K’tantan Summer Events
Contact Dan Gerber for more information (dgerber7@gmail.com)!
Sellwood Park Shabbat Picnic
Sellwood Park Shabbat Picnic: Sellwood Park has free live music from 6:30–8:00pm on Fridays during the summer. We will meet at 6:00pm for challah and juice as a community. This is a BYOP (bring your own picnic dinner). The music is next to the Sellwood Shack (free ball & toy rentals), and the playground is right there as well.
Dates: @ 6:00pm (music starts at 6:30pm) ON Friday, July 17 AND Friday, August 14
Wallace Park Meet-Up
Sunday Park Meet-Ups: A casual gathering for families at Wallace Park (NW 25th Ave & Raleigh St, Portland, OR 97210) – kids can play while we hang out.
Date: @ 10-11:30am Sunday, August 26.
Community Outdoor ShaBBQ at CST
Community Outdoor ShaBBQ at Shaarie Torah: This takes place on the plaza next to the playground, so kids can play. The shul provides BBQ dinner, and you’re welcome to bring a vegan or vegetarian (no dairy) side dish or dessert to share if you’d like.
Dates: @ 6:30pm ON Friday, August 7 AND September 4
Message from Rabbi Oren
I am writing to share an important update about the future of our Mensch Community, the umbrella that encompasses all of our youth and family educational programming.
Over the past several months, synagogue leadership has been thoughtfully evaluating how we can create meaningful, engaging, and sustainable Jewish learning experiences for our children and families while also being responsible stewards of our community’s resources. Our goal is to ensure that our programs continue to meet the evolving needs of today’s families while remaining deeply rooted in Jewish wisdom, community, and tradition.
As part of this process, we will be restructuring portions of our educational offerings for the coming school year. In order to thoughtfully evaluate the long-term vision and needs of our educational programs, the Education Director position will be paused for the 2026–2027 school year, and many of the administrative responsibilities previously assigned to that role will transition to Rabbi Oren.
As a result, Cara Abrams will not be continuing in her current role. We are deeply grateful for Cara’s four years of dedicated service to our congregation. Her creativity, warmth, energy, and commitment to Jewish learning have touched countless children and families and strengthened our educational programs in meaningful ways.
Please join us in thanking Cara for all she has contributed to Shaarie Torah. We are grateful that Cara remains a valued member of our community, and we look forward to continuing to learn, celebrate, and grow alongside her. God willing, we will find new opportunities in the years ahead for Cara to share her many gifts for teaching, creativity, and community-building with all of us.
While transitions naturally bring questions, they also create opportunities. We are excited about the future of our Mensch Community and remain deeply committed to creating experiences that strengthen Jewish connection, learning, friendship, and belonging.
One of the great strengths of synagogue life is that Jewish learning does not happen only in classrooms. It happens when children build relationships with caring adults who model Jewish values and share their experiences, talents, and passions. Some of our most powerful learning comes from grandparents, mentors, artists, musicians, teachers, business leaders, community volunteers, and lifelong learners who help bring Judaism to life. As we look to the future, we see an opportunity to deepen those connections and create a truly intergenerational learning community in which our children are surrounded by a village of caring Jewish role models.
Our 2026–2027 offerings will include:
K’tantan (Birth–Kindergarten): Tot Shabbats, Sip & Schmooze gatherings, and family-centered experiences that help our youngest families build friendships and community.
Family Education & Holiday Experiences: Interactive learning opportunities, holiday celebrations, and community-wide Jewish experiences throughout the year.
Mensch Academy (Grades K–5): Our elementary program will continue on Sunday mornings, focusing on Jewish identity, holidays, Hebrew exposure, community, and joyful engagement. We also plan to incorporate more member volunteers into the learning experience and are exploring an optional online Hebrew language component.
M & M Program (Grades 6–8): Machshavah (Jewish Wisdom) and Ma’aseh (Jewish Action): This exciting new monthly program will meet one Sunday afternoon each month from 1:00–3:00 PM. Students will engage in meaningful text study, discussion, hands-on projects, social action, and community-building while balancing the realities of B’nai Mitzvah preparation, extracurricular activities, and busy middle school schedules.
Jewish Learning Experience (Grades 9–12): Our high school students will continue to have access to JLE, an innovative program that allows teens to take college-level Jewish Studies courses and earn college credit while deepening their connection to Jewish history, texts, culture, and ideas.
As we launch this next chapter, we are also looking for partners.
We are building a community-powered model of Jewish learning and are seeking volunteers who would like to help teach, mentor, lead activities, share special talents, assist with holiday programming, organize family events, support Hebrew learning, or simply help create welcoming experiences for our children and families. Whether you can volunteer once a year, once a month, or more regularly, there is a place for you.
Most importantly, you do not need to be a member of Shaarie Torah to participate or volunteer. If you have children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family friends, neighbors, or others in your life who might benefit from joyful and meaningful Jewish experiences, we would love to welcome them into our Mensch Community. We encourage you to help us spread the word.
If you know a retired teacher, a college student, a grandparent looking to give back, a young professional seeking Jewish connection, or someone with a passion, skill, hobby, or expertise to share, please invite them to be part of this effort. Building the next generation of Jewish life is a community-wide responsibility and a sacred opportunity.
Whether someone is already connected to our congregation or simply looking for a warm and welcoming Jewish community, there is a place for them here.
In the coming weeks, we will share additional information about registration, volunteer opportunities, and ways to become involved. If you would like to volunteer, recommend a family, or learn more about our programs, please contact Rabbi Oren.
Together, we can build a vibrant, innovative, and welcoming Jewish future for the next generation. Thank you for your partnership, support, and commitment to our community.