This Week at BJBE - May 14, 2018

This Week at BJBE

May 14, 2018

A Note from Sally Sachar, Executive Director

Dear Congregants,

What a momentous celebration of BJBE's 125th Anniversary we had on Friday evening at the Shabbat service and celebratory oneg. The dedicated committee of founding families did a wonderfully creative and hardworking job imagining, building, and putting in place an unforgettable celebration. Our clergy composed a beautiful service. Friday was the beginning of a year-long celebration, with much more to come. Look for the 125th Anniversary trivia questions in this space and in MidMonth. To view the PowerPoint that the Founders compiled that played before and after the service, please go to this link.

I want to also convey, on behalf of the entire community our gratitude to Sanford & Ina Ramras for the very generous donation in memory of Lois Kaplan for the Friday Oneg. In addition, we thank the BJ and BE Founders who provided essential support.

A few other matters I want to highlight here:

BJBE is transitioning to ShulCloud, a new database that will make it much easier for all of us to stay connected to key information about BJBE and about each other. With our new software, it will be easy to add or change personal information about yourself or your family members, see your account information, make donations, learn about events and activities, and make payments. ShulCloud is used by 750 synagogues around the country, including many in our area and gets very high reviews from all of our colleagues in other communities who are already using it. Please stay tuned for more information from Larisa, Anne, and I. For the next several days before we switch to ShulCloud, you will not be able to add or change your information in MM or make donations online (we've frozen the MM database to enable our upload). AS SOON AS we can flip the switch to ShulCloud we will let you know, but meanwhile, please contact Anne or Larisa if you want to update your information.

We want to strongly encourage BJBE members to use your key cards to get into the building when it is closed, and as such to carry your key with you. As we look at our security systems, and consider when the doors need to be locked, we want to be sure that you have easy access to BJBE and can gain access when you want to be here! Every family is provided one key for each adult member. If you have not received your key, please contact Larisa in the BJBE office. If you have lost your key, let us know and we will replace it for you ($10 charge). We appreciate your helping us with BJBE's security by using your key.

Related, we have launched a security task force to look at and make recommendations regarding the full range of BJBE procedures, camera and other equipment, protocols, etc. The task force will include lay leadership, as well as several members of the BJBE clergy and senior staff. We are looking for members with expertise in building security (schools, offices, temples, or other) as well as people who are passionate about increasing our security and want to be a part of this group. We will try to minimize meetings, so the commitment won't be burdensome. If you are interested, please contact Mark Brodson or Sally.

Don't forget to RSVP for the June 4th Annual Meeting. In addition to voting on the 2018-19 budget, and board slate, we will have updates from key areas of the congregation. The meeting begins at 6:30pm, with the official start of business at 7 pm. You can RSVP here.

Finally, we are starting a new feature at our Shabbat Services on the 4th Friday of every month -- beginning May 25th -- Soul Zimra. The band features Andy Dennen (guitar and vocals); Dr. Gary Schaffel (Bass); and Marcus Newman (Mandolin and guitar). A bit about Soul Zimra from its Facebook page, "With a musical style combining the acoustic guitar, bass and mandolin, Soul Zimra's unique approach is to blend modern secular folk, rock, blues and other familiar styles with traditional liturgy to help create a powerful, participatory, contemporary and relevant prayer experience." Look for additional information in future This Weeks; we hope you will join us and Soul Zimra a week from this coming Friday.

Have a wonderful week! (And remember to let us know if you have items you want to feature in This Week!)

- Sally

We look forward to celebrating the Bat Mitzvah of Talia Bromberg at the morning service this Saturday. Mazel tov to Talia and her family.

We are pleased to announce the marriage of Erica Zalay & Matt Barnes. Erica is the daughter of our member Sherry (Stephen) Rundell, and the sister of our members Paul Rundell & Maureen Wener. Mazel Tov to the Rundell & Barnes families.

If you would like to make a donation in honor of one of these simchas , please visit www.bjbe.org/giving or call the BJBE office at 847.940.7575.

125th Anniversary Quiz

How much do you really know about our congregation? Test your knowledge with these fun quiz questions ( 47 questions in all) that include facts, cherished stories, and a few tricky questions, too. Answers will be revealed after the 47th question. If you have stories not featured here, contact Shelley Waitsman Riskin so we can place them in our archives.

1. What was the original reason for forming B'nai Jehoshua?

A. There was a need for a synagogue

B. As a Burial Society

C. As a social club

D. Congregants demanded a big enough place for High Holy Day services

2. Who figured out how to artistically cover all of the crosses in the churches where Beth Elohim worshipped before the building of the 901 synagogue?

A. Heinz Herz (he volunteered because he liked being creative.)

B. Sonny Waitsman (he was Ritual Vice-President, so he was responsible for this.)

C. Pastor Martin O'Malley. (it was his church)

D. Irv Glick (he owned a business that created window displays, and agreed to figure out what to do about those crosses, as well as finding a way to cover one garish pink wall at the Sahara Motel.)

3. What protest march did Rabbi Shapiro participate in as the new BJBE rabbi in the 1960s?

A. The "I Have a Dream" Washington gathering.

B. The Selma civil rights march, with Dr. Martin Luther King and Rabbi Abraham Heschel.

C. Martin Luther King's Chicago protest in Cicero.

D. The Birmingham "lunch counter" civil rights campaign.

4. Name the holiday where a man was stuck in the wrong lane of traffic and directed into BJBE's 901 Milwaukee parking lot, only to discover that he was stuck there and couldn't get out all day!

A.Chanukah

B. Passover

C. Yom Kippur

D. Tisha B'Av

5. How did the BJBE community celebrate the building of our Deerfield synagogue?

A. Went out for hot fudge sundaes.

B. Announced the building opening with a tweet.

C. Walked through the surrounding neighborhood while carrying the Torah.

D. Had a sleepover in the sanctuary.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS & ADULT EDUCATION

BJBE Stars for Business: Every Click You Make

TONIGHT - Monday, May 14, 7:30pm

Are you hacker proof? Join BJBE Stars for Business for "Every Click You Make" --a fun, informative session on keeping your online information safe, with cybersecurity expert Goran Donev. Free to all BJBE members! Please RSVP to Alan Pearlman.

Learn more >>

Counting the Omer Class with Rabbi Kedar

Tuesday, May 15, 12:00pm (PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE)

We will explore the Jewish principles involved in preparing to receive Torah. Omer, A Counting by Rabbi Kedar will be used as one of the texts for discussion. Join us as we make these 49 days count!

To register, contact Leslie Block.

Sisterhood Book Club

Tuesday, May 15, 12:00pm

Our May book is Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. A New York Times Bestseller, the book traces the intertwined fates of the picture-perfect Richardson family and the enigmatic mother and daughter who upend their lives. Pack a lunch and join us for a lively discussion. All are welcome! Contact Terri Ruby for further information.

Sisterhood Talking Statues Program

Tuesday, May 15, 7:30pm

Be amazed by what the Talking Statues in Chicago have to say on this virtual tour, led by Beth Sair.

BJBE Summer Send off and ShaBBQ Dinner

Friday, May 18, 5:15pm Matzah Ball Soup; 6:00pm Family Shabbat Service; 7:00pm ShaBBQ Dinner

Join us for Summer Send Off Shabbat! Camp t-shirts are encouraged, and we will celebrate everyone heading off to camp, the teens going on our mission to Kolin and Israel, and our seniors heading off to college! Services will be followed by a festive ShaBBQ dinner for all grades, catered by City BBQ. Dinner costs $12/adult, $8/child

Please RSVP by tomorrow here >>

PJ Shavuot Tikun for Families with Young Children

Saturday, May 19, 4:30-6:00pm

Join us in your PJs for an "undernighter" of fun and learning with stories, snack, & a special snack. Please RSVP to Susie.

Learn more >>

4th Annual Community-Wide Tikkun Leil Shavuot

Saturday, May 19, 7:00pm

Everyone has a Story: An Evening of Story, Song, & Learning

with Musician & Songwriter Craig Taubman, Storyteller Rick Lupert, Guitarist Sean Harkness, and featuring local Cantors & Rabbis

BJBE is a participating congregation, and both Rabbi Fenster and Deborah Goldberg will be teaching.

Learn more >>

Family Night at Max & Benny's

Tuesday, May 22, 5:00-7:00pm

Make dinner time easy! Join us in the back room, which will be reserved just for us! Feel free to bring a friend for crafts, games, and $5 kids meals! Tell them you're with BJBE and Max & Benny's will donate 15% back to us!

Next Steps for Justice: Building Power at BJBE for Change in Illinois

Wednesday, May 23, 7:30-9:00pm

We are continuing from the success & excitement of the launch of Reform IL. Help determine the impact we want BJBE to have, and the work we want to do NOW! Please bring a non-perishable item for the food bank. RSVP to Dani . Questions? Contact Susan Drucker. Sponsored by the BJBE Social Justice Team.

Learn more >>

BJBE Annual Meeting

Monday, June 4, 6:30pm

We look forward to our Annual Meeting, where we have a full and compelling agenda focused on our annual BJBE budget, our slate of nominees to Board and committee positions, and updates from key elements of our community. The evening will begin at 6:30pm. The business portion of our meeting will begin at 7:00pm.

Please RSVP here.

Greater Chicago Jewish Festival

Sunday, June 10, 11:00am-6:00pm

Join BJBE at this great bi-annual festival, featuring Corky Siegel, Howard Levy, RebbeSoul, over 100 artists, kosher food fair & BBQ competition, children's activity area, ComedySportz, and more!

Learn more >>

Shabbat Torah Study: Deuteronomy

Saturdays, 11:00am-12:00pm

Talmud Study

Wednesdays, 7:45-9:00am

Canasta & Mahjong, hosted by Sisterhood

Mondays, 12:00pm

All are welcome to join in the fun! To participate, RSVP to Sharon Krivitzky.

Mishkan Shalom

Our weekly Thursday meditation has finished for the summer. Keep watching for fall dates! Contact Margot Andersen with any questions.

JLC & YOUTH PROGRAMS

Support the Teen Mission to Kolin & Israel

For more information on the trip and ways to donate, visit www.bjbe.org/Kolin

Upcoming Youth Group Events

KYG Matzah Ball Shabbat and Undernighter

Friday, May 18, 5:15-9:00pm

For questions or information about youth programs, please contact SYG Advisor Alyssha Glass or JYG/KYG Advisor Marissa Steinhofer.

Visit the SYG Facebook group >>

SERVICES

Friday, May 18 , Matzah Ball Shabbat. Join us for a delicious bowl of matzah ball soup & challah at 5:15pm, followed by a multi-generational service featuring our Junior Choir at 6:00pm. All school ShaBBQ to follow (RSVP here). Interested in volunteering? We are looking for a few people to help serve soup - contact Dani if you are available!

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 from 6:45 - 7:30am in the intimate space of the Chapel. Experience a prayer service grounded in communal song, thought-provoking liturgy, and deep silence, followed by bagels and coffee. The weekday prayer melodies are available here , although all are welcome to attend regardless of musical or prayerbook knowledge.

Services in both the Sacred Hall and Sanctuary are streamed. To view our live or recorded streams, please click here.

Questions? Email Anne Robbin.

SOCIAL ACTION NETWORK

May Tzedakah - HIAS Chicago

For over a century, HIAS C hicago has been one of the most respected providers of immigration services in the Chicago metropolitan area. Founded to support Eastern European Jewish immigrants in the early 1900s, the program has expanded over time to address the needs of various refugee and immigrant groups from around the world, regardless of religion, race or national origin.

CARING COMMUNITY

Do you love to cook? Or are you fabulous at ordering in? The Caring Community is looking for volunteers willing to be called upon when someone in our BJBE community is in need of a meal during a challenging time. If you are interested in being on our volunteer list, please contact Dale Busch.

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, and a virtual food pantry. Learn more >>

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

Never had a Bar or Bat Mitzvah? Join the new, user-friendly Adult B'nai Mitzvah class that is beginning to form. The class meets weekly for approximately a year, culminating with a group B'nai Mitzvah experience. For more information, call the BJBE office at 847.940.7575 or Phyllis Steiner at 847.729.7366.

Help BJBE while you shop! AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support BJBE every time you shop, at no cost to you! Once you've selected Congregation B'nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim, every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation.

Book BJBE for your upcoming celebration!! Your spiritual home is also a premier venue with beautiful reception space in the Village Center, Sacred Hall,Courtyard, and Jewish Learning Center. For information and reservations, contact Erica Stone or by phone at 847-940-7575.

JUDAICA (GIFT) SHOP

Summer Hours

Friday evenings - ½ hour before & ½ hour after services

Or by appointment - Lynne, 847-528-1359

Learn more >>

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

JCC Chicago is looking for host families near Northbrook or on the North Side of Chicago to open their homes and hearts this summer by hosting Israeli camp staff. To learn more about this mutually beneficial opportunity, contact Emily Gottlieb, Regional Vice President, at 847.763.3543 .