Tuesday, July 9 | 6 Tamuz 5779
Greetings!

Have you never been to Israel? Have you been many times? Are you interested in seeing Israel from a unique perspective? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the Beth Emet, Second Baptist, Grace Lutheran fall trip to Israel is for you! Our three congregations will travel together to Israel and the West Bank, led by both a Palestinian and a Jewish tour guide who will show us the sites and help us gain a deeper understanding of the triumphs and tribulations of modern-day Israel. It will also be an opportunity to see Israel through the eyes of a diverse group of travelers from our three congregations. We’ll come home with deeper connections not only to Israel, but to others who live in our area and attend churches with whom we have a close connection. And who wouldn’t want to go to Israel with Pastors Nabors, Ruen, and me—your chaperones!

We are in the waning days of registration. If you’re on the fence, sign up now so the trip will be a go. We are considering shortening it by two days in order to reduce the price. If the trip does not go, you will receive your security deposit back so you have nothing to lose by registering.

In the spring of 1991, during my first year of rabbinic school in Jerusalem, I took a tour guiding class at Melitz: the Center for Jewish and Zionist Education. As part of the course, we learned to guide sites in Jerusalem, and we went on trips around the country to prepare us to be tour guides for teens. One of the special aspects of the course was its philosophy. We explored what contemporary themes we can glean from historical sites and how we can learn from the contemporary experiences of the diverse population that lives there. We will do all this and more on our trip. Here’s a copy of our incredible itinerary . Please sign up today for this not-to-be missed trip . If you have any questions, please get in touch with me.

Hope you’re enjoying your summer.

L’shalom,
Rabbi London

p.s. Here’s a little inspiration for our trip from one of my favorite Israeli poets. This year in Jerusalem! You can make this dream a reality! 

Tourists   by Yehuda Amichai

Visits of condolence is all we get from them.
They squat at the Holocaust Memorial,
They put on grave faces at the Wailing Wall
And they laugh behind heavy curtains
In their hotels.
They have their pictures taken
Together with our famous dead
At Rachel's Tomb and Herzl's Tomb
And on Ammunition Hill.
They weep over our sweet boys
And lust after our tough girls
And hang up their underwear
To dry quickly
In cool, blue bathrooms.
Coming Up at Beth Emet
Friday, July 12
5:45 p.m. Shabbat Oneg
6:30 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat Services

Saturday, July 13
9:30 a.m. Kahal Shabbat Morning Services
9:30 a.m. Shabbat Minyan Services

Saturday, July 20
9:00 a.m. Tot Shabbat and Kiddush at Noah's Playground
9:45 a.m. Congregational Shabbat Service followed by a vegetarian and nut-free potluck lunch at the Lighthouse Beach Picnic Shelter
Upcoming Shabbat Services
Congregational Shabbat Service at Lighthouse Beach Park Shelter
(2611 Sheridan Road, Evanston)
Come and welcome Cantor Kyle Cotler!
Saturday, July 20
9:00 a.m. Tot Shabbat and Kiddush at Noah's Playground.
9:45 a.m. Congregational Shabbat Service followed by a vegetarian and nut-free potluck lunch.

In case of inclement weather, check Beth Emet's homepage.
BBQ Shabbat Dinner
Friday, July 26 following 6:30 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat Services
Welcome Cantor Kyle Cotler at a festive Shabbat BBQ Dinner following Services!

Beth Emet will provide the hamburgers, veggie burgers, corn on the cob, and watermelon, and we ask that you help provide salads, side dishes, and desserts (all dishes must be nut-free).

We have designated what to bring based on the first letter of your last name:

A - H: green salad
I - P: dessert
Q - Z: side dish

$10 per person by Wednesday, July 24, $12 thereafter. Register today!
Mark Your Calendar
Cantor Kyle Cotler Installation
Friday, September 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Did you miss a recent Kabbalat Shabbat Service?
Tune into our SoundCloud channel to hear past divrei Torah, like last week's from Rabbi Andrea London.
Beth Emet Community News
Weekday Minyan offsite for the Summer
During the summer months (beginning on May 26), Weekday Minyan takes place in congregants homes at 9:00 a.m. To be included on Weekday Minyan listserv, email Wendy or view the Google doc to sign up to host or to learn where Minyan will be held.
Pay with a gift card
Learn how to support Beth Emet by paying with gift cards through Scrip or by purchasing on Amazon using AmazonSmile. Each company will donate a portion of the purchases to us!. Don't Forget Amazon Prime Days are July 15 and 16!
October 23 - November 3, 2019
Take 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! Full itinerary and registration info.
Social Justice
Saturday, July 13, 2019 – 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  
Daley Center Plaza – 50 W Washington St., Chicago
With more enforcement tactics by ICE on the horizon, organizers will offer concrete steps everyone can take to stand in solidarity with immigrant communities throughout the state.This action is sponsored by RAC-IL’s partners—the Illinois Coalition on Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), PASO/West Suburban Action Project, and others. 

Reclaim Evanston and Joining Forces for Affordable Housing 
Affordable housing is key to building a community of opportunity for all and maintaining Evanston as a culturally rich and diverse community. Reclaim Evanston and Joining Forces for Affordable Housing are providing opportunities to learn about strategies to address the loss of affordable housing and what you can do to help to make Evanston more affordable. See a schedule of ward meetings.

Take action with the RAC
Tzedakah Committee Spring Grants
The Tzedakah Committee recently made five $500 grants to area organizations that address problems of basic human needs through social service and/or social action. The recipients of the spring grants are: The Kindness Connection, Random Acts of Flowers, James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy, Connections for the Homeless, and Family Matters.
Contributions
We thank all those who have recently made generous gifts in honor of, or in memory of, someone special. It's a great way to send a card while supporting Beth Emet. To make a donation check out the online form or you can send a check to the office letting us know who we should notify and for what occasion.
Photos of the Week
Beth Emet participants march with other Chicago-area synagogues in Chicago's Pride Parade (before it was rained out).
Seventh and eighth grade youth volunteered painting fence posts with meaningful images and value statements in partnership with students from Park School.
Summer construction continues on the Weiner Room Bathrooms.
View from former work room.
Keep up to date on this summer's construction on our Facebook page!
General Community
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