Hebrew 1 with Bluma Stoller
2023-01-29 10:15 - 11:45, 2023-02-05 10:15 - 11:45 (America/Chicago)
Hebrew 1 is for learners with no or limited Hebrew language background. This class focuses on mastery of the Hebrew alphabet in order to read and understand Hebrew words and phrases in the prayer book and modern usage. Hebrew 1 also connects Hebrew vocabulary with Jewish life, ritual, tradition, and Israel.
This class will begin remotely, through Zoom, and continue in person as conditions permit.
Member fee $220; non-member fee $270
(five-student minimum for this class; Scholarships are available)
Non-Member Register Here
Member Register Here
BLUMA STOLLER is a Beth Emet congregant 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 the Boards of Combined Jewish Philanthropies, the JCRC of Greater Boston, and Project Otzma.

Hebrew 3 with Dorit Flatt
2023-01-29 11:30 - 12:30, 2023-02-05 11:30 - 12:30
Hebrew 3 is for learners able to sound out and print Hebrew words. This class will explore the grammar and vocabulary of modern Hebrew through a variety of reading, writing, and speaking activities.
Member fee $220; non-member fee $270 (five-student minimum for this class)
Contact Marci if you are interested or have questions.

Hebrew 1 with Bluma Stoller
2023-01-29 12:15 - 13:15, 2023-02-05 12:15 - 13:15
For learners with no or limited Hebrew language background. This class focuses on mastery of the Hebrew alphabet in order to read and understand Hebrew words and phrases in the prayer book and modern usage. Hebrew 1 also connects Hebrew vocabulary with Jewish life, ritual, tradition, and Israel. Member fee $220; non-member fee $270 (five-student minimum for this class)
Contact Marci if you are interested or have questions.
BLUMA STOLLER is a Beth Emet congregant 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.

Daily Meditation from Institute for Jewish Spirituality
2023-01-30 11:30 - 12:00, 2023-01-31 11:30 - 12:00, 2023-02-01 11:30 - 12:00, 2023-02-02 11:30 - 12:00, 2023-02-03 11:30 - 12:00
Join Meditation Room

Jamberry
2023-01-31 09:45 - 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 join! Masks for everyone 2+, and social distancing, will be expected.
This program will take place Aug 16, 23, 30, Sept. 6, 13, 20 at Beth Emet The Free Synagogue.
The fee per family is $90.00
Register for Jamberry

Soup Kitchen
2023-02-01 18:00 - 19:00

Qigong with Netiva Caftori
2023-02-02 10:00 - 11:00
There are so many moving parts in our day to day lives. Our very own Netiva Caftori, invites us to experience the healing practice of Qigong with her. Qigong is a millennia-old system of coordinated body-posture and movement, breathing, and meditation used for the purposes of health and spirituality. Beginners are encouraged to try out this session.
Join Here

Beit Sefer - Grades 3-6
2023-02-02 16:15 - 18:15

Gesher Class (Grade 7)
2023-02-02 16:15 - 18:15
Gesher students learn to identify Jewish values in their lives and to use those values as they make choices. You can see the full list of dates and classes at this link.

A Close Look at Torah with Rabbi Andrea London
2023-02-03 09:30 - 10:35
There are many ways to interpret Torah and its nuances of meaning that are often overlooked. We will continue our learning from last year, reading and interpreting the text of the Book of Deuteronomy line by line. New learners are always welcome.
No Fee for members; non-member fee is $120.
Non-Members Register Here
Members Register Here

Visual Midrash? Decoding Medieval Jewish Art with Dr. David Shyovitz
2023-02-03 11:00 - 12:15
Pre-modern Jews are often described as “people of the book,” but Jews produced visual art over the centuries as well – images in illuminated Bibles, Mahzorigm, and Haggadot that are complex, often learned, and sometimes deeply subversive. How might our understanding of Torah study shift if we accompany study of Jewish texts with study of Jewish images?
Member fee $25 or included in Friday morning package; non-member fee $35
Non-Members Register Here
Members Register Here
DAVID SHYOVITZ (PhD University of Pennsylvania) is Associate Professor of History at Northwestern University, and Director of NU’s Crown Family Center for Jewish and Israel Studies. He is the author of A Remembrance of His Wonders: Nature and the Supernatural in Medieval Ashkenaz (2017), and has lectured widely throughout the United States, Israel, and Europe.

Tu B'Shevat Shabbat Dinner for Families with Young Children with special guest Aimee Leigh
2023-02-03 17:30 - 18:30
Celebrate the birthday of the trees with our favorite song-leader Aimee! Enjoy a delicious dinner, story and brief Shabbat service.
Co-Sponsored by PJ Library
Non-Members Register Here
Members Register Here

Kabbalat Shabbat Services with Februrary Birthday Blessings
2023-02-03 18:30 - 20:00
Welcome Shabbat whether in the Sanctuary or online! Masks are no longer required and are encouraged. There will be a masks-required section for those that feel more comfortable in the Sanctuary.
To listen to the service dial 847-869-4230 and press 7
As this is the first Friday of the month, we will be offering a birthday blessing to all our February birthdays! Here’s a list of all those who are celebrating!
Rabbi London will give a D’var Torah on chapter 5 of Here All Along, “Becoming a Great Person: Self-Restraint and Self-Transcendence”. If you do not yet have your copy of the book, wish to order an audiobook and/or wish to join a book circle, check our website.
The One Book, One Congregation programs are generously sponsored by the Judith F. Krug Fund, David and Florence Fingeret Fund, Solomon and Lillian Krug Fund, and the JELLO (Jewish Education: Lifelong Learning Opportunities) Funds in the Beth Emet Foundation.

**Cancelled** Learners' Minyan
2023-02-04 09:30 - 11:00
Want greater comfort in a Shabbat morning service? Wondering what the prayers mean or when we bow? Marci Dickman will lead this Learners’ Minyan on Shabbat morning. We will pray, sing, laugh and reflect.
Following the morning service, participants are invited to the Kahal Shabbat morning service for the Torah reading and D’var Torah with an engaging discussion led by Rabbi London.
Questions, feel free to contact Marci Dickman

Kahal Shabbat Morning Services
2023-02-04 09:30 - 11:30
Whether in-person or online participate in worship by signing up for an honor via the online honor form. Masks are no longer required and are encouraged.
Ph: 312-626-6799- Meeting ID: 833 6362 0227 / Passcode: [REDACTED]

Kahal Potluck Lunch
2023-02-04 12:00 - 13:00
We will gather for lunch immediately following the Kahal service while adhering to our current Covid protocols. If you are able to attend on Saturday morning, please consider bringing a vegetarian, nut-free dish or lunch item for all to enjoy.
Please also take a moment to jot down a list of ingredients that can be displayed with your dish for the benefit of those with food allergies.

Erev Tu B'Shevat
2023-02-05
Tu B’Shevat starts at night

Sunday Morning Minyan
2023-02-05 09:00 - 10:00
Join us on Sundays to daven (pray) the weekday Shacharit (morning) service! We are returning to the building! 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.
Participants are encouraged to wear a tallit and tefillin.

What Makes a Family? Tools for Talking About Family Diversity
2023-02-05 09:30 - 10:30
Young children are actively navigating complex socio-political messages, materials, and experiences. Unfortunately, misconceptions and stereotypes lead to negative implications for their sense of self and emerging family pride.
In this 2-part interactive series led by Ilana Dvorin Friedman* and Rabbi Andrea London, we will consider how cultural notions and assumptions about “family” can hinder their sense of belonging. Through ongoing discussion and storytelling, grown-ups can support young children to embrace the beauty of all families.
This adult series is perfect for parents and grandparents of children from birth through 3rd grade.
Free child-care activities are available. Please reserve your spot on the registration form.
Non-Members Register Here
Members Register Here
*ILANA DVORIN FRIEDMAN is the Early Childhood Policy Analyst at JUF. She is passionate about early childhood Jewish education, anti-bias education, and childcare advocacy. For the last twelve years, she has been an adjunct instructor at a variety of academic institutions. As a child development consultant, Ilana creates and facilitates professional development opportunities and communities of practice for early childhood and child development professionals. Most recently, Ilana was the advisor for the JUF Cohort in Erikson Institute’s MS ECE online program. Ilana holds a PhD in Child Development from the joint program at Loyola University Chicago and Erikson, completing her dissertation on gender beliefs of teachers in Orthodox Jewish early childhood programs. She lives in Skokie with her husband and five children.

Gan Yom Rishon
2023-02-05 09:30 - 11:00
Gan Yom Rishon is an interactive class for children ages 3-5, with a parent/caregiver, that meets on Sunday mornings in-person at Beth Emet. Each week we’ll experience Judaism through music, art, cooking, and stories. Gan Yom Rishon is also open to non-members.
Non-Members Register Here
Members Register Here
Class Dates:
September 18
October 2, 9, 16, 23
November 6, 13, 20
December 4, 11, 18
January 15, 22
February 5, 12, 26
March 12, 19, 26
April 16, 23, 30
May 7, 14, 21

Beit Sefer
2023-02-05 09:30 - 12:00

Gesher Class ( Grade 7)
2023-02-05 10:30 - 12:00

An Inside Look at the Abraham Accords
2023-02-05 11:00 - 12:00
The historic Abraham Accords dramatically improved Israel’s position in the Middle East, normalizing Israel’s ties with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. In 2½ years, the Accords have led to a renewed relationship with Morocco, security agreements with Bahrain and Morocco, Saudi Arabia treating Israel “as a potential ally,” expanded trade and other business opportunities, and more.
Sponsored by the Israel Committee
Non-Members Register Here
Members Register Here

EITAN NA’EH is Israel’s Ambassador to Bahrain. He headed the diplomatic mission (2020-2021) to implement the Abraham Accords normalization deal between Israel and three Arab countries, and served as Israel’s envoy to the United Arab Emirates until he was appointed in 2021 to be Israel’s first ambassador to Bahrain, after serving as Ambassador to Turkey, Deputy Ambassador in London, and Ambassador to Azerbaijan.
