Tuesday, February 5 | 30 Sh'vat 5779
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Greetings!
Members of the Beth Emet community, like Jews across the world, were profoundly saddened and outraged by the horrific mass shooting at Tree of Life Congregation last fall. The shooter, fueled by hate, and with easy access to an assault rifle and semi-automatic handguns, put Pittsburgh on the roster of other communities touched by senseless gun violence: Parkland, Las Vegas, Orlando, Newtown, Thousand Oaks, Aurora, Tucson, and many more.
No community is immune. Chicago has long struggled with high rates of gun violence, although thankfully, homicides and shootings have declined since 2016. No family is immune. New research by the gun violence prevention group Everytown for Gun Safety found that 58% of American adults report that they or someone they care for has experienced gun violence in their lifetime.
But there are reasons for optimism. In the face of years of Congressional dysfunction and inaction, states are leading the way in passing stronger gun laws. According to Giffords Law Center, states enacted 67 new gun safety laws in 2018 alone. Three of those were in Illinois, where lawmakers extended the waiting period for long gun purchases, created a Firearms Restraining Order that allows family members and law enforcement to temporarily remove firearms from someone who poses a risk of violence to themselves or others, and adopted regulations governing gun dealers in the state. States are continuing to take bold action in 2019, and Congress is getting the message. One of the first bills introduced this year in the House was H.R. 8, a bipartisan measure to require universal background checks on gun transfers.
I am most hopeful, though, about the activism of young people demanding change. Following the shooting a year ago at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School, students across the country have walked out of school, marched on the capital, registered and turned out to vote in record numbers. According to research commissioned by the Joyce Foundation, the #1 issue motivating the “Columbine generation” – teens and young adults who have grown up with lockdowns and shooting drills – is school shootings. Like so many social movements before them, young people are leading the way, because their lives depend on it.
We’ll have a chance to hear from those young leaders, when Beth Emet welcomes David Hogg, Parkland student and co-founder of March for Our Lives, for a panel discussion with local student leaders on gun violence and youth activism. I hope you’ll join me on
Thursday, February 21 from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. for a conversation about loss, hope, and the movement to save lives.
Nina Vinik
Director, Gun Violence Prevention & Justice Reform Program and The Joyce Foundation
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Wednesday, February 6 at 7:30 p.m. Shalva presents
Loves Me, Loves Me Not: Understanding Domestic Abuse in the Jewish Community and Beyond
Friday, February 8 at 10:45 a.m.
How We Live in the Presence of God with Rabbi Allan Kensky
at 6:30 p.m. (5:45 p.m. Shabbat Oneg) Kabbalat Shabbat Services with a D'var Torah by Kalman Resnick
Saturday, February 9 at 3:30 p.m.
Beyond Om: Spiritual Practice for the Jewish Soul with Rabbi Andrea London
Sunday, February 10 at 12:00 p.m. Social Justice Family Service Event
at 3:30 p.m. Mini-Matzah Ball (Early Childhood Fundraiser)
Wednesday, February 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Drumming for Self-Renewal with Linda Schneider
Friday, February 10:45 a.m.
What is a Blessing? A History of B'rachah with Rabbi David Rosenberg
Saturday, February 16 at 9:00 a.m. Tot Shabbat and Kiddush
Sunday, February 17
No Beit Sefer or Adult Education Courses
at 1:00 p.m. Israel Trip Information Session with Second Baptist and Grace Lutheran Church
at 5:30 p.m. Interfatih Action of Evanston's VisionKeepers Dinner
Monday, February 18 Building Closed in honor of President's Day
Thursday, February 21 at 7:30 p.m. Gun Violence and Youth Activism with David Hogg
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Beth Emet to honor the Post-Detention Accompaniment Team
(P-DAT) at Interfaith Action of Evanston Vision Keepers Dinner 2019
Sunday, February 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Hilton Orrington (1710 Orrington, Evanston)
This year Beth Emet honors the Post-Detention Accompaniment Team (P-DAT) as our VisionKeepers.
Beginning this past June, Beth Emet has partnered with the Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants (ICDI) to provide short-term, immediate assistance to asylum seekers newly released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in downtown Chicago. The Beth Emet group is called P-DAT (Post-Detention Accompaniment Team). It’s composed of about a dozen synagogue members. While it takes a dedicated team to make this happen,
Lizzie Graham
and
Phil Bashook
brought this project to fruition and are capably leading it. Five days each month the Beth Emet team assumes responsibility to help released asylum seekers after many months in detention. Two trained team members welcome the released detainee, provide basic clothing & essentials, share a meal, purchase a bus ticket to their chosen US destination to join family or friends, help them to communicate about their release, transport them to the Greyhound bus station or ICDI’s sanctuary house, and wait with them till they board or are in safe hands. Often the team members will meet other released asylum seekers at the bus station and help them too. The team has helped over 50 individuals to date.
Celebrate those in our congregation who have brought this project to fruition and to all those who have volunteered their time in this important effort. If you are interested in attending the dinner,
please
RSVP
by Thursday, February 7
so we can reserve your seat at the Beth Emet tables. Tickets are $75 per person, and the net proceeds support the Interfaith Action’s Hospitality Center for the homeless, local soup kitchens, producemobiles, the emergency overnight shelter (Beth Emet is hosting February 10 – 24), and winter warming stations.
RSVP
or call 847-869-4230 ext. 301.
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Israel Trip Information Session with Beth Emet, Second Baptist Church, and Grace Lutheran Church
Sunday, February 17 at 1:00 p.m. at Beth Emet
Beth Emet Synagogue, Second Baptist Church, and Grace Lutheran Church are taking an interfaith, dual narrative (Palestinian and Jewish guide) to Israel and the West Bank. Travel with Rabbi London and Pastors Nabors and Ruen, see ancient and modern sites, and gain a deeper understanding of the issues facing the region and its people. You don't want to miss this unique and special trip! Trip dates are October 24-November 3, 2019. Learn more about this once in a lifetime experience!
Full itinerary and registration information
.
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Gun Violence and Youth Activism a Panel Discussion featuring David Hogg, Parkland Student and Co-founder of March for Our Lives
Thursday, February 21 at 7:30 p.m.
David Hogg is an American author and student who survived the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting on February 14, 2018 and afterward became a gun control advocate and an activist against gun violence in the United States. He is one of twenty founding members of Never Again MSD, a gun control advocacy group led by Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (MSD) students. In conjunction with his gun control advocacy, he has helped lead several high-profile protests, marches, and boycotts. He has also been a target and scapegoat of several conspiracy theories and right-wing accusations.
Hogg will join a panel discussion with local Chicagoland students to discuss gun violence and the role of youth activism to end this epidemic. More details are forthcoming this week.
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Beth Emet Community News & Events
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Wednesday, February 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Domestic abuse affects mothers, sisters, co-workers, friends, neighbors, a child’s teacher, and those who love them. Come learn about domestic abuse; what are the warning signs? What do I say if someone I know is being abused?
RSVP
or call 847-869-4230 ext. 301. Walk-ins also welcome.
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Friday, February 8 at 6:30 p.m. (Shabbat Oneg at 5:45 p.m.)
Congregant Kalman Resnick has been an immigrant rights lawyer for the past 46 years. In 2018, he participated in human rights delegations to Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Mexico. In his D'var Torah, Kalman will explore the origins of our current immigration crisis and will explain how the current crisis is hurting immigrant families inside our country and denying safety to Central American refugees at our southern border.
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Early Childhood Scholarship Fundraiser: Mini-Matzah Ball! A music and dance party for you and your children!
Sunday, February 10 | 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
We welcome you, your children and extended family members to attend our
Mini-Matzah Ball
– an afternoon party with music, crafts and special raffle prizes where your child might win an “experience” with one of our beloved teachers. All funds raised will go toward Early Childhood scholarships.
We hope all families can attend and contribute. Please don’t let the cost prevent your participation---talk to Kathy and she’ll make adjustments.
RSVP for the Mini-Matzah Ball.
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Tot Shabbat
Saturday, February 16 at 9:00 a.m.
This lively 30-minute service is geared toward children under five years old and their parents, grandparents, or caregivers. Together we sing, dance with the Torahs, and enjoy a stories. Afterward, everyone gathers for lox and bagel brunch where the children can play and the parents can schmooze.
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Saturday, February 23 at 5:30 p.m.
Our last Parents and Kids Night Out at Beth Emet was such a success, we're doing it again! We will do Havdalah together as families in the Lobby. Then, we'll split up: parents will have the opportunity to schmooze in the Lobby, while kids can enjoy watching a movie and/or playing games downstairs in the Perlman Room.
Learn more and RSVP.
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Beth Emet Early Childhood Program Registration Now Open for 2019-2020 School Year
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2018 Donor Receipts
Please note: donor receipts were sent in January, by email, to all with email addresses on file. If you did not receive it or wish to have a hard copy sent, please contact
Debbie Gilbert, Finance Manager.
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with Rabbi Allan Kensky
Friday, February 8, 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Is there one Jewish path to spirituality or are there many pathways to God? What is the function of Jewish prayer? These are some of the questions we will explore as we study a number of fascinating texts from the rabbinic period that focus on the life of the spirit.
Saturday, February 9 at 3:30 p.m.
Explore Jewish spiritual practices that combine prayer, meditation, study and discussion. New participants always welcome.
with Linda Schneider
Wednesday, February 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Treat your mind, body, and spirit to an uplifting break from your regular routine and join our rhythm circle, where we’ll make unique music-in-the-moment. No previous experience is needed, and instruments are provided.
What is a Blessing? A History of the
B’rachah
with Rabbi David Rosenberg
Friday, February 15, 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
The
b’rachah
(blessing) is one of the great literary achievements of the rabbinic tradition. In this class, we will explore the history, meanings, and abiding power of this accessible and flexible building block of Jewish prayer and life.
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Amazon Soup Kitchen Wish List
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Social Justice Family Service Event
Sunday, February 10 | 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
On the last day of
Beth Emet’s Toy and Book Drive
for the families of the Rohingya Cultural Center, Beth Emet families with children ages 5-11, are invited to this B.Y.O.L. (bring your own lunch) social service event to learn more about the center and help sort and clean donated items.
The Rohingya people are an ethnic, mostly Muslim minority who have faced decades of discriminatory policies and violence in Myanmar. Approximately
450
Rohingya in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago.
Read this article
to learn more about Chicago’s Rohingya and join in this free event to do a mitzvah! Please
RSVP
or call 847-869-4230 ext. 308.
Through Sunday, February 10
The Beth Emet Social Action Committee together with Beit Sefer, is collecting gently used (or new) toys and books for the Rohingya children who live in Rogers Park.
Items to donate include blocks, legos, puzzles, books, craft toys, ethnically diverse dolls, and more. Please have toys with pieces organized into a cloth bag or container. Donations can be dropped off in the wood collection bin in the school entrance hallway.
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Tzedakah Grant Program Now Open!
The Tzedakah Committee is proud to announce that the 2019 Spring Grant Cycle is now open with a deadline of March 31.
The fund supports causes, organizations and project that promote justice, equality and social well-being. Many of the grantees apply via referral from Beth Emet members. Any organization that meets the guidelines is eligible; including small or large organizations that focus on addressing problems of basic human needs through social service and social action.
Learn more and apply.
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Caryn Etkin, Mitzvah Appeal Co-Chair, enjoying a glass of wine at the Mitzvah Appeal thank you event, Sommelier Soirée. Joining her is husband Kevin Davis and Gregg Raus.
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Rebecca Raus and Mort Denlow learning more about the chosen wines from Schaefer’s at Sommelier Soirée.
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Past President, Sharon Ephraim, shares the importance of the Mitzvah Appeal campaign.
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Bob Cutler, Mitzvah Appeal Co-Chair, thanking everyone in attendance at the last event for the Mitzvah Appeal campaign at the home of Neal Moglin and Mark Tendam.
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Beth Emet's Kabbalat Torah (KT) class (for 12th graders) accompanied Rabbi London for a whirlwind 3-day trip through Jewish New York City. This year's KT class is: Isabella Allen, Aaron Kite, Maxime Visa, Leah Hurwitz, Ella Kanter, Claudia Levens, Ilan Elenbogen Siegel
Graciela Styler
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Three teens accompanied by Maia Vok, participated in the RAC's L'Taken Social Justice Seminar. The teens expressed their concerns on Capitol Hill
as they met with staff from
the offices of U.S. Senator Durbin, Duckworth and Representative Schakowsky to advocate for criminal justice reform.
(Left to right) Jordan Selch, Ben Robke, and Benicio Caro in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
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B'nai Mitzvah
Giles Gilbert Bartell
son of Joshua Gilbert and Carey Bartell
February 16
Deaths
Larry Schwartz
cousin of Ira (Shawna) Rosen
Zorita "Zoe" Mikva
wife of the late Honorable Abner Mikva, mother of Rabbi Rachel Mikva (Mark Rosenberg), and grandmother of Jacob and Keren Mikva Rosenberg
Miriam Erlebacher
Donald Gayle
husband of Joyce Gayle
Evelyn Shavitz
David Gotfried
uncle of Linda Sidell
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