BE January February 2016 Bulletin by jonathanfieldsdesign

In this issue

January/ February 2016 Tevet–Adar I 5776

01·23·16

For more information, Calendar of Events, Rabbis' sermons, and for Emergency School Closings be sure to check our website at www. nssbethel.org or call 847-432-8900.

Learn Torah Fund Book Club pg. 6

Community Congregational Shabbat Dinner pg.5 Spirituality of Color pg. 6 Used Book Sale pg. 7 Chancellor Eisen pg.10 Pharaoh's Daughter pg.11 Mitzvah Day pg.12 Blood Drive pg.13 Candidates Forum pg.15 Art After Dark pg. 20 Perfect Pitch pg.21 Ramah Day Camp pg.34

From the Desk of Rabbi Schwab

Mission Statement We are a congregation of families and individuals who come together to pray, to study, and to create a warm and welcoming community. We seek to preserve and enhance our People's traditions within the context of Conservative Judaism. We aspire to strengthen our Jewish identity to meet the challenges of a changing environment. We endeavor to provide resources to help us relate to God, understand the ways of God and enrich the Jewish content of our lives. We encourage our members to serve worthwhile causes within our Congregation and the wider Jewish and world communities. We are committed to support Israel. We educate our children so they commit to the cultural, spiritual, and ethical values of our People. January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

The Natural Path to God When someone describes Judaism as a religion, I often comment that in my opinion they are only partially correct. The way I see it Judaism is more than a religion – it is a lens through which we view all of life. Therefore Judaism "cares about" not only ritual and holiday observances, but also about how we treat others and the way we interact with the natural world around us that God fashioned as a home for his creations. In the second chapter of the first book of the Torah, Bereshit, we are told that Adam's task is "l'avodah u'leshmorah haaretz" – to serve and guard the Land. As human beings, right from the start, we were given the responsibility to actively care for the natural world that is our home. This task, given to us by God, is as sacred as any other mitzvah, be it ritual or ethical. And, in fact, to help us maintain our awareness of the sacred in the natural world Rabbi Meir suggested in the Talmud that we each recite one hundred blessings a day. He believed that by reciting blessings over the food we eat, as well as the natural wonders we encounter, we will become more aware of the spiritual component of the natural world and will therefore be more likely to take part in its preservation. As the Midrash says, "See My works, how fine and excellent they are! All that I have created, for you have I created it. Consider this and do not destroy and desolate My world, for if you corrupt it, there is no one to set it right after you" (ER 7: 13). God created the world for us as a Divine gift and we are the ones who have the responsibility to make the choice whether to preserve it or forsake it. This is not just a matter of politics or "environmentalism" but is a spiritual matter that we are commanded by God to confront. There is also a spiritual benefit to caring for the environment. The great Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch wrote that caring for the natural world will help us realize that there is "one glorious chain of love, of giving and receiving, [which] unites all living beings." In other words, the true essence of the shema prayer and our belief in monotheism is that there is something beyond us that links us all. This spiritual tenet can be discovered and observed through caring for other living organisms – through the creations of the one God. Every morning in our prayers we praise God as "the one who in goodness renews the work of Creation daily." We affirm that God is the active provider of the bounties of nature and thus is present at all times and in all things. Therefore by participating in the preservation of nature we uplift ourselves spiritually in the process. Beyond the general, there are also some specific commandments that relate to the mandate to preserve the natural world. For example, we are commanded to be mindful of the concept of Tza'ar ba'alei hayim, kindness to animals. The Talmud tells us that the true test of the kindness of a person is not how he treats fellow human beings, rather how he treats animals over which he has ultimate power. Another commandment is Bal Tashhit, the proscription against waste. Needless destruction, even for convenience, was 1

From the Desk of Rabbi Schwab The Natural Path to God (continued from page 1) seen as an affront to God. Therefore we are commanded to do our best not to waste natural resources in our daily lives and to oppose both corporate and governmental policies that promote needless waste. At home this can mean recycling and giving away items we no longer need to people who can use them. To destroy something that can be used by others can be considered to be a kind of theft according to our tradition. Second, reduction in the use of natural resources like gas, oil and water is also important. For example, try not to let the water run while you are washing dishes or brushing your teeth, or make sure you program your thermostat so that it is only on when you need it. As Deborah Rubin Fields once wrote, "For the believing Jew, preserving the planet is not an end in itself, but part of a greater plan that encompasses the whole of one's existence. This greater plan is laid out in Jewish law, based in the Torah. One may feel doubly rewarded by living a life of mitzvot [commandments], and, within this context, living an environmentally sound existence."

Shabbat Schedule Monday through Friday Mornings, 7:15am

This coming month, the Hebrew month of Shevat, Jews often dedicate to the environment because of the occurrence Tu B'shevat, the holiday of the trees. Perhaps in honor of Tu B'shevat we can each incorporate a new practice in our life that furthers our commitment to the Jewish value of preserving the natural world. In doing so we can fulfill a mitzvah, help care for the natural world, and create another opportunity to encounter God, all at the same time! As I continue to experience the natural world first hand with my family I am doubly reminded of the true blessing this world really is. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

See calendar for times.

Shabbat, January 2

Sunday through Thursday Evenings, 7:30 pm

Parashat Shemot Torah: Exodus 1:1–6:1 Haftarah: Isaiah 27:6–28:13; 29:22–23

Sunday and Legal Holiday Mornings, 8:45am

Shabbat, January 9

Rosh Hodesh Mornings, 7:00am Services are conducted by: Rabbi Vernon H. Kurtz, Rabbi Michael Schwab, Hazzan Benjamin A. Tisser

Every Shabbat 10:45am B'Yachad Family Service Services for families with children 1st grade and younger

11:00am Junior Congregation Services for students in 2nd–5th grade

Shabbat, February 6

Birchat HaHodesh Parashat Mishpatim Torah: Exodus 21:1–24:18 Haftarah: Jeremiah 34:8–34:22; 33:25–33:26

Birchat HaHodesh Parashat Vaera Torah: Exodus 6:2–9:35 Haftarah: Ezekiel 28:25–29:21

Shabbat, February 13

Shabbat, January 16

Shabbat, February 20

Shabbat, January 23

Shabbat, February 27

Parashat Terumah Torah: Exodus 25:1–27:19 Haftarah: I Kings 5:26–6:13

Parashat Bo Torah: Exodus 10:1–13:16 Haftarah: Jeremiah 46:13–46:28

Shabbat Shirah Parashat Beshalach Torah: Exodus 13:17–17:16 Haftarah: Judges 4:4–5:31

Parashat Ki Tisa Torah: Exodus 30:11–34:35 Haftarah: I Kings 18:1–18:39

Shabbat, January 30

Parashat Yitro Torah: Exodus 18:1 – 20:23 Haftarah: Isaiah 6:1–7:6; 9:5–6

January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

Parashat Tetzaveh Torah: Exodus 27:20–30:10 Haftarah: Ezekiel 43:10–43:27

President's Corner by Richard Schlosberg Our Beth El Team Webster's fourth definition of "team" is: "a number of persons associated together in work or activity as a: a group on one side (as in football or a debate), b: CREW, GANG." Our Beth El team certainly represents a large number of persons, clergy, staff and congregants associated in the effort of pursuing our mission: "We are a congregation of families and individuals who come together to pray, to study, and to create a warm and welcoming community. We seek to preserve and enhance our People's traditions within the context of Conservative Judaism. We aspire to strengthen our Jewish identity to meet the challenges of a changing environment. We endeavor to provide resources to help us relate to God, understand the ways of God and enrich the Jewish content of our lives. We encourage our members to serve worthwhile causes within our Congregation and the wider Jewish and world communities. We are committed to support Israel. We educate our children so they commit to the cultural, spiritual, and ethical values of our People." Seven months into this administration's tenure we have a somewhat better picture of the manifold elements of our institution and we begin to ask the questions: Is our team already the very best it can be? Is there room for continuous improvement and if so, what can we do to make our team the best it can be? The clergy, staff and lay leadership are asking and answering that question on a continuing basis as demonstrated by our dynamic new offerings in the Jack and Mildred Cohen Religious School, by new efforts in Membership, Ritual, our education programs, the house committee, fund raising and finance – in fact across every component of our institution. So how do we make Beth El the very best it can be? My answer in large part is: teamwork. Again, Mr. Webster helps us out: "Teamwork: work done by several associates with each doing a part but all subordinating personal prominence to the efficiency of the whole." Being a superstar is indeed wonderful, but doesn't guarantee success for the team. Ernie Banks and Ted Williams come to mind as two superstar baseball players who never were part of a team that won the World Series. 2015 was a very exciting season for Chicago Cubs fans: 97 victories, Manager of the Year (Joe Maddon), Cy Young award for best pitcher in the National League (Jake Arietta) and Rookie of the Year (Kris Bryant). But no World Series. As they say….wait 'til next year. And the team that won the World Series? The Kansas City Royals – a team without a single player I can name, but one that epitomizes the concept of teamwork. Your North Suburban Synagogue Beth El is a wonderful institution, a beacon to others in the world of Conservative Judaism. I submit that to continue to grow and to fulfill our mission there is an ongoing need to continue to improve teamwork across the board. With our people strength, when we pull together, we accomplish great great things. As Hillel says (Pirkei Avot 1:13): "If I am for myself alone, what am I? And if not now, when?" Be part of the effort and be part of the Beth El team where teamwork becomes part of the fabric of who we are. January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

Hazzan Ben Tisser Dear friends, it is hard to believe that six months have already gone by since my family and I first arrived in Highland Park. And yet, we feel so at home. The reception we have received from all of you these past months has been so wonderful and extremely heartwarming, even as the weather begins to cool down. There is a real sense of mishpacha in this community, and we are proud to be a part of it! I am excited to share with you that this year will be an exciting year for our Beth El community, particularly in terms of musical programming. On Saturday evening January 23rd at 7:30pm, as part of our annual Shabbaton, we are thrilled to welcome five Jewish collegiate a cappella groups from around the country in a concert entitled "Perfect Pitch"! These 70+ students will, in addition to showing off their immense talent, share with us throughout Shabbat and during the concert their experience as Jewish students at major universities. More information about the Shabbaton will follow, and you can purchase tickets for the concert either by calling the synagogue office, or online at: perfectpitch.bpt.me (tickets for members start at $10, children and college students are free, all seating is reserved).

As well, I have begun meeting with our Congregational Choir, and we are off to a great start. We look forward to sharing some of the beautiful music we are working on with you in the coming months. If you enjoy singing, I would encourage you to consider joining us – ability to read music is helpful, but not a requirement! We meet Thursdays at 8:00pm in the Sager Beit HaMidrash and would love to have you join our family! And, for all you instrumentalists out there, we are looking for musicians to start a NSS Beth El Community Klezmer Band! We will begin rehearsing in February (day/time TBD), and our debut performance will be during the Purim Eve festivities! If you play: bowed strings, upright bass, drum set, guitar, mandolin, clarinet, alto sax, trumpet or trombone, please get in touch with me. You should be able to read music and play at a high school band level or better, and want to have a great time with other members of the congregation! The great composer and conductor, Leonard Bernstein, said, "In the beginning there was the note, and the note was with God; and whosoever can reach for that note, reach high, and bring it back to us on earth." The power of music is immeasurable – it touches the deepest recesses of our hearts and souls. I hope you will take advantage of the variety of musical programming presented this year and beyond at NSS Beth El (and tell your friends) – you won't regret it!

We Welcome the Following New Members - Ben and Wendy Chiswick and their daughter, Maya - Daniel and Abby Kaman and their sons, Arie and Oliver - Jeff and Sari Rothbart and their children, Noah, Max and Esther

Congratulations To - Katie and Marty Elisco on the birth of their son, Sammy Gabriel - Nina and Mark Gaines on the marriage of their daughter, Jill to David Friedman - Francine and Mark Levy on the birth of their grandson - Zella Ludwig on the marriage of her granddaughter, Jill Gaines to David Friedman - Alana and Harrison Matthew on the birth of their son - Linda Matthew on the birth of her grandson - Dr. Herbert Rosen on the birth of his great-granddaughter, Sawyer Julia Noel - Jorie and Andrew Sigesmund on the birth of their son - Rena and Daniel Sternberg on the birth of their grandson, Sammy Gabriel Elisco - Mira and Darryl Temkin on the birth of their grandson

Condolences To - Sonny Cohen on the loss of his brother, Martin David Cohen - Ellen Doppelt on the loss of her father, Kenneth Tursky - Georgann Humphrey on the loss of her mother, Sara Citron - Irene Jacobsohn on the loss of her father, Manfred Heimberg - Betty Ann Levin on the loss of her sister, Elaine Vladem - Zella Ludwig on the loss of her sister-in-law, Evelyn Edidin - Daniel Ripes on the loss of his mother, Jacqueline Ripes - Sherwin Rubinstein on the loss of his mother, Eleanor Rubinstein - Jonathan Sherman on the loss of his brother, Jeremy Sherman - Sandra Strauss on the loss of her mother, Belle Kaplan

In Memoriam - Evelyn Edidin

We wish to thank the following members, guests and groups for sponsoring the Shabbat Kiddush: - Ba'al Korei Institute - Susan and Stuart Behn - Marjorie and Leonard Birnbaum - Elizabeth and Joshua Cohen - Nina and Mark Gaines - Judith and Douglas Garfinkel - Leah and Adi Gidron - Jeffrey Goldsmith - Erwin Helberg - Michael Katz - Karen Kesner - Leslie and Jonathan Kind - Eli Krumbein - Bryna and Rabbi Vernon Kurtz January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

- Barbara and David Lansing - Marilyn and F. Raymond Lewis - North Suburban Beth El Sisterhood - North Suburban Synagogue Beth El â&#x20AC;&#x201A;â&#x20AC;&#x160;Men's Club - Nicole and Steven Putzel - Roselynn and Melvin Roseman - Lisa Rosenkranz - Gail Scully - Margaret and Alan Silberman - Carol and Steve Weiss - Deborah and Adam Winick - Jennifer and Michael Wirth

January â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tevet/Shevat 5776

Eugenie Berman-Moore, daughter of Clara Berman Shabbat, January 9

Leah Rosenberg, daughter of Bonnie and Eric Rosenberg Shabbat, January 16

Save the Date

Kabbalat Shabbat, Dinner and Program Friday, February 12, 2016

Sara Erlichman, daughter of Ellen and Joel Erlichman Shabbat, January 23

February â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Shevat/Adar I 5776

Join us for spirited Kabbalat Shabbat services at 6:15pm followed by a very special congregational Dinner and Program at 7:00pm. For more information or questions, contact Kim Ephraim at eph522@comcast.net.

Avra Friedman, daughter of Michelle and Dr. Arie Friedman Shabbat, February 20 January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

Joseph and Mae Gray Cultural & Learning Center Writer's Beit Midrash â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The NSS Beth El Writer's Beit Midrash continues to meet every other Wednesday

morning in the Maxwell Abbell Library, 9:30-11:00am. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for: January 13 and 27 and February 10 and 24. All fiction, non-fiction, poetry, memoir, and essay writers (published or not yet published) are welcome for discussions, exercises, camaraderie, and critique. Contact Rachel Kamin at rkamin@nssbethel.org or 847-926-7902 for more information.

Sisterhood Torah Fund Book Club The Sisterhood Torah Fund Book Club will discuss The Betrayers by David Bezmozgis, after Shabbat Kiddush on Saturday, January 9, 12:30pm, facilitated by Rachel Kamin. This National Jewish Book Award Winner for Fiction explores the influence that the influx of Jews from the former Soviet Union has had in Israel. When the illicit affair of Baruch Kotler is exposed, the disgraced Israeli politician flees with his young mistress to a Crimean resort town in an attempt to escape the limelight. But when he runs into the former friend who denounced him to the KGB forty years earlier, he must reconcile with his betrayer, his wife, his son, and his own poor choices. The Sisterhood Torah Fund Book Club will discuss The Hours Count by Jillian Cantor, after Shabbat Kiddush on Saturday, February 6, 12:30pm, facilitated by Rachel Kamin. A tale based on the story of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, the only Americans put to death for espionage during the Cold War, The Hours Count traces the experiences of their friend and neighbor, who takes in the seemingly ordinary Jewish couple's young sons when they are arrested by the FBI in 1950. New members welcome! Copies of the books are available in the Abbell Library and from local libraries and bookstores. Contact Rachel Kamin at rkamin@nssbethel. org or 847-926-7902 for the complete book club calendar. A $36 annual donation to the Torah Fund Campaign is requested. January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

The Rissman Family Kol Ami Museum The Spirituality of Color, an exhibit of paintings, ceramic sculpture, fiber art, photography and poetry, will be on display in the Rissman Family Kol Ami Museum from Januaryâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;April, 2016. Join the artists for an Opening Reception on Saturday, January 16, after Shabbat Kiddush. The Spirituality of Color resulted from the Artists Beit Midrash, a course of text study & art discussion at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El with support from the Gertrude Lederman Family Continuing Education program. The class was taught by Judith Joseph & Jane Shapiro. Participating artists are: Lois Barr, Sam Bernstein, Enid Brick, Sylvia Dresser, Nessia Frank, Trudy IsbitzBrodsky, Brenda Jackson, Judith Joseph, Betsy Katz, Michael Katz, Ruti Modlin, Bonnie Price, Judy Solomon, Sandy Starkman, Steven Tovian, Phyllis Woloshin and Laura Zacks.

Joseph and Mae Gray Cultural & Learning Center We Take Pride In........

Used Book Sale Friday, February 19 – Sunday, February 28 We are now collecting used books for the annual sale. Bring in gently used books - secular and Judaic, adult and children's – in a clearly marked box or bag, to the Kaye Reading Room of the Gray Cultural and Learning Center by February 18, 2016. Please refrain from donating travel guides and test preparation guides that are more than 1-2 years old as well as textbooks, magazines, and journals. Shop the Used Book Sale during regular synagogue hours, Friday, February 19 – Sunday, February 28. All hardcovers are $2 and paperbacks are $1. Cash and checks accepted.

Pre-Sale Pizza Party Thursday, February 18 Join the members of the Cultural & Learning Center Committee on Thursday, February 18, 6:00–7:30pm, to help set-up the book sale and have an exclusive opportunity to purchase books before the sale opens. Pizza will be served. Please RSVP to Marcie Eskin at meskin@nssbethel.org or 847-926-7903. Bar/Bat Mitzvah and high school student volunteers are welcome!

Bargain Bag Sale Sunday, Febraury 28 Shop the Used Book Sale on Sunday, February 28, from 9:00am–12:00pm. Whatever you can fit into a brown paper grocery bag is yours for only $5! Bags will be provided or bring your own.

January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

Lilach Schrag travelled to Jerusalem to participate in the opening of the Jerusalem Biennale for Contemporary Jewish Art, where her video work was featured. Her work, Elijah Elijah, was displayed in a show called A Fine Line, curated by Susan Nashman Fraiman. Elijah Elijah is part of Schrag's ongoing Shiviti series of works, inspired by the illustrated meditative text, "Shiviti," in which Jews profess, "I have God always in front of me." Essays by Rabbi Vernon Kurtz and Roberta Rosenthal Kwall appear in the new book, Tikkun Olam: Judaism, Humanism & Transcendence edited by David Birnbaum & Martin S. Cohen (New Paradigm Matrix, 2015). Rabbi Kurtz's essay, "Tikkun Olam: Particular or Universal?" explores the challenge of framing the ancient rabbinic term "within its larger Jewish context and, at the same time, to use it appropriately to convey responsibility both to the Jewish world and the world at large." Professor Kwall's essay, "Human Artistry and Tikkun Olam," argues that "artistic expression, defined broadly to include many types of human creativity, embodies tikkun olam insofar as it represents a path to observing God's will and perfecting one's soul." The book is available in our Maxwell Abbell Library. 7

The Development Office by Nancy Kekst

Together with B'Yachad! We honor those congregants who have banded together as B'Yachad Donors for 2015â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2016. Words cannot express our gratitude for their very generous participation in our B'Yachad dues level program at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El this year. They are role models in our community. B'Yachad Donors Anonymous Harriet Bernbaum Eve and Richard Biller Gilbert Bogen Gail and Andrew Brown Bernice and Benjamin Cohen Cheryl and Carey Cooper

Barbara and Lawrence Field Rochelle and Leonard Foxman Penny and Jeffrey Hecktman Barbara and Stuart Hochwert Gary Gordon and Marilyn Hirsch Karen and Michael Kesner Sari and Mitch Kovitz

Julie and Colman Kraff Roberta and Jeffrey Kwall Andrea and Kenneth Saffir Lynn and Skip Schrayer Karyn and William Silverstein Tina and Joe Wolf Sheri and Sherwin Zuckerman

We invite other congregants to join the B'Yachad giving level for this year or any future year. An annual pledge of $10,000* or more to the synagogue covers: Synagogue dues, a Kol Nidre Appeal donation, Chesed donation, two tickets to our annual spring fundraising event, and Recognition on the Annual Giving Donor Wall. *B'Yachad level membership benefits do not include religious school enrollment fees, any extra High Holiday tickets, memorial books, small donations or fees for synagogue dinners or classes. Without this generous level of support, we would not be able to continue our fine programming and resources at the highest level. It's not too late! For information about enrolling in the B'Yachad Membership program for this membership year or the coming year, please contact Nancy Kekst, Development Manager, at nkekst@nssbethel.org or by calling 847-432-8900 x262.

January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

The Development Office by Nancy Kekst Welcome to the Ner Tamid Legacy Society! Many experience the most meaningful moments among our North Suburban Synagogue Beth El family. For sixtyseven years, NSSBE has served as the North Shore's flagship conservative congregation, providing a sustaining source from which individuals and families, young and old, have continued to nourish their spirits and their lives.

N KI TO

N AL LY

‫תנ‬ ‫להעל ר תמיד‬ HE LAMP E T

Ner Tamid Society

In the same way that our traditions have been passed on from those who came before us, our responsibility is to ensure that the opportunity for future generations to create new memories will be sustained. Your synagogue and clergy have been here for you in both happy times and sad times, and it is important that we prepare for those who will follow us. We can help to ensure this future role of our congregation by joining the North Suburban Synagogue Beth El Ner Tamid Legacy Circle, created in 2001 to recognize the families in our community who have made arrangements to leave a bequest of any size to the synagogue in a will or estate plan. These gifts will help fund the endowment, the earnings of which are designed to support our operating budget and thus our congregational programs and services on a continuing basis.

We are very proud to have been selected by the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago to participate in the Create a Jewish Legacy program, and we will receive a sizable endowment challenge grant if we receive sufficient additional commitments from congregants agreeing to leave a bequest of any size to NSSBE by April 30th of this year. Your lay leaders and clergy fully support this initiative and many of them are members of the Legacy Society. We are grateful to the congregants listed below who have already have made arrangements for a bequest to NSSBE and ask that you do the same. Ner Tamid Society members are honored in a variety of ways, with invitations to special recognition events, acknowledgement in the Beth El bulletin and inclusion on a new donor wall. Requests for anonymity will be honored. If you have already made arrangements, or are interested in making a bequest and joining the North Suburban Synagogue Beth El Ner Tamid Legacy Circle, please contact Development Manager Nancy Kekst at 847-432-8900 x262. Ner Tamid Members (as of December 1, 2015) Anonymous (3 gifts) Steve and Wendy Abrams Bernard and Fran Alpert Harvey and Jacqueline Barnett Scott and Karen Bieber Leonard and Marjorie Birnbaum Gerald and Annette Blumberg Jack and Barbara Blumberg JoAnne Blumberg Gail Feiger Brown Andrew Brown Ramona Choos Calvin and Lana Eisenberg Michael and Wendi Ezgur Maury and Nancy Fertig Ira and Elise Frost Ronald and Eileen Goldberg

Jeffrey and Stacy Goldsmith Scott and Gwen Heyman Herbert and Helene Isaacs Harvey and Ellen Jacobson Richard and Lois Janger Joel and Pearl Kagan Bernard and Edith Kaye Karen Kesner Michael Kesner Jeffrey and Beth Kopin Jeffrey and Roberta Kwall Victor and Arielle Levitan Mildred Lidov Cara Madansky-Stiebel Manny and Kathryn Marczak Larry Pachter and Sandy Starkman David Rosen and Amy Zisook

January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

Jeffrey and Lisa Rosenkranz Alan and Mally Rutkoff Richard and Pamela Schlosberg Skip and Lynn Schrayer Phyllis K. Shalowitz Leonard Sherman Gregg and Rebecca Simon Yadelle Sklare Mark and Mae Spitz Morton and Miriam Steinberg Mayer Stiebel Benton and Sandra Strauss Howard Turner Robert and Millie Weber Richard and Roberta Wexler Jeffrey Wohlstadter Frances Lee Zand and Pendri Shalem

The Development Office by Nancy Kekst Profile of a Donor and a Program Why are Joel and Pearl Kagan members of the Ner Tamid Society? "Throughout the 38 years that Joel and I have belonged to Beth El, I have always been inspired and impressed by the number of multigenerational families that belong to our synagogue. To me, it spoke of the strength and vibrancy of our shul. Today I am truly blessed to be one of those multi-generational families. Both my children, Lesley and David, attended the Steinberg Preschool, Cohen Religious School, had their B'nai Mitzvah at Beth El, were married by our amazing clergy, and celebrated baby namings and brit milah, with our Beth El family. We are an amazingly warm congregation, reaching out to provide each and every one of us all that we need as we travel on our Jewish journey. Joel and I support Beth El financially to ensure that all that we have enjoyed will continue to thrive and Pictured (left to right) Kagan: David, Jody, Orley, Joel, Pearl; Wynes: Jaclyn, to provide for our children, their children and for Noah, Lesley, Isaac, Jeremy; and Noam Kagan. generations to come. As a child of survivors and a past president of our world class synagogue, I take great pride in being Jewish and know I have the obligation to help ensure our Jewish future and the future of Beth El by providing for Beth El in our estate planning. Together we can ensure that Beth El remains a vital part of our community. L'dor v'dor. From generation to generation."

Field Lecture with Chancellor Arnie Eisen Sunday, February 28, 2016 7:45pm

January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

Save the Date

Saturday Evening March 5, 2016

Welcome Spring with your friends at a Mediterranean Party at Beth El! An evening of Israeli food and drink and world music featuring the band Pharaoh's Daughter. Led by Basya Schechter, the seven-piece band plays an electic mix of world music. It's thousand year-old Zmirot and world beat with Hebrew and Aramaic mixing with Turkish casbah. Boho Hasidic Brooklyn Juke Box meets 70's Rock Era! Visit www.nssbethel.org for complete details and watch your mail for invitations. Along with great friends, music, food, and drink, there will be a Silent Auction and an Ad Book, where we will be honoring our Executive Director, Chuck Kahalnik, on his retirement from Beth El. Questions? Contact nkekst@nssbethel.org. January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

Social Action in Action Report from the Social Action Committee

All-Member Mitzvah Day

"Take a Bite Out of Hunger" Update The Social Action Committee is thrilled to announce that our second year of the "Take a Bite out of Hunger" project is off to a running start! We are currently providing daily snacks and breakfast items to two elementary schools in Highland Park. This could not happen without the generosity of our entire Beth El community. Every week the Religious School students have been faithfully bringing fresh food items such as apples or carrots, which volunteers deliver along with non-perishable food items donated by the larger Beth El community. We want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for stopping by our collection bins and donating Kellogg's brand Nutri Grain Bars and fruit squeezer snacks or making financial contributions to this project. Please remember the children right here in Highland Park who are most in need next time you are at the supermarket and pick up these much needed supplies! A special thank you to Amy Newman and her charitable organization "Families Helping Families Chicagoland" for kickstarting this year's collection.

The Coat Drive Sometimes the simplest project is the most meaningful. Chicago's winters are becoming notoriously worse with each passing year. Mira Temkin and her faithful crew have always had the needs of the less fortunate in our community in mind when temperatures plummet. On Sunday, December 6th friends of Social Action joined together to sort the many winter items collected at Beth El. These much needed donations of coats, gloves, scarves and snowpants were donated to Highland Park Community Nursery School and Chicago Chesed Fund.

Thanksgiving Mitzvah Project The Social Action Committee would like to thank everyone who participated in the 2015 Thanksgiving Mitzvah Project. It was a huge success with a record of 140 baskets delivered to needy families. It was such a joy to see the room filled with children, parents and grandparents working together to make bountiful baskets to help our neighbors enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday. I would also like to take a moment to acknowledge the efforts of Honey Bronson and her amazing team of volunteers. Honey has faithfully chaired this program since its inception and after many years of seeing this project through, she will be stepping down from this role. We are grateful to Honey for her leadership and hard work in creating one of Beth El's favorite annual traditions and providing our members an opportunity to help those in need and ultimately enrich their own Thanksgiving celebrations.

Sunday, February 21, 2016 Be a mensch…...Do a mitzvah! Mitzvah Day has been a tremendous success with more than 250 families taking part in a day of volunteerism. Join your fellow congregants again — as an individual or family — in one of the community action projects offered: Make Meals for the Homeless Organize a food pantry Troop Support Bring your dog and bring joy to Seniors Project Linus “SOS –Survival on the Streets” care packages for the homeless Write letters to lone soldiers in Israel Bernie's Book Bank Handbags with Heart – Donate old purses and fill them with supplies for women Be an active member/coordinator on the 2016 Mitzvah Day planning committee. More projects, more participation, more pride! Sponsored by the Social Action Committee. Pre-registration required. Please register on the Beth El website or contact Jacqueline Kott-Wolle at 847-681-0373 or jkottwolle@hotmail.com.

Upcoming Social Action Opportunities January 18 & February 15 JUF Uptown Café for ages 12+; serve dinner to neighborhood needy. Contact Rocky Rubinoff at rochelle.rubinoff@gmail.com.

See you at Mitzvah Day – Sunday, February 21, 2016 Jacqueline Kott-Wolle Chair, Social Action Committee

January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

Mitzvah Day Blood Drive Give someone the gift of life!

Please email Ron Goldberg if you have any questions at rgoldberg@wgntv.com.

On Sunday, February 21, you can help someone who needs help now. Beth El has held an annual blood drive for years, but for the first time, we are holding it on Mitzvah Day. What greater Mitzvah than a direct contribution to saving a life. By donating a pint of blood on Sunday, February 21, you are helping someone truly in need. The process is easy, painless, and risk free. Please join us in the South Wing and give someone the gift of life. You must be in good health, 18 years or older, and weigh more than 100 lbs. Although refreshments are served, it is always a good idea to have breakfast beforehand. Don't forget to have your driver's license or some other photo ID handy. As you consider which Mitzvah Day activity to participate in, please consider joining me in donating blood. It's a very worthy cause. Please schedule me (us) for the Blood Drive on Sunday, February 21, 2016 at: 8:50 9:10 9:30 9:50 10:10 10:30 10:50 11:10 11:30 11:50 12:10 Name(s): Address: Phone: Return completed form to: Men's Club Blood Drive North Suburban Synagogue Beth El 1175 Sheridan Road Highland Park, IL 60035 January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

Men's Club World Wide Wrap and Special Bagels Breakfast Sunday, February 7 starting at 8:30am Join us for our World Wide Wrap! Wrapping T'fillin together before the 8:45am service. Following morning services, our special Bagels for Your Brains Breakfast and Torah Study with the Men’s Club. Free to all participants. Please join us.

Sunday Mornings "Bagels for Your Brains"

SUNDAY, JANUARY 10 Alan Silberman is scheduled to present, "What Happened at the World Zionist Congress and the Jewish Agency Board of Governors, and Does it Matter?"

A Double Header – Keeper of the Flame Award Ceremony a Grand Success Our Men’s Club had a "double header" on Sunday morning, November 8th when they honored two of their outstanding and deserving members. Dick Blair, who was chosen in 2014 and Ernie Smolen, the recipient for 2015. Close to one hundred Men's Club members together with friends and family gathered to enjoy a sumptuous breakfast and honor the two recipients.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17 Attorney Jeffrey Leon is scheduled to present, "Seeking Restitution for Hungarian Survivors through Class Action in U.S. Courts"

Dick Blair is a fountain of trivia; just ask him when the Hellenic wars took place, how many soldiers were involved and who won, he will tell you. He and Ernie Smolen, one of the newer members, who has led services and appeared on the bimah for a number liturgical parts of the services, were showered with accolades by Rabbi Kurtz, Rabbi Schwab, Hazzan Tisser, family members, friends and congregants who just came up to say a few nice words about the honorees. Ron Goldberg chaired the event in a most professional manner and presented plaques to both recipients, who then offered thanks to all for attending and to Men's Club for honoring them as "Keeper of the Flame."

SUNDAY, JANUARY 24 Featuring accomplished author and former Tribune sports columnist, Ed Sherman. SUNDAY, JANUARY 31 Bob Schwartz, author and the Sr. Vice President of Vienna Beef Company, will present, "Never Put Ketchup on a Hot Dog". SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14 Featuring RIC’s Director of Brain Injury Research, Dr. Jordan Grafman, who will present on, "Neural Basis of Religious Belief"

This award is relatively new and has been honoring Men's Club members who have exhibited leadership in promoting Jewish values and added to the betterment of the Men's Club and the Congregation as well as the community. The event was enjoyed by all, looking forward to 2016 and wondering who will be the recipient next year.

Breakfast is served at 9:30am and our speakers will begin their remarks at about 10:00am.

Day Camp Stipend Applications The Men's Club is offering a stipend to children of Men's Club members to attend an area "Day" Camp that is sponsored by a Jewish Organization next summer. Stipends will be awarded on a first come – first serve basis, so don't wait to the last minute to submit your application. For more information or to get an application, contact Rob Freeman at rob.nssbethel@gmail.com. January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

Men's Club Other Upcoming Men's Club Events in Early 2016 THURSDAY, JANUARY 7 Docent-led group tour of Illinois Holocaust Museum special exhibit – Light & Noir: Exiles & Emigres in Hollywood, 1933–1950. The event begins at 7:00pm.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 Annual Game Night, a joint program with the Sisterhood. Stay tuned for more information to come.

Men's Club League Finishes a Great Season The Men's Club White/Blue team took 3rd place in this year's Synagogue Softball League. Twelve teams competed in this 12-inch softball league, including synagogues in Northbrook, Highland Park, Vernon Hills, Long Grove, Buffalo Grove and Wilmette. The league, which was founded and managed by Beth El member Michael Salberg, saw the number of participants double in this second season, expanding to more than 200 players across the synagogues. The Beth El Men's Club had two teams in the league for the second year in a row. The 2016 season will see the addition of at least three more Synagogue teams from Glencoe and Skokie.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11 Annual Caveman Dinner. Stay tuned for more information to come.

Beth El Hosts the FJMC Sefer Haftarot Scroll

Hearing Men's Voices

Once again, Beth El was privileged to host the FJMC Sefer Haftarot scroll. At their 2003 International Convention, the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs elected to commission a scribe to write a Haftarot scroll. The scroll was written in Israel and then shipped to the United States. Although the scroll outwardly appears similar to a Sefer Torah, unlike a Torah scroll, the Sefer Haftarot actually contains the vowels or cantillation symbols. The scroll is circulated amongst FJMC-affiliated congregations all year long.

Informal discussions offer participants education about and insights into current, reallife issues facing men in today's society. The sessions are free to the community, but space is limited. Each session is hosted at the home of one of our members, and begins at 8:00pm.

On Saturday, November 28, 2015, the scroll was opened at Shabbat morning services, and the Haftorah for that week's parsha, Vayishlah, was beautifully chanted from the scroll by Larry Pachter. Beth El has hosted the scroll a number of times, and our Men's Club helped to contribute to its writing. We will look forward to next year to once again host the Sefer Haftarot scroll.

The next Hearing Men's Voices session is scheduled to take place on Monday, February 1, 2016. For more information, contact Barry Kravitz at Barry.Kravitz@hdrinc.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13 Men's Club & Sisterhood Mixer. Stay tuned for more information to come.

Upcoming Candidates Forum The decades-long tradition of Men's Club hosting political candidates continues in 2016. Again this year, the Beth El Men's Club presents two candidate forums. The Democratic candidates will speak on Sunday, February 28, 2016, starting at 10:00am sharp. The Republican candidates will speak on Sunday, March 6th, also at 10:00am. The candidates invited to appear at these forums are those who are competing in races for Senator, the 10th Congressional District, State Senator, State Representatives, as well as some Lake County offices. There will be a Question & Answer period after the candidates conclude their remarks. January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

Sisterhood Women of Beth El, You are Our Future! On December 12th, Sisterhood Shabbat, I spoke to the congregation about the future of Sisterhood. I am in the last six months of my term as President and I am deeply concerned about our ability to survive as a vibrant group within Beth El. I was not here at Beth El during Sisterhood's heyday. For about 40 years, starting in 1961, the "Festival of the Arts" was the focal point of Beth El Sisterhood. Scores of women spent an entire year planning each Festival. I am truly in awe when I think about the number of women who joined forces each year in support of this spectacular event. During some of those same years, another sizeable group of women – again, more than 20 – created Sisterhood's acclaimed cookbooks, Tradition in the Kitchen and its successor, Tradition in the Kitchen II. I don't know how many members Sisterhood had in those days, but it doesn't really matter. What stands out is the number of women participating – truly working together – throughout the year in furtherance of Sisterhood. Their hard work raised hundreds of thousands of dollars which they returned to Beth El in the form of building improvements. Unfortunately, times have changed and those types of programs are no longer as successful as they once were. But the fact that synagogue art fairs have diminished in popularity and cookbooks have been replaced with online recipe blogs does not mean that women of Beth El should forsake Sisterhood. Over the last 7 years our membership has dropped by 25%. You encourage your children to join Kadima and USY, so why you don't see the relevance of Sisterhood for yourself ? Here at Beth El, Sisterhood is a participatory democracy. We value intergenerational groups and programs and strive to sponsor a variety of educational, social and cultural programs that span the diverse interests of the women of Beth El. We constantly seek to perpetuate the values of Conservative Judaism, emphasizing the love of family, traditions, observance of mitzvot and our connection with the Jewish people and Israel. On a global scale, Women's League is the only organization devoted specifically to Conservative Jewish women. To quote one of our most beloved Presidents, John F Kennedy: "To be courageous requires no exceptional qualifications, no magic formula, no special combination of time, place and circumstance. It is an opportunity that sooner or later is presented to us all." I, as well as the dozen or so other women who are the core of our Sisterhood, definitely need the courage to change what should be changed about our organization. And we have committed to do just that. But more than that, the women of Beth El, our greater untapped community, need the courage to overcome their preconceived notions of who or what we are and, perhaps, their fear of joining us. Sisterhood is not the same organization it was 30 years ago, or even 10 years ago. Commit to join us – become more involved and invigorate Sisterhood for a stronger, brighter future. To quote President Kennedy again, "Let the word go forth from this time and place….that the torch has been passed to a new generation….born in this century….unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of [something] to which we are committed." Every woman at Beth El is an eyshet chayil, a woman of valor, who "by the work of her own hand" and by her tireless efforts, lays the groundwork for a better, brighter and more joyous future for her entire community. Through Sisterhood, we can continue to foster a supportive community where women encourage one another to be courageous, to confront challenges and to embrace opportunities. Together we can change with the times and thrive. I hope to see more of you at our upcoming programs this year. Rachel Ferber, President January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

Sisterhood Upcoming Sisterhood Programs and Events Think winter. Then think...warm and delicious! How? Join Sisterhood for our next Kosher Cooking Class with Chef Laura Frankel. Thursday, January 7, 11:30am See how to warm those cold days ahead with fresh ideas for an array of soups, stews and chili. Easy, breezy recipes, a tasty lunch, and great company. Cost: $18 for Sisterhood members. $23 for guests. RSVP Deadline: Wednesday, Dec 30. Send check (payable to NS Beth El Sisterhood) to Pam Schlosberg c/o 1175 Sheridan Road; Highland Park, IL; 60035. Questions: Pam: 847-433-7546 or pgs567@comcast.net .

Join us for a docent-led group tour of: Light & Noir: Exiles & Emigres in Hollywood, 1933-1950. Thursday, January 7, 7:00pm Come learn about the unknown stories of German-speaking film icons who fled Nazism and changed Hollywood forever. Thursday, January 7 at 7:00pm at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center. $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (65+) and students. RSVP: Rachel.ferber@att.net or 847-835-6201.

Join us for Lunch and Learn - The Vitamin Solution: Two Doctors Clear the Confusion about Vitamins and Your Health. Tuesday, February 2, 12:30pm A presentation by two Beth El members – Drs. Romy Block and Arielle Levitan. Cost: $10. If you own their book, bring it and have it signed. Books will be available for purchase during the program. RSVP to Roz Kallish, 847-8310674 or RozlynKall@att.net.

January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

Sisterhood Torah Fund Did you know that Torah Fund is an arm of Sisterhood and Women's League for Conservative Judaism? The Torah Fund campaign is one of our most powerful tools for guaranteeing the future of Conservative Masorti Judaism. Since 1942, Torah Fund has provided financial support to enhance the education of Rabbis, Cantors, Scholars, and other Professional and Lay Leaders at the four Masorti Institutions of Jewish Learning. The education of our future leaders depends on us. Your contribution to Torah Fund helps ensure that this type of education continues to exist. Torah Fund contributions are tax deductible. To give to Torah Fund, please make checks payable to Torah Fund – JTS and return to Linda Gottlieb, 561 Sunset Lane, Glencoe, IL 60022. Questions, contact her at 847-835-3101 or at lbgmom@ comcast.net. Thank you for supporting Torah Fund this year: Guardian $300+: Marilyn Hirsch, Frank Kronthal, and Mae Spitz. Benefactor $180+: Elinor Bayliss, Mary Ellen Bowers, Adrienne Eckerling, Rachel Ferber, Ruth Fischer, June Back Frydman, Roberta Goldman, Linda Gottlieb, Barbara Kahn, Myrna Kopin, Betty Ann Levin, Marilyn Lewis, Mildred Lidov, Cara Madansky, Joyce Pollack, Batya Retsky, Susan Saper, Pam Schlosberg, Margaret Silberman, and Sandra K. Strauss. Contributor $36+: Corinne Baskin, Sandra Becker, Joan Behrman, Eve Biller, Gail Brown, Eleanor Boxerman, Lillian U. Charney, Judy Falk, Bruno Fischer, Beth Footlik, Gerald Frank, Deborah Graham, Joan Groner, Alice Gross, Eileen Helms, Melissa Halperin, Marla Hand, Zippora Harris, Joyce Joseph, Rozlyn Kallish, Joyce Kamen, Gerry Kaplan, Marcia S. Kaplin, Debra Kravitz, Corinne Lane, Ellen Lavin, Rhoda K. Levin, Michael Melber, Darlene Nast, Selena Pestine, Maurice Pickard, Carol Pomerantz, Frances Rabinowitz, Sally Schecter, Leah Toby Schwartz, Sarah Schwartz, Caryn Sedloff, Patricia Green Shapiro, Ann S. Siegel, Anita Spieler, Sandy Starkman, Ruth Stern, Mildred Weber, Judith Weiss, Karen B. Weiss, Herman Wexler, Marcia Witzel, Pearl Zaid. Friend $18+: Lana Eisenberg, Barbara Hoffman, and Betty Rozenfeld.

Jack and Mildred Cohen Religious School and Miriam and Bernard H. Sokol Hebrew High School M'Shulchan Hamenahelet A few years back, while teaching a Bible class to high school students, I asked students to take out the Tanakhim. All but one responded in due manner. One student procedeed to pull out his cellular phone and began looking something up. Perplexed but not wanting to embarrass him I approached him and gently asked him what was the reason for his non-compliance. The student responded nonchalantly, "I am looking at the online Hebrew English Bible." Ah, I responded, surprised, and proceeded with the lesson. That was a "teaching moment," for I realized that our ancient Jewish tradition was getting in the same wagon with contemporary technology and there was no way back. In his article "Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants," Marc Prensky argues that the crisis in education is that our students have changed, radically rending our educational system outdated. Most of the students in our building have been born in this millenium and as a result they have been exposed to technologies such as GPS, Google, text messaging, Wikipedia, file sharing, social networking, video game playing, cellular phones and the list goes on. The new technology is certainly changing thinking patterns and warrants a new approach to teaching and learning. Most teachers can be placed in the category of digital immigrants, trying to learn the new language of technology but falling back on the old ways of doing things. In this new paradigm, students become teachers and teachers become students, at least as far as technology is concerned. Most teachers will relate that when a computer or other technology device fails to work properly, they call on students to troubleshoot the problems. The schools at Beth El face the same challenges that many other schools face nationwide and worldwide. For us, the challenge is how to adapt the ancient tradition to the language of the Digital Natives while simultaneously training our Digital Immigrant teachers to embrace the change. Our wise tradition agrees that teaching and learning is multidirectional. In the words of the Psalmist, 'From all those who taught me I gained understanding' (Psalms 119:99). We will continue to embrace the technological challenges and learn from each other. We have received a significant gift for the schools to purchase four Smartboard interactive flat panels with iRover2 mobility feature, Apple TVs and iPads. These new devices will be added to the techonology purchased in the past, expanding capacity and allowing more students to benefit from interacting through the language they know best. Find out more on the uses of the technology in the next bulletin.

Jack and Mildred Cohen Religious School January/February – Tevet/Shevat/Adar I 5776 Jan 5

Tuesday

School Resumes

Jan 9

Shabbat

Gimmel/Dalet Family Shabbat Services

Jan 16

Shabbat

Gimmel/Dalet Family Shabbat Services

Jan 20

Wednesday

Gesher Pictures

Jan 23

Shabbat

Hey Family Shabbat Service Beth El Shabbaton

Jan 30

Shabbat

Hey Family Shabbat Service

Feb 5

Friday

Gimmel Kabbalat Shabbat/Dinner

Feb 6

Shabbat

Hey Family Shabbat Services Alef Class Leads B'Yachad Services

Feb 13

Shabbat

Hey Family Shabbat Services

Feb 14

Sunday

No School – Teacher In-Service

Feb 19–20

Friday – Shabbat

Chavayah for Dalet and Hey Students

Feb 21

Sunday

Beth El Mitzvah Day

Feb 27

Shabbat

Hey Family Shabbat Services Dalet Seudah & Havdalah

Miriam and Bernard H. Sokol Hebrew High School January/February – Tevet/Shevat/Adar I 5776 Jan 10

Sunday

College Bound – Parents and Students

Jan 17

Sunday

No SHHS Classes

Jan 31

Sunday

College Bound – Students Only

Feb 7

Sunday

College Bound – Students Only

Feb 14

Sunday

No School – Teacher In-Service

Feb 21

Sunday

Beth El Mitzvah Day

Alicia Gejman Director of Formal Education

January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

Results from the 37th World Zionist Congress

Thank you everyone who voted in the elections for the 37th World Zionist Congress held in Jerusalem in October 2015. Rabbi Vernon Kurtz and I were proud to represent Beth El as MERCAZ USA delegates, and Alan Silberman was a delegate for MASORTI OLAMI; MERCAZ USA slated Nolan Lebovitz, who grew up here, as a Youth delegate. Margaret Silberman as an alternate, and Sarah Sechan, who grew up here, too, as a Youth alternate. I was privileged to be one of four recipients of the 2015 MERCAZ OLAMI awards at the Pre-Congress luncheon of our MERCAZ/MASORTI delegation. Rabbi Vernon Kurtz was chosen to present me with this special award. The Congress, which was subtitled "Non-Stop Zionism" had many components: a keynote address from Prime Minister Netanyahu, addresses from other key members of the Knesset, committee sessions and voting on the (over 60) resolutions and an afternoon and evening were spent visiting several communities close to Gaza. Some of the key votes included: 1. The near unanimous passage of a resolution to increase programs for more optimal absorption of Ethiopian Jews 2. A vote (382 Yes, 163 No, and 6 abstentions) on creating a third section at the Kotel/Western Wall that will be equal in size, funding and visibility, and will offer a dignified space of worship for the Conservative/Masorti and Reform streams and to the "Women of the Wall." 3. A vote by more than a simple majority to approve the separation of religion and state. MERCAZ and MASORTI will maintain their representation in the Israeli National Institutions (an umbrella organization including the Jewish Agency and Keren Kayemet L'Yisrael) through the leadership of Dr. David Breakstone, Vice Chairman of the World Zionist Organization, and Rabbi Kurtz and other Beth El members who will remain on key governing bodies and committees. This is significant because of it means that we can influence both policy decisions and the financial distribution of a large pool of funds within Israel. January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

We look forward to furthering our MERCAZ USA agenda: fashioning Israel as an exemplary and pluralistic society where every Jew can feel at home; strengthening the bonds between the Jewish state and the Jewish people worldwide; advocating on Israel's behalf, especially in these particularly trying times; advancing Zionism as the progressive movement of national liberation that it set out to be; securing the resources and creating the opportunities for Conservative/Masorti communities around the world to continue growing, so that individually and collectively, we can contribute to ensuring a future for the Jewish people and the State of Israel we can all rejoice in. Coincidentally, one of the plenary members was Rabbi Chaya Rowen Baker, of the Masorti Kehillah Ramot Zion Congreagtion in the French Hill neighborhood of Jerusalem. We were pleased to have her visit Beth El in November as the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism scholar. Her plenary session at the Congress was entitled, "To Be a Free People in our Own Land," which dealt with the lack of religious freedom for Jews in Israel. Masorti/Conservative rabbis aren’t allowed to perform weddings, burials, or conversions and aren’t paid by the State of Israel to serve congregations as Orthodox and Ultra-Orthodox rabbis are. There is no prayer space for egalitarian tefillah/prayer at the Kotel/Western Wall in Jerusalem. She spoke with great strength and from the heart, to great applause from many in the convention hall during that panel. –Sandy Starkman MERCAZ USA: the Conservative movement’s Zionist organization. MERCAZ OLAMI: political organization for Masorti/ Conservative Jews outside the United States and Canada. MASORTI OLAMI: the organization of Masorti (Conservative) congregations and organizations outside the USA, Canada and Israel. MASORTI Foundation for Conservative Judaism in Israel (Masorti Foundation): the organization in Israel of Masorti (Conservative) kehillot/synagogues and related organizations. 19

Paul S. and Sylvia Steinberg Pre-School Over the years I have written to you about our school and the wonderful things that happen at the Paul S. and Sylvia Steinberg Pre-School. I have told you about our professional caring teachers, our cutting edge curriculum, our well-equipped classrooms, our Gan Sylvia playground that serves as a nature center and additional "outside classroom." None of this would matter without the families â&#x20AC;&#x201C; children and parents who make up our community. Our Parent Auxiliary has been very busy this year, beginning with a Welcome Ice Cream Social and ending in June with a Teacher Appreciation Luncheon. In between this time the following committees have been working for the school including: Take Shabbat Home, Teek Bayit (Home Baskets), Family Outreach, Fund Raising, Hanukkah Gift Drive, Art After Dark, Tu B'Shevat Extravaganza (Forest), Shema Pajama Party, Passover Seders, and Shabbat Dinner. While benefiting the school and helping our children appreciate the joys of our rich Jewish heritage, we are also building a strong Jewish community. We see firsthand every day the friendships that have developed between our families, both the children and parents. We see the caring that our parents have for one another. Parents have reached out to other parents January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

that are in need, they reach out to teachers that have experienced a loss or illness. They are forming friendships that will last beyond their children's pre-school years. They are teaching their children the importance of ma'achil r'ay-vim (feeding the hungry), g'milut chasadim (acts of loving kindness), bikur cholim (visiting the sick), tzedakah ( justice/charity) and tikkun olam (repairing the world). I am so proud to be a part of this special community. We invite you to join us or tell your friends about us. Registration is now underway for the 2016-2017 school year and for our 8-week summer camp for infants through 4-year olds. We have classes for infants through toddlers accompanied by an adult called "Small and Tall." Pre-School begins with Adult/Toddler and Transition classes for children 15 months old and continues through Pre-Kindergarten. For information and to arrange a tour, please contact me at the Pre-School office at 847-432-2830. Caron Knopoff Steinberg Pre-School Director

January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

Todah Rabbah

We are grateful for the following contributions:

Rabbi Kurtz's Discretionary Fund

- In honor of Bobbie and Len Tenner's 55th wedding anniversary - Marianne Taussig - In honor of Carol and Stephen Weiss's anniversary - Joel and Frances Rabinowitz - In honor of our 54th wedding anniversary Irv and Ellen Kuperman - In honor of Jason Garfinkel becoming a Bar Mitzvah - Alicia and Pablo Gejman - In honor of Jason's Bar Mitzvah and with appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz - Judy and Doug Garfinkel - In honor of Jennifer Ray and Daniel Dresner - Stephen and Annette Ray - In honor of Jodi and David Gimbel and family, and for the marriage of their daughter Ally to Dan - Ned and Cindy Zallik - In honor of Lucy's Bat Mitzvah and with appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz - Michael and Jacqueline Melinger - In honor of Marge and Len Birnbaum's 60th anniversary of joining Beth El Leonard and Marjorie Birnbaum - In honor of Mark and Francine Levy becoming grandparents - Jerome and Mary Kaltman - In honor of Mary Ellen Goldsmith's special birthday - Stephen and Diane Levin - In honor of Mort and Miriam Steinberg's 40th anniversary - Eliezer Krumbein - In honor of Rabbi Kurtz - David Sarnoff - In honor of Rabbi Kurtz and all he has done for my family - Mimi Lutwak and Family - In honor of Rachel and Stephen's Auf Ruf and with appreciation for all the help for Barbara's mother - David and Barbara Lansing - In honor of Sherwin's Aliyah - Sherwin and Marlene Konik - In honor of the birth of Dita Shana Coven Karen Weiss - In honor of the birth of Melvin and Roselynn Roseman's granddaughter, Eleanor - Robert and Marsha Weinstein - In honor of the birth of Rabbi Vernon and Bryna Kurtz's grandson, Samuel Ryder Kaufman - The Derman Family - Albert and Eleanor Boxerman - Ann Siegel - Barbara and Ira Berger - Bruno and Ruth Fischer - Caron and Jack Knopoff - Donald and Lois Chudacoff

January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

- Gail and Bruce Greenspahn - Gerald and Judy Farby - Harvey and Jacqueline Barnett - Ira and Deborah Rosenberg - Jeanette Massey - Jeff and Lisa Rosenkranz - Jerome and Mary Kaltman - Joel and Frances Rabinowitz - Joseph and Susan Ament - Karen Weiss - Lawrence and Susan Silberman - Leonard and Rochelle Foxman - Lorna Greenspahn - Mark and Nina Gaines - Marvin and Sara Siegel - Mayer Stiebel and Cara Madansky-Stiebel - Michael and Jacqueline Melinger - Mildred Lidov - Mindy and Jeff Gordon - Morton and Miriam Steinberg - NSS Beth El Pre-School - Renee Bearak - Richard and Pamela Schlosberg - Richard Zelin and Judith Hirsch-Zelin - Robert and Beth Footlik - Robert and Maxine Greenstein - Rochelle and Earl Rubinoff - Sally Aaron - Sanford and Adrienne Eckerling - Sol and Marcia Lerner - Susan Saper - In honor of the marriage of Becky Nixon and Jonathan Center and with appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz - Robert and Iris Center - In honor of the marriage of Matthew and Shoshana Gordon - Harry and Arlene Feiger - In honor of the marriage of Scott and Allison Helberg and with appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz - Scott and Allison Helberg - In honor of the wedding of Matthew and Shoshana Gordon - Karen Weiss - In memory of Abe Gold, beloved father-inlaw - Milton Greenfield - In memory of Abraham "Dobby" Dobkin, beloved grandfather - Jori and Leah Brajer - In memory of Abraham Mioni, beloved father-in-law - Joan Holland - In memory of Abraham Shanes, beloved father - Samuel and Irene Shanes - In memory of Alan Miller, beloved husband of Judith Miller - Andrea and Ben Leshem - Jerome and Mary Kaltman - Sanford and Adrienne Eckerling

Todah Rabbah Rabbi Kurtz's Discretionary Fund (continued)

- In memory of Alan Miller, beloved husband of Judith Miller and beloved friend - William and Wendy Lipsman

- In memory of Ellen Fagan, beloved sister Helen Wilens - In memory of Esau and Ethel Cohodes, beloved father and mother - Helen Wilens

- In memory of Alfred Feller, beloved husband, father and grandfather - Annette Feller

- In memory of Esther Shlensky, beloved mother - Melvin and Lenore Blum

- In memory of Ann Hamburger Hofman, beloved mother - Otto Waldmann and Phyllis Hofman Waldmann

- In memory of Evelyn Edidin, beloved sister-in-law of Zella Ludwig - Rita and Gerald Buckman

- In memory of Barbara Golden, beloved mother - Chaikin Capital Advisors

- In memory of Evelyn Pomerantz, beloved sister - Daniel Nast Jr. and Dolly Nast

- In memory of Bella Karp, beloved mother Alice Gross

- In memory of Fay Zelman, beloved mother, and with appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz Jerry and Linda Lebovitz

- In memory of Rose and Ben Greenspahn, beloved mother-in-law and father-in-law Lorna Greenspahn

- In memory of Florence Handzel, beloved mother - Harris and Sharon Goldenberg

- In memory of Ben-Ami Nachmiel Cooperman, beloved son - David and Dena Cooperman

- In memory of Gene Igolka, beloved father Ellen and Steven Lasin

- In memory of Bertha Wexler Goldstein, beloved mother - Paul and Eileen Goldstein

- In memory of Gert Sherman, beloved sister Milton Greenfield

- In memory of Beverly Grey, beloved mother of Jordan Grey - Michael and Anita Katz

- In memory of Harry Reisin, beloved father Bernard and Elaine Reisin

- In memory of Burton Wilens, beloved husband - Helen Wilens

- In memory of Harry Schessel, beloved father - Dr. J. Schessel

- In memory of Celia Katz, beloved mother Mildred Lidov

- In memory of Harry Shlensky, beloved father - Melvin and Lenore Blum

- In memory of David Resnick, beloved son of Howard and Helaine Resnick - Carey and Cheryl Cooper - Judi and Stewart Ebstein

- In memory of Herman Chudacoff, beloved father - Donald and Lois Chudacoff - In memory of Howard Lidov, beloved husband - Mildred Lidov

- In memory of Diana Terr, beloved aunt Arthur and Lynn Cohen

- In memory of Irving Aaron, beloved father-in-law - Sally Aaron

- In memory of Dina Field, beloved mother Phillip and Sandra Cooper

- In memory of Irving Greenfield, beloved brother - Milton Greenfield

- In memory of Doris Rudman, beloved sister - Leonard and Marjorie Birnbaum

- In memory of Irwin Greenspahn, beloved husband - Lorna Greenspahn

- In memory of Dr. Irving Rozenfeld, beloved husband of Betty Frankel Rozenfeld, beloved father of Deborah Dobrusin, Jonathan Rozenfeld and Ranna Rozenfeld, beloved grandfather of Nami Goldenberg, Yael Frankel and Shai Dobrusin, beloved brother-in-law of Herman Wexler - Ann Siegel - Edward and Sari Salinas - Sherwyn and Irvina Warren

- In memory of Isadore Lane, beloved father Fred and Corinne Lane - In memory of Jack Frost, beloved father Ira and Elise Frost - In memory of Jack Frost, beloved husband Allene Frost - In memory of Jack Karson, beloved father Sally Aaron - In memory of John Ferns, beloved brother Ronald and Eileen Goldberg

- In memory of Dr. Lester Kaplin, beloved father - Alan and Marcia Kaplin

- In memory of Joseph Ferns, beloved father Ronald and Eileen Goldberg

- In memory of Edith and Sidney Weiss, beloved parents - Karen Weiss

- In memory of Joseph Tabachnik, beloved husband - Miriam Tabachnik

- In memory of Elena Korenstein, Alicia Gejman's beloved mother-in-law - Karen Weiss January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

Todah Rabbah

We are grateful for the following contributions:

Rabbi Kurtz's Discretionary Fund (continued)

- In memory of Josephine Birnbaum, beloved mother - Leonard and Marjorie Birnbaum - In memory of Joyce Philippi, beloved mother of Kathy Stinson - Lorna Greenspahn - In memory of Julius Citro, beloved stepfather - Sherry Kantar - In memory of Lila Hodes, beloved sister Rita and Gerald Buckman

- In memory of Tillie L. Shanes, beloved mother - Samuel and Irene Shanes

- In memory of Louis A. Bloom, beloved father - Irwin and Linda Magad

- In memory of Vera Blum, beloved mother Melvin and Lenore Blum

- In memory of Mabelle Schero, beloved grandmother - Ira and Elise Frost

- In memory of Victor and Sarah Steinberg, beloved parents - Lorna Greenspahn

- In memory of Mabelle Schero, beloved mother - Allene Frost

- In memory of Willard Aaron, beloved husband - Sally Aaron

- In memory of Martin Holland, beloved brother-in-law - Joan Holland

- In memory of William J. Howard, beloved husband - Dolly Nast

- In memory of Max and Mary Kohl, beloved parents - Mrs. Dolores Kohl

- In memory of Batya Retsky's beloved brother and sister-in-law - Karen Weiss

- In memory of Max Katz, beloved father Mildred Lidov - In memory of Milbert Fein, beloved father Sherry Kantar - In memory of Mildred Carlton, beloved mother - Dennis and Jane Carlton - In memory of Miriam Faust, beloved mother and grandmother - Annette Feller

- With appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz for a most pleasant occasion - Pam and Richard Schlosberg - With appreciation to Aaron and Ellen Krumbein for their friendship - Ronald and Eileen Goldberg - With appreciation to Darryl and Mira Temkin for their friendship - Ronald and Eileen Goldberg

- In memory of Miriam Galerkin, beloved mother - Amos and Edith Turner

- With appreciation to David and Madeline Solomon for their friendship - Ronald and Eileen Goldberg

- In memory of Muriel Kushner, beloved mother - Susie and Mark Pollack - In memory of Murray Brown, beloved father of Allyson Rose - Diane and Steve Levin - In memory of Nathan Goldstein, beloved father - Paul and Eileen Goldstein

- With appreciation to Jeffrey and Stacy Goldsmith for their friendship - Ronald and Eileen Goldberg - With appreciation to Philip and Doreen Feitelberg for their friendship - Ronald and Eileen Goldberg

- In memory of Otto Hammel, beloved father - Melvin and Hedy Sered

- With appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz - The Klaff Family - Sue Cohen

- In memory of Randall Horwitz, beloved father - Jori and Leah Brajer - In memory of Roslyn Greenfield, beloved mother - Ira and Barbara Berger

- With appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz for adding even more meaning to a very special day - The Family of Morris Frydman

- In memory of Roslyn Greenfield, beloved wife - Milton Greenfield

- With appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz for his assistance - Mitchell and Edythe Kreiter

- In memory of Sandra Cohen Patack, beloved sister - Arthur and Lynn Cohen - In memory of Seymour D. Vishny, beloved brother - Bernard and Elaine Reisin - In memory of Sheldon Garland, beloved husband - Adrienne Garland

- With appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz for Jennifer Ray and Dan Dresner's Auf Ruf Edward and Sari Salinas - In honor of Alex's Bat Mitzvah - Jennifer and Michael Wirth and family

- In memory of Sol Holland, beloved brother-in-law - Joan Holland January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

- In memory of Shirley Scheinman, beloved mother of Barbara Lansing - Bob and Millie Weber - Daniel Nast Jr. and Dolly Nast -David and Jodi Gimbel - Mindy Sterns and Family - Rosella and Steven Chiodo

Todah Rabbah Rabbi Schwab's Discretionary Fund

- In honor of Carol and Steve Weiss's 55th wedding anniversary - Marianne Taussig

- In memory of Freida Wexler, beloved grandmother - Paul and Eileen Goldstein

- In honor of Jason's Bar Mitzvah and with appreciation to Rabbi Schwab - Judy and Doug Garfinkel

- In memory of George Berliant, beloved father of Wendy Kahn - Daniel and Wendy Kahn - In memory of Helga Bierig, beloved mother and with appreciation to Rabbi Schwab - Jack Bierig - Judy Farby

- In honor of Lucy's Bat Mitzvah and with appreciation to Rabbi Schwab - Michael and Jacqueline Melinger - In honor of Rachel and Neil Greenbaum for their warm and gracious Sukkot hospitality - David and Rae Smerling

- In memory of Ignacio Fried, beloved father Edward and Sari Salinas - In memory of Janet R. Abels, beloved mother - Roger and Ronnie Wilk

- In honor of Rachel and Stephen's Auf Ruf and with appreciation for the help with Barbara's mother - David and Barbara Lansing

- In memory of Joseph Wexler, beloved grandfather - Paul and Eileen Goldstein

- In honor of Rachel and Zac's wedding and with appreciation to Rabbi Schwab - Brian and Jan Channon

- In memory of Leona Kalson Wilk, beloved mother - Roger and Ronnie Wilk - In memory of Mae Olshansky, beloved mother-in-law - Sheila Olshansky

- In honor of Scott and Carly Bernstein's Auf Ruf and Wedding - Susie and Mark Pollack

- In memory of Malka Hakimian, beloved mother - Sidney and Batya Retsky

- In honor of the marriage of Scott and Kristina Ruderman - Jeffrey and Michele Glass

- In memory of Martin Spieler, beloved husband - Anita Spieler

- In honor of the marriage of Scott Bernstein to Carly Levin - Rochelle and Earl Rubinoff

- In memory of Maurice Olshansky, beloved father-in-law - Sheila Olshansky

- In honor of the marriage of Matt Gordon to Shoshana Indenbaum and with appreciation to Rabbi Schwab - Jeff and Mindy Gordon

- In memory of Milton Schwartz - Ben and Shellie Schwartz

- In honor of Zeev and Nikki Saffir's marriage Wendy and Danny Kahn

- In memory of Milton Schwartz and with appreciation to Rabbi Schwab - Ben and Shellie Schwartz

- In memory of Anita Brenner, beloved sister Leonard and Rochelle Foxman

- In memory of Milton Schwartz, beloved grandfather of Dana Atlas - Jonathan and Danielle Pearl

- In memory of Bernard R. Abels, beloved father - Roger and Ronnie Wilk - In memory of Betty Juron Davis, beloved sister - Marvin and Joyce Juron

- In memory of Mose J. Winick, beloved father - Adrian and Linda Winick

- In memory of Myra Rubinstein, beloved sister - Paul and Eileen Goldstein - In memory of Sam Erlich, beloved father of Burt Ehrlich and with appreciation to Rabbi Schwab - Burton and Julie Ehrlich - In memory of Sandra Turner, beloved wife, and with appreciation to Rabbi Schwab for her stone dedication - Howard Turner

- In memory of Dr. Zayne Wilk, beloved brother - Roger and Ronnie Wilk

- In memory of Seymour Saks - The Saks Family - In memory of Shirley Scheinman, beloved mother of Barbara Lansing - Phyllis Gimpel

- In memory of Edna Tolchinsky Ray and with appreciation to Rabbi Schwab Stephen and Annette Ray

- In memory of Sidney Feitelberg, beloved brother - Philip and Doreen Feitelberg

- In memory of Edward Yore, beloved father Mayer Stiebel and Cara Madansky-Stiebel

- In memory of Taube Wainstein, beloved cousin - Philip and Doreen Feitelberg

- In memory of Frank Igolka, beloved grandfather - Ellen and Steven Lasin January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

Todah Rabbah

We are grateful for the following contributions:

Rabbi Schwab's Discretionary Fund (continued)

- In memory of Zelig Sered, beloved father Melvin and Hedy Sered - Wishing a complete and speedy recovery to Malka Dodi Bat Sara Pesha - Marvin and Sara Siegel - With appreciation to Rabbi Schwab - Batia Eizikovic - Michael Teplitsky - Perri Silverstein

- With appreciation to Rabbi Schwab for his kindness shown to Jessica Gimbel and her students at LFA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jodi and David Gimbel - With appreciation to Rabbi Schwab for Noa's baby naming - Mitchel and Laura Zacks - With appreciation to Rabbi Schwab for officiating at Shoshana and Matt Gordon's wedding - Lawrence and Abby Block

- With appreciation to Rabbi Schwab for a most beautiful baby naming - Gail and Bruce Greenspahn and Deena and Jordan Fischer

- With appreciation to Rabbi Schwab for welcoming our class to your Synagogue Lake Forest Academy

- With appreciation to Rabbi Schwab for the meaningful dedication for my dad, Joseph Rosen - Leonard and Rochelle Foxman

Hazzan Tisser's Discretionary Fund

- In honor of Jason's Bar Mitzvah and with appreciation to Hazzan Tisser - Judy and Doug Garfinkel

- In memory of Milton Schwartz and with appreciation to Hazzan Tisser - Ben and Shellie Schwartz

- In honor of Lucy's Bat Mitzvah and with appreciation to Hazzan Tisser - Michael and Jacqueline Melinger

- In memory of Roz Ebstein, beloved wife of Bernhard Ebstein - Ruth Belzer - In memory of Sylvia Feinberg, beloved mother - Michael and Susan Millenson

- In honor of Hazzan Ben Tisser's 35th birthday - Frank and Arlene Kronthal

- With appreciation to Hazzan Ben Tisser - Steven and Joyce Gallo - Judith Lavin

- In memory of Edna Tolchinsky Ray and with appreciation to Hazzan Tisser Stephen and Annette Ray - In memory of Hazzan Alan Smolen, beloved son - Ernest Smolen - In memory of Helga Bierig, beloved mother and with appreciation to Hazzan Tisser - Jack Bierig - Judy Farby

Adolph M. and Lottye Jacobson Israel Scholarship Endowment Fund

- With appreciation - Harvey and Ellen Jacobson

Ann and Jack Weinberg Holocaust Memorial Education Endowment Fund

- In memory of Jack Weinberg, beloved father and Zaide - Joel and Pearl Kagan

Ba'al Korei Institute Fund

- In memory of Leon Fox, beloved father Magdalena and Leonard Fox - In memory of Rose Berman, beloved mother - Leon and Leslie Fox - In memory of Sheldon Fox, beloved father Leon and Leslie Fox

- In memory of Dr. Nachum Raphaeli, beloved father - Robin and Michael Shartiag January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

- In memory of Warren Berman, beloved brother - Leon and Leslie Fox

Todah Rabbah Ben and Marion Drachler Israel Scholarship Endowment Fund

- In memory of Bella Drachler Tesler, beloved sister - A. Michael and Nancy Drachler - Ferne Avery

Beth El Camp Scholarship Fund

- In memory of Shirley Scheinman, beloved mother of Barbara Lansing - Bobbie and Len Tenner

Cal and Lana Eisenberg Halomdim Program Endowment Fund

- In memory of Isadore Eisenberg, beloved father - Calvin and Lana Eisenberg

- In memory of Shirley Scheinman, beloved mother of Barbara Lansing - Susan, John, Kristina, Matthew and Dylan Nishioka

- In memory of Jerome Yonnie Cohen, beloved father - Calvin and Lana Eisenberg - In memory of Mary Cohen, beloved mother - Calvin and Lana Eisenberg - In memory of Yonnie Levin, beloved nephew - Calvin and Lana Eisenberg

Camp Ramah General Scholarship Endowment Fund

- In honor of Alan Silberman's birthday and his leadership at World Zionist Congress Sandy Starkman, Larry Pachter, Uri, Hollen and Avram

- In memory of Dena Sarnat, beloved mother-in-law - Judith Sarnat - In memory of Gus Schwartz, beloved father - Judith Sarnat - In memory of Jeremy Sherman - Sandy Starkman, Larry Pachter, Uri, Hollen and Avram - In memory of Leonard Sarnat, beloved husband - Judith Sarnat

Capital Improvement Fund

- In honor of Lisa Rosenkranz's Simchat Torah Honor - Gary Gordon and Marilyn Hirsch

- In memory of Shirley Scheinman, beloved mother of Barbara Lansing - Jeff and Lisa Rosenkranz

- In memory of Alan Miller, beloved husband of Judith Miller - Marcy and Kenneth Levin

- In memory of Albert Levin, beloved father Marcy and Kenneth Levin - In memory of Allan Edward Solmor, beloved father of Jane Mordini - Marcy and Kenneth Levin - In memory of Lavina Baron Friedman, beloved mother, - Marcy and Kenneth Levin - In memory of Martie S. Graham, beloved father - H. Steven and Deborah Graham

January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

Todah Rabbah

We are grateful for the following contributions:

Continuing Education Fund

- In honor of David Smith, Michelle Wasserman, Ari Smith and Yael Smith Mitchell Smith

- In memory of Philip Gerson, beloved father of Carol Pomerantz - Sandy Starkman, Larry Pachter, Uri, Hollen and Avram

- In honor of Jack and Barbara Blumberg's 55 years of marriage - Sandy Starkman, Larry Pachter, Uri, Hollen and Avram

- In memory of Shulamit Kahana, beloved mother - Dov and Eileen Kahana

- In memory of Fay Zelman, beloved mother of Linda Lebovitz - Robert and Beth Footlik

Edward S. Frank Israel Study Memorial Endowment Fund

- In honor of Carol and Steve Weiss' 50th wedding anniversary - Gerry Kaplan

- In memory of Anna Kaplan, beloved mother-in-law - Gerry Kaplan

- In honor of Marge and Len Birnbaum's anniversary and Len's 91st birthday Sandy Starkman, Larry Pachter, Uri, Hollen and Avram

- In memory of Beverly Grey, beloved mother of Jordan Grey - Frances and Joel Rabinowitz

- In honor of Nessia Frank - Frances and Joel Rabinowitz

- In memory of Lena Rabinowitz, beloved mother - Fran and Joel Rabinowitz

- In memory of Edward Knell, beloved father - Gerry Kaplan

- In honor of Nessia Frank, our mother, at Hanukkah - Ben and Wendy Frank - In honor of the 50th anniversary of Stuart Cohen's Bar Mitzvah - Babette and Mark Daskin

General Israel Scholarship Endowment Fund

- In honor of our friends at Beth El, thanks for hosting us on Rosh Hashanah - Mark, Babette, Tamar and Keren Daskin - In memory of our loved ones at Yom Kippur and Shemini Atzeret Yizkor, we miss you - Sandy Starkman, Larry Pachter, Uri, Hollen and Avram

Gerald and Rita Buckman Yom Ha'atzmaut Program Endowment Fund

- In honor of the birth of Rabbi Vernon and Bryna Kurtz's grandson, Samuel Ryder Kaufman - Rita and Gerald Buckman

Horwitz-Hoffman Youth Lounge Maintenance Endowment Fund

- In honor of Barbara and David Hoffman's 50th anniversary - Louis and Donna Glickman

Jack and Mildred Cohen Religious School Fund

- In honor of being a host at Sukkot - Pam and Richard Schlosberg - In honor of Leah Seidman becoming a Bat Mitzvah - NS Sisterhood Beth El Giftshop - In honor of our son Kyle's engagement to Missy Teicher - Lawrence and Susan Silberman - In memory of Bee Greenstein, beloved grandmother - Steven and Marci Friedman

January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

- In memory of Seymour Rothman - Joel Rabinowitz - In memory of Sue and Lou Frank, beloved in-laws - Nessia Frank

Todah Rabbah Jack and Mildred Cohen Religious School Fund (continued)

- In memory of Elena Korenstein, beloved mother-in-law of Alicia Gejman - Michael and Terri Lipsitz

- With appreciation for Sandy Starkman and Larry Pachter and all they do - Anonymous - With appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz - Marc and Brenda Wilkow

- In memory of our Family members Mitchell and Karen Kopin

- With appreciation to Rabbi Schwab for all of his prayers - Howard and Lois Hirschfield

- In memory of Gertrude Sher, beloved grandmother - Michael and Sara Sher

Joseph and Mae Gray Cultural and Learning Center Fund

- In honor of Avrum Gray's 80th birthday Andrew and Gail Brown

- In memory of Roberta Steinhardt, beloved sister - Theodore and Cheryl Banks

- In honor of Bill and Judy Siskel's 50th wedding anniversary - Andrew and Gail Brown

- In memory of Ruth Banks, beloved mother Theodore and Cheryl Banks - In memory of Dr. Irving Rozenfeld, beloved husband of Betty Frankel Rozenfeld, beloved father of Deborah Dobrusin, Jonathan Rozenfeld and Ranna Rozenfeld, beloved grandfather of Nami Goldenberg, Yael Frankel and Shai Dobrusin, beloved brother-in-law of Herman Wexler - Amos and Edith Turner - Joseph and Mae Gray Cultural and Learning Center Committee

- In honor of our 54th wedding anniversary Irv and Ellen Kuperman - In honor of Jason Garfinkel's Bar Mitzvah Andrew and Gail Brown - In honor of the marriage of Mike and Susan Wasserman - Harry and Arlene Feiger - In memory of Max Stark, beloved father Natalie Weinstein - In memory of Muriel Glass, beloved mother - Jeffrey and Michele Glass

Kopin Family Fund for Children's T'filot Education Endowment Fund

- In memory of Beverly Grey, beloved mother of Jordan Grey - Myrna Kopin

- In memory of Al Kopin on his 21st Yahrzeit Sandy Starkman, Larry Pachter, Uri, Hollen and Avram - In memory of Alan Miller, beloved husband of Judith Miller - Myrna Kopin

- Wishing a complete and speedy recovery to Ernie Smolen - Shael and Myrna Siegel

- In memory of David Resnick, beloved son of Howard and Helaine Resnick - Myrna Kopin

Kurtz Family Youth Endowment Fund

- In honor of the birth of Rabbi Vernon and Bryna Kurtz's grandson, Samuel Ryder Kaufman - Harris and Sharon Goldenberg

- In memory of Frank Gula, beloved uncle Rabbi Vernon and Bryna Kurtz

- In memory of Bernard C. Kurtz, beloved father - Rabbi Vernon and Bryna Kurtz

Maot Chittim Fund

- Wishing a complete and speedy recovery to Ernie Smolen - Ellen, Jeff and Daniella Roth

Maxwell Abbell Library Fund

- In honor of Sandy Starkman receiving the Mercaz Olami Award - Theodore and Cheryl Banks

January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

- In honor of the birth of Mel and Rosie Roseman's grandchild - Leonard and Rochelle Foxman

Todah Rabbah

We are grateful for the following contributions:

Maxwell Abbell Library Fund (continued)

- In honor of Scott and Carly Bernstein's marriage - Sandra Becker

- In memory of Alan Miller, beloved husband of Judith Miller - Robert and Maxine Greenstein - In memory of Avra Shoshana Tovian, beloved daughter of Merle and Steve Tovian - Sandy Starkman, Larry Pachter, Uri, Hollen and Avram

- Wishing a complete and speedy recovery to Ernie Smolen - Robert and Maxine Greenstein

- In memory of Rabbi Abraham J. Mesch, beloved father - Nissah Mattenson - In memory of Sylvia Tovian, beloved mother - Steven and Merle Tovian

Michael and Karen Lutz Solomon Schechter Endowment Fund

- With appreciation - Karen Lutz

Mindy and Jeffrey Gordon and Family Unrestricted Endowment Fund

- In honor of the 30th anniversary of Jeff and Mindy Gordon - Sandy Starkman, Larry Pachter, Uri, Hollen and Avram

- In honor of Herbert and Mira Natkinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new great-grandson, Liam - Philip and Ellen Glass - In memory of Beverly Grey, beloved mother of Jordan Grey - Mindy and Jeff Gordon

- In honor of the marriage of Matt Gordon to Shoshana Indenbaum - Sandy Starkman, Larry Pachter, Uri, â&#x20AC;&#x2030;Hollen and Avram - Ronald Lenkin

Minyan Service Fund

- In memory of Helga Bierig, beloved mother of Judy Farby - Mindy and Jeff Gordon

- In honor of my Galilah - Felissa Kreindler

- In memory of Arthur DeBofsky, beloved husband - Greta DeBofsky

- In memory of Angela Saporta, beloved mother - Batia Eizikovic

- In memory of Ben Lederman, beloved father - Harold and Eileen Lederman

- In memory of Arthur J. Ramek, beloved brother - Joyce Pollack - In memory of Ruth Leah Dolansky, beloved mother and grandmother - Glenda Mason - In memory of Ruth Scheinman, beloved grandmother - Barbara and David Lansing - In memory of Shirley Scheinman, beloved mother of Barbara Lansing - Marla Hand - In memory of Solomon E. Harrison, beloved father - Harriet Bernbaum

- In memory of Charles Scheinman, beloved grandfather - David and Barbara Lansing - In memory of Dr. Alan Solmar - Gerald and Adrienne Lasin - In memory of Estelle Weitzman, beloved mother - Keith and Cheryl Weitzman - In memory of George Berliant, beloved father of Wendy Kahn - Marlene and Seth Halpern

- In honor of my aliyah - Felissa Kreindler - In honor of the birth of Rabbi Vernon and Bryna Kurtz's grandson, Samuel Ryder Kaufman - Gerald and Adrienne Lasin

- In memory of Harold Goodman, beloved father - Paul and Michelle Pessis - In memory of Harry Archie Dolansky, beloved father - Sanford and Glenda Mason

- In memory of Alan Miller, beloved husband of Judith Miller - Renee Bearak

- In memory of Hiah Turner, beloved mother - Amos and Edith Turner

- In memory of Albert Massey, beloved husband - Jeanette Massey

- In memory of Joseph Lipsman, beloved father - William and Wendy Lipsman

- In memory of Anita and Orville Rosen, beloved parents - Judy Isenberg January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

- In memory of Bernard Cohen, beloved husband - Mrs. Marion Cohen

Todah Rabbah Minyan Service Fund (continued)

- In memory of Mildred and Murray Werker, beloved parents - Sheila Goldberg

- In memory of Roz Levin, beloved mother Jeffrey and Arlene Levin

- In memory of Morris Frydman, beloved husband - June Back Frydman

- In memory of Sheila Kunik, beloved sister Greta DeBofsky

- In memory of Morris Frydman, beloved husband of June Back Frydman - Patricia Shapiro

- In memory of Solomon E. Harrison, beloved father - Harriet Bernbaum - With appreciation - Bruce and Gail Greenspahn

- In memory of N. Arthur Rubinoff, beloved father - Earl and Rochelle Rubinoff - In memory of Rosalyn Mason, beloved mother - Sanford and Glenda Mason

Miriam and Bernard H. Sokol Hebrew High School Fund

- In memory of Simon Finkelstein and with appreciation to the Beth El members who helped make a minyan - Bill Weisel and Michal Finkelstein

- With appreciation - Ronnie Jo Sokol

Music Fund

- In honor of Gail Scully's Simchat Torah honor - Gary Gordon and Marilyn Hirsch

- With appreciation to Hazzan Ben Tisser - Kenneth and Andrea Saffir - Matthew and Victoria Zell

- In memory of Alan Miller, beloved husband of Judith Miller - Deanna and Maurice Sable

- With appreciation - Michael and Karen Kesner

- In memory of Keeva J. Kekst, beloved father - Nancy and Larry Kekst

NSS Beth El Camp Scholarship Fund

- In memory of Helga Bierig, beloved mother of Judy Farby - Bobbie and Len Tenner

NSSBE Special Gifts Fund

- In honor of Sandy Starkman receiving the Mercaz Olami Award - Joseph and Susan Ament

- In memory of Shirley Scheinman, beloved mother of Barbara Lansing - Archibald and Meek - Frank Kersey - Pearl and Eugene Korey

- In memory of Marvin Holland, beloved husband - Joan Holland

- With appreciation to NSS Beth El - Gerald Frank - Sol and Elaine Rosen - Gerald Schechter

- In memory of Sam Ehrlich, beloved father of Burton Erlich - Richard and Carol Streit - In memory of Shirley Nyeste, beloved mother - James Nyeste and Marla Hand - In memory of Shirley Scheinman, beloved mother of Barbara Lansing - Lawrence and Bette Kahn - In memory of Alan Miller, beloved husband of Judith Miller - Alan and Margaret Silberman January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

Todah Rabbah

We are grateful for the following contributions:

Paul S. and Sylvia Steinberg Pre-School Fund

- In honor of Campbell Katz becoming a Bat Mitzvah - Sarah and Joel Chupack - NSS Beth El Pre-School - In honor of Dana Horowitzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s engagement NSS Beth El Pre-School - In honor of Gidon and Hilary Cohen on the marriage of Dana and Oliver Plotkin Andrew and Gail Brown - In honor of the marriage of Rachel Channon - Andrew and Gail Brown - In honor of the marriage of Zeev and Nikki Saffir - Andrew and Gail Brown

- In memory of Adele Wallerstein - Rinna and Eric Maletsky - In memory of Alan Miller, beloved husband of Judith Miller - Annette and Gerald Blumberg - In memory of Bertha Knopoff Auerbach, beloved mother-in-law of Caron Knopoff - Joel and Sara Chupack - Alicia and Pablo Gejman - Jonathan and Danielle Pearl - In memory of Harold Reingold, beloved brother-in-law of Stacey Reingold - Sarah and Joel Chupack

- In memory of Mildred Cohen, beloved mother - Howard and Lois Hirschfield

Prayer Book Fund

- In honor of the birth of Rabbi Vernon and Bryna Kurtz's grandson, Samuel Ryder Kaufman - David and Barbara Lansing

- In memory of Florence Bearak, beloved mother - Marvin and Renee Bearak - In memory of Gary Schwartz - Fran and Steven Shapiro

- In memory of Alan Miller, beloved husband of Judith Miller - Carolynn Marcus Schwartz and Richard Schwartz

- In memory of Hazzan Julius Leib Ulman, beloved father - Lillian Charney

- In memory of Beverly Grey, beloved mother of Jordan Grey - Steven and Frances Shapiro

- In memory of Herbert Gross, beloved husband - Alice Gross - In memory of Howard Wittenberg, beloved husband - Iris Wittenberg

- In memory of Marcia Cohen, beloved sister Neil and Adrienne Aaronson - In memory of Sheldon Fox, beloved father Leon and Leslie Fox

- In memory of Elmer E. Fox, beloved father Allan and Hilary Greenberg

- With appreciation to my dear friends at NSS Beth El for all the good wishes made in my behalf - Ernest Smolen

Pushke/Tzedakah Fund

- In memory of Shirley Scheinman, beloved mother of Barbara Lansing The Oberheide Family

- Wishing a complete and speedy recovery to Judith Weiner - Mary Ellen and Larry Goldsmith

Ritual Refurbishment Endowment Fund

- In honor of Alex becoming a Bat Mitzvah and with appreciation to Mark StadlerJennifer and Michael Wirth and family

- In memory of Minnie R. Levenson, beloved mother - Jack and Barbara Blumberg - In memory of Pearl S. Blumberg, beloved mother - Jack and Barbara Blumberg

- In honor of my Ark opening - Sally Aaron

Rosalyn Bogen Memorial CJHS Endowment Fund

- With appreciation - Gilbert Bogen

January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

Todah Rabbah Sarah and Henry Stiebel Camp Ramah Endowment Fund

Sarah and Henry Stiebel Schechter Endowment Fund

- In honor of Jan and Rick Small's 28th anniversary - Sandy Starkman, Larry Pachter, Uri, Hollen and Avram

- In honor of the birth of Eli Krumbein's great granddaughter - Sandy Starkman, Larry Pachter, Uri, Hollen and Avram

- In honor of the 50th anniversary of Stuart Cohen's Bar Mitzvah - Sandy Starkman, Larry Pachter, Uri, Hollen and Avram

- In memory of Beverly Grey, belolved mother of Jordan Grey - Sandy Starkman, Larry Pachter, Uri, Hollen and Avram

- In honor of Larry Pachter's Haftorah Sandy Starkman, Larry Pachter, Uri, Hollen and Avram

- In memory of Helga Bierig, beloved mom of Judy Farby - Sandy Starkman, Larry Pachter, Uri, Hollen and Avram

- In honor of Michael Kesner's 60th birthday - Sandy Starkman, Larry Pachter, Uri, Hollen and Avram

- With appreciation to the honorees for Simchat Torah - Mayer Stiebel and Cara Madansky-Stiebel

- In honor of the birth of Rabbi Vernon and Bryna Kurtz's grandson, Samuel Ryder Kaufman - Jonathan and Francine Sherman

- In memory of David Resnick, beloved son of Howard and Helaine Resnick - Jonathan and Francine Sherman

Sherman Family Israel Scholarship Endowment Fund

- In memory of Alan Miller, beloved husband of Judith Miller - Jonathan and Francine Sherman

Social Action Fund

- In memory of Marcia Wilensky - Gail Cooper

- With appreciation to Rabbi Schwab Alexander Wolf

Staff Recognition Fund

- In honor of Jeffrey Goldsmith's Simchat Torah Honor - Gary Gordon and Marilyn Hirsch

- With appreciation to our wonderful maintenance staff - Rabbi Vernon and Bryna Kurtz

- With appreciation to the Beth El Staff for a Great 2015! - Andrew and Gail Brown

Steinberg Pre-School Endowment Fund

- In memory of Milton Schwartz, beloved grandfather of Dana Atlas - The Sukenic Family

Youth Community Fund

- In honor of Gabriel Small's Eagle Scout Recognition - Mary Ellen and Larry Goldsmith

- In memory of Helga Bierig, beloved mother of Judy Farby - Steven and Frances Shapiro

- In honor of Jason Garfinkel becoming a Bar Mitzvah - David and Noreen Ohcana - In honor of the birth of Micah Jacob Isenstein, son of Samantha and Brian Isenstein - The Halfin Family - Richard and Pam Schlosberg January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

February 2016 Events Calendar

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

12:30pm Sisterhood Lunch and Learn

7:00pm Hartman Institute 7:45pm Executive Class Committee Meeting

Saturday

4:51pm Candle Lighting 6:15pm Kabbalat Shabbat 7:00pm Gimmel Shabbat Dinner

8:50am Shabbat Services 12:30pm Sisterhood Torah Fund Book Club 4:00pm Shabbat Open Gym 4:45pm Mincha /Ma'ariv 5:56pm Shabbat Ends 7:30pm Men's Club/ Sisterhood Game Night

8:30am Men's Club World 8:00pm Board of Education 7:00am Morning Minyan Wide Wrap Committee Meeting 8:45am Morning Minyan 11:00am Men's Club Board Meeting 7:30pm Evening Minyan

7:00am Morning Minyan

7:45pm Men's Club Caveman Dinner

Youth Community Weekend of Greatness 5:00pm Candle Lighting 6:15pm Kabbalat Shabbat 7:00pm Congregational Shabbat Dinner

8:50am Shabbat Services 4:45pm Mincha /Ma'ariv 6:05pm Shabbat Ends

8:45am Morning Minyan 9:30am Bagels for Your Brains 7:30pm Evening Minyan

7:45pm Ritual Committee Meeting

6:00pm Used Book Sale Setup and Pizza Party 7:45pm Board of Directors Meeting

Used Book Sale 5:08pm Candle Lighting 6:15pm Kabbalat Shabbat

8:50am Shabbat Services Bat Mitzvah – Avra Friedman 5:00pm Mincha /Ma'ariv 6:13pm Shabbat Ends

Used Book Sale 8:45am Morning Minyan 8:50am Men's Club Blood Drive 9:00am Social Action Mitzvah Day 7:30pm Evening Minyan

Used Book Sale 8:00pm Continuing Education Committee Meeting

Used Book Sale

5:17pm Candle Lighting 6:15pm Kabbalat Shabbat

8:50am Shabbat Services USY Shabbat 5:00pm Dalet Mincha and Havdalah 5:00pm Mincha /Ma'ariv 6:22pm Shabbat Ends

Mar 1

Mar 2

Mar 3

Mar 4

Mar 5

12:00pm Study in the Suburbs 2:00pm Afternoon @ the Movies 7:45pm Executive Committee Meeting

5:24pm Candle Lighting 8:50am Shabbat Services 6:15pm Kabbalat Shabbat Bar Mitzvah - Ryan Hecht 7:00pm Bet Shabbat Oneg 9:15am Beit Midrash Minyan 12:00pm Hey Family Luncheon 5:15pm Mincha /Ma'ariv 6:29pm Shabbat Ends 8:00pm Beth El's Big Event

Used Book Sale 8:45am Morning Minyan 10:30am Havurah Coffee Event 7:30pm Evening Minyan 7:45pm Field Lecture

9 Rosh Hodesh Adar I 10 Rosh Hodesh Adar I 11

Friday

7:45pm Sisterhood Board Meeting

NSSBE Staff Vernon Kurtz, Rabbi Michael Schwab, Rabbi Benjamin A. Tisser, Hazzan Mark Stadler, Ritual Director Chuck Kahalnik, Executive Director Alicia Gejman, Director of Formal Education January- February 2016 / Tevet-Adar I 5776

Caron Knopoff, Pre-School Director Ali Drumm, Director of Informal Education Rachel Kamin, Director of the Cultural and Learning Center Nancy Kekst, Director of Development Samantha Isenstein, Youth Community Director

North Suburban Synagogue Beth El 1175 Sheridan Road Highland Park, IL 60035

Non Profit Org. US Postage PAID Highland Park, IL

Permit No. 96

January 2016 Events Calendar

Address Service Requested

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

8:45am Morning Minyan 7:30pm Evening Minyan

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

1 New Year's Day

8:45am Morning Minyan 4:10pm Candle Lighting 6:15pm Kabbalat Shabbat

8:50am Shabbat Services 4:00pm Mincha /Ma'ariv 5:15pm Shabbat Ends

7:45pm Executive Committee Meeting

4:16pm Candle Lighting 6:15pm Kabbalat Shabbat

8:50am Shabbat Services Bat Mitzvah–Eugenie Berman-Moore 12:30pm Sisterhood Torah Fund Book Club 4:15pm Mincha /Ma'ariv 5:21pm Shabbat Ends

11 Rosh Hodesh Shevat 12

8:45am Morning Minyan 9:30am Bagels for Your Brains 7:30pm Evening Minyan

7:00am Morning Minyan 8:00pm Board of Education Committee Meeting

7:00pm B'nai Mitzvah Orientation & Dinner

12:00pm Study in the Loop 4:24pm Candle Lighting 7:00pm Hartman Institute 6:15pm Kabbalat Shabbat Class

8:50am Shabbat Services Bat Mitzvah–Leah Rosenberg 9:15am Beit Midrash Minyan 12:30pm Exhibit Lecture 4:15pm Mincha /Ma'ariv 5:29pm Shabbat Ends 8:00pm Art After Dark

23 Shabbat Shira

8:45am Morning Minyan 9:30am Bagels for Your Brains 7:30pm Evening Minyan

7:45pm Ritual Committee Meeting

8:45am Morning Minyan 7:45pm CLC Committee 11:00amTorahCantillationBegins Meeting 7:30pm Evening Minyan

8:45am Morning Minyan 9:30am Bagels for Your Brains 12:00pmRamahDayCampEvent 7:30pm Evening Minyan

8:00pm Srugim Class Begins 7:45pm Board of Directors 4:33pm Candle Lighting 8:50am Shabbat Services Meeting 5:00pm Jeans and Jammies Bat Mitzvah–Sarah Erlichman 6:15pm Kabbalat Shabbat 1:30pm Shabbaton – Shabbat Shira 4:30pm Mincha /Ma'ariv 5:38pm Shabbat Ends 7:30pm Perfect Pitch Concert

4:41pm Candle Lighting 6:15pm Kabbalat Shabbat

8:50am Shabbat Services 4:30pm Mincha /Ma'ariv 5:46pm Shabbat Ends