EmetMail: Keeping Calm, and Carrying On...

Tuesday, March 31, 2020 | 6 Nisan 5780

Greetings!

Passover has always been a favorite holiday of mine. I love developing creative ways to engage my fellow seder attendees. Over the years I’ve created games, stories, and innovative interpretations of all aspects of the seder. But, like you, I know that this will be the most unusual seder I’ve ever had. As we are all thinking about ways to adapt our seder to the current conditions, we, at Beth Emet, are compiling ideas, creating ways we can share ideas with each other, and making some videos you can use to prepare for your seder or show at your seder itself. These ideas will be available soon (and stay tuned for the next episode of Quarantime!).

We also know that some people might be alone for seder and are looking for a seder they can attend via Zoom or whatever technology might be used. Please let us know if you are in need of a seder so we can match you with someone. And for those who can invite someone to virtually attend your seder, please let us know you have an extra spot for someone on your Zoom screen. If you need a place or can offer a place, please send an email to Bekki Kaplan.

As we prepare for Passover, we acknowledge the human suffering that is taking place. Our hearts ache for those who are ill and for those who are mourning the death of their loved ones. We pray for health and comfort for all who are hurting.

We also try to keep in our minds a vision of the future. On Passover we celebrate that the cycle of slavery can be broken; we are not destined to be stuck in whatever circumstances enslave us. What an apt moral to remember today as we prepare for more time living our lives with fewer freedoms and with deep concern for the pain in the world. May this hope sustain us as we look forward to a better future, and may our Passover observance remind us of the blessing of freedom and deepen our empathy for all humankind.

With blessings for good health, well-being, and a loving Passover,

Rabbi London

Coming Up at (Virtual) Beth Emet

Thursday, April 2

Beit Sefer via Zoom (various times - check Beit Sefer News)

Friday, April 3

9:30 a.m. A Close Look at Torah with Rabbi Andrea London via Zoom (or call 312-626- 6799 Meeting ID: 657 819 679)

10:45 a.m. Your Space, My Space, Our Space: The Sabbath Prohibitions via Zoom

(or call 312-626-6799 Meeting ID: 454 365 822)

6:30 p.m. Kabblat Shabbat Services via Zoom (or call 312-626- 6799 Meeting ID: 963 006 6598 )

Saturday, April 4

9:00 a.m. Tot Shabbat via Zoom ( link will be in Friday's email and EC News)

9:30 a.m. Kahal Shabbat Morning Service via Zoom (or call 312-626- 6799 Meeting ID: 963 006 6598)

8:00 p.m. Virtual Havdalah via Zoom (or call 312-626- 6799 Meeting ID: 963 006 6598)

Sunday, April 5

Beit Sefer via Zoom (various times - check Beit Sefer News)

1:00 p.m. Social Action Committee Meeting via Zoom (or call 312-626- 6799 Meeting ID: 826 130 037 )

Wednesday, April 8

Passover Begins at Sundown

Thursday, April 9

10:00 a.m. First day of Passover Services via Zoom (or call 312-626- 6799 Meeting ID: 963 006 6598)

Friday, April 10

6:30 p.m. Kabblat Shabbat Services via Zoom (or call 312-626- 6799 Meeting ID: 963 006 6598 )

Saturday, April 11

9:30 a.m. Kahal Shabbat Morning Service via Zoom (or call 312-626- 6799 Meeting ID: 963 006 6598)

8:00 p.m. Virtual Havdalah via Zoom (or call 312-626- 6799 Meeting ID: 963 006 6598)

Monday, April 13

Music of the Holocaust with Jesse Rosenberg via Zoom (or call 312-626- 6799 Meeting ID: 214 583 753 )

Stay up to Date with Virtual Beth Emet

Tot Shabbat

Shabbat, April 4 at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom (link forthcoming)

Rabbi Memis-Foler, Cantor Cotler,and Kathy Kaberon will join you in your living room for songs, a story and an activity

Coming Soon

Donations / Volunteer

Beth Emet Soup Kitchen - Keeping Calm and Carrying On

In the face of challenges presented by the Coronavirus outbreak, Beth Emet Soup Kitchen (BESK) is continuing to offer hot meals to members of the community. To reduce the exposure of both volunteers and guests, sit down meals have been replaced by hot dinners to-go. Full bag lunches are being assembled in volunteers’ home kitchens and the meals are being packed with just five volunteers, down from the 20+ required on a regular serving night. All volunteers are using best practices of social distancing, frequent handwashing and wearing gloves.

The Soup Kitchen Committee is so grateful to all of you who have supported it in the past, making it possible to purchase all food with Beth Emet Soup Kitchen funds. We also want to thank the leadership at Beth Emet for their continuing support in allowing the Soup Kitchen to stay open. Read more .

Bake for the Soup Kitchen

If you’re looking for something worthwhile to do at home, why not bake desserts for Beth Emet’s Soup Kitchen? We won’t use them right away, however if you freeze them, we promise to use them at a later date. Please help us by following some simple guidelines:

Bakers need to be healthy and wear gloves
We prefer cookies, brownies and other individual treats. No cakes or pies please
No nuts please!
Please put desserts in freezer bags and label with the date, the contents and the # of pieces.
If you can store them in your home freezer, that’s great. If not, please contact Leslie and she can arrange to freeze them at Beth Emet.
Once you’ve baked, please send a note to soupkitchen@bethmemet.org to let us know how many pieces you have. We will be in touch when we’re ready to re-open and serve your goodies.

See a comprehensive guide to meal resources, donation and volunteer opportunities and more in our area.

Social Justice

Advocacy

During this pandemic, while most people are sheltering in place, they have shared with me that they wish that they could do more to care for others who are in need. Beth Emet has had a long history of being engaged in Social Justice, and one of the ways we can do more for those in need is through the vehicle of advocacy. Please read the following message from our member Judy Caplan, who has been a leader in our congregation in the area of advocating for Social Justice. She has sent this message to those who have signed up to receive such actions, and at a time like now, there may be a wider interest in participating to help others who are in need. --Rabbi Amy L. Memis-Foler

Virtual Learning

How to Access Adult Education Courses

At the start of class you can click on the Zoom link below, on the calendar on our homepage, or on the programs description page on the web (and hyperlinked below). If you're having issues, please see Zoom directions . While you may not have signed up for these Adult Education classes, now that they are online, feel free to join the learning.

If you anticipate you might need some technology help connecting electronically prior to the class , please email Rabbi Memis-Foler or call Beth Emet at 847-869-4230 ext. 321 and leave a message with your phone number

A Close Look at Torah

with Rabbi Andrea London

Friday, April 3 at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom (or call 312-626- 6799 Meeting ID: 657 819 679)

New participants always welcome!

Your Space, My Space, Our Space: The Sabbath Prohibitions

with Rabbi Michael Balinsky

Friday, April 3 at 10:45 a.m. via Zoom (or call 312-626-6799 Meeting ID: 454 365 822)

Music of the Holocaust

with Jesse Rosenberg

Monday, April 13 via Zoom (or call 312-626- 6799 Meeting ID: 214 583 753 )

View more details, costs, and upcoming courses, register, or email Miriam with any questions.