JRF & Havurah Shalom honor Emily Simon
October 25, 2010
A Morat Derech is a “teacher of the way,” someone who shows us the path, clears it, lights it, leads us along it–and often ends up building much of the path herself. Havurah Shalom has been blessed with wonderful contributions of time, energy, wisdom, learning, and kavannah from so many members; among them, Emily Simon stands out. On many Shabbatot and Yom Tovim, you’ll find Emily on the bimah chanting from the torah or leading the Congregation in study. She tutors our B’nei Mitzvah, and teaches a class every summer at Havurah High, guiding the students so that they are able to lead services and present an original midrashic play for the members. These artistic pieces are characterized by brilliant wordplay, tremendous humor, and thought-provoking insight, and are well loved by the entire Havurah Shalom community.
Make your contribution to honor Emily
Please join us at the Morei Derekh Reception at the JRF Convention, where we will honor Emily and all of the other Western Region honorees! November 12, 2010 at 3:30 pm at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach, CA.
Emily also brings the Jewish values of social justice to the larger Oregon community. Emily is an attorney and has been involved in ballot measure issues and litigation since the late 1980s. She has litigated numerous ballot title challenges in the Supreme Court. In 1992 and 1994 she was one of the principal speakers leading to the defeat of Ballot Measures 9 & 13, which would have limited the civil rights of gays and lesbians. Most recently Emily has been working to reverse the trend of mandatory prison sentencing. . From 1993-1998, Emily served on the Police Internal Investigations Affairs Committee (PIIAC). She is a leader and a visionary, a true trailblazer.
In Pirkei Avot, we read: “Who is wise? She who learns from all people, as it is written (Psalm 119:99) ‘I have gained understanding from all my teachers.’” Please join us in honoring Emily as our Morat Derech, our trailblazer and teacher.
Green Empowerment Update: Havurah Celebrated Sukkot With a Helping Hand to Nicaragua
October 19, 2010
On September 26th, Havurah celebrated Sukkot with a great event called Sharing the Bounty. 150 Havurahniks and friends came out to celebrate the harvest festival and join in the activities. We carried water and sounded the shofar reflective of ancient rituals surrounding this ancient holiday. We also celebrated the culmination of our fund raising efforts for a water project for a small town in Nicaragua, and honored four Havurah members who have shown leadership in social action within our community.
We’re hoping Sukkot will become an annual time when our community will honor those members who have shown leadership in social action. This year’s event honored Bob Brown who has chaired the social action committee for the past 8 years, along with three B’nai Mitzvot, Natalie Lerner, Mira Reichman, and Eliana Sullivan, who raised funds for Green Empowerment in support of the El Jocote water project in Nicaragua. Havurah had committed to raise $40,000 for this project and we were close to having achieved that goal before the dinner event. At the end of the evening, thanks to the great attendance, generous donations, and the raffle for a cedar rain barrel (won by Bill Kwitman), we raised almost $6000! Once we have the final accounting complete for the total project, we will announce the amount raised in the community email.
Save the Date! Havurah High to lead Community Minyan on November 20th
October 19, 2010
Are you wondering why there was no High Holiday Teen Drash with Emily Simon this year?
Do you miss seeing the Havurah teens in action?
Then plan to attend services on Saturday morning, November 20th at 10:00 am.
Emily is teaching the Havurah High program this fall and during services on November 20, she will be working with the Havurah High Teens to present a Teen Drash and the whole service will be led by our talented teens!
Mark your calendars!
All are welcome! Vegetarian Potluck lunch will follow service. See you there!
Join us for the next Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner on November 12th.
October 11, 2010
Even if you can’t attend the dinner, please join us for the service starting at 7:30 pm!
Perplexed and fed up with Israel/Palestinian Negotiations?
October 6, 2010
Two events to put on your calendar are: Thursday, October 28th, at 7:00 PM – J Street welcomes Bradley Burston, “Pro Middle East in America: Getting Past Pro-Israel and Pro-Palestine”. Rabbi Joey wants you to know that Brad Burston is an incredibly insightful speaker, editorial columnist for Haaretz, not to miss. The event will take place at Bridgeport United Church of Christ, home of Shir Tikvah.
Also, on Friday night, November 5th, at 8:00 PM, Havurah will host a Friday night service, at which Mark Rosenblum, founder of Americans for Peace Now will speak. Mark is currently in the Middle East, and has some interesting observations on this round of negotiations. His topic will be entitled: “Paradigms Lost”.
