SHABBAT SERVICES
Shabbat Ki Tavo
August 27 & 28, 2021 20 Elul 5781
ALL RSVP'S TO ACCEPT YOUR IN-PERSON SERVICE ASSIGNMENT ARE DUE BY MONDAY, AUGUST 30. IF WE DO NOT HEAR FROM YOU, WE WILL ASSUME YOU WILL NOT BE ATTENDING IN-PERSON AND WE WILL GIVE YOUR SEAT ASSIGNMENT TO ANOTHER CONGREGANT.
How We Return
Preparing for the High Holy Days
Taught by Rabbi Baum
Class TONIGHT will be held on Zoom
TONIGHT!
Thursday, August 26
7:00 PM
Come Home - Themes of the High Holy Days Through the Israeli Music
Our people have re-imagined the concept of ‘home’ throughout the ages, but one thing is constant: God is found in the home, wherever ‘home’ is. Every year, we make the pilgrimage through time beginning on Rosh Hashanah and continuing throughout the year, and we always return ‘home’. During our learning session, we will look at the concept of coming home through Israeli music, sacred texts, and sacred stories. 
Meeting ID: 843 3834 4592 Passcode: 839836
+13126266799,,84338344592#,,,,,,0#,,839836# US (Chicago)
A Message from Rabbi Baum
Shabbat Shalom Shaarei Kodesh,

For those who came in person to our service last Shabbat, or joined via Zoom, you noticed that I was not at services in person, but attended online. Last Shabbat, I shared the unfortunate news that members of our household tested positive for Covid-19. We are all doing well with mild symptoms. Thankfully, I continue to test negative, and, although I know we are not 'out of the woods' just yet, things are looking good. There is no need to send us anything, or call us to check in. We ask you all for privacy regarding this circumstance.

I have thought about what could have happened if we had Covid in our household on this date last year, and I am grateful that the eligible people in our household are vaccinated. Two Shabbatot ago, I spoke about the importance of the Covid-19 vaccine. Please, take a moment to read my sermon (below).


This week was also my birthday, but it's not just my birthday that we are celebrating, but the world's birthday! Rosh Hashanah is our collective birthday, the day God created humanity. Birthdays are times to look back, but also to look forward. This Saturday evening, we formally begin the High Holy Day season with the Selichot service.

The events of this past week were a reminder that my family's health and safety is not something to take for granted, and it is important to be there for each other. During these times, as we lead up to the High Holy Days, we focus on the important things in life, like just being here. Selichot is said during the darkest part of the night, but, as we know, it is always darkest before the dawn, and Selichot is a reminder that dawn and light is coming, even though it seems far off.

As we are at the cusp of a New Year, let's all celebrate life despite the challenges we face. On Saturday evening, I will be taking part in the Conservative Movement's Selichot program, which our congregation is co-sponsoring. I hope you join me and thousands of others around the world for what promises to be another exciting and meaningful Selichot experience!

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi David Baum
Saturday, August 28th - Selichot Night Live!
Programming will run from approximately 8:30pm ET through 1:00am ET.

Selihot Night Live is right around the corner! We welcome you to watch the livestream on YouTube at this link: tinyurl.com/SelihotNightLive.

These links will lead you to the complete learning schedule for the evening and a full list of our sponsors.


Parashat Ki Tavo:

Loneliness Versus Being Alone

by Rabbi Baum
Day 16 - Loneliness Versus Being Alone

(Torah Day - On Mondays and Thursdays, the days where we regularly read Torah in synagogues, I will post a reflection and writing prompt based on the week's parashah) The other day, our Board of Rabbis met with a local health expert who has been...

Read more
cskelulchallenge.blogspot.com
Resources for Providing Support for Afghans

Please join HIAS in calling on the Biden administration to start humanitarian evacuations immediately. This includes not only Afghans and their families who were affiliated with the U.S. mission, but also human rights advocates (especially women and girls), journalists, and religious and ethnic minorities, all of whom will face grave danger without immediate assistance. 

Through its network of U.S. affiliates, HIAS is working to ensure that newly arriving Afghans are welcomed and able to access opportunities to start their lives in safety in their new communities. If you are interested in learning about even more ways to help, see below:
 
To learn how you can help the volunteer effort to resettle Afghans, please contact the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service in the U.S. and the government of Canada.

For additional information about the need of Afghans right now you can see the International Rescue Committee page.
FRIDAY MORNING MINYAN & PIRKEI AVOT CLASS
WITH RABBI BAUM RETURNS!
Friday, August 27, 2021
8:00 AM

THIS WEEK WE WILL MEET ON ZOOM AT 8:00 AM
FUTURE CLASSES WILL BE DETERMINED
KABBALAT SHABBAT/MAARIV
LED BY RABBI BAUM!
Friday, August 27, 2021
6:15 PM ET

Please join us for Shabbat services on Zoom.
Due to the new surge of Covid cases, we will resume
Devarim She’Bekedushah (Barchu, Kedushah, Kaddish) virtually.
Meeting ID: 882 0065 3129 Passcode: 910086
+13126266799,,88200653129#,,,,,,0#,,910086# US (Chicago)

In-Person (& on Zoom)
Shabbat Morning Services

Saturday, August 28, 2021
9:30 AM ET


VACCINATED Chaverim and Sacred Guests Welcome!

If you are Zooming into Shabbat morning services and would like to participate in the service with an English reading, please email: yanksseven@comcast.net

Vaccinations Required
Masks Required
SHABBAT SERVICES
Parashat Ki Tavo
Saturday, August 28, 9:30 AM ET

Cantor Hadash - Deuteronomy 26:12-15
Geil Bilu - Deuteronomy 26:16-19
Beil Bilu - Deuteronomy 27:1-3
Rebecca Pontillo - Deuteronomy 27:4-8
Matt Weiss - Deuteronomy 27:6-10
Lenny Berkowitz - Deuteronomy 27:11-28:3
Matt Weiss - Deuteronomy 28:4-6
Matt Weiss - Deuteronomy Maftir 28:4-6
Haftarah Isaiah 60:13-22
Meeting ID: 882 0065 3129 Passcode: 910086
+13126266799,,88200653129#,,,,,,0#,,910086# US (Chicago)
SPONSORS FOR AUGUST

Virtual L’ Chaim Sponsors
Patty & Matt Weiss in honor of all the Torah & Haftarah Readers

Virtual Challah and Wine Sponsors
Arlene & David Lurie in honor of their 65th Wedding Anniversary on 8.19.21
and Arlene's 85th Birthday on 8.20.21

Kemach Torah Nadiv Sponsors 5781
Rachel & Alexander Baum
Nan Berkowitz
Sue & Ben Eisenberg
Judi & Lewis Fogel
Diane & Robert Salamon
Susan & Lewis Witonsky

Kemach Torah Parashat Ki Tavo
Nan Berkowitz in honor of Hunter Zbarsky receiving his Pilot's License
Judy Richman in honor of Gary's 60th Birthday
RABBI DAVID BAUM
CANTOR YAKOV HADASH