Comprehensive Weekly Newsletter |
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Wednesday, April 13, 2022 / 12 Nisan 5782 |
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Beth Emet Offices are Closed in Preparation for Passover
Friday, April 15
For emergencies, please call the main number (847-869-4230), and press 4. We look forward to connecting when the offices reopen on Monday, April 18.
Kabbalat Shabbat Services this Friday will be pre-recorded. See below for more details.
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A Celebration of Our Staff and Honoring Rabbi Andrea London's 25 Years in the Rabbinate
Friday, May 6
6:00 pm Services
7:30 pm Festive Shabbat Dinner
*Please note that times have changed since our recent postcard was sent*
Join in our community celebration to say thank you to our staff for their creativity, flexibility and resilience over these last many months and for all they did and continue to do to keep our synagogue strong and vibrant during these challenging times. In addition, we will be celebrating and commemorating Rabbi London's 25 years as a rabbi, leading Beth Emet for 22 years with spiritual wisdom, a commitment to social justice, and deep engagement in all aspects of congregational life. Services will include a guest D'var Torah by Rabbi David Jaffe, known for his application of spiritual practices for personal growth. Following services, we will have a festive (and fun!) Shabbat dinner. As always, we will be adhering to the current COVID and safety protocols.
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The Passover Food Drive for the ARK Was a Success!
The Tzedakah Committee is happy to report that the synagogue's Passover food drive for the benefit of the ARK of Chicago clients was very successful. We collected 72 bags of groceries from congregants who dropped off their contributions at the synagogue throughout the past week and from members of the general public who purchased food for the drive at Mariano's last Sunday. Some shoppers also demonstrated their interest in the food drive by donating $214 to the ARK.
We extend a special thank you to Neal Shanoff, whose energy and determination contributed to the success of the food drive and to Rabbi Memis-Foler for her ideas and inspiration. We are also grateful to Rabbi London and Lee Weintraub (President) for their support and participation as well as to the following: Barry Isaacson, Helayne Levin, Fay Lipschultz, Jackie Berman, Phyllis Shanoff, Ted Goldsmith, and Gina Speckman.
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Seeking Two Seats at a Passover Seder
As we begin our Seder, we recite, “(l)et all who are hungry come and eat.” By inviting a stranger to our Seder tables, we give people a place to belong, and open ourselves to new relationships and new conversations. If you happen to have availability for an older couple, please contact Bekki Kaplan today! |
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Have a Favorite Passover Recipe to Share? Looking for Some Inspiration Before You Head to the Grocery Store?
Checkout the Beth Emet Passover Cookbook! It’s full of great recipes and new dishes to add to your seder and yummy treats to make throughout the holiday! The best part of this cookbook – it’s yours to explore and add! You can read it here or submit your favorite recipes here.
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A Pre-Recorded Brief Kabbalat Shabbat Service Will Be Shared
Friday, April 15
To mark the first night of Passover we will have a pre-recorded Kabbalat Shabbat service. This service will be accessible here on Friday afternoon .
Passover First Day Festival Morning Service
Saturday, April 16 at 9:30 am
In-Person and Virtual (fusion worship)
Pre-registration is not required, just come!! Just be sure to wear a mask and have your vaccination information on file. (If you haven’t already provided the details, submit all vaccination and booster information here.)
Zoom Link- Ph: 312-626-6799 - Meeting ID: 813 2237 5514 | Passcode: 1224
Last Day Passover Festival Morning Services including Yizkor (Memorial)
Friday, April 22 at 10:00 am
In-Person and Virtual (fusion worship)
Zoom Link - Ph: 312-626-6799- Meeting ID: 813 2237 5514 / Passcode: 1224
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Passover Climate Action with the Dayenu Circle- Big Banks: Stop Funding Fossil Fuels!
Wednesday, April 20 at 4:30 pm
During the weeks around Passover, Jews and allies will gather outside the branches and offices of the banks and asset managers that exacerbate the climate crisis by investing their money in Fossil Fuel Pharaohs: oil, gas, and coal companies. We will publicly proclaim today’s fossil-fueled plagues, and lift up matzah as a symbol of urgency, calling on these financial institutions to move their dough.
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Beth Emet Celebrates Earth Day
Earth Day Mini- Eco Info Fair Before Shabbat Services
Friday, April 22 at 6:00 pm
Come just a little early to the Climate Action Shabbat to browse the info tables in the lobby.
Earth Day Climate Action Shabbat with State Senator Laura Fine
Friday, April 22 at 6:30 pm
This special Shabbat service, spearheaded by Beth Emet’s Dayenu Circle, will focus on our Jewish values, which guide us in the fight against climate change and other environmental challenges. Guest d'var Torah by State Senator Laura Fine, who will be speaking about the intersection of climate and mental health. With environmental focused melodies by Cantor Cotler and meditation by Rabbi Memis-Foler, this is sure to be a great night!
Cleaning up our Community
Sunday, April 24 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Our Earth Day activities continue outdoors with a litter clean-up at the Northshore Channel along McCormick between Dempster and Church in Skokie.
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A Case for Reparations with Mayor Daniel Biss and Robin Rue Simmons
Sunday, April 24 at 4:00 pm
Temple Jeremiah invites all to attend this important event. Evanston Mayor, Daniel Biss, will highlight this discussion with his personal experience as the grandson of Holocaust survivors to explain how this should concern us as Jews in present-day U.S. He and former councilwoman, Robin Rue Simmons, will discuss the passage of the nation’s first reparations bill.
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Want to Get More Involved? Looking for Ways to Connect?
Volunteering as a member of the community is not only good, but it’s a place to connect to our shared Jewish values and build relationships. Check out the following opportunities, and if you have any questions or wish to learn more, contact Bekki Kaplan.
Drop Off Bags to Members
Interested in making deliveries? Want to connect with other members? We are looking for volunteers to drop off yahrzeit bags or Beth Emet gifts bags to members. To learn more, contact Bekki Kaplan.
Support an Afghan Refugee Family
The family continues to need help with English practice, such as learning letters, numbers, and American money, or rides for shopping and appointments. Contact Alison Finkel or Rosalie Greenberger.
Beth Emet Dayenu Circle
Don't miss Climate Shabbat for Earth Day, Friday, April 22, and the litter- cleanup on April 24. See above for more information. Contact Sharon Smaller to help with Friday night or Sunday afternoon events. |
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*Cancelled* A Close Look at Torah with Rabbi Andrea London
Friday, April 15 and 22
A Close Look at Torah will not be meeting this week or next week due to Passover.
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Conversations to Nourish Our Soul with Marci Dickman
Wednesday, April 20 at 7:15 pm
Explore your spirituality or connection to the Mystery or the Divine in the world. We will use the prayerbook, poetry, and ourselves as our texts, aiming to deepen our connections and discern meaningful paths in our daily lives. Our tools will include mindfulness practices, journaling, questioning, and conversation. Doubting God’s existence? Come explore.
This session was postponed from the original date of Thursday, March 24
Zoom Link - Ph: 312-626-6799 - Meeting ID: 899 1780 5739 | Passcode: 1224
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Which Son Was It? Islam and the Sacrifice of Ishmael / Judaism and the Binding of Isaac with David Gottlieb
Fridays, April 29 and May 6 at 11:00 am
Islam and Judaism both claim the supreme sacrifice for the eldest sons of their respective traditions. We’ll look at similarities and differences between the quranic and biblical tellings of the story and how they developed over time. We’ll reflect on the significance of those differences for Jewish-Islamic relations.
Member fee $25, or included in Friday morning package; non-member fee $35
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Young Family Meet-Up at Bent Park
Sunday April 17 at 10:00 am
Let's hang out together. Come with your kids and we’ll schmooze, play and meet new folks. The event will be cancelled if it’s pouring rain.
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Jamberry Music with Nicole Jaworski! Co-sponsored by JBaby
Tuesday, April 19 at 9:30 am
Join us for joyful, collaborative music making with Nicole Jaworski and Jamberry Music! In this class, you and your little one will bond with each other and make new friends while we sing, dance, play, pretend and experiment with instruments. Class is geared to kids 6 months to 2.5 years old and siblings are welcome to join! Masks for everyone 2+, and social distancing, will be expected. This program will take place from April 12 -May 17 at Beth Emet The Free Synagogue
The fee per family is $90.00
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Young Family Havdallah and Painting Party!
Saturday, April 23 from 4:30-6:00 pm at Beth Emet
Co-sponsored by PJ Library. Say goodbye to Shabbat with songs, stories, and pillowcase painting! Each child decorates a pillowcase and we all sing and hear stories together. This event is always lots of fun! Register Here
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