Creating Beth Emet Community Together


Wednesday, January 10 |17 Tevet 5783


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

Rev Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend

Martin Luther King Jr. Kabbalat Shabbat Services Featuring Robin Rue Simmons and Travel Blessing for Lila Selch

Friday, January 13 | 6:30 pm | In-Person and Virtual

We will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during Kabbalat Shabbat services. We welcome Robin Rue Simmons of First Repair and will share an update on the anti-racism and reparations work that Beth Emet is doing.

We will also offer a special blessing to Lila Selch as she travels to Israel to participate in this spring’s URJ Heller High program. Lila is this year’s Leo Baeck Scholar, and her name will be added to a list of many distinguished Beth Emet alum. This scholarship is provided by the Dr. Richard I. and Marian Kaufman Leo Baeck Scholarship Fund of the Beth Emet Foundation, providing funding since 1980 for students to participate in study programs in Israel. 

2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Community Worship Service

Sunday, January 15 | 3:00 pm | In-Person and Virtual at Faith Temple Church of God in Christ

This program includes a special presentation to the Reparations Stakeholders Authority of Evanston.

Join Beth Emet's Team to Support Interfaith Actions Walk for Warmth!

Monday, January 16 | 11:00 am | In-Person at First United Methodist Church

The Walk for Warmth raises awareness of homelessness and raises funds to keep the overnight shelter open through the coldest months of the year.

We will walk a short circuit past the congregations that host the overnight shelter. This is an outdoor family friendly event and people of all ages are welcome! Bring your neighbors and friends. Last year, Beth Emet was #1 with 45 walkers including 14 kids! Let's do it again! Please register to walk and/or donate.

The Big PayBack: A Documentary on Reparations

Monday, January 16 | 6:00 pm | In-Person at AMC Theatre Evanston 12

Join First Repair, on Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day for a special Evanston community screening of The Big Payback with Q&A to follow with Co-Directors Erika Alexander, Whitney Dow, Rabbi London and Pastor Carlis Moody Jr, along with Robin Rue Simmons. Reserve your spot today.

Support This Year's Mitzvah Appeal Campaign

Our annual Mitzvah Appeal campaign ensures that our community remains strong and serves as our primary fundraising effort of voluntary giving, providing the single largest source of non-membership income necessary for the financial health of Beth Emet. As is true with other synagogues and many other institutions, our membership commitments and fees simply do not cover our expenses. Each year the Mitzvah Appeal campaign addresses this gap through the generosity of additional contributions from each of us. Our goal this year is $280,000.


Pledge Today & Sign Up for One or Both Events


In appreciation of your gift, we are holding two events:

This Saturday Night! Have You Signed Up Yet?

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.

Purim is Just Around the Corner!

Be a Part of the Purim Spiel Team

Purim

Purim Spiel “Auditions” - "Romancing The Throne"

Want some other outlet other than your shower to belt out a tune? Then come be part of our multi-generational Beth Emet Purim Spiel!! The theme this year is "Romancing the Throne" (songs from romantic comedy soundtracks)


All singers are welcome. Everyone who wants to participate will get a role in the production! if you're interested in being part of the Purim players, contact Susan ForteAdditional notes for Spielers

BE Connected
Weekly Calendar
Full Calendar with Links
Program Registration 

Tuesday, January 10

Current Politics with Dr. David Zarefsky

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.

Wednesday, January 11

Taste of Wise Aging Through the Lens of Tikkun Middot with Sue Nadel and Jane Weintraub

7:30 pm | Virtual on Zoom

Have you been thinking of retiring, is your nest emptying, are you facing age-related challenges and moving from one phase of life to another, are you sandwiched between generations? These and other issues will be addressed in this new Beth Emet offering. Middot are character or soul traits and the study of Tikkun Middot uses curiosity and openness to investigate our internal and external reactions to situations. This one hour session will give you a taste of this program. 


Questions? Contact Marci Dickman

Thursday, January 12


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.

Friday, January 13

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.

Competing Narratives of the 1948 War with Dr. Maayan Hilel 

11:00 am | Virtual on Zoom Only

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.

The Oneg Before Services is Back!

Starting this Friday at 6:00 pm

A great way to welcome Shabbat is with a little nosh and connecting with new and old friends.  Starting this Friday at 6:00 pm, we will gather in the lobby for a light reception, and we will light candles together in the lobby at 6:25 pm. For those who will be joining us online, we invite you to light candles before services. Look forward to seeing you on Friday.


Martin Luther King Jr. Kabbalat Shabbat Services Featuring Robin Rue Simmons and Travel Blessing for Lila Selch

6:30 pm | In-Person and Virtual

Saturday, January 14

Kahal Shabbat Morning Services

9:30 am | In-Person and Virtual

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

7:00 pm |In-Person Only (Downtown Chicago)

Minimum Contribution: $360

Sunday, January 15

Sunday Morning Minyan

9:00 am |Virtual on Zoom

Here All Along Discussion with Rabbi London on Chapter 4

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 on Chapter 4 of the book, "Mitzvot and the Spirituality of Doing." This is a wonderful opportunity to contemplate questions about Judaism and explore Jewish identity. Babysitting will be provided. Advanced registration requested.

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.

2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Community Worship Service

3:00 pm | Virtual and In-Person at Faith Temple Church of God in Christ

This program includes a special presentation to the Reparations Stakeholders Authority of Evanston.

Monday, January 16

Martin Luther King Jr Day- Building Closed


Should you need to contact someone at Beth Emet during this time, please call the main number (847-869-4230), and press 4. The Clergy are available in case of an emergency.

4th Annual Walk for Warmth with Interfaith Action of Evanston

11:00 am | In-Person at First United Methodist Church

The Big PayBack: A Documentary on Reparations

5:30 pm | In-Person at AMC Theatre Evanston 12

Reserve your spot today.

Tuesday, January 17

Inclusion Committee Meeting

4:30 pm | Virtual on Zoom

Join the Beth Emet Inclusion Committee as we examine our current practices and explore ways to create a culture of belonging and inclusivity for Beth Emet members of all abilities. We know that all individuals can contribute to our community.


Milestone Celebration for Connections for the Homeless

6:00 pm | In-Person and Virtual on Livecontrol

Several times a year, Connections for the Homeless gathers their staff and supporters to celebrate and honor the recent accomplishments of their program participants, staff, and volunteers. Several Beth Emet members are included in this upcoming program.

Honorees from Beth Emet include:

  • Honoring Jeff Forgash with the Lisa Todd Volunteer Award.
  • We are honoring The Lunch Squad as an outstanding volunteer group, which includes Gail Doeff who has spearheaded this effort, and Bekki Kaplan who volunteers. Not pictured here is Beth Emet member, Rachel German.
  • In addition, Evanston Lighthouse Rotary is being honored as an outstanding community partner.

Dayenu Circle Monthly Meeting

7:30 pm | Virtual on Zoom

Calling on all those concerned about climate change. Come to the next Dayenu Circle zoom meeting. We will be exploring ways to become a more zero-waste congregation by looking at other Evanston faith communities that have adopted zero-waste practices, e.g., composting and avoiding disposable plastic items. We will also kick off brainstorming about celebrating Earth Day in April. 

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BE Involved

Volunteer Opportunities

See all our current volunteer opportunities

BE a Neighbor! Plan a Gathering and Get to Know Your Neighbors!  

This past Saturday several Lincolnwood members gathered for dinner, conversation, and Havdalah. What a great way to get to know some Beth Emet members who may not have met otherwise. And, it was so much fun to hang out in person! (Plus, everyone took a COVID home test prior to arriving to make it as safe as possible.) If you’re interested in hosting a neighborhood gathering – whether for dinner, coffee, a group walk, seeing a movie or so much more, contact Bekki Kaplan who can assist in providing names and ideas.  

Bakers Needed for the Soup Kitchen in January and February

The Beth Emet Soup Kitchen guests love home baked desserts! We are currently seeking volunteers who could bring 3 dozen nut-free dessert servings for a Wednesday night dinner in January or February. Delivery to the synagogue is between 3:30- 4:30 pm on the assigned date. This is perfect for congregants who want to help out from home. 

To receive an assignment and additional details, please email for available dates.  

Support Rebecca Weiner's Gemilut Chasadim Project

Hi! I’m Rebecca Weiner, and I am in seventh grade and at Beth Emet, and recently celebrated my Kabbalat Mitzvah. For my mitzvah project, I’ve made a commitment to clean and restock the Evanston food fridges, (community fridges that anyone is free to take from or add to). Starting this January, I will be restocking the fridge with staples weekly, but I am also aiming to be able to do larger restocks about once a month. My goal is to make a positive impact on our local community, especially during January and February when resources are in shorter supply. You can help me by donating to this GoFundMe! 

Upcoming Congregational Opportunities

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

Murder on a Kibbutz: A Book Discussion led by Lisa Lieberman

Wednesday, January 18 | 7:30 pm | Virtual on Zoom

In a recent Guardian review, Lavie Tidhar called the late Israeli author Batya Gur's Murder on a Kibbutz (1991) one of the top ten books of all time about Israel. The daughter of Polish Holocaust survivors, Gur had a special interest in how kibbutznikim who came from the death camps found solace in the rhythms of communal life. This program is sponsored by the Israel Committee.

Conversations to Nourish Our Souls with Marci Dickman

Thursday, January 19 | 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. 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.

Anonymity and Annihilation with Dr. Barry Wimpfheimer

Friday, January 20 | 11:00 am | In-Person and Virtual on Zoom

David Weiss Halivni z’l (1927-2022) was a revolutionary in two separate intellectual arenas- talmudic analysis and Jewish theology. He is known for innovating the notion that much of the Talmud was produced by a group of unnamed editors whom he called Stammai as well as worked to process personal and communal experiences of the Holocaust in religious terms. Come learn about how Halivni’s Talmudic theory and unique theology might inform one another.

Board of Directors Meeting

Monday, January 23 | 7:00 pm | In-Person and Virtual on Zoom

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.

Family Food Face-Off for Tu B’Shvat- A Celebration of Trees!

Sunday, January 29 | 4:30 pm | In-Person

Be a part of our first ever culinary face-off for families and kids kindergarten- 3rd grade. Trees, pods, seeds, and even dates may be part of the afternoon challenge!


What will YOUR family discover in their mystery basket?


Prizes, Yummy snacks, stories and fun for all!

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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