Shabbat Shalom- August 26, 2022

Shabbat Inspiration, Worship Schedule, and LifeCycle Notices

Friday, August 26, 2022 / 29 Av, 5782

In this week's Torah portion, Re'eh, we read about Moses setting before the Israelites the option to choose to be blessed or cursed. If the Israelites followed God's commandments, they would be blessed. And if they chose to disobey God's commandments, they would be cursed. Pretty simple. But that consequentialism never really sat well with me; it's too black and white. Sometimes people are blessed or cursed without any agency. There is so much we cannot control in our lives, so how do we reconcile this troubling passage?

Further on in the portion, there's another landmark section in Deuteronomy 15:2 known by many names, Hashem's Shemittah, Remissionis Domini, and The Lord's Release. It is the obligation and practice of releasing debtors from their debt every seven years. This passage feels particularly relevant this week as President Biden forgave $10-20k in student loan debt. And while I didn't hear any overt statement tying his action to this week's Torah portion, the coincidence is uncanny.

It is incumbent upon us as Jews to recognize that there are times where we have agency over making decisions that can ultimately bless or curse us, but sometimes that choice is an illusion. For many Americans, higher education is locked behind crippling debt. Living under the yoke of debt can feel like a curse, which is why it is crucial for us to work towards lifting that curse and turning the acquisition of higher education into a blessing with no strings attached... except for the yearly emails asking for alumni donations.

Wishing you all a week of peace, wholeness, and blessings!

Shabbat Shalom,

Cantor Rabbi Kyle Cotler

Worship Schedule

Friday, August 26

6:30 pm

Kabbalat Shabbat Services

In-Person and Virtual on LiveControl

Challah Midrash: Caryn Etkin

Masks (Suggest KN94 or KN95) are required, and your most recent vaccination/booster shot should be on file and up-to-date. If you have not yet shared your vax info, please do so here.

Livecontrol Link

To listen to the service, dial 847-869-4230 and press 7 or watch on Facebook Live

Saturday, August 27

9:30 am

Kahal Shabbat Morning Service

In-Person and Virtual (fusion worship)

D'var Torah: Michael Orenstein

Masks (Suggest KN94 or KN95) are required, and your most recent vaccination/booster shot should be on file and up-to-date. If you have not yet shared your vax info, please do so here.

Zoom Link

Ph: 312-626-6799 | Meeting ID: 813 2237 5514 | Passcode: 1224

This Shabbat we will be reading:

Re'eh- Shabbat Rosh Chodesh

Torah: Deuteronomy 15:1-16:17,

p. 1269, Follow Along Here

Haftarah: Isaiah 66:1-13, 23,

p. 1492, Follow Along Here

4:00 pm

Conversation: Traits of White Supremacy Culture

This program will take place outside at Beth Emet’s playground.

Please register now to receive material in advance.

Continuing our recent conversation at the racial justice training led by JCUA, we are offering a deeper dive into everyday racism in our communities. This session will be led by BE members Michelle Oxman, Paul Peterson, Judy Caplan, and Lisa Levine. Even if you have not consistently been part of previous trainings or discussions, you are welcome to attend and be a part of this group learning opportunity.

Sunday, August 28

9:00 am

Sunday Rosh Chodesh Minyan, Brunch and Learning

with Rabbi London

In-Person at Rabbi London and Danny London's Backyard (Rain Location: Beth Emet)

9:00 am Minyan

9:45 am Brunch and Program

We invite you to begin the month of Elul with community, worship, hear the shofar blown, scrumptious brunch, and reflective learning as we initiate our preparations for the High Holy Day period.

9:30 am

Young Family Elul Parfait Party!

In-Person at Beth Emet

Elul, the month preceding the High Holidays, is a time for reflection and preparation. Come with your kids to the Beth Emet playground, where we’ll play, sing, talk about how we’ve grown, and enjoy make-your-own parfait bar!

LifeCycle Notices

Want to receive lifecycle notices for all births, weddings & death announcements?

You can sign up for the mailing list through MyBethEmet (our member portal) on your individual page or contact Bekki Kaplan.

Consider making a donation to Beth Emet in honor, or in memory, of a friend or a loved one. You can do so online or contact the office. Families will be notified of your contribution.

Challah Midrash

In Parshat Eikev, Moses described Israel as a land of milk and honey. This week, Neal Shanoff baked challah in the shape of a honey jar and milk carton, along with John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Milk and Honey album cover.

Find out more on our Challah Midrash Instagram.

Next Shabbat: September 2

Kabbalat Shabbat Services with September Birthday Blessings and Labor on the Bimah: Joy Rogers

This year’s “Labor on the Bimah” will be given by Joy Rogers. Her D’var Torah, is titled, The Labor Movement: An Expression of Shalom. After almost 30 years in parish ministry, The Very Rev. Joy Rogers retired in 2014 as Dean of St. James Cathedral and discerned a call to ministry beyond the doors of the church. She became a board member of ARISE Chicago and found a way to work with people who did not worship the way she knew or speak a language she understood or faced challenges that she could not imagine. It has been a time of gift, of learning, of an awakening of spirit and conscience.

Chicago Theatrical Release: 'Three Minutes-A Lengthening"

A new, award-winning documentary about the Holocaust. Opens this weekend in Highland Park and Skokie.

Please note: There is no graphic content or violence on screen.

For a Complete Listing of Services and Programs-

Check Out Our Website! bethemet.org

Worship Support

To access worship services virtually, please check the latest info/links on the online calendar. Please note that Kabbalat Shabbat services are also posted on Facebook Live. Kabbalat Shabbat Livestream will include virtual t’filah to follow the service.