News

Dear Congregants,

BJBE was proud to host the “Singing for S’mores” Concert to benefit Reform Jewish camping yesterday. We are even prouder to announce that we raised more than $17,000 for our camps! Congratulations to Cantor Frost, Melissa Prober, Bonnie Litch, Cathy Horwitz and the dozens of other volunteers and professionals who made the Chicago concert, the most successful concert in the country! Thank you to everyone who came and who supported our camping system.

WEDNESDAY MORNING MINYON: Our weekday morning Minyan continues on Wednesday’s from 6:45-7:15 AM at BJBE. Cantor Frost has recorded an audio CD to help us learn the weekday morning prayer melodies. If you would like a copy of the CD, please email Rabbi Stoller at bstoller@bjbe.org. 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.

Dear Congregants, 

How wonderful to see so many of our families here at BJBE this weekend! Between Shabbat evening, Shabbat morning, the Purim Service and the Purim Carnival, we had about 2000 people through the building and it never felt better. Our Rabbis, Cantor, Sandy and I want to thank a few people (at the risk of leaving out dozens of others) who made the weekend so perfect. Thank you to the comedy and musical stylings of Lanie Hilborn and Sandee Holleb for writing and directing our Purim Shpiel. Thank you to Gail Brodson, Kim Gordon, Rachel Tzinberg and Dina Zirlin for coordinating the Purim Seudah (dinner). And thank you to Sam Cole, Barry Sabransky and Susie Selbst for organizing and leading an amazing and dedicated team of volunteers to put on Chicagoland’s best Purim Carnival. Nothing in a synagogue “just happens,” it takes hard work to have so much fun! Thank you.

Dear Congregants,

HAPPY PURIM! CHAG PURIM SAMEACH! I hope you have your costume ready because Purim is here!  As a reminder, here are those things again to put on your Purim “to do” list.  They are: 1) RSVP for the Purim Dinner by TUESDAY so we can be sure to have room for you 2) Purchase your advance tickets/ wristband for the Purim Carnival or just show up at the door 3) Assemble a small gift basket of snacks for Mishloach Manot 4) Get ready for lots of fun. 

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 3 sessions will deal with the Jewish perspective of politics with guest teacher Ezra Kedar. If you 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 or read the flier at http://bjbe.org/sites/default/files/docs/SSSFlier223.pdf . 

Dear Congregants,

Do you have your costume yet? PURIM is only 2 weeks away. If you haven’t done so already there are a few things to put on your Purim “to do” list. They are: 1) RSVP for the Purim Dinner 2) Purchase your advance tickets/wristband for the Purim Carnival 3) Assemble a small gift basket of snacks for Mishloach Manot 4) Costumes! 5) Get ready for lots of fun.

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 tomorrow, Feb. 16, on the Purim-related topic “Goings on in the Palace: Esther, Ahasverosh and Mordecai.”

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.

The attached article was written by BJBE's roofer, who also laid the slate on the wall of the Sanctuary. This article will appear in the February issue of "Professional Roofing" magazine.

Document Attachment: 

Profiles.pdf

Dear Congregants,

While every Shabbat is special, this Shabbat is particularly so for three reasons: First, Tu B’Shevat falls on Friday night. Tu B’Shevat is Hebrew for the 15 day of the month of Shevat and is designated as the New Year for Trees. It’s not just for kids, it’s real, and has to do with ancient laws of tithing. Today, it is an occasion to talk about our relationship with the earth and with Israel. Second, this Friday is Shabbat Shira. During the Torah portion of the week, we will read the Song of the Sea that was sung as the sea split and the Jewish people walked to freedom. Third, this Shabbat we will welcome Rabbi Kedar home from her Sabbatical and look forward to hearing about her time in Israel.

Also make sure to review the mid-month mailer.

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.