The Holocaust Memorial Program at Oregon State University is proud to present a panel discussion on the evolution of religious rights and their connection with, and impact on, human rights.
How has the promotion of religious rights figured into the larger effort to protect and advance human rights? On the one hand, we find many historical and contemporary declarations of rights coupling freedom of thought, belief, conscience, and religion. However, we likewise see examples of religious freedoms for some being yoked to religious (and other) oppression for others.
Our distinguished panel will explore the historical, philosophical, legal, and experiential dimensions of this complicated question. We welcome your contributions to the discussion that will follow.
Leading our panel will be the 2015 recipient of the Elie Weisel Award, a recognition granted annually by the United States Holocaust Memorial museum, Judge Thomas Buergenthal. Buergenthal will speak to us in a double capacity: first, as a survivor of Auschwitz, whose experiences during the Holocaust are chronicled in his highly acclaimed memoir, A Lucky Child; and second, as a renowned legal scholar who has labored to make international law an ever-more-effective tool in combating human rights abuses. He has also served as a judge on several international tribunals that deal heavily in human rights cases, including the International Court of Justice (a.k.a. “The World Court”).
Also participating in the panel discussion will be:
- Dr. Rena Lauer (specialties in medieval Europe and Jewish history) will speak on minority religions and their legal rights in the medieval Mediterranean.
- Dr. Amy Koehlinger (North American religious history and thought; American Catholicism) will address the issue of religion and human rights in the history of Oregon.
- Dr. Stuart Sarbacker (comparative religion; Indic religions and philosophical traditions) will focus on religious freedom in the context of Eastern faith traditions.
- Dr. Paul Kopperman (war and genocide; chair, Holocaust Memorial Committee) will discuss the value of Holocaust education in promoting respect for diversity.
After their individual statements, the panelists will join audience members in an interactive discussion of the core themes of the evening, Religious Rights and Human Rights.
At the conclusion of this event, copies of the new, expanded edition of A Lucky Child, Thomas Buergenthal’s Holocaust memoir, will be available for purchase courtesy of GrassRoots Books.
This event is sponsored by the OSU Holocaust Memorial Program, the Mittleman Jewish Community Center, the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, the Institute for Judaic Studies, Grass Roots Books and Music, and the Harold and Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation.
Join us in a short ritual in which we reflect on our special relationship with the written and printed Hebrew word, and on the transitory nature of even our most cherished sacred objects.
Bring your any old, unusable sacred text you have – old Bibles, prayerbooks, papers – to River View Cemetery.
(The day of our event, there will be major construction on Taylors Ferry Road between Macadam Blvd and the entrance to the cemetery. Access is ONLY available via Terwilliger Blvd!)
Materials can also be dropped off at Congregation Shir Tikvah at our lecture on May 6 or at the JFGP prior to May 28.
Please wrap your materials in a brown paper bag.
This ancient ritual for disposing of unreadable or unusable ritual texts is open to all. On Sunday, May 31, the community will gather at the River View Cemetery to experience and participate in the ritual burial of sacred Jewish texts and objects. At 10:30 a.m., participants will meet at the cemetery’s main office, located at 0300 SW Taylors Ferry Rd. From there, people will make their way – via car or bike – as a processional to the Jewish Cemetery at River View for a brief, traditional ceremony.
Please join the Havurah community as we gather at Sellwood Riverfront Park to perform the Tashlich ceremony. We seek to symbolically “cast away” our accumulated sins and transgressions, so that we may purify our hearts and our souls as the New Year begin. This event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required.
Bring something to share at the vegetarian potluck immediately following Tashlich. What to bring by Last Name: A-G Salad or Dessert/H-Z Vegetarian Main Dish. Plus, bring drinks for yourself and your family. Havurah will provide some drinks and ice. AND DON’T FORGET THE BREADCRUMBS! Led by Emily Teplin Fox and Rachel Oh. Music provided by Steven Mesulam, Scott Snyder, Aaron Pearlman and others.
Please RSVP to RSVP@havurahshalom.org with the names of family members and the names and ages of your children who plan to attend.
Havurah Shalom invites you to our Kol Nidre Service at the Tiffany Center, 1410 SW Morrison St, Portland, beginning at 8:00 pm on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
No advance registration and payment are required.
During this season of repentance, we are called upon to do T’shuvah, to return to God in sincerity and in truth. Please join the Havurah community as we gather at Sellwood Riverfront Park to perform the Tashlich ceremony. We seek to symbolically “cast away” our accumulated sins and transgressions, so that we may purify our hearts and our souls as the New Year begins.
We will meet at Picnic Area B. Please bring something to share at the vegetarian potluck immediately following Tashlich. What to bring by Last Name: A-G Salad or Dessert/H-Z Vegetarian Main Dish. And bring drinks for yourself and your family. Havurah will provide some drinks and ice. And don’t forget the breadcrumbs!
Please RSVP here by Sept. 19 with the names of family members and the names and ages of your children planning to attend.
Led by Rebecca Darling-Budner. Music by Steve Mesulam, Scott Snyder, and Aaron Pearlman.
Havurah Shalom invites you to our Kol Nidre Service at the Tiffany Center, 1410 SW Morrison St, Portland, beginning at 8:00 pm on Tuesday, Oct. 11.
No advance registration and payment are required.
We invite you to join us on Friday, Dec. 30, to welcome Shabbat, spread the light of the Chanukah candles, and share our feelings, fears, and hopes for the difficult times we are facing as a country. For those of us who came together on the Sunday after the election, it was a powerful expression of community, and there have been requests to identify some next steps. It continues to feel premature to launch a specific action plan. Instead, it seems more appropriate to gather in community, listen to how we are doing, and continue conversations about our hopes and fears about areas such as immigrants and refugees, poverty and homelessness, climate change, equity, and gun control.
We will begin by lighting the Chanukah and Shabbat candles, sing some songs, and then spend our time talking and listening. There will not be a formal Friday night service.
Young Adults Walking Tour of Jewish PDX
Take a walking tour of South Portland through old Jewish neighborhoods. For 20s, 30s, and 40s.
5:30 pm Happy Hour
6:30 pm Tour Begins
Meet at Lair Hill Bistro.
Cost: $7 per person (includes first drink and appetizers). Register at: oregonjcc.org/yawalkingtour
Co-sponsored by the MJCC, JFGP, and OJMCHE.
50s+ Walking Tour of Jewish PDX
Take a walking tour of South Portland through old Jewish neighborhoods.
5:30 pm Happy Hour
6:30 pm Tour Begins
Meet at Lair Hill Bistro.
Cost: $7 per person (includes first drink and appetizers). Register at: oregonjcc.org/50swalkingtour
Co-sponsored by the MJCC, JFGP, and OJMCHE.
Wondering Jews: Laughter Yoga
Wednesday, December 11, 2:00-3:00pm
Join the Wondering Jews (65+) for playful laughter and mindful breathing exercises led by Stephen Rosenstock to stimulate joy and peace. All are welcome! Programs@nevehshalom.org.
Please note: Programs are subject to change; please contact the office for more information: 503.246.8831 or visit the website at: www.nevehshalom.org.