Rivkah began to play drums after being inspired by a Sevendust concert in Miami, FL. After a few years of being self-taught and playing in local bands, she attended Broward College in Davie, FL, as a music major and studied jazz drum set and classical percussion. Rivkah played and recorded with a variety of South Florida artists, including Andrew Bayuk, the four-time winner of the American Idol Underground Folk Competition.
In 2008, Rivkah moved to Los Angeles to study drumming at Musicians Institute. While being a student at Musicians Institute, she went on tours around California with Jeff Hershey and the Heartbeats, a 1960’s soul-rock band, and recorded and played with many other local artists. Rivkah opened for Dick Dale, the B-52s, and The New Mastersounds with Jeff Hershey and the Heartbeats. The band went on to complete three European tours, performing multiple dates in Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, and Switzerland. After touring with the band, Rivkah returned to Los Angeles and continued to play and record with two unique all-female jazz bands, Lady Jazz and the Hard Bop Chicks, as well as other artists. She gained an endorsement through Soultone Cymbals while living in Los Angeles, and performed with Stevie Wonder as part of a drum ensemble on Stevie Wonder’s Annual House of Toys at the Nokia Theater. In 2016, Rivkah relocated to Portland, Oregon, where she continues to perform.
Rivkah loves to teach and is a Certified Facilitator for The Rhythmic Arts Project, a non-profit organization that teaches life skills to students with disabilities using hand drums and specialized curriculum. She has worked with students with disabilities, as well as disadvantaged and chronically ill students, and she has a special interest in working with students who face challenges. Rivkah holds a Master of Education with emphasis in Special Education from Southern New Hampshire University.
Rivkah enjoys being out in nature, spending time with loved ones, writing stories, traveling, dancing, hiking, and inspiring and teaching others, especially girls and women, to play drums. Her favorite drummers are Roy Haynes, Cindy Blackman, Terri Lyne Carrington, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, and Sean Reinert.
Family Flicks – An American Tail
Come to the MJCC for an afternoon of family fun! We will be playing a family classic, An American Tail (Rated G), on the big screen. Popcorn and snacks will be provided.
Cost: $10 per family
Tickets: oregonjcc.org/familyflicks
Join us for the Portland premiere of this 15-minute documentary short by Jodi Darby. The film follows two Jewish Portland artists, drummer/writer/environmentalist Lisa Schonberg and musician/writer/Jewish educator Alicia Jo Rabins, as they prepare for Lisa’s adult bat mitzvah. The word chavruta refers to the traditional partner-style study of Jewish texts; over the course of one year, the two women delve into a grassroots, feminist, distinctly Portland course of study.
Free, but suggested donation of $5 at the door.
7:00 pm at the MJCC.
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.
The Dead Sea is dying. Since 1976, its level has dropped more than 100 feet, leaving the coastline pockmarked with thousands of sinkholes. NOVA follows scientists, engineers, and political leaders who have come up with a daring plan.
Tuesday, January 21
7:00 pm
Free and open to the community.
Sponsored by Jewish Federation of Greater Portland
Kol Shabbat – Voice of Shabbat
Friday, March 20, 7:15pm
Friday, April 17, 7:15pm
A lay-led, voices-only Erev Shabbat Service. All ages and stages welcome.
Questions? Please contact Naomi Leavitt: naomileavitt@gmail.com
Join Rabbi Posen for a ZOOM Second Night Seder. Please sign up to let us know you’ll join us virtually for a fun and interactive Seder. We’ll send you the link for the Haggadah to download and you’ll be all set to celebrate in community. Unfortunately due to our current situation no Kosher for Passover food will be provided through Century Catering. Click here to RSVP and join the community.
Shomrei Teva Pesach Hike
Sunday, April 12, 10:00am
Join us for a beautiful, easy hike at Tualatin Hills Nature Park. We’ll stroll amidst the forests, open areas, creeks, and trails, making several stops for reflections on Jewish teachings, nature, and Pesach. Come to Neveh Shalom at 10:00am to carpool, meeting by the front gate OR Meet us at the park at 10:30am
All ages welcome. No pets. Bring a Pesach treat to share.
RSVP: yaakovme@gmail.com
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.
Kol Shabbat – Voice of Shabbat
Friday, March 20, 7:15pm
Friday, April 17, 7:15pm
A lay-led, voices-only Erev Shabbat Service. All ages and stages welcome.
Questions? Please contact Naomi Leavitt: naomileavitt@gmail.com