During Kabbalat Shabbat Services this Friday we will be offering a birthday blessing to all our July birthdays! Here’s a list of all those who are celebrating!  Following an abbreviated service at Beth Emet, we will have a picnic at Larimer Park (1201 Oak Street, one block east and one block south of Beth Emet; parking on the surrounding streets). Bring your own dinner, we’ll provide the drinks, desserts and paper goods! A great way to kick off the holiday weekend with some fun!

We are so grateful that Beth Emet's own Rena Yehuda Newman (virtually) shared their D'var Torah for us on Friday night titled, "Keeping Our Queer Kids Safe in Jewish Youth Spaces". Thank you Rena Yehuda for sharing your words of wisdom.

Seven members of Beth Emet felt compelled to raise our voices in outrage at the Dobbs ruling: the first time the Supreme Court has ever taken away a constitutional right. The decision is dismissive of any notion that women have autonomy at any point in pregnancy and of religious differences about the significance or status of a fertilized egg. Beth Emet members are planning more events in the future. 

And make sure to watch last week's conversation at Beth Emet between Roger Price and Dr. Elisheva Shanes about Judaism and Abortion.

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.

Come for an abbreviated service followed by a picnic (bring your own dinner) at Larimer park. See above for more details.

Explore your spirituality or connection to the “Mystery” or the “Divine” in the world. Our tools will include mindfulness practices, journaling, questioning, and conversation.

Interfaith Action Evanston (IAE) operates the monthly Producemobile, which distributes fresh produce to Evanston’s families experiencing food insecurity. Interfaith has recently added a new dimension: the SNAPGap program. SNAPGap collects and distributes items that most of us consider necessary but are not eligible for purchase with federal benefits, such as toilet paper, toothpaste, soap, or shampoo. Interfaith identifies 1-3 items for distribution each month.

These items are needed by July 11: Items can be purchased online.

Dish soap

All-purpose cleaners

Sponges (package of 3 only).

If you purchase these items locally, leave in the bin on the front porch at Stuart and Leslie Shulruff’s house, 1140 Forest Ave, or you can drop them off during office hours at St. Nicholas Parish/UCYM office at 806 Ridge Ave, Evanston (847) 719-9071

We’ve had a challah midrash each week since the start of 5781! Please email Karen Isaacson if you are interested in participating or have any questions!

The Beth Emet Soup Kitchen is currently recruiting volunteers to help on most Wednesday evenings in July and August. We are making assignments for sack lunches, salads, and nut-free desserts, which are made at home and delivered to the synagogue. We are also looking for help onsite to prepare the rest of the meal, and to serve it to a portion of our guests who choose to dine inside. Learn more and sign up.

We recently consolidated BE Connected and EmetMail into one weekly e-newsletter, to be sent on Tuesdays! We've simplified the categories, updated the formatting, and made it easier (we hope) to read all that is happening at Beth Emet and how to get involved. Now that we have a few weeks under our belts, we would love your feedback! Our goal is for the e-newsletter to be as straightforward and informative as possible!

Please let us know what you think! For the 18th, 36th and 54th person who offers feedback, a parking spot during the High Holy Days is yours!  

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.

Please join Beth Emet’s Young Families! We’ll enjoy Havdalah and singing with Cantor Cotler, a pizza dinner, a campfire for roasting yummy marshmallows, and fun on the playground. A perfect Saturday evening! Cost: $20 per family

Taking Down Goliath is a climate-focused community organizing training specifically for Jewish 18 to 32 year olds by Dayenu, A Jewish Call to Climate Action. All are welcome to nominate someone. This is one training, spread out over three sessions.