Tuesday, November 12, 2019 | 14 Cheshvan 5780
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Greetings!
A frequent question I have received over the past few months is: “What’s behind the construction wall?” My response: “Exciting stuff!” Or, “Transformation, Part Two!” With excitement I can now share that the partition walls have started to be deconstructed and you can enjoy the new west entry corridor. While the new west entrance from the parking lot is not yet complete, the old school entrance is back in action, allowing easier access into the building.
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What you will see: Just inside the construction fence you can sneak a peek at the recently poured new concrete ramp, entrance stairs, and landscape planter walls. You will also be able to see the new wall opening which is ready for the pending installation of the new glass storefront. The steel canopy structure has been fabricated, with the concrete in place and the steel installation scheduled. From an interior perspective, you can now experience the new west welcoming lobby which serves as a central circulation node between the various areas of Beth Emet. The new administrative office can be accessed through the door located adjacent to the red accent wall. You will also notice a new comfortable bench located in front of the new yellow feature wall. A wall space has been allocated in this new west lobby space for a new wayfinding monitor which will provide valuable guidance to both congregants and guests who are looking for specific events and their respective room locations.
A new
moadon (lounge) is located opposite the west entrance that will eventually serve as a meeting room or a quieter space in which to have a conversation. Marci Dickman, Director of Lifelong Learning, and my office are now located to the left (in the direction of the old school entrance where the administrative office once lived). As you continue through the walkway (toward the sanctuary and lobby area) you will find Debbie Gilbert, Finance Manager; Marla Topp, Administrator; and Susan Baum, Communications; at the top of the ramp to the left (in the area where my office was located). The entrance into this area will now serve as the new workroom.
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What’s coming? The Weiner Room is almost ready for prime time with significant updates (new ceiling, lighting and flooring), more flexible space, built in bookshelves, a coat room as you enter, a built-in buffet and a new and improved A/V system and mounted TV. The courtyard now has new landscaping and lighting, and the illuminated stainless-steel sculpture from Temple Judea Mizpah, “The Flame,” will be installed very shortly. And the bathrooms…. I will let you experience this exciting transformation of a space that was in desperate need of updating. P.S. Check out the dedicated baby changing and nursing room.
None of this would have been possible without our generous donors to the T’rumah Campaign. We remain inordinately grateful, and if you have not yet had the opportunity to donate, it is not too late – just drop me a note and I can provide you further information.
I can’t wait for you to see all the exciting changes!
L’Shalom,
Bekki Kaplan
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TONIGHT! Tuesday, November 12
Wednesday, November 13
Friday, November 15
5:45 p.m. Shabbat Oneg
6:30 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Saturday, November 16
9:00 a.m Tot Shabbat
9:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning Minyan
9:45 a.m. Kahal Shabbat Morning Service
10:00 a.m. Yoav Barlevy Bar Mitzvah
Sunday, November 17
9:00 a.m. Weekday Minyan at the Dobb's Home
9:30 a.m. Tzedakah Can Collection
10:00 a.m. Social Action Committee Meeting
2:00 p.m. Soulspace Interfaith Retreat
(offsite)
Wednesday, November 20
Friday, November 22
5:45 p.m. Shabbat Oneg
6:30 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat Service with the Adult Choir
Saturday, November 23
9:30 a.m. Shabbat Morning Minyan
9:30 a.m. Adult B'nei Mitzvah with Kahal Shabbat Morning Service
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Chicago Women’s Group to Reflect on Changes in the Interfaith Dialogue Since 9/11
“Continuing the Dialogue of Head and Heart: Celebrating 20 Years of Making Soul Space”
Sunday, November 17 | 2:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. (at the Turkish American Society, 501 Midway Drive in Mount Prospect)
Beth Emet’s former Director of Youth Programs, Abby Backer will be one of eight featured speakers at Soul Space Interfaith’s 20th anniversary retreat.
This event will address how interfaith dialogue has changed in the past twenty years from lay and spiritual leaders representing several Chicago -based women’s interfaith groups. Founder of Soul Space, Marilyn Gehant, will be the keynote speaker. This women’s-only event is open to the public with a suggested donation of $20.
Register through soul space.
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facilitated by Judith Pittel
Wednesday, November 20 at 1:00 p.m.
We will be joined by author Caroline Goldberg Igra to discuss her book,
Count to a Thousand: Negotiating Life as an American in Modern-day Israel. No fee or advance registration required. Contact
Marla with any questions.
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Saturday, December 7 at 5:30 p.m.
Beth Emet Family Connects invite all adults and children in grades kindergarten to fifth grade to this engaging, community event! The evening begins with Havdalah together in the Lobby, then, we'll split up: adults will have the opportunity to schmooze in the Lobby with hearty appetizers and a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, while kids can enjoy watching a movie, munching on pizza, and/or playing games downstairs in the Perlman Room. $18 adults | $4 child
Register today!
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BE@70
January 10-12, 2020
For 70 years, Beth Emet The Free Synagogue has created a community uniquely open to diverse understanding and expression of what it means to be a Jew. On January 10-12, we celebrate these 70 years of being ourselves and being together. As a special part of this celebration, we commemorate the enduring legacy of Rabbi Peter Knobel z"l. Plan to celebrate and commemorate.
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Sunday, December 15 at 5:00 p.m.
Cantor Kyle Cotler, and his father, Grammy Award-winning composer, Cantor Doug Cotler, present a miraculous, musical experience for all ages. Special appearance by the Jr. Choir.
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Register for the URJ Biennial in Chicago December 11 - 15
Every two years, the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), hosts a multifaceted
meeting which brings together thousands of delegates to study, learn, pray, and sing together. For the first time, the meeting is taking place in Chicago, at McCormick Place.
There are opportunities to attend the entire conference or just Friday and/or
Saturday. If you would like to attend Friday night Shabbat, including dinner, please
contact the Beth Emet office
as you must be a guest of a registered attendee. You will need to designate a chicken or vegetarian meal, and indicate if you plan to ride the bus from Beth Emet to McCormick Place. The cost for Friday evening is $90.
If you’d like to register for Saturday only,
register here
. For questions, contact
Doug Hoffman
.
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Did you miss a recent Kabbalat Shabbat Service?
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Beth Emet Camp Scholarships
Deadline is January 13, 2020
It is with tremendous appreciation that we say thank you to the Samuel Sherwin Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Gerald D. Chiss Memorial Scholarship Fund of the Beth Emet Foundation, the Harvey Rice Youth Fund, and to those who support them. If you are interested in applying for the summer of 2020,
please fill out this form or contact
Bekki Harris Kaplan with any questions.
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Beth Emet Soup Kitchen Coat Drive
Through December 8
Cleaning out your closet this fall? Consider helping our Soup Kitchen guests stay warm this winter by donating your gently used coats, scarves, hats, gloves, and boots. Please make sure pockets are emptied and all donations are in good repair. We especially need larger sizes for women and men. No children's wear, please. Please place items in the wooden donation bin in the South Lobby.
If you would like more information or to volunteer for coat sorting to soup kitchen guests on Wednesday, December 11, please contact
Leslie Levin Shulruff.
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Social Action Committee Meeting
Sunday, November 17 at 10:00 a.m.
Sue Murphy, Executive Director of Interfaith Action of Evanston, will be joining us during our meeting to share about their agency and programs, including the overnight shelter.
At 11:30 a.m. following the social action meeting, there will be a training sessions for people interested in volunteering at Interfaith Action’s Overnight Shelter.
Did you miss the Social Justice Coalition Quarterly newsletter?
Read it now!
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P-DAT Receives Grant from the Religious Action Center (RAC)
Beth Emet’s Post-Detention Accompaniment Team
has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the
Religious Action Center
. The grant is funded by the
Gilbert and Eleanor Kraus Initiative for Immigrant and Refugee Justice
and is intended to support projects advancing immigrant, refugee, and asylum seeker justice. Eighty years ago, Gilbert and Eleanor Kraus rescued 50 Jewish children from the Nazis. The grant given in their name seeks to galvanize action around the current crisis of immigrants and refugees held in detention and at risk of deportation. It is an honor for Beth Emet to join RAC’s cohort of congregations around the US and Canada who share our commitment to “welcoming the stranger.”
P-DAT provides direct, high-impact assistance to asylum seekers upon release from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention. Since June 2018, P-DAT has assisted 140 asylum seekers from 18 countries, enabling them to pursue a new life in America. The $5,000 will support expenses needed to sustain Beth Emet’s P-DAT program, such as purchasing backpacks, toiletries, clothing, and meals for asylum seekers.
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with David Zarefsky
Tonight! November 12 at 7:30 p.m.
This is a continuing lecture-discussion class on contemporary public issues of interest to Jews as citizens.
with Rabbi Amy L. Memis-Foler
Wednesday, November 13 | 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Jewish values teach us that we are obligated to take steps to correct the damages of climate change--learn about the Jewish imperatives toward protecting our planet.
with Rabbi Michael Balinsky
Fridays, November 15 and 22 | 9:45 – 11:15 a.m.
Explore how
halachah can help us gain insight into Shabbat and enrich our religious/spiritual lives wherever we see ourselves as participants in Jewish life.
with Khane-Faygl Turtletaub
Wednesday, November 20 | 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
You have told Jewish jokes and you have heard Jewish jokes. This class will explore what makes a joke Jewish, and what makes a Jewish joke funny.
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B'nei Mitzvah
son of
Noel and Paul Sucherman
November 9
son of Rachel and Scott Zeller
November 9
son of
Anat and Gadi Barlevy
November 16
Deaths
Ruben Shalom Shohet
father of Jacqueline Shohet and grandfather of Ethan, Elan, and Gavriel
Alice Fisher
mother of Susan Fisher (Jonathan Yenkin), and grandmother of Alex and Max Yenki
n
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