Congregation Beth Judea Program Guide 2013/2014

C ong r eg at i o n B et h J u de a

2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 4 P r o g r a m G u i d e

MISSION STATEMENT

Congregation Beth Judea is a welcoming egalitarian synagogue whose mission is to

create a warm and inviting home that serves the lifelong spiritual, educational and

fellowship needs of our members.

Consistent with the principles of the Conservative Movement, we embrace Torah

and our responsibility to serve and support the greater Jewish community, the com-

munity at large, the United States of America, and the State of Israel.

VISION STATEMENT

Congregation Beth Judea's goal is to be the vibrant, focal point of Conservative

Jewish life in our community.

Page 2

Calendar of Events Page 3

Message from Rabbi & President Page 4

Israel Committee Page 5

MT Nesters Page 5

Social Action Pages 6—7

Focus on Families Page 8

Youth: USY, Kadima & Kadinkers Page 9

Sisterhood Page 10

Men’s Club Page 11

Synagogue Programs Page 12

Adult Education Pages 13—20

Special Programs & Florence Melton School Page 13—14

Weekly Classes Page 14

Jewish Film Series Page 15

Hebrew & Synagogue Skills Page 16

Education Series Page 17—19

Shabbat Services Page 19

T a b l e o f C o n t e n t s

SEPTEMBER 2013

9 8:00 pm Sisterhood Social Program

17 8:00 pm

8:00 pm

Hebrew Literacy I begins

Sisterhood Book Club

22 12:00 pm

5:00 pm

Lunch & Launch

Blessing Of The Animals: A Family Pet Event

Men’s Club Steak & Scotch

26 6:00 pm Simchat Torah Flag Parade &

Kindergarten Consecration

OCTOBER 2013

3 8:00 pm Tap the Torah

4 6:00 pm New Member Shabbat Dinner

6 10:30 am HSPP: Hebrew School Parent Program

Breakfast Social

7 12:00 pm Lunch & Learn Fall Series begins

(@ Sunset Foods)

9 7:00 pm Melton begins

14 6:30 pm Jewish Film Series (@ the Continental)

23 8:00 pm Sisterhood Education Program

26 10:30 am Teen Minyan

29 8:00 pm AIPAC Speaker

NOVEMBER 2013

2 7:30 pm HSPP: Hebrew School Parent Program

Wine Night

3 11:00 am

12:00 pm

MITZVAH DAY

FOF: Mitzvah Day & Rosh Hodesh Family Program

6 8:00 pm USCJ Scholar-in-Residence

7 8:00 pm Sisterhood Book Club

8 7:30 pm Veteran’s Day Shabbat

10 11:00 am

8:00 pm

CONtext: Jewish University for a Day

(@ Solomon Schechter Day School)

Sisterhood Book Club & Spertus Event

Author Jami Attenberg



17 9:00 am Hanukkah Bazaar

20 7:00 pm Sisterhood Membership Dinner

DECEMBER 2013

4 8:00 pm Sisterhood Program & Gift Exchange

6 7:30 pm Youth Shabbat


8 10:30 am HSPP: Hebrew School Parent Program

Breakfast Social

13 7:30 pm Hebrew Literacy I Graduation Shabbat

14 6:00 pm Family Havdalah Pajama Night & Scavenger Hunt

15 8:00 am Men’s Club Blood Drive

JANUARY 2014

7 8:00 pm Hebrew Literacy II begins

11 9:30 am Sisterhood Shabbat


18 6:30 pm FOF Magical Havdalah

22 8:00 pm Sisterhood Art Program

25 10:30 am

7:00 pm

Teen Minyan

HSPP: Hebrew School Parent Program

Social Evening

FEBRUARY 2014

2 8:30 am

TBD

World Wide Wrap

Super Bowl Party

3 12:00 pm

6:00 pm

Lunch & Learn Spring Series begins

(@ Sunset Foods)

Jewish Film Series (@ Beth Judea)

8 7:00 pm Sisterhood Nosh-a-Nite


22 8:00 pm Purim Masquerade Ball

24 6:00 pm Sisterhood Vashti Event

MARCH 2014

3 6:00 pm Jewish Film Series (@ Beth Judea)

9 3:00 pm Wine Tasting

15 7:00 pm Purim Megillah Reading

16 10:00 am

11:00 am

Shushan Wonderland

PURIM CARNIVAL

19 8:00 pm Sisterhood Education Program

APRIL 2014

5 9:30 am Youth Shabbat

6 6:00 pm Men’s Club Poker Tournament


19 9:30 am Men’s Club Shabbat

27 7:00 pm Yom HaShoah Commemoration @ Beth Judea

29 8:00 pm Hebrew Literacy III


MAY 2014


4 11:00 am Israel Solidarity Day @ Ravinia

11 TBD Men’s Club Lox Box Delivery & Pick Ups

14 8:00 pm Sisterhood Social Program

18 12:00 pm Family Lag B’Omer Picnic

20 6:00 pm USY Installation Dinner

29 8:00 pm Annual Meeting

JUNE 2014

1 7:00 pm Israel Bond Night

3 7:00 pm Tikkun Leil

4 7:30 pm Confirmation as part of Shavuot Services

9 8:00 pm Sisterhood Installation Dinner

13 6:00 pm Synagogue Installation & Awards Dinner


Please note: Schedule changes can occur & will be publicized with as

much advance notice as possible.

Dear Congregants,

Please enjoy reading the Beth Judea 2013-2014 Program Guide. Thank you to Anna Besser, our Education Direc-

tor, for coordinating this guide.

As you read through the many activities and events that our congregation has to offer, please try to get more

involved in the synagogue and take advantage of attending these programs. This guide does not even include

everything that we have planned for you, but certainly provides you with an excellent summary of all of Congre-

gation Beth Judea’s programs planned to date. I would encourage you to further follow-up with the updates of

our programs on our congregation’s website: www.bethjudea.org. and in our weekly e-mail blast, “News from

Beth Judea.” Sign up for something, you will be glad that you did!

I also encourage you to help plan the programs that interest you, or find your passion by joining one of our many

committees. When you go on the website, click on “Beth Judea Community,” and then click on “Committees” for

a list and description of all our committees. Your input and involvement are always welcome.

Also, if you know any families who are looking to join our Beth Judea family, please let us know. May we go

from strength to strength.

Debbie Kreisman Dubin

CBJ President

Page 4

Dear Congregants,

The synagogue has been at the center of Jewish life for two thousand years. Its two main functions are to serve

as beit kenesset, a meeting place for prayer, and beit midrash, a meeting place for study. In the pages of this

booklet you will find that in addition to fulfilling our obligation to be a place of prayer, Beth Judea has a tremen-

dous amount to offer as a beit midrash. There is truly something for everyone here, from tots to our elders, on

weekdays and weekends, and on every conceivable topic (but if you think of one that is not here, let us know!).

The former Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary, Rabbi Louis Finkelstein, once memorably said “When I

pray, I speak to God; when I study, God speaks to me.” We hear God’s voice emerge from classical Jewish texts,

from modern commentaries on them and from our discussions of both. I invite our members to engage in the

sacred process of study in order to learn, to do and meet one another.

I look forward to seeing you in class and in shul!

Rabbi Jeff Pivo

A M e s s a g e f r o m t h e R a b b i &

S y n a g o g u e P r e s i d e n t

MT Nesters

For programming information, contact

Carrol Schechter at 847-537-3566 or Sam Chiprin at 847-459-0316.

The MT Nesters is a group comprised of seniors, the majority of which are members of Congregation Beth

Judea. The group meets at the synagogue once a month and continues to celebrate many years of coordi-

nating activities for seniors in our community.

Activities are normally planned for the Second Sunday of each month and may include a Chanukah Party,

an Evening with the Clergy, taking in a Theatre play, a visit to a museum, a night at Ravinia, hosting pro-

fessional entertainment, having a Educational/Cultural program, and sometimes just an informal get to-

gether for coffee. Current annual dues are free for the first year if member of Beth Judea and then only

$20.00 per year per person.

Israel Committee

For more information, please contact Ed Hockfield at

[email protected] or Cathy Feiger at [email protected]

Congregation Beth Judea has continually demonstrated its support of Klal Yisrael or the

Community of Israel because we see ourselves as a part of the larger worldwide Jewish

community. Naturally, the State of Israel is central to this vision. We embrace Israel

from an historical, spiritual, educational, and cultural basis at the synagogue and in our homes.

The role of the Israel Committee is to maintain awareness and support of Israel among our congre-

gants. We intend to accomplish this by providing news of what is happening in Israel via internet web-

site links; planning congregational trips to Israel and providing speakers at the synagogue to discuss top-

ics related to Israel. Additionally, we hope to help congregants hone their advocacy skills on behalf of

Israel and to encourage them to contact the media and our elected representatives to garner their sup-

port of Israel. We encourage congregants to join various organizations that vigorously work on behalf of

Israel and the Jewish people.

The committee is tentatively scheduled to meet on the first Thursday of the month at the synagogue im-

mediately following minyan.

ISRAELI INNOVATIONS Congregational Israel Trip (for Adults)

Friday, October 4, 2013 Late Spring 2014

AIPAC Presentation ISRAEL Bond Night

Tuesday, October 29, 2013 Sunday, June 1, 2014

JNF Congregational Breakfast

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Page 5

Social Action

SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE sponsors many Tikkun Olam Mitzvah Day programs to “spark

the spirit” within the Synagogue and community. We invite you to join us for fun and to volun-teer to perform a mitzvah!

TIKKUN OLAM MITZVAH DAY, Maot Chitim August 18th, Sunday 12:45-1:30 pm Pre-pack food boxes; 5990 W. Touhy St. Niles

Volunteers needed, Contact Bruce Arenson, [email protected].

TIKKUN OLAM MINI-MITZVAH DAY, August 19th, Monday 6:30 pm Collection and packing of donated school supplies into backpacks for needy children in coopera-

tion with Jewish Child & Family Services. Please consider donating inexpensive supplies. List at Synagogue or “Word”.

Ronna Leibach, Chairperson

TIKKUN OLAM MITZVAH DAY, Maot Chitim, August 25th, Sunday, 10:20-11:30 am Food box delivery; 99 Phillip, Vernon Hills

Volunteers needed, contact Bruce Arenson, [email protected]

TIKKUN OLAM MITZVAH DAY, Alzheimer's Walk, September 15th, Sunday, 10:00 am (walk be-gins) Join the Beth Judea Team!

To walk or donate go to website: http://act.alz.org/goto/bethjudea Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin St, Palatine

TIKKUN OLAM MITZVAH DAY, November 3rd, Sunday

Beth Judea Volunteers needed to pack food boxes for soldier's families! Time to be announced in “Word”

Page 6

For more information, contact Bruce Arenson

at [email protected] or 315-383-4560

The Social Action Committee generally meets the fourth Monday of

each month at 8:00 p.m. or directly following minyan at the syna-

gogue. Please check with the synagogue office to confirm the next

meeting date.

http://act.alz.org/goto/bethjudea

Social Action (continued)

Page 7

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS, September 22nd, Sunday, 12:30 pm Synagogue parking lot. All Beth Judea congregants ages 1-100.

Bring your pet(s) each year to receive Rabbi's blessing and Hebrew name! Open to community synagogues. Free and fun for all!

VETERAN'S DAY SHABBAT, November 8th, Friday evening services. Be present to hear the experiences and thank Beth Judea and area military veterans for their service and sacrifice. Great time for relatives (adults and children) and friends to show their

gratitude to those who have kept our country free!

BINGO AT FRIEND CENTER, 1st Sunday of each month.

Be a mitzvah volunteer to help at resident senior’s bingo game! Fun for all! 1601 Lakecook Road, Deerfield

ARK FAMILY

Once a month through volunteer efforts we provide groceries for needy Jewish family. If you would like to help with a $25 donation, please contact:

Bruce Arenson 313-383-4560

YEKATARINBURG

Congregation Beth Judea has assisted Yekaterinburg, a community of 10,000 Jews in the Ural Mountains. We help support 1 week youth summer camp to enrich Jewish education and

make it possible for the community to have a model Passover Seder with our donations. We speak with community leaders monthly to discuss their needs and monitor anti-Semitism. To

participate please call Bruce Arenson.

CHANUKAH GIFTS TO NEEDY CHILDREN

Several weeks before Chanukah, Congregation Beth Judea participates in the 7+1 Wish List

project as well as the general 7+1 campaign, both sponsored by the Jewish Children’s Bu-reau. 7+1 stands for seven days of Chanukah and one for a needy child. Please bring a gift to Synagogue to donate to a child less fortunate. Donation date to be announced in Word

Focus on Families

Event Calendar

Congregation Beth Judea’s Focus on Families is dedicated to enriching fam-

ilies’ connections to Judaism and our Jewish community through services

and programs specifically designed for children, infant through 2nd grade.

Focus on Families programs captivate young children’s interest in the joys

and excitement of Judaism and Jewish holiday celebration.

For more Focus on Families programming information, contact

Allyson Marcus at [email protected]

We are proud to offer:

Family and Tot High Holiday Services: More infor-

mation can be found on the Beth Judea High Holiday

Schedule.

Gan Shabbat: Saturday Morning Family Shabbat Ser-

vice geared towards children ages 9 and under and

their families

Every Shabbat Saturday Morning, 10:30 am

Gan Shalom: Gan Shalom is a monthly pre-

Kindergarten program focusing on Jewish holidays,

heroes, and mitzvot for children 5 years old and under

accompanied by an adult. 2nd Sunday of the month,

Oct. – May, 10:30 am – 12:00 noon

(Occasional 1st Sundays due to Holidays, check

schedule on website for details)

Challah Chaverim: Monthly parent-

child activity for toddlers through Kin-

dergarteners that includes challah bak-

ing, story time, and a Shabbat song ses-

sion

3rd Thursday of the month, Oct. – June,

2:00 pm – 2:45 pm

*** Apr. date is evening time – 6:30 pm ***

Please note: Schedule changes can occur & will be

publicized with as much advance notice as possible.

Focus on Families Programs for 2013- 2014

Date, Time* Holiday / Event

Monday, Aug. 19

6:30 pm

Mini-mitzvah Evening &

Ice Cream Social Friday, Aug. 23

6:00 pm Shabbat Under the Stars

Sunday, Sept. 22

12 pm – 2:00 pm

Lunch & Launch:

a Sukkot Kite Flying Event

AND

Blessing of the Animals:

A Family Pet Event

Thursday, Sept. 26

6:00 pm

Simchat Torah

Celebration & Parade Sunday, Nov. 3

TBD

Mitzvah Day &

Rosh Chodesh Program Saturday, Dec. 14

6:00 pm

Havdalah Pajama Night &

Scavenger Hunt Saturday, Jan. 18

6:30 pm Magical Havdalah

Saturday, March 15

7:00 pm Megillah Reading

Sunday, March 16

10:00 am

Shushan Wonderland &

Purim Carnival Tot Hour Thursday, Apr. 10

6:30 pm

Matzah Making

Evening Challah Chaverim Sunday, May 18

12 noon – 2:00 pm Family Lag B’Omer Program

2nd Sun. of the month,

Oct. -May

10:30 am – 12 noon

Gan Shalom

(PreK and under)

3rd Thurs. of the month,

Oct. – June

2:00 – 2:45 pm

Challah Chaverim

Page 8

THE YOUTH Kadinkers, Kadima and USY

Kadinkers

For 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders,

Beth Judea’s Youth Program

offers Kadinkers. Members

gather together after Sun-

day school to bond and cre-

ate new friendships with fun

activities such as apple

picking, corn maize’s and

laser tag. Our first

Kadinkers program will

be on Sunday September

22nd. We invite you to first

join us at blessing of the

animals then take your ani-

mals home and leave your

Kadinkers with us as we

head off to bounce and go

crazy at an open gym with

our opening program called

Many More Monkeys Jump-

ing on a Trampoline!!!

Kadima

For 6th 7th and 8th graders, members will stay after Sunday school to

further their friendships with other people their age in social and Judaic

ways. Previous programs have included make your own ice cream and

bowling. Our first program will be our Maccabia competition on

Sunday September 15th beginning at 11am.

BJUSY

This program is for high school students

(9th-12th graders). BJUSY meets on most

Tuesdays, usually from 7-9p. USYers

gather together to focus on topics such as

religion, Israel, and charity along with so-

cial activities. Some programs BJUSY has previously had include Sex

in the Text, Israeli Iron Chef, and traveling to places like Whirly Ball

and Pump It Up. Can’t wait to see you on Tuesday nights!

Page 9

For more information about any of the youth programs contact Youth Director Marc Sender @

[email protected] or BJUSY President Joel Spiegel @ [email protected].

CHECK US OUT @

WWW.BETHJUDEAUSY.WEEBLY.COM

OR ON FACEBOOK @ BJUSY EVENTS

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @BJUSYUPDATES

mailto:[email protected]


http://WWW.BETHJUDEAUSY.WEEBLY.COM

C a l e n d a r o f e v e n t s

SISTERHOOD

J a n u a r y 2 0 1 4

11 Sisterhood Shabbat

22 Judaic Arts program

F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 4

8 Nosh-a-Nite

12 Book Club

24 Vashti Event

M a r c h 2 0 1 4

9 Wine Tasting with Men’s Club

19 A Jew in Israel presented by

Rabbi Lifshitz

A p r i l 2 0 1 4

30 Book Club

M a y 2 0 1 4

14 Elections and Social Program

J u n e 2 0 1 4

TBD Fashion Show & Tea

9 Installation Dinner

25 Book Club

S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 3

9 Morke’s Chocolate

17 Book Club

O c t o b e r 2 0 1 3

23 Meet the Author

Maggie Anton, author of

Rashi’s Daughter

N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 3

7 Book Club

10 Spertus Book Event

Jami Attenberg, author of

The Middlesteins

17 Hanukah Bazaar

20 Membership Dinner

D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 3

4 Hanukkah program

Page 10

M i s s i o n s t a t e m e n t

Congregation Beth Judea Sisterhood strives to foster and further the

highest ideals of Conservative Judaism, as expressed by the Synagogue, serving as a center of

religious, charitable, educational and social activities for the women of the Synagogue.

For more Sisterhood information, contact Bobbi Goldenberg at

[email protected] or Elizabeth Ladin-Gross at

[email protected]

S u p e r B o w l P a r t y

S u n d a y A f t e r n o o n ,

F e b r u a r y 2 , 2 0 1 4

Join us to watch the

Super Bowl. Food &

fun for all.

W o r l d W i d e W r a p

S u n d a y , F e b r u a r y 2 , 2 0 1 4

8 : 3 0 a m

Learn the tradition, history, and symbolism of

wearing tefillin. Men’s Club members will be on

hand to assist in putting tefillin on. We will then

join the congregation in the lay-led Sunday

Morning Minyan.

Page 11

P a s s o v e r W i n e T a s t i n g

S u n d a y , M a r c h 9 , 2 0 1 4 a t 3 p m

Joint Men’s Club and Sisterhood

program. Taste various Passover Kosher

wines and see which one will make it to

your Seder Table this year.

C a l e n d a r o f e v e n t s

Sept. 22 — Steak & Scotch in the Sukkah

Dec. 13 — Hebrew Literacy Graduation (part of Shabbat Services)

Dec. 15 — Blood Drive

Feb. 2 — World Wide Wrap at 8:30 am

Super Bowl Party

March 9— Men’s Club / Sisterhood Passover Wine Tasting

April 6 — Poker Event

April 19 — Men’s Club Shabbat

May 11 — Lox Box Delivery & Pick Ups

M e n ’ s C l u b S h a b b a t

S h a b b a t , A p r i l 1 9 , 2 0 1 4

Men’s Club members join in and

participate in the Shabbat service. The

Men’s Club Shabbat service is always

filled with RUACH!

M i s s i o n s t a t e m e n t

Our objective is to foster and further the highest ideals of Judaism, as expressed through the

Synagogue, and to promote closer relationships among its members. In cooperation with the

congregation, Men's Club shall be a center for religious, cultural, social and educational

activities.

For more Men’s Club information, contact David Granoff at [email protected]

Synagogue Programs

For more program information, contact Fred Rabinowitz at [email protected]

Page 12

Bowling League: 4th Saturday of each month starting Sept. 28th; 8 pm

Brunswick Zone at Deerpark (21080 N. Rand Rd.)

Do you like to bowl? Then join the synagogue bowling league. They bowl on the 4th Saturday of each month.

Cost is $20 per /month per person. Contact Arnie Bender for more information.

Blessing of the Animals: Sunday Afternoon , September 22nd

Dogs, cats and fish, Oh My! Even your pets can have a Hebrew name. Bring your pets (leash/carrier required)

for a special blessing from Rabbi Pivo and to receive their Hebrew name. Please consider your pet's disposition

around other animals when attending.

New Member Shabbat Dinner: Friday Night, October 4th

Welcome New Members! Join us for a special dinner and Kabbalat Shabbat services as we welcome our new

members. All members are encouraged to attend.

Shabbat Honoring Veterans: Friday Night, November 8th

Join us as we offer thanks and express gratitude to all veterans for the gift of freedom at a special Veteran's

Day Shabbat Service. Great time for relatives (adults and children) and friends t support those who have kept

our country free.

Purim Masquerade Party: Saturday Night, February 22nd

Dinner! Dancing! Great Food! Purim Ruach! This event is quickly becoming a Beth Judea favorite! Our 3rd an-

nual Purim Masquerade and Auction promises to be even more memorable than the past! It is a time for our

community to join together and celebrate Beth Judea. Watch for our early bird registration in December! This

event will fill up, so register early! Friends are welcome!

Lag B’Omer Family Fun: Sunday, May 18th

Join us as we celebrate Lag B'Omer! Enjoy lunch, field day games and crafts, inflatables, music, face

painting and cotton candy galore! Great fun for the WHOLE FAMILY! All are welcome!

Introducing . . .(CBJHSPP)

The Congregation Beth Judea Hebrew School Parent Program

We’re excited to announce the formation of the Congregation Beth Judea Hebrew School Parent Program

(Sunday/ Hebrew School parents)! Over the course of the year, we’re going to organize a few special programs

for our parents to get together socially. The following is the 2013/2014 schedule:

October 6th: 10:30am November 2nd: 7:30 pm

Pancake Breakfast Wine Tasting Party

Decorate your own pancakes, mingle with other This event promises to be a synagogue

CBJ parents & have a cup of coffee or glass of juice! favorite! Join us to taste wines, eat appetizers/

desserts and celebrate a night out!

December 8th: 10:30 am January 25th: TBD

Breakfast event Social evening program

CHICAGO FESTIVAL of ISRAELI CINEMAN

The largest showcase of Israeli films in the Midwest in venues such as The Chicago Cultural Center, AMC Loews, 600 N. Michigan Avenue, and AMC Northbrook Court 14. Find the features, documentaries, shorts and more on the

dates you want to see them under Films by going to http://israelifilmchi.org/

COMMEMORATION

Sunday, April 27, 2014

7:00 pm

Join us at the annual community commemoration that

will take place at Congregation Beth Judea.

ISRAEL SOLIDARITY DAY Sunday, May 4, 2014

11:00 am

Ravinia Festival Grounds

Join the Northwest community in their annual Israel cele-bration.

TIKKUN LEIL Tuesday, June 3, 2014

7 pm Tikkun Leil

Celebrate the giving of the Torah with an

evening of Jewish learning. Refresh-ments will be provided.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

USCJ SCHOLAR-IN-RESIDENCE

Wednesday, Nov 6, 2013

Time: 8:00 pm

Rabbi Joel Levy

Rabbi Joel Levy is currently the Dean of the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem where he has taught for over ten years. Joel is a Cam-bridge graduate in Natural Sciences. He was the director of NOAM, the UK Masorti Youth

Movement, and program chair of Limmud Conference, before making aliya. He is the Rabbi of Kol Nefesh, the UK's first fully egalitarian Masorti synagogue. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife, daughters and a badly behaved dog.

CONtext: JEWISH UNIVERSITY FOR A DAY

A Program of the Institute

for Jewish Learning of JTS

Sunday, Nov 10, 2013

Time: 11 am – 4:45 pm

Solomon Schechter Day School

(Northbrook)

Join us as the Institute for Jewish Learning brings the educational excellence of The Jewish Theological Semi-nary to the Chicago community. Designed to meet the diverse Jewish learning needs of adults, Context pro-grams allow learners with diverse backgrounds study to-gether with scholars who are enriching the landscape of

contemporary Judaism.

Leading scholars from JTSA will be joined by outstanding Chicago based instructors to form the core faculty for this very special adult Jewish learning event.

Understanding our past.

Contextualizing the present.

Facing the future.

Page 13

C o n g r e g at i o n B e t h J u d e a

A d u l t E d u c a t i o n

For more information about the Adult Education programs, contact Anna Besser at

847-634-0777 or at [email protected].

All programs and classes are free of charge unless specifically noted.

http://israelifilmchi.org/

WEEKLY CLASSES These classes are ongoing. Please join at any time.

Hebrew is not required for any of these classes, unless specifically noted.

Parsha Perspectives Thursday evenings after minyan (7:45—8:00 pm)

Beginning Oct. 10, 2013

Do you have 10 minutes to spare? It only takes 10 minutes to get started on a lifelong journey. Spend each Thursday after Minyan learning about the upcoming Par-sha with Rabbi Pivo, and before you know it you'll have

completed hours of Torah study.

Talmud & Jewish Life: Grappling with Life, Law and Innovation Sunday mornings at 8 am

Participate in a lively discussion of the Talmud and its

relevance for us today. No prior knowledge required and texts will be provided. We are working our way through the fascinating array of topics in the Tractate Ketubot

(Marriage Contracts). Orin Rotman will facilitate this

weekly Talmud study session. (Artscroll Schottenstein edition is used for the class)

Sweet Taste of Torah Wednesday evenings at 8 pm

For thousands of years Judaism has been interpreting and

applying the Torah to everyday life. This class follows the Tanach cycle. Each week we will read through several chapters a week of the Nevim (Prophets) texts, then on to Ketuvim (Writings), then back to Torah again.

Shabbat Torah/Haftarah Study Shabbat morning at 9 am

Weekly study to discuss the parsha of the week. We will discuss questions raised by the participants.

Interpretive Shabbat Service Shabbat morning at 10:30 am every 1st & 3rd Shabbat of the month

Norm Kurtz facilitates this Shabbat morning service that focuses on examining the structure of the prayer service, learning the major prayers and becoming more comforta-ble with the choreography and customs of the Shabbat

morning service.

FLORENCE MELTON SCHOOL of

ADULT JEWISH LEARNING Wednesday Evenings

7:00—9:15 pm

Beginning Oct. 9, 2013

Together with local synagogues the BJE is offering

an innovative two-year program consisting of 30

classes each year, held weekly for two hours. The

Melton school encourages students to increase par-

ticipation in Jewish life through systematically

planned lessons exploring many as-

pects of Judaism, and extra-

curricular activities including holiday

workshops and celebrations, guest

lecturers and field trips. There are no

exams, grades, or prerequisites. The

first year courses include The

Rhythms of Jewish Living and The

Purposes of Jewish Living, while the second year

courses cover The Ethics of Jewish Living and The

Dramas of Jewish Living. For more information about

the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning,

call Rolly Cohen or Paula Spitz at 847-291-7788,

ext. 1321 or at [email protected]

GABBAI INSTRCUTION SERIES ORIN ROTMAN

Wednesday Evenings

Oct 9,16, 23, 30

6:30—7:15 pm

A GABBAI is the stage manager and choreographer

of the centerpiece Torah Service. The role requires

skills in Hebrew, trope, tradition, logistics and people

management. The skills engage the kahal, give sup-

port to those with honors, and motivate our Torah

readers to be the best they can be. If these are skills

you want to develop, then this is the class for you!

RSVP by 10/1/13 to Orin Rotman: orot-

[email protected]. Adults and teens with previous

Hebrew and Torah trope skills are welcome to partic-

ipate.

Page 14




Do you like film? Do you like Jewish film? Funny, uplifting, sad, introspective, off the beaten path Jewish films? So do we! Join us for several evenings of thought-provoking, varied, entertaining films, including refreshments & optional dis-cussion group.

Jewish Immigration and the American Experience

Discussion Leader: Raymond Benson Joint Program with Congregation Beth Am

HESTER STREET AMERICAN POP AVALON

October 14, 2013 November 11, 2013 December 7, 2013

LOCATION: The Continental Restaurant (788 S Buffalo Grove Rd BG) TIME: 6:30 pm Door Open (Al a carte cash menu & bar from Continental Menu)

7:15 pm Movie Starts followed by discussion

COST: $5/member; $8/non-member

Woody Allen

Discussion Leader: Raymond Benson Congregation Beth Judea Program

RADIO HANNAH and

DAYS HER SISTERS

February 3, 2014 March 3, 2014

LOCATION: Beth Judea

TIME: 6:00 pm

COST: $10/member; $12/non-member (cost includes dinner)

Page 15

JEWISH FILM SERIES


EDUCATION SERIES (continued)


ADULT SHABBATON

Joint Program with Congregation Beth Shalom

JUNE 2014

This wonderful weekend is for adults with an AARP card only will be held during the summer of 2014 (watch

for more information on the exact date). This unique venture is a collaboration between Congregation Beth

Judea and Congregation Beth Shalom. We join together for a Shabbat of shared worship, learning and plenty

of SOCIALIZING!

Page 16

HEBREW

H e b r e w L i t e r a c y I C o - s p o n s o r e d b y M e n ’ s C l u b

Eric Yegelwel & Jerry Sakol

Dates: Sept. 17—Dec.10

Tuesdays at 8 pm

Want a proven successful opportunity to learn how to read Hebrew in a friendly environment? Then join this

class. Hebrew Literacy I is designed to teach those

with no previous (or forgotten) knowledge of Hebrew how to read. The 12-week course focuses on learning to read the words used in the Friday Night service. COST: $30 fee for course materials Graduation – Friday Night Service on Dec. 13, 2013

H e b r e w L i t e r a c y I I

C o - s p o n s o r e d b y M e n ’ s C l u b

Norm Kurtz & Eric Yegelwel

Jan. 7—Feb. 25

Tuesdays at 8 pm

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn core prayers! For

those who have taken Hebrew Literacy I and want to continue learning, then this is for you! This 8-week class will focus on teaching the prayers from the Satur-

day morning service while incorporating parts of the Understanding Prayer curriculum at the same time.

H e b r e w L i t e r a c y I I I

Amidah - Stand and Understand C o - s p o n s o r e d b y M e n ’ s C l u b

Norm Kurtz & Eric Yegelwel

Apr. 29—May 20

Tuesdays at 8 pm

The Amidah is often called “HaTefillah” – the prayer. Our rabbis compiled 18 pearls of prayer, strung togeth-

er into a necklace of standing contemplation. Join us to learn more about the Amidah.

SYNAGOGUE SKILLS

Service Skills:

Weekday Ma’ariv

Hazzan Weisberg

Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, Nov. 5, 12

Tuesday Evenings 6:30—7:15 pm

The weekday Ma’ariv is a basic and essential com-

ponent of Jewish worship. Whether at a shiva home or attending our daily minyan for a yahrzeit, with practice you can attain this skill and daven with proper nusach in less than two months.

Haftarah Trope

Hazzan Weisberg

Begins Oct. 8, 2013

Ends Jan. 21, 2014

Tuesday Evenings 8 pm

COST: $30

Would you like to learn how to read Haftarah? This class is intended for those who have already learned Torah trope, who enjoy sing-

ing and would like to expand their horizons to Haf-tarah. Also for those who may have studied the tropes for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah but have not tried it since! We will learn the distinctive melodies which are associated with chanting the various books of the Prophets, as well as the blessings be-

fore and after the Haftarah. Prerequisite: Ability to read Hebrew

CRASH COURSE IN

JEWISH HISTORY

Rabbi Lifshitz

Jan. 30, Feb. 6, 13, 20, March 6

Thursday Evenings 8:00 pm

Come join us for a discussion that will span the ages and will impact on the choices we make everyday. You’ll

learn four thousand years of Jewish history in this five part lecture series. Learn about key dates and events that have shaped both Jewish and world history. Develop an appreciation for the richness of our Jewish heritage.

COOKING CLASSES

Our Jewish Heritage Through

Root Vegetables

Sandra Zussman

Oct. 9, 16, & 23

Wednesday Evenings 6:00—7:15 pm

Cost: $15 for the series;

$5 for each class

Forget apples—the best of Fall is found not on trees, but right in the ground. Root vegetables can serve as the center of delicious dishes that paint a vivid picture of Judaism throughout the Diaspora. Together we’ll explore Jewish roots with vegetables like beets, parsnip, carrots and many

more!

Sephardic Flavors

Sandra Zussman

May 14, 21, & 28

Wednesday Evenings 6:00—7:15 pm

Cost: $15 for the series;

$5 for each class

What is Jewish cooking? Most of us think of Eastern European-born fare. But there's

a second Jewish food tradition--the cuisine of the Mediterranean Sephardim. Join us as we explore cuisines of the Middle East.

Blend It Up with Rabbi Pivo

“Judaism: A Starter Kit”

2nd Thursday of the month

9:30 am

Caribou Coffee

4196 Rt. 83, Long Grove

(in the Sunset Foods Plaza)

Corner of Rt. 83 & Aptakisic

Whether you are new to Jewish living or

never really got a good grounding in basic beliefs, this

is your chance to catch up. One Thursday morning a

month Rabbi Pivo will discuss an essential theme in

Jewish identity from spiritual and practical points of

view.

Nov 14, 2013

Shabbat Unplugged: The original weekend, the Sab-

bath, the day of rest – What it means to live a radical-

ly different life every seventh day.

Dec 12, 2013

Images of God: The limits of our language are the lim-

its of our world – Expanding our conceptions of the

divine through an exploration of God-language.

Jan 9, 2014

Mindful Eating: We do and don’t eat things for all sorts

of reasons – what Jewish values are expressed

through food?

Feb 13, 2014

Basic Texts: How to tell a siddur from a mahzor from a

haggadah and on down the line.

March 13, 2014

Passover and Redemption: One of Judaism’s most

constant themes is redemption, but what does it even

mean? Let’s find out together.

Apr 10, 2014

Eternal Israel: Jews have an unbreakable connection

to the Land of Israel, but what about our relationship

to the State of Israel?

May 8, 2014

Jewish Identity Here and Now: Judaism isn’t just dif-

ferent from a hundred years ago; it’s changing almost

too rapidly to keep up. Who are we now?

Page 17


Mondays

12:00 pm – 1:15 pm

Sunset Foods 2nd floor Conference Room

(corner of Rt. 83 & Aptakisic)

Hot Topics for Adults

Jewish law is constantly growing and evolving. How does a Jew know what to do? Since the time of the rab-binic sages, a Jew who had a serious ethical or legal problem would send a written question to a rabbi. In this class we will study a different rabbinic responsum (teshuvah) each week from the sages in our movement.

Dates: Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov. 4, 11 & 18

Dates: Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24, March 10, 17,

March 31, Apr. 7

Page 18

TAP the Torah

Sponsored by Men’s Club

Join us on Thursday nights at 8pm for a lively Torah

study while we down some beer! Location details to fol-

low.

Dates:

October 3, 2013

January 16, 2014

April 10, 2014

PEACE?: Inside the

Israeli– Palestinian Negotiations

Rabbi Pivo

March 11, 18 & 25

Tuesday Evenings 8:00 pm

Here we go again. In September, the Israeli-Palestinian

negotiations began. During this series, we will look at

what has been accomplished to date. Where do the

negotiations stand now? Have the talks yielded any-

thing new? What is at

stake for both sides if ne-

gotiations fail, and what is

at stake if they succeed?

Join Rabbi Pivo for an en-

gaging conversation about

the current status of the

peace talks.

Passover Boot Camp

Rabbi Pivo

April 1 & 8

Tuesday Evenings 8:00 pm

Passover starts at sundown April

14 - are you ready? Whether

you're a Passover veteran

or planning your first seder, Rab-

bi Pivo will walk you through it

all, from the steps of the seder

to common tunes and strategies for keeping everyone

involved throughout the evening. Don’t let yourself be-

comes a slave to a boring or meaningless seder; come

out of Mitzrayim!



To register for classes or to find out more information about the Adult Education

programs, contact Anna Besser at 847-634-0777 or at [email protected].

All programs and classes are free of charge unless specifically noted.

SHABBAT...A GIFT TO YOURSELF

The experience of Shabbat is an experience of and

for a lifetime. It is a gift you will give yourself and

one which you will want to share.

FRIDAY NIGHT SERVICES

Our Friday evening service, which includes Kabbalat

Shabbat and Maariv, begins at 7:30 pm. Responsive

English readings are incorporated as part of the Fri-

day night service. This service usually is less than

an hour in length.

SHABBAT MORNING SERVICES

In our main sanctuary, Shabbat morning services

begin at 9:30 A.M. and last about 2 hours.

GAN SHABBAT

GAN SHABBAT offers a participatory Shabbat Ser-

vice for families with children, ages 9 and under.

Our service is filled with singing, stories and learn-

ing. We meet every Shabbat morning in the Beit

Midrash on the Religious School level. Our service

begins at 10:30 AM and concludes around 11:30

AM. After Gan Shabbat all families are encouraged

to join the main service and the community Kid-

dush.

INTERPRETIVE SHABBAT SERVICE

Join us on the 1st and 3rd Shabbat of each month

at 10:30 am, as Norm Kurtz facilitates this Shabbat

morning service. We will examine the structure of

the prayer service, learning the major prayers and

becoming more comfortable with the choreography

and customs of the Shabbat morning service.

SHABBAT SERVICES

C o n g r e g at i o n B e t h J u d e a



Life 101

Once a Month on Thursdays

8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

On life’s journey, each of us will have our share of missed

connections, breakdowns and fears for the next stop. But

we are not alone on that trip. In this series of discussions,

we will address a number of life’s challenges from both a

therapeutic and a Jewish point of view, gaining insight

from the experts and from each other.

Facilitated by:

Dr. Susan Weitzman Goldwasser and

featuring Rabbi Pivo and Guest Speakers

Topics:

Oct. 17: We are All under Barometric Pressure!: Deal-

ing adaptively with stress and pressures in everyday life

Nov. 7: The Healing Powers of Connection: The im-

portance and ways to forge ties, bonds, affiliations and be

part of community

Jan. 9: Road not Yet Travelled: Enjoying and redefining

midlife and adult aging as chance opportunities during the

second and third "chapters" of your life

March 6: One Step at a Time: Dealing with the vicissi-

tudes of aging, as well as aging and/or ailing parents

Apr. 3: Raising Happy and Self Confident Children

May 15: Necessary Losses: The everyday life losses we

must endure

Page 19

PLEASE

PLACE

STAMP

HERE

C o n g r e g at i o n B e t h

J u d e a

Phone: 847-634-0777

Fax: 847-634-8055

E-mail: [email protected]

www.bethjudea.org

5304 RFD

Rte. 83 & Hilltop Rd.

Long Grove, IL 60047

2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 4

P r o g r a m G u i d e

Documents

Congregation Beth Judea Program Guide 2013/2014