Monthly Mitzvah Project – January
Each month, the MJCC and PJA communities will collect items for the monthly mitzvah. These projects reflect the Jewish commitment to Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), providing opportunities to give back to our community.
Please drop off items in the blue bin in the MJCC Lobby.
January – New and gently used socks for Janus Youth Programs
Support the MJCC and PJA communities by donating books for our annual Used Book Sale.
Book Collection Drive: January 14 – March 15. Donate your used books to the MJCC. Drop off at the front desk. Need a pickup? Email pjabooksale@gmail.com to schedule pickup. No encyclopedias, please.
The Book Sale will be at the MJCC March 31 – April 2
Free and open to the community.
Mussar with Rabbi Joshua Rose
Mussar is an approach to self-awareness and personal development that is grounded in deep reflection on Jewish texts and on spiritual practices that guide us toward greater control over our thinking and behaviors.
Mondays: January 14, February 11, March 11
2:30 – 3:25 pm
Free and open to the community.
In partnership with Congregation Shaarie Torah
College Info Night & Fair
Calling all teens and parents! Curious to know what your options are after high school graduation? Interested in learning more about Jewish life on college campuses? Join Julia Surtshin from College Ahead, as well as a wide array of other professionals who will share the ins and outs of life after high school. Come learn about the college admission process, financial aid, as well as non-traditional post-high school program opportunities.
Free and open to the community.
All teens and parents curious about options after high school graduation are invited to the program. Join Julia Surtshin from College Ahead, as well as a wide array of other professionals, who will share the ins and outs of life after high school. Come learn about the college admission process, financial aid, as well as non-traditional post-high school program opportunities. Learn more about Jewish life on college campuses too. Presenters/booths include: Julia Surtshin, College Ahead; Tim Tank, Morgan Stanley Financial Planning; Andy Gitelson, Oregon Hillel; Hannah Sherman, PDX Hillel; Dov and Chani Bialo, Chabad at Reed College; and Rabbi Ozer Moskowski, Akiva at University of Oregon.
Additionally, information about two gap year programs will be available. Adinah Miller will be on hand to discuss Tivnu, a Jewish building and social justice gap year program based in Portland. Materials from Masa Israel will be available for gap year programs in Israel.
Israeli Dancing
Join us for a fun, introductory Israeli folk dance class. All levels are welcome. Six people needed to run class.
Wednesday Evenings,
Dec. 26 – Feb. 27
Cost: $100 Members + Guests.
Drop-in Fee: $15 per class.
Registration information: CG105, oregonjcc.org/registration
This class at Congregation Neveh Shalom will be based on Rabbi Kushner’s newest book, Nine Essential Things I’ve Learned about Life. $36, which includes the book.
Register at: 503.246.8831; receptionist@nevehshalom.org
Proceeds with support the Feldstein Library.
Seniors and young families enjoy an inter-generational celebration of stories and songs each Thursday.
Join Kim Schneiderman for this weekly inter-generational story hour for young families with music, PJ Library books, and the residents of Cedar Sinai Park.
Come study and discuss the Bible with Rabbi Isaak at Neveh Shalom.
INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM CLASS
Winter/Spring 2019 Session begins January 17. This 18-week course is taught by members of The Oregon Board of Rabbis, representing a variety of Jewish affiliation. A carefully constructed curriculum includes Jewish history, life cycle events, holidays, ritual and daily practice, theology, study of Torah and contemporary Jewish America. While not a conversion class, most OBR members consider it a prerequisite for students beginning study for conversion. Classes 7-9 pm, Thursdays, at rotating Portland area synagogues, course fee $360 includes class materials. Register online or contact JoAnn Bezodis, Class Facilitator, at 971-248-5465, or by email at info@oregonboardofrabbis.org. Website: http://oregonboardofrabbis.org/introduction-to-judaism-class/
Education Administrator
Rabbi Goldie Milgram will offer a workshop about her new book, Wisdom from Reb Zalman: Embracing the Jewish Spirit, published by Reclaiming Judaism Press. The book is a collection of 250 vignettes about Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi (1924-2014), founder of the Jewish Renewal movement.
Reb Zalman was a spiritual leader with a deep commitment to interfaith work. He was initiated into Sufism, served as World Wisdom Chair at Naropa University (the only accredited, Buddhist-inspired university in the Western hemisphere), and was one of the rabbis whose meeting with the Dalai Lama was chronicled in “The Jew and the Lotus.” His friendship with the Berrigan brothers, two activist Jesuit priests, inspired him to start the Shalom Center, a Jewish organization advocating for social and environmental justice. His blending of traditional Judaism with mysticism, social justice work, and spiritual practices filled with joyful singing and dancing has led to the Jewish Renewal movement, now with dozens of synagogues in the United States and abroad..
Please contact P’nai Or’s administrator, Zmira Lovejoy, at admin@pnaiorpdx.org, with any questions.
You can read more about the book at http://www.reclaimingjudaism.org/node/699