Creating Beth Emet Community Together


Tuesday, April 4 | 13 Nisan 5783

See this email as a full webpage by clicking here.

For more information about a specific program or blurb, click on the headline or check out the Beth Emet website.

In observance of the Passover holiday, we will not be sending a Shabbat Newsletter on Thursday, April 6.

In case you missed the Passover Resource email that was sent on Sunday, click here. Please see below for the upcoming worship information.

Highlights

Beit Sefer Closed

No Beit Sefer through April 13 for Spring/Passover Break.

Beth Emet Offices will be Closed for Passover

On Wednesday, April 5, the offices will be closing at noon. The offices will be closed on Thursday, April 6; Friday, April 7; and Wednesday, April 12.

Missed Friday Night's D'var Torah by Rabbi Arik Ascherman?

Rabbi Arik Ascherman from Torat Tzedek spoke about the message of Passover, human rights in Israel and the current struggle for democracy.

Celebrate Israel's 75th Anniversary

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.

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.

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!


A special Oneg Shabbat continues our celebration of Israel's 75th Anniversary 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.

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.” 

BE Connected
Weekly Calendar
Full Calendar with Links
Program Registration 

Thursday, April 6

Passover First Day Festival Morning Service

10:00 am | In-Person and Virtual

Friday, April 7

*Cancelled* A Close Look at Torah with Rabbi Andrea London

A Close Look at Torah will not be meeting this week. Have a wonderful and meaningful Passover.

Shabbat Babayit: Kabbalat Shabbat Service at Home with April Birthday Blessings

6:30 pm | Virtual on Zoom Only

We will be offering a birthday blessing to all our April birthdays! Here's a list of all those who are celebrating!

Saturday, April 8

Kahal Shabbat Morning Service

9:30 am | In-Person and Virtual

Sunday, April 9


No Beit Sefer through April 13 for Spring/Passover Break.

Sunday Morning Minyan

9:00 am | Virtual on Zoom Only

First-timers are encouraged!

Wednesday, April 12

Last Day of Passover Festival Morning Service (Includes Yizkor)

Wednesday, April 12 | 10:00 am | In-Person and Virtual

Have you liked us on Facebook and Instagram? Check us Out?!

LifeCycles

Want to receive lifecycle notices for all births, weddings & death announcements?  


You can sign up for the mailing list through MyBethEmet (our member portal) on your individual page or contact Miriam.


Consider making a donation to Beth Emet in honor of someone special or to honor the memory of a loved one on their yahrzeit. A notification will be sent. Questions? Contact the office. 

Donate

BE Involved

Volunteer Opportunities

Donate to Garinim's Drive for Orphans of the Storm

Drop Off on Sunday, April 16 from 9-9:30 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.

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.

Congregational Announcements

The Green Maven- Eating for the Earth: The Benefits of Consuming a Plant-based Diet

March's Blogpost by The Dayenu Circle

This month’s The Green Maven, offers a series of YouTube videos to kick off an educational series on various strategies for living greener. Sharon Smaller, chair of the Beth Emet Dayenu Circle, interviews Martha Meyer, who is a longtime vegan or as she puts it, "mostly vegan.

Interested in a Course on Reparations?

As many of you know we ran a very successful 4-part course on Reparations this past fall. We are curious if there is interest to run this course again later this year. Please complete this 2-question survey so we can find out!

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.

Upcoming Congregational Opportunities

Jamberry Music with Nicole Jaworski! Co-sponsored by JBaby

Starting Tuesday, April 11 | 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 from April 11 -May 16. The fee per family is $60 (one child), $90 (two children).

Kabbalat Shabbat Service Honoring Zoom Kabbalat Mitzvah Students

Friday, April 14 | 6:30 pm | In-Person and Virtual

Burlington's "Little Jerusalem" and The Lost Mural, an International Treasure in Vermont with Aaron Goldberg and Jeff Potash

Sunday, April 16 | 10:30 am | Virtual

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.

Board of Trustees Meeting

Monday, April 17 | 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.

Conversations to Nourish Our Souls with Marci Dickman

Monday, April 17 | 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.

Animal Feeding Time at River Trail Nature Center

Saturday, April 22 | 2:45 pm | In-Person

We’ll meet at the Nature Center, and after we’ve visited the animals, and explored the trails, we’ll have Havdalah and snacks. Registration is appreciated. All ages are welcome. No Fee.

International Museum of Surgical Science- A Discussion and Tour Led by Dr. Ed Linn

Sunday, April 23 | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm | In-Person

Located at 1524 N. Lakeshore Drive in Chicago, this museum was founded by a Jewish surgeon; its art, paintings, and artifacts imaginatively capture the history of surgical medicine. Participants can carpool and choose to have lunch together following the program.

Here All Along Discussion with Rabbi London

Sunday, April 23 | 9:45 - 10:45 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. 

Celebrating Earth Day/Month Events


Celebrate Earth Day with a Film Screening and Discussion of "Waste"

Sunday, April 23 | 11:00 am | In-Person

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.

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

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.

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.

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