This Week at BJBE - March 23, 2015

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This Week at BJBE

March 23, 2015

Dear Friends,

We are so pleased to welcome Cantor Rayna Green to the BJBE community starting July 1. A special thank you to the members of the Cantor Search Committee, co-chaired by Lynn Wax and Howard Rosenblum, for their dedicated work resulting in Cantor Green joining our clergy team as the new Assistant Cantor. Cantor Green will be ordained in New York on May 3 from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She brings extensive experience as a student cantor in a variety of synagogue settings, working with children as a pre-school teacher, youth group advisor and song leader, and providing pastoral care as a Chaplain Intern. Prior to welcoming Cantor Green, we will be saying a fond farewell to Cantor Ross Wolman, who has accepted a position serving Temple Chai in Phoenix, Arizona. There will be multiple activities to honor Cantor Wolman and wish him well. Please watch This Week at BJBE for details.

On Friday, April 3, many of us will be sitting with friends and family recalling the story of Passover. Since so many in our community will be hosting or attending a first night seder, we will not hold a Shabbat service at BJBE that evening. If you are observing a yahrzeit, you may join the Wednesday, April 1 minyan or our Passover service on Saturday, April 4 at 9:30am to say kaddish. If you choose to remember your loved ones as part of your Friday night seder, light a yahrzeit candle with your holiday candles.

BJBE's Early Childhood Program at the Chava Center is pleased to announce the introduction of Shir Li - Share a song with me - a Hebrew music program for tots 9-36 months & the adults who love them. This is a 6 week program starting April 13.

Please see sections below for information on these and other programs

Passover is drawing near and your Judaica Shop has many lovely items for your Passover table or for hostess gifts. Make certain to stop in the shop for all your Passover needs.

Our building will be closed Sundays, March 29 and April 5.

L'shalom,

Arlene

Arlene Mayzel

Executive Director

847-940-7575, ext. 118

[email protected]

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

We invite you to join us for the BJBE Sisterhood Women's Seder, Monday, March 23, 5:30-8:30 pm. The Women's Seder is a celebration filled with worship, song, and a traditional meal shared with interesting women representing multiple generations. For information and registration, click here. For additional information, contact Debby Dubow or Carol Simon.

Tuesday Symposium, Tuesday, March 24, 10:00 - 11:30am; Instructor: Rabbi Brian Stoller.

OSRUI Camp-Style Cook-out & Music Minyan for Young Families - Wednesday March 25. We're firing up the grill in honor of our camp-style music minyan with special guest song leader Max Weinberg, OSRUI assistant director. Dan Perlin, BJBE's "top chef" will be making Israeli beef kefka kabobs (think tasty meatballs on a stick), served with pita and a side of Israeli salad. Next, get ready to clap and sing your way through the mid-week, music minyan songfest. 6:00pm Cook-out Supper (we will be eating indoors); 6:45pm Camp-Style Music Minyan; 7:15pm Dessert Treats.

* RSVP for the pre-minyan cook-out to Susan Diamond or text/call 847.945.2850 (no rsvp needed to attend music minyan only, all ages welcome!)

* Mark your calendars: The 4th Wednesday of every month will be camp-style music minyan with guest song leaders and fun Supper Club menus.

* Celebrate an occasion, or remember a loved one with a donation to the Evening Music Minyan Supper Club. Be a super supper sponsor!

For more info contact Susan Diamond or 847.945.2850 (text/call).

We will once again be hosting Second Seder at BJBE on Saturday,

April 4 led by Rabbi Stoller and Cantor Wolman. Join us as we experience the spiritual freedom of Pesach surrounded by family and our multi-generational community. We will sing, pray and enjoy the wonderful tradition of our heritage. Click here for information and registration.

Sign up deadline is Friday, March 27.

Passover 2015 Food Delivery sponsored by Maot Chitim.

Warehouse location: 8220 N. Austin Ave, Morton Grove. Contact Brian Aronson with questions.

*Egg Banding, Saturday, March 28, 8:30pm - 10:00pm

*Delivery Day, Sunday, March 29

(a) Package perishable items, 6:00 am - 9:00 am

(b) Delivery, 9:00am - 10:30am. Deliver packages to recipient's at their residence in your own vehicle. No age restriction.

Tuesday Symposium, Tuesdays, March 31, April 7 & 14, 10:00 - 11:30am, The Book of Jonah, Instructor: Rabbi Steven Bob, Congregation Etz Chaim, Lombard

Men's Club popular Evening Study Sessions continue as Rabbi Brian Stoller leads us in a discussion of Tradition & Change: Great Controversies in Modern Jewish Law. Just as in Talmudic times, present-day Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform thinkers continue to debate how Judaism should respond to modernity and change. Rabbi Stoller will lead us in exploring some of the great modern controversies in the world of Jewish law, on hot-button issues such as marriage, conversion, gender roles, government responsibilities, and the Reform movement's relationship with other streams of Judaism. Monday, April 6, 7:30-9:00pm. $5/session for Men's Club members (and women), $10/session for non-members Includes fruit and dessert, beverages. Click here for more information and registration information. Contact Todd Cohan; (847) 520-0591 if you have questions.

Calling all babies and children up to 5 years old! Grab your grown-up and join Sisterhood Cradle Roll for a 'Make-Your-Own-Masterpiece Party'! Sunday, April 12, 9:30-10:30am at BJBE. Questions and RSVP to Jackie Berk at [email protected]. We can't wait to see you and your budding artist!

Introducing Shir Li - Share a song with me - Hebrew music program for tots & the adults who love them. Mondays, April 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11 & 18, 9:15 - 10:00am. This experiential music program offers children 9-36 months old the opportunity to learn and explore Hebrew through music. For information, contact Susie Wexler or 847.940.7575, ext. 115.

Monday, April 13, 7:30 pm -- it's the business event you can't passover! Join the BJBE Stars for Business for Let My People Goal! Have fun, make connections and enjoy a hands-on exercise on goal-setting for your business. Free to all BJBE members. Please RSVP to Mark Brodson.

2015 Jewish United Fund Annual Campaign Brunch Reception, Sunday, April 19, 9:45am. Featuring speaker Dr. Ralph Nurnberger, Iran and Washington: Where is US Policy Heading? For more information or to RSVP, please contact Ronna Leibach or by phone at 312.444.2812.

BJBE Social Action Network and Young Family Programs present Shop and Share, Sunday, April 19, 1:00 - 2:30pm, an interactive tzedakah program and project for families of all ages. Your "Mitzvah", should you choose to accept it, will begin when you RSVP. We will send you directions for an age-appropriate grocery shopping challenge to be completed prior to the program date. How far can you make your dollars stretch? Can you buy a healthy meal with limited funds? How much does it cost to feed a family for a day? We'll answer these and other questions in a fun and informative way when you bring your purchases and receipts on the 19th. And, we'll help pack lunches for PADS too! To RSVP, contact Melanie Berkowitz.

Tuesday Symposium, Tuesday, April 21 & 28, 10:00 - 11:30am, The Book of Proverbs, Instructor: Rabbi Carmit Harari, B'nai Yehudah Beth Shalom & Congregation Am Echad, Homewood

Celebrate Israeli Independence with a special Yom Ha-atzmaut oneg on Friday, April 24 following the 7:30pm Shabbat service. We will enjoy Israeli food & music and dance the horah together.

Sisterhood Games Galore Plus More, Wednesday, April 29, 5:30pm dinner & 6:45pm games. Join us for Mah Jong, Canasta, Poker, Gin Rummy, Rummy Cube and Scrabble. Gourmet dessert and terrific raffle prizes. For information call Gloria Kaiz at 847.945.3741 or Laney Hilborn at 847.945.5406. Reservations & payment due April 22.

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Torah Study: The Book of Exodus, Instructors Rabbi Karyn Kedar and Rabbi Brian Stoller, Saturdays, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Talmud Study: Tractate Berakhot (Blessings) Wednesdays, 7:45 - 9:00am; Instructor Rabbi Brian Stoller

Visit the Adult Education Archives on our website to view select programs.

For more information about the Center for Adult Learning, contact Karyn Benson.

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YOUTH PROGRAMS

Calling all 3rd-5th graders! Join us for a day of giving back at Feed My Starving Children in Libertyville on Saturday, April 11, 2:00-4:00pm. RSVP to Lauren Sandoval. Families are encouraged to participate.

For questions or information about youth programs, please contact

Kelly Goldberg.

SERVICES

Friday, March 27, Shabbat Service, 7:30pm

Friday, April 3, Shabbat Service at home as part of the First Seder

Saturday, April 4, Passover Service, 9:30am

Friday, April 10, Seventh Day Passover Service with Yizkor, 9:30am

Shabbat mornings feature our Kol Shabbat service at 9:30am followed by Torah Study at 11:00am.

Wednesday Morning Minyan : Begin your day in a beautiful and powerful way by attending our Wednesday morning Minyan from 6:45 to 7:15am. Each week we pray in the intimate space of the Chapel with Rabbi Stoller and a supportive, welcoming group. Experience a prayer service grounded in communal song, thought-provoking liturgy, and deep silence, followed by camaraderie over bagels and coffee. Morning Minyan participants have commented that this worship has connected to their lives in many unexpected and transformative ways. For more information, contact Rabbi Stoller. The weekday prayer melodies are available here, although all are welcome to attend regardless of musical or prayerbook knowledge.

Join us Wednesdays 6:45pm - 7:15pm in the Chapel for Musical Minyan. This is a deeply spiritual way to transition into the evening. Make it part of your weekly worship. Experience beautiful music, pray together in community and be present for fellow congregants who need to say Kaddish for a loved one. All Wednesday evening Music Minyans are led with creativity and harmony by talented members of our congregation and special guests. The musical group Soul Zimra; Andy Dennen, Marcus Newman, and Gary Schaffel lead on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Susan Diamond leads sing-along style using video and short films on the second and fifth Wednesdays. Fourth Wednesdays are reserved for our younger musical congregants. Every Musical Minyan is a joy-filled experience you don't want to miss.

Services in both the Sacred Hall and Sanctuary are now streamed.. To view our live or recorded streams, please click here. You may have to watch an initial commercial before the stream begins, but this is a free and open program accessible to anyone. To access: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bjbelive.
Questions? Click here to contact Arlene Mayzel.

MORNINGS AT BJBE

W ednesday Morning Minyan: Our weekday morning Minyan meets i n the BJBE Chapel from 6:45 - 7:15am. Contact Rabbi Stoller for an audio CD of the weekday prayer melodies.

Thursday T'ai Chi Ch'uan: We offer a weekly Thursday morning T'ai Chi class led by Dr. Drew Serlin at 7:30am. There is no charge for these classes.

SOCIAL ACTION NETWORK

March Tzedakah

American Friends of Magen David Adom -
www.afmda.org

Magen David Adom (MDA) is Israel's ambulance, blood-services, and disaster-relief organization, serving as emergency medical first responders for the state's 8 million people. MDA is the only organization mandated by the Israeli government to serve in this role, but it's not a government agency, so it relies on people like you for funding. Through your gift, you're saving thousands of Israeli lives.

CARING COMMUNITY

The Caring Community and CJE Senior Life are pleased to offer individual appointments at no charge with Senior Health Insurance Counselor, Esther Craven. Esther has over 25 years of experience at CJE. As a benefits specialist, she offers assistance and advocacy in areas of Medicare, health insurance, and resources for retirement. Individual appointments with Esther Craven are available at BJBE Monday 5:00-7:00pm on 4/13 at no charge. Call Laura Zuckert in the temple office (847 940-7575) to schedule your appointment.

BJBE's Caring Community is a team of volunteers who can act as your extended family when your family needs additional support. Caring Community provides the following services: home delivered meals in times of need, transportation to/from temple or a medical appointment, phone support for people who are ill or lonely, senior education and caregiver support, chicken or vegetable soups (always available in the kitchen!) and a virtual food pantry. To access these services confidentially, please call Gloria Kaiz at 847-945-3741.

BJBE is certified as a Safer Synagogue by Jewish Community Abuse Resources, Education & Solutions (JCARES). Our leadership has been trained in understanding the impact of abuse across the lifespan and improving access to support for congregants experiencing abusive situations. For more information, please contact the clergy at 847-940-7575.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Registration for early childhood programs at the Chava Center is now underway. Under the leadership of our sensational new director, Susie Wexler, we have implemented exciting changes to our programming. Preschool classes and camp are available for 2, 3 and 4 year old with options based on the number of days attended. The community is buzzing about our school, so register soon to guarantee a space! For more information about the BJBE Early Childhood Center at the Chava Center, contact Susie Wexler at [email protected] or call 847-940-7575.

The WZO (World Zionist Organization) is holding elections now through April 30, 2015 for delegates to the World Zionist Congress. This group, which meets every five years, will convene in Jerusalem in October. 145 of the 500 delegates come from North America. It is imperative that ARZA, representing the Reform Movement, get the largest percentage of delegates to the Congress so our influence carries the most weight in decision making. Your vote will help us reach that goal. Our member, Doris Schyman, has been slated to be a delegate representing ARZA and YOU. Go to ReformJews4Israel.org to cast your vote. There will be a $10 charge, which is all used for election costs. Paper ballots are available in the office. Please contact Lynn Wax, 847.965.3801 or Doris Schyman for more information. The Israelis want and need our help in sustaining a pluralistic and egalitarian state. This is important.

Book BJBE for your upcoming celebration!! Your spiritual home is also a premier venue with beautiful reception space in the Village Center, Sacred Hall and Courtyard. With completion of the Sanctuary, we have new opportunities available for you to celebrate your special events at BJBE. For information and reservations, contact Event Coordinator Gayle Jan or by phone at 847.940.7575.

JUDAICA (GIFT) SHOP

Gift giving season never ends, and our Judaica Shop can fill all your gift giving needs: Bar/Bat Mitzvah, wedding, new home, anniversary and new baby. Free gift wrapping with each purchase. See the new talit for that special Bar/Bat Mitzvah young man or young lady.

Hours: Sunday 9:30 - 11:30am; Tuesday 4:30-6:30pm; Thursday 4:30-6:30pm; Friday, 6:45-7:30pm and after services. For information, contact Lynne Kleiman, 847-215-1357 or Irene Schatz, 847-729-8812

Looking for a fun and easy way to meet other BJBE members? How about helping out in the Judaica Shop? Don't worry -- we will train you. For information, please call Arlene Wineberg, 224-676-1112.