Thursday, April 18, 2024 | 10 Nisan 5784 | |
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A Message from Rabbi London & President Lee Weintraub
Please click here to read Rabbi London's announcement on her upcoming retirement. She will continue to serve the community through June 2026. The email also includes a special note from Board of Trustees President, Lee Weintraub. Read full statement.
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Welcome Our Two Newest Staff Members!
We welcome Melinda Valverde and Pierce Boyd-Bagby to our Beth Emet community! Pierce is serving as our Director of Communications and Outreach leading our communications and working with member outreach. Melinda is our Educational Programs Administrator and provides support for our myriad of educational programs including adult education and Beit Sefer.
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BESSY Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Friday, April 19 | 6:30 pm | In-person and LiveControl
This Friday is BESSY's annual Kabbalat Shabbat service and Lock-in. Support our teens and the BESSY Board as they lead services, share their meaningful connections and all that's great about being engaged in the Jewish community. We're so proud of their commitment to community, friends, and social justice! After services, all teens are welcome to stay for dinner at 8:00 pm with games, s'mores and a movie, followed by a sleepover. Bring your sleeping bags, pillows, and ruach (spirit)! Students sign up here!
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Earth Day Eve Interfaith Prayer for the Planet; Music Led by Cantor Young
Sunday, April 21 | 4:00 pm | In-person at Raymond Park (1501 Hinman; Evanston)
Join faith communities from around Evanston for an interfaith Earth Day Eve for a “Prayer for the Planet” on Sunday, April 21 at Raymond Park in Evanston. In case of rain, the event will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church (939 Hinman; Evanston).
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Garinim & Chasamba Head to Peggy Notebaert Natural Museum
Sunday, April 21| 12:00 pm | Meet at Beth Emet
Join Beth Emet’s youth groups in visiting Chicago’s Peggy Notebaert Museum. We will carpool from Beth Emet at 12:00 pm and return for pickup at 3:00 pm. We will provide snacks on the way back. Parents who are able to carpool, we need you! This event costs $10. Sign Up Here
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Israel Committee Meeting
Thursday, April 25 | 7:30 pm | Zoom
The agenda will include, in part, a discussion about the upcoming May 10th service recognizing Israel's 76th anniversary. Yom HaAtzma-ut is Tuesday, May 14.
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Special Passover Treats for Our Post High School Students
We thank our wonderful bakers who provided more than 144 sheets of toffee and chocolate covered matza that were sent to our post high school students along with a special note from Rabbi London and Cantor Young. It's a great way for them to welcome Passover and feel the love from our community.
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Reading and Conversation on Book of Nature with Author, Barbara Mahany
Barbara Mahany, former Chicago Tribune columnist and author, presented excerpts from her latest book, "The Book of Nature," delving into how its timeless theology prompts sacred encounters, fosters awe and wonder, and underscores the urgency of preserving our imperiled planet. Missed the program? Check out the recording. Watch the full video.
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What is Antisemitism? With David Shyovitz
This past Friday participants explored historical case studies of anti-Jewish rhetoric and discrimination, highlighting the need to consider extensive academic scholarship for a clearer understanding of the phenomenon. If you missed it, watch the full video.
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3rd Grade Siyyum Highlights
This past weekend was Beit Sefer's 3rd grade Siyyum; a celebration of the completion of the Hebrew alef bet. These learners are well on their way to Hebrew mastery!
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Congregational Message from Rabbi London Regarding Recent Events in Israel
"...the trauma of facing incoming bombardment cannot be minimized. It is a torment to the psyche that is hard to imagine in the safe confines of our homes here in Illinois. Those of you who have spent periods in bomb shelters and safe rooms in Israel during war time, as I have, know something of what Israelis went through overnight. Our hearts go out to everyone in the region..."
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Missed Part One of Can We Talk About Israel Discussion Led by Rabbi London?
Not required, but a good conversation nevertheless. Check out part one from Sunday, March 17.
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Sponsor an Oneg Shabbat
An Oneg Shabbat is such a wonderful way to welcome Shabbat together as a community. Consider sponsoring an Oneg to honor a special occasion or remember a loved one... or just because you'd like to sponsor one! You may either make/bake your own or have it catered. For more information or to help organize regular Onegei Shabbat, contact Bekki.
Upcoming Oneg Shabbat: Friday, April 19 following services sponsored by Helene Spak, Mark Williams, Elizabeth Lerner, Judy Caplan, Ted Goldsmith, and Sharon Ephraim on behalf of the Nominating Committee.
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Soup Kitchen Volunteers Needed for May and June! Sign Up Today!
The Rabbi Peter and Elaine Knobel Soup Kitchen at Beth Emet has served dinner on Wednesday night for more than 20 years. Each week a team of adult volunteers works a 4:15-7:00 pm shift to cook and serve dinner, and they also contribute by purchasing and bringing ingredients used in the meal preparation. We have some limited spaces for youth ages 6-15. We are currently making assignments for May and June, and Beth Emet members who are interested should contact the Soup Kitchen for availability.
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This Week at Beth Emet (April 19 - 27) | |
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All links for LiveControl (streaming from the Sanctuary), Zoom, and registration are on our website only. Click on the title of each blurb for details. Register via the member portal at MyBethEmet.
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Kahal Shabbat Morning Worship
9:30 am | In-person and Zoom
This Shabbat we will be reading: Metzora
Torah: Leviticus 14:1-514:1-14:6-9 (follow along)
Haftarah: Malachi 3:4-24 (follow along)
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Kabbalat Mitzvah of Sam Krantz; Child of Seth Krantz and Stephanie Linn and Zoe Price; Child of Jason Price and Mara Siler-Price
10:30 am | In-person and LiveControl
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BESSY Peggy Notebaert Museum Visit
Sunday, April 21| 12:00 pm | Meet at Beth Emet
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Monday, April 22 (First Night of Passover) | |
Offices are closed for the holiday. | |
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Kabbalat Mitzvah of Sam Krantz; Child of Seth Krantz and Stephanie Linn
Saturday, April 20
I go to Wilmette Junior High School and enjoy attending and participating in Broadcast Club where we make the school’s morning announcements. I like video games, anime, and sports. I’m looking forward to becoming a Bar Mitzvah because I’m happy to be part of this tradition that has been passed down for many generations.
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Kabbalat Mitzvah of Zoe Price; Child of Mara Siler-Price and Jason Price
Saturday, April 20
I am Zoe Price or חַוָּה and I have attended Beth Emet since kindergarten. I love doing theater and have been doing it ever since third grade at mudlark and just recently finished a play. I am so excited to become a jewish adult and unlock a new part of myself and my jewish identity. I want others to know it’s okay to love their jewish identity so I am going to teach the younger kids at my school about loving their religion.
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Wedding
Daniel Goodman and Haley Sonenthal were married on Saturday, April 6. Danny is the son of members David and Bonnie Goodman. (read more)
Death
Valerie Eve Wiener, mother of Todd Wiener, died on Friday, March 29.(read more)
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Sign Up to Receive Lifecycle Notices
To receive announcements for all births, weddings, and deaths, add your name to the mailing list through MyBethEmet (our member portal) on your individual page or contact Miriam.
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Consider a Donation to Beth Emet!
It's a great way to honor or remember someone special or celebrate a wonderful moment in the life of the congregation. This is one important way to support our community. For questions, contact Miriam.
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Membership Year Drawing to a Close; Please Check Your Account Balance
As we near the end of the membership year on June 30, we ask you to please check your account to confirm that all balances are paid or plan to be paid by the end of the year. If you pay on a regular cycle through auto pay, those scheduled payments will come to a close as well and may not include any donations that were pledged during the year. Payments may be made easily online through the My Beth Emet portal of the Beth Emet website. And please note, all auto pay plans must be renewed each year and for each specific charge (e.g. Membership Commitment, Beit Sefer and Kabbalat Mitzvah Fees) Questions? Email Debbie.
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Not Sure How to Dispose of Worn-Out Prayerbooks, Torah Commentaries or Text Study Sheets? Bring them to Beth Emet for Burial And, Check Out Beth Emet's Geniza with Beit Sefer Students
Thursday, May 2 | 5:00 pm | In-person
A Geniza is a place to store sacred Jewish documents and objects no longer used by a synagogue. Beth Emet’s Geniza is located under the ramp leading to the bima in the Sanctuary. On Thursday, May 2 we will open the Geniza with our Beit Sefer students and add to the cache of sacred materials that Beth Emet does not use. Please join us for a look into this sacred space. Members are encouraged to bring worn-out prayerbooks, Torah commentaries, or text study sheets on religious topics to be buried in this ceremony. Feel free to drop them off in the front office during regular business hours all week. Click to learn more about Geniza Burial or to check what qualifies to be buried.
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Looking for a Lost Item at Beth Emet
Our Lost and Found Box is overflowing! If you've been looking for a lost item, check out the box in the front office at Beth Emet. Note that all items that have not been picked up by the end of May will be donated.
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