Shabbat Learning
Table Talk: Pekudei
Prepared by: Jonathan Eig
March 10, 2016 | 30 Adar I 5776
In her new book, My Name is Lucy Barton, Elizabeth Strout writes: "It interests me how we find ways to feel superior to another person, another group of people. It happens everywhere, and all the time. Whatever we call it, I think it's the lowest part of who we are, this need to find someone else to put down."
What do we call it? Is it envy? The opposite of envy? Is it hatred? Insecurity? Resentment? All of the above?
In parashat Pekudei, God tells Moses to anoint Aaron and his sons as priests. The Torah says: "This Moses did; just as the Lord had commanded him, so he did." The repetition seems to suggest that Moses passed a kind of test. He did it, without complaint, without jealousy, without reminding Aaron that he, Moses, had been God's messenger, which, don't forget, made him more important than any priest.
These brothers never became rivals. One never felt a need to put down the other. But for the rest of us, this can be a struggle. Strout, in her book, writes of parents who make their children feel they'll never be good enough and children who make other children feel dirty and poor. Look around. Watch a presidential debate. Listen to sports talk radio. Pay attention at your next staff meeting. You'll see such behavior everywhere, and almost always without justification.
At the Shabbat table this evening, ask hard questions.
- To whom do you feel superior? Siblings? People who vote differently from you? Packers fans? Seriously: How do you justify it?
- Why do you think God told Moses to anoint Aaron and his sons as priests but not to anoint Moses's sons?
- Can you think of a time when you celebrated the good fortune of another person without jealousy?
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This Week at Anshe Emet
Friday, March 11
Rosh Chodesh Adar II
Morning Minyan at 6:50 a.m.
Shabbat Evening Service at 6:00 p.m.
Shabbat Candle Lighting at 5:35 p.m.
Saturday, March 12
Tefilla Yoga uses yoga to reach and express your own prayers, following the intent and order of Jewish Prayer. Absolutely no experience is necessary, this is a spiritual experience for everybody at every level. Wear comfortable layered clothes, bring or borrow a yoga mat. Created/led by Rabbi Heather Altman, certified yoga instructor at 8:30 a.m.
Parashat Hashavuah at 9:00 a.m.
JBC at 9:00 a.m.
Shabbat Morning Service at 9:30 a.m. Carly Freeman becomes a Bat Mitzvah
Mark Miller becomes a Bar Mizvah
Torah: Exodus 38:21 - 40:38 (Pekudei)
Haftarah: I Kings 7:51 - 8:21
Shalom Shabbat for families with babies - 4 years at 10:00 a.m.
Shachar
for families with students in K - 2nd grade at 11:00 a.m.
Family Youth Service for families with students in 3rd through 7th grades; musical service with Rabbi Donni Aaron at 10:45 a.m.
Junior Congregation for students in 3rd through 7th grades; student led traditional Shacharit at 10:45 a.m.
Shabbat Mincha at 1:15 p.m.
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Sunday, March 13
Morning Minyan at 8:30 a.m.
Monday, March 14
Morning Minyan at 7:00 a.m.
Tuesday, March 15
Morning Minyan at 7:00 a.m.
Wednesday, March 16
Morning Minyan at 7:00 a.m.
Thursday, March 17
Morning Minyan at 7:00 a.m.
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Sustaining Fund 2015-16/5776 -- We need you!
Anshe Emet is here for you at every stage of life - to educate, inspire, and support you, please make a meaningful gift to our Sustaining Fund! Thanks to your generosity, the Sustaining Fund makes it possible for us to offer membership to all, regardless of ability to pay.
Levels of Giving 
Sofrim - The Writers of the Torah: Up to $540
Otiot - The Letters of the Torah: Up to $1,080
Klaf - The Parchment: Up to $1,800
Rimonim - The Decorative Bells: Up to $3,600
Magen - The Shield: Up to $7,500
Keter - The Crown: Up to $9,999
Tree of Life Circle: $10,000+
Aron Ha'Kodesh: $18,000+
Ner Tamid: $25,000+
Please contact Mimi Weisberg at 773-868-5123
Make your gift, today!
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1st Annual Anshe Emet Book Swap
Thursday, March 17 | 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. | Malkov Chapel at Anshe Emet
Bring your old books and leave with new ones.
Bring up to 15 books to swap*. Bring extras to donate.
All leftover donations go to Open Books and other worthy organizations.
Food, friends and good books!
What more could you want?
Stock the swap. Drop off books starting March 14*.
Admission Free. Questions? Email Amy Karp. * Please, no Siddurim, Chumashim, or books of the Tanakh!
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 Kadima and SHMUSY Lock-In Saturday, March 19 - Sunday, March 20 | 7:00 p.m. | Anshe Emet
Dinner * 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Havdallah * 8:00 - 8:30 p.m. Set-up the Purim Carnival * 8:30 - 10:00 p.m. Testing the Inflatables! * 10:00 - 11:00 p.m. Movie * 11:00 p.m. RSVP to Shayna at smillman@ansheemet.org |
SHMUSY Purim Carnival
Sunday, March 20 | 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Anshe Emet
* TICKETS *Join us for great food, awesome carnival games, amazing prizes, face painting, and much more! Buy your meal and unlimited game wristband online, rather than spending more at the door: http://tinyurl.com/PurimCarnival2016
Wrist bands and meal tickets will be available at a will call table during the Purim Carnival. Questions? Contact Shayna Millman at smillman@ansheemet.org
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Purim
Our Anshe Emet Community is the tastiest place to be on Purim. Many people and families bring delicious mishloach manot (Purim gifts, often containing hamantaschen) to give to friends at the Megillah reading (Wednesday, March 23 this year). After all, it's a mitzvah. Many of us are lucky enough to leave the Megillah reading with lots of delicious treats. But every year, there are people who leave the Anshe Emet sanctuary without a single gift bag to bring them Purim joy. This year, we encourage you to consider designating some of your mishloach manot for "new friends" - people you don't know, or who seem to be sitting alone, who may not receive a Purim gift from anyone else. Look around the Sanctuary or employ your kids to spot these people amongst the organized chaos that is Purim at Anshe Emet and watch their smile as they are handed a gift bag, signifying that they are remembered, that they are a part of the whole community. And if you already do this, thank you for helping Anshe Emet to be the most welcoming, inclusive community possible. NOTE: ANSHE EMET IS A NUT-FREE FACILITY. PLEASE HELP US PROVIDE A SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIROMENT FOR THOSE WITH ALLERGIES BY CHECKING THE LABELS OF ANY FOOD PRODUCTS BEFORE YOU BRING THEM TO SHUL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS SERIOUS MATTER!
REMINDER: BRING YOUR OWN GROGGER! As in years past, we are asking you to bring a box of uncooked pasta to the Megillah reading and shake it as your grogger when you hear THAT NAME read. After the reading, we will collect the food boxes and donate them to the Lakeview Pantry.
7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Megillah Reading
7:30 p.m. No Frills Megillah Reading (in Malkov)
The Megillah Readings will be followed by a Purim celebration.
Thursday, March 24
6:50 a.m. Purim Morning Minyan
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Special Price for Tefillin Continues!
Looking for a new, amazingly affordable pair of tefillin? Thanks to the Men's Club, we have 5 sets of tefillin that are available for purchase at the truly not-to-be-missed price of $168/pair. Since we were able to place a bulk order with the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs AND due to the generosity of our Men's Club who are subsidizing the cost of each pair, we can offer these beautiful tefillin to you. Interested? Please contact Debby Lewis. She and the rest of our clergy are excited to help you learn how to wrap your new tefillin if you have never used them before.
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 Chicago Sukkah Expo '16Registration now open!
Chicago Sukkah Expo '16 is a national design competition that challenges entrants to re-imagine the Sukkah. The sukkah, a temporary structure that is built during the Jewish festival of Sukkot commemorates the 40 years that Jews spent wandering the desert (Leviticus 23:42-43). The impermanence of the sukkah reminds us that many community members do not have adequate shelter and are threatened by the dangers of homelessness. We must devote attention and support those without a permanent home. Invitations are extended to ALL architects, builders, artists, planners, interior designers, and students in related disciplines to design and build a sukkah. A jury will select eight winning design ideas which participants will develop into models that will create an exposition at Anshe Emet Synagogue in September & October 2016. Guests at an opening night premiere reception will choose the first, second and third place sukkot. The models will be auctioned off at this reception and net proceeds will benefit The ARK. Register online at: https://www.ansheemet.org/registration
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Scholar-in-Residence Dr. Benjamin D. Sommer
Friday, March 11 - Sunday, March 13 | Anshe Emet
Professor of Bible in the Department of Bible and Ancient Semitic Languages at The Jewish Theological Seminary, Benjamin D. Sommer joined the faculty in July 2008, coming to JTS after a lengthy stint as director of the Crown Family Center for Jewish Studies at Northwestern University in Chicago. Dr. Sommer is not only an internationally renowned Bible scholar, teacher, and author, but a man who is passionate about being a Jew; understanding the Hebrew Bible and what it tells us about God, the Jewish people, and their relationship; debating his thoughts and his research with others; and paving the way for future rabbis, cantors, Jewish academics, and
educators.
Friday, March 11
"THE TWO TORAHS, AND WHAT THEY TELL US ABOUT HOW THE RABBIS REMADE JUDAISM"
Shabbat Evening Service at 6:00 p.m., followed by a Community Shabbat Dinner at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 12
"HUMANS PLAN, GOD AGREES: WHAT THE BOOK OF ESTHER TELLS US ABOUT THE ORIGINS OF JEWISH LAW" Post-Kiddush Lecture
Sunday, March 13
"THE END: JEWISH VIEWS OF THE AFTERLIFE" from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
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LGBT Pre-Purim Party, sponsored by "Families Like Mine"
Sunday, March 13 | 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Offsite
Get in the Purim spirit early! Please join "Families Like Mine," Anshe Emet Synagogue's community for LGBT singles, couples, and families for a fabulous pre-purim get-together hosted by members Geoff Rice and Dan Lange on Sunday, March 13, from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Dan and Geoff will provide a vegetarian main dish and fun adult beverages. Please bring a side dish/snack/beverage which is vegetarian and nut-free.
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Jewish Film Festival JCC Chicago: Every Face Has A Name
Sunday, March 13 | 7:30 p.m. | Landmark Century (2828 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657)Join the Anshe Emet Sisterhood for a showing of Every Face Has a Name on Sunday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m. We will meet in the lobby before the film.
In the fascinating Swedish documentary Every Face Has a Name, helme Magnus Gerrten tracks down and interviews survivors from German concentration camps seen in a 35mm archival film reel showing their arrival at the harbor of Malmo, Sweden, on April 28, 1945. The group includes Jews from all over Europe, Norwegian prisoners of war, Polish mothers and children, members of the French resistance and British spies - and perhaps unique among them, a young Italian-American who was accused of being a spy while visiting her grandparents and deported to Auschwitz. -Variety
Swedish with English subtitles.
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GIFTS
Beginning Thursday, March 17 | 10:00 a.m. | First Session at Anshe Emet
What are your hopes & dreams for your grandchildren & grand friends? Come discuss your ideas & learn from others over five sessions at different synagogues in Chicago.
GIFTS is for current, new or expectant grandparents & will help you define your role as a grandparent, whether with grandchildren who are being raised Jewish or not, locally or
out-of-town.
Five sessions, beginning Thursday, March 17; 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Fee: No Cost
Although all classes build on one another, each lesson can also stand alone. If you can't attend all of them, attend when you are able.
To register, & to ask any questions, contact Cantor Liz Berke at eberke@ansheemet.org or 773-868-5117.
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 Artist in Residence Mordechai Rosenstein Wednesday, March 30 - Sunday, April 3 | Anshe Emet
WINE & CHEESE RECEPTIONWednesday, March 30, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.You are invited to meet our Artist in Residence, Mordechai Rosenstein, and view his artwork. Open to the community.CREATIVE OPEN HOUSEThursday, March 31, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.; Friday April 1, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.You are invited to watch Mordechai as he creates an original art piece which will be donated to Anshe Emet. You can even add a brush stroke, making this a truly collaborative community creation.RELIGIOUS SCHOOL STUDENTS WORK WITH MORDECHAIThursday, March 31, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.Religious school students in grades 3 - 6 will work with Mordechai in creating an art piece based on the Hebrew Alphabet.PAINT AND PINOTThursday, March 31, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.Join us for an evening of painting, Pinot and fun. Create your own art based on the Hebrew Alphabet with Mordechai. Sponsored by the Anshe Emet Sisterhood. Cost is $15/Member; $25/Non-Member. Register at: http://tinyurl.com/paintandpinot. THE ART OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS
Saturday, April 2, 7:30 p.m.Join us for a dessert reception, followed by Havdalah and a fascinating look at some of Mordechai's unusual art pieces and artwork he has created for celebrities.Sponsored by the Something for Us Group. Cost is $10/Member; $20/Non-Member.Register at: http://tinyurl.com/ArtoftheRichFamous. LIFE, BLESSING AND PEACE ART PROJECT
Sunday, April 3, 10:00-11:00 a.m.A Family Program for religious school students in JK - grade 2, parents and grandparents creating a take home artwork piece cosigned by the artist. ABOUT THE ARTIST Since 1979, Mordechai Rosenstein has been creating Jewish Art. His unique style evolved as a result of various influences. By uniting his interest in Judaica and painting, Rosenstein has given a contemporary meaning to the art of Hebrew calligraphy. |
 Men's Club Passover Wine Tasting Monday, April 4 | 6:30 p.m. | Binny's Lakeview
We descend into the catacombs to taste the latest fine wines for Passover, many rivaling the best France has to offer. Wines purchased at the event are free of sales tax. Appropriate noshes from Binny's gourmet shop, too!
Reserve early, as this event sells out every year. Space is limited. Cost is $10 per person. Open to all Anshe Emet members. RSVP to mensclub@ansheemet.org |
 Yom HaShoah Commemoration: Echoes That Remain with Alison Pure-Slovin
Wednesday, May 4 | 7:00 p.m. | Anshe Emet
Anshe Emet Men's Club and the Simon Weisenthal Center are proud to sponsor our annual Yellow Candles Yom HaShoah commemoration program. An optional Yellow Candle that you can light at the event may be purchased for $5. Profits from the candle sales will be used to support future Yom HaShoah programming. Please RSVP to attend and/or purchase your Yellow Candles online at: http://tinyurl.com/yomhashoah5776
The award-winning film Echoes That Remain will be shown. Produced by the Simon Weisenthal Center, it documents Jewish shtetl life before the Holocaust by combining rare archival photographs and previously unseen film footage with live action sequences shot on location at the sites of former Jewish communities in Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, and Rumania.
Alison Pure-Slovin, Midwest Director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, will lead a discussion
about the Simon Weisenthal Center and its film productions.
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Anshe Emet Community Retreat
Friday, May 13 - Sunday, May 15 | Perlstein Resort and Conference Center
We are so excited to unveil our first ever Anshe Emet Synagogue Community Retreat: The Jew Awakens: Community, Identity, Heroes & Villains! We are looking forward to a weekend at the Perlstein Resort in Wisconsin that is action-packed with bonding, fun, spirituality, meaningful prayer, and more. The weekend of May 13-15, 2016, we invite you to take advantage of this chance to (re)connect as we explore what it means for our community to engage with good, evil, and all points in between. For Star Wars fans, there will be a fun Star Wars-theme for much of our programming. For those of you who are allergic to science fiction, the Star Wars references will be relatable to all. There are plenty of people (including some on the retreat planning committee) who have ZERO interest in Star Wars, and are still coming because the weekend will be so amazing! Register at http://tinyurl.com/TheJewAwakens
To support the attendance of our full community, we have financial aid available. Please contact Brian Schmidt by email at bschmidt@ansheemet.org or by phone at 773-868-5125 with any questions.
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INNOVATE this summer at Bernard Zell
Registration is now open! | Bernard Zell
This summer your child can attend a camp created to nurture and inspire a daring new generation of fearless innovators right here at our school! Bernard Zell is proud to partner with Galileo, a camp where innovation is at the core of every fun thing they do. Camp Galileo brings dozens of years of experience in offering programs that help campers develop an Innovator's Mindset and practice the Innovator's Process. Programs will run Monday, June 20 - Friday, July 29. Learn more and register at http://www.galileo-camps.com/locations/chicagoland
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A Celebration of Our Youth: Annual Benefit for CHUSY Region
Sunday, March 13 | 7:00 p.m. | Beth Hillel Congregation B'nai Emunah (3220 Big Tree Lane, Wilmette, IL 60091)
Featuring Jewish A Cappella LISTEN UP!
Honoring Mel F. Seidenberg
The event and ad book benefits the CHUSY Region USY/Kadima
Purchasing Tickets, Placing an Ad, Becoming a Sponsor
Tickets are $36/adults and $18/students. The online process is through the CHUSY registration system. In order to become a sponsor, purchase tickets, place an ad or to honor Mel F. Seidenberg through the online process you will need to create an account first. Click here to register online.
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What We Talk About When We Talk About "Women in Israel"
Monday, March 21 | 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. | Anshe Emet
Join us for an Israeli Buffet and Conversation with Shari Eshet, Director of NCJW's Center for Gender Equality in Israel
Everything you want to know about women in Israel from the right to pray at the Kotel to the rights of the Agunot to a seat on the bus. Learn about NCJW's unique history including our groundbreaking NCJW Women and Gender Studies Program at Tel Aviv University and the Israel Granting Program which addresses the critical challenges still facing women in Israel.
$75 per person. Proceeds from this event will support NCJW in Israel. Purchase your ticket oneline at www.ncjwcns.org/israel-lunch or call 847-853-8889.
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CJDS: LEAP into Shabbat
Fridays, March 25 - May 13 | 10:45 - 11:30 a.m. | CJDS (5959 N. Sheridan Rd. Chicago, IL 60660)
LEAP into Shabbat is CJDS's tot Shabbat program where children
ages 0-3 and their parents have an opportunity to learn about and
celebrate Shabbat.
Our program will run for six weeks on Fridays from 10:45 to 11:30 a.m. starting March 25th until May 13th (excluding April 22 and April 29 during Passover break).
* $75 for one child or $110 for two children for all 6 sessions.
* OR $15 per class.
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Relating to the Other in Jewish Texts and with Jewish Values
Sunday, April 10 | 1:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Rochelle Zell Jewish High School (1095 Lake Cook Rd., Deerfield)
Join us at The Isidor and Rose Wagner Institute for Leadership Development of the Jewish Theological Seminary in partnership with Rochelle Zell Jewish High School.
Keynote address by Chancellor Arnold M. Eisen, JTS
Also Featuring:
DR. EITAN FISHBANE, Associate Professor of Jewish Thought, JTS
DR. MARJORIE LEHMAN, Associate Professor of Talmud and Rabbinics, JTS
DR. BURTON L. VISOTZKY, Nathan and Janet Appleman Professor of Midrash and Interreligious Studies, JTS
Through intensive study with JTS's renowned faculty, explore the way "others" - both outside and inside the Jewish community-have been regarded in Jewish text and history.
- What can we learn from the Jewish past about how to maintain a commitment to both a distinctive Jewish identity and the well-being of the broader society?
- How have different generations-including our own have sought to improve relationships with other faith communities?
- How have different types of Jews been treated as "other" and how is the inclusion of these once marginalized groups transforming the Jewish community?
$36 advanced registration, $50 at the door, includes dinner and all program materials.
In partnership with Am Yisrael Conservative Congregation, Anshe Emet Synagogue, Beth Hillel Congregation B'nai Emunah, Congregation B'nai Tikvah, Congregation Beth Shalom, Congregation Rodfei Zedek, Mishkan Chicago, and North Suburban Synagogue Beth El.
The Wagner Institute has been generously endowed by Nate Wagner and Ruth Braver (z"l).
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JUF: Be A Camp Counselor in Israel This Summer
Deadline to submit your application: Monday, April 11
If you're a college student from Chicago, be a camp counselor for the English-speaking camp, Kefiada, in JUF's Partnership region of Kiryat Gat-Lachish-Shafir in Israel.
Theme Days, Color Wars, Sports & Swimming are all a part of this American style day camp where you'll gain leadership skills and have fun!
There is also Kefiada-Dati for the same camp fun with separate boys & girls groups.
No Hebrew necessary. Flight stipends for all counselors. Dates for summer 2016 are June 26-July 24. Deadline to submit your application is April 11, 2016. For an application or more information, contact Brooke Mandrea at 3 12-357-4737 or Partnership@juf.org.
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