EMETMAIL
UPCOMING EVENTS & SCHEDULE
JOIN US THIS FRIDAY...in Celebration of Shabbat & Learn More About
Prayer
Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, March 7
5:45 pm Wine and Cheese Reception / 6:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat / D’var Torah:
Rabbi Peter Knobel / 7:30 pm Pot Luck Dinner
(please make reservations;
$7.00/person and a salad, side dish or dessert)
Following dinner, Rabbi Knobel will discuss The Choreography of Prayer: Why
do we stand up for some prayers? Why do some people bow? Prayer has a repertoire
of non-verbal gestures which are designed to convey meaning. Come and learn this
new language.
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SHABBAT MISHPACHA - the First Friday of Each Month
Friday, March 7 at 5:15 pm
Get to know your ‘Families’ community! Come welcome and celebrate Shabbat
together with other families with young children at Shabbat Mishpacha
(Family Shabbat). Candle lighting at 5:20 followed by pot luck dinner and then
family friendly Kabbalat Shabbat service. This event is open and free of charge
to all members and non-members who have a child aged zero to 3rd grade. RSVP and
find out pot luck assignment by March 5; call 847-869-4230 or
email.
EARLY CHILDHOOD SPRING CELEBRATION!
Sunday, March 9 at 3:00 pm
It’s almost here! Join us for a fun-filled performance by Jeanie B! and our
fabulous Silent Auction (restaurants, hotels packages, salons, sports tickets,
as well as great items for kids). Bring your neighbors, friends, grandparents
and cousins for a great time! Tickets are $10.00/person, or $36.00/family.
Proceeds support the Early Childhood Scholarship Fund and other special
projects. Please respond via
evite.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED- Council for Jewish Elderly Shabbat Luncheon
Friday, March 14 at Emanuel Congregation in Chicago
Beth Emet continues to join the ranks of many local synagogues in sponsoring
a Shabbat Luncheon hosted and coordinated by the Council for Jewish Elderly.
The luncheons provide a wonderful opportunity for about 50 seniors to gather at
Emanuel Congregation on Sheridan Road and enjoy a hot Shabbat meal with their
friends. CJE handles all of the details- Beth Emet need only supply (in addition
to the sponsorship) the entertainment (Cantor Frankel),
centerpieces which they raffle off to the lucky seniors, and 5 volunteers to
help set up, serve, and clean-up, and MOST importantly, schmooze with the clients
prior to the entertainment. It is a wonderful and rewarding morning.
Volunteers need to be at Emanuel Congregation, 5959 N. Sheridan Road at 10 am to
help set up tables. Lunch is served at noon, and clean-up is done usually by 1
pm. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Bekki Kaplan by
email.
2008 BETH EMET BLOOD DRIVE
Sunday, March 16 from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm
There are less than two weeks to go for our
annual Blood Drive, sponsored by the Beth Emet Social Action Committee, along
with LifeSource. When you donate one pint of blood, you
save three lives! So don't delay and make your appointment now. Go to the
Blood
Drive page on the Beth Emet website. If you need further information about
the blood drive, email
Betsy Fuchs or call her at
773-338-8078. (return to the top)
RABBI PETER KNOBEL SPEAKS ON HIS RECENT TRIP TO
QATAR
Sunday, March 16 at 10:30 am
Rabbi Knobel will give a report on his
participation in the United States Islamic World Forum in Doha, Qatar during
February. The annual U.S.-Islamic World Forum, which was created in response to
9/11, is designed to bring together key leaders in the fields of politics,
business, media, academia, and civil society from across the Muslim world and
the United States. He has important observations to share on this remarkable
experience.
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FLUTE RECITAL TO BENEFIT INTERFAITH PARTNERSHIP
Tuesday, March 18 at 7:00 pm / Music Institute of Chicago – 1490 Chicago
Ave. Evanston (corner of Grove & Chicago Aves)
Beth Emet congregant Sandie Morgan will present a flute and piano recital
featuring the works of Bach, Martinu, Bloch and Schubert to benefit the
Interfaith Partnership Committee of Beth Emet and Artistic Circles. Artistic
Circles is a not-for-profit organization which discovers and presents the
artistic achievements of culturally diverse women to inform and entertain the
public. Sandie will be accompanied on piano by Andrea Swan. Donations will be
encouraged by those attending. Click
here for further information,
or you can contact
Mayta at ext. 306.
DOWNTOWN LUNCH WITH THE RABBI - Rabbi Knobel Reports on U.S.-Islamic World Forum in Doha
Qatar
Wednesday, March 19 from 12:00 to 1:30 pm
We are pleased to announce the resumption of the Beth Emet Downtown Speaker
Series with a lunch time presentation by Rabbi Peter Knobel. Having just
returned from the United States Islamic Forum in Doha Qatar, Rabbi Knobel will
report on the proceedings and reflect on the current state of Jewish/Islamic
relations and other related issues. This presentation will be held at the Sidley
Austin Conference Center, 38th Floor, One South Dearborn, starting at Noon and
promptly ending at 1:30. Lunch will be provided (Kosher). Please RSVP by sending
an email to office@bethemet.org or by phone to Jill at ext, 300. Since we are
just getting the series started, please feel free to forward this announcement
to any congregant that you think would be interested. We looking forward to a
great talk, an opportunity to visit and catch up with friends and colleagues,
and a strong turnout.
Downtown Speaker Series Committee: Jim Cahan, Louise Gross, Ross Bricker
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THIS YEAR'S PURIM CELEBRATION WILL GUARANTEE YOU LAUGH!
Thursday, March 20
Persian Feast at 6:00 pm, Megillah at 7:00 pm followed by Comedian, Scott
Blakeman
Are cold and snow getting you down? Mark your calendar— you will have a
great time and laugh hysterically at this year's 5768 Megillah reading followed
by renowned comic, Scott Blakemen. The evening's festivities begin with a
full fledge Persian Feast at 6:00 pm. What's a Persian Feast? You'll
have to sign up and find out. Adults are $12, children 13 and under are
free - please contact the office to
let them know you're coming. Immediately following dinner we will have a
Megillah reading followed by comedian,
Scott Blakeman, a standup who doesn't dumb down. His comedy is a warm,
likeable blend of progressive political and contemporary Jewish humor.
This is a Beth Emet Purim that you will not want to miss!
NETWORK SHABBAT DINNER - Green Zionism
Friday, March 21 following Kabbalat Shabbat
The guest speaker will be Ted Banks, Member of the National Board of
Directors of the Jewish National
Fund. He will speak on "Green Zionism: Environmental
Restoration & Sustainable Development." The cost will be $13 for members/$15 for
non-members, and children under 10 are free. Send your reservations and check to
The Network, c/o Beth Emet Synagogue.
THE PURIM CELEBRATION CONTINUES!
Sunday, March 23
At 10:30 am join us for a puppet show with Marilyn Price followed by
early entrance into the Purim Carnival.
At 11:15 am The Carnival kicks off for preschool kids. Children are
encouraged to come in costume!
From 12:00 until 2:00 pm The Carnival opens for all! They tried to kill
us, we won, let’s eat! So it goes for most Jewish Holidays…except on Purim. On
this special day, we not only eat, we throw a carnival! Come play, come frolic,
come moonwalk, just don’t stick your hand in the cotton candy machine. Bigger
kids: watch out for our magic show, Quarterback Challenge, or challenge your
friends and see who’s best at DDR. Cost is flexible but depends largely on the
amount of cotton candy you are willing to consume.
And...there will also be a raffle!
Are you tired of letting your kids have all the fun during Purim? Well, stick
around for the carnival this year and enter to win some fabulous prizes at our
Purim Raffle. Dinner at Lulu’s, a free family portrait sitting, and a dinner
party for 10 catered by a personal chef along with many other offerings are
available with good luck and deep pockets. Tickets are $3 a piece or 3 for $5.
Advance sales will be available after Megillah Reading on Thursday, March 20.
AMERICAN ZIONIST MOVEMENT CELEBRATES ISRAEL AT 60: The View From Jerusalem,
The View From America
Tuesday, March 25 at 7:30 pm
Join us for a festive evening when Elli Wohlgelernter will speak: “Until 120:
An Optimistic, Pessimistic and Realistic Vision of Israel’s Next 60 Years.” He
is a veteran journalist and television reporter for IBA English News in
Jerusalem. Also that evening the National AZM President, William Hess,
will speak: “Keeping American Zionism a Relevant and Robust Part of the Vision”. A reception
will follow. This event is open to the public, and there will be no solicitation
of funds. For more information, please contact the American Zionist Movement
Chicago Regional office at 847-677-5949.
SCHOLAR IN RESIDENCE: Grown Up and Jewish: When All Bets Are Off – Rabbi
Larry Hoffman
April 4-6 Rabbi Hoffman will be teaching us on Erev Shabbat, Shabbat Morning
and Afternoon, and on Sunday morning
Once upon a time, Jews lived predictably: we lived in Jewish clusters;
belonged to synagogues; married other Jews; and were passionate about Israel.
None of that is for certain any more. Ethnic memories are dying or dead;
intermarriage is rising; most congregants (who are baby-boomers) think
differently than most rabbis (who are their children). Join us for a weekend of
"Betwixt and Between," an exercise in thinking differently about the Jewish
future. Specific times and topics will be publicized soon...but save the dates
now. Rabbi Hoffman was ordained as a rabbi in 1969 and received his Ph.D.
in 1973. He has taught since then at the Hebrew Union College - Jewish
Institute of Religion, in New York City; for 30 years he has combined research,
classroom teaching, and a passion for the spiritual renewal of North American
Judaism.. Rabbi Hoffman is the author of numerous books on a variety of
Jewish subjects.
YOUR HELP IS APPRECIATED
Monday, April 7 from 4:45 until 7:00 pm at The Ark at 6450 N. California in
Chicago
The Social Action Committee is sponsoring an activity at the Ark Cafe. We
need your help in setting the tables, serving food, schmoozing with Cafe
patrons, clearing the tables and washing serving utensils. We really need your
assistance - please contact Barbara Berngard by
email or at 847 475-3577.
JOIN YOUR BETH EMET FRIENDS AT JUF’S ISRAEL 60th ANNIVERSARY GALA
Thursday, May 8 at 7:00 pm at McGaw Hall in Evanston – Sign up today so you
can sit with your friends from Beth Emet!
Celebrate this important milestone for Israel and the Jewish people right
here in Evanston with an all-star line-up including Nobel Laureate Eli Wiesel
and Israeli musician David Broza.
The event is free, but sign up NOW as space is limited. You can sign up
online. For more
information check out the website, or contact
Bekki Harris Kaplan.
We look forward to seeing you there!
ADULT CONNECTION RETREAT AT THE GRAND GENEVA IN WISCONSIN
Friday through Sunday, June 6 through 8
Make your plans now and reserve your spot! Rabbi Knobel will lead us in an
exploration of the profound psychological and theological issues which author
Shalom Auslander addresses in his books, Foreskin’s Lament which deals
with his Orthodox upbringing, and Beware of God which portrays God as a
severe judge who rewards and punishes. Study is combined with wonderful
opportunities to relax and reflect. Contact Bonnie at ext. 311 or by
email.
BETH EMET GENERAL NEWS
EXCITING ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES STARTING NOW!
We need you!! New wonderful classes are now offered. Some highlights: Marilyn Price
is offering two Monday evening sessions called Stories Wrapped in Prayer--
through March 10; Joyce Schrager is doing a series on Current
Politics, 1-2:30 Mondays, April 7 and May 5. And, if you're available
on Friday mornings, Barry Wimpfheimer, the newest of the bright professors in
NU's religion dept., is scheduled to teach a five-session class, Reading Rabbinic Stories,
beginning March 7. The teachers and topics are great, but what’s a class without
enthusiastic students? Please check out the
brochure to get
detailed information about these and other classes. And, please
register now!!
HELP SUPPORT THE SCHOOL AND THE ENVIRONMENT:
BUY RE-USEABLE SHOPPING BAGS—$3.00 EACH OR 4 FOR $10.00
Bags may be ordered through the School Office at ext. 308 or through
email. We will gladly accept cash,
check or bill your account.
NURSERY SCHOOL REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Do you know someone who is looking for a warm, nurturing, Jewish nursery
school? Look no further! The Beth Emet Early Childhood Program offers classes
for children 18 mos.- 4 years old, for the 2008-09 school year. We'd love
to show you our school and answer your questions. For more information, see our
website, call Kathy or Fran at
ext. 305 or email them.
WANT TO BE INFORMED OF CONGREGATIONAL BIRTHS AND DEATHS?
If you wish to be added to our email list serve informing our community of
births and deaths, please contact
Bonnie. Please let her know which email address you prefer. These important
emails include names of the members affected and other important information
such as time of the funeral service as well as Shiva information. As a
community, it’s important that we support each other in times of good news and
bad.
YOGA AT BETH EMET
Two yoga classes are being offered each week. Mondays at 7:00 pm. Andrea Lubershane Gardner, a Yoga Alliance E-RYT,
is teaching a class stressing
core body issues, including strength, digestion and weight loss. Thursdays at
4:30 pm. Julie Burstein Singer, RYT, teaches Hatha Yoga for parents/
caretakers/congregants during the Hebrew School hour. Please
contact
Mayta to register, ext. 306.
“JUST CONGREGATIONS” HAS GOOD NEWS TO REPORT
As you probably know, this new initiative begun in October is reaching out to
you, members of Beth Emet, to discuss your personal concerns like social justice
issues that are of primary concern to you. Since the end of December, more than
60 congregants have been interviewed by the members of the “Just Congregations”
committee. The interviewers are pleased that the one-on-one meetings are
progressing and that they have gathered much valuable information about what
matters to you. We are tabulating your responses so that “Just Congregations”
will foster congregation-based community organizing around common themes. Our
goal is to reach out to all willing to be interviewed. We believe that within
the next few months we will have collected a strong sampling of your concerns
and priorities. Many of you have said that you would like to be a part of the
”Just Congregations” movement at Beth Emet and there are several ways for you to
do so. You can take thirty to forty-five minutes of your time to be interviewed;
or, you can take a couple of hours to be trained to be an interviewer. You can
call either Emily Axelrod at 847-251-0433 or Patti Gerbie at 312-951-0687 and
let us know how you would like to participate. Also, you can send a quick
e-mail or when you are at Beth Emet, ask
for the sign-up sheet. We will then contact you.
“Just Congregations” is building momentum. With your cooperation we will succeed
in reaching out to all members of Beth Emet and we will build a true
congregational response.
GREAT MUSIC FOR A GREAT CAUSE!
Buy a CD and Benefit our Soup Kitchen - Now Available in our Gift Shop
Want to help the soup kitchen but haven’t been able to volunteer? Here is
another way to help! Two talented musicians have donated copies of their
professional studio CDs to Beth Emet. Proceeds from their sales in our Gift Shop
will go to our Soup Kitchen. Both musicians have donated their time and
entertained at the Beth Emet Soup Kitchen and now you can enjoy their music in
the comfort of your home. Sample
Jeff Mackevich’s funky jazz, bebop, and new age “Boytoy” CD and
Dave Luck’s incredible steel guitar
on his “Eddie Watches Flo” CD. Then come by the Gift Shop and purchase
great music for a great cause!
SOUP KITCHEN OPPORTUNITIES ESPECIALLY FOR BETH EMET MEMBERS
The Soup Kitchen has created more openings for Beth Emet members to participate
in cooking and serving, beginning in 2008. We have decided to limit the
participation of non-members in order to make room for more Beth Emet members to
volunteer. Reach us through email or ext. 333. Please be
sure to mention that you are a member of Beth Emet.
SOUP KITCHEN NEEDS FOOD FOR ITS STORAGE CLOSET
Large cans chicken broth, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans (no baked
beans), olive oil, breadcrumbs, croutons, salad dressing, peanut butter, jam or
jelly, potato chips (individual packs), juice boxes, granola and cereal bars,
canned fruit, marinara or other spaghetti sauce, minced garlic, Tabasco sauce,
parmesan cheese and mustard and ketchup.
THE GIFT SHOP CORNER
Make the Gift Shop your headquarters for Passover. We’ve got all you need
to create lovely and meaningful Seders for Passover. Come and see our new
selection of traditional and artistic Seder plates and matzah platters, as well
a variety of Haggadot to enrich your celebration. We’ve also got beautiful
Elijah and Miriam cups, horseradish and salt-water dishes, along with finger
puppets, “bag-o-plagues” and other items to keep youngsters engaged. Of course
we always have Shabbat candles, silver candlelbra, challah covers, mezzuzot and
tallitot, and gift items and for all kinds of celebrations. We look forward to
seeing you! Gift Shop Hours: Sundays: 9:30 am to Noon (when there is
Religious School), the 1st Friday of each month: 9 - 11 am, and by appointment:
847-933-9252.
COMMUNITY NEWS / LOOKING AHEAD
FORUM ON ISRAELI/PALESTINIAN PEACE PROSPECTS
Saturday, March 8 at 5:00 pm at Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation - 303
Dodge in Evanston
"2008: A Turning Point for Israeli/Palestinian Peace?" will feature leading
national activists Ghaith al-Omari, primary Palestinian drafter of the Geneva
peace initiative, and Steve Masters, president of Brit Tzedek v'Shalom. The
event is sponsored by Brit Tzedek v'Shalom the Jewish Alliance for Justice and
Peace, and co-sponsored by JRC, Beth Emet, and the North Suburban Peace
Initiative. For more information,
email.
HILLEL HALKIN TO SPEAK, "AFTER POST-ZIONISM: BUILDING THE ISRAEL THAT
COULD BE"
Wednesday, March 12 at 7:30 pm at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall
The Crown Family Center for Jewish Studies, Northwestern University and The
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago are pleased to invite you to attend
the 2008 Philip M. and Ethel Klutznick Lecture in Jewish Civilization, featuring renowned
journalist and author Hillel
Halkin. His topic is “After Post-Zionism: Building the Israel That Could Be”. Admission is free and there will be no solicitation of
funds. For reservations or more information call (312) 357-4675 or checkout
their invite online.
DO YOU HAVE A NOTICE TO INCLUDE IN EMET-MAIL?
The next deadline is Monday, March 17 at 9:00 a.m. Please send all submissions to
Ann. The wording/format should be
similar to what you find with each of these blurbs: Title, date & time info and
then text.
