Beginning on February 10, Shir Tikvah introduces Kley Kodesh (Holy Vessels) – a magical, mystical, musical Erev Shabbat every second Shabbat of the month. Join us at 6.30pm at our current location, the Bridgeport building at 621 NE 76th street, to welcome Shabbat with joy-filled song, prayer, and some kirtan-style meditative music, led by Rabbi Ariel and accompanied by J.D. Kleinke. In conjunction with Portland Young Adult Shabbat. Plan to join them afterwards at a local brewpub for fellowship.

Every two years since Shir Tikvah began, we’ve retreated to Menucha, in the Gorge, for a full Shabbat experience with Rabbi Ariel. Beautiful location, serene schedule, no hurry and no worry – lacto-ovo vegetarian meals included from erev Shabbat dinner through Sunday morning. Bring: tallit, humash, warm clothes, a good book for Shabbat afternoon rest, and your favorite snack and wine to share.
Cost: $180 per person (single, double, triple occupancy, doesn’t matter); consider, if you can, adding $20 to your check to help someone else attend.
Deadline: February 10, 2012 (we have to give up the space we’ve reserved at the end of the day on Feb 10 if we do not have 24 confirmed reservations). Your check is your reservation – please send it to the Shir Tikvah office marked Menucha Retreat by February 10, 2012.

The teachers and Rabbi will be expecting all students for at least one special session on Shabbat during the month of January. Here are the details:

• January 7, 10am-11.30am: BaMidbar, Devarim, and Bat/bar mitzvah candidate classes have a special Torah study and visit services for the Torah reading. Please bring a copy of the Humash*.

• January 21, 10.30am-11.30am: Bereshit attends Tot Shabbat tefilah and kiddush

• January 28, 10.30am-11.30am: Shemot and VaYikra classes have a special Torah study and visit services for the Torah reading.

Each session will be followed by a brunch for students and parents. Details about your brunch will be sent to your email.

*The word Humash generally only refers to “book” bound editions of the Pentateuch, whereas the “scroll” form is called asefer Torah (“book [of the] Torah”).

• A printed ḥumash usually sets out the Hebrew text of the Torah with vowel points and cantillation marks, separated into its 54 constituent weekly Torah portions (parashiyyot), together with the haftarah for each portion and, often, translations and notes.
• A ḥumash-Rashi also contains the Targum of Onkelos and the commentary of Rashi, and usually has no vernacular translation of the text.
• A Tikkun soferim or Tiqqun Qore’im sets out, in parallel columns, the unvocalized text of the Pentateuch as it would appear in a Torah scroll and the normal printed text as it appears in a Humash; it sometimes includes haftarot and the five megillot. It exists as an aid for Torah scribes and for those preparing to read from the Sefer Torah in the synagogue.
• A multi-volume set in Hebrew only, often but not always including the entire Tanakh with masoretic notes(sometimes), Targumim and several classical commentaries, is referred to as Mikraot Gedolot ”Great Scriptures.”

Come one, come all, children of all ages! Over 140 people have confirmed they will celebrate Shir Tikvah’s Annual Hanukkah Party and Dedication of the Children with us on December 20, 6pm at the Laurelhurst Club, for dinner, dreydel playing, and music by a local klezmer band. Don’t miss it, and don’t forget to bring your hanukkiyah pre-loaded with 2 candles.

And here are the potluck assignments (vegetarian/dairy please!):

If you’d rather make Latkes, that would be fantastic–just let the office know you’ll be joining the group of latke makers!

The Laurelhurst Club is -across from Laurelhurst Park at 3721 SE Ankeny Street, Portland, OR 97214.

erev Shabbat December 9
6:30 pm service at Bridgeport

Join us to hear a few words and ask all your questions about Occupy Portland with Kip Silverman. Rabbi Ariel met him at the Occupy Vigil at City Hall on Nov 19 to mark one week after the end of the park occupation. Agree or don’t agree with the Occupiers? Come and hear, come and listen, come and ask. See coverage of Rabbi’s visit to the Occupation here: www.portlandoccupier.org