Did you know Judaism has its own guided path toward spiritual development and self-understanding? It is called Mussar, and it is an approach of self-awareness, self-understanding and personal development that is grounded in both deep reflection on Jewish texts and on spiritual practices that guide us toward greater control over our thinking and behaviors. We will look at modern and ancient texts as we seek to strengthen our ability to live our lives guided by our highest selves on the path towards greater spiritual health, healthier relationships and a deeper Jewish understanding of how we can live out our higher purpose.
Maccabi Games: Jewish Teen Olympics
Parent/athlete information meeting on
Sunday, Feb. 28 at 3:30 pm at the MJCC
The MJCC is excited to participate in the 2016 Maccabi Games in St. Louis, MO, July 31 – Aug 5. Teens between the ages of 13 and 16 receive the opportunity to participate in either team (soccer, basketball, etc.) or individual sports (swimming, tennis, track + field, etc.) in a fun and competitive atmosphere while also interacting with other JCC’s around the country. For more information, please visit www.oregonjcc.org/maccabigames or email MaccabiGames@Oregonjcc.org.
Sunday, February 28, 2016 at Congregation Neveh Shalom
$30.00 per person
Please join us for a fun-filled day of Mah Jongg and friendship.
Experienced and new players welcome (no teaching).
11:00 am – noon Brunch and explanation of rules
noon – 4:00 pm Tournament and prizes
Hosted by Neveh Shalom Sisterhood
Register by February 21, 2016 click on this link for registration info:
http://nevehshalom.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/MajJongg2016.pdf
For more information please contact: Judi Goodman (503) 531-7205 or Elisa Stevens (503) 929-1680
A presentation by Rabbi Joshua Stampfer, Co-founder of the Society for Crypto Judaic Studies. At the end of the 15th century, the Inquisition forced the Jews in Spain to leave or convert to Catholicism. Many of those who converted, or “conversos,” continued to practice their faith illegally and in secret. A large number of these conversos and crypto-Jews immigrated to Spanish American colonies where enforcement by the Inquisition was less stringent than in Spain. During periods of persecution by the Mexican Inquisition, crypto-Jews migrated to isolated frontier areas, including northern New Spain, which later became New Mexico.
Indoor Playground with Chai Baby and PJ Library. 10 am-noon of first Thursday of month at
MJCC, 6651 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland. Playing, running, kosher snacks, storytelling and
prize drawings! For parents/caregivers and their children up to 5 years old. Free. 503-535-3539
Dare I Call You Cousin, an exhibition of photos, poems, and videos compassionate to the struggle of both Israelis and Palestinians, will open on Thursday, March 3, at Havurah Shalom.
“…have the fears from our history/crusted our eyes like the inside of kettles/ have they rusted the hinges of our mouths…” – Frances Payne Adler
Cousin is a collaboration by three artists:
– Portland poet Frances Payne Adler
– Jerusalem photographer Michal Fattal (photo on left © Michal Fattal)
– Tel Aviv videographer Yossi Yacov
Many of the voices and images shared, from both Israeli and Palestinian points of view, are those that are often missing from national and international media narratives. These voices reveal the simmering conditions that underpin day-to-day lives—conditions that repeatedly erupt into war. Viewers will see and hear from both Palestinians and Israeli settlers in Hebron; Israeli and Palestinian high school students at the region’s only bilingual, integrated school; workers and students crossing over at Qalandiya checkpoint; rabbis; peace activists; and others.
The exhibition offers viewers the opportunity to experience, through art, some of the struggles of Israelis and Palestinians; to meet people perhaps not yet known to them, stories not yet heard. Dare I Call You Cousin provides the occasion to come together to participate in reflection and dialogue, creating breathing space for community discussion.
First Thursday, March 3
Opening & Reception, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Brief Poetry Reading, 8:00 pm
Havurah Shalom
Please join us at the opening on March 3 and return for a follow-up event of your choice:
- Sunday, March 6, 2:00-5:00 pm, Viewing at your own pace. Brief reading 3:00 pm.
- Tuesday, March 8, 7:00-9:00 pm, Poetry reading by Frances Payne Adler. Viewing of the exhibition is from 7:00-7:30 pm. Poetry reading is from 7:30 – 9:00 pm. Introduction by Paulann Petersen, Oregon’s Poet Laureate, 2010-2014.
- Thursday, March 10, 7:00 – 9:00 pm, Video screening. Reflect & discuss in community. Viewing of exhibition is from 7:00 – 7:30 pm. Videos are from 7:30-9:00 pm.
- Sunday, March 13, 2:00 – 5:00 pm, Video screening. Reflect & discuss in community. Viewing of exhibition is from 2:00-3:00 pm. Videos are from 3:00-5:00 pm.
Carpool and public transportation are recommended. The Lovejoy streetcar stops one block away.
Funded in part by Portland’s Regional Arts & Culture Council
Co-Sponsored by J Street Education Fund
Hosted by Havurah Shalom
About the artists:
A Jerusalem photographer and a Tel Aviv videographer whose ancestral families emigrated from the conflicts in Iraq and Yemen; a Portland poet whose grandmother, by herself at the age of 13, walked out of Russia and away from pogroms. Three artists concerned about the settlements have collaborated to create Dare I Call YouCousin. Poet Frances Payne Adler, author of five books and founder of the Creative Writing and Social Action Program at California State University Monterey Bay; photographer Michal Fattal, who works for Ha’aretz newspaper and whose photographs have been published in the New York Times, International Herald Tribune, and the Guardian; and videographer Yossi Yacov, who has documented the Israeli and Palestinian peace movements for years.
“Thank you for Dare I Call You Cousin. The poems and photographs are close to my heart. Sending my respect and appreciation.” – Amos Oz
Open to the whole community, the support group will provide emotional and educational support for caregivers and care partners of people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Taking care of someone with dementia also means taking care of yourself and getting help. Joining a support group means that you do not have to do it alone.
Portland Jewish Book Celebration continues
The annual Portland Jewish Book Month celebration was expanded this year to reach beyond one book and one month. The six-month celebration that began last November continues with in March the Mittleman Jewish Community Center hosts its first Authors’ Series. The talks at the MJCC begin with Kimberly Marlowe Hartnett. At 7 pm, March 3, she will discuss her book, Carolina Israelite – How Harry Golden Made Us Care about Jews, the South, and Civil Rights. On March 8 at 7 pm, author Jessica Fechtor will share her book, Stir – My Broken Brain and the Meals That Brought Me Home. Laura Nicole Diamond, author of Shelter Us: A Novel, wraps up the author series at 7 pm, March 15.
Individual event tickets are $8 or $5 for MJCC members; a series pass is $20 or $12 for members. For information and registration for the Authors’ Series, visit oregonjcc.org/authorseries or contact Len Steinberg at lsteinberg@oregonjcc.org.