Calendar

Jan
18
Wed
Places of Remembrance @ Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education
Jan 18 @ 6:30 pm
Participatory Discussion Focuses on the Antisemitic and Dehumanizing Laws of Nazi Germany 
OJMCHE presents a participatory discussion that focuses on the antisemitic and dehumanizing laws passed in Nazi Germany between 1933 and 1945, which led from the gradual loss of rights to a full-scale genocide during the Second World War. The program is based upon Places of Re­membrance (Orte des Erinnerns) a memorial to the Holocaust designed by Renata Stih and Frieder Schnock, which was inaugurated in 1993 in Berlin.
April Slabosheski, OJMCHE Holocaust Educator, will discuss the legislative and social process that led to the passage of these laws and offer a comparative analysis of U.S. gov­ernmental processes and the potential for our own civic engagement today.
Places of Remembrance is a public art memorial for a former Jewish district of West Berlin known as the Bavarian Quarter. At the time it was built, Germany had just been reunified, and it was one of the first major efforts to give permanent recognition to the ways the Holocaust reached into daily life in the German capital. The competition called for a central memorial on the square, but the artists Renata Stih and Frieder Schnock instead proposed attaching 80 signs hung on lamp posts throughout the Bavarian Quarter, each one spelling out one of the hundreds of Nazi laws and rules—ranging from “Jews are not allowed to own pets” to “Jews can only buy food between 4 and 5 o’ clock”—that gradually dehumanized Berlin’s Jewish population. It has been called Berlin’s most unsettling memorial.
“This is the first public program in our new facility,” said OJMCHE Director Judy Margles. “We had not planned to open our doors to programming until the museum opens to the public in June.  However, given the turbulent climate and the rise in hate crimes, we felt compelled to provide substantive programming. As the historian Howard Zinn said, ‘Education becomes most rich and alive when it confronts the reality of moral conflict in the world.‘”
OJMCHE’s Holocaust education team led by Holocaust Educator April Slabosheski and members of the Speakers’ Bureau have presented this fall programs in over 40 schools, libraries and churches, led workshops, and offered guided tours of the Oregon Holocaust Memorial. Along with scheduled visits, OJMCHE is a quick response resource for schools that experience instances of hate speech.
April Slabosheski started work as Holocaust Educator at the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education in 2014. She received her Master of Arts degree from the University of Michigan in Judaic Studies and her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin in Community Education & Engagement.
The Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education has recently moved into new facilities at 724 NW Davis Street and administrative offices are open. The Grand Opening of the museum is scheduled for June 2017. During the ensuing months while the museum is closed, OJMCHE is participating in collaborative public programming across the city. Founded in 1990, the mission of the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education is to interpret the Oregon Jewish experience, explore the lessons of the Holocaust and foster intercultural conversations. www.ojmche.org
Judaism and Resistance @ Blackbird Wine
Jan 18 @ 7:00 pm

Judaism and Resistance When the Law of the Land is Unjust, What Should
Jews Do?  Join Rabbi Ariel Stone of Congregation Shir Tikvah and Rabbi Tzvi Fischer of
the Portland Kollel to learn, consider and discuss the Jewish roots of civil
resistance to social injustice.

Cash bar, free snacks.

Jan
19
Thu
Improv Comedy Club: 3rd-5th Grade @ Mittleman Jewish Community Center
Jan 19 @ 3:45 pm

Learn the basics of Improv Theater! Students will learn short-form games that teach the skills of listening and responding, working together as a group to create a story on the spot, and building self-confidence. The class will be working towards a demo that showcases their favorite improv games, and shows off their new comedy chops!

In partnership with Portland Jewish Academy and Northwest Children’s Theater & School
Register: oregonjcc.org/registration; CG202

Needle Felt Animal Portraits Workshop @ Mittleman Jewish Community Center
Jan 19 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Create a beautiful 2-D “painting” using wool and barbed needle. On A flat surface we will tangle and blend our natural wool fibers to create a piece of art you can hang on your wall. Bring in a photo of your pet, or choose from a variety of animal photos available in class.

No experience necessary.
All supplies will be provided.

Register: oregonjcc.org/registration; CG203A

Jan
21
Sat
Tiferet Shabbat @ Congregation Shaarie Torah
Jan 21 @ 9:15 am – 12:15 pm

Please join Congregation Shaarie Torah for a special Shabbat morning service. At this service, we will include new melodies, explore the service with some reflections on the prayers themselves, and chant according to the Triennial cycle of Torah readings.  It will be a mix of the beautiful and familiar traditional Shabbat morning service and new ideas and energy.  This service meets in the Chapel downstairs on the third Saturday of the month.

Torah Troop for 3rd-5th Graders @ Congregation Neveh Shalom
Jan 21 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Torah Troop for 3rd-5th Graders

1st and 3rd Shabbat every month at 10:00am

Meet in the MAIN service (Stampfer Chapel or Main Sanctuary) for the beginning of the Torah service, and then come out with your friends for a fun and active lesson on the Torah portion (parsha) of the week. Return to the service to help lead Adon Olam, and join the community for lunch!

Kiddush Club for K-2nd Grade @ Congregation Neveh Shalom
Jan 21 @ 10:15 am – 11:30 am

Join other families for prayer, singing, conversation and fun followed by an indoor picnic style lunch.

Jan
22
Sun
Lamaze Childbirth Class @ Mittleman Jewish Community Center
Jan 22 @ 9:00 am

Expectant mothers and their partners will learn about and prepare for birth through hands-on education. Practice comfort techniques and learn about the physiology of birth, routine medical procedures, breastfeeding and informed consent in a dynamic group setting. This course is designed to instill confidence and empower expectant parents, as well as provide expectant parents with a support group of peers. Lamaze classes are based on the most up-to-date research from the gold-standard Cochrane database. Three couples needed to run this class.

This five-session class meets on Sundays from Jan. 15 through Feb. 12.

Teacher: Elana Alpert, LCCE
Register: oregonjcc.org/lamaze

Celebrating Israel Open House at CST @ Congregation Shaarie Torah
Jan 22 @ 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

Two special Sundays in January, spend your morning celebrating Shaarie Torah and learning more about the rich culture and arts of Israel. Meet our clergy, staff, teachers, and community, while singing, dancing, painting, cooking, watching a film or taking a class. Make a dish inspired by vegan Israeli cooking with a professional chef or practice Israeli dancing and learn moves with other kids. With over 15 different classes offered, for all ages: preschoolers, young kids, teens, and adults, there is something for everyone! Some sessions led by special guests speakers, community leaders and more! Come experience all that we do here at Shaarie Torah and go on an exciting Israel adventure.

Entry fee: $10 member , $15 nonmember , $24 member family , $27 nonmember family. Tickets available at the door for a higher price. Some classes have additional fees associated. Please RSVP in advance.

Jan
23
Mon
Peace Luncheon from Educating for Peace @ Birnbach Hall, Neveh Shalom
Jan 23 @ 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

The New Year’s Kick-off Peace Luncheon from Educating for Peace, the Wholistic Peace Institute will feature the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation and will honor their deep commitment to giving back.

Educating for Peace is a 17-year-old research, teachign and peace-making agency whose mission is to advance the cause of peace in Oregon.