Organize Yourself for Success: For Adults
Learn new study skills to maximize efficiency and decrease stress. This motivation-based approach builds students’ academic confidence and organizational skills.
Instructor: Tina-Marie Baskin
Per Session: Cost: $70. Member Cost: $60.
Session I: Wednesdays
April 1 – 29
12:15 – 1:30 pm, SI307
Session II: Wednesdays
May 6 – June 3
12:15 – 1:30 pm, SI308
Register: oregonjcc.org/registration
Virtual MJCC Author Series – Yousef Bashir
Join us for a conversation with Yousef Bashir, a Palestinian-American from the Gaza Strip, the son of a highly respected educator, Khalil Bashir. Still suffering the effects of a near catastrophic injury at the hands of an anonymous IDF soldier, Yousef made his way to the United States where he earned a BA in International Affairs from Northeastern University and an MA in Co-existence and Conflict from Brandeis University. Yousef has worked on Capitol Hill and served as a member of the Palestinian Diplomatic Delegation to the United States. Yousef is an accomplished author, a vigorous advocate of Israeli-Palestinian peace, and much sought-after public speaker.
Attendees will have the opportunity to ask Yousef questions directly.
You can purchase the book here: https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062917324/the-words-of-my-father/
Register at oregonjcc.org/bashir
In partnership with Congregation Neveh Shalom, Israel 360, and PDX Hillel
Join us for a fun, introductory Israeli folk dance class. All levels are welcome. Six people needed to run class.
Wednesdays
April 22 – June 24
7:15 – 8:15 pm, CG300
Cost: $100 Members + Guests.
Drop-in Cost: $15 per class.
Register: oregonjcc.org/registration
Come study and discuss the Bible with Rabbi Isaak at Neveh Shalom.
Organize Yourself for Success: For Grades 9 – 12
Learn new study skills to maximize efficiency and decrease stress. This motivation-based approach builds students’ academic confidence and organizational skills.
Instructor: Tina-Marie Baskin
Per Session: Cost: $70. Member Cost: $60.
Session I: Thursdays
April 2 – May 7 (no class on April 9)
4:00 – 5:15 pm, SI305
Session II: Thursdays
May 14 – June 4
4:00 – 5:15 pm, SI306
Register: oregonjcc.org/registration
Winter/Spring 2020 Session begins January 30. 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. 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/
- Winter/Spring 2020 Session is from Jan. 30 through June 18
- Fall 2020 Session is from Sept. 3 through Jan. 21
“Prayer, Poetry & Politics”
The Next-Generation Leaders of Jewish Renewal to
Lead Weekend of Spirituality in Ashland
Rabbi Rachel Barenblat, the Velveteen Rabbi and Rabbi David Markus
Contact: Ayala Zonnenschein ayala@ashlandhavurah.org (541) 488-7716
Havurah Shir Hadash (Ashland, Oregon) announces a weekend of spiritual learning and transformation with nationally-recognized rabbis Rachel Barenblat and David Markus over the weekend of June 5-6, 2020. The weekend, “Prayer, Poetry, & Politics: renewing the call to bless and repair the world,” will feature spirited, musical and participatory prayer in the innovative style of Jewish Renewal, and opportunities to learn with Barenblat and Markus about public affairs, mysticism, blessing, ethics, poetic liturgy and the ethical path of spiritual innovation.
Rabbi David Zaslow, the spiritual leader of the Havurah since 1996 says, “This weekend of prayer and learning promises to be spectacular. The gifts that Rabbi Barenblatt and Rabbi Markus will bring are at the cutting edge of the new and emerging forms of Jewish spiritual practice.”
Rabbi David Markus’ perspective on faith in public life reflects his unique position as North America’s only pulpit rabbi simultaneously holding a public oath of office. His teachings on spiritual channeling will offer ways to give and be a blessing. Rabbi Rachel’s perspective on spiritual creativity reflects her position at the intersection of professional poetry and rabbinic leadership. She will teach on balancing artistic authenticity with healthy ethical boundaries, and share some of the poetry for which she was named one of America’s “most inspiring rabbis.”
Rabbi Rachel Barenblat is known nationally for her writings as The Velveteen Rabbi. She says, “Religion and spirituality, at their core, are about building a wise, loving and ethical future together. ” Rabbis Barenblat and Markus serve together as senior builders at Bayit: Building Jewish (a Jewish innovation incubator). Rabbi Markus says, “We learned this Jewish path from the legacy of Reb Zalman as a continuing call that our increasingly fractured world especially needs now.”
Rabbi Markus is the nation’s only pulpit rabbi simultaneously holding a public oath of office. In spiritual life, Markus serves as rabbi and music director for Temple Beth El (New York, NY), and seminary faculty at the Academy for Jewish Religion. In secular life, Markus presides in New York Supreme Court as part of a parallel public service career that has spanned all branches and levels of government – from presidential campaigns to legislation to environmental affairs. Markus has won numerous awards as an “innovator in public service” (Harvard University).
Rabbi Barenblat is one of “America’s most inspiring rabbis” (Forward 2016). Barenblat serves as rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel (North Adams, MA); her Velveteen Rabbi blog was rated as one of the top sites on the Internet (Time Magazine 2008). Barenblat is an accomplished poet and narrator of Jewish spiritual life: her collections include Texts to the Holy (Ben Yehuda 2018), Open My Lips (Ben Yehuda 2016), Waiting to Unfold (Phoenicia 2013) and 70 faces: Torah poems (Phoenicia 2011)
The weekend schedule is below. For additional information and to register, please visit the Shir Hadash website at https://havurahshirhadash.org/2020/01/shabbaton-2020.
Fri., June 5 7:00 pm Musical Kabbalat Shabbat
9:00 pmCelebratory oneg of food and drink
Sat., June 6 9:00 am Innovative “All Worlds” Torah study
10:00 am Shabbat service & keynote: Faith in the Public Square
12:30 pm Catered lunch
1:15 pm And I Will Bless Them: Becoming Spiritual Vessels
2:15 pm Spiritual Creativity: Authenticity, Boundaries & Balance
3:15 pm Break
7:00 pm Seudat Shlishit (“dining” on poetry and song), Social
Justice Havdalah & Poetry Jam
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 Family Tot Shabbat for children 0-5 years, at CNS
1st and 3rd Saturdays, 10:15am, Zidell Chapel
Experience the joy of Shabbat! A fun and engaging service for families with kids 5 and under. Join our early childhood educators: Levia, and Amy and their good friend Shabbos Mouse for our liveliest Shabbat service.
Enjoy singing, dancing, storytelling and more!
Stay for a kiddush lunch and become a part of our young family community.