E-Bulletin from Congregation Etz Chaim

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1710 S. Highland Ave. Lombard, Il. 60148 Ph: 630-627-3912 FAX 630-627-9123 Email Us 5/16/12

Shabbat Behar-Bechukotai

Friday May 18, 2012 Saturday May 19, 2012

8:15 PM Shabbat Evening Service 9:00 AM Torah Study

Confirmation 10:30 AM Morning Service

Oneg Host: Wortsman Family and Bar Mitzvah: Ben Wortsman

the families of the Confirmation Class

Shabbat Bemidbar

Friday May 25, 2012 Saturday May 26, 2012

7:30 PM Shabbat Family Service 10:30 AM Morning Service

Rabbi Bob will tell a story Bat Mitzvah: Shayna Prinz

Oneg Host: Prinz Family

Shavuot

Saturday May 26, 2012

7:00 PM Shavuot Service

Current Torah Portion

*childcare is available during Friday evening services in our Nursery.

It is Time for the Next Visit from the Lichtenbergs

Bobbie and Gershom would love to visit with all of you on the afternoon of Saturday, June 2nd in the Social Hall of Etz Chaim.

As many of you know, they have lived in Israel for almost 5 years but make periodic visits back to visit family and friends. One of the highlights of their visit is to see as many of you as possible and this is the best way for them to do that. It also gives them a chance to find out what you would like to know about Israel, be it their personal lives or their perceptions of situations there.

Please join them on Saturday, June 2nd from 3:30 - 6:00 PM whether you are old friends, new friends or about to become friends of theirs. Please RSVP to Gershom if you plan to be there.

Worship

Parasha I Worship Services I Rabbi Bob's Writings I Rabbi Cosnowsky's Writings

Message from Rabbi Cosnowsky

It's almost time for Shavuot and the question on everybody's mind is, "What is Rabbi Cosnowsky going to teach this year?" Read more here.

Shavuot- Saturday, May 26th

shavuot On Shavuot we recall the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai and the bringing of the offering of first fruits to the Temple in Jerusalem. While we can no longer actually bring first fruits to the Temple, we do recall that act by bringing flowers to our sanctuary to decorate our Ark. We ask that you bring flowers to the Shavuot service to add to the beauty of the sanctuary. Read more here.

Confirmation Service- THIS Friday, May 18th

jewish star Please join the Confirmation Class of 2012 this Friday evening, May 18th at 8:15 PM. This year's class will discuss "It's Not the End of the World: Reflecting On the Past and Imagining the Future." Read more here.

Adult & Family Services

Brotherhood I Sisterhood I Adult Ed I Seniors I Social Action

Message from Our President

Janet Widmaier

I'm delighted to announce that Joel Spenadel has agreed to take on the task of working with me to form a new committee, which we're currently calling the Development Committee. Read more here.

Social Action News
Feed My Starving Children- Saturday, May 19th

We're looking for 20 men, women and children to pack food at the Schaumburg location on Saturday, May 19th. Read more here.

PADS Summer Volunteers Needed!

PADS at Etz Chaim has two wonderful opportunities for high school and college kids as well as adults looking to do a bit more in our community.

Pick up donated food on a Saturday morning - takes less than an hour.

Work the breakfast shift with four other Etz Chaim volunteers. Help needed Monday mornings July 2nd, July 30th, August 6th, September 3rd at 6:00 - 7:30 AM.

Make a huge impact in a short period of time! Contact Susan Brodie for more information and to sign up.

Connections Team

To build a stronger community we will be having half-hour conversations (One on Ones) with members who have joined within the last three years. Read more here.

Sisterhood Year-End Dinner- Wednesday, May 23rd

The annual Sisterhood Year-End Dinner will be held on Wednesday, May 23rd at Greek Islands, Lombard. Read more here.

School & Youth Activities

Religious School I Homework I Youth Groups

JYG Great America Trip- Sunday, June 3rd

The JYG will be going to Great America on June 3rd. Everyone is to meet at the synagogue at 8:30 AM. Read more here.

Todah Rabba Marissa

In the last issue I recognized all of the wonderful people who give so much of their time to help education the children in our school. I want to add Marissa Roseman to that list. Marissa is an 8th grader who comes every Wednesday to help out in the fourth-grade Hebrew class. She has spent most of the year working one-on-one with a student and it has been a huge help to the teacher as well as the student. Todah Rabba to Marissa. It is my hope that a few more 8th graders next year will help out when their younger brother or sister is in class.

Congregational Life

Congratulations I Condolences I Kaddish List I Donations

Greater Chicago Jewish Festival-

Sunday, June 10th

jewish festival 2012 The Greater Chicago Jewish Festival for 2012 is a special event. There will be three stages with music, dance and storytelling, a family stage, a Kosher Food Fair, and an Art Fair and Organization Fair.

This Festival marks over 30 years since the first Festival brought the Chicago Jewish community together. Therefore, we will concentrate more of our performer time and artists on those from Chicago or with Chicago roots.

Some of the artists performing will be Steven Page, formerly of the Barenaked Ladies, Rabbi Joe Black and The Maxwell Street Klezmer Band. Read more here.

Did You Know...

Manna

The Ways and Means Committee has a variety of Manna gift cards that can be purchased during the summer months. If you are interested in purchasing additional Manna cards, please contact the synagogue office for a list of these cards.