INSIDE THIS ISSUE President’s Message .................................. 2 Cantor’s Notes.......................................... 3 Adult Learning & Programming .............................................. 4 Keruv ........................................................... 5 Library.......................................................... 6 Calendar ...................................................... 7 Sisterhood............................................. 8-10 Men’s Club .......................................... 11-12 Anniversaries/Birthdays ......................... 13 Milestones ................................................. 14 Donations ........................................... 15-19 Yahrzeits ............................................. 20-21 Advertisements ................................. 22-23 Candlelighting and Services .................. 24
Rabbi ................................................... Aaron Melman Cantor .................................................. Steven Stoehr Assistant Rabbi ..................................... Ari Averbach Executive Director ............................ Michael Garlin Director of Jewish Life & Learning ................................................. Leann Blue Director of Education ......................... David Barany Ritual Director .................................... Naomi Weiss Director of Youth Activities................ Matt Rissien Controller ......................................... Susan Karlinsky President .......................................... Larry Grossman Sisterhood President................................. Beth Sher Men’s Club President ............................Scott Rogoff USY President .............................................. Bari Sigal
Rabbi Emeritus .......................................Carl Wolkin Executive Director Emeritus .................................... Harvey Gold, FSA z’l Director of Education Emeritus ................... Rabbi Sander J. Mussman, RJE
SHALOM INFO Shalom is published monthly by Congregation Beth Shalom, 3433 Walters, Northbrook, Illinois 60062-3298 for the exclusive use of its members and staff. All material contained herein is the property of Congregation Beth Shalom.
AUGUST 2016 • VOLUME 49, ISSUE 13 Rabbi Averbach
RABBI AVERBACH’S REVELATIONS In the midst of all the joys of summer – concerts in the park and services under the stars, Ravinia and summer camp, farmers markets and endless ice cream – we Jews take one day to look backwards. It some!mes feels odd to glance back. We live in a world where we are constantly reminded to live in the now, which is usually good advice. It is important not to harp on tragedies for too long; crucial to look ahead to make sure tomorrow is be"er than yesterday. But for one day, Tisha B’Av (ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av), we remember. We remember the destruc!on of King Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem in 586 BCE by Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylonian army. We were carted as slaves to Babylonia, longing to return to our homeland. We remember the pain of the siege of Jerusalem in the year 70 CE as Titus’ powerful Roman army destroyed the Second Temple, sca"ering the survivors around the world. On the same day sixty-five years later, the Romans quashed a Jewish uprising led by Bar Kokhba, killing a reported 500,000 people and destroying the hub city of Beitar. According to historians, this ninth day of Av also marked the beginning of the Crusades (1096), as well as when the Jews were expelled from England
(1290), France (1306), and Spain (1492). In more recent history, it was the day when Germany entered World War I (1914) and the beginning of the deporta!on of Jews from the Warsaw Ghe"o to certain death in Treblinka (1942). To mark this unique day, we sit on the floor and hear the haun!ng dirges composed for its commemora!on, as we read Eicha (the Book of Lamenta!ons) by candlelight. But to dive headfirst from joyous summer into a day of historic plagues would give us emo!onal whiplash. Instead we ready ourselves for days or weeks beforehand, slowly bringing ourselves closer to mourning, like a reverse Shiva. Luckily we don’t stay in our grief too long. In honesty, we can’t. It would be ruinous to dwell in history. The days following rev back up to normal life. The next Friday is the Jewish Valen!ne’s Day. We as a CBS family have a whole host of summer programs where we can find enjoyment: will be joining Itzhak Perlman at Ravinia for a night of food, drinks, and music; we will be going to Ramah Day Camp for hours of fun with young families; and Yom Beth Shalom is only a few weeks away! Looking forward to seeing you soon.