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Creating Beth Emet Community Together
Tuesday, March 28 | 6 Nisan 5783
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Insights on Rabbi London's Trip to Israel, Proposed Judicial Reforms and More | | |
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Following Kabbalat Shabbat services, David Graham and Rabbi London had a conversation about her recent trip to Israel and we heard insights and perspectives on the proposed judicial reform and the protests, the incendiary statements made by some of the government’s ministers, as well as the violence in the West Bank. | |
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Here All Along D'var Torah
Chapter 6 "Prayer and More: Finding the Primal in Jewish Spiritual Practice"
Friday, March 17
To watch the recording, Click Here.
For past recordings, Click Here.
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Mark Your Calendar!
Next Book Discussion with Rabbi London on Sunday, April 23 at 9:45 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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Celebrate Israel's 75th Anniversary | |
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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.
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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
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 delicious 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.
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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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BE Connected
Weekly Calendar
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Dayenu Circle Monthly Meeting
7:30 pm | Virtual on Zoom
Calling on all those concerned about climate change. We will explore 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 finalize our plans for Earth Day, which we will celebrate on the weekend of 4/22.
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Thursday, March 30
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.
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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.
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Sunday, April 2
No Beit Sefer from April 2 to April 13 for Spring/Passover Break.
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Saving Israeli Democracy
Sunday, April 2 | 12:30 pm | Fountain Square (1601 Sherman; Evanston)
Israel's democracy is under attack and fighting to survive. This extremist government is attempting to destroy the Israeli judiciary and, more specifically, threatening the survival of the Israeli Supreme Court as a protector of the rule of law. In solidarity with protests in Israel, around the world Israeli expats, Jewish communities and other friends of Israel are also rising to protest and protect the survival of democracy in Israel.
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Beth Emet in the News
In an effort to improve race relations, Evanston’s interfaith clergy, including Rabbi London as one of the chief organizers, had two field trips to learn more about social justice as it relates to Black and brown communities in Evanston and Chicago. The first tour to learn more about Evanston’s black history concluded with snacks and group conversations at Beth Emet.
Read more about both trips in Evanston Roundtable.
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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.
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BE Involved
Volunteer Opportunities
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Passover Food Drive was a Huge Success
The Tzedakah Committee is happy to report that the synagogue's 2023 Passover food drive for the benefit of Ark of Chicago clients was a success. We collected about 40 bags of groceries from congregants who dropped off their contributions at the synagogue throughout the past week and from members of the general public who purchased food for the drive at Mariano's last Sunday.
We extend a special thank you to Neal Shanoff, whose energy and determination made the drive a success, and to the staff: Geoff Prass, Bekki Kaplan, Butch Mayer and Aviva Schwartz. Thanks also to Barry Isaacson, Phyllis Shanoff, Ted Goldsmith, Caryn Etkin, and Gabrielle Berger.
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Congregational Announcements | |
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Beit Sefer Closed
No Beit Sefer from April 2 to April 13 for Spring/Passover Break.
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Beth Emet Offices will be Closed for Passover
Thursday, April 6; Friday, April 7 and Wednesday, April 12.
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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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Upcoming Congregational Opportunities | |
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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.
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Board of Trustees Meeting
Monday, April 17 | 7:00 pm | 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.
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Conversations to Nourish Our Souls with Marci Dickman
Monday, April 17 | 7:15 pm | Virtual on Zoom
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.
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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. | | | | | | |
