Fax: 630.627.9123 | cec.info@congetzchaim.org October 7, 2009

Transcription

1710 S Highland Ave. | Lombard, Il 60148 | Ph: 630.627.3912 | Fax: 630.627.9123 | cec.info@congetzchaim.org
Shabbat & Special Services:
Calendar:
Shabbat V’zot ha Bracha
Friday October 9, 2009
7:00 PM Erev Simchat Torah Service
Consecration
Wednesday October 7
4:00 PM Hebrew School
7:00 PM AA Meeting
Saturday October 10, 2009
9:00 AM Torah Study
NO Morning Service
Shabbat Bereshit
6:30 PM Tot Shabbat
Rabbi Bob will tell a story
8:15 PM Shabbat Evening Service
Rabbi Cosnowsky will discuss, “The Power
of Imagination.”
Oneg Host: Slone family
Saturday October 17, 2009
9:00 AM Torah Study
10:30 AM Morning Service
Bar Mitzvah: Henry Slone
Thursday October 8
7:00 PM Membership Committee
Sunday October 11
9:00 AM Religious School
Primary Grade Open House
9:00 AM Brotherhood take down
Sukkah
9:30 AM Tumlar
10:30 AM Social Action Listening
Sessions
12:00 PM Youth Committee
12:30 PM Introduction to Judaism Class
5:00 PADS
6:30 PM AA/Al-Anon Meeting
Monday October 12
6:30 PM Office & Communications
Committee
Tuesday October 13
7:00 PM Core Team Meeting for
Listening Sessions
7:00 PM Adult Choir
7:30 PM Executive Committee
7:30 PM School Committee
October 7, 2009
Sunday October 18
9:00 AM Religious School
Manna Order Deadline
9:30 AM Tumlar
9:30 AM Brotherhood Meeting
11:30 AM Junior Choir
12:00 PM JYG Meeting & CROP Walk
12:30 PM Introduction to Judaism Class
1:00 PM CROP Walk
5:00 PM PADS
6:30 PM AA & Al-Anon Meeting
Monday October 19
7:30 PM Library Committee
Tuesday October 20
7:00 PM Adult Choir
7:30 PM Board Meeting
Wednesday October 21
4:00 PM Pick up Manna Orders
7:00 PM AA Meeting
* Childcare is available during Friday
evening services in our Nursery.
Services of Special Interest:
Wednesday October 14
7:00 PM AA Meeting
th
7:00 PM 50 Anniversary
Subcommittee Meeting
7:00 PADS Church Coordinator Meeting
7:30 PM Listening Sessions
6:30 PM Tot Shabbat
Thursday October 15
7:00 PM Jewish Employment Network
Program “The Gray Hair Laws of
Networking”
7:30 PM Family Service
1
Friday October 23
8:15 PM Social Action Shabbat Service
Carol Simler, Executive Director of DuPage
PADS will speak
Friday November 6, 2009
8:15 PM Shabbat Service with The Life Tree
Ramblers
Online Directory
The temple’s new Online Membership Directory Experience (OMDE) is now available to all congregants,
according to Ed Silverstein, who has been doing the programming. “This new system will keep the latest
membership information at our fingertips all the time,” he said. The directory contains the same data as the
print version, but with all updates, including address, phone number, email address and children’s names.
The OMDE is password protected, and only members are able to register and log in. A number of security
measures are in place to prevent unauthorized use. The email addresses for registration have to be the
same ones currently used for the print directory. In addition to password protection, a secure server is
being used to store the data. Congregants who have not given an email address to the office will not have
access to the online version.
Links on the temple website and the E-Bulletin will give access to the directory from any computer,
including mobile devices. You can access the Membership Directory by clicking on the link found on
the home page or by going to the Keeping Current section of our website where the calendar is
located.
To start using the directory today, register by clicking on the link:
Online directory is also available for Smart Phones
After you have registered and activated your account you may also use the Mobile Online Membership
Directory Experience (MOMDE). Currently MOMDE supports iPhones™, personal Blackberrys™ and
Smart Phones™ running a current version of the WindowsMobile™ operating system. Corporate
Blackberrys™ seem to have trouble reaching the website, and if you encounter this situation, please call
Ed Silvertein for further instructions.
The MOMDE is available at:
https://secure.congetzchaim.com/edtest/cec_momde/index.php
Note: That's an underscore between cec and momde, in the link above.
As with the print directory, “This directory is for official Congregation Etz Chaim use and for the individual
communications of a personal nature between temple members. Use of this membership directory for any
other purpose including, but not limited to, reproducing and storing in a retrieval system by any means,
electronic or mechanical, photocopying, printing, or using the addresses or other information contained in
this directory for any commercial, political or mass mailing is prohibited.”
According to Gina Carter, Office & Technology Committee Chairperson, directory capabilities may be
expanded in the future to allow searches in categories such as brotherhood, sisterhood and religious
school class. Ed Silverstein created the online membership directory with the assistance of Virginia
Weiskopf and Rob Thomas.
New Sponsor- A Balloon Creation
We would like to welcome A Balloon Creation as our newest sponsor. Please take a
moment to check their business on our website.
2
Worship
Message from Rabbi Bob
Currently we are in the middle of the festival of Sukkot. Many of our members have already
fulfilled the Sukkot Mizvot of shaking the Lulav and the Etrog and visiting the Sukkah. Our
Hebrew school students will do so this afternoon.
On Friday evening we conclude our festivals with Simchat Torah. We complete the annual cycle
of reading from the Torah and immediately begin it again. We read the final words of
Deuteronomy and the right away the opening words of Bereshet.
Before we read from the Torah we will have Consecration, presenting little Torahs to young children. We
march around the sanctuary with the Torah scrolls in processions called Hakafot. We have a total of seven
Hakafot. We do not march quietly and orderly. We dance and sing. We have a good time.
Rabbi Michael Balinsky says that once Queen Victoria visited a synagogue. The day happened to be
Simchat Torah. Upon seeing the festivities she remarked, “How wonderful it is that the Jews provide
services for their members who are insane!"
We claim to be the Purim Capital of North America. We also have a good time here at Etz Chaim on
Simchat Torah but we are not the Simchat Torah Capital of North America. Once years ago I celebrated
Simchat Torah at the Simchat Torah Capital of North America.
When I was in college I happened to be in New York City at this time of year visiting friends. Someone
knocked on his door and said we have to go to Brooklyn. We hopped on the subway to get to 770 Eastern
Parkway, Chabad world headquarters. Now you have to understand, this was the fall of 1969. We were
long haired college students. The Hasids had bushy beards, we had bushy heads. They were welcoming.
One fellow explained that we had to push our way in. He explained that we should go up to the balcony so
that we could see the rebbe better.
It was wild. Hundreds and hundreds of Chasids were dancing and singing, moving in response to the
smallest gesture from the Rebbe.
Of course, there is a deeper, spiritual aspect to Simchat Torah. Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik, sees the
Hakafot as recalling a passage from the Talmud. “Rabbi Helbo said, in the future the Holy One of blessing
will make a circle of all the righteous people. God will sit among them in the center.”
We dance in a circle, and imagine the Shekhinah, God's presence is in the middle. For Rav Soloveitchik,
that we are dancing in a circle holding the Torahs, reminds us that the way to draw closer to God is through
Torah.
The Torah tells us, “V'samachta B'Chagecha, You shall rejoice in your festivals.” Sukkot is called Zeman
Simchateinu, the time of our Simcha, the time of our happiness. This week we are obligated to be happy.
Let’s get to work.
3
Simchat Torah- This Friday, October 9th
The conclusion and renewal of the annual Torah reading cycle will be celebrated at
services on Friday, October 9th at 7:00 PM. The service will include the traditional
Hafakot with Torah scrolls, accompanied by singing, dancing and waving flags. During
the service, new students in the religious school, kindergarten through second grade,
will be consecrated. The consecrants will participate in the service and receive a
certificate and a gift in honor of the occasion. Following the service, a special treat will
be served.
Shabbat Greeters
On Yom Kippur Rabbi Bob spoke about the Shabbat Initiative and the implementation of Greeters. The
greeter will be available to welcome those attending Shabbat services to make congregants as well as
visitors feel welcome. The greeters, ushers and officer on duty will have a green nametag to wear so they
are easily identified.
Volunteers are being sought to be greeters. If you are interested in volunteering as a greeter at one or
more Friday Shabbat services, please email or call Rachel Wood.
Rabbi's High Holiday Sermons
Rabbi Cosnowsky’s Erev Rosh Hashanah Sermon
My friend Hugh is a special man. He is going through a divorce from his wife of 35 years, was recently
diagnosed with cancer and, as a result, can no longer drive and has been set back in his job. However,
anyone who knows Hugh knows that he is usually in great spirits and positively insists on being happy. We
went to a picnic and afterwards I asked him if he had had a good time. He replied, "I could have a good
time if I were stuck in a paper bag. I always have a good time, no matter where I am, no matter what I am
doing." I asked Hugh about the secret to his happiness and he shared it with me: "I serve others. No matter
what is going on with me, I find a way to be useful and to help another person. And from this I derive great
joy."
The economy is still down at levels not seen since the Great Depression. Foreclosures on homes are at
record heights. I know a slew of folks who are having financial difficulties. I know many who are suffering
with various illnesses both chronic and terminal. I know many who are very unhappy with their present
circumstances. I too have caught myself grumbling in the recent past. With such doom and gloom being
reported by the news these days, it's easy to get down. But did you know that our tradition insists that we
be joyful. Sure, many of us have heard of Jewish guilt - but did you know that there is such a thing as
Jewish JOY? It's true! But it's so elusive, that the commandment to be joyful seems to fly under the radar.
Consider this, right now the year is new and our Moon is currently but a sliver in the sky. In approximately 2
weeks, during the holiday of Sukkot, the Moon will be full. During Sukkot we are COMMANDED to be
joyful. If we are commanded to be joyful for at least 8 days a year, why not continue to be joyful all days of
the year? Our liturgy says, “Ivdu et Hashem b’simcha” – Serve God in joy and celebration. We are
commanded to do that at various times. Rabbi Nachman of Bretzlav was the grandson of the Baal Shem
Tov, both great Hasidic rebbes of the 18th century. Rebbe Nachman wrote extensively on the concept of
joy and one’s obligation to find it in this world. He taught: “Always remember: Joy is not merely incidental to
your spiritual quest. It is vital.” He also said, “Every day has inherent joy. Each day you can celebrate a
new "birth," a new outlook on life,...” Nachman suffered from extreme bouts of depression, and therefore
held fast to the idea that finding joy is important. Even the Talmud says that, in the world to come, at our
final judgment, we will be held accountable for everything God gave us which we refused to enjoy! We are
4
supposed to be happy in this life. What a concept! This means that, without being gluttonous, we should
find ways to enjoy our circumstances even if they are not, in our opinion, ideal. It really does run counter to
the state of the nation these days. Could you imagine if we called up our state representatives and
lawmakers and told them to stop fighting and be joyful?! They’d probably put us on a list and think we were
a bit batty. But it’s true. We can, at any moment in our lives, stop feeling sadness, self-pity and despair,
and find something to be joyful about.
There’s a story about a man who goes to the doctor for a checkup. The Doctor said he was doing "fairly
well" for his age. Being concerned about what ‘fairly well’ might mean, he asked, “Doctor, do you think I'll
live to be 80?"
The Doctor asked him, "Do you smoke tobacco or drink beer or wine?"
"Oh no, I don’t do any kind of drugs, either." Said the man
Then the Doctor asked, "Do you eat prime rib, steaks or barbeque?"
The man answered, "Oh no, red meat is very unhealthy!"
"Do you spend a lot of time in the sun, like playing golf, sailing, hiking, or bicycling?"
. The man shook his head ‘no.’
The doctor inquired, "Do you gamble, drive fast cars?"
No," said the man. "I don't do any of those things."
So the doctor looked at the man and replied, "Then why do you care if you live to 80?”
Really, what good is longevity if we’re not having fun?
Viktor Frankl, a famous psychologist who survived the Holocaust, once wrote, "We who lived in
concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away
their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything
can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms -- to choose one's attitude in any
given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." Frankl gives us keen insight into a way to find joy,
no matter what else is going on. But he took it a step further. That is, he tells us that the secret to joy
comes from serving others. Very much akin to what my friend Hugh told me.
Let’s face it: We are living in difficult times. We all have some kind of pain – physical, spiritual, or psychic,
but we also have many tools and resources to find happiness and joy in this life, despite this pain. We are
here to serve God with joy, to do good things in this world to bring about healing for others. Needless to
say, our society and our communities are in desperate need of repair. That is our work – to heal the world
and to delight in doing so. We must serve our world with a full heart, because God doesn’t want us to be
cranky and disgruntled.
On November 14th, the Social Action committee will host “Make a Difference Day” where people can come
and do activities to help others in need. Not only will we have the opportunity to serve others but we will
also be together as a congregational family joined in healing the world and helping those less fortunate.
Nothing lessens our loneliness like helping someone else. and by adding joy to another’s life, we will add
joy to our own lives.
During the week of Creation, all the new animals were busy learning their abilities; swimming, walking,
hopping and running. But, there was one animal that was limping along watching jealously all the animals
speeding past him. In his frustration, he turned to God and cried, "God! Why did you make me such a pitiful
creature?!"
God comforted the pained animal. "Do not despair, you will see that I will help you rise above all the other
animals." Then, Poof! Two heavy extremities appeared on both sides of the animal. When the creature
tried to run, the appendages seemed to weigh him down. So he complained to God, "These things only
make me worse!"
God answered, "You silly bird, those appendages are called wings. Don’t try to run, use them and go fly!"
Sometimes we find out that what we perceive as great obstacles in reality are great sources of growth. We
are given challenges in life, not as punishment, but as opportunities to grow closer to God. However, we
cannot always see it that way, but over time we can make the choice to choose a new perspective.
5
The prayer, Avinu Malkeinu, which we just recited during our service, and will continue to recite during
these High Holidays, beseeches God to give us a good year, a year of blessing and to be gracious to us.
And even when we don’t get our way, when we don’t perceive that we are receiving a year of blessing, we
can find something that brings us some semblance of peace and happiness. Even if it means having to
step outside of ourselves and find a way to bring joy into the life of another. Happiness is fleeting, pleasure
is tied to the physical realm, but even amidst our imperfections, our unmet yearning and our unanswered
prayers, we can still find joy amidst the imperfection.
I’ll close with a story told about world-renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman. He had had polio as a child, so
getting on stage is not exactly easy, since he wears braces on both legs and walks with crutches. This
particular evening he walked painfully to his chair, unclasped the braces on his legs, picked up his violin,
nodded to the conductor and then played. The audience waited patiently while he did this usual concert
ritual, but that night something went wrong. During the first few measures, one of the strings on his violin
broke. The audience figured that he would have to get up, put on his braces, use the crutches and limp his
way off stage - to either find another violin or another string for this one. But he didn't do that. Instead, he
waited a moment, closed his eyes and then signaled the conductor to begin again.
The orchestra began and Perlman played from where he had left off, with such passion as they had never
heard before.
He modulated, re-composed and changed the piece in his head. When he finished, there was an awesome
silence in the room and then people rose and cheered from every corner of the auditorium. They were on
their feet, screaming and cheering.
He smiled and said, in a quiet, reverent tone, "You know, sometimes it is the artist's task to find out how
much music he can still make with what he has left."
In this year, may we find joy amidst the imperfection, may we find peace despite the disharmony and may
we make music as much as we can with what we have been given. Shana Tovah
Rabbi Bob’s Rosh Hashanah Sermon
Jewish tradition views Rosh Hashanah as the day on which God created the world. So today is the birthday
of the world. Maybe we should have a birthday cake after services today, a large birthday cake with 5770
candles. We could each blow out 5 or 6 candles. How large would a cake have to be for us each to have a
piece? 10 feet by 10 feet? 20 feet by 20 feet? Ok, maybe a cake that large is not practical.
If we are not going to have a cake, what should we do for the world on its birthday? Maybe we should buy
the world a tasteful gift. What should we get the world for a birthday present? What do you get for a world
that has everything?
Where should we turn to for gift ideas for the world? In a catalogue? Online? When the rabbis of the
Talmud think the answer to a question is obvious, they say, “Peshita, It is simple.”
So where do we look for ideas for a birthday gift for the world? Peshita!!! We will turn to the Torah for ideas.
Where in the Torah? Peshita!!! In today’s portion!! It is not obvious to you? I will show you how if we
patiently unfold the meaning of the portion looking carefully at a few words, we will be led to the perfect
birthday gift for the world.
This morning we read in the Torah the well-known story of the binding of Isaac. In describing the journey of
Abraham and Isaac to Mount Moriah, the text says, “On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the
place from afar.”
6
Abraham raised his eyes and saw that which was not close. How about us, do we raise our eyes and see
the place from afar? Too often we lower our eyes and only pay attention to that which is directly in front of
us. Rather looking up and seeing the larger world, we tend to look down at our personal needs, wants and
challenges. At times it seems that we only look at the small part of the world that our own shadow darkens.
For some of us the difficulties or challenges we face in our individual lives seem overwhelming. They sour
our view of the rest of the world. Becoming part of something larger could provide perspective and balance.
Others of us in more comfortable situations, all too often become too focused on me and mine, on my
accomplishments, on my next vacation, on things I want to acquire.
We should look up to see ourselves as part of something larger, a project, an effort that is beyond our
individual lives. We should look beyond the immediate moment at the longer term future.
As we begin the new year, let us follow Abraham’s example and look up. Let’s us follow Abraham’s
example and look at that which is not close. Let us look up to new possibilities, and to new projects.
Let us look up and see the world around us not just in terms of today, not just in terms this quarter. Let us
set long-term goals. Let us take on long-term projects.
During this year let us strive to be part of something important, something transformative, something that
will change our world and change our lives.
When I talk to parents of teenagers who are about to begin high school, I mention to them the importance
of their teens finding a place in high school as part of a group, or an activity. High school students get a
great deal out of participating in a large group effort whether it is putting on a play or being a member of a
sports team.
Coaches love to use metaphors and slogans to describe their teams and the importance of each team
member. One coach proclaimed, “We are a wall and each member is a brick in the wall.” Another coach
taught, “We are a chain and only as strong as our weakest link.” I have also heard, “A team above all.
Above all a team” and “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work.” While the slogans may sound a bit cheesy, the
experience of being a valued member of a team on a quest provides a sense of purpose and meaning to
the teenager’s life.
As adults we tend to lead more isolated and individualized lives. We do not feel ourselves as part of a wall
or a chain, a team or a dream. As adults when we are part of a team, we feel ourselves energized. I felt
that a year ago as part of a political campaign.
I have an idea for a new project. I am calling it The Fourth Day Initiative. During services tomorrow we will
read the creation story, describing God forming the world day by day. The Torah tells us that on the fourth
day God created the sun.
On the fourth day God made the sun “to govern the day.” The sun, by providing light and heat, sustains life
on earth. In our time humanity has been exploring new ways of benefiting from this gift from God through
the use of solar energy.
The Fourth Day Initiative, will be a program for houses of worship to place solar panels on their roofs. The
houses of worship will join together to take the lead in harnessing the energy of the sun to provide
electricity for our buildings. This global interfaith initiative will provide an opportunity for a broad range of
houses of worship to work together for the common good. The participating houses of worship will provide
leadership to their communities by serving as examples of possibility of solar energy.
We will join together with people of other religions as partners with each other and partners with God.
7
In this morning’s service right after the Barchu, we recited the Yotzeir. That prayer describes God as
“M’chadaish B’chol Yom Tamid Ma’aseh Beresheet", renewing each day, continually, the work of creation.”
Through the Fourth Day Initiative we will become partners with God in making fuller use of that daily
renewal of creation.
This project has a narrow focus and a broad sweep. Our initiative will have a narrow focus on solar panels
and a broad interfaith sweep. By keeping the focus narrow, we will be able to gather broad support and
move forward. By joining together with the full range of religious communities, we can broaden our reach
and increase our impact.
You recall the old Coke commercial, “I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony.” Perfect
harmony may be beyond our reach but ragged harmony will do. I can be more than a single individual
sitting alone in his home plunking my banjo to a melody only I know. I can teach others the melody I am
singing and ask them to join in.
After I had the idea for The Fourth Day Initiative I consulted with experts for a reality check. I spoke with
members of Etz Chaim who work in the field of alternative energy to see if what I have proposed is
possible. I spoke to religious leaders to gauge interest. I spoke with a development consultant about
foundations grants. They responded positively to my proposals and are ready to participate.
Today I am inviting to you to join us. Etz Chaim can join the initiative as a congregation. Etz Chaim can be
a prototype for our project. Etz Chaim can provide institutional support.
You can join us as individuals. We need help in a variety of ways. On the technology side, we need to
explore the current possibilities and see what is just over the horizon. We need to seek out strategic
partners in industry who might support our project. We need to seek out appropriate foundations who might
provide grants. We need to recruit congregations who will put the solar panels on their roofs. We want to
form a board of advisors including nationally known religious leaders and scientists. We need help in a
variety of other areas including publicity, web design, administration and bookkeeping.
The Fourth Day Initiative will draw attention to the possibilities of solar energy. The example of houses of
worship with solar cells on their roofs will build support in the communities for solar energy. Others will see
what we are doing and lift up their eyes. Through The Fourth Day Initiative we will be renewing the earth
and renewing ourselves.
As human beings our task in life is Tikun Olam, repairing the world. Rabbi Isaac Luria first used this phrase
to describe a mystical image of creation. He imagined that when God created the world divine light filled
vessels. The divine light proved too much for the vessels. The vessels broke sending sparks of divine light
into the world. The task of humans then is repair, the repair of the vessels and the repair of the world. In
our time people use the phrase Tikun Olam more broadly to express our obligation to right wrongs to heal
the ills of society.
The phrase is crossing over into mainstream popular culture. Last year I enjoyed hearing Tikun Olam
explained in the teenage romance movie Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist. Norah explains Tikun Olam to
Nick. Norah says, “There's this part of Judaism that I like, Tikun Olam. It says that the world is broken into
pieces and everyone has to find them and put them back together.” Nick responds, “Maybe we don't have
to find it. Maybe we are the pieces.”
We are the pieces into which the mystical light of creation is divided. We repair the world as we repair
ourselves. As we join together to make fuller use of the light of the sun we bring together the pieces of the
vessels holding the divine light of creation.
8
Today is the birthday of the world. What can be our Birthday gift to the world? Does the earth have
everything it needs? What can we give the world? We can give the world our hearts and our hands.
Our hearts and our hands rededicated to repairing the world.
If you would like to volunteer to work in The fourth Day Initiative, which Rabbi Bob describes in his Rosh
Hashanah sermon, you can email or call Rabbi Bob.
Rabbi Bob’s Kol Nidre Sermon
During the past year many companies have gone out of business. Some collapsed not because they sold
shoddy products or offered poor service. Their basic business was fine but they had borrowed too much
money. They had too much loan service too support. They were overleveraged.
Some people are personally overleveraged. They have borrowed too much money either through a
mortgage or on their credit cards.
Many people are personally overleveraged in a different way not financially overleveraged but rather
spiritually and emotionally overleveraged. They are too fully scheduled. They have too many things to do
and too many things to worry about.
Some people are always multitasking. You see them texting while in the midst of another activity.
Somebody I know well told me that during a recent visit to Las Vegas when he sat down to play poker, he
noticed he was the only person at the table who was just playing poker. For the other people at the table
playing poker was not enough. For him it was a poker table. For the rest of the players it was a poker and
iPhone™ table. Three people were playing poker and listening to music. Two men were playing poker and
texting. One woman was playing poker and watching a movie. One man was playing poker and playing a
solitaire on his iPhone™.
Today is Yom Kippur. One day during the year, set aside for us to stop and examine our lives. It is a day to
acknowledge that we are not alone, that there is that which transcends us. This is a day to recenter our
lives, a day to focus our attention and energy on one task.
Is one day a year sufficient to reduce our spiritual and emotional over leveraging? Is one day a year
enough to provide a strong center to our lives? I think not. With the pace of life today we need more than
Yom Kippur. We lead stressful lives. We need more than one day a year to recharge.
The Torah tells us that after creating the world. God rested on the seventh day after six days of hard work.
God needed Shabbat, so do we. Achad HaAm said, “More the Jews have preserved Shabbat, Shabbat has
preserved the Jews. More than ever we need Shabbat.
In the orthodox community Shabbat is central. Orthodox Jews follow strict rules over what they will and will
not do on Shabbat. Orthodox Jews play, what my teacher Larry Hoffman calls, the limits game.” Orthodox
Jews have jobs, their children play sports but Shabbat takes precedence over everything. Orthodox Jews
pledge complete and exclusive allegiance to the Jewish community.
As Reform Jews, we also pledge complete allegiance to the Jewish community but not exclusive allegiance
to the Jewish community. We also pledge allegiance to many communities to which we belong, jobs,
sports, even shopping.
Our allegiances clash. We make choices. Sometimes the choices between two demanding loyalties are
easy. Sometime the choices are difficult.
I am not complaining about how you resolve these conflicting allegiances. Or scolding you about your level
of observance. I am certainly not suggesting that we should all become Orthodox Jews. I know Shabbat
will not be as central to our lives in the way in which it is central to the lives of Orthodox Jews. My question
9
is, in the context of our real lives what should Shabbat look like for us as Reform Jews?
As Reform Jews we have set aside the limits game. We have replaced it with the "Meaning Game." When I
ask members of our community, why they perform certain ritual acts, they say, “They are meaningful to
me.”
We include those aspects of Shabbat observance which bring meaning to our lives. Today I want to
suggest that there is an opportunity for more meaning in your life. Few of us have too much meaning.
Never has a person complained to me, “Rabbi my life is too meaningful.”
Observing Shabbat can remind us of who we are and why we are here. It can provide a spiritual center to
our week. Shabbat can strengthen our sense of being Jewish. It will create room in our lives for that which
is not business. It will create room in our lives for that which is not about acquisitions.
Shabbat is a time for Kedusha, Menucha and Oneg, Holiness, Rest and Joy.
I see three paths to the Kedusha of Shabbat.
One path to Kedusha is through rituals. On Friday Night many of us light candles, make Kiddush and recite
Motzi over the Challah. If these ritual are not yet a weekly part of your life it is the place to begin. If they
already are, there are ways to enrich them.
We can add the tradition blessing of our children as part of the Friday night dinner rituals. I saw an
interesting twist on this in the home of David Kaplan and Judy Katzin in Ranana. They blessed their
children who were physically present and then blessed their children who were not physically present by
pointing in the direction of those of their children in the north or south.
In my sister's home in Palo Alto at Shabbat dinner they do prouds they go around the table with each
person sharing something they did during the week of which they are proud.
A second path to Kedusha is learning. Shabbat is a time for Torah. This can be individual learning at home
taking time to read the Torah portion for the week. Or you can come to the synagogue on Saturday
morning and participate in our Torah Study group.
A third path to Kedusha is worship. Singer Kinky Friedman has described Shabbat services as “The
Chosen Folk doing their weekly thing.” When we make Shabbat services “our weekly thing” they will
provide an opportunity for worship and for community. Shabbat is a day of Menucha, rest. What is rest to
us? The Orthodox community follows rules governing all aspects of Shabbat. In our community defining
rest is subjective. I am not concerned if your personal definition of rest differs from mine. My fear is that
most of us do not let Shabbat be a day of rest at all. We let Shabbat afternoon be Saturday afternoon with
nothing to distinguish it from Sunday afternoon. We each should ask ourselves, “What will I not do on
Shabbat so that it will be a day of rest?”
I do not read email on Shabbat disconnect myself from that which makes demands on me during the week.
Shabbat is a day of Oneg, Joy. Shabbat is a time to be with friends and family. Friday night dinner should
be the best meal of the week. It should be an occasion for which we really cook. The meal does not have to
chicken or brisket. It should be of quality and we should eat it with those who we care about.
This year the Ritual and Religious Committee together with other arms of the congregation has embarked
on some new projects to enhance our Shabbatot.
The intermediate department of our religious school has begun a project of learning by doing. Last year we
asked sixth graders how many of you have ever been to a Shabbat service less than half said they had. So
the school committee has incorporated a Shabbat service attendance requirement as part of the
curriculum.
10
The Ritual and Religious Committee will be writing a new booklet to introduce beginners to the Friday
evening table rituals.
We are working to make our services more welcoming. Beginning this week a greeter will be on duty to pay
attention to new comers and other who seem alone during the unstructured time before and after services.
We are considering new programs including late Shabbat afternoon programs of learning and eating
concluding with Havdalah, and possibly a Tot Shabbat on Saturday morning.
Shabbat says to us, stop rushing around, stop multitasking, stop shifting your attention from A to B.
Shabbat says, “Be here now.”
The chief rabbi of the United Kingdom, Jonathan Sacks, says “Shabbat is when we stop rushing to make a
living, and instead live and celebrate life. It remains a supreme example of holy time, an oasis of rest in an
otherwise restless age.”
I like this image of Shabbat as an oasis. An oasis provides desert travelers with shelter, nourishment and
water so they may continue their journeys refreshed. Shabbat can provide us with holiness, rest and joy so
that we may continue our journeys refreshed.
I fear too many of us pass by the oasis, which is Shabbat without pausing to drink from its refreshing
waters. We think we pass by the oasis with out stopping. We act as if we do not need spiritual refreshment.
Today, more than ever, we need Shabbat.
During these hours of Yom Kippur, we will reflect on the quality and course of our lives. Let us think about
how we can reduce the over leveraging in our lives through the holiness, rest and joy of Shabbat.
To request Rabbi Cosnowsky's Yom Kippur sermon, please send her an email.
Adult & Family Activities
Message from Our President
Al’s Erev Rosh Hashanah Speech
Tonight I want to talk to you about a topic that Rabbi Cosnowsky introduced me to in a sermon
this past summer. In her sermon, Rabbi Cosnowsky talked about Kehila Kedusha, a sacred
community. A macro view of sorts, how all Jews, no matter where they are are part of the
same sacred community. Tonight I would like provide a micro view on our community and how
we can become a Kehila that is more Kedosh – sacred or holy.
My definition of a community is a framework for a group of people who reside close to one another that
provides services such as education, social services, support and interactions with other communities for
the benefit of the group. As we are a religious community, we also offer pastoral and other religious
services to the members of the community.
I am very proud to be a member of Etz Chaim. Did you know that the word for member in Hebrew, Chaver
means the same as friend? So, by being a member of Etz Chaim, you have also joined a group of friends.
In fact we have over 550 families, comprising over 1800 individuals who call Etz Chaim their spiritual home.
Think of that, you have over 1800 friends, even without going on Facebook or LinkedIn.
Now we all come to Etz Chaim with different backgrounds, needs, goals and attitudes. Part of being in a
community means that we have to figure out how to do the best job of both meeting the needs of our
members and the tenets of our religious beliefs. A Kehila Kedusha provides a framework for us to build a
11
multi-faceted mini-society that tries to provide for all.
Congregation Etz Chaim is a unique place. Here we are in the middle of a huge metropolitan area, situated
in a county where being a Jew is certainly unique and sometimes difficult. I am not talking about antisemitism, but about the fact that in many cases, our children are the only Jews in their class (or even in the
entire school). I am talking about how difficult it is to get a reasonable variety of Pesach food in our grocery
stores. And yet, we have laid a claim to becoming the center of Reform Jewish life in the Western suburbs.
Our roots grow deep. This year we will celebrate our 50th Anniversary. It is a momentous occasion. We will
celebrate on April 16-18, 2010 with a party, Torah study, services featuring The Life Tree Ramblers and a
concert. We remember with reverence the 10 families that came together in Elmhurst to start what has
become “The Little Temple on the Prairie”. All of what we have today started with the big dreams and solid
actions of those who had the vision to start a Kehila in DuPage County.
We don’t hide and are not ashamed of our heritage. In our county, there are three major institutions of
higher learning run by three different Christian denominations: Wheaton College, Benedictine and
Elmhurst. We have long and deep relationships with each. Father Jim, formerly of Christ the King, has long
been a friend of the temple and I would like to welcome him tonight.
We openly embrace the concept of outreach, by developing strong and meaningful programs with
community organizations like PADS, DuPage United and Family Shelter Services. With PADS, we open
our doors each Sunday evening to feed and shelter the homeless. Our temple works with other
congregations to staff, cook and take care of those who most need the help in our community. DuPage
United looks to help solve issues like affordable housing and reasonable credit policies through lobbying,
informational sessions and advocacy.
We have even started a committee that will help provide outreach to those in our kehila who need
assistance in their personal lives. One on one counseling and advice will be provided to those families who
request a helping hand.
We also feel the need to connect with the greater Jewish community. We do this through our support of
Yad Lakashish – Lifeline for the Old in Jerusalem and the Kanev community in the Ukraine. We host a JUF
brunch each spring and learn more about how our contributions to the Federation help those in need all
around the world, particularly in the Chicago area and in Israel. We have strong relationships with 2 Reform
congregations in Israel in Ranana and in Haifa.
Jews are often called the People of the Book. Mostly that refers to the Torah, but as Bernie Lucansky
taught me, uniquely among religious institutions, every temple has a library. Our library is a center of
learning and contains fiction, non-fiction, dvds, periodicals and other materials in addition to a large
collection of biblical and other Jewish scholarly volumes. We also use the space for weekly Torah Study for
the adults. But the children are not left out.
A key phrase of the Shema is Veshinantom Levonecha Vedibartah Bom, You Shall Teach them Faithfully
to Your Children. At Etz Chaim, we take this phrase pretty seriously. Our Hebrew and Religious schools
teach over 400 kids each week from pre-kindergarten through 10th grade. They learn from a dedicated
staff of teachers and we are the only synagogue of our size in the country to have a fully volunteer staff of
religious school teachers. It is a testament to both Anne Stein, our educator, and our programs that this
year we have over 30 11th and 12th grade students who have completed their religious school programs,
come back on Sunday mornings to help teach our youngest members.
Over time, every good organization needs to evaluate the efficacy of the programs that are delivered. This
year we disbanded our nursery school. We are currently building a committee chartered to developing a
plan to develop a new nursery school program and curriculum that better fits the needs of our children and
families.
12
The adults of our congregation are also treated to exciting educational opportunities. In addition to the
Torah Study, I mentioned previously, our community has developed programs and brought in speakers for
programs such as Scholar in Residence, Artist in Residence, our annual JUF Brunch and educational
series presented by the Rabbis.
We also offer the opportunity to experience a Shabbat in Oconomowoc through our Family Retreat
program. Part educational, part social, camp food, lots of singing and family time, the Retreat program
allows each of us to come together to celebrate Shabbat in a way that is difficult to do in our homes with
our crazy schedules and competing priorities.
Part of being a Kehilah is the social aspect. Some of my best friends are from the congregation. It is easy
to build friendships because we have a commonality, something that we can build upon. The congregation
provides a significant number of social activities and groups including JYG, SYG, Brotherhood, Sisterhood
and Seniors. In addition to providing service to our community, these organizations are responsible for
events as diverse as the Brotherhood BBQ, the Sisterhood Tea, Laser Tag and the Trivia Challenge.
Almost every Sunday morning, during the school year, we offer a Tumler, a bagels and lox breakfast to
allow for our members to sit and schmooze over coffee and a bagel. It is a wonderful time to catch up with
old friends or to make new friends in our Kehilah. Even if you don’t have kids in religious school, stop on by
for the bagel and the talk. You might even find a game of Maj Jongg has broken out.
The work of the congregation is coordinated by the staff. We are very fortunate to have Rabbi Bob and
Rabbi Cosnowsky to lead our religious programs. For over 28 years Rabbi Bob has been the guiding force
behind the development and growth of the programs of the temple. Starting her 5th year with us, Rabbi
Cosnowsky brings a maternal perspective and a love of music to add to the programs of the community. I
couldn’t imagine working with a better team of rabbinical leaders. Carol Meyer and her team work to
support the community, mostly behind the scenes. The work of the community could not be accomplished
without the hard and caring work of her team.
The real work of the congregation is done through the committees. Each committee has a charter that
defines its purpose. The committees are led by committee chairs and I would like to thank each and every
committee chair and committee member for their service. All of the committees have a congregational VP
to support them and provide for liaison to the board and executive committee. I would like to also thank Jan
Widmaier, Julie Kalwat, Bruce Beiersdorf and Jacob Margulies for their hard work in this area as well as
Dave Wortsman, our treasurer, Linda Longman our Recording Secretary and Debbie Schodrof our
Financial Secretary.
A Kehila Kedosha means a community that is greater than the sum of its parts. I feel that we have
achieved that designation. But as a Jewish parent, I know that we can always strive to do better…at least
that what I have always told my kids at report card time. Let us take an idea from the secular New Year and
apply it to Rosh Hashanah. On New Year’s Day, many people make a New Year’s Resolution. Something
that they want to commit to doing, maybe losing weight or stopping smoking. At this time, I ask that you
look to make a Rosh Hashanah resolution to help us in our quest to become a stronger Kehila Kedosha.
Perhaps joining a committee or Brotherhood or Sisterhood. Or maybe attending Torah Study or services
more often. Or maybe this is the year that you will attend the Family Retreat. Find what is most important to
you. Whatever it is, let’s look to together make Etz Chaim a stronger Kehila Kedosha.
To our chaverim (members) and chaverim (friends): May we be blessed with a year of friendships and
sacred connections, L’Shana Tovah Tikatavu.
13
PADS Adopt-An-Apartment
Help furnish Etz Chaim's second PADS transitional housing apartment and give homeless PADS guests a
new start! You can help by donating household items or setting up and decorating the apartment on
Thursday, October 8th. Please note this date has been changed from the original September 29th
date. Contact Meryl Diamond to find out which items are still needed for the apartment and how you can
help on move-in day.
Social Action News: Listening Sessions- Listening Sessions- October 11th, 14th,
19th, 26th, 27th & 29th
The relationship between God and Abraham was not a one-way street.
God spoke to Abraham and God also listened to Abraham.
Join a small group listening session at Congregation Etz Chaim (CEC) to share your interests and
concerns and hear what’s important to other congregants. Through Temple community, give voice to
congregants’ concerns, and become a more relational congregation. Then on November 15th, we will all
meet to celebrate, to educate one another about our concerns and to begin working together on issues that
we have in common.
Please sign up for one of the listening sessions below. Plan also to attend our concluding session at
Congregation Etz Chaim on November 15th when we will formulate action plans to address the issues
identified in the small group listening sessions.
Schedule for Small Group Listening Sessions*
October 11th, Sunday @ CEC following primary grades open house,
9:30 AM-11:00 AM
October 14th, Wednesday @ CEC,
7:30 PM-9:00 PM
October 19th, Monday @ the home of Roberta & Beryl Jacobson, Carol Stream,
7:30 PM-9:00 PM
October 26th, Monday @ the home of Rachel & David Wood, Warrenville,
7:30 PM-9:00 PM
October 27th, Tuesday @ CEC Seniors Meeting (all are welcome),
12:00 PM-2:00 PM
October 29th, Thursday @ the home of Barbara & Larry Margolis, Western Springs, 7:30 PM-9:00 PM
Large Group Concluding Session
For all small group listening session participants
Sunday, November 15th @ CEC, 12:00 PM-2:00 PM including lunch (babysitting if requested)
Contact Barbara Margolis with questions or to sign up for a listening session
*All Listening Sessions are open to all congregants, but please sign up in advance so we have an accurate
head count for planning purposes.
14
Introduction to Judaism Course
Introduction to Judaism
2009 - 2010 Course Schedule
offered jointly by
the Chicago Association of Reform Rabbis &
the Union for Reform Judaism
Introduction to Judaism is a 17-week course covering topics about living Jewishly, including:
Practice & Observance
Creating a Jewish Home
Synagogue & Prayer
Shabbat
Holidays & Festivals
Beliefs
Life Cycle Observances
History
Basic Hebrew
Choosing Judaism
Fall 2009-2010*
Congregation Etz Chaim, 1710 S Highland Ave., Lombard IL
Sundays, October 4, 2009 – February 21, 2010 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Instructors: Rabbi Andrea Cosnowsky & Rabbi Marc Belgrad
Temple Chai, 1670 Checker Road, Long Grove IL
Mondays, October 12, 2009 – February 15, 2010 7:00 -900 p.m.
Instructors: Rabbi Alison Abrams & Rabbi Richard Prass
*additional fall classes are offered independently in the City; contact Julie (below) for more information
Winter 2010
Emanuel Congregation 5959 N Sheridan Rd. Chicago, IL
Tuesdays, February 2 – September 8, 2010 7:00 -900 p.m.
Instructors: Rabbi Larry Edwards & Rabbi Michael Zedek
Summer 2010
Congregation Solel, 1301 Clavey Road Highland Park, IL
Tuesdays, May 4 – August 31, 2010 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Instructors: Rabbi Evan Moffic & to be determined
Temple Sholom of Chicago, 3480 North Lake Shore Drive
Mondays, May 3 – August 30 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Instructors: To be determined
Course Fee: $275 (for a single student or a couple)
For more information or to obtain a registration form, contact:
Julie Webb, Introduction to Judaism Coordinator
Union for Reform Judaism
555 Skokie Blvd., Suite 333
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 239-6976
15
Sisterhood Meeting-Sunday, October 25th
Our next meeting will in the multipurpose room at Etz Chaim and will begin promptly at 10:00 AM. Grab a
nosh at tumlar and come downstairs to sit back, relax, enjoy good conversation and learn a thing or two
about tea. We have invited Sarine Crotteau, from SereneTeaz to give us a presentation on tea. Sarine and
her husband, Robert, started their business 4 years ago and currently have stores in Wheaton and
Elmhurst. Sarine has a vast knowledge of loose teas and will discuss the health benefits of tea and how to
brew tea properly. We will have time to sample some teas and will have a question and answer period as
well. She will also have some teas available for purchase. What are the differences among the teas? What
makes white tea different from green, oolong, black and red tea? Come to the meeting and find out! After
her presentation we will then have a short business meeting.
Sisterhood Meeting and Dinner- Thursday, October 29th
You are invited to join Sisterhood for an evening of fun, food, and friendship! On Thursday Oct. 29th, at 7
PM, we will be meeting for dinner at Uncle Julio's Hacienda for some delicious Mexican food. The
restaurant is located in Fountain Square, on the North side of Butterfield Rd, East of Yorktown Mall. You
can visit their website at www.unclejulios.com for more information. The restaurant phone number is
(630) 705-9260. Please RSVP to Amy Sterling as she will be finalizing the reservations. All Sisterhood
members and anyone thinking about joining the Sisterhood are welcome to attend. Hope to see you there!
Seniors Meeting- October 27, 2009
The next meeting of the Etz Chaim Seniors will be at the synagogue on
Tuesday October 27, 2009
12:00 PM
Note: The meeting will take place at noon for a lox and bagel lunch, with the program starting at 12:30 PM.
The speakers will be Mary Hason and Susan Brodie from the Etz Chaim Social Action Committee.
They will discuss the concept of community-based organizing and how we might be able to organize to
make our community stronger. It is the purpose of this meeting to find out your concerns and to hear what
issues are important to you during a Listening Session so that the Committee might better organize plans
for action. This will be one of seven Listening Sessions conducted during the month of October at Etz
Chaim.
If you plan to attend please call or email Charles Luner or the office at 630-627-3912.
Winter Wear Drive
It's starting to get colder and your kids are growing bigger! It's about that time to see if
your child has outgrown last year's winter gear. If so, hold onto them because the 10th
grade would appreciate your donations! We'd like all of your gently used (and clean)
coats, hats, gloves/mittens, snow pants, boots, etc. We'll be donating them to needy
children in Aurora. Bring your items to the temple front lobby, and place them in the
marked box, starting mid-October. We'll continue the drive through mid-November.
16
Sisterhood Hanukkah Gift Bazaar- Sunday, November 8th
The Sisterhood of Congregation Etz Chaim is currently taking applications for its annual Hanukkah Gift
Bazaar. The bazaar will be held on Sunday, November 8th 2009 from 9:00 AM to
1:00 PM, in the Stoller-Soreff Social Hall. Etz Chaim members may participate at no
charge, and non members will require a table fee of $25. If you or anyone you know is
interested please call or email Jennie Bermudez.
School & Youth Activities
Message from Our Educator
This has been a crazy beginning of the school year. We had one Sunday and then because of
the holidays, we were off for two. Now we are officially in full swing. We now have no more
breaks until Thanksgiving.
This coming Friday night we will celebrate Simchat Torah and the kindergarten children as well
as new children in grades one and two will be consecrated. The children will come to the bima
as a group and will receive their little Torahs as they sing the “Little Torah” song, as well as
recite the Shema. This little Torah signifies the beginning of their formal Jewish education. Hopefully all
these children will be standing on the same bima five, six or seven years from now as they become a bar
or bat mitzvah.
In the winter each year we do a family program for our sixth graders and their parents. We ask the students
to recall their consecration service and most remember it with fond memories of hugging their little Torah
and singing with Mrs. Simsohn and Mrs. Push. Most of them still know where their little Torah is. I still have
my little Torah that I received over 60 years ago. Mine has a silk cover and wooden etz chaim (Torah
rollers). Today they are all plastic but still have the same meaning. We want the children to know that this is
something special. It is explained to them that at their bar/bat mitzvah service they will have the opportunity
to hug the real Torah in the same manner that they hug their little Torah.
This past Shabbat Daniel Margulis became a bar mitzvah. The picture on the cover of his program showed
him holding his little Torah at consecration. What a wonderful way to remember the last life cycle for him. If
you have a child who will be consecrated this year, perhaps you should bring your camera and take a
picture of him or her holding the little Torah so you can pull it out to show people on the occasion of his/her
bar/bat mitzvah when he will read from the real Torah. I am always one for creating meaningful Jewish
memories and this is a great way to start!
Enroll Your Child in SKIP Now
The SEND-A-KID-TO-ISRAEL PARTNERSHIP (SKIP) program is a special savings plan that helps
Chicago-area youngsters visit Israel as an integral part of their Jewish education. Young people who
participate in the program for the full seven years (grades 3 through 9) will have approximately $2,000,
including interest, saved to help meet the cost of an Israel Experience program. SKIP funds can be used
after sophomore year through FIVE YEARS AFTER GRADUATION FROM HIGH SCHOOL (through age
26 for those who were high school graduates as of July 2003). Furthermore, SKIP contributions, plus
interest, are FULLY RE FUNDABLE at any time should the youngster not participate in an Israel
Experience program.
17
SKIP GOAL– an Israel Experience program as part of each child’s Jewish education. SKIP funds can be
used for your family’s choice of a wide variety of approved high school or college Israel Experience
programs.
SKIP PARTNERS- your family, your congregation, and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
each contribute to the SKIP savings plan.
SKIP ENROLLMENT- enroll in public or day school grades 3-6 and continue to make contributions through
9th grade.
SKIP FACTS- 4,200 participants are currently enrolled in SKIP through more than 51 participating
congregations and 1,625 teens and young adults have used their SKIP funds to help them participate in an
Israel Experience program.
SKIP INFORMATION– For more information on the SKIP program or enrollment in SKIP, contact Rachel
Wood at the congregation office at (630) 627-3912 or SKIP Headquarters at (312) 444-2895.
JYG Meeting- Sunday, October 18th
JYG is meeting at 12:00 PM on October 18th in the social hall for pizza lunch. We will then be driving to the
CROP walk in Lombard and participate in the 5K walk.
ShabbaTot- Saturday, October 31st at OSRUI
Join us for Shabbat activities, music and fun, all geared to your little ones ... along with some surprises,
too!! ShabbaTot will be led by Peter & Ellen Allard, award winning performers and educators specializing in
music for young children.
Congregational Life
High Holiday Ushering
Thank you to Ron Weininger for organizing all of the ushers for the High Holidays this year. Thank you's
also go to Bruce Beiersdorf, Joel Bernstein, Loran Eatman, Paul Farber, Al Feinstein, Al Herbach, Rich
Heisler, Phil Hurwitz, Bill Lavine, Mike Marion, Bruce Miller, Don Roubitchek, Ted Rudman, Mike Samuels,
Ed Silverstein, Norm Silverstein, Joel Spenadel, Harvey Stein, Howard Stoller, Jerry Wolin, David Wood,
Howard Bender, Ron Hason, Harland London and Roy Armin.
18
ShabbaTot!!
A special program for parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles
and the tots they love age 2-6
featuring
Peter & Ellen Allard
♫
October 30-31, 2009
URJ Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Join us for Shabbat activities, music and fun, all geared to your little ones
… along with some surprises, too!! ShabbaTot will be led by Peter & Ellen
Allard, award winning performers and educators specializing in music for
young children.
Tuition includes lodging for one night, meals (Shabbat
dinner through Saturday lunch) and all programming.
The cost is $175 for a family of three, and $50 for
each additional family member. Accommodations will be
provided in the Schaalman Lodge and the Daniel M. Soref Education and
Alumni Center, which feature double rooms with private baths. Children
will stay in rooms with parents; families bringing more than two children
will have adjoining rooms. Check-in will begin at 5 pm Friday, Oct. 30,
and the weekend will end about 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.
For more information please contact Barbara Gordon: 847-239-6984
bgordon@urj.org
www.osrui.org
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ShabbaTot!
Parent 1 _____________________________________________Parent 2 ________________________________________________
Grandparent/Aunt/Uncle ________________________________________________________________________________________
Child __________________________________ Age __________ Child __________________________________ Age __________
Child __________________________________ Age __________
# of Vegetarians __
Address ______________________________________________City/State/ZIP ____________________________________________
Phone (day) ____________________________
Email ______________________________________________________________
Congregation/City/State ________________________________________________________________________________________
Where did you hear about this program? _____________________________________
Tuition is $175 per family for up to three people, and $50 for each additional person. This includes lodging and all meals, Shabbat dinner
through Saturday lunch, as well as all programming.
Enclosed is my check for $ _____
Please mail this form and your check made out to OSRUI to: ShabbaTot, OSRUI, 555 Skokie Blvd., Suite 333, Northbrook, IL 60062
There is a $50 cancellation fee.
Jewish Employment Network (JEN) Program- 7:00 PM at Etz Chaim
“The Gray Hair Laws of Networking”
featuring
Scott Kane
Founder, Gray Hair Management
Scott Kane is founder and partner of Gray Hair Management, a career coaching and networking company
helping professionals, executives, managers and others in the workforce learn how to get jobs with the
Gray Hair Management process. He has held senior executive positions in the tele-production industry for
over 25 years and is an experienced leader, innovator, negotiator, marketer and manager. Some of his
projects as a Producer-Director, were Big 10 Basketball for NBC, NCAA Basketball for HBO and Live Aid.
Later in his career, Scott was President of Optimus, a wholly owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch and a
nationally recognized commercial film and video post-production facility located in Chicago. Scott has coauthored the book, “Winning the Job Race: Pathways Through Transition.”
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Congregation Etz Chaim
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
For information or to RSVP call (630) 889-0548 or e-mail Joyce Bogolub
Free Admission • Networking • Refreshments
JVS Chicago is now on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Join Us!
CROP Walk- October 18, 2009
October 18th is the CROP Walk and JYG is walking this year!!
We are challenging our walkers to see if we can raise more money for the CROP walk than we did last
year ($1073)! Hopefully it will be a lovely day and we can enjoy a fun walk with our friends.
More details to follow for the pick-up location after the walk but let’s try and see if we can raise at least
$1000 in the next three weeks for the homeless here in Dupage County. Even if you are not going on the
walk ~ please try and raise some monies.
SUGGESTIONS FOR RAISING MONEY:
1. Doing extra chores around the house
2. Sending the letter to family and friends and have them make donations on line, sample letter
3. Bring silver change – we raised hundred of dollars this way last year!
4. Asking your public school teachers
We will have an envelope to collect donations the day of the crop walk, but hopefully most donations will be
made on line.
go to CROP Walk
click on the box that says “sign up” with the CROP stop sign
click on Illinois
Scroll down to the Great Prairie Trail CROP Hunger Walk from the list of walks and click on it
Click on “Donate”
Click on “Search for a Team” and then type in “Etz Chaim JYG”
Click “Search,” then the team name, and make a “Gift.
19
One convenient way to get the word out and to collect donations is to send an e-mail to friends and family
members and have them donate on-line. To do this, please copy the message below, paste it into a new email, personalize the e-mail with your name, and send! It's that easy! We hope to make this year's CROP
Walk a great success, and we thank you for your help!
You can pick up a walker envelope at the office or contact Paul Heinz.
Thanks and we will send out another email a week or so before the CROP walk.
Blood Drive and Bone Marrow Registry- Sunday, November 2nd
Give the gift of life during the fall blood drive on Sunday, November 2nd, 8 AM to 1:00 PM, sponsored by
the Social Action Committee. You can also sign up for the bone marrow registry and learn about cord blood
donations as well.
3 WAYS YOU CAN HELP:
1. MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO DONATE BLOOD SUNDAY NOVEMBER 2nd
Contact Kathy Shapiro by phone or send her an email to register.
If you have a LifeSource Donor ID number and password, please register online.
Go to Life Source
In Locate A Blood Drive box, type 510, and press Enter, to get to Etz Chaim’s page.
Click on the Blood Drive Name or Date. This opens a Donate Times page.
Click on the time you wish to donate.
Click OK in the message box, to go to the login page.
If you have a Donor ID number and password, enter it now. If you do not remember it, find it by
entering your name, birth date, phone and ZIP.
OR
If you do not have a Donor ID, scroll down to Make an appointment now at the bottom of the login
page. Enter your first and last names, date of birth, ZIP, Email address and home phone. After this,
you are brought back to the Donate Times page to verify that they have scheduled a time.
2. REGISTER TO BE A BONE MARROW DONOR SUNDAY NOVEMBER 2nd; NO APPOINTMENT
NEEDED
Every day thousands of patients who need a life-saving bone marrow transplant search for a donor. Only
30% find a suitable donor within their family. The remaining 70% find an unrelated donor. When you
become a member of the Registry, you join the global movement of more than 10 million donors who stand
ready to give someone a future. Even with a Registry of millions, there are many patients waiting and
hoping, unable to find a match. You could be the one a patient needs.
Volunteers must be between the ages of 18-60 and meet the health guidelines. To join, you’ll
complete a short health questionnaire and sign a form stating that you understand what it means to be
listed on the Registry. Then a swab of your cheek cells is taken to find the tissue type. This information is
added to the Registry. Learn more at National Marrow Donor Program.
3. DONATE CORD BLOOD AND HELP SAVE A LIFE
Your baby’s left over umbilical cord blood/placental blood could be used to help someone. Cord blood is full
of blood stem cells; it can be collected, frozen and stored at a cord blood donor bank. It is then available to
help save those suffering from leukemia and other life-threatening illnesses. It may help treat children with
inherited diseases. Unless it is donated or stored, the cord blood is thrown away. Donating is painless, free
and easy. In order to donate, you must make arrangements in advance of your due date. Contact Cord
Blood Services, or call 1-877-GIV-CORD with questions or to make arrangements.
20
Make A Difference DaySaturday, November 14th, 4:00 PM -7:00 PM
Help people in need by making items to brighten their day on Saturday, November 14th hosted by the
Social Action Committee. All ages welcome,families, singles, empty-nesters and seniors. Watch for more
details in upcoming E-Bulletins. Contact Susan Brodie to get involved.
Health Care Seminar Recap
On September 17th, more than 25 congregants attended a Health Care Reform informational seminar at
Etz Chaim organized and hosted by the Social Action Committee.
The panelists, who represented a broad spectrum of interests, were:
Robyn Gabel: Chair of the Illinois Maternal and Family Health Coalition
Dan Krauss - Cardiologist
Cheryl Brewster - Former hospital administration executive
Anne Scheetz - Geriatrician
Ashley Rose - Social Security disability attorney
Karen Butterfield - State Farm insurance agent
A wide variety of views were presented by the panelists, ranging from support for a single payer system to
a system that worked more like an auto insurance policy, covering only catastrophic events while urging
consumers to take more responsibility for health care costs for routine issues. Numerous issues were
raised including a holistic approach to health care reform which could include public education about
common health issues like obesity and accidents, and the incredible complexity of the current system and
the added costs it brings.
The panel illustrated the wide diversity of views reflected in the nation today and hit on most of the major
concerns, including pre-existing conditions, non-portability of employer based health insurance, potential
interference by both private insurance companies and the government in the doctor/patient relationship,
malpractice costs, the issue of tort reform, moral issues surrounding for profit health care, mental health
care parity, and of course, how any reform should be funded.
It was a lively evening with questions aplenty from the attendees and an event that sought to "generate
light and not heat."
Did You Know
OSRUI
OSRUI is gearing up for Summer of 2010!! Our Prospective Camper Visiting Day is scheduled for Sunday,
October 25th, 12:30 PM - 4:00 PM at OSRUI.
All of our 2010 information is on our website and registration opened October 1st. Recruitment materials
and brochures will be mailed to you early in October.
21
Tablecloths Now Available for Use
Thanks to the generosity of the Sisterhood, the temple was able to purchase a dozen round and a dozen
rectangular tablecloths for committees or groups to use for their programs or event. These tablecloths are
forest green in color and will be stored in the kitchen pantry.
In order to use them you must adhere to the following guidelines:
You have to call the office to reserve using them. You or your committee will be responsible for taking them
home and washing them. They must be returned to the temple two days later, unless there is a reservation
for their use before then.
For further information, call the temple office.
Wanted: College Student Addresses
Each year, the Youth Committee collects college student snail mail addresses and email addresses. Why?
Because we want to keep our college students connected to the Etz Chaim community. How? We send
them the E-Bulletin, "goodie" boxes at festive times of the year, and list them in the Kesher (URJ) directory
of Jewish college students.
We need both regular mailing addresses and email addresses of freshmen as well as returning college
students. Addresses are not saved from school year to school year, so we need addresses even if you sent
them in past years. Please send address information to the synagogue office ASAP by email or contact
Susan Hurwitz or Mike Marion in the office at (630) 627-3912.
Birthright Israel Program
Taglit-Birthright Israel provides the gift of first time, peer group, educational trips to Israel for Jewish young
adults ages 18 to 26 in order to strengthen participants' personal Jewish identity and connection to the
Jewish people.
22
Sunday, October 25, 2009
12:30 – 4:00 p.m.
URJ Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
If your child wants to join us next summer for the first time, spend
the day at camp and get a taste of all that OSRUI has to offer.
♦Sports ♦Games ♦Lunch
♦Singing ♦Tours of Camp
and lots more!!
Our staff will be on hand to answer all your questions.
There is no charge for this program, but you must make advance reservations.
Call 847-239-6989 or email dheimlich@urj.org. Be sure to tell us:
♦Your name, address, & phone number
♦Your prospective camper’s name, age, & grade
♦The names & ages of any siblings you are bringing
♦The total number in your party
Shalom,
Registration for the Chicago Community TaglitBirthright Israel: Chicago Community program
opens on September 9. Eligible applicants can
now sign up for information on our website at
www.israelwithisraelis.com. Trip dates are
available during December and January.
This program is unique in that:
•
•
it is the only Taglit-Birthright Israel trip
on which participants travel for 10-days
with Israeli peers.
We set aside spaces for the young adults
of our community. It is our goal to make
sure that every Jewish 18-26 year old,
who has not been to Israel on a peer
program, is able to do so.
These community trips are in cooperation with
JUF of Metropolitan Chicago and are operated by
Shorashim.
As you speak with your congregants, make
notes in your newsletters and bulletins, and
teach in your classrooms, we hope that you will
pass along this unique opportunity. Please
contact us if we can assist you in any way.
Shabbat Shalom,
Adam Stewart
Shorashim
Shorashim
1440 N. Dayton #301
Chicago, Illinois 60642
312-267-0677
birthrightisrael@shorashim.org
www.israelwithisraelis.com
Announcements
November Events at Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies
Spertus is offering various programs, exhibitions and classes during the month of October. In order to view these
events, go to the Spertus Website at www.spertus.edu
October Events at Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies
Spertus is offering various programs, exhibitions and classes during the month of October. In order to view
these events, go to the Spertus Website at www.spertus.edu
Indiana University Scholarships for Incoming Freshman
The Robert A. and Sandra S. Borns Jewish Studies Program at Indiana University announces
scholarships of up to $40,000 ($10,000/year for four years for incoming freshman 2010-2011
Four 4-year scholarships for incoming freshman beginning Fall 2010:
The Irving Glazer Scholarship (up to $10,000 per year)
The Leonard M. and Ruth Goldstein Scholarship ($5,000 per year)
The Isadore Mervis Scholarship ($5,000 per year)
The Selma Lee Mervis Young Scholarship ($5,000 a year for Jewish Sacred Music Students) and
Three 1-year scholarships for incoming freshman for 2010-2011:
Robert A. and Sandra S. Borns Scholarship ($5,000)
Two Irving M. Glazer Student Scholarships ($4,000 each)
These scholarships will be awarded to outstanding incoming freshman committed to pursuing a major or an
area certificate in Jewish Studies at Indiana University, Bloomington. Candidates will be considered on the
basis of outstanding academic and personal achievement. Students should have a GPA of 3.4 or above
and have a record of academic and extracurricular accomplishment. Applications must be received on
or before Monday, January 25, 2010. Winners will be announced in May of 2010.
Email or mail applications to Jewish Studies Freshman Scholarship Competition, Robert A. and Sandra S.
Borns Jewish Studies Program, Indiana University, Goodbody Hall 326, 1011 E. Third Street, Bloomingotn,
Indiana 47404-7005. For more information about the Jewish Studies Program click here and click on
“student funding” in the left-hand column for more information about the scholarships.
Generation to Generation: Friendly Visitors to the Elderly Training
Enrich your practical skills and Jewish knowledge and make a difference in someone's life by visiting,
leading a group or leading services at a local nursing home. Prepare by attending this five-week training
class led by Carol Berry and Rabbi Joe Ozarowski with guest speakers including Audrey Cantor and
Tracey Lipsig Kite.
Wednesday evenings, 10/14/09-11/11/09
Contact Carol Berry at 847-568-5208
Location Jewish Child & Family Services, 5150 Golf Road, Skokie
23
JUF Book Buddies
Be a part of this Joyfully Jewish program for young families. Once a month we will be reading stories about
the Jewish holidays, singing songs, and creating art projects. Bring your friends, and meet new ones, too!
Who: Families with children ages 0-5
Where:Barnes & Noble Bookstore
47 East Chicago Avenue Naperville
Dates:
Sunday, October 18
Sunday, November 15
Sunday, December 13
Sunday, January 17
Sunday, February 21
Sunday, March 21
Sunday, April 18
Times:
10:30 AM-11:30 AM
Register online at http://www.juf.org/book_buddies/default.aspx
American Cancer Society, Chicago Marathon
Dear Family and Friends,
I am going to run in the Chicago Marathon in October. I have registered as a charity runner. I am trying to
raise money for the American Cancer Society in memory of my mother, Margret, who died at the age of 54,
the same age I am now. I would greatly appreciate a donation for this cause. If you will be able to help, the
following link
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/DetermiNation/CRFY09Illinois?px=11099930&pg=personal&fr_id=19126
will take you to my web page. Once you are there you can click the blue “donate” button.
Thank you- Bruce Beiersdorf
Fall Programs at OSRUI
October 16-19, 2009 Chagigat Hilulim II
Chagigah - the world renowned Midwest Israeli folk dance weekend, and Hilulim - one of the best Israeli
folk dance camps on the East Coast, are joining forces this year to recreate that incredible experience from
2004. Celebrate Chagigah’s Chai (18th) Year with our outstanding faculty: Ofer Alfasi, Gadi Bitton, Yaron
Carmel, Shmulik Gov-Ari and special guest Victor Gabbay!!
October 23-25, 2009 Mother & Daughter Kallah
This immensely popular program is for mothers, grandmothers, and aunts and the girls they love age 5-12.
Sample all that the camp has to offer ... hiking, hayrides, campfires, our challenging low ropes course, and
a chance to explore your artistic side. Register soon – this program fills quickly!
October 25, 2009 Prospective Camper Visiting Day
If your child wants to join us next summer for the first time, spend the day at camp and get a taste of all that
OSRUI has to offer! For additional information, email OSRUI
24
New!! October 30-31, 2009 ShabbaTot!!
A special program for parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles and the tots they love age 2-6 with Ellen
and Peter Allard, award-winning performers and educators specializing in music for young children. Join us
for Shabbat activities, music, and fun, all geared to your little ones. The program begins with Friday night
dinner and ends late Shabbat afternoon.
For more information or to register: 847-239-6984
Registration for Summer 2010 Begins October 1st! URJ OSRUI Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
DuPage PADS Is Going Green to Raise Green
DuPage PADS is partnering with Fundraise & Recycle Clothes Now!. An unusual combined effort to assist
men, women and children who are homeless is an opportunity to recycle clothing and shoes as well.
People can drop off donations of gently used clothing, shoes bedding, jewelry, kitchenware, toys, books
and so on at our green Donation Bin located at 703 West Liberty, or one of the other seven locations
throughout DuPage County. DuPage PADS receives payment based on the volume of all donations
collected, which helps raise funds for programs that assist men, women and children who are homeless in
our communities.
Not only will you help raise funds to strengthen programs that assist people who are in crisis, but you will
be keeping our community green facilitating the re-use and recycling of donated items.
Check our website for new donation bin locations. For more information, please call DuPage PADS at 630682-3846 X 222.
Grandparents for Social Action New Orleans Trip
Be part of a social action experience that is educational, spiritual and fun. Volunteer Expeditions has joined
with Grandparents For Social Action to organize a mission trip to New Orleans for grandparents (and
grandchildren 12+ if you'd like...) featuring well-known Jewish Educator Sharon Morton.
Do some good while having fun! Enjoy the culture of New Orleans while engaging in mitzvah projects that
will benefit those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Enjoy the community of other like-minded, young, and
lively empty-nesters who want to help to repair the world.
Included are all land arrangements:
Private transportation, Trip host, Accommodations, Tours of Jewish New Orleans, Volunteer
experiences, Outstanding speakers who explain the city culture and challenges, Breakfast and
lunch and dinner each day (one dinner on your own), Mitzvah projects, New Orleans Trip Info
Thursday, November 19 - Sunday, November 22, 2009
New Orleans, Louisiana
$665/person*
*based on double occupancy. Special pricing is available for families of 4 or more.
25
Jewish Employment Network
Job Seekers experience many hopes and challenges in the job market. If you have recently been
downsized or are thinking of changing careers, the Jewish Employment Network offers numerous options
to assist you with your career goals: career counseling, job search strategies, networking opportunities,
and access to monthly round tables and support groups. For more information go to www.jvschicago.org or
call Joyce Bogolub, JVS Career Counselor, at 630-889-0548.
A note from the Library Committee: Where to donate books
Etz Chaim is fortunate to have a vibrant and vital library. Thanks to the efforts of a dedicated corps of
volunteers and the generous contributions of the congregation to the Robert Glass Memorial Library Fund,
the library collection grows and is kept up-to-date.
If you have books that you no longer wish to keep as part of your library, please consider donating them to
your public library or to SCARCE - School and Community Assistance for Recycling & Composting
Education (www.bookrescue.org), located at 799 Roosevelt Rd., Bldg. 2, Suite 108, Glen Ellyn.
Please do not bring books to the Etz Chaim library unless previous arrangements with the library chair
have been made. Thank you.
NFTY - EIE
Spend a semester
at the NFTY-EIE
High School in
Israel and take
your own!
Why just look at pictures in your history textbook?
Earn High School Credit.
Apply for the Spring or the Fall semester.
Live in the picturesque Judean Hills on Kibbutz Tzuba.
Discover your Jewish past as you live the Jewish present
Learn to converse in modern Hebrew.
Climb Masada, swim in the Dead Sea, hike from Sea to Sea, explore and camp out in the Negev.
Travel to Poland for a week to continue your study of Modern Jewish History.
Make new NFTY friends and build a strong Reform Community.
For more information please contact
Stacy Chassen
Director of Admissions (212) 650-4073
Social Action News
Bring your cell phones to the donation box in the lobby for the benefit of Family Shelter Services. This effort
has raised hundreds of dollars for this worthy cause already. Thank you all.
26
Roy & Glenda Armin
on the birth of their granddaughter,
Brianna Faith Auerbach.
Howard & Carol Meyer
on the birth of their granddaughter,
Julie Reese Radman.
Marilyn Streit
on her engagement to,
Marv Wigder.
Michelle Barrett and her family
on the death of her father,
Jerry Grossman.
Sherri Kayser and her family
on the death of her brother-in-law,
Jon Kane.
Ellie Lapidus and her family
on the death of her uncle,
Boris H. Frumpkin.
27
Kaddish October 9 - 10
10/4 Sonia Karon
10/4 Watson Morris
10/4 Eugene Swetin
10/5 Mary Farkas
10/5 Leon Prinz
10/5 David Sack
10/6 Belle Antman
10/6 Gertrude Burstein
10/6 Juliette Hortick
10/6 Jacob Rovell
10/7 Jane Block
10/8 Hyman Friedman
10/8 Samuel Safer
10/9 Ernest Aron
10/9 Alice Dern
10/9 Pinchas Winograd
10/10 Isadore Goldberg
10/10 Alex Sterling
10/11 Sidney Schwartz
10/11 H. Robert Siegel
10/13 Morris Grubstein
10/13 Lillian Kramer
10/13 Lesser Levin
10/13 Lena Palais
10/13 John Segal
10/15 Bernard Berman
10/15 Francine Dulewski
10/15 Marvin Foler
10/15 Jeannette Gordon
10/15 Kenneth Messina
10/16 Doree Schwartz
10/16 Morris Stein
10/17 Ruven Feist
10/17 Joselyn Knitter
10/17 Julian Perlstein
10/17 Hugh Scott
10/18 Bernice Gintzler
10/18 Stanley Holzman
10/18 Judy Maroney
10/19 Irene Lewis
10/19 Anna Steinman
10/19 Milton Stoll
10/20 Miriam BenDavid
10/20 Geri Steinberg
10/21 Dolly Blacher
10/21 Connie Farber
10/22 Donna Silver
10/23 Elizabeth Bonk
10/23 Seymour Holzman
10/24 Ethel Gottlober
10/24 Paul Jaffe
10/24 Anna Lucks
10/25 Ethel Siegel
10/26 Dorothy Ardell
10/26 Dorothy Hunter
10/26 Norton Rosenbaum
10/26 Sam Turner
10/28 John Gubbay
10/28 Joyce Gubbay
10/28 Rose Marie Reuben
10/28 Mary Jo Szarzynski
10/29 Ruth Hawthorne
10/30 Sidney Feiss
10/30 Gerald Martin
10/30 Max Porton
10/31 Bernard Ginsberg
10/31 Tybe Mash
10/31 Israel Nadler
28
Sponsor Spotlight
Your ad could be here!
Please call the office for more info.
Business Sponsors
A Balloon Creation
Celebrating your daughter or son's Mitzvah?
We can help decorate for any theme.
We also can create one-of-a-kind candle-lighting pieces.
Call to schedule an appointment to discuss how to make your Mitzvah the talk-of-the-town!
2274 Cornell Ave
Montgomery, IL 60538
Phone - 630-892-4053
www.aballooncreation.com
29
Wes Agresta Photography
PROVIDING THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF
PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES,
PROFESSIONALISM AND CREATIVITY.
WES AGRESTA PHOTOGRAPHY
http://web.me.com/wesagresta/wesagresta/Welcome.html
Please contact me for pricing and availability (815) 254-5120
wesagrestaphotography@comcast.net
"Making life's most precious moments last a lifetime..."
21 years serving Chicago suburbs
30
Paper Affair
Paper Affair – Fine Stationery & Gifts
Invitations and Announcements
Baby showers, birth announcements, bar/bat mitzvahs,
weddings, birthdays and other life celebrations.
Celebrate life . . . exemplify style.
The Shops on Butterfield at Yorktown Center
Less than 1 mile from CEC!
630.627.2222
www.paperaffair.polkadotpinwheel.com
31
The newest Bar/Bat Mitzvah location
in the Western Suburbs!
•
•
•
•
Weddings
Bar/Bat Mitzvahs
Social Events
Banquet Facilities for 10 to 200
1250 Roosevelt Road, Glen Ellyn, IL
60137
www.CrownePlaza.com/chiglenellyn
Contact: Kyra at
ddowdy@cpglenellyn.com
Phone: 630-629-6000 Ask for Sales
ReMax Realtor
www.jillrudman.com
jillrudman@comcast.net
32
The Ink Well
A Complete Print Service
Family Owned and Operated
Visit us for all your printing & copying needs
Wedding Invitations | Business Cards | Stationery Letterhead | Envelopes | Flyers Programs | Menus
School Programs | Church Bulletins | Newsletters | Booklets
Let us make your work easier!
Call today for a quote - 630.268.0050
Color Copies - Black & White Copies
Full Service Print Shop - Bindery & Faxing Services
Monday - Friday 9 am - 5 pm
119 E Roosevelt Rd. | Lombard, IL | 60146
Ph: 630.268.0050 | Fax: 630.268.0170
Email : inkwell1@flash.net
Schmaltz & Co.
We're the only classic Jewish delicatessen west of Chicago. Visit us
for overstuffed sandwiches, fresh baked bagels, honest-to-goodness
homemade soups, meats by the pound, fabulous desserts and traditional
Jewish foods. We cater, too!
Located in Naperville (NE corner of Ogden and Naper)
(630) 245-7595
www.schmaltzdeli.com
33
Congregation ETZ Chaim
Sun
27
9 Tishri
Mon
28
10 Tishri
Tue
29
11 Tishri
Wed
30
12 Tishri
NO Religious School
10:00 AM Yom Kippur
Hebrew School
9:00 AM Brotherhood to put up
Sukkah
1:15 PM Yom Kippur Children's
Service
7:00 PM 50th Anniversary
Committee Meeting
5:00 PM NO PADS
2:15 PM Discussion Group
7:00 PM AA Meeting
8:15 PM Erev Yom Kippur ~ Kol
Nidre
3:30 PM Yom Kippur Afternoon
Service
4
5
16 Tishri
17 Tishri
6
18 Tishri
7:30 PM Social Action Committee
Meeting
Religious School
3rd - 7th Grade Open House
7
19 Tishri
Hebrew School
Thu
October 1
Fri
2
14 Tishri
Sat
3
15 Tishri
7:00 PM Erev Sukkot Service 7:00 9:00 AM Torah Study
PM
8
20 Tishri
7:00 PM Membership committee
9
21 Tishri
7:00 PM Erev Simchat Torah
Service 7:00 PM
7:00 PM AA Meeting
10
22 Tishri
9:00 AM Torah Study
10:30 AM NO Morning Service
11:30 AM Jr. Choir
12:30 PM Introduction to Judaism
Class
5:00 PM PADS
11
23 Tishri
Primary Grade Open House
12
24 Tishri
6:30 PM Office & Communications
Committee
13
25 Tishri
7:00 PM Core Team Meeting for
Listening Sessions
Religious School
7:00 PM Adult Choir
9:00 AM Brotherhood take down
Sukkah
9:30 AM Tumlar Today ~ Lox,
Bagels, and Schmoozing
14
26 Tishri
Hebrew School
7:00 PM 50th Anniversary
Subcommittee Mtg. ~
Commemorative Book
7:30 PM Executive Committee
Meeting
7:00 PM AA Meeting
7:30 PM School Committee
Meeting
7:00 PM PADS Church Coordinator
Meeting
10:30 AM Social Action Listening
Sessions
15
27 Tishri
16
28 Tishri
17
29 Tishri
7:00 PM Jewish Employment
Network (JEN) Program - "The
Gray Hair Laws of Networking"
6:30 PM Tot Shabbat
9:00 AM Torah Study
8:15 PM Shabbat Evening
Services
22
23
24
7:30 PM Listening Sessions
12:00 PM Youth Committee Meeting
Class
5:00 PM PADS
18
30 Tishri
Religious School
19
1 Heshvan
7:30 PM Library Committee
Manna Order Deadline
20
2 Heshvan
21
3 Heshvan
7:00 PM Adult Choir
Pick-up Manna Orders Today
7:30 PM Board Meeting
Hebrew School
4 Heshvan
7:30 PM Ritual & Religious
Committee Meeting
5 Heshvan
6 Heshvan
50th Anniversary Blessing ~ Laurie 9:00 AM Torah Study
& Jerry Jaffe
50th Anniversary Bllessing for
Laurie & Jerry Jaffe
7:00 PM AA Meeting
8:15 PM Social Action Shabbat
Services
9:30 AM Brotherhood Meeting 9:30
AM
11:30 AM Jr. Choir
12:00 PM JYG Meeting and CROP
Walk
Class
1:00 PM CROP Walk at 1:00PM
5:00 PM PADS
25
7 Heshvan
Religious School
26
8 Heshvan
11:30 AM Editor of the Jerusalem
Post to Speak at Elmhurst Colllege
27
9 Heshvan
12:00 PM Seniors Meeting 12:00
PM
First Grade Family Program
10:00 AM Sisterhood Meeting 10:00
AM
11:30 AM Jr. Choir
Class
5:00 PM PADS
28
10 Heshvan
Hebrew School
29
11 Heshvan
30
12 Heshvan
Baby Naming ~ Addison Jade
Gaither
7:00 PM AA Meeting
6:30 PM Facilities Committee
Meeting
6:30 PM Adult Education
Committee Meeting
31
13 Heshvan
9:00 AM Torah Study
7:30 PM Family Shabbat Services

Fax: 630.627.9123 | cec.info@congetzchaim.org October 7, 2009

Transcription

Similar documents

Foundation Brochure - Congregation Etz Chaim Foundation

Announcements - Western Marble Arch Synagogue

May 2011 - Temple Sinai

July 2010 - Sukkat Shalom Edinburgh

Summer Highlights - Temple Beth Rishon

view our May 2014 Newsletter

File - Kahal Joseph Congregation

Shabbat Shalom-Parshat Vayigash What`s Nu? Around Town:

January 2016 - Congregation Beth Mordecai

SHABBAT KEDOSHIM Please refrain from all