Tuesday, May 15 | 1Sivan 5778

Greetings!

Personal confession: I get attached to places. As a kid I would say “thank you” to hotel rooms as we were leaving, and yes, it was a family ritual. The past few weeks the staff has been very busy packing or clearing items from the Sanctuary, Crown Room, Foyer, and Library, as well as cleaning the Weiner Room for additional construction and storage of main floor items. It’s certainly bittersweet as each room begins to feel emptier, but the memories hold strong and will be carried to the newly renovated space that will truly transform how we will worship, learn, and engage as a community. 

Next Monday, May 21, construction begins at Beth Emet. This is a significant moment to celebrate as we were able to raise the necessary funds to complete phase one, and we will begin to see the fruits of our labor move from detailed drawings and concepts to the real thing. Words alone cannot express how grateful I am to those who have committed their leadership, their vision, and their expertise over the past number of years to get us to this point, and equally, to all those who have committed with generous donations to help us complete the first phase of building renovations. We’ve raised more than $4.9 million to date, and we have more to raise to complete phase two – the west entrance and additional renovated spaces. If you have not yet had an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the renovation plans, you can find the schematic drawings and an FAQ online. 

What is happening with services and programs while in construction, you ask? Beginning Friday, June 1, we will be holding worship services at the Unitarian Church of Evanston (1330 Ridge; Evanston). Same worship schedule through the end of the summer (final date to be determined). Beginning Wednesday, May 23 the Soup Kitchen will move their operations to the Unitarian Church. Some programs and classes with larger attendance will also meet at the Church, including David Zarefsky’s class, Current Politics, on Tuesday, June 12. Watch EmetMail or the online calendar for more details.   

Our congregation has reached a significant milestone as we close our current Sanctuary and start construction, and I hope you will commemorate this moment this Friday, May 18 ^, during the Ceremonial Groundbreaking celebration followed by Kabbalat Shabbat Services (please note, festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. and Services are at 6:30 p.m.). This is truly a community moment in the life of our congregation – each of us have cherished memories in this space that should be preserved, and maybe, like me, you just want to say “thank you” to the Sanctuary, one last time.

I look forward to celebrating with you this Friday, and if you have questions about the building renovations or the Capital Campaign, please be in touch.

L’Shalom,

Bekki Kaplan

Executive Director 

Groundbreaking Ceremony followed by Kabbalat Shabbat Service

Friday, May 18 beginning at 5:00 p.m. with Hors d'oeuvres | 6:00 p.m. Groundbreaking Ceremony | 6:30 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat Services

After many, many months we have finally reached the important milestone of breaking ground. Celebrate the last Kabbalat Shabbat in the 'old' Sanctuary and share in the joy of a ceremonial groundbreaking! Write your name on one of the designated walls for posterity and take a last peek before we do significant remodeling. There will be new seating, an improved sound system, and so much more come September. Beth Emet's Jr. Choir and Band will also be participating in the Kabbalat Shabbat Service.

Construction Starts May 21! Shabbat Services and Soup Kitchen moving to Unitarian Church of Evanston

On Monday, May 21, phase one of Beth Emet's renovation will begin including the Sanctuary, Hansfield Chapel, Herman Crown Room, and the Foyer/Library. If you have not yet seen the plans, you can find them online. We are on track to have the project done by August 31, which is the start of the High Holidays with S’lichot on Saturday evening, September 1. 

On the Shabbat of Memorial Day weekend, May 25-26, we will have services in the Weiner Room. Soup Kitchen will begin serving at Unitarian Church on Wednesday, May 23.  From June 1-August 31 , Shabbat services, b’nei mitzvah and the weekly soup kitchen will be held at the Unitarian Church ( 1330 Ridge; Evanston), just one block north of Beth Emet.  Current Politics with David Zarefsky on June 12 at 7:30 p.m. will also be held at Unitarian. Parking is available at the church as well as at Beth Emet. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to be in touch with Bekki Kaplan or call her at 847-869-4230 ext. 304.

To learn more about the upcoming building renovations and the Capital Campaign, please check out the FAQ ’s on Beth Emet’s website. Indeed the T’RUMAH campaign truly honors, strengthens and elevates our community!  

Tikkun Leil Shavuot with One Jewish Evanston

This Saturday, May 19 at 7:00 p.m. at Beth Emet

Shavuot, is a Hebrew word meaning "weeks" and refers to the Jewish festival marking the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. To celebrate the holiday, we join forces with six other Jewish communities in Evanston for a night of worship and learning. The evening will feature, in addition to Shavuot evening services, a Tikkun Leil Shavuot (a series of learning sessions) to include: "Who Knows Ten? Encountering Those Fundamental Commandments/Utterances/Things;" and text study with Rabbi Michael Balinsky and Rabbi Allan Kensky. View the schedule for the evening.  Advance registration required.

Shavuot Morning Service including Yizkor

Sunday, May 20 at 10:00 a.m. (Babysitting available)

Tot Shabbat and Kiddush

ThisSaturday, May 19 at 9:00 a.m.

This lively 30-minute service is geared toward children under five years old and their parents, grandparents, or caregivers. Together we sing, dance with the Torahs, and enjoy a story. Afterwards, everyone gathers for lox and bagel brunch where the children can play and the parents can schmooze.

Nava Tehila Comes to Evanston!

Sunday, May 27 at 7:00 p.m. at Heartwood Center (1818 Dempster, Evanston)

Beth Emet is co-sponsoring with OROT a concert with Jerusalem-based musical group Nava Tehila. We know them best for their melody of Oseh Shalom that we sing at Beth Emet (see video clip below). Nava Tehila composes and performs original and traditional music that draws on verses from Jewish sources, liturgical poems, and Israeli and world poetry, to create a moving and spiritually uplifting experience. Their music spans western and eastern influences into a delightful mix. $10/$8 for members of Beth Emet/$5 child 12 and under. Tickets and more information.

Register for Early Childhood and Camp Kayitz

We are delighted to invite you to learn more about our Early Childhood Program for the 2018-19 school year. Enrollment for 2018-19, and Camp Kayitz 2018, is now open to the general community. Registration forms are online now.

We are now scheduling individual tours for prospective parents during the school day. Please email Kathy or call 847-869-4230 ext. 305 to schedule your visit and learn more about our program offerings and Camp Kayitz for summer 2018.

Beth Emet Social Action Committee Seeking Donations and Volunteers for Refugee Families

In partnership with Rohingya Cultural Center, volunteers are needed to work with moms and kids one or two mornings a week (Tu/Th starting June 19), in the new "First Steps" program teaching parenting skills, English, school preparation. For more details contact Jessie Macdonald.

Equipment and toys are also needed for this program. Visit Rohingya's wishlist on amazon.com.

Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

Protect DREAMers from Deportation

Support the Johnson Amendment

Urge Congress to take immediate action to stop gun violence

Upcoming Adult Education Courses

Thinking about learning something new? Seeking a bit more in your life? Take an enriching course!

Can't We All Just Get Along?

with Rabbi Peter Knobel

Friday, May 18, 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Current Politics

with David Zarefsky

Tuesday, June 12 | 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Unitarian Church of Evanston (1330 Ridge, Evanston)

See more upcoming courses

You can register by clicking here and you will be directed to a form. Please fill in your birth date (including the slashes between the numbers i.e. 01/01/2017) and your zip code. This will open up a pre-filled form specifically for you to register on. If we do not have your birth date and zip code on file, please contact Eric or 847-869-4230 ext. 308.

The Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute’s Annual Community Conference

Sunday, June 3 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Roycemore School (1200 Davis, Evanston)

This year's theme, "Older Adult Mental Health: Opportunities and Challenges" presents the growing awareness of the impact of mental health in the aging process. Many of us are looking for ways to better integrate our physical, spiritual and mental health. This year’s conference will prove very helpful in guiding us through the process. After the opening plenary, each participant will have the opportunity to select two discussion groups, including one on Spirituality and Aging led by Rabbi Andrea London and Sue Nadel.

All are invited to attend, including those of us who define ourselves as older adults, family members and friends of older adults, caregivers, general members of the community as well as mental health professionals. Social workers, professional counselors and addiction counselors can all earn continuing education units (CEUs) for their participation. As always, lunch will be provided. Scholarships are available for individuals who would like to attend but would find the $40 registration fee a burden. For scholarships, individuals can email or call Kate Mahoney or (847) 702-4126.

Birth

Tali Gillian

daughter of Danny and Mari Greenberger. Grandparents are Rosalie and Paul Greenberger.

B'nei Mitzvah

Gabe Rosen

son of Maryl Rosen and Lisa Simone

May 19

Deaths

Jeffrey Steinberg

brother of Patti (Mel) Gerbie and uncle of Jonathan (Amy Hickory) Gerbie

Linda Pence

mother of Jane Pence (Doug Masters), and grandmother of Adam and Julia Masters

George Rosenbaum

 husband of Dorothy Rosenbaum, and father of David, Julie, and Larry Rosenbaum

Rabbi Aaron Panken

president of the Hebrew Union College - the Reform Movement seminary

Park School Fundraiser Donations & Fun Fest on May 18.