Ritual Committee
Robert Levine, Chair
From serving as ushers, to leading children's services, Shiva Minyans, to caring for children during High Holy Day Services, BJBE's Ritual Committee is dedicated helping connect members to Jewish life. We welcome your participation! Please note that no experience or Hebrew knowledge is required, just a willingness to help or be trained in any area that appeals to you. We especially need ushers on Friday nights, Saturday mornings, High Holy Days and festivals. With over 400 ushering positions to be filled every year, your assistance is truly a mitzvah!
The Ritual Committee is involved in many aspects of BJBE's ritual experience including:
- Passover Seder (2nd night)
- Shabbat service usher ambassadors
- High holiday usher ambassadors
- Shiva Minyan leaders
- Restoration for the Torahs
The Ritual Committee always is looking for new members with new ideas pertaining to the ritual and religious experience at BJBE please e-mail Ritual Chairman Robert Levine at ralodgolf@comcast.net.
Ritual Subcommittees and Projects
Festival Task Force
Programs to celebrate festivals, educate and encourage adult participation.
High Holy Day Child Care Program
Plan, organize, or help with educational High Holy Day child care program.
Kesher Interfaith
Kesher means "connections". Works with Glenview Community Church and Islamic Center Mosque in Northbrook.
The Minyan
Saturday Morning 10:00 a.m. Shabbat services meets every Saturday, including during the summer. No sign-up needed but check here if you or someone you know would like more information about our informal, participatory, no-Hebrew-needed worship.
Nursing Home Outreach
Shabbat worship services conducted 1st Saturday morning of every month at Glenview Terrace; Festival services, including High Holy Day, Chanukah, and Pesach. Hebrew proficiency not required.
Renewal of Spirit
Monthly - Sunday 10:45 a.m. service conducted by Sandy Krebs with clergy. No sign-up needed, but check here if you or someone you know would like more information about this beautiful, meditative worship experience.
Second Day Pesach Seder
Help develop second day Seder to be held at BJBE with Clergy.
Shabbat Yeladim
Monthly - 7:00 p.m. Friday night service for families with very young children led by clergy. Planning, set-up and clean-up.
Ushering
Collating, stuffing, mailing of Usher Handbooks; substitute ushering; keeping Usher Cabinet and Quiet Room neat, stocked and in good supply.
Shiva Minyan Service
Help lead services when a congregational family is in need during Shiva. One evening training provided by our Cantor.
Food
Help organize Shabbat dinners and order food for a variety of festivals throughout the year.
Alternative High Holy Day Service
Work with clergy to develop an alternative worship experience for the High Holy Days. Also coordinate details including onsite logistics, ushering, and promotion for the services.
Purim Spiel
Work with our Cantor to develop an adult celebration/spiel designed to capture the essence of Purim and invite congregational participation.
