Pictured above: Torah portion from BJBE's first Zoom B'nai Mitzvah, Logan Rosenthal (pictured in upper corner with Jeffrey, Lauren, and Riley).
|
|
BJBE Celebrates First Zoom B'nai Mitzvah
This past weekend, BJBE came together in a real
shehecheyanu
moment as we celebrated our first B'nai Mitzvah via Zoom. While we have had to adapt to the changing realities around us, the BJBE community has never been stronger, which was apparent as friends and family gathered to celebrate this milestone. Mazel Tov to Logan Rosenthal, child of Lauren and Jeffrey Rosenthal, on becoming Bar Mitzvah this past Saturday.
|
|
Put on Some Socks and Come Get Lox in a Box
In an effort to support local businesses and offer a delicious brunch for our members during this shelter at home period, BJBE is bringing back the Lox Box, in partnership with Sisterhood. Orders should be submitted by May 29th and will be picked up through a social distanced drive-through at BJBE on Sunday, June 7th. Price is $36/box which includes 8 bagels, plain cream cheese, chive cream cheese, 1/4 lb lox, a tomato, a cucumber, fruit bowl, and coffee cake (gluten free bagels available, as are more lox for a slightly higher price). Do a mitzvah and order one for a neighbor, family member or friend.
Click here
for details and to place an order. Please email
Erica Stone
with any questions.
|
|
Family Night at Max & Benny's
Tuesday, May 12
BJBE is partnering with Max and Benny’s for a “drive by family night.” Order any time from 10am-7pm. Just mention you are with BJBE when you are ordering, or write it in the comments for an on-line order, and supplies for a craft will be included in the carry out bag.. The menu can be viewed online at
maxandbennys.com
. You can even pre-order for the day through the on-line platform! If you are picking up for dinner, Susie Wexler will be outside the restaurant from 5:00-6:00pm to offer a smile and wave with every order picked up during that window of time.
|
|
Book Talk with Rabbi Kedar
Tuesday, May 26, 6:30pm
In a time of chaos and uncertainty, we look to Judaism’s spiritual wisdom to keep us centered. How do we retain our joy when things are so unpredictable? What Jewish teachings can keep us steady? How do we show ourselves compassion in this challenging time? Join CCAR Press for an evening with Rabbi Karyn D. Kedar. Moderated by Rabbi Leah Berkowitz of Congregation Kol Ami, Elkins Park, PA, Rabbi Kedar will read from her two most recent works and help us wrestle with some of our deepest spiritual questions.
Click here to join Facebook Live Event
|
|
May We Share Shabbat
During the month of May, share Shabbat with your BJBE family! Even though we are all physically apart, we are together in spirit. Send us a picture of your Shabbat celebration to be included in a community mural. Your picture could include your family, your food, your table, your candles, etc.
Please send your pictures by May 31 to
membership@BJBE.org
.
In your email, please include your name, the names of everyone in your picture (if applicable) and a one sentence caption.
|
|
Mazel Tov to
Logan Rosenthal
, child of Lauren and Jeffrey Rosenthal, who became a B'nai Mitzvah this past weekend. Congratulations!
Mazel Tov to
Rabbi Jenn Mager,
BJBE's 2018 Rabbinic Intern as part of the HUC Tisch Fellowship, on her ordination from HUC yesterday.
|
|
If you would like to make a donation in honor of these simchas, please visit
www.bjbe.org/giving.
|
|
Have You Joined One of Our Virtual Villages?
|
|
Virtual Villages launched a few weeks ago and provide opportunities to stay connected with your BJBE family. It's not too late to sign up and take part. Click the button below if you have not yet signed up but want to participate and to see a full list with descriptions.
We will email out the Zoom link to each group's participants. Please be sure you sign up in advance so that you are able to connect.
Contact
Anne Robbin
with any questions. We look forward to maintaining our connections and building new relationships - from a safe and social distance!
|
This Week's Featured (and New) Villages
Starts Tomorrow>>>
Mindfulness with Margot Andersen
Tuesdays, 5:00pm
Whether this is your first time trying mindfulness and meditation techniques or you are a veteran, please join Margot Andersen as she teaches and guides you through a thirty minute mindfulness practice. We will start with poetry, reading, or a bit of Torah to ground us before we enter into stillness to find calm within the chaos of our times.
Starts Wednesday>>>
Midweek Mishpacha with Caryn Blomquist and Dani Glass
Wednesdays, 8:30pm
Join Caryn and Dani for upbeat interaction with your favorite drink. Stop in and say "hello" to your BJBE family.
|
To see the full list of villages with descriptions and to sign up, please
click here.
|
|
Learn the Liturgy with Rabbi Fenster
Wednesdays, 3:00pm
Each week will we explore a different prayer together. Join Rabbi Fenster on Zoom to be part of a conversation about how our tradition offers us opportunities to make meaning out of all of life’s moments. No previous knowledge or experience of prayer or Hebrew required. Learners of all ages are welcome. You don’t even need a prayerbook (we’ll be sharing handouts virtually)! Use this link each week to be a part of the conversation:
https://zoom.us/j/8711115843
.
Torah Study
|
|
BJBE QuaranTeens Facebook Group!
This is a place for fun Jewish content, suggestions for self-care while at home, and invitations to virtual activities hosted by BJBE, Senior Youth Group, NFTY, and OSRUI! Contact
Alek Kopulsky
to be added to this group. If you don’t have a Facebook, you can still receive notifications via email. Send
Alek
the email address you would like to receive updates about virtual opportunities for BJBE teens!
Senior Youth Group’s Instagram
Follow Senior Youth Group’s Instagram to stay in the loop about virtual activities. Give us a follow
here
.
|
|
*Please note: all services at BJBE are now held "virtually." Please tune in via
Facebook Live or using the links below
at the
times listed.
There is a new zoom link for each service every week.
This week's zoom link for each service/study is below and will also be emailed as part of
BJBE Connects
on Friday.
Shabbat Service
Kol Shabbat Service
Torah Study
Please use
this link to access the digital version of
Mishnah T'Filah.
|
|
Shavuot
The Festival of Shavuot celebrates the giving of Torah. We see ourselves standing at the base of Mount Sinai, present for the miracle of revelation. Here is how our congregation will be celebrating together:
Tikkun Leil Shavuot
Thursday, May 28, 7:00-11:00pm
The custom on Erev Shavuot is to stay up late into the night studying words of Torah. The Reform Movement has organized an incredible group of scholars and teachers to guide us through an engaging night of learning. You can find the available sessions and information about the esteemed presenters at
this link.
Note: You must register for each session separately, and the times are listed for the Eastern time zone.
Shavuot Festival Service including Yizkor
Friday, May 29, 9:30am
Join us virtually for a special service on Zoom and
Facebook.
|
|
Social Action/Social Justice Network
|
|
The Moraine Township Food Pantry provides food staples to those in need. During the pandemic, their services are even more critical. Currently, they are only able to accept monetary donations.
In addition to our May Tzedakah Recipient, there are several area food pantries with ongoing needs. Please read below to learn about the needs of these different pantries.
- Vernon Township Food Pantry is in need of items found on this list – as well as diapers of all sizes (not included on the list). Donations can be dropped off at 3050 North Maine St, Buffalo Grove on M-F between 8:30am-2pm. Place donations in the shopping carts outside.
- Northfield Township Food Pantry is in need of cereal, canned corn, canned mixed veggies, beef stew, soups (other than chicken noodle), and oatmeal. Donations can be dropped off at 2550 Waukegan Rd, Suite 100, Glenview on M-F 8:30am-4pm (Thursdays until 6:30pm). Place donations in the bins to the left of the front door.
- West Deerfield Township Food Pantry is in need of canned fruit, cereal, oatmeal canisters, pasta sauce, peanut butter, jelly, rice, tuna, canned meat, toilet paper, dish soap, laundry soap, deodorant, razors, shaving cream, and feminine hygiene products. Donations can be dropped off at 601 Deerfield Rd, Deerfield on M-F between 8am-5pm. Place donations around the back, in the cart outside the door.
|
|
BJBE Blood Drive
Sunday, May 31, 8:00am-2:00pm (by appointment only, no-walk ins accepted)
As blood donation has declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s an increasing need for people to give to maintain the nation’s supply. Since our March Blood Drive was so successful (44 pints of blood were donated), BJBE is holding another spring blood drive. Donations are by appointment only. Please
click here
to request an appointment. Questions about donating during the pandemic?
Click here
.
|
|
BJBE Everyday Hero: A Spotlight
Meredith Rivkin, child of Jill & Loren Rivkin, created yard signs to spread cheer while raising money for local food pantries. She created 300 signs that can be seen throughout Chicagoland.
Click here to read the entire article.
Do you know someone doing a mitzvah for the BJBE members or our broader community? Email
Dani Glass
to tell us about it.
|
|
BJBE Updates and Reminders
|
|
Bollards Being Installed at BJBE
We are finally about to complete the last element of our 2018 Homeland Security (federally funded $150,000) grant - the installation of bollards around the perimeter of BJBE’s building. The installation will begin later this month. The bollards in the front of the building will have a stainless steel cover; the others will have a gray cover. Look for pictures in
This Week
once the project is complete. (The security cameras and window film were installed just before BJBE closed due to the pandemic.)
|
|
BJBE COVID-19 Resources
During this unprecedented time, BJBE is here for our community!
Click here
to access the listing of resources both for your enjoyment as well as opportunities to help one another. These resources will be updated regularly and available on the BJBE website.
Zoom Primer:
You can use Zoom on your phone, tablet, or computer. In BJBE communications, you will see hyperlinks to let you join these virtual events.
- When you click on the meet link, it will open Zoom in your browser.
- You will be asked to download the application in order for it to function. Please agree to this.
- After it has downloaded you will see a pop-up window asking if you would like to join zoom.us. Please say yes again.
- The next window that opens is where you can view the service or join a group or meeting.
|
|
SHALVA Available to Assist Victims of Domestic Violence
There’s been a spike in domestic abuse incidents since the Covid-19 crisis began. Coupled with the increased stressors of the stay-at home order, abusers have greater ability to control their victims, and victims have no place to go. SHALVA staff, therapists and attorneys are working non-stop to provide free, remote-access, culturally sensitive, trauma informed counselling and supportive services. We’re launching exciting new interactive Facebook and other virtual programming.
Click here
to learn more.
|
|
US Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky Accepting Applicants for Political Internship
|
|
Use the buttons below to stay connected to your BJBE family and learn about updates and upcoming virtual programming and services.
Please make sure your contact information is correct in
ShulCloud
so you continue to receive notifications from BJBE. Not sure how to use Zoom? Scroll down on this email to view instructions towards the bottom.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
