Creating Beth Emet Community Together


Tuesday, December 6 |12 Kislev 5783

Highlights

For more information, click on the headline of a particular program or info-blurb. Or check out the Beth Emet website.

Here All Along Discussion with Rabbi London

Sunday December 11 | 9:45 am to 11:00 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 Chapter 3: Freeing God from “His” Human-Shaped Cage in the Sky. This conversation is open to all adults, even if you did not attend our first conversation with Rabbi London in November. We especially encourage parents of 4th and 5th grade Beit Sefer students to attend, as they will be learning about an excerpt from this chapter in class! If you would like a copy of the book, contact us.

Future discussion dates: January 15, March 12, April 23 and May 7


The Here All Along program is sponsored by the Judith F. Krug; David and Florence Fingeret; Solomon and Lillian Krug Fund of the Beth Emet Foundation.

10th Annual Interfaith Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence

Sunday, December 11 | 3:00 pm | In-Person and Virtual on Livecontrol

This program is co-sponsored by the People for a Safer Society, NAACP, National Council for Jewish Women- Chicago North Shore, Mom's Demand Justice, IMPACT, and Illinois Alliance to Prevent Gun Violence.

Chanukah at Beth Emet

First candle lighting, Sunday, December 18

Annual Beit Sefer Chanukah Concert

Sunday, December 18 | 11:30 am - 12:00 pm | In-Person

Our Beit Sefer students will participate in a Chanukah concert featuring Cantor Cotler and Storyteller Marilyn Price. All Beit Sefer parents are encouraged to attend as well.

Annual Chanukah Concert for Young Families

Sunday, December 18 | 4:00 pm

In-Person and Virtual

Our favorite Chanukah concert is back! Once again, featuring Cantor Cotler and Aimee Leigh. This year, we will have a special guest: Storyteller Marilyn Price. This is perfect for families with children in Kindergarten and younger. Grandparents are encouraged to attend! Advanced registration requested. $10/household

Shabbat Chanukah: Friday, December 23


Kabbalat Shabbat Services: A Chanukah Story Featuring Actors from the Fleetwood Jourdain Theater Company

6:30 pm | In-Person and Virtual on Zoom

We'll be celebrating Chanukah as a community, complete with lighting candles and a music-filled Chanukah worship service. And we’re excited to continue the tradition of welcoming actors from the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre Company to perform a Chanukah story.

Chanukah Shabbat Dinner: The Great Latke / Tater Tot Debate

7:30 pm | In-Person

After services, we’ll have dinner which will include vegetable soup with lots of fixings to add to your soup and latkes and tater tots. We’re going to debate what’s better latkes or tater tots, and we’re inviting everyone to bring a creative side for the latkes and tater tots. Sour cream and applesauce are nice, but we can step up our side game! There will be prizes for the best side. $8 per person, plus a side dish.

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Weekly Calendar
Full Calendar with Links
Program Registration 

Thursday, December 8


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.

Cooking Magic with Artist and Chef Robin Langer

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm |In-person and Virtual

Cooking Magic is all about fast, easy, healthy, and delicious meals. Come for recipes, cooking, and comradery. This program is for everyone from kitchen novices to experienced cooks. This class will now be held in a hybrid fashion with a limited number of participants in person at Robin Langer’s home.

Friday, December 9

A Close Look at Torah with Rabbi Andrea London

9:30 am | In-Person and Virtual on Zoom

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.

Pre-Shabbat Parent-Child Yoga

9:30 am | In-Person

Sign up now for some fun with your little one, taught by Karen Achtman. Co-sponsored by JBaby. This adult/ child class consists of yoga poses, songs, movement, and stories. We'll incorporate a Jewish twist with some of the songs, stories, and poses each week during this pre-Shabbat class.

Part 2: What Story is the Tanakh Telling? with Rabbi Michael Balinsky

11:00 am | In-Person and Virtual

It goes without saying that the Bible is filled with stories. Are there also overarching themes and messages emerging from the text that Tanakh is trying to teach us? We will explore two approaches and suggest some unexpected themes.

Kabbalat Shabbat Services

6:30 pm | In-Person and Virtual

Saturday, December 10

Tot Shabbat and Family Baking for Soup Kitchen

9:15 am | In-Person

We'll provide the supplies, you bring the kids---and together we'll whip up some delicious treats for our Soup Kitchen guests. What a fun way to make the world a better place. Perfect for families (including grandparents!) with kids under age 6. No registration- just come!


Kahal Shabbat Morning Services

9:30 am | In-Person and Virtual

Sunday, December 11

Sunday Morning Minyan is Back in the Building (And Still Streamed on Zoom)

9:00 am | In-Person and Virtual on Zoom

First-timers are encouraged!

Sunday Morning Moves with Nichola Goss

9:30 am | In-Person

Looking for motivation to move your body and soul as well as connection to community? This combo cardio/ stretch class is offered while kids are in Beit Sefer. All bodies and mindsets are welcome.

This program will also meet on December 11 and 18. Attend all three or just one!

Here All Along Discussion with Rabbi London

9:45 am to 11:00 am | In-Person

Rabbi London will lead a conversation about Chapter 3: Freeing God from “His” Human-Shaped Cage in the Sky.

10th Annual Interfaith Vigil For All Victims of Gun Violence

3:00 pm |In-Person and Virtual on Livecontrol

Monday, December 12


Social Justice Committee Meeting

7:00 pm | Virtual on Zoom

Tuesday, December 13


Inclusion Committee Meeting

5:30 pm | Virtual on Zoom

Support This Year's Mitzvah Appeal Campaign

Our Goal is $280,000; No Gift is Too Small or Too Big


Pledge Today & Sign Up for One or Both Events


We are back! Our calendar is full, and we continue to be creative, flexible, and innovative, embracing technology so that everyone can join for prayer, learning, social justice work, and socializing together. We have so much to offer, and we need your support of the Mitzvah Appeal, our primary fundraising effort of voluntary giving, which provides the single greatest source of non-membership revenue necessary to ensure the financial health of our community.


In appreciation of your gift, we will be holding two events:


State of the World Got Your Goat? Rise Above It? Come Party with Beth Emet

Saturday, January 14 | 7:00 pm |In-Person Only (Downtown Chicago)

Minimum Contribution: $360

Celebrate in person, eat, drink and spend a special evening with new and old friends! Food prepared by the celebrated restaurant Girl and the Goat, catered by BOKA executive Chef Giuseppe Tentori.


D.C. 2023 Spotlight: Brunch with U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky

Sunday, January 29 | 9:45 am |In-Person at Beth Emet and Virtual

Suggested Minimum Pledge: $36 per person

With a change in the House leadership, there will be much to discuss as the 118th U.S. Congress convenes in January. Brunch will be served in-person or grab your favorite breakfast food and cozy up to the Zoom screen.

In The BE Family

The New Bethemet.org Celebrates One Year!

Our website is our front door to the world, whether our “visitors” are current members or anyone who is interested in learning more! And what a front door it is! The content is accessible and captures exactly who we are as a community. The navigation is much easier than in previous iterations, and our front page is always current with the latest happenings. MyBethEmet is our new member portal, offering ways to get involved, update your account, make a donation, or check out our member directory, to name a few. If you have not yet checked it out, we invite you to do so!

Happy Anniversary bethemet.org!  

We remain grateful to all who spent countless hours to ensure our site is the best. In particular, we thank the Communications Task Force including Suki Fisher (Chair), Allison Aaron, Mark Caro, Judith Cooper, Keith Glantz, Karen Isaacson, Paul Isaacson, Jessica Kaplan, Jack Levie, and Debbie Render, with staff leadership Aviva Schwartz and Bekki Kaplan. A generous bequest to our planned giving program, Dor L’Dor, Generation to Generation, made our new website possible.  


As our world continues to evolve, we are constantly updating and enhancing our website, so please keep sharing appreciations, ideas, and suggestions!

Another Great J Street National Conference! 

A group of Beth Emet folks traveled to Washington DC to the J Street national conference to learn more about peace and democracy initiatives. A conference highlight was meeting with our Representative and fellow Beth Emet member, Jan Schakowsky. 

Beth Emet-ers not pictured, Cantor Cotler and Max Yenkin.

We Want to Hear From You!

Whether it's good news to share or you would like to be featured or know someone who should be featured "In The BE Family," let us know or contact Bekki Kaplan

BE Involved

Volunteer Opportunities

See all our current volunteer opportunities

Soup Kitchen Coat Drive

Volunteers Needed on December 7

Help set up and/or help the guests make their choices. Contact Leslie Shulruff

Interfaith Action Evanston (IAE) Needs Volunteers for Hospitality Center and for the Overnight Shelter


  • Door Greeters for Hospitality Center - Monday-Friday - 7:00 am - 11:00 am (two-hour shifts) at St. Mark’s, 1509 Ridge, Evanston. Sign Up Here


  • Overnight Shelter - At Beth Emet from December 5- December 25, there are three shift options (Set up 8:30-10 pm, overnight 9:30 am - 1:99 am, clean up 6:00 -7:00 am) Sign-Up Here


Questions: contact Sue Murphy Berube.

Congregational Announcements

Adult Programming Registration for Winter 2022-2023 is Open and Waiting for You!

Members can register through the MyBethEmet portal. (Click "RSVP for Upcoming Events,") You can choose to register for individual programs or choose to enroll in multiple programs. For more information and/or to register, check out the website. Please contact Aviva with any questions with registration. 

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.

Additional Congregational Opportunities

Conversations to Nourish Our Souls with Marci Dickman

Thursday, December 15 | 7:15 pm | Virtual on Zoom

Not sure how to connect to the Mystery or the Divine in the world? 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.

Dayenu Circle Meeting

Tuesday, December 20 | 7:30 pm | Virtual on Zoom

Calling on all those concerned about climate change. Come to the next Dayenu Circle zoom meeting. We are fine-tuning our sustainability priorities for the coming year.

URJ Introduction to Judaism Online- Taught by Marci Dickman

Tuesday evenings, beginning in January

This 21-session class- live on Zoom, with closed captioning available by request- is for adults seeking a deeper understanding of Jewish life through a reform lens. People from all backgrounds are welcome, including interfaith couples, Jews who want a meaningful adult learning experience, adults raising Jewish children, spiritual seekers, and individuals considering conversion.


A limited number of stipends are available to Beth Emet congregants this year. Interested? Contact Marci Dickman

Wise Aging Through the Lens of Tikkun Middot facilitated by Jane Weintraub and Sue Nadel

Monthly on Sunday afternoons, January- June

Are you facing age-related challenges or moving from one phase of life to another? We will address this and other situations through a wide range of Tikkun Middot practices to focus on our personal characteristics, and investigate our internal and external reactions to situations. Through this lens, we will look at issues of aging and consider how choice points can help us create openings for personal and spiritual growth and turn away from reactive behaviors.


Interested? Contact Marci Dickman

New Tikkun Middot Va’ad (small group) Facilitated by Marci Dickman

Monthly, January- June; Specific days and times to be determined by the participants

The Va’ad focuses on a particular character trait each month, and each session includes meditation, mindfulness practice, study of Jewish and secular texts, and self-reflection. Between sessions, participants work with a chevruta (partner) to explore the internal and external obstacles and opportunities present in each moment in order to access more wholesome choices. The group is open to congregants of all ages and interests.


Interested? Contact Marci Dickman

Competing Narratives of the 1948 War with Dr. Maayan Hilel 

Fridays, January 6 and 13 | 11:00 am

In-Person and Virtual on Zoom

We will discuss the major events that led to the outbreak of the war of 1948, its main stages, and the different, even contrasting, narratives Israelis and Palestinians created about it. We will examine the diverse voices of those who participated in or experienced the war to shed new light on this constitutive and complex event.

Current Politics with Dr. David Zarefsky

Tuesday, January 10 | 7:30 pm

In-Person and Virtual

A continuing lecture-discussion class on contemporary public issues of interest to Jews as citizens. Special attention will be given to the policy and political issues facing the Biden administration.

Community News

Infertility Journey Connection

Tuesday, December 6 | 7:30 pm | In-Person at Mishkan

Connect with others seeking a space to process their fertility journeys, share triggers and coping tools for how to deal with life cycles and holidays, and learn about resources.  This program will be led by Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann and Andrea Jacobs, and sponsored by Maggie’s Place in partnership with JCFS and will be held in person at Mishkan. Register here

Current COVID Protocols: Masks are now 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. 


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