Our Mission
To explore the spiritual wisdom of Judaism through study and the arts
through community events and Torah Study.
The History of Shulchanpdx
Shulchan means table in Hebrew. In 2019, we launched ShulchanPDX. We greet friends, welcome strangers, and nourish one another around a table.
Why Shulchan/Table?
It is around a table that we gather to share what is most precious: the sustenance of both food and relationships. It is where parents pass on their values to their children, not just through the instruction of their words but even more through the instruction of their behavior. It is where we share our stories, strengthen friendships and get to know a stranger. It is a place of encounter. We have created this table, this shulchan, as a site of exploring the creativity, the wisdom, the power that is within each one of us.
The purpose of setting the table is to facilitate one’s intrinsic capacity to be ever mindful of opportunity to experience being part of a community. To transform our overly self-focused endeavors into ones which welcome others through creativity and hospitality brings both true self-fulfillment and communal peace.
”One who brings peace into one's household has brought peace into the world.” The study of Torah potentiates this inherent capacity.
That is the goal of practice; that is the goal of sitting at the shulchan.
Leadership
Rabbi Steven moskowitz
Rabbi Moskowitz is both a rabbi and a lawyer. He served as rabbi at Congregation Temple Israel of Long Beach, California for 15 years. He served as an intern at Metivta: A Center for Contemplative Judaism. As a lawyer he worked as former Mayor Bud Clark’s public safety advisor and has specialized in municipal law. In 2015, he took a sabbatical to study the art of Camille Pissarro and the origins of modern art.
Adina Morgan, Board Member
Adina grew up at Temple Israel in Long Beach and first moved to Portland in 2011. She is passionate about Jewish spirituality and loves engaging in visual and performing arts as both a creator and a patron. She has always viewed making art as a spiritual practice and is overjoyed to support this special community.
Richard Kramer, Board Member
Richard was born into Portland’s Temple Beth Israel and received a Phd from University of Chicago in ’68. He then taught child development at Duke University from ’69-73. After moving to Eureka, California, he worked at County Mental Health and as a forensic psychologist for the Superior Court. He became President of Temple Beth El. When he returned to Portland in 1990, he rejoined Temple Beth Israel where he served on the Board as Cemetery Committee Chairman. He worked at Kaiser until his retirement. He loves art and philosophy and is so happy to be part of the Shulchan.pdx board.
