Friday, June 5| 13 Sivan 5780
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Greetings!
On Tuesday, I wrote about the need for our continued work on racial justice. With what’s going on in the world, we feel a particular sense of urgency now, but I want to remind you that Beth Emet has a long history of this work which we have pursued for many years. We have been engaged in racial justice work both during times of heightened awareness and of relative quiet when the issue wasn’t on the front page of the newspaper or the dominant topic in our social media feed As many of you might recall, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at Beth Emet in 1958 at a time when very few religious institutions would dare to host him, and Rabbi Polish marched in Selma with Dr. King. The pursuit of racial justice continued under the leadership of Rabbi Knobel who had a close relationship with Rev. Hycel Taylor who was the pastor of the Second Baptist Church in Evanston for many years. I will never forget Rabbi Knobel’s and Rev. Taylor’s leadership of the Evanston community in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. They brought the community together in prayer and remembrance. We now stand on the shoulders of the tremendous leadership that preceded us and continue to pursue justice and the elimination of racism in our society.
Things have been happening quickly, and we are working to disseminate information about protests and other actions in a timely manner. Below, you will find information about upcoming events, how to register if necessary, and how to meet other Beth Emet members at the event. As things progress in the weeks to come, the best way to get the most up-to-date information about activities is on the Beth Emet Facebook page, my personal Facebook page, and the Beth Emet website. And when you attend an event—either in person wearing a face mask or at home—I encourage you to take pictures of yourself and write why this issue speaks to you. I’d like to collect these photos and thoughts so we can share them with each other. Please send to
sbaum@bethemet.org
.
As Shabbat begins, I also want to remind you to take some time for spiritual and physical care. The issues we are facing are not new, and we will continue to address them in the future. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Shabbat is a time to recharge ourselves. I encourage you to attend worship tonight and tomorrow morning and to take time for rest and relaxation.
With prayers for justice, peace, love and compassion.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi London
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Chazak, chazak v’nitchazek, recited as we complete the reading of each book of Torah, also marks the conclusion of this ‘chapter’ in the life of Beth Emet. Our Beth Emet Early Childhood Program, nurturing, educating and supporting Jewish families and children for 50+ years, has closed, and we said good-by to our last G’dolim class with an on-line siyyum (conclusion) and Beth Emet balloons! The need for part-day nursery schools has significantly diminished in our community, and we’re excited that JCC Chicago will open a full day, year-round child care center at Beth Emet this coming fall.
Our Early Childhood Program drew strength from Jewish values. Focusing on compassionate social skills, and respecting the unique capabilities of each child, we supported parents as they raised
menchedik
children. (And supported parents as they wept in frustration!) We created strong communities of teachers, parents and children. Over the decades, so many Early Childhood friendships blossomed into sustained family bonds, and my heart sings when I hear about former EC kids and families still connected through high school, college and beyond.
Jewish families continue to face challenges and seek a values-based community, now more than ever. In my new role at Beth Emet as Director of Young Family Engagement, we’ll offer many opportunities for welcoming and nurturing families into our amazing Beth Emet community. To celebrate the legacy of our Early Childhood Program, we are soliciting photos, anecdotes, and artifacts from anyone who was ever a part of the Early Childhood world.
Please contribute!
With gratitude for our past and excitement for our future,
Kathy Kaberon
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To access Virtual Beth Emet via Zoom, please check the latest info/links on the online calendar (with hyperlink). You can also find online the Zoom instructions (with hyperlink). Please note that worship services are also posted on
Facebook Live
(Please note that when on Facebook Live, your user name will appear when you speak. If you wish to preserve your privacy, please make sure to rename your user name.
If you don’t have a copy of
Mishkan T’filah
at home, you can get a
free online flip book,
a discounted
Kindle ebook version of
Mishkan T’filah
,
or a full
Mishkan T’filah
.
It’s also just fine to listen in!
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Today, June 5
3:00 p.m.
Fridays with Cantor Cotler
Cantor Cotler will welcome Shabbat with singing and movement songs. This is geared for families with kids under 6.
Z'Oneg - Oneg via Zoom
Zoom Link | Phone: 312-626-6799 Meeting ID:
853 5684 6772
6:30 p.m.
Kabbalat Shabbat Worship Services with blessings for June Birthdays
via Zoom and Facebook Live
Zoom Link |
Phone: 312-626-6799 Meeting ID:
853 5684 6772
Saturday, June 6
9:30 a.m.
Zoom Link |
Phone: 312-626-6799 Meeting ID:
846 1457 4064
This Shabbat we will be reading:
Naso II
Num. 6:1-7:89 p. 928
Judges 13:15-25 p.948
8:00 p.m.
Virtual Havdalah
Zoom Link
| Phone: 312-626-6799 Meeting ID
: 418 758 424
Sunday, June 7
9:00 a.m.
Weekday Minyan via Zoom
Zoom Link
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Phone: 312-626-6799 Meeting ID:
859 951 72738
Password: 5OI55V8b
If you are observing a
Yahrtzeit
or are in a period of mourning,
click here
to get a copy of the Mourner’s Kaddish. During this time in which the building is closed, we will be reading the names on Friday as part of the Kabbalat Shabbat services, beginning at 6:30 p.m. You can find the link to Zoom on the Beth Emet website or you can watch it live via Beth Emet’s Facebook page. On Shabbat mornings we hold services at 9:30 a.m., again virtually, and while we do not recite the name, we do invite everyone to unmute or add to chat to share the names with the community
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Showing our Support Together as Beth Emet
Several Beth Emet members have expressed an interest in participating together as Beth Emeters at various events coming up.
Sign Up Here So We Can Coordinate
.
We expect a large group and are testing communicating during the event via WhatsApp. So please enter your relevant numbers on the sign up sheet. We hope to use this method for future events and opportunities as well. Please reach out to our very own
Judy Caplan
with any questions or future events.
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TODAY, June 5 at 5:30 p.m.
We will meet at 5:30 p.m. just south of the tennis courts in Union Park, along Washington Blvd. We will gather (as socially distanced as folks feel comfortable), sing (with masks on), hear testimony from members of Kol Or, and join the march together at 6:30 p.m.
The JCUA program will be from 5:45-6:15 p.m. and then we will join the march.
Union Park is off the Ashland bus and the Ashland Green and Pink Line stop. We recommend if you are driving to park a few blocks away so your car is able to get out once the march starts.
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Saturday, June 6 at 11:00 a.m.
We will march to end Police Brutality
We march for justice for George Floyd and his Family
This march will be peaceful.
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Sunday, June 7 at 2:00 p.m.
We want this to be a visible sign to all Black Evanstonians that we stand united and in opposition to the killing of innocent Black Lives.
Sunday, June 7, 2:00 p.m. at Fountain Square (Downtown Evanston)
Sponsored by Evanston/North Shore Branch of the NAACP; Chessmen Club of the North Shore, Inc.; Evanston Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; Black Evanston Men (BEM); and SOUL Creations
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Take A Knee for Justice
Monday June 8 at 8:00 p.m.
A peaceful protest you can participate in at your own home. Please take pictures and write a few sentences why you joined in this protest which we can share with each other as a community. You can send your pictures and commentary to
sbaum@bethemet.org
. Thanks for your commitment to justice and compassion.
#takeakneeforjustice
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Saturday, June 20 at 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. / Sunday, June 21 at 5:00 p.m.
In order to address the scourge of racism in our country, we must also confront the issues of poverty, environmental degradation, and militarism. These issues are interlocked and must be addressed collectively if we want to make a real, lasting change in our society. This is why Rabbi London supports and has been active in the Poor People’s Campaign—the campaign begun by Martin Luther King Jr. before his assassination in 1968 and restarted by Revs. William Barber and Liz Theoharris in 2008. She spoke about the Poor People’s Campaign in her
Kol Nidrei Sermon
. Join Rabbi London for this important event and movement for justice and equity in our country.
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Monday, June 8 at 7:30 p.m.
Zoom Link
Phone: 3126266799
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Meeting ID: 834 1371 7485
In keeping with this series’ Hidden Gems theme, this 1994 Coen brothers comedy is often overlooked yet remains a stylized spellbinder set in 1950s New York. Tim Robbins stars as an endearingly naive Indiana native promoted by Paul Newman’s cynical board member to lead a large corporation while Jennifer Jason Leigh steals the movie with her spot-on send-up of Katharine Hepburn and Rosalind Russell (from our last movie,
His Girl Friday)
as the hard-bitten reporter trying to unravel the scheme. Featuring the brilliant corporate slogan: “You know, for kids.”
You can watch it here.
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Celebrating Beth Emet Graduates 2020/5780
Friday, June 12 at 6:30 p.m. during Kabbalat Shabbat
Secular rituals, like religious ones, enrich our lives. Many who are graduating in May and June of 2020 are feeling a sense of loss, whether it’s our own experience or for that of a loved one. Graduates of eighth grade, high school, college, graduate school and other programs are not walking across stages in caps and gowns hearing their names read. Yet, this milestone is important and
mazal tov
wishes are still in order.
Therefore, on Friday, June 12 at 6:30 p.m. at our Shabbat Services, we will be acknowledging our graduates with a special blessing. Please click on this
link
to fill in a few details so we can share your graduate’s
simcha
with our Beth Emet community. Forms must be submitted by Monday, June 8, 2020.
We look forward to celebrating with you.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Andrea London, Rabbi Amy L. Memis-Foler, Cantor Kyle Cotler
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Let Us Build a World of Love
Get Your Beth Emet Lawn Sign Today
This past Shabbat I posted my lawn sign in front of my house, and I was so moved by the number of neighbors and passer-bys who made a point of sharing how much the message, “Let Us Build a World of Love” captures their feelings and their hopes. During these challenging times we hope that you too can convey this message publicly to our community, and together let’s commit to building a world that we envision.
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Whether you live in a house or an apartment dweller who can possibly display the sign from your window,
order yours today online
for an $18 donation. There will be 3 locations in which to pick up or we have volunteers who will deliver (and even install).
And once you install your sign,
we would love for you to post a picture on social media with the hashtag
#BethEmetWorldofLove
.
And if you can’t get a sign, drive by Beth Emet and take a picture of yourself in front of the banners (both ends of Dempster), and post your picture online!
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We are excited to join in on the “porchtrait” craze by offering a sitting for a family portrait on your front porch or anywhere in front of your home. It’s a great way to capture the Covid-19 shelter-in-place experience. Local photographers Alan Teller, Jerri Zbiral, and Tom Ordover have generously offered their services for this initiative. In exchange for two digital images from the shoot, we are asking for a donation to a nonprofit organization that is connected in meaningful ways to Beth Emet: Connections for the Homeless and Interfaith Action of Evanston. As we moved into Phase 3 of the stay-at-home order, the City of Evanston’s financial support of these organizations ended. Connections and Interfaith continue to provide vital housing, food, and social services to their participants and need our support now more than ever!
NOTE: Photoshoots will take place between June 15-July 1, 2020. All social distance best practices will be observed during the shoots.
Typically, the fee for a digital portrait sitting like this is about $150. We suggest a donation of $72 to either (or both!) of the organizations. Space is limited, and portraits will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. We may not be able to accommodate all locations, but we will do our best.
To participate in this project, sign up
here
.
Please make your donations DIRECTLY to the participating organizations.
You can donate to
Connections for the Homeless
and/or to
Interfaith Action of Evanston.
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Bedtime Meditation with Rabbi Andrea London and Sarina Elenbogen-Siegel
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