An Extraordinary Year
in Portland & Beyond

In a typical day at Tivnu, participants ease into their morning with breakfast around the kitchen table—fruit, oatmeal, and coffee shared with roommates who have become like family. Afterward, they head to their internships across Portland, sometimes carpooling in Tivnu vans, other times taking public transit. Their placements are wide-ranging and hands-on: building tiny homes for unhoused neighbors, researching legal cases at the Oregon Innocence Project, supporting youth programs, or staffing local shelters. The work is direct, meaningful, and deeply connected to justice on the ground.

Afternoons 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 the Willamette —while others enjoy downtime solo or with a housemate. The Tivnu schedule strikes a balance: structured, intentional programming lives alongside plenty of unstructured time for rest and independence. In the evenings, participants often cook and eat together, talk through the day, or take part in communal learning sessions. Weekly house meetings and rotating responsibilities—like cooking and cleaning—build both accountability and connection.

Fridays are special. The group prepares for Shabbat with music, 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, a volunteer project, 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.