OJMCHE looks back at the determination, resilience, and leadership that have brought Portland’s Conservative congregation through 150 years, preserving tradition while embracing modernity.
In 1869 a group of Polish and Prussian immigrants settled in Portland and founded the city’s second synagogue, Ahavai Sholom, blending traditional religious practices with modern American customs, struggling to find stability in their early days. Three decades later a group of Russian immigrants faced the same challenges when they founded Neveh Zedek Talmud Torah. The two congregations eventually merged, becoming Neveh Shalom in 1961. Always ready to adapt and innovate, today the congregation stands at the forefront of social justice, carrying forward the Jewish values which light their way.
The exhibit gives visitors a view into the history of Neveh Shalom, highlighting some of the events and people who shaped its growth, drawing personal connections between devotion to tradition and the progressive outlook which has characterized the congregation from its very beginning.
CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON THE ISRAEL360 TALK at Neveh Shalom March 12.
Mel Bochner: Enough Said from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation
Mel Bochner (b.1940) consistently probes the conventions of painting and language. Bochner’s text-based works will be on view.
From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundations, this body of recent works, 2007-2018, challenge audiences to reflect on the nature and structure of everyday language. Curated by Bruce Guenther, adjunct curator for special exhibitions, the exhibition explores language as image and idea through Bochner’s long-held interest in complex printmaking techniques.
“Bochner’s historic use of language and words as both a linguistic system of inquiry and as a formal visual vocabulary of his painting practice has found new focus in the last decade through the artist’s intense engagement with printmaking and his exploration of the relationships of words as image, text, voice and thinking,” says Guenther. “He plumbs English and Yiddish for language’s power to establish identity, to command respect, or to attack in works of unpredictable emotionality and humor.”
“Mel Bochner is one of the most important conceptual artists of our time. His word art makes us smile, laugh, frown and jeer – but always forces us to think,” says Jordan D. Schnitzer. “He seduces us with emotions, words and phrases that we all have used. Whether we laugh or frown experiencing his art, we are forever moved.”
Born in 1940 to an Orthodox family in Pittsburgh, the artist attended Hebrew school and was exposed to art early through his father, who was a sign painter with a workshop in the family’s basement. Displaying an early talent for drawing, Bochner participated in the Carnegie Museum of Art’s innovative children’s art classes, eventually winning a scholarship to Carnegie Melon University.
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Many of the most beloved, uplifting, and romantic songs in musical theater history have one thing in common: The incomparable writing team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. A Grand Night For Singing collects over 30 treasured hits from Rodgers and Hammerstein shows such as Oklahoma!, South Pacific, The Sound of Music, Carousel, The King and I, and Cinderella; and invites audiences to experience these classics anew through artful arrangements and clever interpretations. It’s “something wonderful” for any lover of classic musical theater.
Directed by SHARON MARONEY
Music by RICHARD RODGERS • Lyrics by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II • Musical Arrangements by FRED WELLS
Orchestration by MICHAEL GIBSON and JONATHAN TUNICK • Conceived by WALTER BOBBIE
Originally produced by Roundabout Theatre Company, New York City, in 1993.
Spring Monthly Mitzvah Projects
Each month the MJCC and PJA communities will collect items for the monthly mitzvah. Drop off items in the blue bin in the MJCC lobby. Check the display for how you can participate and donate to these worthy causes.
This project reflects 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.
April – Pet Toys for Cat Adoption Team and Oregon Dog Rescue
David Meyers (Yaveni) and Andrea White (Mattie)
PassinArt presents John Henry Redmond’s The No Play tells the story of cultural connections between a Black family and a Jewish scholar in the 1940s.
A post-show talkback featuring cast members, community thought leaders and advocates is scheduled Sunday, April 7 moderated by Senior Rabbi Michael Cahana, Congregation Beth Israel. Talkbacks are organized for the audience to share opinions and experiences.
Performances: 7:30 pm, Fridays and Saturdays; 3 pm Sundays
For decades, the Rohingya people of Burma have faced systematic discrimination and targeted violence by the Burmese government. They have been stripped of their citizenship, forced from their homes, and denied basic human rights. In August 2017 the Burmese military launched a clearance operation forcing over 700,000 Rohingya to flee into Bangladesh. In the face of extreme persecution, and despite the efforts of the Myanmar government to erase them, the Rohingya continue to show a face of resiliency and courage in their desire for peace, justice, and accountability.
This symposium brings together survivors, activists, and internationally renowned experts to foster a better understanding of the crisis and explore possible paths forward. The symposium will be centered around the photography exhibit Exiled to Nowhere by documentary photographer Greg Constantine. This exhibit not only documents the plight of the Rohingya and how the tactics taken over time have led to the near destruction of this community, but also shows how, in spite of all that has been done to destroy them, the Rohingya continue to find a way to survive and persevere regardless of the ground beneath their feet.
Panels and conversation over this three-day event are free and open to the public and include:
Bearing Witness: Documenting Genocide and Mass Atrocities
Friday, April 5,
12pm – 1:30pm, Oregon Historical Society
Stories of Survival: A Conversation on Genocide, Past and Present
Saturday, April 6, 12pm – 1:30pm, Oregon Historical Society
In-depth Discussion about the Rohingya Crisis
Saturday, April 6, 2pm – 3:30pm, Oregon Historical Society
A Path to Justice: Examining the Legal Challenges of the Rohingya Crisis
Saturday, April 6, 4pm – 5pm, Oregon Historical Society
Sexual and Gender Based Violence against Rohingya Women and Girls
Sunday, April 7, 2pm – 3:30pm Portland State University, Smith Memorial Student Union, Room 333, 1825 SW Broadway
Greg Constantine’s exhibit, Exiled to Nowhere, will be on display April 5-11 at the Oregon Historical Society. The exhibition continues April 15 through May 12 at the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education with additional events taking place during that time.
Passover, Freedom and The Wisdom of Not Knowing: A Spiritual Practice for Thriving in These Uncertain Times
The Havurah Synagogue and Temple Emek Shalom are co-hosting a dynamic weekend of learning, prayer, music and community featuring Estelle Frankel, MFT on April 5-7, 2019.
Using insights and spiritual practices from Kabbalah, Mussar and positive psychology, we will explore the rich symbolism of Passover and engage with the Middot (soul traits) associated with its rites..
On Passover, as we relive the ancient ancestral journey from slavery to freedom, we express gratitude for our freedom and commit ourselves to the liberation of others. We also seek inner freedom – the ability to live in the present moment, free of the baggage of the past. We seek to heal the wounds of history (personal and collective) that imprison us in an old story.
The ritual foods we place on the Seder plate teach us powerful lessons about inner freedom. Each one symbolizes an essential Middah, or soul trait we need for the journey. Using insights and spiritual practices from Kabbalah, Musar and positive psychology, we will explore how humility (matzah), courage (zeroah), curiosity (mah nishtana), lovingkindness (charoset), patience (bitter herbs) and beginner’s mind (parsely) enable us to live joyful lives, in harmony with our highest aspirations.
Estelle Frankel, MFT is a practicing psychotherapist, spiritual advisor and seasoned teacher of Jewish mysticism who blends the healing wisdom and spiritual practices of kabbalah and Musar with insights from depth psychology. Ordained as a spiritual director by Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Estelle has taught Jewish studies in Israel and throughout the U.S. for over forty years and is currently on the faculty of Lehrhaus Judaica and Chochmat Halev in Berkeley, Ca. where she offers courses in “Kabbalah as Sacred Psychology” and “Musar, Mindfulness and Positive Psychology.” She is the author of two award-winning books: Sacred Therapy: Jewish Spiritual Teachings on Emotional Healing and Inner Wholeness and The Wisdom of Not Knowing: Discovering a Life of Wonder by Embracing Uncertainty (Shambhala). Additional info at: www.estellefrankel.com
FB Event https://www.facebook.com/events/921251148074964/
Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3742714
David Meyers (Yaveni) and Andrea White (Mattie)
PassinArt presents John Henry Redmond’s The No Play tells the story of cultural connections between a Black family and a Jewish scholar in the 1940s.
A post-show talkback featuring cast members, community thought leaders and advocates is scheduled Sunday, April 7 moderated by Senior Rabbi Michael Cahana, Congregation Beth Israel. Talkbacks are organized for the audience to share opinions and experiences.
Performances: 7:30 pm, Fridays and Saturdays; 3 pm Sundays
Torah Troop for 3rd-5th Graders
1st and 3rd Shabbat every month at 10:00am
Torah Troop allows families at Congregation Neveh Shalom to move into the main sanctuary while still enjoying youth-oriented activity. At 10:00am, families meet in the main service. After the beginning Torah service, youth join their friends for a lesson on the Torah portion (parsha) of the week with adult leaders, and come back to help lead the Adon Olam at the end of the service.
As always, we end with our community for lunch!
Young children (0-5) and their parents celebrate Shabbat with singing, movement, blessings, and storytelling. We will touch on the main highlights of the Shabbat service: wonder, fun, song, listening to the world, dancing, and Torah. Afterward we will enjoy an informal oneg nosh and the chance to play and schmooze. Please RSVP here.