Thursday, May 30, 2024 | 22 Iyyar, 5784 | |
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This Week's Shabbat Message: Cantor Natalie Young
"...Beth Emet has become my spiritual home and community that has brought tremendous blessing and fulfillment to my life. I am incredibly grateful for the warm embrace of community that I experienced upon my family’s arrival here in Chicago. The openness and trust that people shared with me, along with a genuine invitation to share my creativity, encouraged me to push the boundaries of worship with our Soul Spark Shabbat. This monthly offering of soul-stirring music intertwined with deep learning and meditation has become a beloved service offering..."
Read the full message here.
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This past Shabbat, Rabbi London offered a D’var Torah on the final section, “The Future” of A Letter in the Scroll, emphasizing the enduring importance of Jewish identity and tradition in the modern world. This final section calls on readers to embrace their heritage with pride and commitment, ensuring that the wisdom and values of Judaism continue to inspire and guide future generations. Watch the video to hear more. | |
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Concerned about the Local Current Migrant Crisis? Take Action, Lend a Hand, Supply “Take Care Kits”.
Beth Emet’s Social Justice Task Force is collecting supplies until Thursday, June 13
In response to the recent Social Justice Task Force’s informative panel discussion with JCUA and SaLT (Service and Learning Together based in Highland Park) on the current migrant crisis, a collection drive is being organized for supplies for 100 “Take Care” kits.
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To collect supplies for the kits, there is an Amazon Wish List for easy access to purchase supplies. Click here for a complete list. All items are due to Beth Emet by Thursday, June 13.
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In addition, we will have a collection box at Beth Emet for you to place your donated items (click here for the supply list). Once the supplies are collected, we will be hosting a packing session on June 18 (location TBD) to sort and pack all the items. More details and sign-up forthcoming.
- Or make a donation to Beth Emet to purchase additional supplies. Note “migrant care packages” in the memo.
To get involved, contact Sharon Smaller or Bekki Kaplan.
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Bakers Needed for Soup Kitchen
Guests at the Rabbi Peter and Elaine Knobel Soup Kitchen at Beth Emet really appreciate having homebaked desserts for dinner every Wednesday evening. We are currently making assignments for bakers for the summer months. If you are willing to bake 3 dozen adult servings of nut-free desserts one week this summer, please email the volunteer coordinator, Susan Melczer, for more details and available dates. Your contribution can be baked ahead and frozen if necessary and dropped off at the synagogue between 3:30 and 4:30 pm on your assigned date.
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Click the blue hyperlink in the title to access the event website page, including links to registration, Zoom, live control, and more. | |
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Celebration of Helene Rosenberg
Friday, May 31 | 10:30 am | In-person & Virtual
Every year, many members of the congregation volunteer their time to plan and implement enriching programs, and we will honor one of our leaders in this area: Helene Rosenberg. She has chaired our Adult Education Committee for many years, encouraging diverse programming and opening the door to thought-provoking Jewish learning for members of the Beth Emet community. Celebrate Helene and her phenomenal accomplishments!
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Soul Spark Shabbat & Young Leadership Division (YLD) Shul Shuffle
Friday, May 31 | 6:30 pm | In-person & Virtual
Join our clergy, musicians, and singers for a unique Shabbat experience filled with soul-stirring music and contemplative meditations and teachings. On this Shabbat, Beth Emet partners with the Young Leadership Division of the Jewish United Fund of Chicago to showcase this wonderful service. You won't want to miss it! YLD registrants will have dinner at Firehouse following services. YLD sign up here.
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Challah Bake Off Shabbat Dinner: Here’s Your Chance to Be a Challah Star… or Taster
Friday, June 7 | Following Kabbalat Shabbat Services | In-person
Miss the Challah Midrash and eager to show off your challah baking skills? Interested in sampling home-baked challot (plural for challah)? Here’s your chance! Sign up for the inaugural festive Challah Bake Off Shabbat Dinner, and if you bring a challah, you get $5.00 off per person on the dinner price of $18.00 per adult; kids thirteen and younger are free. Everyone who comes can vote on their favorite challah. Two categories: traditional and unique. Bonus: Send Bekki a photo of you (or members of your household) with a challah, and you will receive a special treat! Register and get ready for a fun-filled Shabbat dinner.
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Pride Tot Shabbat and Rainbow Sundaes!
Saturday, June 8 | 9:00 am | In-person
Singing and stories with Rabbi London and Cantor Young, celebrating diversity and open hearts with a colorful treat!! Perfect for families with kids five and under. Please register so that we can have adequate snacks for everyone.
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Shavuot: Experience the Torah of Healing through Song, Drumming, Middot Study, Worship… and Eating
Tuesday, June 11 | 7:30 pm | In-person & Virtual
Wednesday, June 12 | 10:00 am | In-person & Virtual
Spend the night enriching the soul and nurturing spiritual growth. From the second night of Passover until Shavuot, we count the Omer each of the 49 days, linking our redemption from slavery to the revelation of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. As we move from bondage to freedom, the kabbalistic tradition teaches us to work on our character traits to prepare us to receive the Torah with an open heart. Pirkei Avot (Sayings of the Sages) adds that if we turn the Torah over and over, we will find all the wisdom we need to support us on our journey through life and to live lives of purpose. During these challenging times, this Erev Shavuot, we will turn to the Torah for strength and healing. Through meditative drumming, soulful singing, and niggunim (chanting), wrestling with kabbalistic notions about how we can perceive God, delving into the world of Tikkun Middot (working on our character traits) through poetry, prayers, and conversation, and nourishing our bodies with cheesecake (dairy and vegan), we will refresh our souls and explore how Jewish tradition can help us be more resilient.
Shavuot continues with festival morning services and Yizkor on Wednesday, June 12, at 10:00 am.
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Connections for the Homeless & Beth Emet
Friday, June 14 | 6:30 pm | In-person & Virtual
Our relationship with Connections for the Homeless is stronger than ever, and what better way to create and nurture community than with Shabbat? Mark your calendar now for this powerful Shabbat service and Oneg following services. For more information about Connections for the Homeless in Evanston, click here.
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Cantor Young with Rabbi Joe Black
Monday, June 17 | 8:00 pm | In-person
Don't miss out on an incredible evening featuring the amazing band Hatzevet (The Crew) and Beth Emet's own Cantor Young! Secure your tickets now and be part of a night filled with soulful melodies and electrifying performances. Let’s sell out the show and make it a night to remember!
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A Path Forward: Creating a Political Horizon for Israel-Palestine
Sunday, June 9 | 10:30 am | In-person & Virtual, registration required
Watch Dr. Debra Shushan, J Street Director of Policy, and Special Guest Congressman Sean Casten (IL-6), along with Mideast policy experts:
- Explore five steps from the J Street Policy Expert Symposium for Israeli and Palestinian regional security and self-determination.
- Identify potential enablers and spoilers.
- Discuss the impact of the crisis in Congress with Representative Casten.
- Highlight actionable steps for the American Jewish community.
- Connect with other concerned Chicago community members.
Light snacks and refreshments will be offered.
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Happy Birthday to All Our June Celebrants
From one to ninety-nine, we celebrate the month’s birthdays on the first Friday of the month. Next Friday, June 7, our clergy will offer a blessing for June's birthdays. Come in person or participate remotely! We would love to wish you a “Happy Birthday!” Click here to view all our June celebrants.
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Kabbalat Mitzvah of Emily Berger: Child of Dave & Nicole Berger
My name is Emily Berger. I attend Baker Demonstration School, where my favorite subject is science. I play travel softball and like doing theater outside of school. For my Kabbalat Mitzvah project, I chose to donate to the Illinois Holocaust Museum. I am excited to embrace this meaningful milestone, and to make a positive impact.
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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 the office.
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Sponsor an Oneg Shabbat
An Oneg Shabbat is a wonderful way to welcome Shabbat together as a community. Consider sponsoring an Oneg to honor a special occasion, remember a loved one, or just because you'd like to sponsor one! You may either make/bake your own or have it catered.
Upcoming Ongei Shabbat (plural for Oneg):
- Friday, May 31 at 5:45 pm, sponsored by Andrew Huckman in memory of his mother, Beverly Huckman, on her fifth yahrzeit.
- Friday, June 7 at 5:45 pm, sponsored by an anonymous donor.
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Friday, June 14 at 7:45 pm, sponsored by the Beth Emet - Connections for the Homeless Team.
Are you interested in sponsoring an upcoming Oneg? Please email Bekki.
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Building Security Update
As you may recall, Beth Emet received a grant from the Department of Homeland Security for security enhancements to the facility. Starting this week through June, you will see workers in and around the building installing new cameras and window film. With appreciation for congregants Barb Schoenfield and Ted Goldsmith for spearheading this grant. Both of these projects will help ensure our building remains a safe communal space. If you have questions, contact Jody.
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Membership Year Closes on June 30
As we near the end of the membership year, we ask you to check your account to confirm that all balances are paid or planned to be paid by the end of the year. Payments may be made easily online through the My Beth Emet portal of the Beth Emet website. Please note that 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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Consider a Donation to Beth Emet
It's a great way to honor or remember someone special or celebrate a wonderful moment in the congregation's life. This is one important way to support our community. For questions, email the office.
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Interfaith Pride Festival
Sunday, June 2 | 2:00 pm | In-person
Interfaith Pride Festival (IFPF) invites you to the Interfaith Family Pride Fest on Sunday from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Raymond Park in Evanston. This event will feature amazing performances by Flamy Grant, Artemis Singers, Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus, and a Youth Showcase. Join us for fun games by the Actors Gymnasium, delicious carnival snacks, and beverages as we come together to celebrate the joy and diversity of our wonderful community.
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Grieving the Death of a Loved One Webinar
Wednesday, June 5 | 7:00 pm | Virtual
Music and poems for healing, reflections on the grieving process, and a personal grief journey will be followed by optional small groups. The event is tailored to those grieving a death in the past two years; everyone is welcome. Register here. Contact Leah Shefsky for more information.
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Melton a Summer of Learning: Shavuot as Metamorphosis
2 Sessions: Mondays, June 3 & 10 | 1:00 pm | Virtual
Summer is nearly here, and with it comes another great season of learning at Melton International! This summer, we’re exploring complicated medical ethics questions, deep-diving into world-famous Jewish literature, unpacking a range of Jewish denominations, and more. One of the events, Shavuot as Metamorphosis with Rabbi Johnny Solomon, explores the holiday of Shavuot. In this two-part series, you will explore the metamorphosis of Shavuot from being a harvest festival to becoming the festival celebrating the receiving of the Torah. We will also reflect on Ruth's personal and spiritual metamorphosis, whose remarkable Biblical story is read on Shavuot. Register for this class here.
View the whole list of summer programs here.
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22nd Annual Community Mental Health Conference
Saturday, June 8 | 9:00 am | Evanston Township High School
This year's conference explores the definition of work and workplace, work cultures, challenges, and the importance of valuing mental health. You’ll engage with leading experts, exchange ideas and perspectives, and explore innovative approaches to fostering and engaging in a supportive and inclusive work environment.
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Services at Beth Emet (5/31-6/2) | |
Join us for an immersive experience! Find all the links for LiveControl (streaming from the Sanctuary), Zoom, & registration exclusively on our website. To follow along, click below. | |
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Kabbalat Shabbat Service: Soul Spark Shabbat with Young Leadership Division
6:30 pm In-person & Virtual
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Weekly Torah Portion: BECHOKOTAI
Leviticus 26:3-5 | Leviticus 26:6-9 | (follow along)
English Leviticus 26:10-27:15
Haftarah Jeremiah 16:19-17:14 | (follow along)
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Kabbalat Mitzvah of Emily Berger: Child of Nicole & Dave Berger
10:30 am In-person & Virtual
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Sunday Morning Minyan
9:00 am In-person (offsite) & Virtual
Minyan will be offsite until September 8th, when it will return to the building. For the location of this week's minyan, questions, or to be added to the listserv, contact Jonathan Hartman-Seeskin.
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