Siddur (Prayerbook) Hebrew
2025-12-15 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-12-22 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
If you’d like to participate more meaningfully at services, this class can help you continue to develop your Hebrew skills. Participants will develop Hebrew reading proficiency while exploring the vocabulary, structure, and themes of Shabbat worship services and prayers. This class meets a requirement for Adult Kabbalat Mitzvah and is held in Room 202.
Members, click here to register.
Guests, click here to register.
Bluma Stoller is a Beth Emet member and a graduate of Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary. She was the North American Director of Academic Affairs for Tel Aviv University and was the recipient of Hillel International’s Exemplar of Excellence Award for her commitment to social justice and tikkun olam. She has held leadership positions in major Jewish organizations, including Project Otzma and the JCRC of Greater Boston.

Jamberry Music with Nicole Jaworski (Co-Sponsored by jBaby)
2025-12-16 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-12-23 09:30 - 10:30
Join us for joyful, collaborative music-making with Nicole Jaworski and Jamberry Music! In this class, you and your little one will bond with each other and make new friends while we sing, dance, play, pretend, and experiment with instruments. Class is geared to kids 6 months to 2.5 years old, and siblings are welcome to come! The class is held in the Crown Room.
Click here to register for this Beth Emet and JUF jBaby class.

The Rabbi Peter and Elaine Knobel Soup Kitchen at Beth Emet
2025-12-17 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-12-24 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-24 18:00 - 19:00
Every Wednesday evening since 2002, Beth Emet has opened its doors to community members in need of a nutritious dinner.
Guests sit at linen-covered tables with fresh flowers and listen to live music while enjoying their meal, and they leave with a sack lunch to enjoy on the following day. The meeting starts in the Crown Room.

Beacon of Light Protest
2025-12-18 16:00 - 17:00
Contact the office for more information

Beit Sefer
2025-12-18 16:15 - 18:15
Beit Sefer is an engaging Jewish learning program for students in Kindergarten through 7th grade. Classes explore Jewish values, holidays, Torah stories, and Hebrew in a supportive and fun environment, fostering curiosity, community, and connection to Jewish life.
Beit Sefer meets Sundays for Kindergarten-2nd grade learners and Sundays and Thursdays for 3rd-6th grade learners. Thursday sessions are 4:15–6:15 pm, and our early drop-off program, Kef Club, meets 3:30–4:15 pm.
Learn more about Beit Sefer.

Soul Stitchers- Knitting Circle in person!
2025-12-18 19:00 - 20:30
Know how to knit and/or crochet? As a tribute to Nikki Zarefsky z”l, join us for an hour (on Zoom) of knitting and connecting as we create shawls to warm people during services and/or healing shawls that will bring warmth to those in need in a hospital, home or other settings. Newcomers are welcome and encouraged to join! Please send us an email with any questions.

Israeli Dancing
2025-12-18 19:15 - 23:30, 2025-12-25 19:15 - 23:30
Join Chicago Israeli dancing, led by Phil Moss and Penny Brichta, and learn how to dance like an Israeli every Thursday night! For more information you can refer to chicagoisraelidancing.com The event is held in the Weiner Room and through Zoom.

A Close Look at Prophets with Rabbi Andrea London
2025-12-19 09:30 - 10:30
There are many ways to interpret our Tanach and its nuances of meaning that are often overlooked. Having completed our Close Look at Torah, we turn to N’viim / Prophets, beginning with Joshua. New learners are always welcome. If you are new, please register below and the meeting will take place in the Weiner room. If you plan to participate online, you must register to receive a Zoom link, watch EmetMail for the link.
This class meets most Fridays during the program year. During the 5786 year, the class will take place October 24 to June 12, and will not take place on the following dates:

November 28
December 5
December 26
January 2
January 23
January 30
February 13
April 3
May 1
May 22

Members Register Here
Guests Register Here

Reengaging Psalms with Rabbi Michael Balinksy
2025-12-19 11:00 - 12:15
The book of Psalms in the Bible are the foundation of a significant part of our liturgy. In this session we will look at Psalm 92, the Psalm for Shabbat; Psalm 27, recited during the month before the High Holidays until Simchat Torah; and Psalm 23, The Lord is my Shepherd. Through close readings we will see how our ancient texts may nourish our contemporary sacred journeys, and what we experience when we study them as text and then use them for prayer.
Rabbi Michael Balinsky has taught at Beth Emet for many years. He first came to Evanston in 1981 where he was the Hillel director at Northwestern for 20 years, was next the Director of Faculty Development for Melton, and then led the Chicago Board of Rabbis. Michael is a graduate of Yeshiva University.
Members, register here.
Guests, register here.

Beth Emet uses budgeted funds and fees to support our adult education program. This year, instead of individual registration fees for specific classes, our goal is to secure $4,000 in donations to cover our costs. Please consider an optional donation to the adult education fund when you register to help sustain our commitment to lifelong learning.

Shabbanukah Congregational Dinner
2025-12-19 17:00 - 19:30
What do you get when you add Chanukah + Shabbat? Shabbanukah! Celebrate the lights of Chanukah AND Shabbat at our multi-age evening of food and community. The night will include dinner, art activities, Shabbanukah service, and youth group events for middle school and high school. An evening full of light, laughter, and connection awaits!
5:00-6:30 Congregational dinner and art activities
5:30-6:30 Middle school youth group event
6:30-7:30 Shabbanukah service
Members, register here.
Guests, register here.

Shabbanukah Service
2025-12-19 18:30 - 19:30
A service to accompany the Shabbanukah congregational dinner. Hosted in Sanctuary and LiveControl.
5:00-6:30 Congregational dinner and art activities
5:30-6:30 Middle school youth group event
6:30-7:30 Shabbanukah service
Members, register here.
Guests, register here.

Kabbalat Shabbat Services
2025-12-19 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-12-26 18:30 - 20:00
Welcome Shabbat with our Kabbalat Shabbat Service! Whether in the Sanctuary or online!

Kahal Shabbat Morning Service
2025-12-20 09:30 - 11:30
Come together for a special Shabbat morning with Kahal, featuring prayer, Torah reading, and engaging discussions. The service offers a chance to connect spiritually and share in the experience with the community. Whether attending regularly or exploring Shabbat for the first time, everyone is welcome to participate and enjoy the warmth of the congregation. If you are new to Kahal and would like to attend in person, we meet in the Weiner Room. If you would like to attend virtually, register here.
If you’d like to register for honors, click here.

Building Closed
2025-12-21 - 2025-12-28, 2025-12-22, 2025-12-23, 2025-12-24, 2025-12-25, 2025-12-26
Beth Emet’s building will be closed from December 21st-28th, and additionally January 1st.

Sunday Morning Minyan
2025-12-21 09:00 - 10:00
The Sunday Morning Minyan meets in the Beit Midrash at Beth Emet.
Join us on Sundays to daven (pray) the weekday Shacharit (morning) service! First-timers are encouraged! Please note, we will continue to Zoom as well for virtual participation.
The Minyan offers an intimate opportunity to pray with the Beth Emet community. The service explores our ritual, liturgical, and musical traditions in a welcoming setting for people new to prayer while providing a deeper connection for people with more experience.
Please contact the office for a link.
Participants are encouraged to wear a tallit and tefillin.

No Beit Sefer (winter break)
2025-12-21 09:39 - 11:41, 2025-12-25 16:15 - 18:15
There is no Beit Sefer during winter break, December 21 to January 4. Beit Sefer resumes Thursday, January 8 and Sunday, January 11.

Erev Christmas
2025-12-24

Shabbat b'Bayit Services
2025-12-26 18:30 - 20:00
Welcome Shabbat with our Kabbalat Shabbat Service! Whether in the Sanctuary or online! This week Shabbat is Via Zoom. A zoom link was sent out in Emetmail a few weeks ago please check your email.
