Comprehensive Weekly Newsletter
Wednesday, December 15, 2021 / 11 Tevet 5782

First Two Mitzvah Appeal Events a Success… and Fun!
A Conversation and a Concert with Chicago Legend, Ronnie Rice

Thank you to all who have not only supported this year’s annual Mitzvah Appeal campaign, but joined together for two fun filled events this past Thursday and Saturday nights. Singing, fascinating stories, and even some (safe) dancing! A special thank you to Mark Caro and Mary Dixon, our local legends, who hosted each of the events.  

Your donation counts and will help us reach our goal of $250,000. Any new or increased gifts will be matched dollar for dollar! If you have not yet pledged and signed up for our next event with U.S. Representative, Jan Schakowsky on Sunday, January 9, here is your chance
Did You Know….
The Israel Committee sponsors and presents informative programs that include topics such as Israeli culture, politics, sports, societal issues and business? 

Find out more on our new website! 
Congregational Delegates needed for URJ Virtual Meeting
Sunday, January 9, 2022 from 3:00 - 4:30 pm- Sign up by Friday, December 17
Since its founding Beth Emet has been a member of the Union for Reform Judaism (formerly known as the Union of American Hebrew Congregations). Leadership of the URJ proposes amendments to the URJ Constitution and Bylaws, and the North American Board of the URJ has approved the Amendments.  Now, a special meeting of the URJ General Assembly is required to enact these changes. The Assembly is made up of representatives of the member congregations; Beth Emet is allotted eight delegates who are members in good standing.
Interested in representing Beth Emet? Please email Karen Isaacson by December 17.
In the BE Family
Send Us Your News!
Beth Emet has so many amazing members, each offering unique talents to the greater community. Share your news with all of us so we can both celebrate and get to know one another a bit better…. Especially during these (mostly) virtual times. Send your news to Bekki Kaplan, and if possible, please include a photo!
Introducing New Members:
Diane and Julian Breslow

We are Diane and Julian Breslow. We have lived in the Chicago area since our marriage in 1972. Although it’s taken us nearly 50 years to join Beth Emet, we have been familiar with BE through all these decades. We have always been aware of and drawn to BE's social justice core and its strong involvement in and love of Jewish music. Diane was raised a Reform Jew in St. Louis MO, and feels emotionally and philosophically at home in Reform Judaism. Julian was raised in NY in the Yiddishist/Workmen’s Circle community, and therefore likewise feels most comfortable in a progressive environment. Over the summer Diane and Julian moved from Streeterville to Evanston to be closer to our daughter Danielle Dodson, her husband Tavon, and the 2 jewels in the photo. Once settled in our new home, our first decision as Evanstonians was to join Beth Emet. We have attended High Holiday services and a number of Zoom classes and services. We look forward to connecting with fellow members and to further engaging in Synagogue life.
Congregational Opportunities
Conversations to Nourish Our Soul
Thursday, December 16 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 with Marci Dickman.
Zoom Link -Ph: 312-626-6799 - Meeting ID: 849 8369 2672 | Passcode: 1224
Dayenu Circle
Wednesday, December 22 at 7:30 pm
In 2022, do you want to get involved with Dayenu, a fast-growing Jewish advocacy group calling for bold climate action? Consider attending the next meeting of the newly launched Beth Emet Dayenu Circle. Be part of our planning process for the coming year and help increase our impact as Jewish voices come together through Dayenu Circles. Collectively, our circles from coast to coast will demand policies from our lawmakers that will get us on track for improving environmental health and justice for generations to come.
RSVP to Sharon Smaller.
Kabbalat Shabbat Babayit: Services, Movie & Chinese Food
Friday, December 24 at 6:30 pm
No In-Person Services
Welcome Shabbat from the comfort of your own home with this abbreviated Kabbalat Shabbat service.

Following services, in the wonderful tradition at this time of year of having Chinese food and watching a movie, heat up (or order) your favorite Chinese dinner, find your favorite cozy blanket, and settle down for a night of fun. We will be showing "Keeping the Faith," a movie about two friends, a priest and a rabbi, who fall in love with the same woman they knew in their youth, but the religious position of both men denies them romance.
Kabbalat Shabbat Babayit
Friday, December 31 at 6:30 pm
No In-Person Services
Welcome Shabbat from the comfort of your own home with this abbreviated Kabbalat Shabbat service.
Zoom Link-Ph: 312-626-6799 | Meeting ID: 853 5684 6772 | Passcode: 1224
Mitzvah Appeal Campaign:
DC 2022 Spotlight: Brunch with U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky
Sunday, January 9 at 10:00 am
Suggested Minimum Pledge: $36 per Zoom link.
Grab your bagel or your favorite brunch dish and Zoom in as Jan updates us about what is happening in the ever-changing political landscape in Washington. This is the final event in our Mitzvah Appeal 2021-2022 campaign.
Young Family Programs
Shabbat ShaZoom for Families with Young Children
Friday, December 17 at 6:00 pm
Please join us for 15 minutes on Zoom! We'll welcome Shabbat with Cantor Cotler, and together recite the blessings. Very short and sweet--a perfect way to begin Shabbat!
Zoom Link - Ph: 312-626-6799 - Meeting ID: 823 3296 2237 | Passcode: 1224
Winter Fun Fest for Young Children (0-5) and a Loving Adult
Sunday, December 19 from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Come in from the cold! Create a winter gift for our animal friends, a gift for your family and enjoy a story with Rabbi London. Masks and social distancing are expected.
Jamberry Music with Nicole Jaworski is Back at Beth Emet! Co-sponsored by JBaby
Tuesday, December 21 at 9:30 am
Nicole is back! 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. Class will be held on Zoom if conditions change. This program will continue through January 18 (with a break for the holidays) from 9:30-10:15 am at Beth Emet Synagogue.
The fee per family is $90.00. Please register here.
Gan Yom Rishon
Starting Sunday January 9 from
9:30 -11:00 am
Gan Yom Rishon is an interactive class for children ages 3-5, with a parent/caregiver, that meets on Sunday mornings in-person at Beth Emet this winter.

6 Sessions: January 9 - February 13.
4 Sessions: February 27, March 6, March 20, and March 27 (and the Purim Carnival on 3/13!)

Each week we’ll experience Judaism through music, art, cooking, and yoga. Gan Yom Rishon is also open to non-members. Register Here
Social Justice
Walk for Warmth is back!
Monday, January 17, 2022 at 11:00 am
Join Beth Emet’s team in support of Interfaith Action of Evanston’s third annual Walk for Warmth and help raise funds to support the Emergency Overnight Shelter and the Warming Centers. Interfaith Action has expanded its services, extending the dates for the overnight shelter and the hours for our Warming Center and we need your help to sustain these efforts. On MLK Day of Service 2022, we invite you to join us in the fight against homelessness and hunger in our community. Let’s carry on Dr. King’s legacy and continue his fight for economic, social, and racial justice. Teams will meet at the Hinman entrance of the First United Methodist Church, 516 Church St, Evanston, IL 60201 in Evanston, at 11:00 am to walk a two-mile circuit of eight of the IAE overnight shelter sites.

This is a family-friendly event and people of all ages are welcome to show their compassion by walking all or part of the route. To join Beth Emet’s team or to donate in support of our team, click here. In keeping with Beth Emet's COVID protocols, we will be wearing masks outside as well as inside.

Contact Leslie Shulruff at with any questions.
Lifelong Learning
Adult Education
No Class: A Close Look at Torah with Rabbi Andrea London
Class will not be held on Fridays, December 17, 24, or 31. They will resume on January 7, 2022.
Community Programs
Special Early Childhood Incentive
For the 2022–23 school year, JUF Right Start is expanding its existing incentive program to provide additional dollars for families receiving the full Child Tax Credit. Families who qualify could save up to $7,200 on a Jewish early childhood program. Learn more here.
Bringing In 2022 With You!
Sunday, January 2 from 1:00-3:00 pm
Bernard Weinger JCC in Northbrook
Celebrate the new year with your family at Bernard Weinger JCC. Round out your winter break in style with s’mores, indoor games, swimming and a flick n’ float (watch cartoons while floating in the pool!) This FREE program is for ages 5 and up.
Save The Date: The Big Bold Jewish Climate Fest
January 10-14, 2022
The 2022 Big Bold Jewish Climate Fest will be centered around investing in solutions – focusing on how our values can be expressed through our personal, professional, communal, organizational and societal investments – and shifting away from systems, practices and ways of thinking that perpetuate climate destruction and inequity. This year’s Festival is full of practical and informative workshops on how each person in the Jewish community can take action for our climate. Sessions will be on Zoom, streaming on Facebook, and Instagram Live. Follow our social channels below to get updates, access to archives and much more. You can find more info about the Big Bold Jewish Climate Fest at www.jewishclimatefest.org. More details, including the full schedule of Festival programming, will be coming to your inbox soon!