Torah

Holocaust Torah Scrolls

Congregation BJBE is the proud caretaker of two Torah scrolls that survived the Holocaust. To our community, these scrolls are much more than words on a page. These aged parchments, which carry the ancient stories of our tradition and heritage, are tender reminders of a painful past. These scrolls were lovingly read from by communities that no longer exist. These scrolls were studied by rabbis, students and seekers who perished in the Nazi concentration camps of World War II. These scrolls are the only reminders we have of once vibrant, robust Jewish communities.

On permanent loan from the London Memorial Scrolls Trust, the BJBE Holocaust Torahs are regularly used to teach our students, to inspire participants in our youth groups, and to connect our B’nai Mitzvot families to their living tradition.

Scroll #1484 is from the town Kolin, about 45 minutes outside of Prague in the Czech Republic on the Vltava river. Though a synagogue building still proudly stands in the city of Kolin, the Jewish community never returned after the horrors of World War II. The synagogue was lovingly restored in the early 2000’s, and is used today as a community center and museum.

Since 1998, the BJBE Senior Youth Group has made regular journeys to the Czech Republic, not only to visit the synagogue that was once home to our Kolin Torah Scroll, but to also help clean the Jewish cemetery on the outskirts of town. Though basic cemetery maintenance is provided by Kolin, there is no Jewish population to bring K’vod (honor) to those buried there, and no one to provide a meaningful remembrance.

Scroll #564 is an orphan scroll. Some of the 1,564 Torah scrolls that were transported from Prague to London after the war had lost their identifying information. For BJBE, our orphan Torah scroll represents people around the world who have been left parentless through war, poverty or circumstance.

On the day Scroll #564 came to BJBE, it was brought to the chapel ark for temporary storage on a Friday morning. At the moment the Torah arrived, the BJBE Early Childhood program was using the room for services to welcome Shabbat. The children, parents and teachers were delighted to be in the chapel as the Torah arrived, and welcomed the Torah to its new home with joyous song and dance.

Though we don’t know where scroll #564 came from or who it was used by, this orphan has now found a home.

Chava Center Registration

2017–2018 Registration Is Open

Chava Center Brochure

Dear Friends,

Registration for the 2017-18 School Year and 2017 Summer Camp at  the Chava Center is now open!

It's easy to register on-line!  Paper registrations are available from Susie Wexler.

Families have the option to register their 2 year old child to attend either 2 days/week or 3 days/week.  Families of 3 year old children can enroll for 3, 4 or 5 days/week of attendance.

Summer Camp families have the option to register their 2 year old child to attend either 2 days/week or 3 days/week.  Families of 3-5 year old children can enroll for 3,4 or 5 days/week of attendance.

All registrations must be accompanied by a $250 non-refundable deposit.

Classes fill quickly, register now:

  • Click here to register for School! 
  • Click here to register for Summer Camp!

For more information, contact Susie Wexler, Early Childhood Director.

Sincerely,

Susie Wexler

Congregation BJBE Chava Center

Early Childhood Program

Our Chava Center provides a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment, thoughtfully designed to facilitate the social, emotional, physical, intellectual, and Judaic growth and development of our youngest learners. With a professional staff of lifelong learners who structure play-based learning opportunities based on research and best practices in early childhood education, we believe in a partnership with individual families, creating personalized experiences to best meet the unique needs of every child. At each age level, we offer options for attendance. Children can extend their experience by enrolling in early bird or lunch bunch programs. Additional on-site enrichment opportunities further extend the day and deepen children’s explorations. Summer camp programming and tot-adult classes round out our programming options.

Tot-Adult Programs provide an opportunity for our youngest learners to explore while sharing time with the adults who love them. Programs are designed to meet the developmental needs of young children with opportunities for socialization and motor skill development within a fun, safe, and nurturing environment. New programs are added often. Contact Susie Wexler for a schedule of existing classes or to propose an idea for a class we should offer.

For an updated list of programs offered throughout the year, please visit the Program Offerings Page.

For registration information, please contact Susie Wexler or 847-940-7575.

 

JUF Right Start Program

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The Symposium

The Symposium—Back to Basics: The Foundational Texts of Courage, Resilience, and Perspective
Tuesdays, 10-11:30am, in-person and on Zoom
When we are lost and are not sure what to do next, we go back to the basics. As we continue to reflect on and, we hope, emerge from this prolonged pandemic and time of crisis, it is time for us to go back to the basics. This year’s Symposium will reflect on what our tradition, history, and text can teach us about courage, resilience and perspective. And, through that study, may we gain wisdom in how we as individuals and a community can chart a path forward. As always, our Symposium will be taught by some of Chicagoland’s leading rabbis and teachers, along with our own BJBE clergy.

Zoom link
Meeting ID: 811 3871 2445
Password:  BJBE

Rabbi Karyn Kedar Symposium lesson


 

PAST SESSIONS

Symposium Opening Session
Taught by Rabbi Fenster
October 4th at 10:00am
Handout

Jewish Responses to Crisis 
Taught by Rabbi Michael Balinsky, Former Executive Vice President of the Chicago Board of Rabbis
October 12th and 19th at 10:00am
Handout

Hinei Mah Tov: Israeli and American Jews' Views of Each Other. And how liberal Jewish movements in Israel have made progress, faced opposition, and cooperated
Taught by Rabbi Naamah Kelman and Elan Ezrachi, PhD.
October 26th at 10:30am
Sponsored by a consortium of 36 Chicago area congregations
*Note the different time. This session will be Zoom only.*
Flyer
Register

Walking through the Valley
Taught by David Jacobson, Founder of Chicago Jewish Funerals
November 2nd at 10:00am

Ezra/Nehemiah
Taught by Rabbi Simcha Bob
November 9th and 16th at 10:00am
Handout 1
Handout 2

Chanukah
Taught by Cantor Kurland
November 30th at 10:00am
Handout

"Take it from me"-and they did: The 1950s sitcom that was "Too New York for TV"
Taught by Dr. Grace Overbeke, Assistant Professor of Theater, Columbia College Chicago
December 7th and 14th at 10:00am

Inspiration from Elizabeth and Mary
Taught by Reverend Anne Jolly of St. Gregory's Episcopal Church
January 11th and 18th at 10:00am

Pirkei Avot to chew on
Taught by Rabbi Reni Dickman
January 25th at 10:00am
Handout

Piezentzner Rebbe and the Conscious Community
Taught by David Gottlieb
February 1st and 8th at 10:00am
Handout 1
Handout 

Adult Education

O Adonai, our God, let the words of Torah be sweet in our mouths, and the mouths of Your people Israel, so that we, our descendants and the descendants of all Your people Israel may know You by studying your Torah for its own sake.

Blessed are You, Adonai, who teaches Torah to Your people Israel.

-Mishkan T’filah

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At BJBE, life-long learning is a priority because it empowers us to make informed decisions about our Jewish lives, increases our Jewish literacy, adds substance and spiritual meaning to our lives, fosters Jewish autonomy and continuity, and builds our community.

WEEKLY PROGRAMS AND CLASSES

SYMPOSIUM - THE STORIES WE TELL

Tuesdays | 10-11:30am | with Featured and Visiting Educators

“To know who we are is, in large part, to understand the story or stories of which we are a part. The great questions – “Who are we?” “Why are we here?” “What is our task?” – are best answered by telling a story.” – Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

This year’s Symposium will be an exploration of Jewish stories: the narratives, storytellers, media, and tales that have shaped our people. And, through that study, we can gain a deeper understanding of who we ourselves are as well. As always, Symposium will be taught by some of Chicagoland’s leading rabbis and teachers, along with our own BJBE clergy and educators.

 

 

TALMUD STUDY

Wednesdays | 9-10 a.m | with Rabbi Goldstein

As one of the earliest rabbinic interpretations of the Bible, the Talmud is indispensable to understanding the laws and customs still practiced today. It is also a highly complicated body of literature that is best understood through conversation with each other. Our group meets on an ongoing basis throughout the year. 

No registration needed – drop-ins are always welcome!

 

SUNRISE STUDY

Fridays | 7:30-8:30am | with Rabbi Sherman

Looking for a great way to start the day? Each Friday morning, we gather for a casual learning session. With Rabbi Sherman & Susie Wexler's guidance, we unpack and explore words of Talmud, as we sip coffee in a very informal, easy-going learning environment. Although the timing may be early for some, study is wrapped up in time to meet professional and personal commitments. 

No registration needed – drop-ins are always welcome!

 

SHABBAT TORAH STUDY

Saturdays | 11:15am-12:00pm | with BJBE Clergy

Following Kol Shabbat services, join a member of our clergy team for study of parashat ha-shavua, the weekly Torah portion. Our discussion-based text learning incorporates both classical and modern commentaries, as well as the wisdom of our own community members.

No registration needed – drop-ins are always welcome!

 

BEGINNING CONVERSATIONAL HEBREW

Sundays | 10:00-11:00am | with Ezra Kedar

This class is geared for adults who want to learn the basics of conversational Hebrew. For more information on the class, please contact Ezra Kedar at ezkedar@gmail.com. To register and pay for the course, please reach out to Larisa Rozman at lrozman@bjbe.org.

 

 

MONTHLY PROGRAMS AND CLASSES

 

MEANINGFUL MOMS NIGHT OUT

Tuesday, 3/11, 4/15, 5/8, 6/18  | 7:30-9:00pm 

Spend an evening caring for yourself the way you care for everyone else. Join Cantor Frost, Susie Wexler, and BJBE friends, old and new, for an inspiring evening of learning and engaging in community. Watch for timely topics and register early. Registration for February 2nd is open below.

REGISTER

 

Torah on Tap

3/19, & 5/14 | 7:00-8:30 pm | In-Person

Join us for a lighter and more social approach to Jewish learning – have a drink, a nosh, and a little bit of text study with a member of our clergy team. We will celebrate the spring Jewish holidays together, and just enjoy each other's company in the Village Center.

 

SHORT SERIES

Introduction to Spirituality and Spiritual Practice

Tuesdays 1/16, 1/23, 2/13, 2/20, & 3/5 | 7:00-8:30 pm | In-Person

Join Rabbi Sherman and Margot Andersen for an exploration into the what – and how – of Jewish spirituality. What are the Jewish values, beliefs, and teachings that ground our spirituality? And, what practices can we experiment with to bring our lives greater mindfulness and intentionality?

REGISTER

COMING THIS SPRING:

 

ADULT B'NEI MITZVAH

This year-long course will meet weekly and is open to all adults, whether or not you celebrated becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Learn to read Hebrew and chant the basic Shabbat prayers, study the Jewish calendar and holidays, and read and discuss Tanakh together. The class culminates with a group B’nai Mitzvah ceremony. We have not yet established when this new cohort will start – it’ll be based on participant interest, so please email Rabbi Goldstein at lgoldstein@bjbe.org for more information. 

 

JOY AND FREEDOM: THE HEART-OPENING WISDOM OF ADAR AND NISAN

OROT, Center for New Jewish Learning

Tuesdays (4/2, 4/9, 4/16) | 7:30-9:00pm

In this 3-session class with Rebecca Minkus Lieberman, we will study teachings from the Hasidic masters on the spiritual invitations of the Hebrew months of Adar and Nisan and the holidays of Purim and Passover. We will explore how we can bring these teachings on joy and liberation into our daily lives and relationships.

Register

 


 

Hebrew Classes

Hebrew classes for adults are taught by Ezra Kedar at BJBE. For more information on classes, please contact Ezra Kedar. For information regarding registration and fees, please contact the BJBE office: 847-940-7575. 

Beginning Conversational Hebrew 
This class is for adults who want to learn the basics of conversational Hebrew. 

Advanced Beginning Conversational Hebrew
This class is for adults who have mastered Hebrew reading and are ready to learn how to comfortably carry on a simple Hebrew conversation.     

Intermediate Conversational Hebrew
Amaze yourself with how much fun you’ll have speaking Hebrew! Prerequisites: Prior knowledge of basic conversational Hebrew and ability to write Hebrew script. 

Advanced Conversational Hebrew 
This class is for people who can begin to hold a full conversation in Hebrew and who write Hebrew script competently. Prerequisite: Intermediate Conversational Hebrew. 

B'nai Mitzvah Blessings

Morning B'nai Mitzvah Blessings

Click on the links below to access the morning B'nai Mitzvah blessings:

Kiddush

Mah Tovu refrain - Danny Maseng

Nissim B'chol Yom - nusach

Ashrei - new ending

Sh'ma - Solomon Sulzer

V'ahavta - Shabbat Torah Trope

Avot V'imahot - Adolph Katchko

G'vurot - Adolph Katchko

Yism'chu - folk

Blessing Before Torah

Blessing After Torah

Blessing Before Haftarah

Blessing After Haftarah

Aleinu - Solomon Sulzer

V'ne'emar - Israel Goldfarb

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Havdalah B'nai Mitzvah Blessings

Click on the links below to access the Havdalah Blessings:

Kiddush

Mah Tovu refrain - Danny Maseng

Ashrei - new ending

Sh'ma - Solomon Sulzer

V'ahavta - Shabbat Torah Trope

Avot V'imahot - Adolph Katchko

G'vurot - Adolph Katchko

Atah Kadosh

Yism'chu - folk

Shalom Rav refrain - Jeff Klepper - Dan Freelander

Blessing Before Torah

Blessing After Torah

Blessing Before Haftarah

Blessing After Haftarah

Aleinu - Solomon Sulzer

V'ne'emar - Israel Goldfarb

Havdalah Blessings - Debbie Friedman

Eiliyahu Hanavi - Folk

Lifelong Learning

O Adonai, our God, let the words of Torah be sweet in our mouths, and the mouths of Your people Israel, so that we, our descendants and the descendants of all Your people Israel may know You by studying your Torah for its own sake. Blessed are You, Adonai, who teaches Torah to Your people Israel.

-Mishkan T’filah

 

Education has always been a central focus at Congregation BJBE. Our reputation for lifelong learning reinforces the core Jewish value of education through participation in experiences that challenge the mind and uplift the spirit. Our congregation provides a high quality Jewish education for members of all ages.

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