In this issue March-April 2013 The Secret of : Why We Love -Iyar 5773 the Holiday of Matzah So Much!

Everyone waxes nostalgic from time to time. Some of us do it quite often. We look into our past and we re-live a powerful experience, a For more information, Calendar meaningful event, a lovely time. And we remember the special feelings of Events, Rabbis' sermons, and of that time, the magic of that moment, and we cherish it. There are for Emergency School Closings be all kinds of occasions in our lives that can become the subject of our sure to check our website at www. nostalgia but I would guess that most represent occasions when we were nssbethel.org or call 847-432-8900. surrounded by people we love, at moments of significance, especially during times of joy. Learn I don’t know about you, but each year thinking about my upcoming Passover Palooza pg.7 unfailingly sends me into the world of nostalgia. Years Frankel Lecture pg.13 of past Sedarim cycle through my head. Precious memories of times spent with family members, some of whom who are no longer alive and some of whom who are no longer part of my Seder because of Pray From the Desk distance and life circumstance, suddenly become tangible and vivid. I Pesach Service Schedule pg.3 can smell the food, hear the laughter and feel the warmth. Through the Passover Pray & Play pg.7 of Rabbi Schwab experience of these memories I re-connect with my own past, with my Passover Supplement pg.16 treasured relationships, with my personal family history and with my Jewish heritage, all at once, in an emotionally compelling way. During those moments of remembering I understand that all those years of Community experiencing Passover Sedarim in such a way have created a powerful Fest pg.3 and positive legacy that naturally creates joyful anticipation in advance Marc Epstein pg.6 of the current holiday each and every year. Yom Hashoah Event pg.7 While many of us complain about the lack of bread and the poor Sisterhood Membership Tea pg.8 taste of matzah (although there are some who love it!?), the reality is Dinner with Rabbi pg.9 that this is one of the most meaningful and most celebrated holidays Blood Drive pg.11 on the Jewish calendar. Much of that, I believe, stems from the A Night of Dreams pg.14 powerful entwinement of our personal memories with the collective memory of our people. This is a holiday, which perhaps like no other, actively builds Jewish identity and connects us as individuals to the on-going story of the Jewish people. “I” becomes “We”. Our family Mission Statement customs become intertwined with the ancient customs of our ancestors. We are a congregation of families and individuals Our present intermingles with our past – creating a new future. The who come together to pray, to study, and to create Passover Seder, in many ways, acts as our Jewish compass helping us to a warm and welcoming community. We seek to better understand who we are and, therefore, guiding us to where we preserve and enhance our People's traditions need to go. within the context of Conservative Judaism. We Every year I tell anyone who will listen that the more one puts aspire to strengthen our Jewish identity to meet into the preparations for the Seder night, the more one will get out if the challenges of a changing environment. We it in return. Making the content of the Seder interesting, interactive, endeavor to provide resources to help us relate meaningful and fun allows the Seder experience to go even beyond to God, understand the ways of God and enrich a wonderful meal with family and friends accompanied by delicious the Jewish content of our lives. We encourage food (already a great foundation). With some forethought, participants our members to serve worthwhile causes within can come away with a deeper appreciation for their freedoms, a greater our Congregation and the wider Jewish and world understanding of the Jewish past, a deeper connection to their family communities. We are committed to support Israel. history and a greater affinity for their Jewish identity. Any time we have We educate our children so they commit to the cultural, spiritual, and ethical values of our People. (continued on page 2)

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 1 From the Desk of Rabbi Schwab

The Secret of Passover (continued from page 1) the opportunity to engage in Jewish identity Sedarim of the past so meaningful. Then memorable moments, which help each building, we should seize it! And the Seder work to help create memories this year that person connect in a lasting way with our night might be the greatest opportunity will sustain you and the participants at your beautiful tradition! Hag Sameah – Have a of them all! Jewish education is crucial, table well into the future. And if you don’t Happy Passover holiday! Jewish Camp wonderful, life have nostalgia for past , there is no essential, Birthright valuable but, a vibrant time like the present to create an experience meaningful Jewish home life is vital to the worthy of such memories! Feel free to continuation of the Jewish people. So please, consult with me on wonderful resources wax nostalgic in advance of the Passover to enhance your seder. Whatever you do, I holiday and remember what made your wish you a meaningful Passover filled with

Shabbat Schedule See calendar for times.

Monday through Friday , March 2 Shabbat, April 6 Mornings, 7:15am Shabbat Parah Birkat Ha'Hodesh Parashat Parashat Shemini Sunday through Thursday Torah: Exodus 30:11–34:35 Torah: Leviticus 9:1–11:47 Evenings, 7:30pm Maftir: Numbers 19:1–22 Haftorah: II 6:1–7:17 Haftarah: Ezekiel 36:16–38 Sunday and Legal Holiday Shabbat, April 13 Mornings, 8:45am Shabbat, March 9 Parashat Tazria-Metzora Rosh Hodesh Birkat Ha'Hodesh Torah: Leviticus 12:1–15:33 Mornings, 7:00am Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei Haftorah: II Kings 7:3–20 Torah: Exodus 35:1–40:38 Services are conducted by: Maftir: Exodus 12:1–20 Shabbat, April 20 Rabbi Vernon H. Kurtz, Haftorah: Ezekiel 45:16–46:18 Parashat Aharey Mot-Kedoshim Rabbi Michael Schwab, Torah: Leviticus 16:1–20:27 Hazzan Larry B. Goller Shabbat, March 16 Haftorah: Amos 9:7–15 Parashat Vayikra Torah: Leviticus 1:1–5:26 Shabbat, April 27 Haftorah: Isaiah 43:21–44:23 Parashat Emor Torah: Leviticus 21:1–24:23 Shabbat, March 23 Haftorah: Ezekiel 44:15–31 11:00am Every Shabbat Shabbat Ha'Gadol Parashat Tzav Tot Shabbat/Mini Minyan B'yachad Torah: Leviticus 6:1–8:36 Services for families with Haftorah: Malakhi 3:4–24; 3:23 children 2nd grade and younger Junior Congregation Shabbat, March 30 Services for students in 3rd - 5th grade Shabbat Hol Hamoed Pesach Torah: Exodus 33:12–34:26 Maftir: Numbers 28:19–25 Haftorah: Ezekiel 37:1–14

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 2 President's Corner Pesach Service Schedule by Andrew W. Brown Monday, March 25 Thursday, March 28 Monday, April 1 Erev Pesach/1st Seder/ Pesach Third Day Pesach Seventh Day 7:00am Morning Minyan 8:50am Festival Service I know I’ve written the following sentiment in past 6:30am Morning Minyan/ 7:30pm Evening Minyan 7:00pm Mincha/Ma'ariv messages, but important thoughts always bear repeating. Siyyum Bechorim 7:58pm Candle Lighting Friday, March 29 One of the best things about North Suburban Synagogue 6:45pm Mincha/Ma’ariv Beth El is the richness and diversity of our many programs Pesach Fourth Day Tuesday, April 2 6:50pm Candle Lighting and activities. Sometimes we take for granted how fortunate 7:00am Morning Minyan Pesach Eighth Day/ we really are at our Synagogue. Tuesday, March 26 6:15pm Kabbalat Shabbat Yizkor To get all this activity underway takes a terrific amount of Pesach First Day/ 6:54pm Candle Lighting 8:50am Festival Service planning and cooperation by a combination of lay leaders and 7:00pm Mincha/Ma'ariv 2nd Seder Shabbat, March 30 staff. Many areas of our facility are in use, by very different 7:57pm Yom Tov Ends 8:50am Festival Service Pesach Fifth Day groups of congregants, multiple times a day. And, while all of 7:00pm Mincha/Ma’ariv 8:50am Festival Service this activity is swirling, it’s hard not to witness our clergy and 7:51pm Candle Lighting 6:45pm Mincha/Ma'ariv our senior staff members in the midst of teaching, of ritual, of 7:59pm Shabbat Ends celebration and a myriad of community events. For this, I’m Wednesday, March 27 grateful, and I’m sure you are too. Pesach Second Day Sunday, March 31 But, in this article, I want to mention and bring attention 8:50am Festival Service Pesach Sixth Day to the many often unsung staff members of Beth El that help 11:00am Pray & Play 8:45am Morning Minyan keep our Synagogue humming smoothly. 7:00pm Mincha/Ma'ariv 6:57pm Candle Lighting Our administrative staff both in the office and in other 7:55pm Yom Tov Ends 7:00pm Evening Minyan areas of Beth El, handle a phenomenal volume of tasks. They work diligently and thoughtfully throughout the year to maintain our standards of excellence and to keep us on an even keel. They are active in accounting, communications, It's A Chametz Fest! technology, education, membership, fundraising, and ritual. There is almost nothing that we do at the synagogue that Friday, March 22, 2013 isn’t somehow made better by the administrative staff. Beth El’s maintenance staff is on the go virtually non-stop Choice of traditional or family Kabbalat Shabbat Services on every day of the week. They start early to prepare the at 6:15pm followed by a “Chametz Fest” Shabbat dinner synagogue for morning services, morning programs, and pre- & interactive programming. schoolers every weekday. And, friends, let me assure you, even We look forward to Sharing Shabbat with you! after a long day of setting up rooms for programs, cleaning our facility, and repairing normal wear and tear matters, a Questions or need more information please contact: maintenance staff member is still there at the conclusion of Jackie Melinger - [email protected] late night meetings to help close up the building for the night. or Rabbi Schwab - [email protected] Of course, on the weekends, they are also working hard to get the synagogue ready for Shabbat worship, after To register: services, and our many programs on Sunday. Mail your registration form along with a check to With some frequency, I’ll receive a gracious and lovely North Suburban Synagogue Beth El compliment from a congregant about the thoughtful and 1175 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, IL 60035 enthusiastic assistance they’ve received from one of our staff. And while verbal or written recognition of a job well done is To register and pay online: a terrific tribute, your Board of Directors decided it was time Go to www.nssbethel.org and login using your member id. to take another step. So, a few weeks back, we approved and To register and pay on the phone, call Cheryl Swenson put into place a new fund, entitled the “Staff Recognition at 847-432-8900 x222 Fund.” This fund was established to accept donations in recognizing the efforts of our outstanding support staff. The Family Name President of the Synagogue will coordinate and distribute the money accumulated in the Staff Recognition Fund to our Names & Ages of Children Attending administrative and maintenance staff members, most likely at the end of the calendar year. I’m pleased to note that the fund has already received Seating Preference a number of contributions. Has a staff member gone out Cost: $24 for 13 years old and up x $24= of their way to make your membership meaningful? Please don’t hesitate to recognize them with a gift to the Staff $15 for ages 3–12 x $15= Under 3 are free. Recognition Fund! Price increases on March 19th to $30 ages 13 and up and $18 for ages 3–12

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 3 Congratulations To - Jill and Irwin Bernstein on the engagement of their daughter, Dana, to Joe Karmin - Ali and Michael Drumm on the birth of their daughter, Hannah Eliana - Gail and Bruce Greenspahn on the birth of their grandson - Drs. Glenn and Marsha Kushner on the birth of their granddaughter, Aria Isabelle - Steve and Marsha Levin on the birth of their granddaughter - Bernard and Elaine Reisin on the birth of their great-granddaughter - Herman Wexler on the engagement of his daughter, Naomi, to Greg Pestine

Condolences To - Alvin Bayliss on the loss of his mother, Molly Baylis - Karen Benson on the loss of her mother, Janet Robbin - Gail Boorstein on the loss of her father, Abe Baker - Linda Feinstein on the loss of her sister, Ellen Bookman - Nancy Gooze on the loss of her mother, Betty Allswang - Michelle Gooze-Miller on the loss of her grandmother, Betty Allswang - Sheila Gutman on the loss of her mother, Marilyn Rudin - Mario Jedwabnik on the loss of his mother, Elsa Jedwabnik - Sheela Katz on the loss of her mother, Reva Cooperman - David Lansing on the loss of his mother, Ellen Lansing - Leslie Nadler on the loss of her mother, Schlutz - Ira Rosenthal on the loss of his father, Jerome Rosenthal - Gayla Ruffer on the loss of her mother, Ophira Ben-Arieh - Alan Spellberg on the loss of his father, William Spellberg - Sandy Starkman on the loss of her mother, Mildred Lashinsky/Lash Starkman - Leslie Steinberg on the loss of her mother, Rose Steinberg

In Memoriam - Janet Robbin - Esther Schlutz

Kehillat Netzach Israel, Our Sister Congregation in Ashkelon Israel

The NSSBE Israel Family Mission, led by Rabbi Michael Schwab and Hazzan Larry Goller visited with four members of our sister congregation/ kehillah while in . Everyone had a good time, made new friends, and learned about their sister in Highland Park and Ashkelon.

On December 12, 2012, we held the second study morning in our series “The Family has Many Faces” with special focus this time on the subject of sibling rivalry. We looked at the biblical roots of this important family issue with our Rabbi Gustavo Surazski, who identified many examples from the Book of Genesis. Educational Psychlogist, Dori Taback-Hazan, then divided us into groups according to our place in the family (eldest, sandwich or youngest) for an interactive workshop looking at sibling interaction, identifying our different perspectives of family life by creating a collage which we then discussed among the 30 participants. A third study morning will be held sometime after Pesach. We plan to continue exploring the “many faces of family life” as an ongoing program, this

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 4 March – Adar/ 5773

Joseph Schrayer, Dana Steinberg, son of Lynn and daughter of Esther Skip Schrayer and Guy Steinberg Shabbat, March 2 Shabbat, March 9

April – Nisan/Iyar 5773

Hannah Wirth, Deena Krawitz, daughter of Jennifer daughter of Michelle and Michael Wirth and Michael Krawitz Shabbat, April 13 Shabbat, April 27

overall subject contains many issues which are important for us to explore, as well as being relevant to our members both young and old who see the family as the mainstay of our kehillah.

Katif – Fruit picking for Needy Families We left Ashkelon on a sunny winter afternoon and were met by representatives from Leket Israel on our arrival at the orchard and shown how best to pick the fruit. What followed was 2 hours of hard but incredibly satisfying “katif”work, by the end of which we had picked over 300kg of clementinas (tangerines) which we were told would feed 150 families for a week. The success of such projects is due largely to the response of thousands of volunteers, including everyone from tourists and immigrants, to veteran Israeli’s and young Israeli’s doing National Service/ She’erut Le’umi. Kehillat Netzach Israel continues to take an active role in activities promoting Tikun Olam and we plan to go fruit or vegetable picking again soon.

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 5 Joseph and Mae Gray Cultural & Learning Center

the rissman family kol ami museum at north suburban synagogue beth el presents: Marc Michael Epstein Professor of Religion at Vassar College and author of The Medieval Haggadah: Art, Narrative, and Religious Imagination March 8–10, 2013

Friday Evening March 8: Shabbat Dinner & Presentation My [Father’s] Name is Asher Lev: Reflections on Art and “Ultra-Orthodoxy” An autobiographical talk that attempts to answer the question, “What’s a nice Jewish boy—the product of a mixed marriage between the scions of Slonimer and Lubavitcher Hassidim and a Romanian socialist family—doing studying and teaching medieval Christian art?” Cost: Adults $25; children (ages 5-12) $12. Services at 6:15pm; dinner follows at approximately 7:00pm. Reservations are required by March 1 to Marcie Eskin at [email protected] or 847-432-8903 X234.

Saturday, March 9: D'var Torah & Post-Kiddush Lecture D’var Torah: Four Cubits of Space: Seeking God in Stillness Post-Kiddush Lecture: Building God's House in the World: Creation, the Tabernacle and Us When described the Song of Songs as the Holy of Holies, he was not merely speaking in superlatives, but referring to a unique feature of the that he had known in his lifetime. This week's Torah portion describes the completion of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, the predecessor of the Temple, and, like it, a structure (and an idea) that feels very distant from us. Join Professor Epstein as he demonstrates the continuing relevance of the idea of the Tabernacle and the Temple, as they relate to Creation, to Shabbat, and to our innermost selves.

Sunday, March 10: Keynote Address—10:00 am The Medieval Haggadah: Art, Narrative, Religious Imagination An exploration of aspects of four enigmatic, quirky, and interesting illuminated haggadot: the earliest-known surviving illuminated haggadah, the Birds’ Head Haggadah, made in circa 1300; the Golden Haggadah from Barcelona, circa 1320-30; and two Spanish “siblings,” the Rylands Haggadah and its so-called Brother, made between 1330 and 1340. Breakfast will be served at 9:30 am, hosted by the Men’s Club. Copies of Professor Epstein’s book will be available for sale. A book signing will follow the program. Reservations are requested to Marcie Eskin at [email protected] or 847-432-8903 X234.

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 6 Joseph and Mae Gray Cultural & Learning Center

Passover Palooza Yom Hashoah Event Wednesday, March 13, 2013 Sunday, April 7 10:00am, sponsored by the Men's Club 12:15pm, for Sokol Hebrew High School students and parents

Award-winning author and sought-after speaker Fern Schumer Chapman will take us along on her mother’s journey as one of the twelve hundred children rescued from and brought to Chicago as part of the One Thousand Children project. Her books, Is It Night or Day? and Motherland, resonate with universal themes of assimilation, family legacy, prejudice, loss and identity. Fern will also share the story behind the story–how a group of compassionate 8th graders in Naperville The Cohen Religious School, the Steinberg Pre-School, the Grey helped to reunite her mother with her best friend. Their reunion Cultural & Learning Center, and the Youth Community present was recently featured on the very first episode of the Oprah Passover Palooza, featuring author Leslea Newman, on Wednesday, Winfrey Network’s series, Lost & Found, which aired earlier this March 13, 2013, 4:15–5:45pm. All NSS Beth El families with year. Copies of the books will be available for sale and a book children in preschool-4th grade are invited! signing will follow both presentations. This program is sponsored Leslea Newman’s enthusiasm for reading and writing is contagious! by the Gray Cultural & Learning Center, the Sokol Hebrew High Using her picture books about Jewish families and holidays as School, and the Men’s Club. For more information contact Rachel examples (A Sweet Passover, Ball Moon, Kiss on the Keppie, Kamin at [email protected] or 847-432-8903 x242. and others), she will show students how a book is created from start to finish and how the strong Jewish values she learned as a child carry over into her writing. Families will have an opportunity to taste different types and brands of matzah and vote for their favorite. Inspired by A Sweet Passover by Leslea Newman, different matzah toppings will be offered too. Passover crafts and activities will also Passover be included and a selection of Leslea Newman’s books will be available for sale. A book signing will follow the program. pray & play Bet, Gimmel, and Dalet students will participate with their teachers during Religious School. All other children must be accompanied by an adult. Contact Rachel Kamin at [email protected] or Wednesday 847-432-8903 x242 for more information. March 27, 2013 11:00am Meet in the Zell Activity Center for a combined Tot Shabbat/Mini-Minyan holiday service with songs, prayers, stories, and more. Stay for yummy Pesach treats and playtime in the Grossinger-Brickman Activity Center. This program is geared for families with children in 2nd grade and younger but all are welcome.

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 7 Sisterhood Sisterhood Matters! Be Involved. Be Enriched. Be Inspired. Sisterhood As the daylight hours slowly increase and temperatures begin to moderate, we are reminded that spring is only weeks away. It is hard to believe that Passover is just around the corner, and that we will all be Membership Tea making summer plans soon! Sisterhood members enjoyed celebrating , and we are grateful for everyone’s support of the Mishloach Manot project last . We hope you had a festive holiday and Meet the Ladies of Sisterhood by enjoyed all the delicious goodies in your packages. Yasher Koach to participating in a fun filled and Rachel Ferber on organizing all the details of this wonderful fundraiser, rewarding afternoon of game mixers. which we are proud to report, surpassed all of our expectations. Although it was a labor of love, Sisterhood appreciates all the helping hands that spent hours filling and distributing the bags and making Tuesday, March 12, 2013 this project a success. This year is a very special one for our community, as our 12:15–2:30pm Synagogue is celebrating 65 wonderful years and our own Rabbi North Suburban Synagogue Beth El Kurtz is marking 25 years as our spiritual leader. Sisterhood is very lucky in that we have a core group of members, which have formed the foundation of a strong organization of committed Jewish women, Sisterhood will be as well as group of new members who are excited to follow in the Creating Special Memories. footsteps of these inspirational leaders. It is remarkable for me to Bring your favorite Passover recipe, or see these amazing women who continue to carry on the traditions share a funny story. of the generations before them and to inspire all of the members of We will create a Passover journal, with this Sisterhood. I feel I am blessed everyday to be part of such a remarkable event filling our first page. group of women. On March 12th Sisterhood is holding a Membership Tea that we Be sure to arrive on time, as we will have a are hoping you will be able to attend, as it is open to all members and is special presentation by our very own certain to be a nice kick-off to our spring series of events. Please join us Rabbi Michael Schwab. as Rabbi Schwab starts our program with a short welcome, offering his insight on Passover. Our afternoon together will also include an exciting If you would like us to order you a journal, afternoon of socializing, recipe sharing, laughter and of course, eating. please enclose a check payable to North Passover is only weeks away and hopefully you have seen some Suburban Beth El Sisterhood for $8. of the wonderful items on our shelves in the gift shop. In order to continually update our offerings, earlier this year Diane Levin and Sulie Holt spent several days at the International Gift Show in New York City. Diane and Sulie were very pleased with the items they purchased on behalf of the gift shop, as they accomplished their goal of transforming our gift shop into the only place to shop on the North Shore for your Jewish home. During the past 25 years, Sisterhood has been blessed to have the daily guidance and wisdom of Rabbi Vernon Kurtz. During the month of April we are honoring the Rabbi at numerous affairs, taking every possible opportunity to thank him for his dedication and honor him for his commitment to the Sisterhood, Synagogue and Jewish people. Please be sure to join Sisterhood at its annual Rabbi’s Dinner this year on April 9th. This evening’s dinner is a very intimate one in RSVP to: which each of us will be able to spend time with the Rabbi in a more light-hearted atmosphere. The Gala being held to recognize the Rabbi Allyson Rose on April 28th is sure to be a memorable event which each of us should 812 Marion Avenue be sure not to miss! On behalf of Sisterhood, we wish each of you a Highland Park, IL 60035 Happy Pesach! Questions: Please call Allyson at 847-433-3388

Michelle Krawitz President Sisterhood

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 8 Sisterhood

Mah Jongg Monthly Game – March 13 at 12:45pm. Join us for a few hours of mahj fun. Donation of $5 to Sisterhood. Contact Michelle Krawitz at 847-951-4890 or email [email protected] and let her know your playing level. Remember to bring your card and set if you have one.

Sisterhood Torah Fund Torah Fund News Book Club The Mission of JTS: The Jewish Theological Shabbat, March 16 Seminary is a preeminent institution of Jewish higher education that integrates 12:30pm rigorous academic scholarship and teaching with a commitment to strengthening The Sisterhood Torah Fund Book Jewish tradition, Jewish lives, and Jewish Club will meet on Saturday, communities. JTS articulates a vision of March 16 after Shabbat Kiddush Judaism that is learned and passionate, (at approximately 12:30pm) to pluralist and authentic, traditional and discuss The List by Martin Fletcher, egalitarian; one that is thoroughly grounded facilitated by Rachel Kamin. The in Jewish texts, history, and practices, and NBC Special Correspondent uses fully engaged with the societies and cultures meticulous research and his own of the present. Our vision joins faith with family's history to dramatize the inquiry; the covenant of our ancestors explosive events in London and with the creative insights of today; intense Palestine in the years directly involvement in the society and State of following World War II, following Israel with devotion to the flowering of the lives of Edith and Georg, Judaism throughout the world; service to the Austrian refugees struggling to Jewish community, as well as to all of the stay afloat in a world riddled with communities of which Jews are a part: our terrorism, assassination attempts, society, our country, and our world. and fear. Thank you to all recent donors: All are welcome! Copies of the book are available in the Maxwell Abbell Guardian: ($360.00 +): Dr. Gerald Frank, Library and from local libraries and Mae Spitz bookstores. Register by sending Benefactors: ($180.00 +): Elinor Bayliss, a $36 annual donation to the Ruth Burack, Roberta Goldman, Bryna Sisterhood Torah Fund. Kurtz, and Margaret Silberman. Contributors: ($18.00+): Renee Bearak, Batia Eizikovic, Mindy Gordon, Ellen Lavin, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El Joellen Lidov, Sharon Monsour, Frances Rabinowitz, Sandra Raizes, Betty Rozenfeld, Men's Club & Sisterhood invite you to Andrea Saffir, Ruth Stern, Phyllis Wygodny, join us for: Phyllis Woloshin, and Pearl Zaid. Marilyn Lewis Dinner with Rabbi Kurtz Torah Fund Vice President Tuesday, April 9, 2013 6:00pm

$25 per person. Reservation deadline is April 3, 2013. Please pay with check only and make checks payable to North Suburban Beth El Sisterhood and mail to: Ruth Fischer, 620 Calais Circle, Highland Park, IL 60035. Contact Ruth Fischer at 847-433-1919.

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 9 Men's Club

Men's Club Shabbat for Your Brains This year our Men’s Club celebrated Men’s Club Shabbat on February 1st March 3 – Susan Levin Abir, Vice president of and 2nd as opposed to the December dates in the past. Over thirty-five men Strategic Development for Keshet participated in the rituals and honors. The Parasha was Yitro and it held an Keshet is the premier provider of educational, important message for all. Beginning on Friday night, families gathered to recreational, vocational and social programs for enjoy welcoming in the Shabbat by chanting familiar melodies. Following, individuals with intellectual disabilities operating the Shabbat was again welcomed by singing, blessings, Kiddush and a according to traditional Jewish values. Their mission is delicious Israeli menu dinner, prepared by our own Chefs, Chuck Kahalnick to enhance independence and integration to optimize and Avram Pachter. Zmirot and Birkat Ha’mazon completed the festive personal potential. evening. March 10 – The Medieval Haggadah: Art, Narrative, Shabbat morning found more than the usual few people beginning the and Religious Imagination Services. All of the services were led by Men’s Club members. Those who Join Professor Marc Epstein for an exploration of aspects read Torah were well prepared. The congregation joined in singing along very of four enigmatic, quirky, and interesting illuminated enthusiastically. The Haftarah was chanted by Larry Pachter. D’var Torah was haggadot: the earliest-known surviving illuminated delivered by Men’s Club President, Jeffrey Goldsmith, who also led Shacharit. haggadah, the Birds’ Head Haggadah, made in Mainz Musaf was led by Richard Rabinowitz. circa 1300; the Golden Haggadah from Barcelona, circa 1320-30; and two Spanish “siblings,” the Rylands Following services, everyone enjoyed a festive Kiddush and complimented Haggadah and its so-called Brother, made between 1330 those that participated in and led the services. The entire Men’s Club and 1340. Breakfast will be served at 9:30am, hosted by weekend was chaired by Scott Bieber. We all thank him for the hours of time the Men’s Club. Copies of Professor Epstein’s book will be spent on the arrangements. May we all look forward to celebrating Men’s available for sale. A book signing will follow the program. Club Shabbat again next year. Reservations are requested to Marcie Eskin at meskin@ nssbethel.org or 847-432-8903 x234. (co-hosted with CLC) March 17 – Morton Steinberg, Synagogue Historian NSS Beth El Hosts Man of the Year Mort Steinberg will speak on the history of NSSBE and On Sunday, February 17th, the FJMC Midwest Region Men’s Clubs held their the building in which we worship. Man of the Year brunch at our Synagogue. It’s been a number of years since the April 7 – Fern Schumer Chapman (author) event was held at Beth El and we were very proud to entertain the honorees, She is a local author who wrote two books, Motherland: their families, friends and members of the Men’s Clubs in our region. Beyond the Holocaust (for adults) and Is It Night or Day? Our Man of the Year was Rob Freeman, who received the well deserved (for middle school/teens), both based on her mother’s honor. An Easterner by birth, born in Utica, New York, living there for experience. On the ship that brought her to America, eighteen years. He attended SUNY in Buffalo, NY where he earned his BS her mother, Edith Westerfeld became best friends with degree. Further attending the University of Rochester to receive his MBA. 12-year-old Gerda Katz, but the two hadn’t seen each Rob lived in Sharon, MA where he was an active member of Men’s Club at other since their arrival in 1938. After a Naperville, Temple Israel, serving as Vice President. Illinois middle-school class read Is It Night or Day?, the students were so moved by the story that they made it He and his wife Marcy were “childhood sweethearts” and were married in a class project to reunite the two women. Fulfilling a 1990 and moved to Highland Park in 2006. They became members of Beth shared life-long dream, the two women, now in their 80s, El, with Rob joining our Men’s Club. He assumed leadership immediately as finally saw each other again in 2011. Edith and Gerda's Vice President of membership and programming, offering new and successful story was the very first episode on the Oprah Winfrey programs. Rob is currently Vice President of membership on the Congregation Network’s series, Lost & Found. Board of Directors. April 14 – Holocaust Scholarship Program He has worked in marketing for large firms such as Xerox, Monster.com, Lycos Featuring Beth El students who will discuss their and LoJack. Currently he has his own company, Northshore Pet Chef. experiences. Rob and Marcy are very proud of their three children, Andrew, Ariel and April 21 – Deborah Opolion-Elovic Harrison who are all very active in USY here at Beth El. Rob enjoys biking, General discussion on Israel’s constitution law/religious golf, poker and of course Men’s Club. freedom. Deborah Opolion-Elovic is the founder of Our Men’s Club was happy to host this year’s Man of the Year brunch and Deborah Opolion Law Offices, LLC. She is a licensed looks forward to the opportunity again to host other Midwest Region Men’s attorney in Israel since 1988, and in the US (WI), since Club events. 2010. Born in NY, Deborah emigrated to Israel after attending high school in Austria, and graduated from Bar Ilan University, in Israel.

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 10 Men's Club

Men's Club Blood Drive

By donating a pint of blood on Sunday, March 17, 2013, you are helping someone truly in need for his or her life.The process is easy, painless, and free from any risk to you. The Life Source Blood Center needs our help for the community. You are a community member who one day may need this help yourself. On March 17, you can help others who require help now! And yes, your thoughtful gift is precious, especially to the person receiving it. Please join us in the Grossinger-Brickman Activity Center and give someone the gift of life. You must be in good health, 18 years or older, and weigh more than 100 lbs. Although refreshments are available, it would be a good idea to still have breakfast beforehand. Don’t forget to have your driver’s license or some other photo ID handy. Over the years, our blood drive yields annually about 44-55 pints. From an absolute perspective, this is a pretty good result. However, when considering the sheer mass of our membership and the potential of our contribution, another view may become more obvious. This year please consider your option to donate a pint. It is a worthwhile cause and merits your participation.

Return completed Please schedule me (us) for the Blood Drive on Sunday, March 17, 2013 at: form to: 8:50 9:10 9:30 9:50 10:10 10:30 10:50 11:10 11:30 11:50 12:10 Irv Kuperman 288 Hastings Avenue Name(s): Highland Park, IL 60035 Address:

Phone:

Men's Club Shoah Program The Men’s Club, through our special Holocaust Fund, is awarding the Irwin Wygodny Memorial stipend to those traveling to Poland this summer in an organized educational program, and whose parent is a member of Beth El. If you would like to receive this stipend, and share that experience at a Men’s Club Program, please complete the bottom portion of this letter. It is important that you respect this deadline, as we will be unable to process applications after May 1, 2013. Mail detached form to: Arnie Sandler 650 Constance Lane, Deerfield, IL 60015 prior to May 1, 2013

Participant's Name:

Address:

Home Phone:

Name of Program Traveling to Poland:

Name & Phone Number of Program Coordinator:

Travel Dates:

Parent's Signature: Participant's Signature:

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 11 Social Action In Action

Thoughts on Social Action Jacqueline Kott-Wolle, Chair Social Action Committee This winter I developed a guilty pleasure…I admit that I am Have a garage/basement full of sports equipment completely addicted to Downton Abbey – Masterpiece Theater’s brilliant and beautiful saga about the wealthy Crawley family, your kids have outgrown? Donate them to our the maids, butlers and valets who work for them and the beloved first annual Sporting Goods Drive at Beth El. castle their family has occupied for centuries in the bucolic English countryside. I’ve spent many Sunday afternoons on cold winter days The Social Action Committee is running our First Annual curled up at home and getting caught up on past seasons. I know Sporting Goods Drive to benefit the children at the Chicago it seems ridiculous to refer to a TV show in an article about Social Chesed Fund in Lincolnwood. Bins will be available at the Action but it struck me somewhere in the middle of Season Two that entryways at Beth El, from Sunday, April 14 through Sunday, there is a connection. As World War One raged through Europe, April 21. Please bring in good, usable condition: roller blades, the whole Crawley household transformed themselves for the better soccer balls and shoes, baseball bats, balls, cleats, helmets, caps through the act of rolling up their sleeves and lending a hand to the and tennis racquets, duffel bags and more. war effort. High teas, fancy clothes, pomp and circumstance were On Sunday, April 21, from 9:00am–12:00pm, please bring your gladly exchanged for service to others when the Crawleys decided bicycles, tricycles, Big Wheels, scooters and bigger items to Beth to turn their estate into a hospital and treat the wounded as well El for drop off. as feed the poor. Lines between the rich and poor became blurred, friendships blossomed and purpose emerged when the focus of the This is a great opportunity to get rid of all the sports stuffyou're family turned to the act of giving. How true that is…when I think of not using and do a as well! some of the most satisfying and purposeful moments of my life, they often involved this very truth. As I write this article we are only days away from Beth El’s Fourth Annual Mitzvah Day, a chance for our community to cooperatively engage together in a day of service to others. I don’t know about your family but after Mitzvah Day last year, my husband, kids and I came home so completely inspired and clear about what really matters. Henry declared that when he grows up he wants to get a job at the Northern Illinois Food Bank but would not take a salary. Sophie has been furiously making blankets in anticipation of this year’s Project Linus. And therein lies the point of Social Action. We are here because an act of service to others, no matter how small, provides a great feeling of overall purpose and well-being. Both those who give and receive are better for it. Have a Happy Pesach!

Maot Chitim Pesach Food Delivery Upcoming Social Action Opportunities

Package pickup and delivery will be on Sunday, March 17, 2013; March 12th 9:00am–10:30am. Warehouse location is 5990 W. Touhy Ave, Niles. JUF Uptown Café For ages 12+, serve dinner to neighborhood needy. Expect to spend about 2 hours including time for waiting, loading Contact Bryna Kurtz at 847-432-1039 or [email protected]. and delivering. Everyone is welcome! Pre-registration is not required March 17th to deliver our food packages. Beginning approximately three weeks • Food Drive Begins – Clean out your pantry for Pesach and before the holiday they need volunteers to assemble boxes and to donate unopened non-perishable food to our local food bank. put non-perishable food items in the packages. There are many Contact Jacqueline Kott-Wolle [email protected]. ways to help Maot Chitim accomplish its noble mission. They need volunteers to help pack the food packages and to help deliver the April 11th packages. They attempt to have as few expenses as possible, however JUF Uptown Café For ages 12+, serve dinner to neighborhood needy. the cost of the food, boxes and other costs and expenses require us to Contact Bryna Kurtz at 847-432-1039 or [email protected]. raise money. They need your financial support now to help make the holidays brighter and more meaningful for those in need. For more information, call Maot Chitim of Greater Chicago at 847-674-3224, or email [email protected].

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 12

Bewilderments: Is it a Good Land or a Bad Land?

The turning point of the ' wilderness journey is the narrative of the Spies. When the people declare their intention to return to Egypt, is it fear that drives them? Or is it deeper issues of love and hate, trust and skepticism? We will explore this central narrative through the prism of midrashic, Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg is the author of The Murmuring Deep: literary, and Reflections on the Biblical Unconscious, Genesis: The Beginning of psychoanalytic materials. Desire (for which she won the National Jewish Book Award) and The Particulars of Rapture: Reflections on Exodus. Her next book on This lecture is presented free the Book of Numbers will be published by Schocken in 2014. of charge at North Suburban She was born in London and grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, where Synagogue Beth El her father was a Rabbi and the head of the Rabbinical Court. She 1175 Sheridan Rd studied with him from childhood; he was her most important Highland Park, IL 60035 teacher of Torah. She holds a BA and PhD in English Literature from Cambridge University. After teaching English literature at Questions? the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, she turned to teaching Torah. Phone: 847-432-8903 For the past twenty-five years, she has taught Torah in Jerusalem X234 at Matan, Yakar, Pardes and the Jerusalem College for Adults. Dr. Marcie Eskin Zornberg also holds a Visiting Lectureship at the London School [email protected] of Jewish Studies. She travels widely, lecturing in Jewish, academic and psychoanalytic settings.

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 13 Sunday April 28, 2013

Visit www.nssbethel.org for complete details.

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 14 Membership & Development

A Night of Dreams There’s something cooking at Beth El… 1 Sixty-five years ago, our founding families had a dream to start a Conservative synagogue on the North Shore. 1 Twenty-five years ago, Rabbi Vernon Kurtz had a vision about leading this synagogue and educating our congregants. 1 And in about eight weeks, we will honor both of these milestones at a Gala Anniversary Dinner, A Night of Dreams.

It is a pleasure to take pause and celebrate happy events. We spend so much worthwhile time working, studying and doing all those “have to” things. A Night of Dreams will be a beautiful gala evening filled with good food, wonderful music, moving tributes and fun friends. This celebration also has an important fundraising component, as all proceeds from the event go directly to help meet our synagogue’s budgetary needs. The Gala is being chaired by wonderful volunteers, Michael and Karen Kesner, Jackie and Michael Melinger introducing and Jenna and David Smiley, with oversight by our Vice President of Finance Lisa Rosenkranz. They have planned a lovely event, and congregants have so Circle-of-Life Kosher Catering many ways to participate. by Mark your calendar for Sunday evening April 28 and check out your dress attire. Festivities begin with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 5:30pm, followed Beth El Catering Services by an elegant dinner catered by Danzinger Kosher Catering. Guests will enjoy the music styling of “Listen up,” a Jewish acapella group, the CJHS Jazz Band will provide cocktail music, and there will be some fun tributes and surprises Make Every Life Event – Special! as well. Tickets for the event are $180 per person, and there are also dinner No matter how large or how small, tables and sponsorships available. Watch your mail for the invitation coming soon! Kathy Stinson in the office is taking Gala dinner reservations with an Whether on-site at Beth El or in the April 3rd RSVP deadline. Community, Beth El Catering will The Gala will also feature a unique silent auction of select elite items such provide sumptuous kosher cuisine for as NSSBE parking spots, sports tickets and much more. There will be a Gala your next event. Program and Ad book in which many local businesses and congregants will place congratulatory ads. With tributes ranging in price from $36 to $2000, there is a way for everyone to participate. We are also reaching out to local Call Beth El Catering to plan a delicious businesses and organizations to place an ad, so if you can help us contact vendors, please let us know. You should have received your ad book information meal for your: by now. Please contact Nancy Kekst at [email protected] or call 847-432- 8900 x 237 for ad book assistance. All ads are due by April 3, 2013. As you also all know, in celebration of his 25th Anniversary here, Rabbi Organizational Meeting Kurtz is publishing a book of his finest Shabbat sermons,Encountering Torah: Havurah Gathering Reflections on the Weekly Portion. You can still contribute to this publication Birthday Party and your gift will be honored in Gala ad book. As of this writing, 195 friends Kiddush have pledged over $470,000! All donations to this book will fund educational programming and youth scholarships at NSSBE. The book will be published Friday Night Dinner this spring and distributed to the entire congregation, but if you attend the Brit Milah Gala, you will get your copy first! To make your pledge in honor of the Rabbi's Anniversary Celebration Book, contact Nancy Kekst. Wedding I’m sure that when our dreamers first formed their vision they could not anticipate the success of NSSBE today. Join us in honoring our dreamers at A Night of Dreams. I am happy to help you find a way to participate in this Contact: Avram Pachter, celebration. Feel free to contact me, Nancy Kekst, Development Manager, by Catering Manager calling my office at 847-847-432-8900 x237 or emailing [email protected]. 847-432-8900 x238 Nancy Kekst [email protected] Development Manager

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 15 Passover Supplement 2013/5773

Forbidden Foods The following foods are forbidden to Ashkenazic Jews during Pesach: leavened bread, cakes, biscuits and crackers; cereals, coffee substitutes derived from cereals; wheat, barley, oats, rice, dry peas, dry beans, and all liquids which contain ingredients or flavors made from grain alcohol. (Sephardic Jews have some different practices.)

Permitted Foods Requiring no kosher l’Pesach label, the following foods are permitted in unopened packages or containers: natural coffee, sugar, tea, salt, pepper, and fresh vegetables (except peas and beans, although string beans are permitted on Pesach). The following foods are permitted if certified for Pesach use by Rabbinical authority (have a kosher l’Pesach label): matzah, matzah flour, Passover , candies, cakes, beverages, canned and processed foods, milk, butter, jams, cheese, jellies, relishes, dried fruits and vegetables, salad oils, vegetable gelatin, shortening, vinegar. Wines and liquors are permitted if certified by a Rabbinical authority as fit for Pesach use.

Dishes and Utensils Only dishes and utensils specially reserved for Pesach should be used with the following exceptions: silverware made entirely of metal if used during the year may be used on Pesach if thoroughly scoured and immersed in boiling water. Metal pots and pans used for cooking purposes only (but not for baking), if made wholly of metal, though used during the year, may be used on Pesach. They must first be thoroughly scoured and immersed in boiling water. The utensils should not be used for a period of at least 24 hours between their cleaning and immersion in boiling water. Utensils used for baking during the year cannot be used for Passover. Earthenware, enamelware and porcelain utensils used during the year may not be used. Fine translucent chinaware if not used for a year is permitted if scoured and cleaned in hot water. Authorities disagree as to the method of koshering drinking glasses. One opinion requires soaking in water for three days, changing the water every 24 hours. The other opinion requires only a thorough scrubbing before Pesach or putting them through a dishwasher. A dishwashing machine may be used for Passover after a thorough scouring and non-use for 24 hours. Authorities disagree whether a new tray is necessary. The stove is prepared by a thorough scrubbing and cleansing of all parts, then turning on the ovens and all burners full-flame for one half hour. Self-cleaning ovens should be scrubbed and cleaned, then put through the self-cleaning cycle. Continuous cleaning ovens must be kashered in the same manner as regular ovens. Microwave ovens should be cleaned, and then a cup of water placed inside. The oven should be turned on until the water disappears. A microwave that has a browning element cannot be kashered. In all the above cases the appliance cannot be used for 24 hours prior to kashering. If the parts of electrical appliances that come into contact with Hametz are removable, they can be kashered in the appropriate way. If the parts are not removable, the appliance cannot be kashered. Non-Passover dishes, pots and hametz whose ownership has been transferred should be separated, locked up or covered and marked in order to prevent accidental use. If you have specific questions, please contact our rabbis.

Bedikat Hametz (The Search For and Burning of Leaven) On the evening of Sunday, March 24, the Search for Leaven, bedikat hametz, is conducted. This is a ritual that symbolizes the final cleaning of the house of all hametz. It is customary to place pieces of bread in various rooms around the house before the search

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 16 begins – remember how many pieces there are and where they are hidden! The search is conducted with a candle for light and a feather and wooden spoon to collect the hametz. The hametz, feather and wooden spoon should be put in a bag and set aside to be burnt in the morning. In the morning – this year on Monday, March 25 – after eating our last meal of hametz, add any remains from breakfast to the bag of hametz from the previous night, and burn them outside the home. This is the final act of removal of hametz from our homes. Hametz should be burned by 10:15am. The appropriate prayers for the search for and destruction of hametz are found at the beginning of every Haggadah.

Mechirat Hametz (Sale Of The Hametz) In addition to the thorough cleaning of the house before Pesach, we are commanded to completely free ourselves of leavened products. Anything made from wheat, barley, oats, rye or spelt, which had a chance to leaven (rise or ferment), must be destroyed. Today a simple but meaningful tradition is followed: • Each Jewish home must be cleaned before Pesach. • The Rabbi contractually arranges for the sale of the hametz to a non-Jew so that it will, technically, be out of Jewish possession during Pesach. • At the end of Pesach, everything in your stored-up area will be repurchased for your immediate use. Please see Mark Stadler or use the form below to sell your Hametz. Please contact Mark no later than Monday morning, March 25. A voluntary contribution should be made upon selling Hametz. All gifts will be added to our Maot Chitim fund. Maot Chitim (Portions of Wheat). It is traditional for Jews who have been blessed by the Almighty to make sure that their less fortunate brethren have all that is necessary to celebrate a joyous Pesach. Special funds for this purpose, known as Maot Chitim, are collected in synagogues through the world. Beth El participates in this activity. If you would like to make a contribution to the Maot Chitim fund, please mail it directly to the synagogue, or bring it in personally, and earmark it accordingly. These funds will be distributed to the Greater Chicago Maot Chitim and other institutions that provide Pesach food to the less fortunate.

Maot Chitim Delivery Please plan to participate with the Greater Chicago Maot Chitim in the delivery of packages on Sunday March 17, 9:00am to 10:30am. For more details and directions, go to www.maotchitim.org or www.nssbethel.org.

Siyyum Bechorim (Fast of the Firstborn) At the Minyan service Monday, March 25, at 6:30am the ceremony of siyyum bechorim will take place in the Field Family Sanctuary, led by Rabbi Vernon Kurtz. It is customary for the first born male to fast on the day preceding Passover. In place of the fast, however, tradition developed the practice of concluding a portion of study of a Rabbinic text after which celebration and feasting takes place. The siyyum bechorim ceremony is the means of obviating the need for a fast. We encourage all first-born males to attend.

Detach and send to: Mark Stadler, NSS Beth El, 1175 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, IL 60035

I, (please print name)

hereby authorize Rabbi Vernon Kurtz to act as my agent to sell Hametz that may be in my possession wherever it may be at home, place of business or elsewhere in accordance with the requirements and provisions of Jewish law.

My home address is:

My office address is:

Signed: Date:

I enclosed $ for Maot Chitim (list amount)

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 17 Jack & Mildred Cohen Religious School and Bernard H. Sokol Hebrew High School

M'Shulchan Hamenahelet Beth El congregants are cordially invited to the A few ago I sat with a non-Jewish printer as I was showcase of: trying to explain to him the different date inscriptions I needed on the front page of my work. After repeating the explanation My Family Story Project of the two different nomenclatures for the English and Hebrew is 2013 Sunday, April 14th תשע"ג ;dates, the printer stood up and said, “Now I get it stands for 5773 and תשע"ג ,in Hebrew.” Well, I said, “Not really Students in Kitah Vav (6th grade) have that indicates the Hebrew year.” “Wow,” responded the printer embarked on a journey to the past, an “you guys are that old!” exploration of roots, a project that goes beyond the usual family Explaining the difference mentioned above is, in a nutshell, tree. It is a journey that connects students to their personal stories, the goal of our Jewish studies program. As Jews we are defined to their family stories, and to the greater story of the Jewish People. by our common “Jewish temporality.” We are set apart from the outside world first and foremost by our relationship to time. The culminating event of the My Family Story program in our Jewish calendar is a combined solar/lunar calendar, set to keep school will be a competition of Family Roots Projects featuring the calendar in tune with the seasons in Israel. Our week revolves those made by our students. Our school will conduct an April around the concept of separation between chol (weekdays) and competition to determine which projects will go on to compete Shabbat; major and minor fall according to the internationally. The chosen projects will be sent to Beit Hatfutsot calculations of the . Jews pray three times a day at (Museum of the Jewish People) where judges will determine the fixed times and mark life cycle events following to the concepts of final winners of the competition. All final submissions will be Jewish time. Our meals are even influenced by temporary markers. included in a special exhibition at Beit Hatfutsot, and finalists Our educational program is geared to instruct students in the and winners will be eligible for prizes as well as the opportunity understanding of Jewish time, including all the traditions and to participate in an official ceremony at Beit Hatfutsot in Tel Aviv, practices that have been developed in the past and continue to Israel, marking the opening of the exhibition and the conclusion develop in the present. As time intersects with space, we teach to the competition. Jewish rituals performed in synagogue, at home, in Israel and outside Israel. Becoming knowledgeable with the Jewish literary corpus that has been developed throughout time is a major undertaking of our program of study. To that end, we teach Mesilot Showcase sacred books, modern Jewish literature and Jewish history. Sponsored by the Community Foundation The learning is done incrementally and in a spiral fashion, as we strive to add new elements each year according to students’ for Jewish Education with Ariela Haymberg level of development. For example, the Jewish holidays are taught Last month, Ms. Ariela Haymberg, our Kitah Bet teacher (2nd in every grade; however in each grade we stress a different element grade) gave a presentation to teachers from other schools, who of the chag to broaden understanding. came to learn how our school implements the Tal Am program. The Jewish studies program combines the arts (music, art, The program was held at our religious school. dance and literature) in order to enrich the students’ learning experience. It is our hope that by understanding and experiencing Ms. Haymberg is an expert in the “Tal-Am” program, which “Jewish temporality” through all learning modalities, students will she uses to teach at our school. Ms. Haymberg has been named develop a strong sense of Jewish identity. winner of the 2012 Hartman Family Foundation Educator of the Year Award last December. Alicia Gejman “Tal Am has been and continues to be an excellent Hebrew Director of Formal Education and heritage component of my school curriculum. The world renowned program fosters the natural acquisition of Hebrew through exposure to authentic language usage. The curriculum We Love Used I-Pads! is interactive, research based, context based and sequential. More importantly, it helps strengthen students' Jewish identity while If you just bought a new I-Pad and are wondering what to do with connecting them with their past and present heritage, both your old one, please consider donating it to the Cohen Religious in Israel and abroad.” – Alicia Gejman, Director of Formal School or the Sokol Hebrew High School. They are wonderful Education, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El tools for learning. Please contact the Religious School Office if you would like to make a donation at 847-432-8900, ext. 225.

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 18 Jack & Mildred Cohen Religious School and Bernard H. Sokol Hebrew High School

Jack and Mildred Cohen Religious School Bernard H. Sokol Hebrew High School March/April – Adar/Nisan/Iyar 5773 March/April – Adar/Nisan/Iyar 5773

Mar 2 Shabbat Hey Family Shabbat Services Mar 3 Sunday Race to Nowhere–Follow-up Discussion (for Parents) Maot Chitim Field Trip Mar 3 Sunday Race to Nowhere–Follow-up Discussion (for Parents) Mar 10 Sunday I-Program Mar 10 Sunday Hey Family Shabbat Services/Luncheon Mar 24–Apr 2 Sunday–Tuesday Pesach Break Mar 13 Wednesday Pesach Palooza with Author Lesléa Newman Apr 7 Sunday Yom Hashoah Commemoration Program Mar 24–Apr 2 Sunday–Tuesday Pesach Break

Apr 7 Sunday Yom Hashoah Commemoration Program Gesher class to visit the Illinois Holocaust Museum

Apr 14 Sunday Yom Ha'zikaron/Yom Ha'atzmaut Kitah Vav students will present the My Family Story Projects Our Pre-School classes begin with children 16 months old through pre-kindergarten. We also Apr 19–Apr 21 Friday–Sunday Hey and Vav Kallah have a 7 week Summer Camp for children 14 months through pre-kindergarten. Please call Caron Knopoff at 847-432-2830 for information and to arrange a tour of the school.

Paul S. and Sylvia Steinberg Pre-School

I would like to share some very exciting news from our Pre- experimenting with flour to understand leavening. They will visit the School. We have received a grant that will afford us the opportunity Matzah Factory to see first hand how quickly and carefully matzah to bring Treasure Literacy™ to our school. It is a unique approach is baked. Their sand tables will be converted to the Sinai desert and that encourages imagination, spontaneity and comprehension in their water tables to the salty Sea of Reeds. They will learn the story young children through dramatization, music, and other multi- of Pesach, the order of the Seder and new holiday songs and blessings. sensory experiences. Treasure Literacy™ focuses on using popular Each class will invite their families to be their guests at a model Seder children’s stories, selected in conjunction with our school curricula where they will read the Haggadah and eat special foods including and content areas of study, which provides a process-oriented matzah, and . They will learn to remember the time approach into story dramatization. It enables children to learn when Jewish people left Egypt and became free. concepts that can transfer to success in and outside the classroom. We hope that as you prepare for Pesach you will include children Through this grant our there will be training for our teachers as well in your preparation. Do some spring cleaning together, search for as “treasure chest” in every classroom. This is just another thing that chametz, cook a special holiday treats together. The Seder is a time to makes our school so special. We look forward to the enrichment this ask lots of questions! We encourage you to make your Seder “child program will bring our children. friendly”. Give children a chance to get up and move around. The The Paul S. and Sylvia Steinberg Pre-School is now well into its Seder table can be a crowded place with lots of interesting things celebration of Purim and then Pesach. These two holidays give us and a source of a great Seder game for children. Ask a child to look an opportunity to learn about Jewish “Super Heroes”– Esther and around the table to see how many things s/he can find that begins Mordechai of Purim and Moses of Pesach. For Purim our children with the letter “m”. Try the game with other letters. You can also were busy recreating the story, making their own and play a “What is Missing” game by removing items on the Seder plate. baking hamantashen. They learned about , giving gifts to If you need more suggestions please call or stop by the Pre-School the poor as well as mishloach manot, exchanging treats with their office and we will gladly share some ideas with you. We wish you all a friends. When they bake at school they learn about measurements, happy and healthy Purim and Pesach. turning liquids into solids, and other math and science concepts. The teachers turned the Grossinger Brickman Activity Center into Caron Knopoff Shushan for Purim Carnivals especially for our young children. We Steinberg Pre-School Director all dressed up and had a joyous time. At the conclusion of Purim the joy does not end because a few days later we begin to learn about Pesach. The children will be

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 19 Kol No'ar The Voice of the Youth–Beth El's Youth Community

A few words from BEANS USY Rel/Ed Board Member, Aaron Pickard, on being a part of USY.... BEANS is...what? That’s the question that plagues me, because BEANS is so many things at once. It’s a chapter in USY, the Conservative youth group. But BEANS is something more than just a chapter. It’s the place during the school year where I feel most comfortable being myself. At school, I feel I’m there to learn, so I really don’t make an effort to socialize, but when I’m here, I just want to have fun. I feel that I have more friends here than at school. It’s also the place where I enjoy learning the most outside of school. I’ve made spreading a love of Judaism among BEANSniks my main mission here because it is my passion. So what is BEANS? I’m still trying to figure that out on a daily basis. And I can’t do it alone. It’s the members who define BEANS more than anything else. So come to a Saturday evening program. Try a lounge night. Let’s define BEANS together.

• Kol HaKavod to all the USYers who participated in USY Shabbat on January 26th! You did a fantastic job leading the congregation.

• Calling all Jewish 8th Graders! You are invited to come to USY programs! We can’t wait to see you!

BEANS Youth Community is a great way to make new friends, hang out with old ones, and have an awesome time. Still not a member of Beth El’s award winning youth community? It’s never too late. Contact Sam Isenstein, Youth Community Director, at [email protected] or at 847-432-8900 ext. 214 for more information regarding membership or any other questions regarding Melissa and Dana Levin at USY Jungle Speed Lounge Night the Beth El Youth Community.

BEANS USY Tuesday, March 12th–There will be aCafé BEANS Lounge Night, 7:00–9:00pm in the Horowitz-Hoffman Youth Lounge (Lounge nights are $5, Free for Activity Pass holders).

Shabbat, March 16th– Join Teen Minyan for morning services, Free Lunch will be provided after for all teens that come!

Saturday, March 16th (after Shabbat)– BEANS is going to BroomBall and Ice Skating. Meet in the Youth Lounge at 8:00pm, pick up will be at 10:00pm. $10 for members, $15 for non members and free for Activity Pass holders.

Tuesday, March 19th– Get ready for a chocolate filled evening. BEANS USY will have their own Chocolate Seder from 7:00–9:00pm. This program will be $5, Free for Activity Pass holders and lots of chocolate Kadimaniks playing "Minute to Win It" games to be served.

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 20 Kol No'ar The Voice of the Youth–Beth El's Youth Community

Upcoming Programs and Events!

BEANS USY Kadima Shalom Club

Tuesday, April 9th–BEANS USY will be Wednesday, March 6th–There will be a Saturday, March 9th–Shalom Club is off to having an Amazing Race Lounge Night. Kadima Board Meeting 6:15–7:30pm (After Nickel City. Please meet in the Youth Lounge 7:00–9:00pm in the Horowitz-Hoffman CRS). Dinner will be served. at 7:00pm for Havdallah. Pick up will be at Youth Lounge (Lounge nights are $5, Free for 9:30pm at Beth El. Snacks will be provided. Activity Pass holders). Sunday, March 10th–Kadima will be going $10 for members, $15 for non members, to the Chicago Wolves Game. Come cheer Free for Activity Pass holders. Shabbat April, 13th– Join Teen Minyan on the Chicago Wolves as they take on the for Mincha. (Free and Yummy Meat seudah Rockford Ice Hogs. Kosher dinner will be Sunday, March 17th–Shalom Club shlishit for all those that come!) 5:00pm in served at the game. Meet at 2:30pm, bus will have their Annual Chocolate Seder the Youth Lounge. will depart Beth El promptly and return at 11:15–1:00pm (after CRS). Lunch and lots 7:30pm. $30 Limited Tickets available! Be of chocolate will be served. $5 for members, Saturday, April 13th (after Shabbat)– sure to RSVP to Brittany at BEANSkadima@ $10 for non members and Free for Activity BEANS USY is off to Laser Tag. Meet in the gmail.com Pass holders. Youth Lounge at 8:15pm for Havdallah. Bus will be leaving promptly at 8:45pm. Pick up Shabbat, April 13th–Shalom Club will at 11:30pm. $15 for members, $25 for non have Shabbat Lunch and Games in the Youth members and Free for Activity Pass holders. Lounge. Lunch will be $5, please pay before or after Shabbat. Tuesday, April 16th–Celebrate Israel’s Independence Day at BEANS USY’s Yom Saturday, April 20th– Kadima and Shalom Haatzmaut Israel Program Lounge Night! Club will join up for an amazing Larger than 7:00–9:00pm in the Horowitz-Hoffman Life Evening Program. $10 for members, $15 Youth Lounge (Lounge nights are $5, Free for for non members. Snacks will be provided. Activity Pass holders). Please meet in the Youth Lounge for Havdallah at 8:30pm, pick up will be at 10:00pm. Tuesday, April 23rd– Get Ready for Kinnus Wednesday, March 20th–There will be a at BEANS USY Kinnus Pump Up Lounge Kadima Lounge Night from 6:15–8:00pm M&M Club Night with SARBEANS. 7:00–9:00pm (After CRS) $5 for members, $10 for non- in the Horowitz-Hoffman Youth Lounge members and free for activity pass holders. Shabbat, March 2nd– M&M Club will (Lounge nights are $5, Free for Activity Pass Dinner will be served! have Shabbat Lunch and games. Lunch will holders). be $5, please pay before or after Shabbat. Wednesday, April 10th–There will be a Friday, April 26th–Sunday, April 28th Kadima Board Meeting from 6:15–7:30pm Wednesday, March 13th– Passover Palooza Look out for registration for CHUSY Regional (After CRS). Dinner will be served. will be from 4:15–5:45pm. A new program KINNUS where we will elect a new CHUSY featuring Leslea Newman, author of A Regional Board, see who wins Chapter of the Saturday, April 20th–Kadima and Shalom Sweet Passover, Matzo Ball Moon, and Kiss year and say goodbye to our seniors! Club will join together for a Larger than Life on the Keppie plus a Matzah "Bar," crafts, Evening Program. $10 for members, $15 for and activities for families with children in Tuesday, April 30th– Have a relaxed non members, Free for Activity Pass holders. preschool-4th Grade. evening at the Café BEANS Lounge night; Snacks will be provided. Please meet in the 7:00–9:00pm in the Horowitz-Hoffman Youth Lounge for Havdallah at 8:30pm, Sunday, April 14th– There will be an Youth Lounge (Lounge nights are $5, Free for *Special pick up time for Kadima will be at M&M Club Program at 11:15am–12:30pm Activity Pass holders). 11:00pm. (After CRS). Lunch will be served. Cost of

program is $5 or free with activity pass! Save the Dates! Wednesday, April 24th–There will be a Kadima Lounge Night from 6:15–8:00pm Tuesday, May 7th–BEANS USY Mandatory Shabbat, April 20th–M&M Club will have (After CRS). $5 for members, $10 for non- Parent and Candidate Election meeting Shabbat Lunch and Games. Lunch will be $5, members and free for activity pass holders. please pay before or after Shabbat. Tuesday, May 21st–BEANS USY Elections Dinner will be served.

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 21 Todah Rabbah We are grateful for the following contributions:

Rabbi Kurtz's Discretionary Fund - In honor of Avi Coven's engagement - David - In memory of Arie Hooberman, beloved Fishbaum and Anne McDonagh father of Zvia Dover - Batia Eizikovic - In honor of Dr. Martha Kushner's aliyah - - In memory of Arthur H. Frohman, beloved Glenn and Martha Kushner husband - Cecelia Frohman - In honor of Emily Kaplan becoming a Bat - In memory of Benjamin Friefeld, beloved Mitzvah and with appreciation to Rabbi father-in-law - Friefeld Living Trust Kurtz - Joseph and Cynthia Kaplan - In memory of Betty Juron Davis, beloved - In honor of Ernest Smolen as Hatan Torah - sister - Marvin and Joyce Juron David Fishbaum and Anne McDonagh - In memory of Betty Wasserman, beloved - In honor of Ilana Spitz becoming a Bat grandmother - Michael and Debora Pinzur Mitzvah - Annette and Jerry Blumerg - In memory of Daniel Schechter, beloved - In honor of Leslie Apter being awarded the husband of Sally Schechter - Herbert Rosen Kol Ha'Nearim - David Fishbaum and Anne - In memory of Debra Boorstein, beloved McDonagh mother of Brain Boorstein - In honor of Lucy Cohen becoming a Bat - Robert and Marsha Weinstein Mitzvah and with appreciation to Rabbi - Julie and Mark Gerstein Kurtz - Sue Cohen - Vicki and Paul Morton and family - In honor of Nathan and Gabriel Small - In memory of Dina Field, beloved mother and becoming B'nai Mitzvah - David Fishbaum grandmother - Phillip and Sandra Cooper and Anne McDonagh - In memory of Dr. Lester D. Kaplin, beloved - In honor of our aliyah - Jori and Leah Brajer father - Alan and Marcia Kaplin - In honor of the birth of Jane and Nate Pickus' - In memory of Dr. Marshall Bergman, grandson - Barbara and Ira Berger beloved father of Merle Kaufman - In honor of the birth of Noah to Jason and - Ronald and Ruth Wolf Sarah Weil and with appreciation to Rabbi - Myrna Kaufman Kurtz - Alan and Nancy Gandelman - Jill and Steve Hoffman - In honor of the birth of our grandson, Daniel - In memory of Elaine Krumbein, beloved wife Maurice Richman, and with appreciation to of Eliezer Krumbein and beloved mother of Rabbi Kurtz - Michael and Sara Sher Debbi Dworin and Aaron Krumbein - Rochelle and Earl Rubinoff and Family - In honor of the marriage of Jill Leiderman, - Sue Cohen daughter of Michael and Hermine - Ruth Burack Leiderman, to Rob Cohen - Harris and - David Fishbaum and Anne McDonagh Sharon Goldenberg - In memory of Eli Field, beloved father - - In memory of Aaron Eliot Cohen and with Phillip and Sandra Cooper appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz for being with us in our time of grief - Stephen and Lynn Cohen - In memory of Ellen Bookman, beloved sister of Linda Feinstein - Annette and Jerry Blumberg - In memory of Abe Baker, beloved father of Gail Boorstein - In memory of Ellen Bookman, our beloved - Julie and Mark Gerstein sister - Steve, Linda, Sara, Matt, Carli and - Robert and Marsha Weinstein Melissa Feinstein - In memory of Abe Baker, beloved father and - In memory of Elsa Jedwabnik, beloved with appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz - Brian and mother of Mario Jedwabnik - Adam and Gail Boorstein Kathy Keyser - In memory of Abe I. Yaffe, beloved father - - In memory of Ernest Kaplan, beloved father - Daniel Nast Jr. and Dolly Nast Trevor and Dina Lissoos - In memory of Albert Rosenberg, beloved - In memory of Esther Rosenberg, beloved father - Fred and Linda Rosenberg mother - Sidney and Natalie Rosenberg - In memory of Amy Ebstein, beloved daughter - - In memory of Ethel Karson, beloved mother - Bernhard and Roslyn Ebstein Sally Aaron - In memory of Anna Hirschfeld, beloved - In memory of Frank Pollack, beloved father - grandmother - Marc and Brenda Wilkow Mark and Susan Pollack

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 22 Todah Rabbah

Rabbi Kurtz's Discretionary Fund - In memory of George Goldstein, beloved - In memory of Max Glassman, beloved father - (continued) father - Phyllis Fischel Joan Holland and Eli Glassman - In memory of Gilbert and Ethel Levy, - In memory of Merwin Rosenberg, beloved beloved parents - Adrian and Linda Winick father - Jerome and Mary Kaltman - In memory of Herman Chudacoff, beloved - In memory of Meyer W. Reisin, beloved father - Donald and Lois Chudacoff brother - Bernard and Elaine Reisin - In memory of Isidor Mandel, beloved father - - In memory of Mildred Lashinsky/Lash Irwin and Sheri Mandel Starkman, beloved mother of Sandy Starkman - In memory of Jacob Wolk and with - Samuel and Irene Shanes appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz for the El Malei - Philip and Doreen Feitelberg Prayer - Barry Wolk - Debbi and Ira Rosenberg - In memory of Janet Robbin, beloved mother - In memory of Miriam Singer Galerkin, and with appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz - beloved mother - Amos and Edith Turner David and Karen Benson - In memory of my beloved mother - Sharon - In memory of Janice Friedman, beloved sister Behm of Rabbi Vernon Kurtz - David Fishbaum - In memory of Nathan Greenfield, beloved and Anne McDonagh father - Milton Greenfield - In memory of Jerome Rosenthal, beloved - In memory of Raymond Hara father of Ira Rosenthal - Gerald Lapins - Lynne and Michael Lieber - In memory of Joseph Brooks, beloved father - - Marlene and Glenn Mikell Donald and Lois Chudacoff - Richard and Karen Reisin - Terri and Bruce Mason and Rachel and Eric - In memory of Joseph Ferns, beloved father - David and Peggy Orloff and Florence Goldberg, beloved mother - Ronald and Eileen Goldberg - In memory of Reuben R. Stein, beloved father - Alan and Marcia Kaplin - In memory of Juleanne (Julie) Rosenfeld, beloved mother of Sara Coven - In memory of Rose Steinberg - Michael and - Ronald and Kathy Sonenthal Jane Strauss - Hetty De Leeuwe - In memory of Sam Kaltman, beloved father - - Mark and Robin Greenberger Jerome and Mary Kaltman - In memory of Juleanne (Julie) Rosenfeld and - In memory of Sidney Freifeld, beloved Judy and Nate Coven, our beloved parents, husband - Friefeld Living Trust and with appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz - Steve - In memory of Susanne Spellberg, beloved and Sara Coven mother and with appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz - - In memory of Lillian Winick, beloved Alan Spellberg and Audra Kaplan mother - Adrian and Linda Winick - In memory of Susanne Spellberg, beloved - In memory of Louis H. Frohman, beloved mother of Alan Spellberg - David Fishbaum father-in-law - Cecelia Frohman and Anne McDonagh - In memory of Louis Kaplan, beloved father - - In memory of Sylvia Levin, beloved mother Wallace and Joan Dunn and Nate and Lily Rosenberg, beloved - In memory of Louis Shulman, beloved father - parents - Ira and Deborah Rosenberg Alvin Shulman - In memory of Sylvia Maiman, beloved mother - In memory of Ludwig Blum, beloved father - and grandmother - Steven and Linda Feinstein Melvin and Lenore Blum - In memory of Sylvia Szwajger, beloved - In memory of Ludwig Ebstein, beloved father - mother - Martin and Yolanda Schachter Bernhard and Roslyn Ebstein - In memory of Zelig Brajer, beloved father - - In memory of Marshall Rosman, beloved Jori and Leah Brajer brother - Bernhard and Roslyn Ebstein - With appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz - In memory of Marvin Holland, beloved - James and Julie Stempel husband - Joan Holland - Barry and Jody Schatz - Keith and Cheryl Weitzman - In memory of Marvin Small, beloved father of Richard Small - Debra Rade

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 23 Todah Rabbah We are grateful for the following contributions:

Rabbi Kurtz's Discretionary Fund - With appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz for his - With appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz for (continued) special spiritual leadership - Joseph Hara officiating at our wedding - Robin Malis and - With appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz for Kate Gary Stern Sternberg and Marty Elisco's wedding - - With appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz for Daniel and Rena Sternberg officiating at Molly's baby naming ceremony - Michael McElwee and Allison Kamen

Rabbi Schwab's Discretionary Fund - In appreciation of Bris of Kooper Halperin - - In memory of Janet Robbin, beloved mother The Halperin Family of Karen Benson - Gloria Zieve - In honor of Aaron Krumbein receiving the - In memory of Juleanne (Julie) Rosenfeld and Keeper of the Flame award - Nancy Michaels Judy Coven and Nate Coven, our beloved - In honor of Baby Naming - Heather and Ben parents, and with appreciation to Rabbi Sher Schwab - Steve and Sara Coven - In honor of Lucy Cohen becoming a Bat - In memory of Juleanne (Julie) Rosenfeld, Mitzvah and with appreciation to Rabbi beloved mother of Sara Coven and beloved Schwab - Sue Cohen grandmother - Rochelle and Earl Rubinoff and Family - In honor of Mark Fox becoming a Bar Mitzvah and with appreciation to Rabbi - In memory of Mildred Lashinsky/Lash Schwab - Michael and Joyce Fox Starkman, beloved mother of Sandy Starkman - Roger and Ronnie Wilk - In honor of the birth of our grandson Daniel - Gail and Bruce Greenspahn Maurice Richman and with appreciation to Rabbi Schwab - Michael and Sara Sher - In memory of Morris Foxman, beloved father - Leonard and Rochelle Foxman - In memory of Aaron Eliot Cohen and with appreciation to Rabbi Schwab for being with - In memory of Raymond Hara - Jim and us in our time of grief - Stephen and Lynn Beckie Nolan Cohen - In memory of Sherwin O. Simon, beloved - In memory of Elaine Krumbein, beloved wife father - Gregg and Rebecca Simon of Eliezer Krumbein and beloved mother of - In memory of Yale Kaplan, beloved father - Debbi Dworin and Aaron Krumbein - Barry Jeff and Lisa Rosenkranz and Irene Sufrin and Family -With appreciation to Rabbi Schwab - In memory of Ellen Bookman, our beloved - Marvin and Sara Siegel sister - Steve, Linda, Sara, Matt, Carli and - Keith and Cheryl Weitzman Melissa Feinstein - With appreciation to Rabbi Schwab for his - In memory of Jack Barnett, beloved father - warmth and support during Emily Kaplan's Ruth Geiderman Bat Mitzvah - Joseph and Cynthia Kaplan

Hazzan's Discretionary Fund - In honor of Davida Goller becoming a Bat - In honor of with appreciation to Hazzan Mitzvah - Myrna Kopin Goller for making a very special service - - Alan and Susan Resnick Debra Rade - Nissah Mattenson - In memory of John Baskin, beloved - Irving and Betty Rozenfeld grandfather - Paul and Eileen Goldstein - David Fishbaum and Anne McDonagh - In memory of Juleanne (Julie) Rosenfeld, - In honor of Lucy Cohen becoming a Bat Judy Coven and Nate Coven, our beloved Mitzvah and with appreciation to Hazzan parents, and with appreciation to Hazzan Goller - Sue Cohen Goller - Steve and Sara Coven - In honor of Mark Fox becoming a Bar Mitzvah and with appreciation to Hazzan Goller - Michael and Joyce Fox - In honor of the birth of our grandson Daniel Maurice Richman and with appreciation to Hazzan Goller - Michael and Sara Sher

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 24 Todah Rabbah

Andrew and Gail Brown - In honor of James Gordon becoming a Bar - In honor of Jeremy Pascal becoming a Bar Technology Endowment Fund Mitzvah - Andrew and Gail Brown Mitzvah - Andrew and Gail Brown - In honor of Davida Goller becoming a Bat - In honor of Ashley Hendler becoming a Bat Mitzvah - Andrew and Gail Brown Mitzvah - Andrew and Gail Brown - In honor of Lucy Cohen becoming a Bat - In honor of Sara Fishbein becoming a Bat Mitzvah - Andrew and Gail Brown Mitzvah - Andrew and Gail Brown

Ann and Jack Weinberg Holocaust - In memory of Calvin Kagan, beloved father Memorial Education Fund and grandfather - Joel and Pearl Kagan

Ben and Marion Drachler - In memory of David Scott Drachler, our Scholarship Endowment Fund beloved son - A. Michael and Nancy Drachler

Bernard H. Sokol Hebrew High - In memory of David Berger, beloved father of School Fund Robert Berger - Debra Rade

Beth El Camp Scholarship Fund - In honor of Ira Rosenberg's 60th birthday - - In memory of Elsa Jedwabnik, beloved Lila George mother of Mario Jedwabnik - Cindy, Aaron, - In honor of our son Joshua becoming a Harper and Ryan Leshtz daddy - Drs. Glenn and Martha Kushner - In memory of Juleanne (Julie) Rosenfeld, - In honor of Dr. Martha Kushner’s aliyah - Dr. beloved mother of Sara Coven - Nancy and Glenn Kushner Allen Gandelman - In memory of Elaine Krumbein, beloved wife - In memory of Mildred Lashinsky/Lash of Eliezer Krumbein and beloved mother of Starkman, beloved mother of Sandy Starkman - Debbi Dworin and Aaron Krumbein Bobbie and Len Tenner - Nancy and Allen Gandelman - Wishing a complete and speedy recovery to - Debra Rade Mort Steinberg - Annette and Jerry Blumberg - In memory of Raymond Hara - The Zito Family

Camp Ramah General Scholarship - In memory of Janet Robbin, beloved mother Endowment Fund of Karen Benson - Myrna Kopin

Capital Improvement Fund - In memory of Harold Hymen, beloved father - In memory of Mildred Lashinsky/Lash of Mira Temkin - Karen and Michael Kesner Starkman, beloved mother of Sandy Starkman - - In memory of Harry Weisberg, beloved father - Marcy and Kenneth Levin Karen and Michael Kesner - With appreciation to Chuck Kahalnik for his - In memory of Ignacio Fried, beloved father - assistance at Thanksgiving - Debra Rade Edward and Sari Salinas

Continuing Education - In memory of Mildred Lashinsky/Lash - With appreciation for Sandy Starkman and Endowment Fund Starkman, beloved mother of Sandy Starkman Larry Pachter's friendship - Richard and Pam - Elise, Ira, Marc, Alice, Josh and Rachel Frost Schlosberg - Greg and Leslie Apter

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 25 Todah Rabbah We are grateful for the following contributions:

Edward S. Frank Israel Study - In memory of Edward S. Frank, beloved Memorial Endowment Fund husband - Nessia Frank

General Israel Scholarship Fund - In memory of Janet Robbin, beloved mother of - Wishing a complete and speedy recovery to Karen Benson - Howard and Sandra Turner Karen Bieber - Howard and Sandra Turner - In memory of Sidney Starkman, beloved - Wishing a complete and speedy recovery to father and Annette Berg, beloved aunt - Larry Marge Birnbaum - Howard and Sandra Turner Pachter and Sandy Starkman - Wishing a complete and speedy recovery to Mort Steinberg - Howard and Sandra Turner

Gerald and Rita Buckman - In memory of Juleanne (Julie) Rosenfeld, - In memory of Janet Robbin, beloved mother Yom Ha'atzmaut Program beloved mother of Sara Coven - Gerald and of Karen Benson - Gerald and Rita Buckman Endowment Fund Rita Buckman

Gertrude Lederman Family - In memory of Shulamit Kahana, beloved - In memory of Ellen Bookman, beloved sister Continuing Education Program mother - Dov and Eileen Kahana of Linda Feinstein - Elise and Ira Frost Fund

Glass/Goldman Endowment - In memory of Colette Lapata, beloved wife of Program Fund Howard Lapata - Phillip and Ellen Glass

Irving and Janet Robbin - In memory of Janet Robbin, beloved mother - Marcy and Kenneth Levin Scholar-in-Residence Program of Karen Benson - Hetty De Leeuwe Endowment Fund - Fran and Joel Rabinowitz - Ira and Elise Frost - Lawrence Lidov - Allene Frost - Mildred Lidov - Harris and Sharon Goldenberg - Robert and Sharon Krakowsky - Sandi Kaplan and Naomi Kaplan

Isadore Finkelstein Fund - In memory of Merle Mattenson, beloved husband of Nissah Mattenson - Sheri Gordon

Jack and Mildred Cohen - In honor of Rob Freeman becoming Beth El - In memory of Dorothy Hirschfield, beloved Religious School Gift Fund Men's Club Man of the Year - Howard and mother - Howard and Lois Hirschfield Sandra Turner - In memory of Irving Hirschfield, beloved - In memory of Mildred Lashinsky/Lash father - Howard and Lois Hirschfield Starkman, beloved mother of Sandy Starkman - Howard and Sandra Turner

Janger Family Haverot - In memory of Harold Goldenberg, beloved - Wishing a complete and speedy recovery to Lois Endowment Fund father of Gail Greensphan - Richard and Lois Janger - Karen and Michael Kesner Janger

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 26 Todah Rabbah

Joseph and Mae Gray Cultural - In memory of Florence Cohen, beloved - In memory of John Ferns, Eileen Goldberg's and Learning Center Fund mother - Mark and Marla Cohen beloved brother - Joseph and Susan Adler - In memory of Pearle T. Cohen, beloved - In memory of Mildred Lashinsky/Lash mother and Philip D. Cohen, beloved father - Starkman, beloved mother of Sandy Starkman Janet Cohen - Andrew and Gail Brown - In memory of Martin Brown, beloved father - - Anne and Elliott Rossen Michael and Sara Sher

Kopin Family Fund for Children's - In memory of Mildred Lashinsky/Lash - In honor of Shael Siegel's 80th birthday - T'filot Education Fund Starkman, beloved mother of Sandy Starkman - Myrna Kopin Myrna Kopin

Kurtz Family Youth Endowment - In memory of Larry Asher, beloved brother of Fund Annette Abrons – Rabbi Vernon and Bryna Kurtz

Lippitz Family Camp Ramah Fund - In honor of Jon and Sherri Lippitz's - In memory of Jacqueline Lippitz, beloved anniversary; Stuart and Rolla Eisman's wife and mother; Morey Lippitz, beloved anniversary - Herbert Lippitz and Fran Scully father and grandfather - Herbert Lippitz and - In honor of Orli Lippiz's birthday; Gail Fran Scully Scully's birthday; Jack Pizer Lippitz's birthday; Robert Greenberg's birthday - Herbert Lippitz and Fran Scully

Maot Chitim Fund - In memory of Elaine Krumbein, beloved wife of Eliezer Krumbein and beloved mother of Debbi Dworin and Aaron Krumbein - Joseph and Susan Adler

Maxwell Abbell Library Fund - In honor of Joan Groner's special birthday - In memory of Jerrold Groner, beloved - Sandra Becker husband and Herman Soloman, beloved - Gerry Kaplan father - Joan Groner - In honor of the birth of our grandchildren - - In memory of Juleanne (Julie) Rosenfeld, Melvin and Roselynn Roseman beloved mother of Sara Coven - Joel and - In memory of Daniel S. Schechter, beloved Frances Rabinowitz husband of Sally Schechter - American - In memory of Rose Reingold, beloved mother - Hospital Association Arnold and Hilda Reingold

Minyan Service Fund - In memory of Aaron M. Dlugie, beloved - In memory of David Berger, beloved father - David and Joyce Dlugie father and with appreciation to the Beth El - In memory of Abe Baker, beloved father of community - Rabbi Kenneth Berger Gail Boorstein - Marlene, Seth, Emily & - In memory of David Cohen, beloved brother - Justin Halpern Jeanette Massey - In memory of Albert James Goldberg - - In memory of Dr. Marshall Bergman, Richard Wolfe beloved father of Merle Kaufman - Marlene, Seth, Emily & Justin Halpern

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 27 Todah Rabbah We are grateful for the following contributions:

Minyan Service Fund - In memory of Elaine Krumbein, beloved wife - In memory of Max Eckerling, beloved father - (continued) of Eliezer Krumbein and beloved mother of Sanford Eckerling Debbi Dworin and Aaron Krumbein - Jenny - In memory of Mildred Lashinsky/Lash and Roger Schoenfeld Starkman, beloved mother of Sandy - In memory of Ellen Bookman, our beloved Starkman sister - Steve, Linda, Sara, Matt, Carli and - Nancy and Allen Gandelman Melissa Feinstein - Cheryl and Keith Weitzman - In memory of Fanny Gertz, beloved mother - - In memory of Morton Shiner, beloved William Gertz and Associates husband - Sonja Shiner - In memory of George B. Dunn, beloved - In memory of Rose Ramek, beloved mother father - Wallace and Joan Dunn and Ida Pollack, beloved mother-in-law - - In memory of Isadore Ganan, beloved Joyce R. Pollack grandmother and Seymour Ganan, beloved - In memory of Ruth Scheinman, beloved uncle - Harry and Karen Rubinoff grandmother - David and Barbara Lansing - In memory of Juleanne (Julie) Rosenfeld, - In memory of Toby Goldfarb - Renee and beloved mother of Sara Coven - Steven and Eugene Goldfarb Frances Shapiro - In memory of Bert, Henrietta and Dudley - In memory of Leo Farbman, beloved father - Derdiger; Mort and Tillie Bloomberg; Laura Lieberman Mickey Gross - Carole and Stanton Derdiger

NSSBE Special Gifts Fund - In memory of Raymond Hara - In memory of Mildred Lashinsky/Lash - Ginger and David Russ Starkman, beloved mother of Sandy - Nancy Gerstein and Jon Smith Starkman - Pat and Bob Gregory - Jeanine and Bill Yacktman - Jaffe Family

Paul S. and Sylvia Steinberg - In honor of Jessica and Daniel's engagement - - In memory of John Ferns, beloved brother of Pre-School Fund The Steinberg Pre-School Staff Eileen Goldberg - In honor of Nancy Iden becoming a Bat - David Fishbaum and Anne McDonagh Mitzvah - David Fishbaum and Anne - Andrew and Jorie Sigesmund McDonagh - In honor of Yoni and Tali's marriage - The Steinberg Pre-School Staff

Pinsof Children's Reading - In memory of Raymond Hara - Bob and Room Fund Betsy Murray

Prayer Book Fund - In honor of Dr. Bernard and Edith Kaye's - In memory of Irving Fegenhols, beloved 65th anniversary - Zella Ludwig father - Iris Wittenberg - In memory of Edward Pedahel Azaryahu - - In memory of Jeanette Ulman, beloved Amnon and Carmela Amram mother - Lillian Charney - In memory of Ellen Bookman, beloved sister - In memory of Juleanne (Julie) Rosenfeld, of Linda Feinstein - Shelby Parnes beloved mother of Sara Coven - Joseph and - In memory of Eva Wittenberg, beloved Susan Ament mother-in-law - Iris Wittenberg - In memory of Max Zar, beloved father - - In memory of Felix Wolf, beloved father - Wendy and Leon Zar Mark and Julia Gerstein

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 28 Todah Rabbah

Prayer Book Fund - In memory of Mildred Lashinsky/Lash - In memory of Rose Fried, beloved mother (continued) Starkman, beloved mother of Sandy and Dionisio Salinas, beloved father - Starkman - Zella Ludwig Edward and Sari Salinas - In memory of Natalie Bernstein, beloved - In memory of Sara Levy, beloved mother - sister - Robert and Sharon Abrams Howard and Sandra Turner - In memory of Philip Zand, beloved husband - - In memory of Shane Zien Wolf, beloved Frances Lee Zand and Pendri Shalem mother - Mark and Julia Gerstein - In memory of Ray Hara, beloved father - - Wishing a complete and speedy recovery to Michael and Wendi Ezgur Edith Kaye - Zella Ludwig

Ritual Refurbishment - In honor of Mark Fox becoming a Bar - In honor of Millie and Buddy Wool's 65th Endowment Fund Mitzvah and with appreciation to Mark anniversary - Jack and Barbara Blumberg Stadler - Michael and Joyce Fox

Sarah and Henry Stiebel - In memory of Juleanne (Julie) Rosenfeld, Schechter Endowment Fund beloved mother of Sara Coven - Babette and Mark Daskin

Social Action Donations Fund - In memory of Debra Boorstein, beloved - In memory of Abe Baker, beloved father of mother of Brian Boorstein - Daniel and Gail Boorstein - Honey and Dan Bronson Honey Bronson

Special Gifts Fund - In memory of Alex Knopfler, beloved father - David and Susan Greenberg of Carol Ruderman and Rena Sternberg - Sandi Kaplan - Much Shelist - Irving and Betty Rozenfeld - Sheri Gordon - Nancy Michaels - Sarita Warshawsky - Harry and Harriet Bernbaum - Steven and Belinda Zola - Barbara Lipson - In memory of Elaine Krumbein, beloved wife - Chet and Diane Steinmetz of Eliezer Krumbein and beloved mother of - In memory of Elaine Krumbein, my dear Debbi Dworin and Aaron Krumbein sister-in-law and our loving aunt - Cecelia - Jerome and Mary Kaltman Frohman, Danny, Carole, Barbara, Steve, - Karen and Michael Kesner Josh and Noah - Hetty De Leeuwe - In memory of Harold Goldenberg, beloved - Melvin and Lenore Blum father of Gail Greenspahn - Karen and - Judith Wax Michael Kesner - Marlene Siegal - In memory of Maurice Sher, beloved father - - Charles Mouratides Michael and Sara Sher - David and Judy Weiss - Michael Balinsky - In memory of Raymond Hara - Gerald and Adrienne Lasin - Karen and Gerald Pam - Hugh and Arlene Block - Mirobelli, Durkin & Rudin LLC - Louis and Ruth Kahnweiler - Burton and Sharon Behm - Sarah Small - Irene Loewy Hillman - Elisa Whitman - Joel Glickman - Dr. Bennet and Delores Sherman - David and Rona Lasser - Marilyn Sidran - Sharon Gonsky - Thomas Nangle - Sharon Kaufman - Dr. and Mrs. Ascherman

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 29 Todah Rabbah We are grateful for the following contributions:

Special Gifts Fund - In memory of Raymond Hara, beloved father (continued) and with appreciation to Rabbi Kurtz for his wisdom and support - Robert Hara - Joseph Hara - Steven Hara

Spitz Family/Ruth and Milton - In honor of Ilana Spitz becoming a Bat - In memory of Janet Robbin, beloved mother Liebman Israel Scholarship Mitzvah - Karen and Michael Kesner of Karen Benson - Mark and Mae Spitz Endowment Fund - In memory of Mildred Lashinsky/Lash - In memory of Juleanne (Julie) Rosenfeld, Starkman, beloved mother of Sandy beloved mother of Sara Coven - Mark and Starkman - Mark and Mae Spitz Mae Spitz - In memory of Rose Cohen, beloved grandmother - Mark and Mae Spitz

Youth Community Fund - In honor of Ali and Michael Drumm's baby - In memory of Ellen Bookman, beloved sister naming of Linda Feinstein - Suzan and Ken Kolmin - David Fishbaum and Anne McDonagh - With appreciation for my Shabbat aliyah - - Michael and Wendi Ezgur Felissa Kreindler - In honor of Rob Freeman's 50th birthday - With appreciation - Richard and Janice Small and becoming Beth El's Man of the Year - Greg and Leslie Apter

Save the Date! NSSBE Men's Club presents the 43rd Annual Spring Music Festival

Wednesday, May 8, 2013 North Suburban Synagogue Beth El

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 30 April 2013 Events Calendar

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Pesach 7th Day 2 Pesach 8th Day/Yizkor 3 4 5 6 8:50am Festival Services 8:50am Festival Services 12:00pm Sisterhood Board Mtg 8:00pm Ba'al Korei Committee 6:15pm Kabbalat Shabbat 8:50am Shabbat Services 7:00pm Mincha/Ma'ariv 7:00pm Mincha/Ma'ariv 7:00pm Rabbi Kurtz and 7:01pm Candle Lighting 6:45pm Mincha/Ma'ariv 7:58pm Candle Lighting 7:57pm Yom Tov Ends Hartman Institute Lecture 8:06pm Shabbat Ends

7 Yom Hashoah 8 Yom Hashoah 9 10 Rosh Hodesh Iyar 11 12 13 9:30am Bagels for Your Brains Commemorated 3:30pm Terrific Tuesdays 7:45pm Being Jewish by 8:00pm Executive Committee 6:15pm Kabbalat Shabbat 8:50am Shabbat Services 7:45pm Ritual Committee Mtg. Open Gym Doing Jewish – BJE Class 7:08pm Candle Lighting Bat Mitzvah– Hannah Wirth 8:00pm Board of Education 6:00pm Dinner with the Rabbi 7:00pm Mincha/Ma'ariv Committee Meeting 8:12pm Shabbat Ends

14 15 Yom Hazikaron 16 Yom Ha'Atzmaut 17 18 19 20 9:30am Bagels for Your Brains 8:00pm Ritual Committee Mtg. 6:15pm Kabbalat Shabbat Past President's Shabbat 11:00am Men's Club Board 7:16pm Candle Lighting Blessing Our Babies Meeting 8:50am Shabbat Services 7:45pm Frankel Scholar Evening 7:00pm Mincha/Ma'ariv 8:21pm Shabbat Ends

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 8:00pm Continuing Education 1:00pm Making Trouble Movie 7:45pm Being Jewish by 12:00pm Study in the Loop- 6:15pm Kabbalat Shabbat 8:50am Shabbat Services Committee Meeting Doing Jewish – BJE Class Rabbi Kurtz 7:22pm Candle Lighting Bat Mitzvah– Deena Krawitz 8:00pm Board of Directors 7:15pm Mincha/Ma'ariv 8:27pm Shabbat Ends

28 Lag B'Omer 29 30 May 1 May 2 May 3 May 4 6:00pm Beth El's 65th Gala 8:00pm CLC Committee Mtg. 7:45pm Being Jewish by 8:00pm Ba'al Korei Committee 6:15pm Kabbalat Shabbat 8:50am Shabbat Services Doing Jewish – BJE Class 7:32pm Candle Lighting Bat Mitzvah– Jami Blumenthal 12:30pm Torah Fund Book Club 7:15pm Mincha/Ma'ariv 8:37pm Shabbat Ends

The Adult and Family Programming will hold a special movie event for seniors on Tuesday, April 23 at 1:00pm. A showing of, “Making Trouble: Three Generations of Funny Jewish Women” tells the story of six of the greatest female comic entertainers of the last century – Molly Picon, Fanny Brice, Sophie Tucker, Joan Rivers, Gilda Radner, and Wendy Wasserstein. Screening will be held at Beth El and snacks will be served. Cost is just $5.00 payable by cash or check at the door. Please RSVP to: Marcie Eskin at [email protected] or 847-432-8903 x234.

March-April 2013/ Adar-Iyar 5773 31 North Suburban Synagogue Beth El Non Profit Org. 1175 Sheridan Road US Postage Highland Park, IL 60035 PAID Highland Park, IL Permit No. 96 March 2013 Events Calendar Address Service Requested

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 5:21pm Candle Lighting 8:50am Shabbat Services 6:15pm Kabbalat Shabbat Bar Mitzvah–Joseph Schrayer 10:00am Hey Family Services 5:15pm Mincha /Ma'ariv 6:26pm Shabbat Ends

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 9:30am Bagels for Your Brains 12:00pm Sisterhood Board 7:45pm Being Jewish by 8:00pm Ba'al Korei Committee 5:28pm Candle Lighting 8:50am Shabbat Services Meeting Doing Jewish – BJE Class 8:00pm Executive Committee 6:15pm Kabbalat Shabbat Bat Mitzvah–Dana Steinberg 3:30pm Terrific Tuesday Open 7:00pm Museum Scholar-in- 10:00am Hey Family Services Gym Residence Shabbat Dinner 12:30pm Museum Scholar-in- Residence Post Kiddush Lecture 5:15pm Mincha/Ma'ariv 6:32pm Shabbat Ends

10 11 12 Rosh Hodesh Nisan 13 14 15 16 2:00am Daylight Savings Time 8:00pm Ritual Committee Mtg. 12:00pm Sisterhood Program 12:45pm Mahjongg 6:15pm Kabbalat Shabbat 8:50am Shabbat Services Begins 8:00pm Board of Education 8:00pm Men's Club Board 4:15pm Passover Palooza 6:37pm Candle Lighting 12:30pm Men's Club Kiddush 9:30am Museum Scholar-in- Committee Meeting Meeting 7:00pm Rabbi Kurtz & Club Residence Lecture Hartman Institute Lecture 12:30pm Torah Fund Book Club 7:00pm JUF Event 6:30pm Mincha/Ma'ariv 7:42pm Shabbat Ends

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 9:00am Social Action Pre- 12:00pm Study in the Suburbs- 6:15pm Kabbalat Shabbat 8:50am Shabbat Services Pesach Food Drive Packing Rabbi Kurtz 6:45pm Candle Lighting 6:30pm Mincha /Ma'ariv 7:00pm USCJ Concert 8:00pm Board of Directors Mtg. 7:00pm Congregational Pre- 7:50pm Shabbat Ends Pesach Dinner

24 25 Erev Pesach/1st Seder 26 Pesach 1st Day/ 27 Pesach 2nd Day 28 Hol Hamoed Pesach 29 Hol Hamoed Pesach 30 Hol Hamoed Pesach 6:30am Shacharit Siyyum 2nd Seder 8:50am Festival Services 7:00am Morning Minyan 7:00am Morning Minyan 8:50am Shabbat Services 6:45pm Mincha /Ma'ariv 8:50am Festival Services 11:00am Passover Pray & Play 7:30pm Evening Minyan 6:15pm Kabbalat Shabbat 6:45pm Mincha /Ma'ariv 6:50pm Candle Lighting 10:00am Passover Pray & Play 7:00pm Mincha /Ma'ariv 6:54pm Candle Lighting 7:59pm Shabbat Ends 7:00pm Mincha /Ma'ariv 7:55pm Yom Tov Ends 31 Hol Hamoed Pesach 7:51pm Candle Lighting 8:45am Morning Minyan 8:00pm Passover Second Seder 6:57pm Candle Lighting 7:00pm Mincha/Ma'ariv

Receive Organic Healthy Vegetables at Beth El! – Sign up to receive healthy organic produce from Primrose Valley Farm in nearby Wisconsin, which is responsibly grown in concert with Jewish values and delivered weekly to the Synagogue. Primrose donates a portion of their crop to the ARK and also gives a small donation to our synagogue, making it a win for everyone! To register visit the Farm’s web site: http://www.primrosevalleyfarm.com/ making sure to fill out the “Affiliated Institution” section of the form indicating you are from NSS Beth El.