INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM CLASS
Winter/Spring 2019 Session begins January 17. 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, course fee $360 includes class materials. 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/
Education Administrator
Ever wonder how Israel has changed the lives of those around you? Join us for an evening of personal, Israel-related true stories at our MOTH-style storytelling event! If you feel inspired, put your name in the hat for the second half of the show to share a personal story about how an experience in Israel changed you, or impacted your life.
Co-sponsored by Neveh Shalom Israel360, Neveh Shalom Mishpacha, and Moishe House Portland
8th Annual Wine Event
Enjoy five superb Kosher wines paired with dinner for tasting. Kollel’s wine festival is truly Portland’s best Kosher dining experience.
Why
Kollel’s programs and classes serve over 900Oregonians annually from across the spectrum of the Jewish community. Our unique combination of classes, social events, children’s and family programming enables the Kollel to bring new perspective and meaning to everyday life for hundreds of local Jews.
The Wine Festival is an opportunity to have a truly unique evening out while showing your support for your favorite local nonprofit.
Supporting Kollel
As Kollel enters its 13th year, we look back at years of success in developing Torah and Jewish community in Portland. However, we are not just resting on our laurels. This year we extended our reach to Jewish Portland and hired more staff! This included two full time and one part time staff members.
Who
If you’re 21 or older and enjoy good food and wine – or just want to support Kollel – this one’s for you!
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.
CBI Date Night gets a delicious twist this month with B’nai B’rith Camp’s Fourth Annual Chocolate Seder! Join CBI and BB Camp for an evening of games, Havdallah, pizza dinner, and of course, a chocolatey Seder in preparation for Passover. This is for kids in grades K-5
On CBI Date Night, parents get a night off while kids get a fun night of Jewish fun with their friends!
Are you in middle school and also love chocolate? HAVE NO FEAR! There is a chocolate seder for you too! Register with the same link!
Who: Kindergarten-Grade 8
Where: Congregation Beth Israel
Cost: $18
Register at https://bbcamp.org/choco-seder/
Please feel free to reach out for questions!
Max: MRuzi@bbcamp.org | 503.496.7449
Chelsea: Chelsea@BethIsrael-pdx.org | 503.222.1069