Comprehensive Weekly Newsletter |
|
|
Wednesday, April 20, 2022 / 19 Nisan 5782 |
|
|
Beth Emet Offices are Closed Friday for the Last Day of Passover
Friday, April 22
(Information about services below)
For emergencies, please call the main number (847-869-4230), and press 4. We look forward to connecting when the offices reopen on Monday, April 25.
|
|
|
Passover Climate Action with the Dayenu Circle- Big Banks: Stop Funding Fossil Fuels!
Today, April 20 at 4:30 pm at Fountain Square
During the weeks around Passover, Jews and allies will gather outside the branches and offices of the banks and asset managers that exacerbate the climate crisis by investing their money in Fossil Fuel Pharaohs: oil, gas, and coal companies. We will publicly proclaim today’s fossil-fueled plagues, and lift up matzah as a symbol of urgency, calling on these financial institutions to move their dough.
|
|
Beth Emet Celebrates Earth Day
Earth Day Mini - Eco Info Fair Before Shabbat Services
Friday, April 22 at 6:00 pm
Come just a little early to the Climate Action Shabbat to browse the info tables in the lobby.
|
|
|
Earth Day Climate Action Shabbat with D'var Torah by
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.
|
|
|
A Case for Reparations with Mayor Daniel Biss and Robin Rue Simmons
Sunday, April 24 at 4:00 pm
Temple Jeremiah invites all to attend this important event. Evanston Mayor, Daniel Biss, will highlight this discussion with his personal experience as the grandson of Holocaust survivors to explain how this should concern us as Jews in present-day U.S. He and former councilwoman, Robin Rue Simmons, will discuss the passage of the nation’s first reparations bill.
|
|
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! |
|
Humans are Not the Only Ones Having Fun on Passover!
Got photos of your own non-human friends enjoying Passover? Send them over and you might just see them featured on social media at the end of Passover! |
|
|
|
|
Check out Maccabi and Matzah enjoying Passover! Thanks to Gideon Horberg and Stephanie Norman for sharing the Passover Joy! |
|
|
Congregational Opportunities |
|
|
Boker Tov Podcast!
Ease into your evening with meditation and song by Rabbi Andrea London and Cantorial Student Sarina Elenbogen-Siegel.
Photo by Dina Elenbogen, Design by Ilan Elenbogen-Siegel
|
|
|
Last Day Passover Festival Morning Services including Yizkor (Memorial)
Friday, April 22 at 10:00 am (Weiner Room)
In-Person and Virtual (fusion worship)
Zoom Link - Ph: 312-626-6799- Meeting ID: 813 2237 5514 / Passcode: 1224
|
|
|
Taharah Training for All
Sunday, May 1 from 7:00-9:00pm
Jewish communities have established groups to care for the deceased. Performing a Taharah (ritual washing, purification and dressing of the body) is part of this care. Members of the Progressive Chevrah Kadisha (PCK) participate voluntarily in this ultimate “Chesed Shel Emet” (genuine kindness), as there is no one to thank you. The PCK will hold a training for those interested in training for this sacred act at Chicago Jewish Funerals.
RSVP and send any questions to Marci. |
|
|
**Sign Up for Dinner Today!**
A Celebration of Our Staff and Honoring Rabbi Andrea London's 25 Years in the Rabbinate
Friday, May 6
6:00 pm Services
7:30 pm Festive Shabbat Dinner
*Please note that times have changed since our recent postcard was sent*
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. As always, we will be adhering to the current COVID and safety protocols.
|
|
First Annual Israel Independence Day Film Festival
All Access Tickets to 11 Films; A Portion of Each Ticket Sale Benefits Beth Emet
Wednesday, May 4 - Monday, May 9
Celebrate Israel with six nights of exclusive, award-winning films, available to view from the comfort of home via your TV, computer or mobile devices. Your ticket purchase provides limited-time access to this series of 11 films, plus exclusive bonus content and more, with new material added each night of the festival. Enter the code BEMET at checkout to receive a discount and support your local community! A portion of your ticket even goes to Beth Emet. Watch the official trailer. Learn more and reserve your ticket today!
|
|
|
Redlining Evanston Exhibit at Beth Emet
April - June
Beth Emet will be displaying a free-standing exhibit in the main lobby describing how redlining in Evanston segregated the community from April 21st until the week of June 13th (Juneteenth). Along with the exhibit, the Beth Emet Reparations Working Group has developed a PowerPoint that will run on a lobby video screen that explains how redlining impacted the north shore suburbs and links redlining with the movement to acknowledge the wrongs done to our Black citizens and find ways to repair the harm.
|
|
Beth Emet Stands Against Racism
Thursday, April 28 from 10:25-11:00 am
Participate with Beth Emet at the annual YWCA Stand Against Racism. We'll gather along Ridge Avenue from 10:25 to 11:00AM to take our place as we stand along the corner of Dempster and Ridge. Bring a sign or poster confirming. Bring a whistle, bell or other noisemaker to attract car riders to our important message.
We will be joining dozens of Evanston organizations and hundreds of individuals, young and old, in a demonstration extending along Ridge Avenue in solidarity with communities all over the nation. In this time of rising violence, bigotry, and government attacks on civil rights, we all need to stand together and make our voices heard loud and clear.
|
|
|
Then, join the YWCA's Stand Against Racism Keynote Address, "Calling in Allies for Shared Accountability", 12-1:30 pm. Loretta J. Ross, an intellectual, professor, and activist, will speak about calling in allies and fighting white supremacy.
|
|
|
Tzedakah Committee Meeting
Thursday, April 28 at 7:00 pm
Whether or not a member of the committee, observe the tzedakah grant application process and learn about simple volunteer opportunities such as tzedakah box drop off day on May 22 and the committee's sponsored soup kitchen day on September 21.
Pre-registration not required. Zoom Link coming soon.
|
|
Social Action Committee Meeting
Wednesday, May 4 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.
Pre-registration not required. Zoom Link coming soon.
|
|
|
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.
Shabbat Connections
Shabbat Connections provides a complete Shabbat dinner on a weekly basis to members in the Beth Emet community who may need support in times of need or transition. Whether you’re ill, homebound, had a recent death in the family, had a new baby or have recently moved, a delicious meal is always welcome. We are looking for volunteers to help with our May meals. Our volunteers, cooks and drivers make this mitzvah possible. Contact Arlene Berke or Kathy Kaberon.
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.
Bike/scooter/helmet donations needed for our Afghan refugee family.
'Our' family is settling in, and as spring approaches we'd like to offer them bikes. If you have any of these to donate, please drop a note to Charlie and Abby Dan who have kindly agreed to serve as the drop-off location.
- Two training wheel bikes (for the 5 and 3 year old)
- One trike with a push bar (for the 2 year old)
- Helmets for all four (There's also a 7 year old; we already have a bike for him)
- One bike lock with a key (not combination lock)
- And if we can round up a few junior scooters, that would be great too!
Beth Emet Dayenu Circle
Don't miss Climate Shabbat for Earth Day, Friday, April 22, and the litter- cleanup on April 24. See above for more information. Contact Sharon Smaller to help with Friday night or Sunday afternoon events. |
|
Young Family Havdallah and Painting Party!
Saturday, April 23 at 4:30 pm at Beth Emet
Co-sponsored by PJ Library. Say goodbye to Shabbat with songs, stories, and pillowcase painting! Each child decorates a pillowcase and we all sing and hear stories together. This event is always lots of fun! Register Here
|
|
Jamberry Music with Nicole Jaworski! Co-sponsored by JBaby
Tuesday, April 26 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
|
|
|
Conversations to Nourish Our Soul with Marci Dickman
Tonight, 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
Zoom Link - Ph: 312-626-6799 - Meeting ID: 899 1780 5739 | Passcode: 1224
|
|
|
*Cancelled* A Close Look at Torah with Rabbi Andrea London
Friday, April 22
A Close Look at Torah will not be meeting this week due to Passover. See you next week!
|
|
Which Son Was It? Islam and the Sacrifice of Ishmael / Judaism and the Binding of Isaac with David Gottlieb
Fridays, April 29 and May 6 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
|
|
|
Not So Current Politics with Professor David Zarefsky
Tuesday, May 3 at 7:30 pm
Current policy and political decisions often reflect or are influenced by events from earlier historical periods. This ongoing lecture-discussion class investigates these earlier moments and how they relate to the present. The May session will explore the long history of conspiracy arguments.
Prior familiarity with the historical periods is not required.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
