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Creating Beth Emet Community Together
Tuesday, April 11 |20 Nisan 5783
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Beth Emet Offices will be Closed for the Last Day of Passover
Today, Tuesday, April 11, the offices will be closing at 3:00 pm. The offices will be closed tomorrow Wednesday, April 12.
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Beit Sefer Closed
No Beit Sefer on Thursday, April 13 for Spring/Passover Break. Looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday, April 16!
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The colorful, folk-art style of mural decoration popular in European synagogue interiors in the 18th and 19th centuries exists in only a handful of places today, including the Chai Adam mural in Burlington, Vermont, painted in 1910 by Ben Zion Black, a Lithuanian immigrant to Vermont. Aaron and Jeff will share their historical research and the journey of the Lost Mural. They will discuss the origins of the Burlington, Vermont Jewish Community, its connections to the Lost Mural, and the efforts to preserve, restore, and educate the public about the lost genre of wooden synagogue art.
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Celebrate Israel's 75th Anniversary | |
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A Brief History of Music in Israel 1948-2023 with Cantor Cotler
Wednesday, April 19 | 7:00 pm | In-Person and Virtual
Explore Israel’s diverse musical talent, their influences, and achievements with Cantor Cotler. From classical music to psychedelic electronica, learn how Israel’s music scene evolved over the last few decades. Whether you know nothing about Israeli music or are a seasoned aficionado, there’s bound to be something for everyone in this eclectic presentation.
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Israel at 75: How Far We've Come, What We Must Do with Gershom Gorenberg
Thursday, April 20 | 7:30 pm | In-person at Beth Emet and Virtual
Israel’s creation was a revolution in Jewish life. The country has undergone more transformations since and needs to choose between radically different paths for its future. On a crucial anniversary, Israeli historian and journalist Gershom Gorenberg looks at how far the country has come, and what it must do next.
He is currently a senior correspondent for The American Prospect, a monthly American political magazine and has written for The Atlantic Monthly and The New York Times Magazine. Read his full biography here.
This event is co-sponsored by Beth Emet The Free Synagogue, Temple Beth Israel, Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, Congregation Hakafa, and Congregation Sukkat Shalom.
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Kabbalat Shabbat Service and Dinner
Celebrating Israel's 75th Anniversary
Friday, April 28 | 6:00 pm
This will be a memorable evening you won't want to miss! Register for the dinner today!
A special sponsored Oneg Shabbat celebrating Israel's 75th Anniversary starts at 6:00 pm in the lobby prior to services. Kabbalat Shabbat service begins at 6:30 pm, both in-person and virtual.
Following services, come together as a community to enjoy in person a festive evening of a delicious catered Israeli-style dinner, uplifting music (and even dancing!) featuring Shakshuka, a well-known Chicago-based band performing their own unique, contemporary style of Israeli and Sephardic music spiced with jazz. Dinner and live music cost: $18 per person. RSVP in advance.
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18th Annual Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema
Saturday, April 29 - Sunday, May 9
Award-winning features, documentaries, shorts, and TV series made in Israel sharing what Israelis are thinking and doing; how they feel about each other and their neighbors; deeper dives into the foodie, music, and club culture; and what’s “in” and “out.”
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BE Connected
Weekly Calendar
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Qigong with Netiva Caftori
10:00 am | Virtual on Zoom
Our very own Netiva Caftori invites us to experience the healing practice of Qigong with her. Qigong is a millennia-old system of coordinated body posture and movement, breathing, and meditation used for health and spirituality.
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A Close Look at Torah with Rabbi Andrea London
9:30 am | In-Person and Virtual
There are many ways to interpret Torah and its nuances of meaning that are often overlooked. We will continue our learning, reading, and interpreting the text of the Book of Deuteronomy line by line. New learners are always welcome.
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Board of Trustees Meeting
7:00 pm | Virtual
If you are interested in attending the meeting, please reach out to Geoff Prass for the password-protected Zoom link. This is done for security purposes.
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Conversations to Nourish Our Souls with Marci Dickman
7:15 pm | Virtual
Perhaps you are seeking an honest conversation about making meaning in life and what really matters. Maybe you know what you do not believe but are still hungry or wanting something more spiritual. We will use the prayerbook, poetry, prose, 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.
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Jamberry Music with Nicole Jaworski! Co-sponsored by JBaby
9:30 am | In-Person
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! This program will take place through May 16. The fee per family is $60 (one child), $90 (two children).
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Tuesday, April 18 is Yom HaShoah- Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Please Mark Your Calendar for Wednesday, May 10 at 7:00 pm. " A Discussion of Ken Burns Film “The US and The Holocaust” Led by Dr. Elliot Lefkovitz"
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BE Involved
Volunteer Opportunities
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Donate to Garinim's Drive for Orphans of the Storm
Drop Off on Sunday, April 16 from 9:00-9:30 am or 12:00-12:30 pm
The students are collecting food and pet supplies for the shelter. Some of the items needed are dry dog food and treats, yogurt, graham crackers, pumpkin puree, apple juice, rags, socks, and empty water bottles. For a complete list of items needed click here.
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Shiva Minyan Leader Training
Sunday, April 23 | 11:00 am | In-Person
Performing the mitzvah of comforting the bereaved is one of the highest honors a person can do for another in our community. And one way in which to serve is by being a part of a volunteer corp of Shiva Minyan leaders. If you read Hebrew and interested in leading a short minyan, contact Bekki Kaplan. Whether you can do it once every so often or more frequently, consider being a part of this invaluable service to the community. Training will be provided, and the support of other wonderful Shiva Minyan leaders is invaluable. Please RSVP to Bekki Kaplan.
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Congregational Announcements | |
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Missed a Program?
When possible, we record our programs for those who were unable to participate. When recordings are available for adult programming, you can find them on the calendar event and on the website.
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Upcoming Congregational Opportunities | |
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Here All Along Discussion with Rabbi London on Chapter 7: Giving Shabbat a Chance
Sunday, April 23 | 9:45 am | In-Person
This year the Beth Emet community is reading the book, Here All Along by Sarah Hurwitz. Rabbi London will lead a conversation about a section of the book. This is a wonderful opportunity to contemplate questions about Judaism and explore Jewish identity. The book is accessible and thought-provoking.
Books and bookmarks are available in the front office for anyone who would like one. Babysitting will be provided. Pre-registration requested
Mark Your Calendar!
Sarah Hurwitz Visits Beth Emet on Monday, May 15 at 7:00 pm
The One Book, One Congregation programs are generously sponsored by the Judith F. Krug Fund, David and Florence Fingeret Fund, Solomon and Lillian Krug Fund, and the JELLO (Jewish Education: Lifelong Learning Opportunities) Funds in the Beth Emet Foundation.
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In honor of Earth Day, the Dayenu Circle is hosting a film presentation and discussion of "Waste," one episode of the eco-documentary series "Down to Earth."
"Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" What exactly do those words mean and how do they affect you, your family and home, and your community? Along with Beit Sefer students in grades 5 and 6, begin answering this question for yourself and your family. In a fun and educational half-hour film, actor Zac Efron and sidekick wellness expert Darin Olien look at these facts and explore environmentally healthy and sustainable ways to live.
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Laundering Antisemitism: Jews, Identity Politics and the University with Professor Marc Dollinger
Thursday, April 27 | 7:30 pm | Virtual
Professor Dollinger will talk about what it’s like to be called a left-wing Jew while fighting antisemitism on a right-wing campus, only to be called a right-wing Zionist when he fought antisemitism on a left-wing campus. Learn about two campus antisemitism fights and important insights into the role of the university, the place of identified Jews on campus, and the ways in which identity politics plays out in sometimes surprising ways.
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Violins of Hope for Beit Sefer Students and Parents
Sunday, April 30 | 11:30 am | In-Person and Virtual
In conjunction with the JCC Chicago, the Violins of Hope, a collection of 70 string instruments played by Jewish musicians before and during the Holocaust that have been painstakingly restored will be played in a performance for our congregation and our students in Beit Sefer.
Mark Your Calendars:
Kabbalat Shabbat Services with Violins of Hope on Friday, May 5
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Current COVID Protocols: Masks are recommended, but not required. We ask that whenever you are in the building, we each continue to respect one another’s personal space and comfort levels. Everyone must still have the most recent booster shot they are eligible for. | | | | | | |
