An Extraordinary Year
in Portland & Beyond

On a typical day at Tivnu, participants ease into their morning with breakfast around the kitchen table—fruit, oatmeal, and coffee shared with housemates who have become like family. Afterward, they head to their internships across Portland, taking public transit. Their placements are wide-ranging and hands-on: researching legal cases at the Oregon Innocence Project, supporting youth programs, or staffing local shelters. Some days they’ll head out with other Tivnu participants to build up tiny house communities of unhoused Portlanders. The work is direct, meaningful, and deeply connected to justice on the ground.

Evenings offer a change of pace. Participants return to the house to rest, reflect, or catch up on chores and errands. Some head out to explore the city—checking out a bookstore or farmers’ market, even kayaking in on the Willamette —while others enjoy downtime solo or with a housemate. On other days, participants take part in communal learning sessions, house meetings, rotating responsibilities – like cooking and cleaning – and build knowledge, accountability, and connection. The Tivnu schedule strikes a balance: structured, intentional programming lives alongside plenty of unstructured time for rest and independence.

Fridays are special. The group prepares for Shabbat with cooking, challah baking, and house cleaning, then gathers for candle lighting, singing, and a shared meal full of conversation and laughter. Weekends vary: one might include a group hike in the Pacific Northwest or simply a relaxed day at home with a movie and homemade brownies.

Throughout the week, participants move between meaningful work, immersive Jewish learning, communal living, and independent exploration. There’s space to think and grow alone—and plenty of time to show up for each other. The result is a rhythm that feels grounded, vibrant, and real: a year of impact, discovery, and connection that stays with you long after it ends.