Home

Congregation Shir Tikvah is a mid-sized independent congregation. Our founders envisioned a participatory, learning community and we work hard to fulfill that promise. At less than 20 years old, we're the "start up" in Portland's Jewish Community. . 

Our neighborhoods are diverse and so are our supporters. They come from across the Jewish spectrum: Jew-by-birth, Jew-by-choice, gay, straight, interfaith, atheist, devout believer. We welcome all who want to grapple with the beauty and contradictions of our sacred texts to better understand our faith, our world and our place in it.

Shir Tikvah means "song of hope". We gather strength from each other and our tradition.

As Shir Tikvah looks for ways in which we can help address the problems experienced by Portland’s most vulnerable residents, we have become aware of the needs of the nearby Lents family shelter operated by Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS), a well-established Portland nonprofit organization.

Portland Homeless Family Solutions empowers homeless families with children to get back into housing and to stay there long-term.

“When we first purchased the building (6220 SE 92nd Avenue), we had no idea that we would be creating the first family shelter of its kind in Oregon: a shelter that will help families heal through the trauma and crisis of homelessness by using the evidence-based model of trauma-informed design and architecture.”

One of the two buildings at the Lents campus is already housing and providing services to a dozen families, so PHFS needs volunteer support to help make the program successful.  Until the second building is completed this Fall and opportunities expand, there are three ways to volunteer, as individuals or as a small group. They include catering and serving meals, being a “kid-time host,” and helping the administrative staff with various tasks.  These opportunities are typically structured as convenient two-hour shifts.

Henry Werch has agreed to be our point person for this effort, so please email or call him to get a more detailed insight into how we can perform some serious mitzvot with PHFS!

You can also get more information by going to the PHFS website -  INFO@PDXHFS.ORG