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This coming Monday, March 16, 2015, the Annual Meeting of Beth Emet will be held at 7:30 pm in our sanctuary. One purpose of that meeting is, of course, to elect our officers and Board members for the coming year. But another purpose our annual meeting has come to serve is the President's making a report to the Congregation "on the status of the affairs of the Synagogue," as is required by our Constitution and Bylaws.
I urge you to attend. Our Congregation is in the midst of changes which are both exciting and challenging. Many of these overlap with broader issues facing American Judaism and the Reform movement. I intend to address these matters candidly and hope to launch an ongoing dialogue, because these are communal issues and we have shared responsibilities. Nor can the status of the Synagogue's affairs be divorced from its financial status, which both I and our Treasurer, Murray Gordon, will address. After two years as President, I am still surprised by how frequently I am told by members that they don't have a very good sense of how we are doing financially. Now's your chance to find out (although we will provide others, as we did last July at a specially called meeting of the Congregation). The Annual Meeting will also feature Rabbi London as she shares her views on the state of congregation and looking towards the future.
Come listen. We need your input.
David Graham
Board President
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BETH EMET COMMUNITY 
Beth Emet's 65th Annual Meeting
Monday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m. (7:15 p.m. Dessert Reception)
This evening includes elections of the Officers and Board of Trustee members as well as reports from David Graham, President; Murray Gordon, Treasurer; and Rabbi Andrea London.
Friday, March 20 at 6:30 p.m. Prior to Kabbalat Shabbat Services and the Installation there will be a wine and cheese reception in honor of the outgoing and incoming Board of Trustees and Officers beginning at 5:45 p.m.
Women's Seder: Emanuel Congregation's Annual Interfaith Seder
Sunday, March 22 at 5:00 p.m.
This song-filled service and dinner with the theme: Preparing Our Hearts for Pesach" will be held at Emanuel Congregation, 5959 N. Sheridan Rd, Chicago. Learn more and RSVP.
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SHABBAT 5775
Kabbalat Shabbat with Torah Reading in Meturgaman-Style with Lee Weintraub and Rebecca Raus
Friday, March 13 at 8:00 p.m. for Parsha Vayak'heil / P'kudei
Lee Weintraub and Rebecca Raus met in a Beth Emet young couples group roughly 26 years ago. They, along with their respective spouses, are coupled through a deep friendship and commitment to the idea that "community provides a unique place to connect with others and celebrate in the presence of G-D." It seemed almost natural that they will be collaborating on the Meturgaman-style Torah reading about "the mishkan - a living structure that provides opportunities to celebrate the presence of G-d in our midst". With the "end in mind" (ie creation of a tabernacle "mishkan"), we learn about the role that the Sabbath plays in providing spiritual clarity, as well as, the role that the Sabbath plays in our creative and inspiration spirits. The text teaches us about creating order out of possibilities, both in life and in the physical world that surrounds us. Just as Rebecca and Lee met so many years ago through the Beth Emet community, they look forward to discussing how communities and teams interact.
Miss a D'var Torah? Catch up by listening to past sermons online.
Shabbat Reflections
This year we launched a new weekly e-mail each Friday sharing a short reflection about Shabbat. Catch up on past reflections or if you are interested in contributing to the project, contact Stacey Robinson.
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B.E. A NEIGHBOR
Beth Emet is coming to your neighborhood! Create new congregational connections and strengthen existing ties through this new initiative that brings together Beth Emet members in member homes. Be on the lookout for a postcard invitation and an email from one of our 40 neighborhood captains (pictured below) inviting you to the first event!
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ISRAEL
 Continue Beth Emet's Strong Tradition of Supporting Israel by Voting ARZA
You can make a difference voting for the Reform Movement in the World Zionist Organizations elections.
Why? The more of us who vote, the more our ideals and position counts and is counted.
How will this help? This will support pro-Israel, pro-peace positions, this will support the Women or the Wall, this will support the Reform movement in Israel, this will support educational programs for Reform Jewish kids in Israel, it will make the Reform position heard.
When? Now, elections are running on line between now and the end of April
If you have questions, please feel free to contact to Zach Selch.
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KOL EMET: THE JEWISH MUSIC PROJECT
Kol Emet: The Jewish Music Project Presents:
Spider Saloff: Cabaret and Jazz Singer in Concert
Saturday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Spider Saloff, award winning cabaret and jazz singer will be performing a program of cabaret music by Jewish composers who used their Jewish roots to express themselves in their composition. A pre-concert lecture on these composers, as well as the influence of Jewish melodies on cabaret, will be given by Prof. Jesse Rosenberg.
Tickets $20 adult | $18 senior | $10 student
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SOCIAL ACTION
Are you a musician? Perhaps you would like to play your instrument at the Beth Emet Soup Kitchen on a Wednesday evening from 6:00-7:00 p.m., on an as-needed basis. Soup Kitchen guests enjoy listening to the fine music our volunteers provide. For more information email Nancy Bashook.
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FIAT
Monday, April 6 at 3:00 p.m.
Join the conversation in our series that looks at issues important to women as we age.
 FIAT is up to something B.I.G. Beth Emet Intergenerational Book Group
FIAT announces the launch of an intergenerational book club for congregants of all ages. The inaugural meeting will be Sunday, April 19 at 12:15 pm and will include a light lunch and a lively discussion. Our first book will be Dr. Atul Gawande's recently published Being Mortal. RSVP or call 847-869-4230 ext. 301.
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ADULT ED
with Biz Lindsay-Ryan
Sunday, March 15 at 9:30 a.m.
As citizens of the world we continually need to be able to navigate living in a
diverse community. Interactive discussion and training exercises will enable participants to explore the concepts developed and to build awareness of how these influence the many roles we play to help our congregation dialogue productively about the challenges of navigating differences in our community.
with Alexander Barna
Thursdays, March 12 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. This two part program will introduce the audience to medieval Islamic
civilization using both Jewish and Muslim historical sources.
with Amy Reichert
Wednesday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Architect and exhibit designer Amy Reichert has been creating Jewish ritual objects since 1995. Amy will share insights from her creative process in designing seder plates, Miriam's cups, and other Judaic items that challenge our preconceptions about what these might look like, while remaining deeply rooted in traditional text. $15 fee.
with Dr. Gary Porton
Friday, March 20 at 10:45 a.m.
Rabbinic Judaism as well as non-rabbinic forms of Judaism described a variety of Messiahs, what they would do when they arrived, how we would recognize them, and how we should respond to them. $25 Members (or included in Friday morning package). $35 non member.
with Rabbi Andrea London
Sunday, March 22 at 9:30 a.m.
Learn how traditional rituals and current concerns can enrich your Seder
celebrations. This is the third and final topic in Rabbi London's Sunday study
series for 5775.
with Abby Maeir
Sunday, March 22 at 9:30 a.m.
Join glass artist and educator Abby Maeir for an interactive hands-on
workshop. Design your piece by layering pieces of colored glass, which
will be fused into your very own mezuzah case. $36 includes materials.
with Linda Schneider
Wednesday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. (continues April 20 & May 4)
Drumming has long been used for healing and offers an ancient link to one's
internal heartland as well as to the larger community and the Divine. We will
draw on Jewish prayers, chants, and psalms, and use techniques such as drum massages, ambient sounds, and guided imagery. No musical
experience is needed. Instruments will be provided, though feel free to bring your own. $10 per session or $25 for all three.
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YOUTH
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Beth Emet teens after visit to Senator Mark Kirk's Office(From the left: Rosa Iglarsh, Alyssa Coffey, Micah Miller, Emma Milner-Gorvine, Joey Finnegan, Hannah Coffey and Eli Hartman-Seeskin)
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Last week, Director of Youth Programs Abby Backer traveled to Washington D.C. with seven Beth Emet teens to participate in the L'Taken Social Justice Seminar. L'Taken is run by the Religious Action Center which is the lobbying branch of the Union for Reform Judaism.
Throughout the weekend, 300 Reform Jewish teens from around the country are exposed to a wide variety of social justice issues and explore the underlying Jewish values that can inform our advocacy. Students choose topics they want to learn more about, ranging from climate change to campaign finance to gun violence prevention and everything in between. L'Taken culminates in lobby visits to each group's respective Congressional District in which the students share speeches that they prepared on a social justice issue of their choosing.
Not surprisingly, the Beth Emet students prepared and delivered thoughtful and passionate remarks to their legislators on Capitol Hill. We met with representatives from the offices of Senators Kirk and Durbin and Representative Schakowsky. The female participants spoke about the need for comprehensive sexuality education and the impact of Beth Emet's Gesher curriculum on their identity and opinions. The male participants advocated for people with disabilities and urged their legislators to pass an international treaty (CRPD) that would impact the rights and dignity of people with disabilities around the globe. It was such a proud moment for me to see the teens rise to the challenge of lobbying their legislators. They spoke with eloquence and determination that continues to inspire me and leaves me feeling hopeful about the future of our nation.
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FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN
 NEW! Full-Day and Part-Day options for children ages 2-5 beginning in Fall 2015! Visit the website for details!
Enrollment for Beth Emet members and the general community is now open. Please make a date to visit our wonderful preschool, feel the warmth and take a peek into our classes. Contact Kathy to schedule a visit.
Enroll now!
Registration for Camp Kayitz 2015 is also now open!
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jBaby Moves Around Town with Beth Emet & JRC
Explore the hottest play spots in Evanston - with a Jewish twist. Series includes playing at Little Beans Café - Evanston, Gather, participating in family yoga at JRC, and a Havdallah experience at Beth Emet. Four sessions April-May (4/19, 5/2, 5/17, 5/30). $25.
Please pass this on to friends and family with children 0-2! Contact Kathy with any questions or register today!
This program is made possible by a grant from jBaby Chicago, a program of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.
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Geared toward children under 5 and their parents or grandparents, we sing with Cantor Arik Luck, dance with the Torahs, and enjoy a story from Rabbi Andrea London. Afterwards, everyone gathers for lox-and-bagel brunch, playtime for the children and schmooze time for adults.
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Support Beth Emet's Early Childhood programs! Shop at children's boutique Maya Papaya & Tony Macarony through March 15 and they will donate 20% of the sales when you mention Beth Emet. Visit the shop at 1901 Central Street in Evanston.
Read more about our Early Childhood programs!
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GENERAL COMMUNITY
Sunday, March 15 at 3:00 p.m. at American Islamic College 640 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago.
This event is designed to explore, from Jewish, Christian, and Muslim perspectives, the relationship between religion and trauma. Speakers include Rabbi Niles Goldstein, Dr. Carolyn Stauffer, and Dr. Timothy J. Gianotti.
URJ Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute and the WRJ Midwest District present
March 20-22
Eat, pray, play, and eat again! For mavens and beginners. Play 'til you drop, improve your skills, meet other mah jongg and canasta lovers, share a relaxing Shabbat, and have a great weekend with friends. Mah jongg and Canasta instruction will be available, and games will be organized by skill level. Fee: $180 per person (in double rooms), or $150 for WRJ members.
Sunday, March 22 at 10:30 a.m. at Beth Hillel Congregation Bnai Emunah
Nechama is for grievers and their loved ones who have experienced a loss during the past six months. We will look at how Judaism lays the groundwork to provide comfort for the bereaved through the use of ritual and connection to other mourners.
Tuesday, March 24 at 7:00 p.m. at JCFS
John Hurd, Bereavement Counselor/LCSW of Rainbow Hospice and Rabbi Joe Ozarowski, Rabbinic Counselor and Chaplain at Jewish Child & Family Services explore strategies for coping with loss on the holiday, ways to memorialize your loved one and ideas to bring meaning to your celebration.
With Ava Cohn
March 29 at 2:00 p.m. at Temple Beth-El (3610 Dundee Road, Northbrook) Ava Cohn, an internationally known genealogist and expert on Jewish family photographs, will explain how to differentiate between a clue that is useful and furthers our study of genealogy and one that gives little or no usable information. Sponsored by the Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois.
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