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 Last Wednesday night I attended a study session with Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell and Jane Shapiro. I arrived at Beth Emet late as I had to take my daughter to the airport for her departure to grad school. As I entered, the group was talking about a 13th century poet standing, listening, with her pen up in the air. I was struck by this image of pausing in the act of creating, of listening before doing, of noticing, or perhaps questioning. Today I studied a passage about the power of language - to reach toward others, to unify people, to bring righteousness and justice into the world. My chevruta, study partner, said: "It's all about relationships."
This month of Elul gives us time to pause, perhaps with our pens or phones in the air, and to listen. To listen to ourselves, to notice others and the world around us, and to push ourselves toward improvement. How can we encourage ourselves to take the time to do this? With summer ending, school upon us, and the High Holidays around the corner, how do we take time for ourselves, for our own internal work and for our relationships with others.
I guess it is like anything else that is worthwhile. The more we are prepared for an event, the more we will take from it. Beth Emet has three more opportunities for you to prepare for Rosh HaShanah. Families with young children, come to meet Cantor Friedman, hear stories and crafts and snacks at our High Holiday Hoopla on Sunday morning August 30th. Adults come for an evening with Rabbi London and Cantor Friedman at the London Home in the evening on Wednesday September 2. Or perhaps you would like to strengthen your Hebrew with Bluma Stoller on Aug 30th at 10 a.m. and the September 3rd at 7 p.m.
With wishes to each of you and your families for a very sweet and healthy 5776 year!
Marci Dickman
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EXPERIENCE ELUL
 The Hebrew month of Elul encourages reflection, rejuvenation, and renewal, offering us opportunities to prepare ourselves for the High Holidays. Prepare yourself by attending one (or all!) of our special Elul programs.
Re-New Your Hebrew
with Bluma Stoller
Sunday August 30, at 9:30 a.m. and Thursday, September 3 at 7:00 p.m.
This two-session class will review a selection of Hebrew passages from Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur prayers and will highlight key holiday phrases.
High Holiday Hoopla
 For families with children newborn to age 8
Sunday, August 30 at 10:00 a.m.
Meet Cantor Susan Lewis Friedman and get ready for the holidays with a morning full of song, crafts, stories told by Marilyn Price, snacks, and friends!
On Rosh HaShanah it is written; on Yom Kippur it is sealed
An Elul Study and Potluck Dinner with Cantor Susan Lewis Friedman and Rabbi Andrea London (at the home of Rabbi London - 1424 Washington, Evanston)
Wednesday, September 2 at 7:00 p.m.
Our clergy will lead us in study on the meanings and melodies that bring the Unetaneh Tokef prayer to life and help us prepare for the Days of Awe.
To register for Elul learning opportunities, please contact school@bethemet.org or call 847-869-4230 ext. 308.
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BETH EMET COMMUNITY
High Holiday information
Beth Emet offers a variety of worship options for the Yamim Noraim (High Holidays). From Traditional Reform and Morning Chavurah Services, to special worship and learning opportunities for adults, youth, and families with young children, the entire community can find a service to suit their holiday needs. Learn more by reviewing the High Holiday information now and don't forget to return your Online Confirmation Form by this Friday, August 28.
Volunteer for the High Holiday Food Drive
This year's Yom Kippur Food Drive will be supporting The ARK and their food pantry which supports nearly 4,000 Jews in the metropolitan Chicago area who have experienced hard times and/or in distress. We are seeking volunteers to work 60 minute increments to assist worshippers take bags of donated food from cars and load into designated bins. Each "shift" will need at least three adults and three teens. Start the year by doing a wonderful mitzvah, and sign up today.
Donate Your
Gates of Repentance Machzor
If you have a Gates of Repentance machzor copyrighted 1978 with a 1996 update, and wish to donate it, you may drop off in the Beth Emet's office. We will be donating them to Congregation Or Shalom in Vernon Hills.
Subscribe to Haaretz
Special for Beth Emet members: Stay up-to-date on latest news from Israel with more than 30% off on Haaretz digital subscriptions!
To use your discount, enter promotional code "BEMET" at
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CONGREGATIONAL PROGRAMS
Forgiveness from a Christian and Jewish Perspective
S'lichot Reception, Study, and Service
Saturday, September 5 beginning at 9:00 p.m.
 Join the new pastor at Second Baptist Church, Michael Nabors, and Rabbi London for a conversation on forgiveness. S'lichot means forgiveness and is the evening in which we begin in earnest to reflect on this central theme of this High Holiday period. After the shooting at the church in Charleston, South Carolina this past June and the families of the victims forgiving the shooter, there were many people in our community who had questions about how forgiveness is understood in Christianity. This evening will be an opportunity to compare and contrast how this important concept is understood and lived in our respective faiths.
Mark Your Calendar
 Beth Emet Dinner Honoring the Leadership of the
Soup Kitchen
Sunday, October 11 at 6:00 p.m.
Enjoy a delicious meal served in the Soup Kitchen's tradition and support its ongoing service to the community. $18 adults | $10 children 12 and under. RSVP to 847-869-4230 ext. 301.
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SIGN OF CHANGE
 Beginning today, the next time you are at Beth Emet, you will see some exciting changes. While it is small, the change is significant: We are updating our visual identity and presence by planting a sustainable, environmentally friendly landscape full of seasonal changes that will delight us. Importantly, the plantings will be anchored by a new monument sign for Beth Emet that will announce to the world (or at least travelers on Dempster and Ridge) who we are and warmly invite all to join us.
 While the existing sign certainly has its charms, with its continuity and comforting modesty, the new monument sign aims to improve in a couple of key areas. First, it has been designed to be more visible to a passersby and second, at the same time, it actually blends in and is more reflective of the architectural style of our building. It is said that a good name is better to be chosen than riches. We know from this that a name is an important part of one's identity, and how it is expressed is also part of that identity. Our new landscape and monument sign will create a greater sense of our presence. In addition to a bequest from a long-time congregant devoted to the environment and land, the majority of the funding and inspiration for our new sign came from an anonymous donor. Its timing is especially meaningful, given the start of our Jewish year - a time for renewal and promise for the future. For, not only does it represent a new face for our bayit (home), but also a symbolic first step in the renewal of our facilities that has been envisioned through the Beth Emet master plan, first initiated in 2012. As planning consideration continues and moves forward in appropriate ways, our renewed corner and monument sign will be a reminder of the exciting possibilities yet to come.
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SHABBAT 5775
Kabbalat Shabbat Services every Friday this summer at 6:30 p.m. (5:45 p.m. reception)
Friday, September 4 at 6:30 p.m. (5:45 p.m. reception)
Congregational Shabbat Potluck Lunch
Shabbat, August 29
Following Kahal services, enjoy a festive vegetarian and nut-free potluck lunch with fellow worshippers.
Miss a D'var Torah? Catch up by listening or reading text from past services on Beth Emet's website.
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FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN
High Holiday Hoopla
Sunday, August 30 at 10:00 a.m.
Get ready for the High Holidays with a morning of fun and family at Beth Emet! Learn more above in the Experience Elul section.
A few spots still available for Full-Day and Part-Day Early Childhood Programs for 2015-16!
Do you know anyone with a child 12-24 months old? We have a few spots in our Bonim (adult/tot) class. Fridays 9:30-11:00, with time for play, music, art, Shabbat celebration and large motor activities. Contact Kathy at 847-869-4230 ext. 305 for more information.
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Chavayah and Talmidim Opening BBQ
Monday, August 31 at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Rabbi Andrea London (1424 Washington)
Learn about the exciting Chavayah and Talmidim programs--Beth Emet's engaging approach to Jewish learning for students in grades 9, 10, & 11. Families are welcome to come to dinner--event if you have not yet registered for the fall, come and join the fun! RSVP to Abby by August 28.
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GENERAL COMMUNITY
Deliver boxes for Maot Chitim
Sunday, August 30 at 9:00 a.m. (Warehouse location 1808 Holste Rd., Northbrook)
Volunteer to pack and deliver boxes of food and supplies and make a difference to families throughout the Chicagoland area. For more information or call 847-674-3224.
Grief and the High Holidays
Tuesday, September 1 at 7:00 p.m. at Jewish Child and Family Services The Healing Shofar is a workshop for bereaved people who are anticipating the High Holidays after the death of a loved one.
Thursdays, September 3-October 8 at 4:00 p.m. at Jewish Child and Family ServicesJoin other parents who have suffered the devastating loss of an adult child in a six week support group. Volunteer at The ARK The ARK is seeking volunteers of all ages for a variety of opportunities: serve lunch to clients, build a sukkah, assist in the food pantry, or if you are doctor, dentist, or lawyer volunteer your time for a good cause. If you have a friend in the Jewish community who you think would be a good fit for any of these opportunities, or if you want to expand your involvement at The ARK, please contact Caroline at 773-681-8982.
JVS Chicago Hot Jobs
JVS is looking to help fill five position this week: Assistant Groundskeeper; Director, Sales and Marketing; HR Service Center Advisor, Customer-Service-Domestic Shipping and Logistics; and Inside Sales. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more or applying to one of these opportunities, contact Sandra Saltzman or at 847-745-5482.
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