This is a free “Taste of” our Hebrew for Prayer course. Learn the 50 most commonly used words in the siddur–what they mean and how to recognize them–to increase your understanding of what we say when we pray. Understand what we say when we pray-an in-depth look at Hebrew vocabulary and construction of prayers and their meanings. Taught by Deb Freedberg. The actual course begins Oct. 13 and meets weekly on Tuesdays at 6:30pm for Level 1 and at 7:30pm for Level 2. Course materials fee $50.
Meet the teachers of Machon Ivrit, our Adult Hebrew Learning Program. Check out the curriculum and get a taste of what our three levels have to offer!
Our “Starting from Scratch” level welcomes those who are NEW to Hebrew with a gentle pace. Students ease into Hebrew beginning with Alef-Bet letter recognition and decoding skills, then move on to build a basic vocabulary of words and dialog phrases. This course is a perfect first step to get a really comfortable grasp of reading, speaking, and writing in Hebrew, perfect for those wanting to be able to read road signs in Israel, the Hebrew siddur (prayerbook), or your child’s Hebrew homework! Next step course: Machon Ivrit “Ready to Read” or Siddur Basics.
Our “Ready to Read” level is for those who already have a working knowledge of the Alef-Bet, possibly with some familiarity of synagogue Hebrew (no vocabulary or comprehension skills necessary). This course begins with a faster-paced review of Alef-Bet and vowel sounds, but then gets right to the business of learning Modern Hebrew. Students will work on building a basic vocabulary, exercise dialogue skills, and learn grammar and syntax rules needed to speak Modern Hebrew.
Our “Conversational” level is for those who are ready to expand their Hebrew skills into the practical arena of real life. Students will view and discuss modern media such as news articles, advertisements, and television shows to hone their ability to read, speak, hear and comprehend Modern Hebrew and its context in Israeli culture.
This year we really have something for EVERYONE. Choose the level that works for you and join us this Fall!
Havurah’s Dorot “Short & Sweet” Shabbat service was created to welcome families with young children, but the service and potluck are for all ages! Young ones look up to the older ones, and older ones enjoy the younger ones’ joy and singing. A casual, family-friendly and music-filled service, it begins with candle lighting, Kiddush and challah, and continues with prayers and music led by Havurah members.
After the service, we’ll enjoy a vegetarian potluck dinner. Please bring a kid-friendly main dish. For more information and to RSVP, please email dorot@havurahshalom.org. Feel free to invite some of your friends and family to join in as well–the more the merrier!
Dare I Call You Cousin, an exhibition of photos, poems, and videos compassionate to the struggle of both Israelis and Palestinians, will open on Thursday, March 3, at Havurah Shalom.
“…have the fears from our history/crusted our eyes like the inside of kettles/ have they rusted the hinges of our mouths…” – Frances Payne Adler
Cousin is a collaboration by three artists:
– Portland poet Frances Payne Adler
– Jerusalem photographer Michal Fattal (photo on left © Michal Fattal)
– Tel Aviv videographer Yossi Yacov
Many of the voices and images shared, from both Israeli and Palestinian points of view, are those that are often missing from national and international media narratives. These voices reveal the simmering conditions that underpin day-to-day lives—conditions that repeatedly erupt into war. Viewers will see and hear from both Palestinians and Israeli settlers in Hebron; Israeli and Palestinian high school students at the region’s only bilingual, integrated school; workers and students crossing over at Qalandiya checkpoint; rabbis; peace activists; and others.
The exhibition offers viewers the opportunity to experience, through art, some of the struggles of Israelis and Palestinians; to meet people perhaps not yet known to them, stories not yet heard. Dare I Call You Cousin provides the occasion to come together to participate in reflection and dialogue, creating breathing space for community discussion.
First Thursday, March 3
Opening & Reception, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Brief Poetry Reading, 8:00 pm
Havurah Shalom
Please join us at the opening on March 3 and return for a follow-up event of your choice:
- Sunday, March 6, 2:00-5:00 pm, Viewing at your own pace. Brief reading 3:00 pm.
- Tuesday, March 8, 7:00-9:00 pm, Poetry reading by Frances Payne Adler. Viewing of the exhibition is from 7:00-7:30 pm. Poetry reading is from 7:30 – 9:00 pm. Introduction by Paulann Petersen, Oregon’s Poet Laureate, 2010-2014.
- Thursday, March 10, 7:00 – 9:00 pm, Video screening. Reflect & discuss in community. Viewing of exhibition is from 7:00 – 7:30 pm. Videos are from 7:30-9:00 pm.
- Sunday, March 13, 2:00 – 5:00 pm, Video screening. Reflect & discuss in community. Viewing of exhibition is from 2:00-3:00 pm. Videos are from 3:00-5:00 pm.
Carpool and public transportation are recommended. The Lovejoy streetcar stops one block away.
Funded in part by Portland’s Regional Arts & Culture Council
Co-Sponsored by J Street Education Fund
Hosted by Havurah Shalom
About the artists:
A Jerusalem photographer and a Tel Aviv videographer whose ancestral families emigrated from the conflicts in Iraq and Yemen; a Portland poet whose grandmother, by herself at the age of 13, walked out of Russia and away from pogroms. Three artists concerned about the settlements have collaborated to create Dare I Call YouCousin. Poet Frances Payne Adler, author of five books and founder of the Creative Writing and Social Action Program at California State University Monterey Bay; photographer Michal Fattal, who works for Ha’aretz newspaper and whose photographs have been published in the New York Times, International Herald Tribune, and the Guardian; and videographer Yossi Yacov, who has documented the Israeli and Palestinian peace movements for years.
“Thank you for Dare I Call You Cousin. The poems and photographs are close to my heart. Sending my respect and appreciation.” – Amos Oz
Havurah’s catered Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner begins at 6:30 pm, followed by a Kabbalat Shabbat Service at 7:30 pm. The dinner is vegetarian, and we offer dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free options. You’re invited to bring wine or juice to celebrate Shabbat. Childcare is available for kids age 2 to 8.
RSVPs are required for all who plan to attend the dinner. Please RSVP at http://tinyurl.com/4-8-Kabbalat by Monday, April 4.
Whether or not you attend the dinner, we hope you’ll join us for our musical and joy-filled Kabbalat Shabbat Service. The service will be led by Rabbi Joey and Havurah musicians, and is sponsored by Havurah’s Tikkun Olam Committee, with a focus on welcoming refugees.
Chabad Hebrew School of Northeast Portland invites you to join us for our annual open house.
Meet the directors, see our new space, hear about our exciting curriculum, and become part of our little community.
Learn more about Chabad Hebrew School of Northeast Portland at www.JewishNortheast.com/CHS
Join educator and author Dorice Horenstein for this eight-week class (Tuesdays, 7:30-8:30 pm, Jan. 8-Feb. 26).Moments of the Heart is about the four relationships one should experience in their life-time! It is a book that encourages readers to live fully and wholeheartedly. Our heart has a tremendous influence on how we view life, how we act, and how we build relationships. In the Bible, the word heart—or in Hebrew, lev (לב)—is mentioned no fewer than 202 times. If one takes the first and last letter of the Torah, the word created is lev, heart. And so, my book is a compilation of entries that enable us to find inspiration, direction, concepts and encouragement to live a better life. It is about the universal experience of being human-through the Jewish lens. Join us to find out what are the four relationships that will help create the best YOU possible!