Tot Shabbat: Friday Oct 14, 7PM
A quick taste of Shabbat aimed at the 2 – 7 set (more or less). Some singing, some stories.

Shabbat Serice: Friday Oct 14, 7PM
Join us for services in the Sukkah (weather permitting) following out Tot Shabbat. An open, accessible, pluralistic shabbat service.

All events at Sunnyside United Methodist Church, SE 34th and Yamhill.

I’m most excited about the positive feedback we received from folks, and the ever growing number of people who are planning to be with us for Yom Kippur. We’ve also begun planning our year:

• A celebration of Sukkot (date TBA).
• Shabbat services on the 1st and 3rd Friday evening of each month.
• Plans for a “tot-shabbat service” before our regular Friday night services: some singing and a story or discussion aimed at preschool aged kids.
• Some sort of adult education programming over the course of the year.

Services will be at Sunnyside United Methodist Church, and a full schedule of services can be found here. We even have a cool story about us (well, partly about us) in the Oregonian. We’re all set.

Well, almost all set. We need two more things. One of them is my responsibility: Sermons. Now, I’m a last minute sermon kind of guy. But even for me, this is getting a little more last minute than I’m really comfortable with. On the other hand, my best work does tend to be my most last minute, so the sermons might be truly brilliant this year.

The other thing we need? You. We really want you to join us. Try us out for one service if you like. No pressure. Remember, services are free and open to all. Just show up and we’ll welcome you with open arms.

It’ll be a chance to listen and talk, as we share in building this new community together.

Kehillah translates as Community: This is the foundation of what we aspire to be. A group of interconnected people whose lives are connected. We will be a group that celebrates life’s joys together, comfort each other in times of sorrow, and help one another in times of trouble. We will learn together, teach our children together, and find a meaningful Jewish path together.

Hadashah means New: We want to be a different kind of Jewish community, one designed for our lives in Portland in the 21st Century. We want to build a community that does things differently from the way they’ve been done. We do this not for the sake of being different, but in order to create greater meaning and relevance in our lives. We want to lower the barriers to entry to Jewish community. We know that most Jews don’t have facility with Hebrew. Our services will be built around an English/Hebrew mix that ensures access to those who don’t have Hebrew knowledge. We know that most Jews marry non-Jews: we welcome these families into our community, recognizing that they are at the heart of the new Jewish Community.

Shul is the Yiddish word for Synagogue, coming from the word for school. Less formal than either “Temple” or Synagogue”, it indicates a place where Jews come together to “do Judaism.” For us, the word “Shul” represents our hope to create a “comfy” community, someplace that feels homey, or in Yiddish “Haimish.”

We are excited, and can’t wait to have you join us as part of Kehillah Hadashah.

This is an exciting time. Over the last 4 days I’ve held 7 meetings with people interested in being part of the formation of the congregation. What’s especially wonderful is the energy everyone is bringing to the birthing of this new community. There is an excitement at the possibilities and a sense of adventure.

While we’re not there yet, I can foresee a time in the not too distant future when I can hand off more of the organizational tasks to others, and begin preparing for High Holiday services, as every other rabbi does come late summer/early fall. We are making progress more quickly than I would have imagined possible.

The fact that we are beginning to have a core board does not mean we have everyone we need. I need more volunteers, and even board members. Please feel free to be in touch, and don’t feel like we don’t need you. We’re making good progress, but there’s so much more to do.

As a result of this partnership, I can now announce that we will be holding High Holiday services. Rosh Hashanah services will be on the evening of September 28th, and the Morning of September 29th. Yom Kippur services will be the evening of October 7th and During the day October 8th. Times will be figured out as we get a little closer. If you’d like to be involved, please be in touch!

I’ve begun to look at spaces (and have a really good option at an affordable price in mind). I’m beginning to recruit a board of directors to help shape the vision and reign me in.

And I’m beginning to get excited about this not yet born community. Together, we can do something exciting.