Dear CST Community,

In his January 30 letter, Stewarding Our Sacred Space, our President, Raphi Rosenblatt, shared important reflections about where Congregation Shaarie Torah finds itself and how our Board of Directors and lay leadership are thoughtfully and faithfully considering what the coming years may hold. I am deeply grateful to Raphi, our Board, and so many dedicated lay leaders who are giving their time, wisdom, and hearts to imagining a strong and sustainable future for our congregation.

Together For Tomorrow

As we look ahead, we have begun to speak about this moment as Together for Tomorrow. The Baal Shem Tov taught that every Jew is like a letter in the Torah — and that a Torah scroll is only whole when every single letter is present. Each of us matters. Each voice is essential. Together for Tomorrow reflects our belief that the future of Congregation Shaarie Torah will not be shaped by a few but written collectively, through the care, commitment, and participation of our entire community. This early and intentional work includes caring for our physical spaces, sustaining meaningful programming, and continuing to nurture the sacred life of this community we love.

I am excited to share that this reflective process is being guided by two extraordinary leaders, Linda Nemer Singer and Mimi Berlin, who will serve as co-chairs of the campaign now coming into formation to help secure our future. Their dedication, expertise, and passion for Congregation Shaarie Torah are already shaping this work in meaningful ways, and I invite you to join me in thanking them for stepping forward with such care and commitment.

Shaari-ing Sessions

As an upcoming campaign comes into clearer focus, your voices are essential. To help inform this work, I am inviting you to participate in one of a series of small, informal gatherings we’re calling Shaari-ing Sessions, hosted in the homes of members of our community in the weeks ahead. The feedback and insight gathered in these sessions will play a meaningful role in shaping the path forward.

These sessions are meant to be relaxed, welcoming conversations — a chance to share updates about where Congregation Shaarie Torah is right now (our building and facilities, cemetery, finances, programming, and the life of our community) and, just as importantly, a chance for me and our leadership to listen to you. Your reflections, questions, and hopes for the future of our kehillah are at the heart of these gatherings.

There will be no fundraising and no solicitation of pledges. The purpose of these sessions is connection, transparency, and sacred conversation — listening to one another with care and intention and strengthening the relationships that hold our community together.

You’re invited to choose a date and location that works best for you from the Shaari-ing Sessions listed below. Each gathering will be small and conversational, and I hope many of you will find a way to participate.

RSVP

To sign up, please use this link to indicate your session preferences. You may also call the CST office at 503-226-6131 ext. 101 and leave your name and preferred date(s). Because each host’s home has limited space, I encourage you to register early. You’ll receive a confirmation by email or phone, along with the address of your host.

  • Sunday, February 22 – 1:00 to 3:00pm
    at the home of Jan & Craig Berne, SW Portland

     

  • Thursday, February 26 – 6:30 to 8:30pm
    at the home of Rosie & Keith Berne, SW Portland

     

  • Sunday, March 1 – 3:00 to 5:00pm
    at the home of Anne LeVant Prahl, NE Portland (stairs up to the front door)

     

  • Monday, March 9 – 7:00 to 9:00pm
    at the home of Shari Levinson & Marshal Spector, SW Portland

     

  • Wednesday, March 11 – 6:30 to 8:30pm
    at the home of Charlotte & Isaac Tevet, SW Portland

     

  • Sunday, March 15 – 10:00am to noon
    at the home of Raphi Rosenblatt & David Morgenstern, NE Portland (stairs up the front door)

     

  • Tuesday, March 17 – 6:30 to 8:30pm
    at the home of Annette Demsey & Erik Richmond, NE Portland (stairs up to the front door)

     

  • Thursday, March 19 – 6:30 to 8:30pm
    at the home of Lynne & Mitch Cohen, SW Portland

     

  • Sunday, March 22 – 10:30am to 12:30pm
    at the home of Melissa Cohen & Richard Burd, West Beaverton-Hillsboro

     

  • Sunday, March 22 – 3:00 to 5:00pm
    at the home of Linda & Gary Singer, SW Portland

     

  • Tuesday, March 24 – 6:30 to 8:30pm
    at the home of Bobbie & Phil Cohen, West Portland-Beaverton

     

  • Sunday, March 29 – 3:00 to 5:00pm
    at the home of Mimi Berlin, West Slope

Your voices, experiences, and wisdom matter deeply. Thank you for the care, commitment, and love you bring to Congregation Shaarie Torah. I truly look forward to these conversations and to shaping what comes next — together.

Together for Tomorrow,

Rabbi Gary Oren