Dear Congregants,
We’re having an early Prospective Member event this weekend if you have any friends or family who are looking for an opportunity to see our new home and meet our incredible clergy and education team. The open house is taking place this Sunday at 10:45 AM at BJBE. There has been some confusion over the date and time, so now you know. Please ask your friends to RSVP so we can properly greet them! More information is below.
Before we move into the upcoming calendar... BJBE is proud to be hosting the NFTY KOLBO this spring, April 16–18 (it’s the Regional Kallah for our Senior Youth Group). One of our responsibilities as host is to house the teens who will be attending. If you are interested in housing at least 3 teens that weekend, please contact Lenny or Lisa Ostach at 847-383-5198 or lostach@comcast.net.
TUESDAY TALMUD TORAH is one of BJBE’s best kept secrets and open to everyone. Each Tuesday from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM a member of the clergy or staff leads a conversation on a variety of topics. We are pleased that Rabbi Michael Balinsky, Executive Vice President of the Chicago Board of Rabbis, will be our guest teacher. Rabbi Balinsky will be teaching “Reading Sacred Violent Texts” on February 9 and about “Goings on in the Palace: Esther, Ahasverosh and Mordecai” on Feb. 16 in preparation for Purim.
The NORTH SHORE COMMUNITY KALLAH is an adult education program sponsored by the North Shore Chavurah of Rabbis. The Kallah takes place on three consecutive Tuesdays beginning tomorrow, February 9. We are proud the Rabbi Kedar, Rabbi Stoller and Cantor Frost will all be teaching this year! The Kallah will take place on Feb. 9, 16 and 23 at Lakeside Congregation in Highland Park. To register by phone or email contact Gloria at 847-432-7950 or gloria@lakesidecongregation.org.
WEDNESDAY MORNING MINYON LED BY RABBI STOLLER: Our weekday morning Minyan continues on Wednesday’s from 6:45-7:15 AM at BJBE. If you are interested in praying before you start you work day email Bob Levine at rlevine@adv-eyecare.com . What a wonderful way to start your day and also a great way to support your fellow congregants who may need to say Kaddish for a loved one.
LEARN HOW TO PUT ON TEFILLIN. Yes, Reform Jews can and do put on tefillin! Wearing tefillin during morning prayer, one of the 613 commandments, can be an immensely moving and emotional spiritual experience. This Wednesday morning, Feb. 10 AT 6:30 AM , IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE MINYAN, Rabbi Stoller will hold a short teaching session about how to put on tefillin. No commitment is required – just an adventurous spirit and a willingness to try something new!
SHABBAT SERVICES this week, Friday, February 12 will begin at 7:30 PM in our Sacred Hall.
“KOL SHABBAT” MUSICAL SHABBAT MORNING SERVICES meets this week and on the second and fourth Shabbat Morning of each month from 9:00-10:15 AM. Join our clergy and our talented musicians to celebrate Shabbat in a relaxed and informal environment with beautiful music and joyous singing. It’s the perfect way to put the work week behind you and let your spirit soar! The “Kol Shabbat” service is followed by Torah Study with one of our clergy at 10:15 AM.
Do you know anyone who may be "temple shopping?" Please invite them to a PROSPECTIVE MEMBER COFFEE on Sunday, February 14th at BJBE at 10:45 AM. This will be an opportunity to meet the clergy, see the building and get any questions answered about BJBE in an informal setting. If they have any questions please have them contact our Membership Chair, Rachel Fersten, at rfersten1@yahoo.com or 847-405-0708. (Please note that this is the correct date and time for this program. The Monday listing was an error. We apologize for any inconvenience.)
"HEBREW FOR TRAVELERS," a one-session class for adults visiting, or wanting to visit, Israel will be offered on Sunday February 14th, 10:45 -11:45 am at BJBE. You will learn some basic words and phrases to greet people and travel the country. Be surprised how valuable one hour of learning Hebrew for Travelers can be! This course is taught by Doris Schyman for $8, the registration deadline is February 8th. Please RSVP directly to Doris at dschyman@yahoo.com.
SUNDAY MORNING ADULT STUDY. Our series “Jewish History: A 5,000 Year-Old Story” continues this Sunday, February 14, from 9:45-10:45 a.m. at BJBE. The history of the Jewish people is personal, dramatic, and filled with meaning. Let Rabbi Kedar be your tour guide on this remarkable journey, as we travel through time from the ancient world to modern times.
BJBE is forming a new committee called JUST Food for Thought. The committee will make recommendations for policies and practices around the foods served at the temple and the temple's impact on the environment. The seeds of this committee took root with the URJ’s "Just Table Green Table" initiative and Rabbi Yoffie’s words at the recent biennial. The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 16th, at 7:30 at BJBE. Please RSVP to Donna Fishman at 847-714-1068 or djfish@tifnet.net
Tot Shabbat is here!!! Join us on Saturday, February 20th, 9:30-10:00 AM as we celebrate Shabbat with our children ages 5 and under. Join us for music, stories and more. For more information contact the Temple office.
The BJBE Men's Club is proud to present our 2nd annual TEXAS HOLD-EM POKER TOURNEMENT benefitting BJBE Sustaining Gifts. This event will be Sunday, February 21, from 4:00 PM-9:00 PM at BJBE. Cards will be in the air at 4:00 PM, so please arrive by 3:30 PM. There are fantastic prizes for the winners including: Chicago Bulls/Sox/Cubs and Blackhawks tickets, a golf outing at Kemper, professional poker lessons, Maui Jim sunglasses, and much, much more. There will also be a silent auction. Admission/Buy-in is $40 with $20 rebuys. Dinner is included. Non-player rate available. Please make checks payable to BJBE Men's Club and send it to BJBE c/o Men's Club to the temple. Please be sure to include your name/email and phone number. See our flier. Questions? Contact Todd Cohan (toddgc@gmail.com).
Hamentaschen help needed for Hebrew School! You can have a great experience making hamentaschen with the Hebrew school students on either Tuesday, February 23 (in Glenview) or Thursday, February 25th (at BJBE). If you can’t join us for the fun, we also need a lot of parents to make the dough that the students will use (we will give you the recipe). Please contact Ruth Lesser at rlesser@ameritech.net or Laurie Hopkins at karmhopkins@comcast.net for more information. Don’t miss out on this fun activity!
The Men’s Club presents STUDY, SUPPER & STOLLER on Tuesday, Feb 23, at 7:30 PM. Come and learn with our own Rabbi Brian Stoller in the second series. The first session will be on Inter-Faith Marriage, and the remaining three sessions will deal with the Jewish perspective of politics—including a guest teacher, Ezra Kedar—to talk about Israeli politics (more information to follow). If you have never studied with Rabbi Stoller before, this is a great time to get to know him, and to learn about our culture. Contact Fred Beslow (FredBeslow@GMail.Com) or see the flier on the web site.
PURIM is a-coming, pardner! Celebrate the holiday of Purim at BJBE on Saturday, February 27. Come dressed as your favorite Purim character or join the round-up and come in full cowboy or cowgirl (cow-person sounds just wrong!). The Purim Service and Megillah Reading will be from 5-6 PM. The Purim Dinner (reservations required- $7 per adult, $6 per child) will be from 6-6:30 PM. The Purim Shpiel and Parade will begin at 6:30 PM. Don’t forget to bring a basket or bag of snacks for Mishloach Manot. We hope to see you there!
PURIM CARNIVAL 2010: Our second annual “Shindig in Shushan” Purim Carnival will take place on Sunday, February 28, 2010, from 10:00 AM–1:30 PM at our new congregation home! This coming year’s shindig promises lots of games and prizes (including more this year for toddlers and preteens), new entertainment (including a puppet show and more), fun arts and crafts, and yummy food for snacks and lunch. So put it on your calendar, and start thinking about your costumes! Wristbands and tickets are already on sale during Sunday School. For more information or to help, contact Sam Cole, Susie Selbst, or Barry Sabransky.
Purim Carnival Donations Needed! Please donate BRAND NEW, UNOPENED BOARD GAMES to be used as prizes at the "Game Walk" during the Purim Carnival. Games for all ages needed!!! Collection boxes will be located at the Temple.
MARCH MADNESS: Are you interested in watching some of March Madness at the temple on the GIANT screen in the Sacred Hall? We would schedule a game (games?), and the price of admission would be an appetizer, snack, dessert, or drink. This is not a commitment at this time, but are looking for interest. If so, contact Andy Simon at andy.simon@sbcglobal.net. So far we have had NO responses, even though people seem to feel it is a good idea. Unless we get some positive feedback, we will have to cancel this event.
A BJBE tradition continues as the Sisterhood sponsors our annual CRADLE ROLL PARTY on Sunday, March 21. Our Cradle Roll is for children ages 0-5 years old and their favorite chaperones. This year’s theme will be “shapes” and will begin at 9:45 AM at BJBE.
On Sunday morning March 21st, Debbie Friedman will be giving a concert at Am Shalom in Glencoe. BJBE’s choir has been asked to participate as part of a larger North Shore Choir Ensemble. The concert will begin at 10:30 AM and participants are being asked to arrive at 9:00 AM. Rehearsals will take place Monday evenings, March 1st and March 15th from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM at Am Shalom. Please email Cantor Frost at jfrost@bjbe.org or call the office and let me know that you are interested in participating in the Choir.
PASSOVER will begin on Monday evening, March 29. On the second night, Tuesday, March 30, BJBE will be hosting our annual CONGREGATIONAL SEDER led by Rabbi Stoller. More information will follow.
BJBE SISTERHOOD presents the Second Annual “Games Galore Plus More” on April 14th from 5:30 to 9:00 PM at BJBE. Bring your friends and neighbors for Dinner, Gourmet Desserts, Snacks, Raffles and lots of FUN! The cost is $36 in advance ($40 at the door). Questions? Call Midge Colman 847-509-9917, Elaine Kupfer 847-564-1656 or Lois Stiglitz 847-498-3337.
LADIES, HAVE WE GOT A DEAL FOR YOU!!! Any woman joining BJBE Sisterhood during the month of February will received a coupon entitling them to 10% off their next purchase in our beautiful Judaica Shop. It's a win-win situation for everyone. Send your $41 dues to Marcia Simmons, 9439 Merrill Avenue, Morton Grove, IL 60053. Questions–email Gloria Marron at glor1225@hotmail.com.
Stop by your JUDAICA SHOP to see the new “make your own yad” kit suitable for any age future Bar/Bat Mitzvahs. Now open on Sundays of Religious School during the Beit Cafe. For more information call Sharon 847-564-2998, Julie 847-299-3528, or Gail 847-564-2339.
YOGA at BJBE! Join us Sunday mornings during Religious School at BJBE for your choice of 2 yoga classes–Yoga Basics with Margot, and Anusara-Inspired with Rachel. Classes meet simultaneously at BJBE from 10–11:15 AM. The fee is $12 for a drop in, $100 for 10 classes; no pre-registration required. Please contact RachelDewan@comcast.net or 914.980.5879 for more information.
For the most recent blog from Rabbi Kedar, as well as an archive of her previous posts, please visit www.karynkedar.com. Your comments are welcome.
FEBRUARY TZEDAKAH is the Haiti Relief Fund of the Union for Reform Judaism. The Reform Jewish community has a long history of generosity when natural disasters devastate communities around the world. Your generosity at this critical time enables us to play a role in recovery efforts and bring healing and hope to those whose lives have been affected. Donations to the Union for Reform Judaism Haiti Relief Fund can be made online or by check (note: Haiti Relief in the memo section) to: Union for Reform Judaism, 633 Third Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10017. Please give generously.
Information about programs from the Jewish Employment Network is available at www.bjbe.org/pages/kehilat-shalom.html. Jewish Child and Family Services have a series of terrific programs as well listed at www.jcfs.org.
If you have any questions about these or any other Temple programs, please feel free to contact the Temple office at (847) 940-7575.
L’Shalom, Marc
