BJBE's 2nd annual MLK Community Day of Service. Make it a day on, not a day off... Join us Monday, January 19 as we honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by helping repair the world. Click here to register at the BJBE website to volunteer on a project at one of several local sites, including BJBE. We will meet at BJBE at 12:45 pm for a short program and then, head out to volunteer. Age restrictions are unique to each project. Please note that projects will "close" as the limit for each is reached, so register online sooner than later! Questions: Susie Selbst or KellyGoldberg.

Tuesday Symposium, The Book of Esther, January 20, 10:00-11:30am. Instructor: Rabbi Brian Stoller  

Sunday Morning Adult Learning; Worship of the Heart: Understanding the Words & Symbolism of the Prayer Service, Sunday, January 25, 9:45-10:45am; Instructors: Rabbi Brian Stoller & Cantor Jennifer Frost. Rabbi Larry Hoffman, a past BJBE scholar-in-residence, has described the prayer book as the script of a spectacular drama that we enact every time we pray. And like any good script, it follows an artfully designed structure and uses words and symbolism to create a beautiful and inspiring experience. Rabbi Stoller and Cantor Frost will help us understand the nuances of the service, so that we can deepen our prayer experience.  

Tuesday Symposium, The Books of First & Second Kings, January 27, February 3 & 10, 10:00-11:30am.  Instructor: Rabbi Karyn Kedar

BJBE's Ritual and Green Faith Committees invite you to celebrate Judaism's New Year for Trees in a most unique and inspiring way!  Our Tu B'Shevat Seder will be held on Tuesday, February 3rd (corresponding to the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat) at 7:15 pm.  The seder features a sampling of fruits and nuts along with four glasses of wine, interwoven with beautiful liturgy, poetry and song. The evening will lead  participants on a journey through the cyclical journey of the seasons, offer an exploration of our innate connection with all of creation, and mark the miraculous reawakening of the great Tree of Life.  This event is intended for adults and mature children.  Register online through this link or print the form from the link on BJBE's website and bring/mail it to temple along with a check for $10/participant.  Questions contact Julie Webb. 

BJBE Sisterhood Interfaith Program, The Rewards and Challenges of Interfaith Families; Wednesday, February 11, 7:30pm. We are honored and excited to have Audrey K. Gordon, PhD, a member of our congregation, as our guest speaker. She will cover how to manage the issues of marriage, raising children and grandchildren, holidays, traditions, cultural issues with food, death, and most importantly, how everyone feels about these issues from BOTH Jewish and Christian perspectives. There will be time for questions. Both men and women invited and welcome! Sue Beslow (847) 272-7359 or Janet Swig (847) 677-5289. 
  

Come join the BJBE "After Hours" group for a Ladies Night of pampering, drinks and memories. February 19, 7:00 - 9:00pm, MG Nails, 810 Waukegan Rd, Deerfield. Fee: Cost of a nail service. RSVP to Beth Sattler by February 12th. After Hours is a social group for parents of school-age (and younger) kids who are looking for some adult time - to eat, relax, and enjoy meeting other BJBE adults.  

Save The Date: Adult Purim Party, February 28, 7:00pm featuring comedian Miriam Plotkin. Music, food + drink! Check your email from BJBE for an evite. 

Save The Date: 7th Annual Shindig in Shushan: Magillah Reading, Purim Shpiel & Jr Choir at 9:30am & Carnival from 10;15am - 1:00pm. Sunday, March 1.  

Please join Rabbi Kedar and Ezra and other BJBE members at the AIPAC Annual Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. March 1-3, 2015. This is an exciting gathering of over 14,000 Pro Israel supporters from across the United States with the express purpose of showing support for the US-Israel Bond. You will enjoy speakers from across the spectrum of politicians and community leaders. You will learn about the accomplishments of Israel. You will have an opportunity to meet with your Congressman and Senators to further discuss the strong bipartisan support for Israel. You can find further information at www.aipac.org or by contacting Howard Schneider.  

Are you interested in our new Adult Confirmation Class? We are determining interest in this class, led by master teacher Phyllis Steiner, that will meet on Wednesdays from 10:00am - 12:00pm starting in late spring. The Adult Confirmation Class will help you become a learned and engaged Jewish adult. Meeting weekly over the course of a year, students will learn to read Hebrew and chant from the Torah, gain a dynamic understanding of the prayers and the prayer book, study the weekly Torah portion together, and explore the Jewish holidays in depth. The course culminates with a group Confirmation service, led by class participants and the clergy, during the Festival of Shavuot on Sunday, June 12, 2016.  The class is open to adults who had a b'nai mitzvah and/or confirmation ceremony when they were teens, as well as to those who did not. If you are interested or have questions, contact Phyllis Steiner. Enrollment is limited to 12 students. Registration fee: TBD. 

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