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Creating Beth Emet Community Together
Tuesday, November 15 |21 Cheshvan 5783
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Introducing The Green Maven
Hello and welcome to The Green Maven! Created by Beth Emet’s Dayenu Circle and edited by members Chris Wynn and Sharon Smaller, this new blog is designed to: Inspire, Educate, Motivate, and hopefully Activate you to put more Green in your life. Not financial green, but environmental Green (although sometimes going green can help you cut costs as well!).
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Thank You to All Those Who Made the High Holy Day Special
We recognize that this year's service sheet was not inclusive of everyone who shared their talents and generosity nor was the service sheet available to those who chose to worship virtually. For this, we truly apologize. Whether a High Holy Day sponsor, an usher, member of the choir, sand on the bimah, or had an honor, we remain so grateful. Check out our High Holy Day webpage for a complete list. And if you have not yet done so, check out our High Holy Day Guide (which includes a complete listing of adult programming as well as ways to get involved) or the Yizkor Book, both are on the webpage as well.
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One Book One Congregation | |
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One Book, One Congregation D'var Torah
Friday, November 18 | 6:30 pm | In-Person and Virtual
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel taught: “Judaism is based on a minimum of revelation and a maximum of interpretation.” Rabbi London will give a D’var Torah on chapter 2 of Here All Along ((The Process of Judaism: Questioning, Debating, and Interpreting) and explore how Judaism evolves to make it speak to our lives today. If you do not yet have your copy of the book and/or wish to join a book circle, check our website.
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
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BE Connected
Weekly Calendar
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Wednesday, November 16
Women's Struggle for Equality in Israel with Professor Yifat Bitton
7:30 pm | Virtual on Zoom *Please Note Update
Please join us for a conversation with Professor Yifat Bitton, one of the leading socio-legal feminists in Israel today. Professor Bitton will discuss the civil laws and Israeli Supreme Court cases that have aspired to reduce gender discrimination in Israeli society and offer some reflections on the challenges that lay ahead, in the wake of the election of a far-right-wing government.
This program is sponsored by the Israel Committee.
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Thursday, November 17
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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Conversations to Nourish Our Souls with Marci Dickman
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.
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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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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.
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Kabbalat Shabbat Services
6:30 pm | In-Person and Virtual
Rabbi London will give a D’var Torah on chapter 2 of Here All Along. See above for more details.
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ChiTribe 20s and 30s Shabbat Dinner
7:00 pm | In-Person
ChiTribe is working to expand its reach from the city to Suburbs and is hosting their next event at Beth Emet! Sign up in advance to attend this Shabbat Dinner!
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Fall Tzedakah Box Exchange
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
The Beth Emet Tzedakah Committee is pleased to announce our fall tzedakah box exchange. Tzedakah Committee members will be there to accept your donations, hand out new boxes, and respond to any questions you may have about the tzedakah grant program.
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Apachi JCC Camp at Beth Emet: Music, Mocha and More
2:00 - 4:00 pm
Come see your friends! Interested in learning more about camp? Join us to talk about Apachi Evanston. There will be music, mocha (hot cocoa), crafts, movement games, and goodie bags!
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Wednesday, November 23
Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve Service
7:00 pm | In-Person and Virtual by Livestream
The Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve Service is back in-person (as well on livestream) at First Presbyterian Church of Evanston (1427 Chicago Ave, Evanston). The service will feature keynote speaker: Dr. Gilo Kwesi Logan, Leadership and Diversity Expert, and the Interfaith Community Choir led by Hannah Dixon McConnel.
Sponsored by Interfaith Action of Evanston
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Finding Your Medium is Sort of Like Falling in Love
Featuring Artist and Beth Emet member Jane Weintraub
Since childhood all I’ve ever wanted to be is an artist – we joke that having hit my brother over the head with a hammer when I was 3 showed my natural affinity fpr tools thus becoming a metalworker-jeweler! I create both secular and non-secular artwork, and whether my ideas are about the mythology of a distant culture or my own Jewish roots, the tools I use are the same - a love of storytelling.
Featured here are two pieces: the “Shalom” Shabbat Candle Holders which I based on the book Apeirogon: A Novel (by Colum McCann) - a fictionalized version of the story of a Palestinian and an Israeli who both lost daughters from violence. They have become warriors for peace. The other piece is a Mizrach (placed on the eastern wall of Jewish homes - the direction of prayer) called Jacob’s Pillow, based on Torah text.
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Photo credit: Tom Van Eynde | |
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Jane Weintraub received a Master of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Wisconsin/Madison and since then, has been teaching in higher education and exhibiting her artwork both nationally and locally. Recently she retired from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago where she is a professor emerita and was in charge of the metalsmithing and jewelry area of the Art Department. She is now happily creating work in her studio full time. She lives and works in Highland Park, Illinois.
To see more of Jane’s artwork, check out her website.
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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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Soup Kitchen Coat Drive
The phones at Beth Emet are ringing off the hook with guests asking if the Beth Emet Soup Kitchen will be holding its Winter Coat and Accessory Drive this year. Of course we are, but we need your help!
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A Just Harvest: Request for Volunteers
Wednesday, November 23 | 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
To serve (and possibly cook) food on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Temple Judea Mizpah worked with this organization, serving dinners on the fourth Wednesday for about 35 years, and it would be a mitzvah for us to continue to help. Please let us know if you are interested in volunteering to ensure we have sufficient volunteers.
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Seeking Musical Entertainment for the Soup Kitchen
Do you or your child play an instrument? We are seeking adult or teen musicians to entertain our guests during dinner on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 -7:00 pm. This could be monthly or an occasional gig.
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Congregational Announcements | |
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Free Tickets (For Beth Emet Members) to JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival
We are proud to announce the 10th anniversary of The JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival (both virtual and in-person)! Interested in accessing your free ticket? Beth Emet members can email the office for access information.
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Check Out Upcoming Adult Programs and Classes; Register Today
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.
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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.
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Additional Congregational Opportunities | |
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Dayenu Circle Meeting
Tuesday, November 29 | 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. Among them we will be discussing measures we can take to become a net-zero waste congregation through reducing single-use plastic and increasing composting of our waste.
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What Story is the Tanakh Telling? with Rabbi Michael Balinsky
Fridays, December 2 and 9 | 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.
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Supporting Peace for Israel with Noah Finkelstein
Wednesday, November 30 | 7:30 pm | In-Person and Virtual on Zoom
Noah Finkelstein, J Street’s Associate Regional Director for the Midwest, will explain how J Street’s work, the results of the elections in the United States and Israel, and current events, impact the pursuit of a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. This program is sponsored by the Israel Committee.
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Sunday Morning Moves with Nichola Goss
Sundays, December 4, 11, and 18 | 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. You will work your inner strength while stretching your entire body. All bodies and mindsets are welcome.
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Second Texts and Second Opinions: Jewish Bioethics with
Dr. Laurie Zoloth
Tuesday, December 6 | 7:00 pm | In-Person and Virtual
This class will explore how Jewish thought considers cases in clinical ethics, drawn from Dr. Zoloth’s latest book, Second Texts and Second Opinions: Essays Towards a Jewish Bioethics. We will learn about the source, methods, and texts that make Jewish clinical ethics distinctive, and consider how and whether arguments that are drawn from particular religions should play a role in public discourse.
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Cooking Magic with Artist and Chef Robin Langer
Thursday, December 8 | 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm |In-person
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.
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HIAS Immigration & Citizenship Information Session
Thursday, November 17 | 7:00-8:00 pm | Virtual on Zoom
In the next few months, HIAS Immigration & Citizenship is expecting an influx of refugees from Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burma and other parts of the world, to resettle in Chicago. To ensure that each family’s needs are met, we are looking for volunteers to provide critical support to our newcomers. RSVP Here
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New Grief Support Group Forming At JCFS
Mourning the Death of an Adult Child: Jewish Community Services will be forming a new support group for parents who have experienced the death of an adult child. Please reach out to Marsha Raynes, LCSW.
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