Comprehensive Weekly Newsletter
Wednesday, April 6, 2022 / 5 Nisan 5782

A Celebration of Our Staff and Honoring Rabbi Andrea London's 25 Years in the Rabbinate
Friday, May 6
Join in our community celebration to say thank you to our staff for their creativity, flexibility and resilience over these last many months and for all they did and continue to do to keep our synagogue strong and vibrant during these challenging times. In addition, we will be celebrating and commemorating Rabbi London's 25 years as a rabbi, leading Beth Emet for 22 years with spiritual wisdom, a commitment to social justice, and deep engagement in all aspects of congregational life. Services will include a guest D'var Torah by Rabbi David Jaffe, known for his application of spiritual practices for personal growth. Following services, we will have a festive (and fun!) Shabbat dinner and we will be adhering to the current COVID and safety protocols.
Mark your calendars; more details to follow.
Thank You Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger and Roots
This past Shabbat, we were delighted to host Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger from Roots. His D'var Torah on Friday night focused on the important and inspirational message of creating common ground and building a just and secure future for both Palestinians and Jews. Roots work is focused on fostering a grassroots movement of understanding, non-violence, and transformation among Israelis and Palestinians.

Rewatch (or catch up on) the D'var Torah by Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger.

Learn more about the work of Roots and how to donate if you feel compelled to support Roots’ amazing work:
In The BE Family
Send Us Your News!
Beth Emet has so many amazing members, each offering unique talents to the greater community. Share your news with all of us so we can both celebrate and get to know one another a bit better…. especially during these (mostly) virtual times. Send your news here, and if possible, please include a photo!
Eunice Shapiro Singing with Kol Zimrah

Singing has been my joy for many years and when I finally was able to join the TJM choir I was elated. Every week we had choir practice with our Cantor, where we learned to sing, learned new music and prepared to participate in Shabbat Services. We did this many times during the year. We would also plan gatherings with several other congregational choirs where we would all sing together. It was a lot of fun.

I missed the regular singing with my temple choir when TJM ran out of funds for it. My sister suggested I join Kol Zimrah since she had been singing with them for a long time. I am very happy that I did. Now I sing every week. Kol Zimrah performs in many places, singing beautiful Jewish music. This past year, we did a Chanukah concert at Cloud Gate and participated in a fund raiser at the Loop Synagogue. 

In the past, we traveled to Paris to offer encouragement to the Jewish community there. Among rising antisemitism, the French Jews were warmed to have us visit them with our lovely music. The pandemic has put a wrench in our plans for travel but as soon as we feel safe, we will travel again. In the meantime, this coming Sunday, April 10th, Kol Zimrah is performing at North Shore Congregation Israel with Cantors David Goldstein, Susie Lewis Friedman, and our director, Pavel Roytman.

Please join us on Sunday. All are welcome. Contact North Shore Congregation Israel to register and be ready for a real treat.

Looking forward to seeing you there!
Congregational Opportunities
The Power of Hope: Standing Together in Israel/Palestine
Tomorrow, April 7 at 7:00 pm
In partnership with J Street and the New Israel Fund, we welcome Omdim Beyachad (Standing Together). Alon-Lee Green, founder and National Director of Omdim Beyachad, and Sally Abed, a prominent Palestinian voice and national leader of Omdim Beyachad will discuss the work they've been doing together and their experiences on the ground. Omdim Beyachad (Standing Together) is an organization of Jewish and Arab Israeli residents/citizens that fights for the end of Occupation, the end of differential treatment of Jews and non-Jews in Israel, and better conditions for all Israelis. Learn more about Omdim Beyachad.
Visit The Illinois Holocaust Museum- Register Today!
Sunday, April 10 from 10:00 am-1:00 pm
Did you know that the Illinois Holocaust Museum has opened a new section focusing on the Holocaust experience in the Former Soviet Union? With all the world events happening, what an incredible opportunity we have for a specially designed docented tour! Accompanying us on the tour will be Yonit Hoffman, Beth Emet member and Senior Director of Holocaust Community Services.

Yonit will also facilitate a discussion during a boxed lunch following the tour.
**Feel free to eat your lunch during the discussion or you may take it to go.** 

Participants may stay and visit other museum exhibits following lunch.
Participants must show proof of Covid vaccines upon entry; masks are currently required throughout the museum.
Cost of tour and lunch (limited to 20 participants):
Registration closes Today (April, 6),
$18 general ticket
$12 seniors
$8 students
Inclusion Committee Meeting
Monday, April 11 at 5:00 pm
Join the 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.
If interested, please email Terri Michaels or call (847-691-8167).
Passover
Passover Food Drive at Mariano’s
Sunday, April 10 from 1:00-5:00 pm
The Tzedakah Committee is leading this year’s Passover Food Drive for the clients of the ARK, and we are looking for a few more volunteers for one-hour shifts to collect the donations. If you would like to volunteer, please email Neal Shanoff or call 847-302-6332.

We also welcome you to shop at Mariano’s (3358 W. Touhy Ave., Skokie) on Sunday and drop off the kosher food donations with Beth Emet volunteers outside the front doors (signs and flyers will be available on-site).
 
The Ark will gladly accept any Kosher for Passover foods, however, there is a particular request for the following items: canned or jarred gefilte fish; Rashi or Kedem grape juice; kosher for Passover cooking oil; kosher for Passover jelly; and macaroons.
 
Passover Food Collection at Beth Emet
Continuing through April 10
Purchase Kosher for Passover food from any grocery store and drop off donations at Beth Emet’s west entrance during business hours.
Passover Seder Matching
Need a home for seder or have an extra chair or square on your Zoom screen? Let us be your matchmaker! Please let us know if you are interested in hosting or being hosted, as well as if you are looking to be hosted in-person or on Zoom. Please email Bekki Harris Kaplan or call the office (847-869-4230).
A Brief Kabbalat Shabbat Service will be Recorded
Friday, April 15 at 6:30 pm
To mark the first night of Passover we will have a pre-recorded Kabbalat Shabbat service. This service will be accessible on our website.

Passover First Day Festival Morning Service
Saturday, April 16 at 9:30 am
 
Last Day Passover Festival Morning Services including Yizkor (Memorial) 
Friday, April 22 at 10:00 am
Volunteer Opportunities
Want to Get More Involved? Looking for Ways to Connect?
Volunteering as a member of the community is not only good, but it’s a place to connect to our shared Jewish values and build relationships.  Check out the following opportunities, and if you have any questions or wish to learn more, contact Bekki Kaplan

Drop Off Bags to Members
Interested in making deliveries? Want to connect with other members?  We are looking for volunteers to drop off yahrzeit bags or Beth Emet gifts bags to members. To learn more, contact Bekki Kaplan.  
 
Support an Afghan Refugee Family
The family continues to need help with English practice, such as learning letters, numbers, and American money, or rides for shopping and appointments. Contact Alison Finkel or Rosalie Greenberger.

Beth Emet Dayenu Circle
Don't miss Climate Shabbat for Earth Day, Friday, April 22, and the litter- cleanup on April 24. See below for more information. Contact Sharon Smaller to help with Friday night or Sunday afternoon events.
Lifelong Learning
A Close Look at Torah with Rabbi Andrea London
Friday, April 8 at 9:30 am
There are many ways to interpret Torah and its nuances of meaning that are often overlooked. We continue our learning from last year, reading and interpreting the text of the Book of Deuteronomy line by line. New learners are always welcome.
Please note: A Close Look at Torah will not be meeting next week due to Passover.
Zoom Link - Ph: 312-626-6799 - Meeting ID: 880 3271 0378 l Passcode: 785827
Sabbatical: A Roadmap to Communal Equity and Eco-Sustainability with Rabbi Aryeh Bernstein
Rescheduled to Fall 2022
Conversations to Nourish Our Soul with Marci Dickman
Wednesday, April 20 at 7:15 pm 
Explore your spirituality or connection to the Mystery or the Divine in the world. We will use the prayerbook, poetry, 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. Doubting God’s existence? Come explore.
This session was postponed from the original date of Thursday, March 24
Which Son Was It? Islam and the Sacrifice of Ishmael / Judaism and the Binding of Isaac with David Gottlieb
Friday, April 29 at 11:00 am
Islam and Judaism both claim the supreme sacrifice for the eldest sons of their respective traditions. We’ll look at similarities and differences between the quranic and biblical tellings of the story and how they developed over time. We’ll reflect on the significance of those differences for Jewish-Islamic relations.
Member fee $25, or included in Friday morning package; non-member fee $35
Social Justice
Social Action Committee Meeting
Tonight, April 6 at 7:00 pm
Whether a first-timer or a seasoned regular, hear updates and learn how you can become involved with supporting Afghan refugees, providing food, shelter and other provisions for homeless and/or hungry individuals (we have several paths from which to choose), addressing climate change and so much more.
Beth Emet Celebrates Earth Day

Earth Day Climate Action Shabbat with State Senator Laura Fine
Friday, April 22 at 6:30 pm
This special Shabbat service, spearheaded by Beth Emet’s Dayenu Circle, will focus on our Jewish values, which guide us in the fight against climate change and other environmental challenges. Guest d'var Torah by State Senator Laura Fine, who will be speaking about the intersection of climate and mental health. With environmental focused melodies by Cantor Cotler and meditation by Rabbi Memis-Foler, this is sure to be a great night!
                                                                                              
Cleaning up our Community
Sunday, April 24 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Our Earth Day activities continue outdoors with a litter clean-up at the Northshore Channel along McCormick between Dempster and Church in Skokie.
Young Family Programs
Jamberry Music with Nicole Jaworski! Co-sponsored by JBaby
Starting Tuesday, April 12 at 9:30 am
Join us for joyful, collaborative music making with Nicole Jaworski and Jamberry Music! In this class, you and your little one will bond with each other and make new friends while we sing, dance, play, pretend and experiment with instruments. Class is geared to kids 6 months to 2.5 years old and siblings are welcome to join! Masks for everyone 2+, and social distancing, will be expected. This program will take place from April 12 -May 17 at Beth Emet The Free Synagogue
The fee per family is $90.00
Young Family Meet-Up at Bent Park
Sunday April 17 at 10:00 am
Let's hang out together.
Young Family Havdallah and Painting Party!
Saturday, April 23 from 4:30-6:00 pm at Beth Emet.
Co-sponsored by PJ Library. Say goodbye to Shabbat with songs, stories, and pillowcase painting! Each child decorates a pillow case and we all sing and hear stories together. This event is always lots of fun! Register Here