Tuesday, January 9 | 22 Tevet 5778
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Greetings!
This weekend is not only a commemoration of Martin Luther King’s birthday, but the 60
th anniversary of his speaking at Beth Emet on January 13, 1958. In that speech, which we are so fortunate to have a
recording of, the almost 29-year-old, Martin Luther King delivered a history lesson and gave a powerful charge to those assembled at Beth Emet. During that speech, he laid out four periods of American history: the first era, the period of slavery; the second, the era of Jim Crow; and the third, which he said our country had entered as a result of the Brown v. Board of Education 1954 ruling that declared unconstitutional separate schools for white and black students, the period of desegregation. But he didn’t stop there. In that nascent period of desegregation in 1958, Dr. King challenged his audience at Beth Emet to think beyond mere desegregation to envision a fourth era of American history—the period of integration. Sixty years after his visionary speech we are still struggling to realize this ideal. Although barriers have fallen in this country, we still face structural and attitudinal impediments that keep our country segregated along racial lines. In our community we are working to confront those barriers in our school systems and in our social networks through our relationship with Second Baptist Church and by addressing areas in which racial discrimination still manifests itself. Learning about issues and developing relationships across racial lines are crucial if we are to create the beloved, integrated community as Dr. King envisioned.
This weekend, we’ll have the opportunity to celebrate Dr. King’s vision and how we can continue to build a truly just society. On Friday night during worship, Felicia Patton of Garrett Evangelical Seminary and Cantor Friedman will uplift us in song as we reflect on Dr. King’s legacy. On Sunday at 2:00 p.m., we’ll gather as an interfaith community at the Alice Millar Chapel for prayer, song, and activism. Both should be inspirational events that will help us better understand the issues in our community, deepen relationships with one another, and direct us to where we can work today to lessen discrimination and create an integrated community.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Andrea London
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Child to Child, Heart to Heart: An Opportunity to Participate in Social Action Together
This Sunday, January 14 | 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Together over lunch, we will discuss our personal experiences with philanthropy and action while creating gifts for pediatric patients at NorthShore Evanston Hospital. The gifts are intended to be designed by students kindergarten through fifth grade, but individuals and families are encouraged to attend. There are many opportunities for you to participate and make a difference! Fees for program vary, please see
RSVP form.
Volunteer! We need volunteers to help make lunch, staff the event, and more! Do a
mitzvah on this Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend!
Sign up today!
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Community Interfaith Martin Luther King, Jr. Service at Alice Millar Chapel
(1870 Sheridan Road, Evanston)
This Sunday, January 14 at 2:00 p.m.
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Organizing for Justice Summit Meeting
Sunday, January 21 | 1:45 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. at Oakton Community College in Skokie
Open Communities, an organization that educates and organizes around issues of housing, economic and social justice, is hosting workshops that will focus on fair and affordable housing, standing up for low-wage workers, immigration and racial justice, organizing and civic engagement, and social identity and cultural competence. Beth Emet is a co-sponsor of this Summit.
Learn more.
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Wednesday, January 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Beth Emet
Last month, J Street U launched the "Stop Demolitions, Build Peace" campaign -- an unprecedented effort to defend the two-state solution, oppose creeping annexation by the Israeli settlement movement and stand with vulnerable Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
As part of the campaign, J Street U regions across the country have partnered with Palestinian villages in Area C of the West Bank. In Chicago, our partner community is Susya, a Palestinian village in the West Bank that's slated for impending demolition. Senator Dick Durbin signed a letter, co-authored by Senator Feinstein and Senator Sanders, condemning home demolitions in the Palestinian villages of Susya and Khan al Ahmar as a threat to the two-state solution.
We're inviting you to join J Street U Chicago to learn about and join our work on this important topic.
Register here
.
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Workshop: Defending Immigrant Rights
Hosted by Beth Emet, The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and Miguel Ruiz of the Evanston Public Library (EPL)
Monday, January 29 | 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Attorneys from the ACLU and Miguel Ruiz, EPL's Latino Outreach Coordinator, will train participants on how to advocate and support those whose status makes them vulnerable to deportation and harassment. This event is sponsored by the Beth Emet Social Action Committee and the Evanston Solidarity Response Team. For more information, contact
Abby Backer.
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Movie Nights 2018!
Presented by Unitarian Church of Evanston's (UCE) Racial Equity Team and Organization for Positive Action and Leadership
January 16, 23, and 30 | 7:00-9:00 p.m.
(at UCE 1330 Ridge Ave, Evanston)
UCE invites the community to
An Inquiry Into Racial Equity History, Courage, and What We Can Do
, enlightening videos and discussions.
Learn more
.
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Dear Evanston Racial Justice Book Group
Wednesday, February 21 at 6:30 p.m. at various locations around Evanston
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Diaper Drive for Bundled Blessings
Through January 31
Diapers are not covered by food stamps and are costly for many families.Beth Emet is collecting diapers and wipes for Bundled Blessings, Evanston's Diaper Pantry. Please bring in a handful of extra diapers you have at home, or purchase a package of diapers to donate. There is a red barrel in the school entrance hallway to place your donations.
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Kabbalat Shabbat Services Commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr. with the Adult Choir and Felicia Patton
This Friday, January 12 at 6:30 p.m.
(5:45 p.m. Shabbat Oneg)
Felicia Patton is the Music Director of Traditional Worship at Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora. Felicia won many awards while in high school and performed at the Lyric Opera House in Chicago her senior year. Felicia graduated from North Park University with a Bachelor's of Music in Music and Worship. She was very active while at North Park, and has been on the worship teams, gospel choir, jazz choir, jazz band, and guitar ensemble and has sung with Chicago Soul Revue. She has sung with Cantor Friedman at Beth Emet and for concert collaborations with Second Baptist Church and Interfaith Action of Evanston.
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Shabbat Shira with Steven Chaitman and the Beth Emet Band
Friday, January 26 at 6:30 p.m. (5:45 p.m. Shabbat Oneg)
Kahal song leader, Steven Chaitman, leads a Shabbat Service of an evening of some
of his most spirit-filled compositions.
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with Cantor Alberto Mizrahi and Cantor Susan Lewis Friedman
Thursday, February 8 at 7:30 p.m.
Hazzan Alberto Mizrahi, with Cantor Susan Lewis Friedman, presents Ladino music sung in Sephardic cultures to celebrate life cycles and other sacred events.
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Mark Your Calendar!
Kol Emet is once again selling 20 tickets for the Broadway musical,
Hamilton,
on
Thursday, May 10
. If you have not yet seen the play or wish to see it again, here's your opportunity. If you're interested in tickets, email
info@bethemet.org
.
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Early Childhood and Camp Kayitz Registration Opens January 16
We are delighted to invite you to learn more about our
Early Childhood Program for the 2018-19 school year. Enrollment for 2018-19, and Camp Kayitz 2018, opens January 16 for current and alumni families, and Beth Emet members. Enrollment for the community opens on January 29.
Registration forms are online now.
We are now scheduling individual tours for prospective parents during the school day. Please email
Kathy or call 847-869-4230 ext. 305 to schedule your visit and learn more about our program offerings and Camp Kayitz for summer 2018.
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with Bekki Harris Kaplan
Saturday, January 20 at 5:30 p.m.
Enjoy a light supper, recite Havdalah, and watch the Israeli film,
The Women's Balcony, to be followed by a discussion.
Israel’s number one film of 2016 centers around an accident at a bar mitzvah leading to a gender rift in a devout Orthodox community in Jerusalem in this good-hearted tale about women speaking truth to patriarchal power. Read
The New York Times review!
$7 for dinner.
RSVP or call 847-869-4230 ext. 308
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RSVP or call 847-869-4230 ext. 308
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Building an Inclusive Purim Carnival
Sunday, February 4 at 1:00 p.m.
Beth Emet is dedicated to making our programs inclusive to everyone in our community! Help build new accommodations and accessible games that can be enjoyed by people of all abilities. Individuals and families with children who are in middle and high school are encourage to attend - bring your ideas and your tool box!
Please also bring in gently used stuffed animals and toys to donate for our new, more environmentally friendly prize table.
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Mark Your Calendar for Scholar-in-Residence Weekend with Rabbi Marc Margolius
February 9, 10, & 11
Middot
: Nurturing the 'Better Angels of our Nature' in Challenging Times
How can Judaism help us actualize our innate potential to do the right thing, even in challenging circumstances? Rabbi Marc Margolius of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality will explore how we can grow in awareness, develop greater wisdom, and bring our best selves to the challenges of our day by integrating Jewish mindfulness practice and attention to
middot (spiritual/ethical qualities).
Learn more about the weekend's events.
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Write for Beth Emet's Sanctuary Project!
By now we are hoping that you are aware of the Sanctuary Project at Beth Emet.
Every Friday since last October we have been publishing a wide range of short reflections, links to music, poetry and prose on what sanctuary means to each of us.
We have been told that these pieces are resonating with members of the congregation in large part for their variety. We love this because it's so
Beth Emet!
If you haven’t had a chance to read them yet,
here is a link to the pieces we have published thus far.
But here’s the thing: We only have commitments through
mid February. We are now searching for contributions from mid February to May.
So if you had any inclination to contribute, or know someone who might, please let us know!
If you'd like to contribute, please email
Ellen
and/or
David
.
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Travel to Israel with Beth Emet & Second Baptist Church
Go Forth to the Land that I will Show You (Genesis 12): An Interfaith, Dual-Narrative Journey of Discovery and Learning to Israel and the West Bank
November 18-30, 2018
On this unique trip, Second Baptist Church and Beth Emet Synagogue will travel together to Israel and the West Bank with Palestinian and Jewish guides who will introduce us to the complex narratives and present-day realities of a land that is a home to each of our faith traditions.We will visit sites holy to Christians, Jews, and Muslims, learn about the modern history of the region, and spend time with Palestinians and Jews to gain greater understanding of the complex realities of the region and greater empathy for all its people.
The tour leaders are Rabbi Andrea London and Pastor Michael Nabors, Second Baptist Church. You need to register online with our tour company MEJDI tours. There are twenty spots for Beth Emet members and twenty spots for Second Baptist members. Please note, flight prices are not included in the price and travelers will have to make their own flight reservations.
See more details.
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Dor L’Dor
If you have included Beth Emet in your will or estate plans, please contact
Wendi Kromash, Director of Development or call 847-869-4230, extension 325. Why? If Beth Emet is included in your estate plans, that means you are a member of our Dor L’Dor Society. We are planning a special Shabbat in the spring to honor Dor L’Dor members, and we want to make sure you are included. You may also help us qualify for a grant from Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. Don’t keep it a secret—let us honor you and celebrate your commitment while you are alive.
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Upcoming Adult Education Courses
Thinking about learning something new? Seeking a bit more in your life? Try an offering in our Fall/Winter Adult Education brochure.
with David Zarefsky
TONIGHT! Tuesday, January 9 at 7:30 p.m.
with Eric Berman
Thursday, January 11 at 7:00 p.m.
with Rabbi Andrea London
Shabbat, January 13 at 3:30 p.m.
with Hyma Levin
Sundays, January 14 and 21, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
with Linda Schneider
Wednesday, January 17 at 7:30 p.m.
with Bekki Harris Kaplan
Saturday, January 20 at 5:30 p.m.
with Tamar Selch
Thursday, January 25, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
with Rabbi Allan Kensky
Fridays, January 26 and February 2, 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
You can register by
clicking here
and you will be directed to a form. Please fill in your birth date (including the slashes between the numbers i.e. 01/01/2017) and your zip code. This will open up a pre-filled form specifically for you to register on. If we do not have your birth date and zip code on file, please contact
Eric
or 847-869-4230 ext. 308.
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Jewish Mindfulness Meditation with OROT
Tuesday Evenings at 7:30 p.m. at Beth Emet
Join Orot for evenings of Torah and meditation. Each session begins with a brief teaching, followed by mindfulness mediation and discussion. All sessions are open to everyone. No RSVP’s required, just show up!
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All ages enjoyed learning how to make homemade challah from Amy Claver at
Knead a Reason to Challah on Sunday, January 7.
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Deaths
Theodora "Teddy" Aronson
wife of the late Robert Aronson, mother of Judy (Marc Hilton) Aronson, George (Janet) Aronson and Sylvia (David) Topper, and grandmother of Leon and Ezra Hilton, Romi (Catherine) Topper, Steve (Hope) Topper, Reuben, Rachel and Ethan Aronson and great-grandmother of Alexis Topper
Nancy Blum
mother of Ellen (David) Barish, and grandmother of Emily and Jennifer Barish
Stanley Perlman
father of Reid (Jill) Perlman
James Leopold
step-father of David (Nancy Liebman) Futransky
Marty Friedman
great-uncle of Sharon Ephraim
George Rubman
uncle of David Rubman (Gail Grossman) and great-uncle of Adam and Jenya Rubman
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Thank you for your generosity!
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Beth Emet The Free Synagogue
1224 Dempster Street
Evanston, IL 60202
847-869-4230
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