Kol Beth El AV 5 7 7 8 - C H E S H VA N 5 7 7 9
AUGT/SEPT/OCT 2018
A Year Celebrating Our Past, Present, and Future From the desk of Rabbi Kurtz
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Shabbat Schedule....................2 President’s Corner...................3 Meet Our New Staff ................4 Notes from Hazzan..................5 Informal Education..................5 Cultural & Learning Center.....6 Development ...........................7 Sisterhood.................................8 Sisterhood Gift Shop...............9 Men’s Club................................10 Religious School.......................12 Youth Community....................13 Todah Rabbah..........................14 Holiday and Festival Service Schedules..................................20 Social Action.............................21 High Holiday History................21 August Calendar ......................22 September Calendar ..............23 October Calendar.....................24 B’nai Mitzvah............................25 Events at a Glance....................26
When you receive this bulletin we will already be thinking about the High Holidays, Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur 5779. As we move closer to these important dates on the calendar we recognize that it is a time to reflect on the past year and to review our journey. It is also a time to look to future challenges as the new year brings exciting opportunities for us.
typical in Beth El, many of the people who spoke at either or both of those events are now parents in the Beth El community of young people who have either celebrated their Bar or Bat Mitzvah at the congregation or been part of our USY group. We should be very proud of our history and the individuals who made a difference in the life of our community. We will culminate the celebration on November 4 with our Synagogue gala. Mort Steinberg, a past President of the Congregation, whose parents were some of the founders of our community, has updated the
This has been a very eventful year. North Suburban Synagogue Beth El has celebrated its 70th anniversary. We have commemorated this wonderful year through concerts, lectures, museum displays, and reunions. Over the I pray that we may all be blessed with a healthy and successful Thanksgiving year, I pray that Beth El will continue to flourish, and that the weekend we had a BEANS State of Israel will, in the near future, see peace. May we live in USY reunion a world in which humanity can flourish. May the year of 5779 and I was enthralled be one of blessings for you and yours and for us all. with the many stories Beth El history and we will publish a book of those who came, showed us their picentitled Tradition by the Lake. Mort, who tures, and told us episodes of their lives as has been a Beth El member his entire life, teenagers at Beth El. Over Memorial Day has spent a great deal of time researching weekend, we celebrated a Bar/Bat Mitzvah our history, retrieving archival records, and reunion and we heard stories from those gathering photographs in order to create who celebrated their Bar or Bat Mitzvah a testimony to the journey of Beth El from at Beth El. It was moving to hear what the sixteen families who founded it until that event meant to them at that time and today. today. The interesting part is that, as is continued on page19
All in the Beth El Family...........28
North Suburban Synagogue Beth El 1175 N. Sheridan Road Highland Park, IL 60035 (847) 432-8900 www.nssbethel.org AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | KOL BETH EL | 1
Daily Service
Shabbat Schedule Monday through Friday Mornings, 7:15 am Sunday through Thursday Evenings, 7:30 pm Sunday and Legal Holiday Mornings, 8:45 am Rosh Hodesh Mornings, 7:00 am Services are conducted by: Rabbi Vernon H. Kurtz Rabbi Michael Schwab Rabbi Alex Freedman Hazzan Benjamin A. Tisser
Every Shabbat 10:30 am Junior Congregation Services for students in 2nd - 6th grade (Starts September 8) 10:45 am Tot Shabbat Services for families with children 1st grade and younger in Room 3
See calendars on pages 22-24 for times.
September
August August 4
September 1
August 11
September 8
Parashat Eikev Torah: Deuteronomy 7:12 – 11:25 Haftarah: Isaiah 49:14 – 51:3 Birchat HaHodesh Parashat Re’eh Torah: Deuteronomy 11:26 – 16:17 Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1 – 55:5
August 18
Parashat Shoftim Torah: Deuteronomy 16:18 – 21:9 Haftarah: Isaiah 51:12 – 52:12
August 25
Parashat Ki Teitzei Torah: Deuteronomy 21:10 – 25:19 Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1 – 54:10
Selichot Parashat Ki Tavo Torah: Deuteronomy: 26:1 – 29:8 Haftarah: Isaiah: 60:1 – 22 Parashat Nitzavim Torah: Deuteronomy 29:9 – 30:20 Haftarah: Isaiah 61:10 – 63:9
September 15
Shabbat Shuva Parashat Vayeilech Torah: Deuteronomy31:1 – 31:30 Haftarah: Hosea 14:2 – 10; Micah 7:18-20; Joel 2:15 -27
September 22
Parashat Ha’Azinu Torah: Deuteronomy 32:1 – 32:52 Haftarah: II Samuel 22:1 – 22:51
October October 6
Birchat HaHodesh Parashat Bereshit Torah: Genesis 1:1 – 6:8 Haftarah: Samuel 20:18 – 20:42
October 13
Parashat Noach Torah: Genesis 6:9 – 11:32 Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1 – 55:5
October 20
Parashat Lech-Lecha Torah: Genesis 12:1 – 17:27 Haftarah: Isaiah 40:27 – 41:16
October 27
Parashat Vayera Torah: Genesis 18:1 – 22:24 Haftarah: II Kings 4:1 – 4:37
September 29
Hol HaMoed Sukkot Torah: Exodus 33:12 –34:26 Maftir: Numbers 29:26 – 31 Haftarah: Ezekiel 38:18 – 39:16
Recent Happenings at Beth El
Cohen Religious School Israel@70 Celebration
Curious George Shabbat
Sisterhood Board Installation Pre-School Trip to Israel Shabbat on the Lake 2 | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 | KOL BETH EL
President’s Corner
Reflecting on 5778
By Richard Zelin, NSS Beth El President When I first became president, several of my predecessors told me that the time would fly by – and it has surely done so. Indeed, it’s hard to believe that more than a year has already transpired. Since then, my hair has gotten much grayer – and I have had, on occasion, some sleepless nights and sleep deprived days – but it has been a very exhilarating and rewarding experience. So I am honored and deeply grateful to the congregation for giving me this wonderful opportunity to serve as your president. It has truly been an enriching and fulfilling adventure. During the course of the year, I have learned a great deal. The Rabbis have let me in on the secrets of Shabbat bimah orchestration and there was a twoweek period or so when we were assessing financial aspects of the transition that seemed like a semester course in finance and accounting. But most of all I have been genuinely moved and touched by all of the people – clergy, staff and lay leaders – who I have had the privilege to work with. Your dedication and commitment to the synagogue has been an endless source of inspiration. That said, I would like to begin with a hearty salute to Rabbi Kurtz for his 30 plus years of extraordinary leadership to Beth El and the wider global Jewish community. This is not the appropriate platform to offer extended personal reflections, but I want to briefly acknowledge and recognize his many and lasting contributions to our congregation, which is known and respected far and wide. At the same time, I want to extend sincere congratulations and Mazel Tov to Rabbi Schwab on being selected as our next Senior Rabbi, and extend a warm welcome to Rabbi Alex Freedman, our new Associate Rabbi. We look forward with great anticipation and excitement to his future leadership. That the clergy leadership transition has gone so well is a great tribute to the spirit of cooperation on the part of Rabbis Kurtz and Schwab. Thank you for being
such mensches. Throughout, their focus has always been on what is best for Beth El, so I am grateful to you for helping make the process go smoothly. This positive outcome would also not have been possible without the hard work of the members of the Transition Committee. I would like to thank them for their invaluable service. We particularly owe special thanks and appreciation to Larry Pachter, who was Chair of the Committee, for all of the time and effort he put in to make the transition successful. I am going to miss our frequent – and sometimes multiple – daily telephone calls. This past year has been challenging but an exciting time for the synagogue. Besides the leadership transition, a number of other significant and meaningful things have been accomplished. While still ongoing, the first is the overwhelming success of our 70th anniversary celebrations, which have generated lots of goodwill for the synagogue. Since the High Holidays, an impressive array of exceptional programs, concerts, and activities have been held, but there are a couple that especially stand out to me. Along with 40 other congregants, my wife and I had the good fortune to travel to Poland and Israel on this year’s Adult March of the Living trip, which was led by Rabbi Kurtz, under the aegis of Beth El. Significantly, we were the only group – religious or otherwise – from Chicago. Even though I do not have a personal connection myself to the Holocaust, it was an intense and emotionally powerful experience. On a lighter note, the other 70th-related program that stands out is the fascinating lecture by Dr. Zev Eleff about the origins and historical development of the Conservative movement in the Chicago area. I learned that the movement took on much more of a traditional orientation here than in New York and that Beth El played a leading role in fostering this brand of Judaism in our community. This gave me a better
B’nai Mitzvah Reunion
continued on page11
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | KOL BETH EL | 3
Welcome
Meet Our New Staff Members and Learn Some “Fun Facts” By Abby Lasky, Director of Communications
Beth El is very excited to welcome three new staff members to the fold! Please give them a warm welcome when you see them. Rabbi Alex Freedman Rabbi Freedman most recently served as the Associate Rabbi at Temple Emanu-El in Closter, NJ where he worked for 4+ years. He is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, studied at the Conservative Yeshivah in Jerusalem, and served for several summers as a Rosh Eidah (unit head) at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin. He is a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary. He is married to Laura and they have two children.
Favorite Jewish Holiday: Shabbat! I really enjoy resting up, quality family time, seeing friends at shul, delicious challah, and ideally a nap. I feel we’re lucky we get to have it not just once a year but every week.
intense. WhileI have spent a lot of time in Israel, the show opens a new window onto life over there.
Most interesting place ever visited: A rural Mayan Mexican village called Muchucuxcah. Through the American Jewish World Service I and some friends did some social justice work. It was different in so many ways. I learned a lot on the trip, including how to pronounce the village name!
Are you rooting for the Cubs or the Sox this year? I am a Cincinnati Reds fan, it’s where I grew up. How the tables have turned for the Cubs and the Reds.
Currently watching on Netflix: Fauda, which is a popular thriller about an Israeli undercover IDF team. It’s really
Pre-School Director, Kory Goldenberg Kory is a graduate of the University of Arizona and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education and has over 20 years of experience in the field. Kory spent her last six years in San Francisco as the Assistant Director for Congregation Sherith Israel’s Preschool program before relocating to Chicago. After joining her husband in Chicago in 2006, she became the Director of Early Childhood for the Florence Heller JCC in Lakeview. After ten years as the Director at the JCC, Kory and her family relocated to Deerfield. She
Youth Community Director, Marah Altenberg Marah has previously served as a Youth and Family Director at Am Yisrael Congregation in Northfield, IL and other synagogues around the country. She also served as a synagogue executive director when her family lived in Singapore. Marah has her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Illinois at Champaign. She also studied at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Marah lives in Buffalo Grove, has two children and two dogs. Favorite Jewish Holiday: My favorite Jewish holiday is Passover. My most vivid memories are of my father leading the
is enthusiastic about creating play based, Reggio Emilia inspired Jewish Early Childhood programming. Favorite Jewish Holiday: Rosh HaShana. This is the only time my whole family gets together. My family comes in from Florida and they spend time with my husband’s family. My children love when they get to cook with both of their grandmothers! Most interesting place ever visited: seder. My sister and I, and my cousins were just so engaged with his every word. He always made the story entertaining and meaningful. And our family loves to sing. The more songs the better. Most interesting place ever visited: This is tough to answer, as our family had lived in Singapore, and traveled to many places around the globe. Israel is like a second home. I studied and traveled throughout the country, and really learned a lot about our homeland. Favorite movie and tv show: The Notebook is one of my all-time favorites. We are currently watching The Crown on cable.
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Do you have any pets? Not currently. I grew up with a yellow lab named Chester. I’m still a big fan of dogs.
Favorite flavor of ice cream or candy: Cincinnati is home to Graeter’s ice cream, and I hear they’re in Chicago now. The insiders know that black raspberry chip is the one to get. Now you know too.
The Grand Canyon was the most interesting place I have ever been. I hiked to and camped at the bottom and it was a truly amazing experience. Favorite Childrens book: The Giving Tree. I read it almost every night to my youngest son before he goes to sleep. Do you have any pets? No pets. Are you rooting for the Cubs or the Sox this year? My family is rooting for the Sox, so I am now a Sox fan. I grew up in NJ so I grew up a Mets fan! Favorite flavor of ice cream or candy: My favorite candy is dark chocolate and my favorite ice cream is mint chip. Do you have any pets? We love dogs!! We had a German Short hair Pointer, Wrigley, for 15 years. Are you rooting for the Cubs or the Sox this year? We are lifelong Cubs fans. The greatest night of our lives was when the Cubs won the world series. Favorite flavor of ice cream or candy: My favorite ice cream flavor, as my family well knows, is Mint Chocolate Chip.
Music
Notes from Hazzan Tisser Although we’re just a few weeks from the High Holidays, it’s hard for me to fathom writing an article about Rosh HaShana at this point in the year! There is so much that needs to be done during the short time left before the Yamim Nora’im, so much that needs to be accounted for, so much planning and preparation…the transition from this programming year to the next. I have been thinking a lot lately about the idea of transitions. We all go through them so often. There are professional transitions, there are very personal transitions, there are transitions as we enter new stages of life… There are transitions we go through alone, and those we share with others. Sometimes they are expected, other times not. Sometimes they are welcome and at other times they are challenging at best, scary at worst. Nobel Prize-winning economist
Informal Education
George Stigler says that “a transition is a period between two transitions.” In other worse, we are constantly growing, changing, morphing. And we know that we can’t become who we need to be by remaining who we are. Therefore transitions and transformation are not only important; they are a necessary part of life.
version of ourselves in this new year. May we rededicate our lives to study, community, prayer and good deeds. May we spend more time with people we love and less time trying to acquire the “stuff” which takes up space in our lives. May we be healthy and happy, and may we merit to gather together once again next year as 5780 approaches.
Each new year brings the promise of new beginnings, new possibilities, and of course some of the same highs and lows we experienced in the previous year. As author Maria Robinson write, “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
L’shanah Tovah Tikateivu v’Teichateimun—May we all be inscribed and sealed for a good new year! Don’t miss our Klezmer Concert on Thursday, August 16. Go to our website for more information and to RSVP at www.nssbethel.org.
My prayer for us all is that we awaken with the sound of the Shofar. That we focus our thoughts and our intentions to reach our best possible potential, and that ultimately we aspire to become an even better
A Rosh HaShana Seder?
By Ali Drumm, Director of Informal Education In the Rosh HaShana meals of my youth, which were still a somewhat formal affair, there was rarely the traditional brisket and chicken soup and homemade round raisin challah. I grew up in a small Jewish community where we had very few people to invite over for a holiday meal. With my mother acting as the cantorial soloist for our synagogue, we had to rush out and get to services which hindered her from making much more of an affair than she did. Then last year, I learned about and incorporated a tradition I’d never experienced for Rosh HaShana- the Rosh HaShana seder. The tradition actually comes to us from the Talmud (Horayot 12a) when Rabbi Abaye suggests that at the beginning of the year, people
should eat food that grows prolifically and symbolizes prosperity like pumpkins, leeks, and dates. Carried on for years in the Sephardic communities, the tradition entails having a special part of your Rosh HaShana meal where you recite blessings over a variety of foods that symbolize your wishes for the year ahead. The blessings all begin with the words “yehi ratzon” (May it be God’s will) and they all ask for divine gifts of strength, peace and prosperity in the year ahead. In traditional Rosh HaShana seders, the blessings for the food often come from puns on the name of the food in Hebrew or Aramaic. With each blessing, the simple act of eating is elevated to a hopeful prayer and a sense of occasion and meaning. You can make this tradition great
for your kids by having them pick some of their favorite foods and coming up with a special wish for year. We tried this last year- with my children adding candy and a wish for a sweet new year, and other family members adding popcorn, so that our year will really “pop,” and beef jerky, with a wish that we’ll get through the “tough” times together. I was amazed at how adding this tradition to our Rosh HaShana celebration elevated our experience of the holiday and included everyone in my family in a meaningful way. Wishing you and your family the chance to explore the vibrancy and richness of Jewish tradition this year and that we all take ownership of our journey in this incredible world- Shana Tova U’Metukah (A Happy and Sweet New Year!)
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | KOL BETH EL | 5
CLC
Getting Inspired by Jewish “Wonder Women” By Rachel Kamin, Gray Cultural and Learning Center Director I have been attending the Annual Conference of the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) every June for the past 22 years. This year’s conference was held in Boston and included many informative, stimulating, thought-provoking and interesting sessions and speakers. For example, I attended an inspiring session about Jewish “wonder women” in children’s literature and learned about new and upcoming books about Israeli actress Gal Gadot, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Yiddish theater actress Betty Rosenberg, Jewish ballerina Alicia Markova, and more. They will all be available soon in the Beth El Libraries!
Marcie and I also took advantage of the post-conference field trip to the Yiddish Book Center and the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst. I am so grateful for the support I have received from Beth El over the past 10 years to attend this conference. It is always the highlight of my “professional” year and at every conference I learn so much from my colleagues – many who have become friends – and return to work in July motivated, inspired, and reinvigorated.
I learned about the difference between reading to children and reading with children with Simmons College professor Megan Dowd Lambert who introduced her Whole Book Approach storytime model. I can’t wait to test out this method with the Steinberg Pre-School students! At the Roundtable session for synagogue, day school, and community center libraries, I was inspired by all of the great projects and programs from my colleagues in Miami, Philadelphia, New York, and Los Angeles. I plan to copy some of their wonderful ideas and adapt them for our community! I also shared our system for organizing the picture book collection in the Pinsof Children’s Reading Room and Marcie Eskin, who has also been active in the AJL for many years (and has served as the conference registrar for the past 4 years!), presented about the OPALS library automation system that we use at Beth El. As a member of the AJL Fiction Award Committee, I was honored to meet the inaugural winner of the award Rachel Kadish, author of The Weight of Ink. She gave a fascinating presentation about the research that went into the novel and I can’t wait to discuss this fabulous book with our Sisterhood Torah Fund Book Club this coming year.
On a panel with author Rachel Kadish and members of the AJL Jewish Fiction Award Committee
Marcie and Rachel in front of an old linotype machine from the Yiddish Forverts at the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, MA
Visual Midrash: Judaica by Amy Reichert From August 24 – October 14, 2018 the Rissman Kol Ami Collection will feature the exhibit Visual Midrash: Judaica by Amy Reichert. Amy Reichert is an award winning architect and exhibition designer, who has also designed Judaica as part of her practice since 1995. Her creative process begins with Jewish texts, old and new, and ends in ritual objects that express Jewish values through modern designs. Central to her work is an interpretation of hiddur mitzvah which explores how kiddush cups, 6 | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 | KOL BETH EL
menorahs, mezzuzot, and other objects can help us engage more deeply with our tradition. The exhibit will feature many of her designs, along with models and sketches revealing the process behind the work. Since 1996, when she won second place in the Philip and Sylvia Spertus Judaica Prize for her seder plate, she has participated in invited juried exhibitions in museums around the world. Her work can be seen on display at The Jewish Museum in New
York, The Jewish Museum in Vienna, The Yale University Art Gallery, and The San Francisco Contemporary Jewish Museum. She received her B.A. and M.Arch from Yale University, and combines her studio work with teaching at the School of the Art Institute, Chicago. Recent work includes the new ark, shulchan, and ner tamid for the Sager Chapel at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, as well as work for synagogues across the country.
Development
Strengthening Our Jewish Legacy By Judy Berkeley, Director of Development
I am happy to report that our fundraising efforts have been going very well in this, our 70th year of operation! A personal thank you to our over 30 B’Yachad donors who have supported Beth El and their fellow congregants by making an enhanced dues donation of $10,000. I would also like to thank everyone who has given to our annual Chesed dues campaign thus far. Last year, we raised nearly $90,000 from 120 very generous donors, which was a 10% increase over the previous year.
Save the Date for November 4th! ...for our Gala honoring Rabbi Vernon and Bryna Kurtz. If you would like to get involved, please contact Judy Berkeley at jberkeley@nssbethel.org. The more the merrier! Below is a list of our Gala volunteers to date:
Every dollar raised is used to help fellow congregants in need of dues assistance so we are very grateful to those of you who continue this tradition of helping others.
Co-Chairs: Wendy & Steve Abrams, Pearl & Joel Kagan, and Jenna & David Smiley
Last year we were also blessed to see a 10% increase in our B’Yachad donors, and we hope to continue to see growth this year.
Gala Committee: Lawrence Becker, Annette & Jerry Blumberg, Leah & Jori Brajer, Gail & Andy Brown, Rachel & Marc Dorfman, Kim & Eric Ephraim, Wendi & Michael Ezgur, Ruth Fisher, Elise & Ira Frost, Stacy & Jeff Goldsmith, Debby & Ron Hahamy, Jennifer & Josh Herz, Barbara & Stuart Hochwert, Helene & Herb Isaacs, Karen & Michael Kesner, Marcie & Ken Levin, Arielle & Victor Levitan, Erica & Zachary Lindon, Sheryl & Stuart Lipnick, Dina & Trevor Lissoos, Jackie & Michael Melinger, Michelle Gooze-Miller & Adam Miller, Heidi & Shayle Patzik, Danielle & Jonathan Pearl, Marcie & Brad Pickard, Debra Rade, Holly & Jonathan Reinsdorf, Lisa & Jeff Rosenkranz, Pamela & Richard Schlosberg, Lynn & Skip Schrayer, Marilyn & Rod Slutzky, Sandy Starkman & Larry Pachter, Miriam and Mort Steinberg, Mira & Darryl Temkin, Bobbie & Len Tenner, Howard Turner, Diane & Loren Weil, Larry Weiner, Judy & Richard Zelin*
This past year, we also saw a 5% increase in our Kol Nidre Appeal and hope to continue with an increase this year as well. It’s not too early to make your Kol Nidre gift for this year. You can go online or simply send in a check. On June 3rd, over 70 B’Yachad and Ner Tamid members attended a special donor reception at the synagogue. The event was sponsored by JUF, as part of their Create a Jewish Legacy (CJL) program. As participants in the program, we earn an annual stipend for securing new legacy gifts, that will one day be used to support the synagogue. The event included appetizers, drinks, and a wonderful presentation on the history of Beth El by Mort Steinberg. Many thanks to Larry Pachter for his leadership of the Ner Tamid program. To learn more about the Create a Jewish Legacy Program, please contact Judy Berkeley for a brochure. Ner Tamid gifts begin at $1000, and can be made by check, credit card or through your estate. Shana Tova! Stuart Hochwert
*in formation
Vice President of Finance: Stuart Hochwert Synagogue President: Richard Zelin Ad Book Chair: Arielle Levitan Ad Book Committee: * Dana Atlas, Leah Brajer, Stacy Goldsmith, Sandy Starkman PR Chair: Mira Temkin
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | KOL BETH EL | 7
Sisterhood
Beth El Sisterhood Kicks Off the New Year Karen Weiss, Sisterhood President and Jodi Eisenstadt Executive VP
NSS Beth El Sisterhood Board 2018-20 Executive Committee
President | Karen Weiss Executive VP | Jodi Eisenstadt Corresponding Secretary | Ruth Fischer Financial Secretary | Debbie Graham Gift Shop | Sulie Holt, Diane Levin and Pam Schlosberg Membership | OPEN Parliamentarian | Pam Schlosberg Programming | OPEN Recording Secretary | Marcie Pickard Torah Fund | Mary Ellen Bowers Treasurer | Sue Glover
Leagrams | Mary Ellen Bowers and Rachel Ferber
card, check made payable to NSS Beth El, etc.). Women aged 65+ have the option to pay a reduced annual fee of $30.
Mathilde’s Mentionables | Sue Cohen
Mathilde’s Mentionables
Committee Chairs
Nachas Box | Ruth Fischer
We at Sisterhood are incredibly honored to continue our long tradition of service Board Members-at-Large to the community through our participaRamona Choos, Marcy Freeman, Laura tion in Mathilde’s Mentionables, Women’s Freedman, Linda Gottlieb, Barbara League’s ongoing program that works Hochwert, Roz Kallish, Bryna Kurtz, with I Support the Girls (ISTG). Our efforts Erica Lindon, Jodie Mosk, Erica Schwab are being very ably spearheaded by Sue Cohen. We proudly share the “thank Ex-Officio you” letter we received in June following All past NSS Beth El Sisterhood our first major donation of 150 bras and Presidents seven packages of feminine hygiene products: On a beautiful summer evening, the TODAH RABBAH! Thank you to the members Sisterhood of NSS Beth El gathered in of the North Suburban Synagogue Beth El the Sager Family Beit HaMidrash to welSisterhood, who donated bras and femicome its 2018-20 Board and celebrate the nine hygiene products for girls and women contributions of its 2016-18 Board. We experiencing homelessness in our commuthank Rabbi Michael Schwab for officiatnity. The products were collected by workers ing at the moving installation ceremony. from I Support the Girls (ISTG) -- Chicago,
Sisterhood Membership We encourage every adult female member of our congregation to support Sisterhood as we and Beth El enter our second 70 years. Annual membership, listed on Beth El’s monthly statement, is $40 and can be easily paid at the same time and in whichever manner you pay your other synagogue fees (via credit
and distributed to local shelters. Homelessness affects every community across the country. ISTG is a national organization that works to restore dignity and self-respect to girls and women experiencing homelessness. Thank you to the Beth El Sisterhood for working to provide local women experiencing homelessness some of the least donated but the most needed items! For more information, visit our website at
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http://isupportthegirls.org/. A large collection bin is located in the center vestibule at the synagogue. This project will continue throughout the year. If you would like to arrange a pickup from your home, please contact Sue Cohen at suecohen585@comcast.net.
Torah Fund The Torah Fund Campaign of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism is the dedicated philanthropy of Women’s League, its members, and its affiliated sisterhoods in Conservative congregations across North America. Torah Fund strengthens Jewish education by supporting scholarships and programming at the five international Conservative/ Masorti institutes of higher Jewish learning. Women’s League and Torah Fund are proud to support the education of the future rabbis, cantors, educators, and scholars who will serve as the gifted leaders and innovators of the Conservative Movement. Torah Fund has raised more than $95 million since its inception as a grass-roots fund-raising campaign. Individual donors to Torah Fund at the Benefactor level or higher receive the distinctive Torah Fund pin in recognition of their gift. Our own Sisterhood supports Torah Fund primarily by offering an array of classes throughout the year, taught by members of Beth El’s immensely talented
professional staff. For just one annual contribution to Torah Fund, donors are invited to attend any or all of these classes. For details, contact Mary Ellen at eyerishmar@comcast.net. Sisterhood’s goal for the coming year is to plan many of our programs in collaboration with the various departments and other affiliates within the synagogue. As of the deadline for this edition of Kol Beth El, our program schedule is under construction. Watch your emails for news of upcoming events and initiatives. We’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas! Please contact: Karen Weiss, Sisterhood President kbweiss1023@gmail.com or Jodi Eisenstadt, Sisterhood Executive Vice President jeisen246@gmail.com.
Annual Honey Fundraiser A Sweet Rosh HaShana Gift for Family and Friends The perfect holiday gift for you to send to your family and friends - a beautiful array of certified kosher honey straws with your personalized message. Sisterhood will deliver the gift to our surrounding communities and mail to those out of state. Each package is only $12 (international shipping is extra). Order blanks are available in the Beth El office or online at nssbethel.org/Sisterhood. For more information contact Karen Weiss at (847)432-3818 or kbweiss1023@gmail.com.
Leagrams
A special way to send good wishes to members of our community Subscribe now for our 2018-19 Leagrams Program – Share in the joy of birthdays and wedding anniversaries by sending your Mazel Tov to fellow Sisterhood members. The considerable funds generated by this program are donated to Beth El to supports its educational programs. Complete and submit the subscription form below with your $60 annual payment and you’ll be listed on every Leagrams letter we send.
I want to become an annual Leagrams subscriber. I am enclosing my $60 check, payable to NS Beth El Sisterhood, with “Leagrams” noted on the memo line. Mail to: NS Beth El Sisterhood, 1175 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, IL 60035 (Attention: Leagrams), or leave it in Sisterhood’s dedicated Leagrams mail drawer at the synagogue. PLEASE PRINT ALL RESPONSES. My name: ______________________________________________________ My birthday (day and month only): _____________________________ If applicable, my husband’s name: ______________________________ Our wedding anniversary (day and month only): ________________
Refresh Your High Holiday Table With Judaica from the Gift Shop Sulie Holt, Diane Levin, and Pam Schlosberg, Gift Shop Co-chairs The New Year will soon be here — with all of its blessings and possibilities. This year, Rosh HaShana begins at sundown on September 9, so the anticipation of new beginnings along with the details that go into planning the holidays are exciting and challenging! But with all of this, our memory bank is filled with the warmth that our traditions spark. Jewish traditions are intrinsically beautiful and help us focus on the deeper meaning of the High Holidays. They give physical form to the intentions of our prayers and the intent of our resolutions. For example, dipping sweet apples into honey reflects our anticipation that the
New Year will be sweet and our hope that it will be blessed. A sweet round challah graces our table and reminds us of the circle of life and the importance to treasure each day. Pomegranates are a part of our meals and help us recall the 613 mitzvot that are a requisite of our life as Jews. And of course, the shofar with it’s haunting sound, awakens our spirit anew for the New Year. Celebrating our traditions enables us to do, learn, and become more each year. And for every tradition, our Gift Shop has Judaica that can enhance and beautify your celebration. We also have beautiful new items straight from the
New York show. To help you manage your planning, our Gift Shop is open for the year on Sunday, August 19, 9:00am — 1:00pm; Tuesday, August 21, 9:00am — Noon. We are always only a phone call away for an appointment. Simply call: Sulie Holt, 847-5583389; Diane Levin: 847-571-5629; or Pam Schlosberg: 847-433-7546.
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | KOL BETH EL | 9
Men’s Club
Men’s Club Gears up for 5779
By Dan Gross, Vice President Communications, Men’s Club
Men’s Club Softball League Halfway through the Northern Illinois Synagogue 12-inch Softball League’s 6th season, the two teams from our NSS Beth El Men’s Club are having a great year with team records of 3-1 and 2-2. It has been great fun this year as several new players from the shul have invigorated the program. In addition to having fun playing ball, the league is raising funds for Jewish charities. The league-
wide goal is to raise at least $5,000. Contact mbsalberg@gmail.com to contribute, to play or for more information.
Steak and Scotch
Thursday, August 30th To help kick off the new year, Men’s Club will host one of its most popular events on August 30th, Steak and Scotch. If you have been thinking about learning more about Men’s Club and meeting many of the active members, this is the event for you to attend. All men are welcome, and you do not need to be a current member of Men’s Club. Great food, excellent companionship and fine beverages draw a large crowd of men to this event each year. Start time is 6:00 on August 30th and the evening often continues late into the night with music and laughter on the beach. No one leaves the Steak and Scotch event without a full stomach and a smile on their face. Registration for the event will come out in early August. Links to register will be available in the shul’s weekly email and the Men’s Club weekly bulletin. If you have any questions, please contact us at nssbethelmensclub@gmail.com.
Democratic and Republican Candidate Forums Sunday, October 14, and Sunday, October 21
Each election year, Men’s Club hosts forums to meet and ask questions of candidates for local, state and federal offices. Last 10 | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 | KOL BETH EL
Keep an eye out for the announcement to cheer for our team at the playoffs in early August!
spring the forums brought in many great candidates for the state primary races. This fall we look forward to having a full slate of candidates running for office in the general elections. Come for a great discussion and an opportunity to ask your questions directly to the candidates of your choice. It is rare that you get an up close and personal opportunity to speak with candidates running for office. We have a tradition of great turnout for these events, so let’s keep that traditional alive! If you have questions about this event contact Michael Salberg at mbsalberg@ sbcglobal.net.
Men’s Club Lox Box Event and Fundraiser
Order by November 25th; Delivered on December 2nd Each year, as Chanukah approaches, Men’s Club offers an opportunity to have a Sunday brunch lox box delivered to your door or we can deliver it to a local address of your choosing. The lox box is filled with a delicious brunch that serves 4-6 people and includes bagels, cream cheese, lox, tomato, fruit, juice, dessert, trimmings, some surprises and other goodies. All proceeds from the lox boxes are donated to the shul. Last year we introduced another way to support the shul and Maot Chitim without buying a lox box. If you are interested in participating, but do not want an actual lox box delivered, consider ordering a Hunger Box. When you order a Hunger Box, your donation is split between Maot Chitim and the shul. Lastly, we also have a great option for business owners. Buy a lox box and we will put your business card or one-page flyer in all the boxes we deliver! This is a great way to share information about your business with members of the shul. Contact us at nssbethelmensclub@gmail.com for more details. Last year we sold 70 lox boxes and added 20 additional hunger boxes. This year we hope to double the 2017 totals! Help us reach our goal and support the shul and Maot Chitim at the same time! Please see the flyer included in this bulletin for more details.
Beth El Men’s Club 2018 Lox Box Fundraiser Give or Get a Great Chanukah-time Lox Box Delivered from the Men’s Club on Sunday, December 2nd. Proceeds benefit NSS Beth El. Option 1: Order a Men’s Club lox box that is filled with breakfast that serves 4-6 people including bagels, cream cheese, lox, tomato, fruit, juice, dessert, other trimmings, some other surprises, and other goodies. Deliveries will take place on Sunday, December 2nd. Option 2: Order a Hunger Lox Box to support the shul and Moat Chitim. When you order a hunger lox box, we do not deliver you a lox box. Instead, we split the donation between the shul and Maot Chitim to help stamp out Hunger! Option 3: Order both a Lox Box and a Hunger Lox Box. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - cut here - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - First & Last Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City: ____________________________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________________________
Email Address: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Not delivering the Lox Box to the address above? Include the delivery address below: First & Last Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City: ____________________________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________________________
Indicate number of each kind of lox box order here: _____ Regular Lox Box _____ Hunger Lox Box (Donation only to the shul and Maot Chitim) Send this form and a check for $33 per box payable to NSS Beth El Men’s Club to: (Early-Bird orders received by Sept. 30, 2018 are only $28.00 per box) Note: Local deliveries are free; if you want to deliver to outside of the Northshore, contact us. Own a business? Buy a lox box and we will insert your business card or one page flyer into all the boxes.
NSS Beth El Men’s Club 1175 Sheridan Road Highland Park, IL 60035 Contact us for details! NSS Beth El Men’s Club - NSSBethElMensClub@gmail.com
Reflecting on 5778, President’s Message continued from page3 understanding and appreciation of the historical context within which Beth El was founded and the importance of carrying on that legacy in the years ahead. Besides the warm feelings engendered by the 70th anniversary programming, I am pleased to inform you that the synagogue’s Capital Campaign is off to a great start. If you have already contributed to the Campaign, many thanks for your generous support. If not, I would be very grateful if you would consider doing so. What’s more, the recent hires of Judy Berkeley and Abby Lasky, made with the explicit purpose of enhancing the exper-
tise of our professional staff in some key areas, has already born wonderful fruit. Indeed, in the short time that they have been with us, we have benefited from their valuable contributions. All of these efforts – the clergy transition, the 70th anniversary events, the Capital Campaign, the staff enhancements and so on -- have been designed to help lay a solid foundation for Beth El’s continued success or, as I previously envisioned, to move Beth El from being very good to great. To put it another way, these efforts are critical building blocks to creating a strong, vibrant, participatory and traditionally oriented synagogue
that is the home – both spiritually and otherwise – not only to 60 somethings like me, but also to young Jewish families now and well into the future. Meanwhile, the High Holiday season will soon be upon us. This is not just a time for personal reflection and somber introspection. It is also a joyous time to celebrate the New Year and the universe’s creation, with the hope that our shattered and broken world can be ultimately redeemed. From my family to yours, I wish you a sweet, healthy and peaceful New Year. Shana Tova, Richard Zelin
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | KOL BETH EL | 11
Religious School
Embracing New Beginnings
By Dr. Alicia Gejman, Director of Formal Education
Shalom and welcome to the new school year! Who does not like to wear a new garment, taste a new food or try a new app? Most of us cherish the endless opportunities newness brings to us. Yet the beginning of a new school year elicits some mixed reactions. Some students can’t wait until the end of the summer to immerse themselves in a hectic life of learning and endless activities while others welcome everything new with trepidation. Although there is no “one size fits all” approach to tackling new beginnings, the wisdom of our tradition might help ease the way. The ancient Midrash Mechiltah d’Rabbi Ishmael, Yitro, Parshat Bet states Kol Hatchalot Kashot – All beginnings are difficult – pointing to the idea that we get suspicious about something only at the beginning but later on, that same thing becomes much easier. However, we know that at times new beginnings are actually easy and as we get more involved in something, it becomes harder, which turns our midrash upside down.
NEW! A Special One-Time FREE Offer for Second Graders!
The Jack and Mildred Cohen Religious School at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El is proud to offer second grade parents FREE tuition for the 2018-19 School year!* Please help us spread the word to parents and grandparents you know, especially those that are not currently members. • No tuition for one year • No synagogue membership fee required • Value of $1,100 *T his special offer commemorates the life of Lois & Howard Hirschfield through the Jack and Mildred Cohen Religious School, in the interest of introducing religious education at an early age.
Judaism’s bounty of prayers offers us one, that although mostly recited before embarking on a journey – Tefilat Haderech (Traveler’s Prayer) – it’s also used for new beginnings, and is appropriate for the opening of school. The medieval French commentator Rashi adds an element of optimism by instructing us that if one is able to overcome the difficulty of starting something new, one will enjoy the sweetness and feeling of gratification when the once insurmountable task is successfully accomplished. Our tradition strikes the right balance between excitement and anxiety, anticipation and reality, being somewhat prepared but not completely prepared in case one needs to change gears or things don’t work out. This allows for flexibility and mind-openness as one starts navigating a new path. Dr. Seuss embraces this delicate balance in his fabulous book Oh, The Places You’ll Go! New beginnings, like journeys, are full of surprises, twists and turns, and peaks and valleys. The beginning of school is no different. The staff at Beth El is ready to ensure an easy beginning for its three schools while staying focused, flexible, and understanding. We welcome Kory Goldenberg, the new Steinberg Pre-School Director, wishing her a hatchalah kalah (an easy beginning). We wish Karee Bilsky an easy move to her hometown of Milwaukee and we thank her for her time and efforts during the last two years. I wish all families a good and sweet year, Shana Tova U’metukah! 12 | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 | KOL BETH EL
Pick up a copy of this flyer in the front rack near the Sager, or in the Religious School office and send to a friend! Watch and SHARE this video on YouTube about our Religious School program below at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNl3ArsTrU4
Upcoming Youth Events To keep up-to-date with dates and times, view our online calendar at www.tinyurl.com/BEANScalendar1718 August 15-16 BEANS Leadership Training Institute This is the first opportunity for the BEANS USY Executive Board to bond, participate in leadership activities and start planning programs for the year.
August 22 Kadima Opening Program A great chance to catch up from a long summer away. _______________ August 28 USY Opening Program _______________ September 14-16 CHUSY Leadership Training Institute
is Coming! Time to Order Your Schach and Lulav & Etrog Pick up Schach (the branches that cover the roof of a Sukkah), Lulav and Etrog on Sunday, September 23, 2018 between 9:00am and 1:00pm outside by the south side doors. Orders are due by September 12, 2018. Late orders will not be accepted. Help support our USYer’s Tzedakah Fund - Tikun Olam - by getting your car washed when you pick up your Sukkot items! Return Check by September 12: NSS Beth El, 1175 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, IL 60035 attn: Marah Altenberg. Please make checks payable to NSS Beth El. ____ set(s) of Lulav/Etrog @ $60.00 per set ___bunches of Schach @ $22.00 per bunch Total amount enclosed $_______________ Name:______________________________________________________ Phone:_______________________________________________________ Email Address:_______________________________________________
September 23 Schach Pick-up and Car Wash 8 am - 1 pm This is a chance for BEANS USY to distribute schach, lulavim and etrogim to our congregants while raising Tzedakah for the BEANS Tikun Olam Fund by hosting a car wash.
October 8 Shalom Club Day Off Program 9am-3pm This is a great opportunity to provide fun and engaging programming for 2nd-5th graders while they have a day off of school. It is also a chance for parents to have something to occupy the children with when they go to work.
Thanks to a generous endowment from the Sisterhood, Beth El will provide a connection for our college students to our congregation. Enrolling in this wonderful program gets your college student great care packages for the Jewish holidays, as well as email information about alternative school break programs, Birthright Israel, Jewish programs on campus, summer jobs and study abroad opportunities. Please send Marah Altenberg your name and contact information at maltenberg@nssbethel.org, and she will send you the form to fill out with your student’s school address and email in order for them to receive our packages and updates. Sign up today and help keep your student connected, fed, and happy!
The ARK’s High Holiday Food Drive Participation is simple! Pick up your grocery bags at Beth El during the month of August. You can find them around the building and in the front office. Each bag is labeled with a shopping list. Shopping list will also be available online. Fill your bags with food for people in need. Drop off filled bags to the portable storage units in the Beth El parking lot anytime between August 16th and August 31st. If you have questions about participating, call Mary Channon (847) 722-9142. AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | KOL BETH EL | 13
Todah Rabbah
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE FOLLOWING CONTRIBUTIONS:
Rabbi Kurtz Discretionary Fund
- Irwin and Sheri Mandel
In honor of Ira Rosenberg on becoming a Trustee - Barbara and Stuart Hochwert
In memory of Diane N. Sherman, beloved wife - Leonard Sherman
In honor of Rabbi Kurtz - Judy Isenberg
In memory of Dr. Benjamin H. Pessis, beloved father - Dennis and Amy Pessis
In honor of Rabbi Vernon and Bryna Kurtz, with much appreciation and gratitude - Murray and Jenna Massey
In memory of Dr. Bernard Kaye, beloved husband of Edith Kaye - June Back Frydman
In honor of Rabbi Vernon and Bryna Kurtz’s 45th wedding anniversary - Marvin and Sara Siegel
In memory of Eleanor Green, beloved mother and with appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz -Thomas and Joan Green
In honor of the birth of our grandson, Theodore Solomon Kusovitsky, son of Rebecca and Adam Kusovitsky - Robert and Carol Ruderman
In memory of Eleanor Green, beloved mother of Tom Green - Ronald and Eileen Goldberg
In honor of the wedding of Joshua Gibbs and Ashley Abramowicz and with appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz - Joshua and Ashley Gibbs
In memory of Fay and Lois Dreebin, beloved mother and father - Harold and Reva Dreebin
In memory of Alan Rutkoff, beloved husband of Mally Rutkoff and beloved father of Jordana Greenberg and Robert Rutkoff - Mark Altschul - Jonathan Barnett - Barbara and Ira Berger - Robert and Iris Center - Stewart and Judith Epstein - William and Iris Garmisa - Ronald and Eileen Goldberg - Wayne and Linda Goldstein - Donald and Suzanne Horwitz - Lisa Kaderabek - Jerome and Mary Kaltman - Edith Kaye - Alison and Jeffrey Merzel - Marvin and Susan Wenger In memory of Allen Eckerling, beloved brotherin-law - Adrienne Eckerling
In memory of Ethel Chudacoff, beloved mother - Donald and Lois Chudacoff
In memory of Faye Bloom, beloved mother - Irwin and Linda Magad In memory of Harry Kolender, beloved grandfather - Phillip and Sandra Cooper In memory of Harry W. Rubinoff, beloved husband - Karen Rubinoff In memory of Helen Glazer, beloved sister and with appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz - Alice Gross In memory of I. Robert Bernstein and with appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz - Richard Bernstein In memory of Irving Kushner, beloved father and with appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz - Mark and Susan Pollack In memory of Irving Kushner, beloved father of Susan Pollack - Alison and William McClaren - Debora and Michael Pinzur In memory of Larry Tayne, beloved husband, father and grandfather - Charlotte Tayne In memory of Lee Mandel, beloved mother - Irwin and Sheri Mandel
In memory of Alvin Doppelt, beloved father of Robert Doppelt - Lawrence Becker -Steven and Linda Feinstein - Stuart and Barbara Hochwert In memory of Annette J. Kaplin, beloved mother - Alan and Marcia Kaplin
In memory of Lena and Philip Rothman, beloved mother and father - Joel and Frances Rabinowitz
In memory of Barbara Sachse, beloved mother of Lynn Schrayer - Mark and Julia Gerstein - David and Barbara Lansing In memory of Benjamin Applebaum, beloved son - Stephen and Lily Applebaum and Family
In memory of Mary Lou Ferns, beloved mother - Ronald and Eileen Goldberg
In memory of Benjamin E. Sherman, beloved father - Leonard Sherman In memory of Bessie Brooks, beloved mother Donald and Lois Chudacoff In memory of Cathy Feinstein Molever, beloved sister of Dr. Steven Feinstein - June Back Frydman - Alan and Susan Resnick In memory of David Bernstein, beloved father
In memory of Leona English, beloved mother - Elliot and Anne Rossen In memory of Lucille Kaufman, beloved sister - Joel and Frances Rabinowitz
In memory of Milton Leeds, beloved father - Steven and Beth Leeds In memory of Morris A. Vishny, beloved father - Bernard and Elaine Reisin In memory of Natalie Levy Boshes, beloved mother - Marvin and Renee Bearak In memory of Norma Meisner, beloved sister Bernard and Elaine Reisin In memory of Robert Gerstein, beloved father and with appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz for his assistance - Mark and Julia Gerstein In memory of Rosalind Stein Gurvey, beloved mother - Alan and Marcia Kaplin
14 | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 | KOL BETH EL
In memory of Sandra Pruzansky, beloved sister and with appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz - Gloria Taussig In memory of Sanford Eckerling, beloved husband and with appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz - Adrienne Eckerling In memory of Suzanne Wilensky, beloved daughter - Harold and Reva Dreebin In memory of William Schero, beloved father - Allene Frost In memory of William Schero, beloved grandfather - Ira and Elise Frost With appreciation to Dr. Laurie Hochberg for providing wonderful care for our daughter, Rachel - Sara and Tim Ravich With appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz - Jeff Eisenberg With appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz for all of his assistance with my daughter Peri Axelrod’s wedding - David Axelrod With appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz for his efforts at March of the Living - Ronnie Jo Sokol With appreciation to Rabbi Vernon and Bryna Kurtz for all of their support - Adrienne Eckerling, Heather Mandel and Sara Greenberg
Rabbi Schwab Discretionary Fund In honor of Charles Bernat becoming a Bar Mitzvah and with appreciation to Rabbi Schwab for a wonderful service - Robert and Beth Bernat In honor of Izadore Elijah Golden becoming a Bar Mitzvah - Marc and Jacalyn Birnbaum In honor of Jacqueline’s wedding - Sharon and Robert Abrams In honor of Laura Abrams completing her Master’s degree - Sharon and Robert Abrams In honor of Melany and Sam Gurtman’s wedding and with appreciation to Rabbi Schwab - Michael Gurtman and Lois Lourie In honor of the birth of Frances and Steven Shapiro’s new grandson, Rafael Shapiro - Rochelle and Earl Rubinoff In memory of Adele Goldstein, beloved grandmother - Paul and Eileen Goldstein In memory of Alan Rutkoff, beloved husband of Mally Rutkoff and beloved father of Jordana Greenberg and Robert Rutkoff - Sharon and Robert Abrams - Gail and Bruce Greenspahn - Abe and Kate Katz - Michael and Phyllis Sadoff - Barry and Gayle Shapiro In memory of Alvin Doppelt, beloved father of Robert Doppelt - Paul and Vicki Morton In memory of Barbara Sachse, beloved mother of Lynn Schrayer - Sharon and Robert Abrams - Gail and Bruce Greenspahn
Todah Rabbah
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE FOLLOWING CONTRIBUTIONS:
In memory of Sadie Spieler, beloved mother-inlaw - Anita Spieler
In memory of Ralph Sheffey, beloved father of Steven Sheffey - Barry and Gayle Shapiro
In memory of David Rozencwajg, beloved father - Michael and Jacqueline Melinger
In memory of Sandra Pruzansky, beloved sister, and with appreciation to Rabbi Schwab - Gloria Taussig
In memory of Richard Janger, beloved husband of Lois Janger - Gerald and Adrienne Lasin
In memory of David Sher, beloved grandfather - Michael and Sara Sher
In memory of Sara Hirsch, beloved mother - Joel and Cynthia Hirsch
In memory of Edna Aizenberg, beloved mother of Gabriel Aizenberg - Timna and Steve Sheffey - Karyn and Bill Silverstein In memory of Eleanor Green, beloved mother of Tom Green - Michael and Phyllis Sadoff
In memory of Zev Weinberg, beloved son - Daniel and Audrey Weinberg
In memory of Esther Salinas, beloved mother -in-law - Sari Salinas
Wishing a complete and speedy recovery to Peter Crane - Marvin and Sara Siegel
In memory of Gladys Brand, beloved mother - Robert and Sharon Abrams
Wishing a complete and speedy recovery to Sara Siegel - Marvin and Sara Siegel
In memory of Harry Bichunsky, beloved father - Philip and Doreen Feitelberg
With appreciation to Rabbi Schwab - Marvin and Sara Siegel
In memory of Ida Wigderson, beloved grandmother - Joel and Cynthia Hirsch
With appreciation to Rabbi Schwab for Gesher year of learning - Gordon Schwartz and Dawn Sidney
- Cathy and Ethan Kahn In memory of Bella Lazarus, beloved mother - Philip and Carol Lazarus
In memory of Irving Kushner, beloved father and with appreciation to Rabbi Schwab - Mark and Susan Pollack In memory of Irving Kushner, beloved father of Susan Pollack - Alan and Susan Resnick In memory of Irving Kushner, beloved father of Susan Pollack and beloved grandfather - Rochelle and Earl Rubinoff In memory of Irving L. Block, beloved father Frances Lee Zand and Pendri Shalem In memory of Isaac Feitelberg, beloved father Philip and Doreen Feitelberg In memory of John Wallach, beloved father Barry and Terri Wallach In memory of Lazar Elkin, beloved father Anita Spieler In memory of Max B. Faust, beloved father and grandfather - Annette Feller In memory of Melvyn Medansky, beloved father - Keith and Robynn Medansky In memory of Millie Rubenstein, beloved mother - Paul Goldstein and Eileen Rubenstein-Goldstein In memory of Nachum Singer, beloved father - Amos and Edith Turner In memory of Paul Lang, beloved father - Judy and Stephen Smiley
Ben and Marion Drachler Israel Scholarship Endowment Fund
Wishing a complete and speedy recovery to Ellen Mondschain - Marvin and Sara Siegel Wishing a complete and speedy recovery to Marc Siegel - Marvin and Sara Siegel
Hazzan Tisser Discretionary Fund
In memory of Alan Rutkoff, beloved husband of Mally Rutkoff and beloved father of Jordana Greenberg and Robert Rutkoff - David Dreifuss In memory of Barbara Sachse, beloved mother of Lynn Schrayer - Arthur Chapman With appreciation to Hazzan Tisser - Jeff Eisenberg
Adolph M. and Lottye Jacobson Israel Scholarship Endowment Fund With appreciation for my Aliyah - Harvey and Ellen Jacobson
Andrew and Gail Brown Technology Endowment Fund
Bernard H. Sokol Hebrew High School Fund In honor of Larry Baskin’s special birthday Etta and Frank Greenfield In memory of Evelyn Krent, beloved mother of Harold Krent - Laura and Stan Zoller
Cal and Lana Eisenberg Halomdim Program Endowment Fund In honor of Calvin Eisenberg’s 80th birthday - Jodi, Aram, Shelby and Julia Coren - Bob and Marilyn Przywara - Larry Pachter and Sandy Starkman
Camp Ramah General Scholarship Endowment Fund In honor of Karen Weiss being named NS Beth El Sisterhood Valued Volunteer - Arielle M. Levitan In honor of Phil Lazarus’ special birthday - Bobbie and Len Tenner
In memory of Barbara Sachse, beloved mother of Lynn Schrayer - Andrew and Gail Brown
Ann and Jack Weinberg Holocaust Memorial Education Endowment Fund In memory of Alan Rutkoff, beloved husband of Mally Rutkoff and beloved father of Jordana Greenberg and Robert Rutkoff - Jeff and Lisa Rosenkranz
In memory of Rabbi Morris and Minnie Sklar, beloved grandparents of Rabbi Michael Schwab - Barry and Gayle Shapiro
In memory of Anna and Jack Weinberg, beloved parents of Pearl Kagan; and many thanks for your kindness - D. Fiedler/B. Glick Families
In memory of Richard Janger, beloved husband of Lois Janger - Barry and Gayle Shapiro
In memory of Barbara Sachse, beloved mother of Lynn Schrayer - Pearl and Joel Kagan and Family
In memory of Rose Feitelberg, beloved mother - Philip and Doreen Feitelberg
In memory of Marion Drachler, beloved mother - Ferne Avery - A. Michael and Nancy Drachler In memory of Stephen Avery, beloved husband - Ferne Avery
In memory of Minnie Eisenberg, beloved mother - Calvin and Lana Eisenberg
In memory of Phyllis and Louis Senescu, beloved mother and father - Stuart and Marlene Senescu
In memory of Robert Gerstein, beloved father and with appreciation to Rabbi Schwab for his guidance - Mark and Julia Gerstein
In memory of Alan Rutkoff, beloved husband of Mally Rutkoff and beloved father of Jordana Greenberg and Robert Rutkoff - Charles and Robin Kafenshtok
Ba’al Korei Fund In memory of Edna Aizenberg, beloved mother of Gabriel Aizenberg - Larry Goldsmith and Mary Ellen Bowers
In memory of Barbara Sachse, beloved mother of Lynn Schrayer - Bobbie and Len Tenner
Capital Improvement Fund In honor of Calvin Eisenberg’s 80th birthday - Burton and Joan Grant In honor of our niece Rabbi Betsy Forester, for all of her achievements - Jack and Marian Pachman In memory of Alvin Doppelt, beloved father of Robert Doppelt - Gary and Merle Kaufman In memory of Bennett Holland, beloved son - Joan Holland In memory of Dorothy Hyman, beloved mother - Joan Holland In memory of Edna Aizenberg, beloved mother of Gabriel Aizenberg - Gary and Merle Kaufman
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | KOL BETH EL | 15
Todah Rabbah
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE FOLLOWING CONTRIBUTIONS:
In memory of Eugene Levin, beloved brother Marcy and Kenneth Levin In memory of Howard Silberman, beloved father of Lawrence Silberman - Bob and Millie Weber In memory of Jerome and Zippora Harris, who found a home at Beth El - Anonymous In memory of Leonard David Weitz, beloved husband - Lynn Weitz In memory of Louis Holland, beloved father-inlaw - Joan Holland In memory of Sheila Glassman LePow, beloved sister-in-law - Joan Holland With appreciation - Rob Appel
Edward S. Frank Israel Study Memorial Endowment Fund In honor of Barbara and Stuart Hochwert’s 35th wedding anniversary - Larry Pachter and Sandy Starkman In honor of Harvey Barnett’s anniversary of his Bar Mitzvah - Sandy Starkman, Larry Pachter, Avram, Uri and Hollen In honor of Nessia Frank on the occasion of Mother’s Day - Ben, Wendy, Leah, Shoshana and Dalya Frank In memory of Frances Louise Fox, beloved mother - Elaine and Jeffrey Oberlander In memory of Philip Rothman, beloved father - Frances Rabinowitz In memory of Ze’ev Bouchinsky, beloved father - Nessia Frank In memory of Zelda Bouchinsky, beloved mother - Nessia Frank
Gamze House Beautification Endowment Fund In memory of Alan Rutkoff, beloved husband of Mally Rutkoff and beloved father of Jordana Greenberg and Robert Rutkoff - Marcy and Kenneth Levin In memory of Barbara Sachse, beloved mother of Lynn Schrayer - Marcy and Kenneth Levin
General Israel Scholarship Endowment Fund In honor of my chanting Haftarah on Pesach and our warm welcome at NSS Beth El - Sidney and Sylvia Pachter
Gerald and Rita Buckman Yom Ha’atzmaut Program Endowment Fund In memory of Dr. Bernard Kaye, beloved husband of Edith Kaye - Gerald and Rita Buckman
In memory of Richard Janger, beloved husband of Lois Janger - Gerald and Rita Buckman
Gertrude and Morris Lederman Continuing Education Fund In honor of Ron and Eileen Goldberg’s 35th wedding anniversary - Larry Pachter and Sandy Starkman In memory of Alan Rutkoff, beloved husband of Mally Rutkoff and beloved father of Jordana Greenberg and Robert Rutkoff. We will miss his good humor - Sandy Starkman, Larry Pachter, Avram, Uri and Hollen In memory of Norman Chorpash - Gary and Merle Kaufman In memory of Sidney Starkman, Mildred Lashinsky Starkman and Annette Berg - Sandy Starkman and Larry Pachter With appreciation - Toby Schwartz
Holocaust Memorial Endowment Fund In memory of Alan Rutkoff, beloved husband of Mally Rutkoff and beloved father of Jordana Greenberg and Robert Rutkoff - Alyce and Dave Stewart
Irving and Janet Robbin Scholar-in-Residence Endowment Fund In memory of Aviva Beth Benson, beloved daughter - David and Karen Benson In memory of Irving Robbin, beloved father Karen and David Benson
Jack and Mildred Cohen Religious School Fund In memory of Alan Rutkoff, beloved husband of Mally Rutkoff and beloved father of Jordana Greenberg and Robert Rutkoff - Nancy and Richard Cohn - David and Pamela Hirschfield - Lawrence and Susan Silberman In memory of Barbara Sachse, beloved mother of Lynn Schrayer - Lawrence and Susan Silberman In memory of Goldie Sher, beloved mother - Michael and Sara Sher In memory of June Bleiweis, beloved mother - Lawrence and Susan Silberman In memory of Pearl Kahalnik, beloved mother - Chuck Kahalnik In memory of Zoltan Eizikovic, beloved father - Marc and Devorah Richards
16 | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 | KOL BETH EL
Janger Family Havurot Endowment Fund In memory of Richard Janger, beloved husband of Lois Janger - Andrew and Gail Brown - Carole and Stanton Derdiger - June Back Frydman - Mitch and Karen Kopin - Marcy and Kenneth Levin - Jeff and Lisa Rosenkranz - Mally Rutkoff -S andy Starkman, Larry Pachter, Avram, Uri and Hollen - Russell and Karen Whittman
Jean T. and Mort Bernstein Camp Ramah Endowment Fund In memory of Jean Bernstein, beloved mother, on her 30th Yahrzeit - Morton and Miriam Steinberg and Family
Joseph and Mae Gray Cultural and Learning Center Fund In honor of Nicole Terry - Moriah Congregation In memory of Alan Rutkoff, beloved husband of Mally Rutkoff and beloved father of Jordana Greenberg and Robert Rutkoff - Marie and Neil Finkelstein - Judith Lavin In memory of Alvin Doppelt, beloved father of Robert Doppelt - Andrew and Gail Brown In memory of Gary Lidawer, beloved father of Annette Lidawer - Andrew and Gail Brown In memory of Joseph J. Gray, beloved father Elaine Loseff In memory of Lucille Himmel, beloved mother of Allison Bass - Judith Lavin In memory of Mae K. Gray, beloved mother - Elaine Loseff In memory of Patricia Paster, beloved mother - Louis and Alisa Paster In memory of Simon Cohen, beloved father - Mark and Marla Cohen With appreciation to Larry Pachter for his assistance - Pamela and Richard Schlosberg With appreciation - Morton and Miriam Steinberg
Judith A. Heyman Memorial Israel Scholarship Fund In memory of Alan Rutkoff, beloved husband of Mally Rutkoff and beloved father of Jordana Greenberg and Robert Rutkoff - Scott and Gwen Heyman In memory of Richard Janger, beloved husband of Lois Janger - Scott and Gwen Heyman
Todah Rabbah
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE FOLLOWING CONTRIBUTIONS:
Music Fund
Kopin Family Fund for Children’s T’filot Education Endowment Fund
- Diane and Brad Mautner - Howard and Marcie Wender - Moe, Paul and Keegan Wener In memory of Allen Hoffman, beloved father - Steven and Jill Hoffman
In honor of Rabbi Betsy Forester’s ordination into the Rabbinate - Myrna Kopin
In memory of Carol Kaplan, beloved mother - Robert and Anne Kaplan
In memory of Jean Lincoln, beloved grandmother - Jeffrey and Stacy Goldsmith
In memory of Alan Rutkoff, beloved husband of Mally Rutkoff and beloved father of Jordana Greenberg and Robert Rutkoff - Myrna Kopin
In memory of Dave Richtman, beloved father - Robert and Anne Kaplan
In memory of Marvin Goldsmith, beloved father - Jeffrey and Stacy Goldsmith
In memory of David L. Kreiter, beloved husband - Rhoda Levine
In memory of Richard Janger, beloved husband of Lois Janger - Lawrence and Abby Block
In memory of Richard Janger, beloved husband of Lois Janger - Myrna Kopin
In memory of Esther Rifka Sterman, beloved mother - Toby Schwartz
In memory of Sidney Lincoln, beloved grandfather - Jeffrey and Stacy Goldsmith
In memory of Fannie and Nathan Krichilsy, beloved mother and father - Marion Cohen
In memory of Sylvia Goldsmith, beloved grandmother - Jeffrey and Stacy Goldsmith
In memory of Edna Aizenberg, beloved mother of Gabriel Aizenberg - Gwen and Scott Heyman
Kurtz Family Youth Endowment Fund In honor of Rabbi Vernon and Bryna Kurtz’s 45th wedding anniversary - Harris and Sharon Goldenberg
In honor of our grandfather Larry Block’s 70th anniversary of his Bar Mitzvah - Matt, Shoshana, Jon, Hannah, Danny, Michael, Lily and Henry
In memory of Frances Lieberman, beloved mother - Mark and Laura Lieberman
NSS Beth El Special Gifts Fund
In memory of Gina S. Back, beloved mother - June Back Frydman
In honor of Betsy Forester’s simcha - Tamara Norman
In memory of Dorothy Kurtz, beloved mother; Sam Wise, beloved father and Janice Freedman, beloved sister - Rabbi Vernon and Bryna Kurtz
In memory of Hannah Bernbaum, beloved mother-in-law - Harriet Bernbaum
With appreciation - Rabbi Vernon and Bryna Kurtz
In memory of Harry Rubinoff, beloved brother - Earl and Rochelle Rubinoff - Lynn Weitz In memory of Irving M. Footlik, beloved father - Robert and Beth Footlik
Lippitz Family Camp Ramah Endowment Fund In memory of Sidney Starkman, Mildred Starkman and Annette Berg for Yizkor on Shavuot - Sandy Starkman, Larry Pachter, Avram, Uri and Hollen
Maxwell Abbell Library Fund In honor of Aaron and Ellen Krumbein’s 30th wedding anniversary - Sandy Starkman, Larry Pachter, Avram, Uri and Hollen In memory of Emil Ruhstaedt, beloved uncle - Arnold and Hilda Reingold In memory of Eva Glasser, beloved mother-inlaw - Nissah Mattenson In memory of Hanni Marx Hamburger, beloved sister - Arnold and Hilda Reingold In memory of Lou Cilterman - Jeffrey and Michele Glass In memory of Merle Mattenson, beloved husband - Nissah Mattenson In memory of Rosi Ruhstaedt, beloved aunt Arnold and Hilda Reingold
Minyan Service Fund In memory of Alan Rutkoff, beloved husband of Mally Rutkoff and beloved father of Jordana Greenberg and Robert Rutkoff - Irwin and Jill Bernstein - Carole and Stan Derdiger - Josh, Jess and Arlo Frost - June Back Frydman
In honor of Stuart and Barbara Hochwert’s 35th wedding anniversary - Sandra Schur
In memory of Harry Back, beloved father - June Back Frydman
In memory of Irving Pollack, beloved father-inlaw - Joyce Pollack In memory of Irwin Greenspahn, beloved father - Bruce and Gail Greenspahn In memory of Jeffrey Garton, beloved father - Stephen and Diane Levin In memory of Judith Weiner, beloved wife of Lawrence Weiner - Harris and Sharon Goldenberg In memory of Leo Friedman, beloved father - Burton and Joan Grant In memory of Lester Fink, beloved brother - William and Sharon Gertz In memory of Martin Fink, beloved father - William and Sharon Gertz In memory of Morris Becker, beloved uncle - Lawrence Becker In memory of Philip Lasin, beloved father - Gerald and Adrienne Lasin In memory of Raisa and Israel Edidin, beloved grandparents - Fern and Larry Roseman In memory of Rosa Richtman, beloved mother - Robert and Anne Kaplan In memory of Simon Ramek, beloved father Joyce Pollack In memory of Zoltan Eizikovic, beloved husband - Batia Eizikovic
In memory of Alan Rutkoff, beloved husband of Mally Rutkoff and beloved father of Jordana Greenberg and Robert Rutkoff - Judy Berkeley - Linda and Stuart Berkson - Andrew and Gail Brown - Hugh and Arlene Block - Betsy and Marvin Droz - Stephen Elkins - Jim and Jane Esser - Charles and Mildred Feldberg - Bruce and Debra Fischman - Jeffrey and Ellen Gluskin - Karla and Mike Goldman - Barry and Debbie Jacobs - Ryan Jacobs and Lakshmi Shenoy - The Kagan and Wynes Families - Colman and Julie Kraff - Jackie and David Kreitzman - Barry and Sara Lee Larner - Jen and Adam Levine - Julie and Steven Lewis - Gerald and Erica Luger - David and Stephanie Jacobs Luger - George and Roberta Mann - Gwen and Marc Pearl - Henry Pevitz - Ira and Deborah Rosenberg - Lee and Cheryl Sachnoff - Dr. Charles and Sheila Saunders - Lori and Steven Scholes - Marvin and Sara Siegel - Alan and Annette Simons - Mark Stern - Aimee and Ozzie Stewart - Stephen and Elaine Sturman - Karen Walanka
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | KOL BETH EL | 17
Todah Rabbah
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE FOLLOWING CONTRIBUTIONS:
- Adrian and Linda Winick - Randall and Karen Winters - Arthur and Cipora Zoberman and Family In memory of Alan Rutkoff, beloved husband of Mally Rutkoff and beloved father of Jordana Greenberg, Aaron Rutkoff and Robert Rutkoff - Amy and Dennis Pessis In memory of Alvin Doppelt, beloved father of Robert Doppelt - Janis and Scott Firth In memory of Barbara Sachse, beloved mother of Lynn Schrayer - Joseph and Susan Ament - Marilyn Kier - Nissah Mattenson In memory of Diana Wilner, beloved aunt - Gary Gordon and Marilyn Hirsch In memory of Edna Aizenberg, beloved mother of Gabriel Aizenberg - Robert, Sheryl, Sara, Ben, Matthew and Rebecca Bellick In memory of Frances Ferencz, beloved mother - Robert and Marla Ferencz In memory of Ida Freifeld, beloved mother-inlaw - Marilyn Freifeld In memory of Joyce and Marvin Juron, beloved mother and father - Reena Schiffman In memory of Lee Cohen, beloved mother - Sonny and Rena Cohen In memory of Leonard Greenberg, beloved father - Allan and Hilary Greenberg In memory of Les Pock, beloved nephew - Gen. Arnold Pock In memory of Lois Hirsch, beloved mother - Gary Gordon and Marilyn Hirsch In memory of Lynne Silberman, beloved sister - Sheldon and Nancy Mann In memory of Martin Cohen, beloved brother - Sonny and Rena Cohen In memory of Miriam Tidhari, beloved sister - Batia Eizikovic In memory of Myron Hirsch, beloved father - Gary Gordon and Marilyn Hirsch
Jordana Greenberg and Robert Rutkoff - Jeffrey and Debra Crane - Mark and Nina Gaines - Danny and Wendy Kahn In memory of Barbara Sachse, beloved mother of Lynn Schrayer - Mark and Nina Gaines In memory of Dr. David Grossman, beloved father-in-law of Sara Grossman – The Steinberg Pre-School Staff In memory of Michael Danziger, beloved father of Ava Nussbaum - Anne and Brian Loshbough
Pinsof Children’s Reading Room Fund In memory of Alan Rutkoff, beloved husband of Mally Rutkoff and beloved father of Jordana Greenberg and Robert Rutkoff - Judy and Mark Schwartz
Prayer Book Fund
In honor of Barbara Hoffman’s special birthday - Shoshana Friedman In honor of Besty Forester being ordained into the Rabbinate - Richard Zelin and Judith Hirsch-Zelin In honor of Calvin Eisenberg’s 80th birthday - Judy and Joel Greenman In honor of Howard Turner, Bruce Cowans and the Ba’al Korei - Ronald and Eileen Goldberg In honor of Karen Weiss being named NSS Beth El Sisterhood Valued Volunteer - Steven and Frances Shapiro In memory of Alan Rutkoff, beloved husband of Mally Rutkoff and beloved father of Jordana Greenberg and Robert Rutkoff - Allene Frost - Ira and Elise Frost In memory of Benita Raemer, beloved sister - Racquel Hochwert
In memory of Nathan Regenstreif, beloved father - Sheldon and Nancy Mann
In memory of Edna Aizenberg, beloved mother of Gabriel Aizenberg - Steven and Frances Shapiro
In memory of Nisim Saporta, beloved father - Batia Eizikovic
In memory of Eleanor Green, beloved mother of Tom Green - Ira and Elise Frost
In memory of Richard Janger, beloved husband of Lois Janger - Karen Walanka
In memory of Ernest Smolen, beloved father and grandfather, on his first Yahrzeit - Elliot and Renee Roth
In memory of Robert Gerstein, beloved father of Mark Gerstein - The Radner Family In memory of Robert Miller, beloved father - Robert and Marla Ferencz
Paul S. and Sylvia Steinberg Pre-School Fund In honor of the birth of Steve and Fran Shapiro’s grandson, Rafael Shapiro - Andrew and Gail Brown In memory of Alan Rutkoff, beloved husband of Mally Rutkoff and beloved father of
In memory of Frank G. Marshall, beloved father-in-law - Bertram Hamilton In memory of Fred Hamilton, beloved father - Bertram Hamilton In memory of Gen. William Levine, beloved husband - Rhoda Levine In memory of Richard Janger, beloved husband of Lois Janger - Allene Frost - Ira and Elise Frost In memory of Rose Aaronson, beloved mother - Neil and Adrienne Aaronson
18 | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 | KOL BETH EL
In memory of Roy H. Millenson, beloved father - Michael and Susan Millenson In memory of Sanford Eckerling, beloved husband and father - Adrienne Eckerling In memory of Sylvia and Albert Wishnick, beloved mother and father - Adrienne Eckerling In memory of Zelda Margolis, beloved mother Cheryl and Keith Weitzman With appreciation to Rabbi Vernon Kurtz – NSS Beth El Sisterhood With appreciation to Rabbi Vernon Kurtz’s many years of devoted leadership to his congregation and to k’lal Israel - Mary Ellen Bowers, Rachel Ferber and Karen B. Weiss
Ritual Refurbishment Endowment Fund In honor of Betsy Forester’s ordination into the Rabbinate - Jack and Barbara Blumberg In honor of Seth Savine becoming a Bar Mitzvah - Jack and Barbara Blumberg In memory of A. James Blumberg, beloved brother - Jack and Barbara Blumberg In memory of Jacob A. Blumberg, beloved grandfather - Jack and Barbara Blumberg In memory of Morris A. Blumberg, beloved father - Jack and Barbara Blumberg In memory of Samuel Levinson, beloved brother - Jack and Barbara Blumberg With appreciation to Mark Stadler - Patricia Shapiro
Sarah and Henry Stiebel Camp Ramah Endowment Fund In memory of Thelma Yore, beloved mother Mayer Stiebel and Cara Madansky-Stiebel
Sarah and Henry Stiebel Solomon Schechter Endowment Fund In honor of Fran and Joel Rabinowitz’s 65th wedding anniversary - Sandy Starkman, Larry Pachter, Avram, Uri and Hollen In honor of Joyce Kamen’s special birthday Larry Pachter and Sandy Starkman In memory of Edna Aizenberg, beloved mother of Gabriel Aizenberg - Sandy Starkman, Larry Pachter, Avram, Uri and Hollen In memory of Rose Schanwald, beloved mother of Tamara Norman - Sandy Starkman, Larry Pachter, Avram, Uri and Hollen
Social Action Fund In honor of Aaron and Ellen Krumbein’s 30th wedding anniversary - Andrew and Gail Brown
Todah Rabbah
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE FOLLOWING CONTRIBUTIONS:
In memory of Alan Rutkoff, beloved husband of Mally Rutkoff and beloved father of Jordana Greenberg and Robert Rutkoff Karen and Mitch Kopin In memory of Barbara Sachse, beloved mother of Lynn Schrayer - Karen and Mitchell Kopin
Youth Community Fund
Jordana Greenberg and Robert Rutkoff - Morton and Miriam Steinberg In memory of Richard Janger, beloved husband of Lois Janger - Morton and Miriam Steinberg
In memory of Evelyn Krent, beloved mother of Harold Krent - Andrew and Gail Brown
The Philip and Ellen Glass Program for Rabbi’s Discretionary Endowment Fund
Staff Recognition Fund
In memory of Barbara Sachse, beloved mother of Lynn Schrayer - Philip and Ellen Glass
In memory of Barbara Sachse, beloved mother of Lynn Schrayer - Jeff and Lisa Rosenkranz
Steinberg Pre-School Endowment Fund
Tzedakah/Pushke Fund In memory of Barbara Sachse, beloved mother of Lynn Schrayer - Debbi and Ira Rosenberg
In honor of Sawyer Goldsmith being celebrated as one of 18 under 18. - Arielle and Victor Levitan In memory of Alan Rutkoff, beloved husband of Mally Rutkoff and beloved father of Jordana Greenberg and Robert Rutkoff - Steven and Frances Shapiro - Jon and Shelly Wiseman In memory of Barbara Sachse, beloved mother of Lynn Schrayer - Steven and Frances Shapiro In memory of Richard Janger, beloved husband of Lois Janger - Steven and Frances Shapiro
In memory of Alan Rutkoff, beloved husband of Mally Rutkoff and beloved father of
A Year Celebrating our Past, Present and Future continued from page1 We have also celebrated the 70th anniversary of the State of Israel, the true miracle of our time. For me, the celebration was very special. Almost 40 people from the Congregation accompanied me on the “March of the Living” program. On Yom HaShoah we walked from Auschwitz to Birkenau, 13,000 strong. We emphatically recited “Never Again.” The week in Poland was a meaningful and emotional time for all of us. We then travelled to Israel. Landing at Ben Gurion airport was a highlight. Just a few short years after the end of WWII, against all odds, the State of Israel was created and we are its beneficiaries. On Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s 70th Independence Day, we marched down the streets of Jerusalem through the Old City to the Kotel. Again, it was a meaningful and emotional moment. At the same time, our schools celebrated both the 70th anniversaries of Beth El and of the State of Israel and it was a true pleasure to watch our young people engage with our local and national history. On a personal level this has been my 30th year at Beth El. I have spent time recalling the events over the 30 years of my journey here at the Congregation. Two events stand out. In December, the Men’s Club roasted me at “The Keeper of the Flame” dinner. Members of the Men’s Club, my wife Bryna, and my colleagues Rabbi Schwab and Hazzan Tisser, both toasted
and roasted me. I appreciated the friendship and the kindness they showed by making the roast mild and respectful. In April, at the annual Sisterhood and Men’s Club “Dinner with the Rabbi” I had an opportunity to reflect on my 42 years in the rabbinate and 30 years at Beth El. I spoke personally of the special joy of being a rabbi and the great burdens I bear. I reminisced of my early times here at Beth El and of the many both difficult and wonderful moments throughout the years. At the same time as we reflect on the past towards the end of the year we also look forward with hope and faith into the future. I am convinced that Beth El will continue to make a difference in the lives of our families, in our community, and in the Jewish world. There are challenges to be met, but I am sanguine in the knowledge that our leadership is in place to be able to accept those challenges and surmount them. I am convinced that though the State of Israel will have difficult days ahead of it, it will survive and thrive in the future. Now that the U.S. Embassy sits in Jerusalem, I am sure other countries will follow that example and recognize that Jerusalem is indeed the eternal capital of the Jewish people. As I write these words there is fighting in Gaza, and concern on the
Syrian, Iranian and Hezbollah fronts. The problem of religious pluralism in Israel has not been surmounted. In short, there are still many problems that need to be solved. But after having stood in Auschwitz and Birkenau, I recognize that we are in a much stronger place today than we were two generations ago. We must continue to work on behalf of creating a safe, secure, and peaceful State of Israel, one which is a light to all nations. On a personal level, this will be my final year at Beth El as your Rabbi. It is bittersweet. You have been part of my life and I have been part of yours. Yet, I am also looking forward to new beginnings, spending more time with my family, more time in Israel, and especially Jerusalem, and having some time of my own after a demanding career in the pulpit rabbinate. Bryna and I look forward to our future and know that we have your blessings and good wishes. I pray that we may all be blessed with a healthy and successful year, I pray that Beth El will continue to flourish, and that the State of Israel will, in the near future, see peace. May we live in a world in which humanity can flourish. May the year of 5779 be one of blessings for you and yours and for us all. Rabbi Vernon Kurtz
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | KOL BETH EL | 19
High Holiday Service Schedule 5779 Service Schedule at Beth El
Service Schedule at Highland Park High School
Saturday, September 1 – Selichot Evening 7:00 pm……………*Mincha/Ma’ariv 8:12 pm……………*Shabbat Ends 9:30 pm...............*Social Gathering 10:45 pm.............*Dedication of Memorial Plaques and Selichot Service
Monday, September 10 – First Day Rosh Hashana 8:15 am…………...Shacharit Service 9:15 am ………….. Preschool Family Service 10:15 am............ Children’s Services 7:53 pm……………Candle Lighting
Sunday, September 9 - Erev Rosh HaShana 6:00 pm……………*Mincha 6:52 pm……………Candle Lighting
Tuesday, September 11 – Second Day Rosh Hashana 8:15 am……………..Shacharit Service 7:53 pm……………..Yom Tov Ends
Monday, September 10 – First Day Rosh HaShana 8:15 am………….. Shacharit Service 9:15 am …………..Preschool Family Service 10:15 am ………...Children’s Services 6:00 pm…………...*Tashlich led by Teen Minyan 6:45 pm………….. *Mincha & Ma’ariv 7:53 pm…………...Candle Lighting Tuesday, September 11 – Second Day Rosh Hashana 8:15 am……………Shacharit Service 9:15 am…………...*Young Family Service 10:15 am………….*Children’s Services 6:45 pm…………...* Mincha/Ma’ariv 7:53 pm……………Yom Tov Ends Tuesday, September 18 – Kol Nidre/Erev Yom Kippur 6:15 pm……………Mincha Service 6:30 pm……………Kol Nidre Services 6:36 pm……….…..Candle Lighting Thursday, September 19 –Yom Kippur/Yizkor 9:00 am……………Shacharit Service 9:45 am………….. Preschool Family Service 10:45 am………… Children’s Services 5:00 pm…. ……… *Mincha Service 6:15 pm……………*Neilah Service 6:00 pm……………*Preschool and Young Family Service 7:41 pm……………Yom Kippur Ends
*Services at Beth El Only
Tuesday, September 18 – Kol Nidre/Erev Yom Kippur 6:15 pm……………..Mincha Service 6:30 pm……………..Kol Nidre Services 6:36 pm……….…….Candle Lighting Thursday, September 19 - Yom Kippur/Yizkor 9:00 am……………..Shacharit Service 9:45 am……………..Preschool Family Service 10:45 am……………Children’s Services
Festival Service Schedule 5779 Sunday, September 23 – Erev Sukkot 9:00 am……………Schach Pick Up and Youth Car Wash 6:27 pm……………Candle Lighting 6:30 pm……………Mincha/Ma’ariv Monday, September 24 – 1st Day of Sukkot 8:50 am……………. Festival Services 6:30 pm……………..Mincha/Ma’ariv 7:27 pm……………..Candle Lighting Tuesday, September 25 – 2nd Day of Sukkot 8:50 am……………. Festival Services 7:30 pm……………..Mincha/Ma’ariv 7:31 pm……………..Yom Tov Ends Monday, October 1 – Shmini Atzeret 8:50 am……………. .Festival Services 6:15 pm……………..Mincha/Ma’ariv 6:30 pm……………..Simchat Torah Young Family Service 7:00 pm……………..Simchat Torah Community Celebration 7:15 pm……………..Candle Lighting 9:00 pm……………..Ice Cream Social Tuesday, October 2 – Simchat Torah 8:50 am…………….. Festival Service 10:00 am……………Hakafot 6:15 pm……………..Mincha/Ma’ariv 7:20 pm……………..Yom Tov Ends
20 | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 | KOL BETH EL
Social Action
Social Action in Action by Mary Channon, Social Action Chair
The NSS Beth El Social Action committee is dedicated to positively impacting the lives of our neighbors in need, in an effort to play our part in Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). We are excited to continue running all of our popular Social Action programs again this year. Thanks to our congregantss, we are able to offer our continued support to groups such as: JUF Tov and Uptown Café, Brentwood Nursing Home, Project Linus, Chicago Chesed Fund, Families Helping Families Chicagoland, and various elementary schools in and around Highland Park. Last year we were happy to partner with some new groups including Cradles to Crayons, The Night Ministry, and HeroBox and would love to add to the list this year as we know members are eager to support additional programs and groups. If you know of an ongoing program or one-time event you would like to see Beth El involved in, please contact Social Action Chair Mary Channon at mary.channon@yahoo.com for more info on how to get involved.
Take a Bite Out of Hunger
Every Week - an easy way to help all year! Food and gift card donations needed to help provide breakfast and snacks to children in need at a local Highland Park elementary school. Collecting non-perishable nut-free donations (Nutrigrain-brand fruit bars and applesauce squeeze pouches). Contact Janice Aronoff at 847-308-6411 to coordinate delivery of gift card donations or perishable donations such as cheese sticks and Gogurt.
Family - to - Family Thanksgiving Mitzvah Project
Sunday, November 18th Create baskets with your family containing all the food items needed to provide a Thanksgiving Meal to a family at one of our local elementary schools. Last year we created 116 baskets.
More details and sign-up form to come. Contact: Fran Pine fjpine@comcast.net
Winter Coat Drive
November 11th through December 2nd Donate gently-used or new winter coats, hats, gloves, and mittens for all ages - adults, children, toddlers and babies. Donated items are provided to local organizations such as the Chicago Chesed Fund. Donation bin will be located at synagogue office entrance. COAT SORTING volunteers needed the morning of Sunday, December 2nd. Have questions or want to volunteer for coat sorting? Contact Mira Temkin miratemkin@gmail.com 847-433-2109. JUF Uptown Café A great family and friends event to do together! Volunteers needed to serve dinner or brunch to neighborhood needy. Ages 12+ 6 spots open each of these dates: Tuesday, July 17th – dinner; Sunday, August 26th – brunch; Tuesday, October 16th – dinner; Tuesday, November 20th – dinner; Tuesday, December 18th – dinner
Contact Rocky Rubinoff rochelle.rubinoff@gmail.com to sign up. SAVE THE DATE! ALL-Member Mitzvah Day 2019 Sunday, February 10, 2019
High Holiday Services Over the Years By Mort Steinberg, Beth El Historian Beth El’s High Holiday services were not always held at the synagogue. Before the congregation acquired a permanent home in 1948, High Holiday services were conducted at the Winnetka Women’s Club. Officiating in 1946 was Rabbi Baruch Silverstein and the following year the officiant was Rabbi Moshe Davis, both from the Jewish Theological Seminary.
In 1948 and again in 1949, even after the Price Estate in Highland Park had been purchased, the congregation gathered at the old Pearl Theater on First Street between Laurel and Central Avenues in Highland Park with Rabbi Maurice I. Kliers and Cantor Stanley Martin leading the services. The following year, after Rabbi Kliers had left Beth El and
no alternate location could be found, services were held in a large tent erected on the synagogue’s extensive grounds. Rabbi Joel Geffen from JTS officiated, accompanied for the first time by a professional choir led by Mr. Maurice Nev.
as the Karger Center, was home to Beth El’s High Holidays services. With the completion of the construction
From 1951 through 1956, the Highland Park Recreation Center, now known continued on page 25
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | KOL BETH EL | 21
August Events Calendar |Sunday
|Monday
|Tuesday
| Wednesday
|Thursday
|Friday
9:30 am USY on Wheels Artists Beit Midrash 6:15 pm Kabbalat Shabbat USY on Wheels Service 7:45 pm 7:48 pm Executive CommitCandle Lighting tee Meeting
1 10:00 am StandWithUs Campus Crash Course Program off-site event
2
3
|Saturday 9:00 am Summer Shabbat Service
7:30 pm Mincha/Ma’ariv
8:53 pm Shabbat Ends
4
10:30 am 9:30 am 3:00 pm 6:15 pm Rosh Hodesh Elul Jewish Chair Yoga Writer’s Beit Afternoon of Trivia Kabbalat Shabbat 9:00 am Midrash Service Summer Shabbat Service 7:39 pm Candle Lighting 7:30 pm Mincha/Ma’ariv
8:44 pm Shabbat Ends
6
5 Rosh Hodesh Elul
7
8
9
10:30 am Jewish Chair Yoga
10
13
14
15
16
9:30 am 7:45 pm Writer’s Beit Board of Director’s Midrash Meeting
5:30 pm Kadima Opening Program
Bar Mitzvah Aron Amram
6:30 pm 6:15 pm The Maxwell Street Kabbalat Shabbat Klezmer Band Service 8:50 am Concert Shabbat Services 7:29 pm Candle Lighting 7:15 pm Mincha/Ma’ariv
8:34 pm Shabbat Ends
12
11
17
18
5:30 pm Bar Mitzvah Kabbalat Shabbat on Ari Posner the Lake Reception, 8:50 am Service and Dinner Shabbat Services 7:18 pm 7:00 pm Candle Lighting Mincha/Ma’ariv 8:23 pm Shabbat Ends
19
20
8:00 am 6:00 am High Holy Teens Maot Chitim packing and delivery off-site event (off-site) High Holy Teens off-site event CRS Welcome Back to School Picnic/ Party
26
27
21
22
23
7:00 pm USY Opening Program
8:00 am 6:00 pm High Holy Teens Men’s Club Steak & off-site event Scotch Night
6:00 pm CHH Teen Aide and Teacher Meeting
28
22 | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 | KOL BETH EL
29
30
24
25
6:15 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service 7:07 pm Candle Lighting
31
September Events Calendar |Sunday
|Monday
|Tuesday
| Wednesday
|Thursday
|Friday
|Saturday
Selichot Bar Mitzvah - Corey Braverman 8:50 am Shabbat Services 7:00 pm Mincha/ Ma’ariv 8:12 pm Shabbat Ends 9:15 pm Selichot Reception/Study Session 10:45 pm Selichot Service
1 Labor Day
7:45 pm Executive Committee Meeting
8:45 am Morning Minyan
3
2
Erev Rosh Hashana Rosh Hashana 1st Day 8:15 am Rosh 8:45 am Hashana Services* Morning Minyan 9:15 am Preschool Family Service* 6:00 pm am Mincha/Ma’ariv (ser- 10:15 Children’s Services* vice at Beth El only) 6:00 pm USY Teen Minyan Tashlich Service 6:52 pm 6:45 pm Mincha/Ma’ariv Candle Lighting 7:53 pm Candle Lighting
9
10
16 Erev Sukkot
5
Rosh Hashana 2nd Day 8:15 am Festival Services* 9:15 am Young Family Servcies (Beth El only) 10:15 am Children’s Services (Beth El only) 6:45 pm Mincha/ Ma’ariv 7:53 pm Yom Tov Ends
11
18
1st Day of Sukkot
2nd Day of Sukkot
24
25
7
8
CHUSY LTI
CHUSY LTI
6:43 pm Mincha/Ma’ariv Candle Lighting 7:48 pm Shabbat Ends
13
Yom Kippur/Yizkor 9:00 am Shacharit Services* 6:15 pm 9:45 am Preschool Family Service* Mincha Services* 10:45 am Children’s 6:30 pm Services* Kol Nidre Services* 5:00 pm Mincha Service 6:15 pm Neilah Service 6:36 pm 6:00 pm Preschool and Young Family Candle Lighting Service (Beth El only) 7:41 pm Yom Kippur Ends
17
8:50 am Shabbat Services 12:00 pm Shalom Club Lunch/ 6:55 pm Opening Program Candle Lighting 6:45 pm Mincha/Ma’ariv 8:00 pm Shabbat Ends
6:15 pm 8:50 am Shabbat Services Kabbalat Shabbat Service 6:30 pm
12
19
14
15
6:15 pm Bar Mitzvah Kabbalat Shabbat Tyler Kallish Service 8:50 am 6:31 pm Shabbat Services Candle Lighting 6:15 pm Mincha/Ma’ariv 7:36 pm Shabbat Ends
20
21
22
9:30 AM Artists 10:30 am 7:45 pm 6:15 pm Bar Mitzvah Daniel Klein Kabbalat Shabbat Loss Support Group Beit Midrash
8:50 am 8:50 am 9:00 am Festival Services Schach Pick Up and Festival Services Pre-School Sukkah Party Youth Car Wash 12:30 pm 7:30 pm Sukkah Walk Mincha/Ma’ariv 6:27 pm Candle Lighting 6:30 pm 7:31 pm Mincha/Ma’ariv Yom Tov Ends 6:30 pm 7:27 pm Mincha/Ma’ariv Candle Lighting
23
6
Kol Nidre/Erev Yom Kippur
Chusy LTI off-site
4
6:15 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service
26
oard of Director’s B Meeting
8:50 am Shabbat Services 6:18 pm 6:00 pm Candle Lighting Mincha/Ma’ariv 7:23 pm Shabbat Ends Service
27
28
29
30
*services at Beth El and Highland Park High School AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | KOL BETH EL | 23
October Events Calendar |Sunday
|Monday October
Shmini Atzeret 8:50 am Festival Services 6:15 pm Mincha/ Ma’ariv 6:30 pm Simchat Torah Young Family Service 7:00 pm Family Hakafot Service 7:15 pm Candle Ltg. 9:00 pm Ice Cream Social
1
9:00 am
Shalom Club Day Off
7
8 8:00 pm HIgh Holiday Review
10:00 am Men’s Club Political Forum
|Tuesday
| Wednesday
|Thursday
Simchat Torah
9:30 am Writer’s Beit Midrash
3:00 pm Afternoon @ the Movies: A Sneak Peek of the 2018 Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema
8:50 am Festival Services
10:00 am Men’s Club Political Forum
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Rosh Hodesh Heshvan
7:45 pm Executive Committee Meeting
5:55 pm Candle Lighting
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7:00 pm Zamenhoff Museum Exhibit Reception
7:00 am Morning Minyan 10:30 am Loss Support Group
10 9:30 am Writer’s Beit Midrash 10:30 am Loss Support Group
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5:45 pm Mincha/Ma’ariv
5 6:15 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service
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Bar Mitzvah Noah Hersh 8:50 am Shabbat Services 12:30 pm Sisterhood Torah Fund Book Club 5:45 pm Minchal/Ma’ariv 7:00 pm Shabbat Ends
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5:00 pm Young Family Services 5:44 pm Candle Lighting 6:15 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service 7:00 pm CHUSY Friday Night Live
8:50 am Shabbat Services
5:33 pm Candle Lighting
Bar Mitzvah William Struck 8:50 am Shabbat Services 5:30 pm Mincha/Ma’ariv 6:38 pm Shabbat Ends
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6:15 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service
12:30 pm Post Kiddush Lecture USCJ Scholar 5:30 pm Mincha/Ma’ariv 6:49 pm Shabbat Ends
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24 9:30 am Writer’s Beit Midrash
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8:50 am Shabbat Services
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7:45 pm 10:30 am Loss Support Group Board of Director’s Meeting
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6:15 pm Kabbalat Shabbat Service
7:11 pm Candle Lighting
Bat MItzvah Olivia Gordon
10:30 am Loss Support Group
Rosh Hodesh Heshban 7:00 am Morning Minyan 4:00 pm College Connection Freshman Box Packing 7:00 pm Sisterhood Board Meeting
|Saturday
6:06 pm Candle Lighting
10:00 am Hakafot 6:15 pm Mincha/Ma’ariv 7:20 pm Yom Tov Ends
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|Friday
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10:30 am Grief Loss Group
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High Holiday Services
B’nai Mitzvah
Bar Mitzvah Congratulations! Aron Amram,
son of Michelle Leon and Tomer Amram Shabbat, August 18
Bar Mitzvah Congratulations! Tyler Kallish,
continued from page 21
Bar Mitzvah Congratulations!
Bar Mitzvah Congratulations!
Ari Posner,
Corey Braverman,
son of Romy Block-Posner and Adam Posner Shabbat, August 25
Bar Mitzvah Congratulations! Daniel Klein,
son of Wendy and Nathan Braverman Shabbat, September 1
Bat Mitzvah Congratulations! Olivia Gordon,
son of Rozlyn and Marc Kallish Shabbat, September 22
son of Michelle and Benjamin Klein Shabbat, September 29
Bar Mitzvah Congratulations!
Bar Mitzvah Congratulations!
Bar Mitzvah Congratulations!
Barak Goldstein
William Struck,
Noah Hersh,
son of Alyse and Adam Hersh Shabbat, October 13
son of Andrea Goldstein Mortkovitch Shabbat, October 20
daughter of Terri and Thomas Gordon Shabbat, October 6
of the “community center” building in 1957, now known as the Blumberg Auditorium, the congregation gathered in its own building for the first time on Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur. In 1962, the new sanctuary, now the Field Family Sanctuary, was ready for the High Holidays, even though the interior furnishings had not been completed (and the beautiful Ludwig Wolpert accoutrements would not be installed for another five years). Throughout its first years at its new home, for Sukkot Beth El constructed a sukkah on the tennis courts of the Price Estate. Located on the north side of the estate, close to the northwest corner of the property, the tennis courts were removed in the mid1950s in order to accommodate an expanded parking area, after which the sukkah was constructed annually in the synagogue’s back yard overlooking Lake Michigan. The sukkah became known as the Levenfeld Family Sukkah through the generosity of Milton and Iona Levenfeld in the 1980s.
son of Jamie and Daniel Struck Shabbat, October 27 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | KOL BETH EL | 25
August/September/October Events at a Glance Sunday, August 5 10:00 am StandWithUs College Campus Crash Course North Shore Congregation Israel, 1185 Sheridan Rd, Glencoe
f you’ve ever had a challenging conversation about Israel and didn’t have all the facts you needed at your disposal, this crash course is for you! High schoolers, college students, parents and community members are all encouraged to attend. $18 in advance only. Buy 3 tickets get 1 Free! For questions and information contact Assaf Grumberg at AssafG@standwithus.com *sponsored in part by NSS Beth El.
________________________________________ Thursday, August 9 3:00 pm Afternoon of Trivia
good humor. The Maxwell Street Band’s own dancers will lead Israeli dances for all to join in! This concert features our own Hazzan Ben Tisser as special guest vocalist. Tickets are $36 per adult and $20 for children under 13. Ticket sales start soon!
________________________________________ Wednesday, August 8 & 22 9:30-11:00am Writer’s Beit Midrash The NSS Beth El Writer’s Beit Midrash will meet in the Maxwell Abbell Library. Meetings will resume after the holidays on October 3 and continue every other Wednesday. All fiction, non-fiction, poetry, memoir, and essay writers (published or not yet published) are welcome for discussions, exercises, camaraderie, and critique. Contact Rachel Kamin at rkamin@nssbethel.org or (847) 926-7902 for more information and to be added to the mailing list.
________________________________________ Friday, August 24 5:30 pm Kabbalat Shabbat on the Lake
Join the Hazak Senior Life Committee and the Cultural & Learning Center for an “Afternoon of Trivia” with Brain Bash Trivia. Jeremy Cahnmann, who has been hosting and competing in live trivia events all over America for the last decade, has planned something fun and different especially for the Beth El community! No experience required – everyone will be placed on a team at the event.
________________________________________ Thursday, August 16 6:30 pm Dancing Maxwell Street Klezmer Band Concert
The Maxwell Street Klezmer Band plays lively Eastern-European Jewish folk music. You can expect a world-class performance filled with joy, soul, and
The Greatest Shabbat on the Lake EVER! The happiest, most fun-filled way to welcome Shabbat. Everyone is welcome. 5:30 Activities on the lawn awesome appetizers and nosh 6:30 Services followed by family dinner.
________________________________________ Sunday, August 26 6:00 am Packing 9:00 am Delivery Maot Chitim Rosh HaShana Food Packing and Delivery Maot Chitim of Greater Chicago, Inc. assists needy members of the Greater Chicagoland Jewish community with Passover and High Holiday and other food related
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needs, so that they may observe the holidays and daily life in a traditional and dignified manner. This event takes place off-site. Watch for location information in our weekly emails.
________________________________________ Thursday, August 30 6:45 pm Steak and Scotch If you would like to learn more about Men’s Club and meet many of the active members, this is the event for you to attend. All men are welcome, you do not need to be a current member of Men’s Club. Great food, excellent companionship and fine beverages. Links to register will be available in the shul’s weekly email and the Men’s Club weekly bulletin. If you have any questions, please contact us at nssbethelmensclub@gmail.com.
________________________________________ Sunday, September 16 1:00 pm Artist Reception Meet in the Gamze Gallery of The Rissman Kol Ami Collection for complimentary wine and refreshments. Award winning architect, exhibition designer, and Judaica artist, Amy Reichert, will talk about her creative process and how her kiddush cups, menorahs, mezzuzot, and other ritual objects, currently on display, are an interpretation of hiddur mitzvah. To RSVP for the reception, contact Marcie Eskin at ( 847) 926-7903 or meskin@nssbethel.org.
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Monday, September 24 Sukkah Walk Share the joy of Sukkot! Come join us for a perfect afternnoon: a community walk after services, visits to the sukkah of Beth El members, delicious food at each stop, and great company! Contact co-chairs; Stacy Goldsmith at
slg724@gmail.com or Mary Channon at mary.channon@yahoo.com.
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Wednesday, September 26 5:00 pm Pre-School Sukkah Party Come enjoy crafts and shaking the lulav while we make great decorations for our Sukkah and yours! Open to all Steinberg Pre-School and NSS Beth El members.
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Thursday, October 4 3:00pm Afternoon @ the Movies: A Sneak Peek of the 2018 Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema Cindy Stern, Executive Director of the Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema, will share trailers and clips of upcoming films coming to the festival this fall and we’ll screen the first episode of the new addictive Israeli TV series, Your Honor. Open to the community, free of charge. Refreshments will be served. RSVP to Marcie Eskin at meskin@nssbethel.org or (847) 926-7903.
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Saturday, October 13 12:30 pm Sisterhood Torah Fund Book Club The Sisterhood Torah Fund Book Club will kick-off its 10th season with a discussion of My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jew by Abigail Pogrebin, facilitated by Rachel Kamin, CLC Director. Rabbi Kurtz will also join us to provide his insight and expertise. Copies of the book are available in our Abbell Library and at local public libraries and bookstores. Contact Rachel Kamin at rkamin@nssbethel.org or 847/926-7902 for the complete calendar and to be added to the e-mail list. New members are always welcome! A $54 annual donation to the Torah Fund Campaign is requested.
Saturday, October 20
Sunday, October 14 Sunday, October 21 10:00-11:30 Democratic and Republican Candidate forums
USCJ Scholar, Shalom Orzach D’var Torah and Post-KIddush Lecture
Each election year, Men’s Club hosts forums to meet and ask questions of candidates for local, state and federal offices. Come for a great discussion and an opportunity to ask your questions directly to the candidates of your choice. If you have questions about this event contact Michael Salberg at mbsalberg@ sbcglobal.net.
________________________________________ Monday, October 15 8:00 pm High Holiday Review
Join the Ritual Committee in the Zell Meeting Room to discuss your High Holiday experience. Give us your feedback and let us know how we can improve in the future. All are welcome. Contact Ron Goldberg with questions at rgoldberg@wgntv.com.
________________________________________ Tuesday, October 16 8:00 pm Ludwik Lejzer Zamenhof: The Creator of the International Language Esperanto
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Elephant and Piggie will make a special appearance at this family friendly Shabbat for Pre-School aged children and parents.
________________________________________ Friday, November 2 Saturday, November 3 Guest Speaker Rabbi David Golinkin
Special Shabbat featuring Rabbi David Golinkin and honoring Rabbi Vernon and Bryna Kurtz. Congregational Shabbat dinner on Friday night including family programming and post-kiddush lecture on Shabbat afternoon.
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The Rissman Kol Ami Collection will host a traveling exhibit commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death of Dr. Zamenhof, in partnership with the Esperanto Society of Chicago and the Polish Ministry of Culture. Join us for a complimentary wine and cheese reception. RSVP to Marcie Eskin at meskin@nssbethel.org or (847)926-7903.
Friday, October 19 5:00 - 6:15 pm Jeans and Jammies
Shalom Orzach is a senior educator and consultant for the iCenter, and serves on the faculty for the Foundation for Jewish Camp. Shalom is an acclaimed public speaker on contemporary Israel who brings extensive knowledge, humor and passion to his presentations.
Sunday, November 4 6:00 pm NSS Beth El Annual Gala Dinner Honoring Rabbi Vernon and Bryna Kurtz Come celebrate with us as we honor Rabbi Vernon and Bryna Kurtz and celebrate the 70th anniversaries of our synagogue and the State of Israel. Formal invitation and online registration coming this summer.
________________________________________ Sunday, November 11 5:00 pm Keeper of the Flame Dinner Each year the Men’s Club honors a member that has lived the mission of the Men’s Club. This year’s honoree will be announced soon. Keep your eyes open for instructions on how to sign up for the dinner.
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | KOL BETH EL | 27
Non Profit Org. US Postage PAID Highland Park, IL Permit No. 96
1175 Sheridan Road Highland Park, IL 60035
It’s All in the Beth El Family
Address service requested
Congratulations: Laurel and Barry Abramowicz on the marriage of their daughter, Ashley Kara, to Joshua Brent Gibbs Simone and David Bloom on the marriage of their son Ryan, to Sydney Marcus Jan and Brian Channon on the engagement of their son, Daniel, to Sarah Ford Mary Ellen Bowers and Larry Goldsmith on the birth of their grandson Mason Alexander Duncker
Barbara Hoffman on the occasion of her 75th birthday Arnold Kamen on the occasion of his special birthday Joyce Kamen on the occasion of her special birthday Edith Kaye on the birth of her great-grandson, Bernie M. Jadwin Sandy and Jacob Kiferbaum on the marriage of their son, David, to Lauren Palmor Rebecca and Adam Kusovitsky on the birth of their son, Theodore Solomon
Sharon and Harris Goldenberg on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary
Bryna and Rabbi Vernon Kurtz on the occasion of their 45th wedding anniversary
Eileen Rubenstein Goldstein and Paul Goldstein on the birth of their granddaughter, Mikaela Ryan Ross
Marcy and Kenneth Levin on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary
Rachel and Neil Greenbaum on the occasion of their 55th wedding anniversary
Luba and Marc Levine on the birth of their daughter, Binah Shira Levine
Barbara and Stuart Hochwert on the occasion of their 35th wedding anniversary
Condolences To:
Samuel Bernstein on the loss of his brother, Brian David Bernstein David Bloom on the loss of his brother -in-law, Jeffrey Zetler Tom Green on the loss of his mother, Eleanor Green Jordana Greenberg on the loss of her father, Alan S. Rutkoff Shane Greenstein on the loss of his mother, Eleanor Greenstein Lois Janger on the loss of her husband, Richard K. Janger
Kiddush Sponsors: Laurel and Barry Abramowicz Vera and Grennody Aginsky Jackie and Harvey Barnett Beth and Robert Bernat Lorri and Ted Bernstein Simone and David Bloom Scott, Rena, Benji and Shira Forester
We Welcome The Following New Members: Steven and Dana Blitzstein and their daughter, Betty Randall and Elyse Block
Marilyn and Ray Lewis on the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary
Fran and Joel Rabinowitz on the occasion of their 65th wedding anniversary and the birth of their great-grandson, Parker Blake Goldstein Sandy and Maury Raizes on the occasion of their 65th wedding anniversary Herbert Rosen on the birth of his great-granddaughter, Naomi Shira Rosen Sharon and Michael Rosenberg on the marriage of their son, Jonathan, to Marissa Schiff Lindsey Goldstein Ross and David Ross on the birth of their daughter, Mikaela Ryan Ross Carol and Robert Ruderman on the birth of their grandson, Theodore Solomon Kusovitsky Deanna and Maurice Sable on the occasion of their 40th wedding anniversary Brenda and Marc Wilkow on the marriage of their son, Jordan, to Desiree Beauchemin
Karen and Mitchell Kopin on the marriage of their daughter, Melissa, to Sam Levenback Harold Krent on the loss of his mother, Evelyn Krent Jeffrey Moll on the loss of his father, Richard M. Moll Randi Newman on the loss of her mother, Madalyn Braufman Ava Nussbaum on the loss of her father, Michael Danziger Susan Pollack on the loss of her father, Irving Kushner Mally Rutkoff on the loss of her husband, Alan S. Rutkoff
Robert Rutkoff on the loss of his father, Alan S. Rutkoff Mark Schneiderman on the loss of his father, William Schneiderman Lynn Schrayer on the loss of her mother, Barbara Sachse Steven Sheffey on the loss of his father, Ralph Sheffey Eleanor Weingardt on the loss of her husband, Ronald Weingardt
Sharon and Harris Goldenberg Michelle and Jack Hirschfield Barbara and Stuart Hochwert Allison Kamen and family Karen and Mitchell Kopin Marcy and Kenneth Levin Marilyn and Ray Lewis Debbie and Marty Marcus Paulette and Edward Margulies
Susan and Robert Millner Susan and Marc Nathan Fran and Joel Rabinowitz Beth and Elliot Raizes Sherry and Steve Regester Sharon and Michael Rosenberg Robyn and Sami Rosenblatt Irene and Gary Savine Brenda and Marc Wilkow
Lawrence and Rhonda Dubin Joseph Fischel Jennifer Marx Al and Emma Paas and their daughter, Talia
Brian and Stacey Price and their children, Avielle and Micaela Jonathan and Marissa Rosenberg Ben Rosenkranz Michael and Amanda Schallman and their son, Graham
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In Memoriam: Richard K. Janger Alan S. Rutkoff Ronald Weingardt