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Creating Beth Emet Community Together
Tuesday, April 18 | 27 Nisan 5783
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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
Can We Count You In? 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, in-person, as a community to enjoy a festive evening of a delicious catered Israeli-style dinner, uplifting music (and even dancing!) featuring Shakshuka. Dinner and live music cost: $18 per person. RSVP in advance.
Shakshuka is a Chicago-based band performing their unique brand of Israeli and Sephardic music spiced with jazz. "Shakshuka" is also the name of a Sephardic/Israeli food that is an eclectic and zesty blend of spices, tomatoes and eggs, and an appropriate metaphor for the band. Like the food, Shakshuka’s music is a fusion of Israeli, Sephardic, and Mizrahi elements, as it incorporates spicy musical accents of jazz, Latin and rock. The result is a satisfying musical dish for all ages and tastes.
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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
Tomorrow (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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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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One Book, One Congregation | |
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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, advanced registration is required.
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Mark Your Calendar!
- Discussion with Rabbi London on Chapter 8 on Sunday, May 7 at 11:00 am
- 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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BE Connected
Weekly Calendar
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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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Celebrating Earth Day/Month Events
City of Evanston Events: Celebrate Earth Month in Evanston
Listen to the Language of the Trees Book Walk at the Evanston Ecology Center! Read the 2022 Blueberry Winner Listen to the Language of the Trees: A Story of How Forests Communicate Underground by Tera Kelley OUTDOORS at the Evanston Ecology Center. Available now through the end of May. 2024 N McCormick Blvd: More Information.
Alliance for the Great Lakes Beach Clean Up:
• Evanston Lee Beach - 4/22/23 at 9:00 am
• Evanston Lighthouse Beach - 4/22/23 at 9:00 am
• Evanston South Boulevard Beach - 4/23/23 at 1:00 pm
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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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Dayenu Circle Monthly Meeting
7:30 pm | Virtual
Calling on all those concerned about climate change. We will be focusing on our zero-waste initiative at this meeting and starting to think about our goals for the fall. Also, we will be having a listening session for RAC-IL.
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BE Involved
Volunteer Opportunities
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Shiva Minyan Leader Training with Rabbi London
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. One way to serve is by being a part of a volunteer corp of Shiva Minyan leaders. If you read Hebrew and are 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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Unite Against Racism (Formerly Stand Against Racism) with YWCA Evanston/NorthShore
Thursday, April 27 |10:15 am | In-Person
Beth Emet is joining this effort with members of Evanston schools, churches and organizations, lining Ridge Avenue with signs and noisemakers and drawing the attention of passing vehicles and pedestrians. Our objective: to raise awareness of institutional and structural racism and the fact that Beth Emet stands against such injustice. Click the link above to download signs and find out more information.
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Soup Kitchen Help Needed in May/June
The Rabbi Peter and Elaine Knobel Soup Kitchen at Beth Emet is currently seeking volunteers for several Wednesday evenings in May and June. Onsite volunteers work a 4:15 - 7:00 pm shift, cooking and serving the dinner. They also purchase and bring certain ingredients used in the meal preparation. For open dates and more information, please email.
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Upcoming Congregational Opportunities | |
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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.
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A Discussion of Ken Burns' Film, “The US and the Holocaust” Led by Dr. Elliot Lefkovitz
Wednesday, May 10 | 7:00 pm | In-Person and Virtual
The 2022 documentary by Ken Burns raises significant concerns relevant to our time. We will first review the film itself, including the myths about the Holocaust and America’s response to it, which the film seeks to dispel. The discussion will then turn to American Jewry’s response to the Shoah, FDR’s reaction to this genocidal catastrophe, and whether or not the U.S. should have bombed Auschwitz.
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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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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. | | | | | | |
