What's New At BJBE - June 8, 2009

Dear Congregants,

www.bjbe.org  www.bjbe.org www.bjbe.org www.bjbe.org www.bjbe.org

I have an important announcement to make:  The BJBE Webpage has a whole new look!  Thanks to the vision of our president, the leadership of our Board, and the dedication of the Congregational Development Committee, we are pleased to unveil the page to you today!  Visit www.bjbe.org to see what we mean.

Please know that this is just the first step of the unveiling process of the webpage.  We will continue to add additional functions, including member log in, e-commerce and event registration, over the next several weeks.   Our webpage will never be the same again.

We are planning an ADULT TRIP TO KOLIN, ISRAEL AND PETRA to be led by Rabbi Karyn and Ezra Kedar!  The dates are planned for March 7^th-21^st, 2010.  This trip is designed in two tracks (depending upon the numbers of people interested) for first timers and frequent visitors to Israel.  Space is limited. To get an idea of the interest please attend the planning meeting on June 9 at 7:30 PM at BJBE or email or call Chime, ccostello@bjbe.org. Attending the planning meeting or placing yourself on a list does not commit you at this stage.   A family trip will take place in 2011.

The BJBE ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING will be on Wednesday, June 10 at 7 PM.  Light refreshments will be served at 6:30 PM.  Babysitting will be available by reservation only by calling Karen Swidler at 847-729-7575 in the office by Tuesday afternoon.

During SHABBAT SERVICES on June 12, our new Temple Board and Men's Club Board will be installed. Services will begin at 7:30 PM.  Come to thank and to congratulate the leaders of our Congregation.

Please join us this Shabbat morning for TORAH STUDY with our Clergy beginning at 9 AM. 

The SUMMER SHABBAT SERVICE SCHEDULE begins on Friday, June 19.  Shabbat Services will begin at 6:30 PM through August 21.

Our POST CARPOOL group has arranged a special Shabbat experience for us on Friday, June 26.  At 5:15 PM, join them for a Shabbat Schmooze and Snack featuring Marilyn and Joe Ernsteen.   They will tell us about their escape from the Taj Mahal Hotel during the November terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India.   At 6:30 PM, we will move into the Sanctuary for Shabbat Services.  Dinner will immediately following services. Cost is $15 per person, your choice of chicken or salmon. PCP events are planned for the enjoyment of BJBE members who have no children, or children who are post confirmation age.  For more information, call Carol Berger at 847-205-9793, ponderer4552@sbcglobal.net.

For an extra treat at Shabbat Services on June 26, CANTOR EMERITAS CORY WINTER will be on the Bimah during 6:30 PM Services.  He is in town for the Ruach Concert detailed below:

Cantor Frost invites the congregation to attend a special concert titled "Ruach: Music of Chicago's Jewish Soul" on Tuesday, June 30 at 7:30 PM.  The concert will feature our own CANTOR EMERITUS CORY WINTER and Cantor David Berger.  The concert will be at Temple Sholom of Chicago and will cost $18 for general seating.  Tickets are available at www.brownpapertickets.com.  Convenient bus transportation leaving from BJBE at 5:30 PM will be available for $18.00 per person.  Please contact Lynne Kleiman to reserve your seats at 847-215-1357 or  lynne.kleiman@sbcglobal.net.  Estimated return time to BJBE is 10:30PM.

BJBE OUTDOOR SHABBAT SERVICES will be held on July 10 and August 7 at Wood Oaks Park in Northbrook.  Join us at 6 PM for dinner and 6:30 PM for Services.  Dinner is free for all Prospective Members and their host BJBE families.  Reservation forms will be sent in the June midmonth mailing.

If you know anybody "Temple shopping" the Membership Committee has 2 more PROSPECTIVE MEMBER COFFEES planned for the summer. Please encourage your friends and family to come to one. They are as follows: July 13^th will be at the home Jennie & Scott Cohen, and August 4th will be at the home of Elizabeth & Brian Tenner. We have learned that attendance at one of these intimate coffees is our best indicator of future membership!  For more information please contact the office or Rachel Fersten at rfersty22@sbcglobal.net or Bonnie Litch at baselitch@aol.com.

Rehearsals for the HIGH HOLY DAY CHOIR begin on July 21.  If you are interested in participating in this spiritually fulfilling opportunity, contact Cantor Frost.  Knowledge of music and/or Hebrew is helpful but not required.

Save the Date for the 2009 SISTERHOOD KALLAH.  This year's Kallah will take place on Friday, July 24^th and Saturday July 25^th at the Chicago Marriott N.W. in Hoffman Estates.  This year's theme will be "Making A Small Difference" and will be facilitated by Marge Eiseman.

The MYSTERY NIGHT program previously announced is being rescheduled.

We are putting together a virtual scrapbook tentatively called "REMEMBERING 901."  Sandee Holleb and her committee are seeking your remembrances of things past in the form of photos, audio recordings, videos, or writings to be included in a compilation that will be presented in DVD format.  You might want to share memories of a life cycle event, your participation in a particular activity, watching as your child sang in the junior choir, or remembering when a rabbi's words or a cantor's voice touched your soul.  If you have anything or any questions, please contact Sandee at ilearsi@comcast.net or (847) 590-5504.

BJBE is featured in the Summer 2009 issue of "Reform Judaism" magazine that we are beginning to receive at home.  The technological innovations of our new home are discussed in the article "Cyber Innovations." For a preview, follow this link www.reformjudaismmag.org and go to the article name.

JUNE TZEDAKAH: CJE SeniorLife (Formerly known as the Council for Jewish Elderly) is a comprehensive network of housing, healthcare, community services, education and applied research.  CJE SeniorLife has enhanced the lives of older adults and their families.  Learn more at www.cje.net.  Please give generously.

Information about programs from the Jewish Employment Network are available at www.bjbe.org/pages/kehilat-shalom.html.  Jewish Child and Family Services has a series of terrific programs as well listed at www.jcfs.org.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: This week at 1201, the Sanctuary walls are up!  Take a look next time you drive by on the spur (look north as you go through the toll plaza) and you can't miss them.  The steel frame for the Village Center and the roof of our Sanctuary has also been erected.  For CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS, log onto the BJBE Website at www.bjbe.org/story/capital-campaign-photos and follow the listed log in instructions.   Once you get to the 'Client Access' page on our contractor's (Krusinski's) web site, click the "View Report" buttons to see the photos uploaded on the indicated dates.  New pictures are posted weekly.

The BJBE JUDAICA SHOP's 20% OFF moving sale continues!  That special Bar/Bat Mitzvah young person would love to receive an Israeli made talit.  Your Judaica Shop has a varied selection certain to please.     For more information call Sharon 564-2998, Julie 299-3528 or Gail 564-2339.

If you have any questions about these or any other Temple programs, please feel free to contact the Temple office at (847) 729-7575.

L'Shalom,

Marc