Elul- A Time of Reflection and Preparation
August 31, 2011
Tuesday night, August 30th, ushered in the month of Elul. The heat of summer may still be upon us, but our spiritual clocks transmit a message that we are in for a change. What can all of this mean? Certainly, we realize that our evolutionary regimen of indicators explains so much about how we assign ourselves tasks to get accomplished. Is there really a point to a month-long awakening? According to tradition, this is the time we get up early to ask for forgiveness. The Shofar is blown at the completion of davenning. Why not see this business of soul-searching as a way of making the seasonal shift more conscious? Havurah invites you – wherever you are – at the early morning hour, to take a few minutes to contemplate the changes in your own life. What’s different right now? What difference would you like to make? May you come into the New Year already awake
Preparing your Family for the High Holidays
August 25, 2011
SHARING THE HOLIDAYS
Holidays are meant to be celebrated with others, but not everyone has someone to share it with. If you are willing to host other Havurah members at your holiday dinner, please call the office to “register” your home. You’ll be asked about which meal you’ll be inviting guests to, how many spaces you have available, whether children are welcome, if it is a potluck, and if it is kosher. If you are in need of a place to share a holiday meal, call the Havurah office and we will try to connect you with a host. Thanks for doing this mitzvah of “Welcoming Guests” (Hachnasat Orchim)!
ROSH HASHANAH & YOM KIPPUR FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES & YOUTH
If you have any questions or would like to be involved with youth and children’s programming, please contact Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, Havurah Education Director at (503) 248-4662, ext. 6. Also click here.
Helping Your Children Connect with Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur:
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur become much more enjoyable and meaningful when we prepare ourselves (even a bit!), rather than skid into them at a breakneck pace. And, this is all the more so for children and youth who literally might not know the holidays are upon them until they get into the car/bus to go. Please consider the following:
1) Check out the great collection of holiday related books that we have in the Havurah Shalom Library for adults and children here
2) Devote one mealtime, car ride, or conversation to discussing some of the highlights of the last year: good experiences and hard times, things learned, mistakes made – for individuals as well as the whole family. Gently ask about hopes for the coming year. Of course, we all need to use language appropriate to the ages and development of our children. Perhaps, make a family mural of pictures of the last year or hopes for the next year.
3) The key is to somehow pause and acknowledge (and celebrate) that we are making a new beginning. We are starting a new year. The beginning of school can overshadow this other new beginning but can also enhance it if we help our children draw the connections.
4) Talk with your children well in advance about how your family will be celebrating or observing this New Year. See if they have any ideas about how to celebrate. Orient them to the services or gatherings that they will be attending (if necessary).
REQUESTS FOR ALL PARENTS OF CHILDREN NOT IN CHILDCARE:
Please discuss these guidelines with your children & teens – for their safety AND in consideration for the people who work in the Tiffany Center. Thank you for your cooperation.
- For everyone’s safety, children and teens should be in services or in the rooms designated for them and NOT roaming or loitering in the stairwells, halls, elevators or basement.
- Bring snacks for your children as services can be lengthy. The vending machines in the basement are intended for Tiffany Center employees ONLY, and are off limits to children.
- Please read our food policy under the section for Middle/High School Break Rooms in the High Holiday Guide
- Please label personal belongings for easy identification.
2011 High Holidays Information now available!
August 24, 2011
High Holiday Information
Havurah Shalom has opened our High Holiday Services to the community for over 25 years. Admission is free and no tickets are required. Services are held at the Tiffany Center. Our members play an active role behind the scenes, in the services and organizing the programs to make it all happen. We hope you can join us this year.
Click here for information on service times, registration deadlines and much more!
It’s time to register for Havurah Middle School and Havurah High!
August 17, 2011
Register for Havurah Middle School and Havurah High! Don’t miss out on an exciting year!
Registration for Middle School is due on September 7th. Click here for more information and for registration materials!
Havurah High Registration is due on August 30th. Click here for more information and registration materials.
Turning, Returning, Recapturing, Reframing: A Days of Awe Workshop Rosh Hodesh Elul: August 30th, 7:30 pm
August 9, 2011
Led by Rabbi Joey
