculous hilarious, and sweet. We had a good time. With 30 min. to spare before serving, we went next door to play a game; also a good time. Soon enough the excitement of serving was upon us! Seventy or so men lined up as our group excitedly offered them food. After we served up the food, we grabbed some for ourselves. Those of us that sat with the men for dinner got to have a warm conversation with several friendly guys. As always, the people at TPI where welcoming and friendly. This is my only my second time serving at TPI, and I can tell it feels like a place that part of me lives. Talking to Havurah Highniks about their past with TPI, it is clear that they feel this too, perhaps even more so.
A BIG BIG thanks goes out to Stacy Hankin Walters for the shelpping to and fro for food, moral support, guidance, and leadership she took to make sure this event happened! Thank you! And to Judy Herzberg, a radiant diamond of a woman, whose warm-hearted support, (shelpping, planning, waiting, coming and going) made everything all the more fun and possible. To Lisa Ellenberg, thanks for joining us for the meal…It’s always good to have you near!
And to all of the families that contributed and supported this tradition of ours at TPI; the people we joined there were immensely grateful…and we know that a full belly can do a lot to ease a person’s heart and body.
Thanks for reading.
b’shalom,
Leeza”
2013 Service Learning Trips, Nicaragua – Green Empowerment Taking Reservations Now
January 16, 2013
SPRING 2013 SERVICE LEARNING TRIPS
IN NICARAGUA, WITH GREEN EMPOWERMENT
Be sure to check out two upcoming opportunities to participate in Green Empowerment Service Learning Trips. The next trips are to Nicaragua and will take place in the Spring of 2013. A non-refundable, $100 deposit by January 20th reserves your spot! Space is limited so contact Aaron Liss via email to express your interest, ask questions, or to sign up!
To learn more, check out these downladable Green Empowerment Service Learning trip flyers:
Day of Homelessness Awareness
November 7, 2012
On Friday, November 16, 2012, civic and religious leaders will join members of faith communities and people of goodwill to observe the third annual Day of Homelessness Awareness in Portland and Multnomah County. The Day of Homelessness Awareness is held each year in conjunction with National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, which falls on the week before Thanksgiving. It also comes at a time when the weather is turning colder, and the emergency shelter system is opening for the winter. The Day of Homelessness Awareness is organized by the New City Initiative, a non-profit with a mission to engage faith communities in ending the cycle of homelessness.
The Day of Homelessness Awareness begins with an early morning walk (check out the Oregonian video of a previous walk). Participants will meet at First Baptist Church, 909 SW 11th Ave (enter the church through the Taylor St. entrance) at 7:30 AM. After opening remarks and an invocation, walkers will embark on an “urban pilgrimage” through downtown Portland, passing important landmarks, including faith communities and social service agencies that assist people experiencing homelessness (route map) and engaging with people who have experienced homelessness. The walk will end at First United Methodist Church, 1838 SW Jefferson. Coffee and pastries will be provided. Those driving into downtown may wish to park at First United Methodist Church, and then catch the MAX to First Baptist Church; get off at the Library stop, and walk 2 blocks west and 1 block south.
Following the walk, a forum will take place titled “Linking Arms: Affordable Housing and Homelessness in Our Community.” The forum is co-sponsored by the City of Portland, Multnomah County, and Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, and will last from 9 AM to 1 PM. Lunch will be provided.
In addition, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon is sponsoring a workshop on economic justice the following day titled “Envisioning an Ethical Economy: A Participatory Workshop for Students and Young Adults.” The workshop will take place from 10AM-4PM at First Christian Church. For more information about the workshop, visit EMO’s website: www.emoregon.org.
For more information about the Day of Homelessness Awareness, contact Susanna Rempel at New City Initiative:ten.e1369081255vitai1369081255tiniy1369081255ticwe1369081255n@ann1369081255asus1369081255
“Wage Theft in Our Communities” Aug 16 at the MJCC
August 2, 2012
AN EVENING OF STUDY AND ACTION
THURSDAY, AUGUST 16
Mittleman Jewish Community Center
“You must pay out the wages due on the same day, before the sun sets, for the worker is needy and urgently depends on it; else a cry to the Eternal will be issued against you and you will incur guilt.”- Deuteronomy 24:15
Jewish immigrants to America in the early 20th century worked in the textile industry, among other fields, and suffered exploitation. Today, wage theft and exploitation continues to be a serious issue for workers in many industries. 90% of Oregon strawberry pickers in Marion County reported that they consistently earned less than minimum wage. In a survey of low-wage workers from 2009, 68% of workers suffered at least one pay-related violation. This is not fair to any worker.
You’re invited to a day of cross-congregational Jewish learning and action to explore the issue of wage theft. The day of study is scheduled for Thursday, August 16th. Door open at 6:30 pm and the event will be at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center, 6651 SW Capitol Highway in Portland. The vision of the day of learning is to bring together Jews across denominational and congregational lines, to learn about the real issue of wage theft in Oregon, to share personal and family stories of dignified work and exploitation and delve into Jewish texts — familiar and new — to explore personal responsibility and accountability in the face of widespread workers’ rights abuses. We encourage you to attend this event on August 16th at MJCC.
THIS WEEKEND
