Dear Congregants,
It’s February and our attention begins to turn towards the spring holidays. Tu B’Shevat is behind us and Purim is on the horizon. But first up is a New Member Havdallah program for those who have joined our congregation in just the last couple years. More information is below and we hope to see many of you there.
LUNCH AND LEARN IN THE SUBURBS will meet this Wednesday, February 3rd, from noon to 1:00 PM at the office of Jerry Maller. Janis Bathgate will be our host and her office is at 555 Skokie Boulevard, Suite 260. Bring your own lunch and study with guest teacher Rabbi Lester Frazin in this most comfortable setting. There is no registration and no fee.
MIZMOR L’SHABBAT SERVICES this week, Friday, February 5 will begin at 7:30 PM in our Sacred Hall.
Please join us this Shabbat morning for TORAH STUDY with our Clergy beginning at 9:00 AM.
NEW MEMBERS: FIND YOUR WAY TO FUN! We are hosting a Temple Scavenger Hunt for New Members on Saturday, February 6th from 5:00-7:00 PM. There will be children's activities as well. Come enjoy Havdallah and mingle with new members & the clergy. Dinner will be provided for the children along with supervised activities. If you have any questions please contact Rachel Fersten at rfersten1@yahoo.com or 847-405-0708.
DICK ADLER and RABBI KEDAR will co-lead our film review presentation at BJBE for "A Serious Man" on Monday, February 8, 7:30 PM. There is no charge to attend and no RSVP necessary. Bring your friends - this enticing program is open to the entire community!
SISTERHOOD OPEN MEETING: COOKING WITH DAVID ESAU of Dave’s Specialty Foods on Wed., February 10 at 7:30 PM. Looking for something new to liven up your entertaining? Tantalize your taste buds with new appetizer recipes prepared by Chef Dave in our own BJBE kitchen. Enjoy the evening with a glass of wine, delicious appetizers, and get to know the Women of our friendly BJBE Community. Recipes will be provided by our Chef. Cost is $10 for Sisterhood Members, $15 for Non-Members. This event will be held at BJBE. Space is limited, so please email Lynne Kleiman lynne.kleiman@sbcglobal.net immediately to reserve your space, and send your check to Lynne Kleiman, 455 Harmony Drive, Wheeling, IL 60090. Questions? Email Lynne-evenings, at 847-215-1357.
"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.
Do you know anyone who may be "temple shopping?" Please invite them to a PROSPECTIVE MEMBER COFFEE on Sunday, February 14th at BJBE at 10:45-11:45 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.
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 ($36 if you sign up before February 14th) 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. Any questions you may contact Todd Cohan (toddgc@gmail.com).
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. 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 (FredBeslow@GMail.Com) or see the flier on the temple web site http://bjbe.org/sites/default/files/docs/SSSFlier223.pdf for more info.
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 6:00-6:30 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 10:00am-1:30pm at our new congregation home! This coming year’s shindig promises lots of games & prizes (including more this year for toddlers and preteens), new entertainment (including a puppet show and more), fun arts & 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.
A BJBE tradition continues as the Sisterhood sponsors our annual CRADLE ROLL PARTY on Sunday, March 21. This year’s theme will be “shapes” and will begin at 9:45 AM at BJBE.
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 P.M. 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.
MIDWEEK MORNING MINYON: 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.
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 564-2998, Julie 299-3528, or Gail 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
