Comprehensive Weekly Newsletter
Wednesday, September 22, 2021 / 16 Tishrei 5781

Enjoy Beth Emet’s Beautiful Sukkah! 
TODAY Wednesday September 22 from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
Congregants are invited to come with their family or pod to shake the lulav, smell the etrog and enjoy the sukkah experience. We’ll have a copy of the blessings, and gloves for your safety. Registration required, space is limited, and this will be canceled in case of rain.
LAST CALL: High Holy Day Food Drive with The Ark of Chicago
TODAY, September 22 until 7:00 pm
Beth Emet will continue the High Holy Day food drive tradition in partnership with The Ark of Chicago.  Uou can drop off your bag of food inside the office TODAY, until 7:00 pm.

The Ark will not be providing bags or stickers (listing preferred items). Instead, a list is provided here with the caveat that all food donations must be certified kosher and must have expiration dates of at least six months after the drop-off date. The Ark will also not accept vegetables with a "Triangle K" Kosher symbol. The most common brands using this symbol are Del Monte and Kirkland.
  • Honey
  • Goya Vegetarian Canned Beans
  • Heinz/Bush’s Vegetarian Baked Beans
  • General Mills and Kellogg’s cereals
  • Hunts or Barilla Tomato Sauce (meat-free)
  • Flavored and Unflavored Oatmeal
  • Canola Oil, Vegetable Oil and Olive Oil
  • Manischewitz Canned Soup
  • Green Giant Canned Peas, Canned Corn, or Canned Green Beans
  • Applesauce
  • Dole/Del Monte Canned Peaches,
  • Canned Pineapple or Canned Pears
  • Canned Tuna
  • Canned or Jarred Gefilte Fish
  • Jif, Skippy/Peter Pan Peanut Butter
  • Smuckers Jam
  • Pasta
  • Crackers
  • Quinoa
  • Couscous
  • White Rice
  • Unprocessed Brown Rice
  • Bath Tissue
  • Facial Tissue
  • Paper Towels
  • Laundry Detergent
  • Dishwashing Liquid
  • Bar Soap
  • Antiperspirant
  • Toothbrushes and Full-Sized Toothpaste
  • Full-Sized Shampoo and Conditioner
  • Baby Wipes
  • Children’s Diapers
  • Adult Pull Up Disposable Underwear
  • Adult Incontinence Pads
  • Feminine Products
Erev Simchat Torah - URJ Premier Simchat Torah Experience
Monday, September 27 at 7:00 pm
Services in-person (Register here) and on Zoom. Bring your beach/Ravinia chairs, for an outdoor movie viewing of the URJ Premier Simchat Torah Experience, projected in the parking lot. Movie to include an hour of music from a few of the most energized musicians and artists within the larger Jewish community, a brief Torah reading and a story from a dynamic storyteller.  Also, the 4th and 5th graders will have a special honor during our Simchat Torah service! The 4th grade will read an original poem/story about Torah and the 5th grade will be preparing a Kahoot quiz for everyone to play.
Zoom Link - Ph: 312-626-6799 - Meeting ID: 963 006 6598 | Passcode: 1224
Congregational Opportunities
Simchat Torah Festival Service, Includes Yizkor
Tuesday, September 28 at 10:00 am
To attend in person, please register at this link. If you would like to join us virtualy, please use the zoom link below.
Zoom Link - Ph: 312-626-6799 - Meeting ID: 963 006 6598 | Passcode: 1224
Chicago Pride Havdalah
Saturday, October 2, 2021
6:45 pm Mix & Mingle
7:15 pm Havdalah and Program
8:00 pm BESSY Afterparty
While the Chicago Pride Parade may be canceled this year, our Chicago Pride Havdalah is on! Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride with a meaningful Havdalah full of song, storytelling, and ritual as we join together virtually as a Chicagoland Jewish community. Beth Emet is one of the Core Partners planning the program, and our own Director of Youth Engagement, Sam Rose, will be sharing a reading during the program. For more information and to register click here. BESSY will be hosting an afterparty on zoom at 8:00 pm. Come join us to play some party games and hang out. All are welcome! Zoom link here.
Reparations: Views from Congress and Evanston
A Beth Emet The Free Synagogue Panel Discussion
Thursday, October 14 at 7:00 pm
Pre-registration required at this link.
US Congress Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee and Jan Schakowsky, along wth Pastor Michael Nabors, and Robin Rue Simmons will discuss reparations on the national and local levels, moderated by Rabbi Andrea London.
Beth Emet “Fusion” Services
Kabbalat Shabbat and Kahal Shabbat Morning Services are meeting in-person weekly.
We are now providing both in-person and at home worship options for Kabbalat Shabbat services every Friday, as well as Kahal Shabbat Morning services. To register to attend in-person, please click here. If you have questions please direct them to Geoff Prass.
Zoom Hosts Needed
We have a need for volunteers to act as Zoom hosts for upcoming services and events. As part of our fusion worship, we continue to offer online services through live-streaming via Zoom and LiveControl. We are looking for a team of individuals who will take turns hosting the Zoom Shabbat services and support basic Zoom questions. Training and support on how to host can be provided. If you can help, please contact Geoff Prass.
Online Member Login is Making a Move
Current Member Portal for Donations Only
Want to be a beta tester?
The big news is that we are transitioning our database to a new platform (Salesforce!), but our new online member portal, MyBethEmet, is not quite ready for primetime. (But it is sooo close!) During this transitional period, please note that our old “member only” section has not been updated. For the immediate future, if you wish to check your account, look up a member, or find a yahrzeit, please contact the office who can assist. If you’re interested in testing and giving us feedback, contact Bekki Kaplan.
Lifecycle Notices
Kabbalat Mitzvah

Alana Gerbie,
Saturday, September 25
Parents: Jonathan and Amy Hickory-Gerbie
Marriage

Laura Perelman and Olivier Asset were married this past weekend. Laura is the daughter of Diane Weil and Mark Perelman
Death

Shana Helen Stein, wife of Mat Rappaport; mother of Aviva and Liora.
Consider making a donation to Beth Emet in honor of or in memory of a friend or a loved one. You can do so online or contact the office. Families will be notified of your contribution.
Young Family Programs
Gan Yom Rishon is Back!
Sundays, October 3-November 7, 10:00 am
Gan Yom Rishon is an interactive class for children ages 3-5, with a parent/caregiver, that meets on Sunday mornings in-person at Beth Emet this Fall.
Each week we’ll experience Judaism through music, art, cooking, and yoga. Gan Yom Rishon is also open to non-members. Fees are $48 for 6 weeks.
Jamberry Music with Nicole Jaworski is Back at Beth Emet! Co-sponsored by JBaby
Starting October 5
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. Class will be held on Zoom if conditions change. This program will take place from October 5- November 9 from 9:30-10:15 am at Beth Emet Synagogue. The fee per family is $90.00. Please register here.
Social Justice
Interfaith Action: See My Story Exhibit
Until Sunday, September 26, 2021
Perspective Gallery, 1310-1/2 B Chicago Ave, Evanston
Over four years, photographer Doug Haight took photos and collected stories of guests of Interfaith Action and Connections for the Homeless. His goal for the exhibit is to raise awareness of homelessness in our community. The photographic portraits and associated personal stories are on display at the gallery during September. Click here for the flyer.
Lifelong Learning
Adult Education
All the listings for Adult Education Courses are now up on our website with more details. Please do register in advance.

A Close Look at Torah with Rabbi Andrea London
Fridays, October 8 - May 21 at 9:30 am
There are many ways to interpret Torah and its nuances of meaning that are often overlooked. We will continue our learning from last year, reading and interpreting the text of the Book of Deuteronomy line by line. New learners are always welcome. Texts will be provided.
No fee for members, non-member fee $100

Does Charity Save From Death: What Do We Think We Are Doing When We Write the Check?with Rabbi Michael Balinsky
Fridays, October 8 and 15 at 11:00 am
Many of us are blessed to be able to write checks or engage in other actions that directly help the poor. But are we really helping, or are we hoping to look good in God’s eyes and our own? We will study a number of rabbinic passages on the topic to see how the teachings of rabbis based in the land of Israel differed from those of their Babylonian colleagues.
Member fee $25, or included in Friday morning package; non-member fee $35

Rabbi Michael Balinsky was the Executive Vice-President of the Chicago Board of Rabbis and was Director of the Louis and Saerree Fiedler Hillel Center at Northwestern University for nineteen years. He greatly enjoys teaching adults and helping them engage with classical Jewish sacred texts in an open, pluralistic setting. He is a graduate of Yeshiva University and the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary.
Resources for Well-BEing
Programs and materials to support us during this challenging time
Every week, this section will highlight a few resources—programs/services/guidance—to enhance our well-being. We have also created a webpage on the Beth Emet website that has a more comprehensive list of resources.
Website: Click here.
The Illinois Department of Human Services's Hotline and website are available to any residents seeking support. They are particularly suited for food, medical, shelter, and recovery needs. They are also available for those who are seeking help at home or are looking to talk to someone. 
Contact: 1-833-2-FIND-HELP (1-833-234-6343)
Address: 1114 Church St, Evanston, IL 6020
The YJC prepares job seekers ages 14 through 25 for success in the workplace. We provide job readiness, placement and employment support in partnership with employers. We have a number of exciting programs! Our "Odd Jobs" program connects job seekers with local employers and a number of nontraditional jobs including babysitting, lawn care, computer assistance and much more.
Contact: Diana Balitaan at 847-424-7873 or  847-864-5627
Community Programs
Are you interested in learning more about the JCC Child-care center at Beth Emet?