inside this issue: one who struggles - temple...

Lately Around Jeremiah .. 2

Notes From Our Cantor .. 3

Why is this Covenant Different ...................... 4

Meet New Faces ........... .5

Social Justice ............. 6-7

Meet a Member ............. 8

Adult Learning & Torah Study .......................... 9

June Activities .............. 10

Calendar ..................... 11

Acknowledgements .. 12-13

Temple Jeremiah

Rabbi Paul F. Cohen, D.Min., D.D. Rabbi Rachel L. Heaps Robert D. Schreibman, D.D. Rabbi Emeritus Adam Kahan Cantor Amy J. Zussman Cantor Emerita Daniel A. Glassman Executive Director Dr. Anne M. Lidsky, Ph.D., RJE Director of Religious Education Dr. Allan Tarshish l''f Founding Rabbi

l''f of blessed memory

Barbara Miller, President Scott Levin, Executive Vice President

Marc Bernstein, Vice President Caren Brown, Vice President Alene Frost, Vice President Avi Greenfield, Vice President Gary Kash, Vice President Michael Schack, Vice President Steve Kleiman, Treasurer Linda Stolberg, Recording Secretary Ed Shapiro, Legal Counsel Jeff Krupp, Controller

Inside This Issue:

By RABBI PAUL F. COHEN, D.MIN, D.D. Senior Rabbi [email protected]

Dear Friends,

You will read this as Cathy and I, along with 46 fellow Jeremiahans, travel to Israel. I am so thrilled to experience Israel with those making the journey for the first time and those for whom it is a return voyage. I am very excited to lead a worship service overlooking the old and new city of Jerusalem, during which five of our young people will be called to the Torah. I am energized to re-engage in the struggle to connect with our people’s homeland.

Yes, struggle. This is an ancient Jewish pastime older than Judaism itself. Our ancestor, Jacob, set the precedent. In a late-night encounter, Jacob struggled with an angel. This turning point defined his identity and our relationship to God and Torah. Jacob became Israel “one who struggles with God.” As God wrestlers, we have taken this identity seriously and it defines how we relate to tradition and Torah, and to the modern State of Israel.

The Reform Movement in its early formative years rejected Zionism entirely. Temple Jeremiah came to be when our founders left a Classical Reform congregation that embraced anti Zionism. Never disengaging with Classical Reform philosophy that emphasized

the ethical teachings of Torah, they rejected the notion that Israel could not be a part of how we identify as Jews. To this very day, Temple Jeremiah has embraced Zionism, the State of Israel, and is wrestling with what the nature of our connection can and should be.

To be sure, Israel, rather Israel’s political leaders, have made it very difficult for us

liberal Jews. Our congregations in Israel are not supported by the government as are the synagogues of our Orthodox brothers and sisters. I am not officially recognized as a rabbi. Our conversions are challenged as is our access to the Kotel,

the Western Wall. As liberal Jews, as human beings, our social justice demands must apply to Israel as they do to the United States, which we call home. Heartbroken, we call out as time and time again the government of Israel looked as if it would cast out asylum seekers from Africa.

The very fact that we struggle and speak out at injustice that we witness in the State of Israel makes us good Jews and good Zionists wearing the mantle of our ancestor, Jacob, the

June 2018 Volume 60 Issue 9

In this Covenant…

… A Thank You (page 3)

… Why is this Covenant different from all other Covenants? (page 4)

… Meet Some New Faces (page 5)

… Meet a Member (page 8)

… Enjoy an Adult Night Out (page 10)

… A Special Dinner Opportunity with Visiting Israelis (page 10)

The very fact that we struggle and speak out at injustice we witness in the State of Israel makes us

good Jews and good Zionists wearing the

mantle of our ancestor, Jacob, the original

wrestler.

continued on page 9

One Who Struggles

The Covenant Newsletter · Temple Jeremiah 2 www.templejeremiah.org · June 2018

Lately Around Jeremiah

Religious School Third Graders each holding a Torah they created

Tot Shabbat (4/6/18)

Receiving an award from the Archidocese (4/9/18)

Club 345 Chocolate Seder (4/14/18)

Rabbi Rachel Heaps was installed by Rabbi Dr. Carole Balin (4/20/18)

CEL Art Fair Committee Members in front of the

art (4/22/18)

Jeremiah Kids Superhero Day

(4/22/18)

Jr. JeTY 8th

Graders passing the light

to 5th Graders

(4/27/18)


And So I Thank You By CANTOR ADAM KAHAN Cantor [email protected]

My friends, I am so grateful that I get to call you exactly that…my friends. Over the last four years of my tenure at Temple Jeremiah, I have been the recipient of so many kindnesses, so many beautiful conversations and exchanges…so many endearing shared experiences, and navigations through the inevitably challenging times in our lives. I will surely miss your company, your smile, and your generosity, but I will carry with me the mark you have left on me, and whom I have become in my time here at Temple Jeremiah.

I first arrived in this pulpit as I embarked on the journey to officially becoming a cantor. I originally entered school with the naive assumption that I was going to learn some music and get a piece of paper that made me all “official.” I hadn’t a full appreciation for the level of transformation I would get to, and have to, undergo.

Becoming a clergy member, whether it be rabbi or cantor, requires so very much more of someone, in scholarly, spiritual, and emotional contexts, than simply learning things like sacred music or Torah. Regardless of the scholarly material absorbed, you are being asked to be a partner and advocate for the community in a very special way. That partnership inherently requires two parties, and I am so blessed to have had you as my mentors, and as my partners willing to receive what I hoped to share.

I came to Temple Jeremiah with a beautiful son and my beloved wife. During my time here we have been blessed to have our daughter join our crew and to have you so warmly love and support us. There are few greater joys in my life than seeing my children come bounding through these halls, happily loving their life in such a beautiful Jewish context. A quick shout-out to my sister’s family, who are also members here at TJ, and whom I delight in seeing on Sunday mornings. It is wonderful to see my temple family merged together with my biological family…so much love in one place. I have adored those Sunday mornings. The music created with our students has been amazing…simply amazing. They sing with such vigor and joy. I love it.

I am so proud of all that we have accomplished in our exploration over these four years. That is purely a product of our whole team here. I am excited to see what is created in the years to come. Rabbi Cohen and Rabbi Heaps bring such wisdom and guidance, and with the addition of Cantor Friedman as a partner in that trio, there is clearly good times ahead.

Dr. Lidsky will undoubtedly continue to lead her team in bringing wonderfully educational, fun, and loving Judaic experiences to our students. Danny Glassman and the amazing staff here will do all the unsung work that keeps this place in its magnificence. Few have a full glimpse of the operations here, or else all would stand in awe and amazement of the accomplishments from this team. I think about my coworkers, my team, and I am so humbled in the thought of the kindnesses they have shed on me through this journey. For your friendship, your lent hand of support, I will forever be grateful.

I’m so proud of our Adult Choir. I’m so proud of our Junior Choir. Your expression through music is gorgeous…your smiles, addictive. I am honored to have had such a gracious and knowledgeable

partner in David Lornson. Beyond his musicianship, his commitment to making things “work” is unending and simply a gift.

I am so very proud of each and every B’nai Mitzvah student with whom I studied. You taught me, and I am beyond honored that I had the good fortune of being with you at such a momentous time in your life. That may be the thing that fills me with the most pride. I am beyond grateful for each tutor who guided those students with such gentleness and support. Early on I declared that our program was going to be one where students felt love, warmth, support, and coaching as they navigated the transformative experience of becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. We were to eliminate the triggers for feelings of “pressure” or “performance,” and replace them with strengthening reassurances that they can grow through the successes and setbacks inherent in any process. Each of our tutors perfectly executed our mission, and I am so happy that our

young adults came to the Torah, so powerfully, in this context. To that end, I will forever be appreciating the partnership of Sara Beth Salzman, who brilliantly constructed the role of B’nai Mitzvah Coordinator for this temple, through her real-time discoveries. She has been a gift to the community, and especially to me.

I was thinking, the other day, on how we celebrate beginnings so much, and we generally approach endings as if they are

something at which we should avert our eyes. There are exceptions, certainly, as we herald graduations and treat some funerals as celebrations of life. As I thought about the ending of my time here at Temple Jeremiah, I realized how much of a celebration it ought to be…a graduation, indeed. We can easily look back at the last four years and view all that we have experienced together, all the shared love, warmth, generosity, and growth. I keep using the words “honored” and “grateful,” but they are just so apt. You have touched my life. You have given to my soul. You have crafted me to whom I have become. I am grateful. I am honored. I thank you.

To many more wonderful moments ahead in each of our lives.

With love, Cantor Adam Kahan

Notes From Our Cantor

I am so proud of all that we have accomplished in

our exploration over these four years. That is purely

a product of our whole team here. I am excited to see what is created in the

years to come.

Temple Jeremiah Board Minutes April 2018

Julie Ford presented on the 60th Anniversary.

The plan is to have numerous events throughout the next

year that will appeal to a wide demographic of

congregants.

Events will kick off September 2018.

There will be a culminating event, and numerous smaller

events leading up to it.

Everyone is encouraged to think of events that would be

of interest. All committees will have highlighted events.

A calendar of programs will be available soon.

A balanced budget for the 2018-2019 year was presented:

4.6% increase from last year.

$70,000 was allocated to pay down the line of credit.

Proposes an increase on RMAC but still significantly

lower than URJ is requesting.

Discussion regarding increase of annual financial

commitment versus building assessment.

The Nominating Committee presented. The 2018-2019 New

and Renewing Board Members (for a three year term) are:

Jeff Berg, Jon Fellman, Richard Geline, Ron Gieseke, Christine

Kaufman, Jill Odzer, Alisa Patterson, and Greg Richards.

The 2018-2019 Executive Board Members (for a one year term)

are: Marc Bernstein - new, Caren Brown - new, Michael Schack -

new, Avi Greenfield - new, Steve Kleiman (Treasurer) -

continuing, Linda Stolberg (Recording Secretary) - continuing,

Barbara Miller (President) - continuing, Scott Levin (Exec VP) -

continuing.


Update

By LORYN KOGAN Communications Committee Member

If you are wondering why the Covenant looks a little different this month, it is because we’ve heard you. In February, the temple’s Communications Committee emailed a survey to temple members asking for feedback about the Covenant, including content, length, delivery, and frequency. Based on your input, the Covenant is being streamlined to focus more on what you said you want and need from this monthly publication.

The Covenant will continue to provide information regarding Temple Jeremiah events, worship services, social justice endeavors, adult learning, committees, and more, in a focused, lean format. For example, you will continue to see messages from temple leaders; however, authors of various sections will rotate throughout the year. Sections whose content is time sensitive will be covered by the weekly e-news (if you do not receive the e-news for some reason please contact [email protected]). The photo section will cover highlights of events and activities previously featured as news articles.

Since late 2015, the Communications Committee has been discussing ways to improve communications systems, processes and tools that

temple staff utilizes. We have explored options to optimize communications—and, in turn, optimize staff resources—so that the temple community is receiving the most ideal communications possible, when, where, and how they want to receive them. The survey was created and analyzed by this committee. Results were presented to temple leadership who confirmed what changes could be made while still ensuring the Covenant continues to deliver key information to the congregation and capture personal news about our congregants (Meet a Member, Donor Spotlights, etc.).

We also want to remind everyone that due to the Covenant’s publishing lead time, you can continue to find the most up-to-date temple information in both the weekly email sent from the temple office on Thursdays, and at our website www.templejeremiah.org. And when you “like” our Facebook page too, you’ll see photos and coverage of events (www.facebook.com/templejeremiah)!

The Communications Committee comprises Temple Jeremiah members who meet monthly. If you’re interested in joining us, contact either Dina Bauwens, Membership & Communications Coordinator, at [email protected] or Committee Chair Amy Weintraub at [email protected]. And please let us know how you like the new and improved Covenant!

Why is this Covenant Different from all other Covenants?

Congratulations to

Our Volunteer of the

Year: Elan Adler

Our Toddie Gray and Diane Mary Katz

Scholarship Recipients:

Rachel Bernstein and Lanie Keller


New Faces

Please Meet Some New Faces

Introducing Naomi (Nomi) Simanin Administrative Assistant for the Center for Learning [email protected] 847.441.5760 ext. 119

My name is Naomi Simanin, but please call me Nomi! I am very excited to come in to Temple Jeremiah as the Administrative Assistant for the Center for Learning, working under Dr. Anne Lidsky. I am a person who loves to work with others and make my own mark in the community.

Before coming to Temple Jeremiah, I worked for Shalom Education Center in Rockville, MD. There I learned a lot of valuable tools and gained a great deal of experience working in a Jewish community. I had the opportunity to wear many hats and play numerous roles for the Jewish Russian School. My roles included: Head Administrator, Assistant to the Director, Teen and Alumni Project Director, and Grant Writer. With these different roles I not only learned great administrative skills, but also how to create, lead, and facilitate good formal and informal Jewish educational activities. I am proud to say that I spent nearly seven years working for Shalom Education Center and in those years, I made a lot of meaningful relationships. I hope to be able to do the same here at Temple Jeremiah!

In addition to my previous professional background, I also have an interesting life journey. I was born in the USSR during the collapse of the Union. My parents, like many other Jews, were able to escape and brought me to Israel. I spent my first 7 years living in Israel, in Petah Tikvah, before my parents decided to immigrate to the US. Thanks to this, I am fluent in three languages, English, Russian, and Hebrew, and I love to converse in all three. Of course, spending most of my childhood in Israel did not make it easy for me when I first moved to the US. The language, food, children, and culture were very different from what I was used to. I very much enjoy talking and reading about the history of the Jewish people and Jewish land.

I am extremely excited to start working at Temple Jeremiah and to meet new people and make new friends. I always enjoy getting suggestions as to what there is to do in the area, so please share your thoughts and experience with me. I will be sitting in the school office where Sheila has been sitting, including on Sunday mornings when school is in session. I enjoy smiling and you will nearly always find me with a smile on my face!

Grab Your Sunscreen

We are excited to finally enjoy the nice weather with several outdoor programming opportunities this summer! Please join us.

Introducing Marah Altenberg B’nai Mitzvah Coordinator [email protected] 847.441.5760 ext. 108 My name is Marah Altenberg and I am the new B’nai Mitzvah Coordinator. I look forward to meeting everyone at Temple Jeremiah. I was previously a Youth Director at various synagogues including Am Yisrael in Northfield and Temple Israel Center in White Plains, New York. I also served as the Executive Director of the Reform/Conservative Synagogue in Singapore, where our family lived for two years. I love to work with children and teens and help show them the beauty and importance of our religion and take them down a path of learning to figure out their own Jewish identities. I worked with youth and families for more than two decades and very much enjoy watching children make discoveries about their present and future. I also have had a print journalism career during the last two decades, working at newspapers in the Chicago area as well as the East Coast. I follow news and politics closely and enjoy a healthy discussion on those topics.

I grew up in Chicago, attended University of Illinois in Champaign, where I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism. I reside with my husband Jon, and my two beautiful daughters, Jessica, 16, and Caitlyn, 13, in Buffalo Grove. We are very excited to join the Temple Jeremiah community and make some new friends. My door is always open and I am happy to assist whenever possible. Please stop by anytime and introduce yourself.

Shabbat in the Shade Friday, June 29th

Join us outdoors at 6:00 p.m. for a Reception and then Shabbat Worship at 6:30 p.m. A beautiful way to bring in Shabbat and

celebrate summer.

Jews in Canoes Saturday, July 7th

at the Skokie Lagoons

Come along for a relaxing one hour canoe adventure with your Temple Jeremiah friends. Afterwords BYOP

(bring your own picnic) and enjoy Havdallah. RSVP to

[email protected]

Shabbat at the Beach Friday, July 20th

Park Avenue Beach, Highland Park

6:00 p.m. Reception

6:30 p.m. Shabbat Worship We’re bringing Shabbat to beautiful Lake Michigan! Enjoy worship with the

soothing sounds of waves in the background.


Social Justice

Backpack Blessings

By LORI RUSKIN Backpack Blessings Committee [email protected] Thank you to all the volunteers who helped with Backpack Blessings this year. We packed close to 1,000 lunches over 7 months for 49 students at 2 different schools in Highland Park! We couldn’t have done this without you and greatly appreciate all the time, effort, and muscles you contributed to helping all these kids. THANK YOU! We have one more packing date this school year. Please mark your calendar for Sunday, June 10th from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. to help pack lunches for the Nuestro Center, located in Highwood. The Nuestro Center provides community resources, referrals, and programs for the families of Highwood and Highland Park. It is a place where children and families come for bilingual and bi-cultural support. Their summer camp, Nuestro Verano, offers Latino children the opportunity to be physically active, explore, learn, and participate in summer activities that would otherwise be inaccessible to them. The children and families they serve during the summer camp

program 'Nuestro Verano' are low-income families. With this being said, a meal received for a child is greatly appreciated because it helps alleviate the household spending costs. We will be packing 300 lunches on Sunday, June 10th from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and we’ll need many volunteers that day. Please sign up to volunteer on the Backpack Blessings page of the temple website today. For questions, please contact Lori Ruskin at 847.772.5584 or ldruskin1@sbcglobalnet. Again, thank you for all that you do to help all these kids have lunches over the weekends!!! The kids and their educators are extremely appreciative: "The students have been so appreciative of the Backpack Blessings. Thank you so much!" Nicole Bellini, Principal of Sherwood Elementary School "Its nice knowing the reassurance that these students will have food on the weekends. Kids are always excited to get their backpacks." Fatima Chacon, Secretary at Red Oak School

Whittier School Needs Your Gently Used School Supplies

By RANDI CARR Social Justice Committee Member [email protected]

Please save your gently used school supplies for Whittier School in Waukegan. Doesn’t everyone have a drawer or closet of school supplies their children don’t use anymore? The long winter will soon give way to spring, and the end of the school year. Our children will bring home even more school supplies. Our partially used supplies can be donated to help the students at Whittier! The families there greatly appreciate anything you can contribute for their students. We will have designated boxes at Temple Jeremiah from June 11th through June 20th to gather these gently used or brand new items:

• Folders that are still in good shape

• Spiral notebooks with a few pages ripped out*

• Binders still in good shape*

• Pens (especially red)

• Erasers

• Loose-leaf paper

• Glue bottles and glue sticks* (at least half full)

• Markers that still have good color*

• Colored pencils

• Crayons (don’t need to be in the box, could be in a zipper bag)*

• Rulers

• Backpacks (clean & in good shape)

* Indicates most needed items. Whittier teachers and families are always so thankful for the generosity of Temple Jeremiah members, thank you for your continued support of this drive! If you would like to volunteer to help sort the donations on Thursday, June 21st, please contact Randi Carr at [email protected] or 847-767-0177 by June 15th. Thank you!

SOCIAL JUSTICE CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE:

For more information, visit the Social Justice page at www.templejeremiah.org.

Sunday, June 3rd: Feed the Hungry

Tuesday, June 5th: Eat and Be Well

Sunday, June 10th: Backpack Blessings

June 11th-20th: Whittier School Supply Drive

Tuesday, June 19th: Eat and Be Well

June 24th-July 1st: Family Promise

Sunday, July 1st: Feed the Hungry


Social Justice

Feed the Hungry Adds Up

By MINDY KURTZ Feed the Hungry Co-Chair [email protected]

We have approximately 900 families in our congregation. If 1/8 of the families made 5 lunches for June 3rd, July 1st, August 5th and September 2nd, we would have 560 lunches each month over the summer to feed the hungry. Considering we don’t get 500 lunches during the school year when the temple is open that seems like an impossible number!

How about if 50 families out of 900 could make 10 lunches-that would be 500 lunches. Doesn’t that sound doable? How about if 25 families made 10 lunches, we would have 250 lunches total! By now you get the equation!

Please make a commitment as a family to make at least 5 lunches during the summer months so the hungry can still be fed! Gather your family, neighbors, friends together on the Saturday before the 1st of each month, bar-b-que, eat ice cream, make lunches. Sounds like the numbers add up to a perfect summer evening.

Drop off your lunches at the front of the temple by 11:00 a.m. on the 1st Sunday of each month. We have a Sign Up Genius form on the Feed the Hungry webpage if you’d like to help hand out the lunches to the hungry or you can email me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Some of the teens involved with Feed the Hungry said the following about the experience:

Feed the Hungry is important because we are fortunate to have so many amazing things in our lives, like food, shelter, and our family, that if we have the opportunity we should help those who aren’t as fortunate. There’s a lot of people in need around the world and being able to help even just a small portion of those people is really such a good deed. I love being able to do it. It’s so great being able to help those people, especially when they have a smile on their face from all the food that we take for granted.

FEED THE HUNGRY - The First Sunday of Every Month

Looking for a great family activity or a way to do something “good” with your friends in the comfort of your home? Make lunches for Feed the Hungry!

Each lunch should consist of: Two meat sandwiches (two slices per sandwich of round, vacuum packed bologna or turkey bologna preferred); small bag of chips; fruit (an apple, banana, etc.); and two

cookies. Drop lunches off at temple before 11:00 a.m. Learn more on the Feed the Hungry page on the temple website.

Family Promise June 24 - July 1, 2018

By MICHELLE FELLMAN Family Promise Co-Chair [email protected]

Temple Jeremiah volunteers are needed to help the synagogue host Family Promise families June 24 through July 1. Through Family Promise, Temple Jeremiah and other North Shore synagogues and churches give shelter and meals to families—many with small children —who need it temporarily as they find employment and figure out a plan to return to permanent housing.

Family Promise does more than provide a place to stay for local families in need. It also keeps families together, while many shelters require older male children and men to live separately. Family Promise also offers a daytime location to provide families with job resources and a place to have their children picked up for school. Through workshops, training, and counseling, Family Promise also helps families develop a plan to prepare for independence.

This June 24 - July 1, when several of Temple Jeremiah’s classrooms are converted to bedrooms for up to 15 adults and children, we need volunteers to bring nutritious meals, dine with guests, and entertain the guest children. We also need one volunteer each night to sleep over until 7:00 a.m. the next morning. A cot and a separate room will be provided for the overnight chaperone. No experience is needed for these meaningful volunteer opportunities, ideal for individuals, as well as for families with children ages 5 to 18.

Please watch for future Family Promise announcements containing a link to the SignUp Genius to schedule the volunteer opportunity that works for you. In the meantime, feel free to contact one of Temple Jeremiah’s Family Promise coordinators for more information: Michelle Fellman at [email protected], Jon Fellman at [email protected], Amy Rubinstein at [email protected], or Sybil Stern at [email protected].


Meet a Member

By DINA BAUWENS Membership & Communications Coordinator [email protected] How long have you been a member? Julie: 22 years. We joined with the baby naming of Dana, our youngest daughter, after we moved back to the area. We joined because everyone was so welcoming. What made you join Temple Jeremiah? Julie: We didn’t know anyone, we just joined. I went to some Sisterhood meetings and met other ladies. I served as President of the Sisterhood for two years and I sat on the Board. Around that time there was a building renovation and Capital Campaign and I was asked to be on the Building Committee. When Mitch Slotnick was President he asked me to be Secretary. I from being on the Board to the Executive Board, three years as Secretary, then as Executive Vice President and then President. What made you say yes to the Presidency? Julie: I was saying yes to anything I was asked. It’s an honor. I remember when my kids were little, I had a friend who volunteered at her church and village. I asked her why and she said “I just decided I’m lucky in life and should be giving back more.” That stuck with me. I was working and raising kids but not volunteering. I wanted to not only give back to the community but also to be a role model. My daughters do a ton philanthropically now. My dad always gave back. We learn from our parents. I needed to give back and doing it in a warm, safe environment where you feel like you’re making an impact really makes a difference. You can see the impact of your actions. What other parts of Temple Jeremiah have you been involved with? Julie: When I was President I basically served on every committee. (Building, Long Range Planning, Nominating, Membership, Volunteer Connections, Budget, and I started the Bagel Bar.) I chaired the 50th Anniversary and I’m now chairing the 60th Anniversary. I’m also involved with the Leadership Development Cohorts. I was really excited to help bring those about because I saw the need for succession planning at Temple Jeremiah. You’re chairing the 60th Anniversary now. What made you say yes to taking on that role? Julie: I said yes because Barb asked. It’s a great role because it works on a schedule, it has a start and an end. What do you get most excited about? Julie: I’m passionate about the need to grow a volunteer base for the honor of being on the Board. I encourage others to take the initiative to be a leader, like I did. The Leadership Development Cohort teaches the history and importance of Reform Judaism and Temple Jeremiah. The participants become a part of a legacy, of something that inspires others. What are you most proud of? Julie: Seeing programs I started still happening. Anytime I feel like I made a mark and someone else picked up the baton. During my Presidency I feel like I brought a lot of organization and processes, so the temple can be a temple. I have invested a lot into Temple Jeremiah.

The 60th Anniversary is about to kick off. What are some of your goals? Julie: We’re going to produce a year’s worth of activities that connect with everyone at Temple Jeremiah. We want everyone involved in at least one program. And we hope that people make stronger connections with each other. There will be a lot of social events. We are making a strong push to reconnect members whose children are now out of the house. There will be a River Walk event, Bar Trivia, a Road Rally… At this point in my life I’m really looking forward to all of that. And we could always use more volunteers. Are you looking to get more involved at the temple? Join us! Contact me and we can chat

about ways you can be involved. What last thoughts would you like to leave the readers with? Julie: My philosophy is L’dor V’dor (Generation to Generation). I got so much from people who were active before me, I want to contribute to

continue passing the baton. I believe we can be stronger, richer and more connected together.

Julie Ford

I wanted to not only give back to the

community but also to be a role model.

Temple Jeremiah’s 60th

Anniversary is Coming Up!

There will be numerous events (social, educational, for members of all ages) taking place between the fall of

2018 and the fall of 2019 celebrating 60 Years of Temple Jeremiah.

Every one of the temple’s committees will be planning something special so keep an eye out for events that

sound exciting to you.

Interested in playing a role in the 60th Anniversary Committee? Contact Julie Ford to get involved at

[email protected].


Upcoming Events Adult Learning and Weekly Torah Portions

Weekly Torah Portions

We invite you to join us on Saturday mornings to discuss the Torah portion and how it might apply to our lives. We meet at 9:30 a.m. every Saturday in Room 108.

RABBI COHEN, continued from page 1

original wrestler.

This year marked the 70th Anniversary of Israel’s founding. The Bible teaches that the natural span of a human life is three score years and ten, and if by strength, four score. Seventy is an age of maturity that also indicates room to continue to grow. Theodore Herzl, the founder of the modern Zionist movement, famously said, “If you will

it, it is no dream.” If we will an Israel that is a light unto nations, then it is no dream. Let us engage in this struggle together that will make this dream real.

Shalom, Rabbi Paul F. Cohen, D.Min., D.D.

June 2, 2018 Beha'alotcha (Numbers 8:1 - 12:16)

June 9, 2018 Sh'lach L’cha (Numbers 13:1 - 15:41)

June 16, 2018 Korach (Numbers 16:1- 18:32)

June 23, 2018 Chukat (Numbers 19:1- 22:1)

June 30, 2018 Balak (Numbers 22:2 - 25:9)

By RICHARD GELINE Chair, Adult Learning [email protected]

Our Temple Jeremiah Adult Learning program will continue this summer with a discussion and analysis of William Shakespeare’s tragic play Julius Caesar. The leader of the world’s most powerful nation has thwarted historical precedent, an act which threatens the very foundations of

democracy! Although this may have echoes of today’s headlines, the year is 44 BC, and the leader is Julius Caesar. Led by Ruth Adler, and divided into three sessions, the discussions will be held July 17, July 24, and July 31, 2018. Join us this summer as we read and discuss JULIUS CAESAR, Shakespeare’s masterpiece of power politics. Please RSVP to [email protected].

Summer Adult Learning

Mazel Tov to the 2018 Confirmation Class

Lucie Marie Abbott

Peyton Miles Bernstein

Rebecca Allison Cell

Ethan Scott Celnik

Delaney Claire Firmin

Zachary Benjamin

Gershowitz

Lauren Olivia

Hammersley

Gabrielle Bea Katz

Sydney Dae Klapman

Leah Jordyn Levin

Samuel Joshua

Lichtman

Amanda Haley Press

Rachel Marie Rossiello

Campbell Blaire Saks

Eden Marie Snower

Rachel Mia Weingart


June Activities

Adult Night Out

By DAN VORONA Youth Committee Member [email protected]

On June 23rd the Youth Committee at Temple Jeremiah is planning an Adult Night Out at Ten Ninety Brewing in Glenview, IL. The idea to have an adult only event came out of the recent 2017/2018 Leadership Development Cohort teams. The idea stemmed from this thought that there have been a lot of programming events targeted for families and kids over the last few years, but not enough events where adults can gather and socialize, outside of temple, with each other away from their families. We wanted the event to be fun, relaxing, and social where adults can unwind on a weekend, and enjoy a variety of beverages and food with one another. We also wanted to include a little social action into the event, so we’re asking everyone attending to bring two non-

perishable food items that will be donated to a local food pantry. The committee believes this event is something those adults with kids (or without) have been wanting to be part of and just haven’t had an opportunity present itself. The committee is hoping we can host a few of these adult outings throughout the year. See you June 23rd at 6:30 p.m.! You can contact me or [email protected] with any questions.

Mark Your Calendar for a Rare Opportunity: Dinner with

Israeli Soldiers, An Israel Action Committee Event

Sunday, June 10, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.

Each year the American Friends of the Israel War Disabled Foundation

hosts Israeli War Vets for two weeks for R&R and to show our

appreciation.

We will greet them at Temple Jeremiah for dinner and have a chance to

hear them speak and get to know them better.

Cost of dinner is $24. Please RSVP to [email protected] or 847.441.5760.

For more information please contact Sara Turover

at [email protected].

Inclusion Committee

By CAREN BROWN Co-Chair, Inclusion Committee [email protected]

The 2018 Purim Carnival for Families with Special Needs was---once again---a lot of fun for a lot of people! During this past year, the Inclusion Committee hosted four wonderful events for those with different abilities of all ages, and we’ll begin again in the fall starting with a Rosh HaShanah Worship Service. However, we thought we’d end this year with an “INDOOR PICNIC” at Temple Jeremiah on Sunday, June 3rd from 12:00-1:30 p.m. We’ll have a picnic-style lunch, music, singing, and dancing, and a surprise entertainer! It’s free and open to the public. We hope you will plan to join us!

For questions about the Inclusion Committee or its programs, please see our link to the Temple website: http://templejeremiah.org/get-involved/inclusion-committee/ or contact Caren Brown at [email protected] or Gail Modro at [email protected].

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IN SUPPORT OF:

Backpack Blessings -Rachel & Marvin Siegel

Feed the Hungry -Rachel & Marvin Siegel

IN APPRECIATION OF: Rabbi Paul F. Cohen For saying a mishebeirach -Lori & Gary Kash

Danny Glassman -Carolyn Sherman

Ken Lorch -Carolyn Sherman

Barbara & Stephen Miller For their devotion to Social Justice -Roberta Mallon

IN HONOR OF: Ruby Bradford Daughter of Carly & Jason Bradford, granddaughter of Lisa & Darryl Bradford; on the occasion of her baby naming -Carly & Jason Bradford

Allan Brodsky On the occasion of his birthday -Joanne Keeshin

Doris Cohen On the occasion of her birthday -Ron Cohen

Arnie Fishbain On the occasion of his special birthday -Mary Dresdow -Carol & Arnie Fishbain -Jill & Avi Nutkis -Sarabeth & Eran Salzman -Jill Weaver

Carol & Arnie Fishbain On the occasion of their special wedding anniversary -Carol & Arnie Fishbain -Jill & Avi Nutkis -Sarabeth & Eran Salzman

Reagan Fishbain Granddaughter of Arnie & Carol Fishbain, on the occasion of her baby naming -Lisa & Joel Fishbain

Danny Glassman For all his help and mentorship -Ellie Goldman

Jonathan Karel Goldman Great-grandson of Barry Goldman & Vicki Weisenberg, on the occasion of his birth -Sara & Alan Turover

Rabbi Rachel Heaps On the occasion of her installation at Temple Jeremiah -Alene & Skip Frost -Joan Golder -Dianne & Brian Heaps -Hershy Pappadis -Emmy & Ed Rothschild -Babette & Jeffrey Sanders -Ellen & Alan Toban -Sara & Alan Turover -Vicki Weisenberg & Barry Goldman

Rabbis Debbie & Sid Helbraun On the occasion of their vow renewal -Rabbis Debbie & Sid Helbraun

Adam Kahan’s Reception -Deborah Flapan & James Howard -Danielle & Brian Ruben -Jill & Paul Yonover -Vicki Weisenberg & Barry Goldman

Erica Lorch Daughter of Susan & Ken Lorch, on the occasion of her marriage to Brian Boruszak -Susan & Ken Lorch

Elise Sofia Sulkin Granddaughter of Shelley & Mark Sulkin, on the occasion of her birth

-Sara & Alan Turover

Lilian Marie Vaca Granddaughter of Fred Kagan, on the occasion of her birth -Sara & Alan Turover

Vicki Weisenberg On the occasion of her adult Bat Mitzvah -Howard Brenner -Anne Drucker -Alene & Skip Frost -Joan Golder -Phyllis & Bud Goldman -Hortense Levkovitz -Allison & Joe Lolli -David Lornson & Mark Duris -Sarabeth & Eran Salzman -Lorraine & Jack Shapiro -Shelly Trilling -Vicki Weisenberg & Barry Goldman -Cantor Amy Zussman &

David Fell

IN MEMORY OF: Edna Cohen-Brittain Grandmother of Jori & Sam Swartz -Nancy & Arnee Eisenberg

David Burnstein Father of Sheryl Lewis -Cantor Amy Zussman & David Fell

Barbara Carr Mother of Barry Carr

-Randi & Barry Carr

Allen Fishbain Father of Arnie Fishbain -Carol & Arnie Fishbain

Jason Fishbain Son of Carol & Arnie Fishbain -Carol & Arnie Fishbain

Jon Flaxman Brother-in-law of Lisa & Steve Kleiman -Debbie & Gary Holzman and Family -Cindy & Hal Schwartz -Cantor Amy Zussman & David Fell

Ann Hertzman Mother of Jeff Meltzer -Nancy & Allen Hirschfield -Lori & Gary Kash -Cantor Amy Zussman & David Fell

Lisa Hirschfelder Mother of Susan Wise, grandmother of Robin Sheperd -Susan Wise and Family

Richard Hirschfelder Father of Susan Wise, grandfather of Robin Sheperd -Susan Wise and Family


Acknowledgements

Your Donation Supports: Special Funds: Temple Jeremiah Annual Fund • Temple Jeremiah Building Maintenance Fund • Education Fund • Stanley

Golder Interfaith Initiative Fund • Marshall B. & Viola R. Schwimmer Library Fund • Prayer Book and Torah Commentary

Fund • Rabbi Allan Tarshish Fund for Humanity • Caring Community • The Bill and Norma Brown Fund for Lifelong

Learning • Temple Jeremiah Endowment Fund • The InterAct Fund for Youth Programming • The Fern M. Kamen Fund

for Youth • Joseph H. Goldberg Family Fund for Special Needs Programming • The Cantor Amy Zussman Fund for Music

Social Justice Funds: Social Justice • Family Promise • Backpack Blessings • Feed the Hungry

Discretionary Funds: Rabbi Paul F. Cohen • Rabbi Rachel L. Heaps • Adam Kahan

Women of Jeremiah Fund: Programming Fund • Brotherhood Fund: Ernie Bloch Memorial Tzedakah Fund

Donate to Temple Jeremiah

Making a donation to Temple Jeremiah is a wonderful way to honor a friend or family member on their happy

occasion or to memorialize a loved one. You can make a donation in three easy ways:

1. Click on the Donation button at www.templejeremiah.org or visit the Member Login section and click on

“Make a Donation” to donate online via credit card.

2. Mail in a check (be sure to include a note as to what the donation is for and which fund you prefer).

If you have questions please call Jill Nutkis at 847.441.5760.

continued on next page


Acknowledgments continued

Phyllis Krause-Braun Mother of Phil Krause -The Family of Phyllis Krause-Braun

Hilda Jacobs Mother of Alan Jacobs -Avrie & Alan Jacobs

Allan LeWinter Father of Amy Dubinsky -The Dubinsky Family

Donald Manna -Ellen & Alan Toban

Manny Segall Husband of Marcie Segall -Marcie Segall

Abe Siegelman Father of Vicki Siegelman -Vicki Siegelman & David Baldwin

Mitchell Slotnick -Randi & Charles Gurian -Liz & Scott Mendel

Nan Stevens Sister of Sara Turover -Sara & Alan Turover -Cantor Amy Zussman & David Fell

Joyce Stolberg Mother of Gary Stolberg -Linda & Gary Stolberg

Sai Sulkin Father of Mark Sulkin -Shelley McNaughton-Sulkin & Mark Sulkin

Linda (Sulkin) Hack Sister of Mark Sulkin -Shelley McNaughton-

Sulkin & Mark Sulkin

For the Speedy Recovery of:

Jennifer Schnepper -Randi & Charles Gurian

Anna Shabelman -Judy & Jack Craven -Alene & Skip Frost -Lisa & Steve Kleiman -Mindy & Randy Kurtz -Susan & Ken Lorch -Jackie Pilossoph -The Ruskin Family -Ros Wolfe

Donor Spotlight: Michael & Laura Fine

How long have you been a member at Temple Jeremiah? We have been members of the temple for about 15 years. We joined when we moved to Glenview and our oldest son began school. Although our children are now in college, this connection will always be a part of our family. Why did you choose Temple Jeremiah as your synagogue? When we were looking at temples, we came to an event where we met Anne Lidsky and learned about the children’s educational programs. We were so impressed by Dr. Lidsky and the program, and we felt so comfortable, that we knew we found our home! What programs or committees have you been involved with? Michael has served on the Board, and our entire family has participated in Social Justice projects. We have had opportunities to volunteer for Backpack Blessings, Feed the Hungry and Maot Chitim, among others. Our children learned the joy of volunteering through many opportunities in their educational careers at Jeremiah. We also had the opportunity to experience the amazing work of temple members from the Social Justice Committee welcoming the Zambia refugee sisters to their new home! Why do you volunteer with Temple Jeremiah? When you are in a place to give back, we feel you need to do so in order to improve the lives of others. It is much easier to be the giver than the recipient, but we all find ourselves on both sides of the equation at one time or another. It is a humbling experience to be the recipient of a helping hand, but knowing someone is there to help you get through your difficult time makes the road back that much easier. When did you become donors to Temple Jeremiah and why do you feel it’s important to donate? After a devastating accident, our family learned firsthand about the importance of the loving support of the Jeremiah community. The Jeremiah family was there for us when we needed it the most. From the ‘moment of impact’ (yes, it was a car accident!), Rabbi Cohen, Cantor Amy, and Dr. Lidsky were with us from the first days in the hospital through our entire journey to find our new normal. We never had to ask for this compassion and support, it just appeared when our family needed it the most. Life can be challenging, but the kindness we received from Jeremiah, the Rabbi, and everyone else connected to the temple made a difficult time for our family a bit less daunting. It is comforting to know that in good times and in bad, we are never alone! We feel it is important to donate in order to help others find the needed support that may help them through a difficult time.

How do you choose where to direct your funds? We give where we feel we can make a difference in someone else’s life. Our giving truly comes from our hearts. How do you feel when making a gift to Temple Jeremiah? We feel we are paying it forward to the next family who may have an unexpected, life-changing experience. We want others to know that in difficult times, you are not alone. There are people who truly love and care for you. Why is leaving a Legacy Gift important to you? We are extremely grateful for the friendship, kindness, and support we have received from the Jeremiah community. This is just one way we can express our appreciation. What would you say to someone thinking of participating in the Leave a Jewish Legacy program? You never know what challenges lie ahead for you. This is a way you can help someone else get through a difficult time, and as a result, it will have an impact that will continue for generations to come. There are so many layers to being part of a Jewish community. Each layer is even more special. Anything else you would like to share? We are honored and fortunate to be part of a community that has always treated our family with open arms, that has been there for us when we needed it most and will be there for others when needed.

937 Happ Road

Northfield, IL 60093

Phone: 847.441.5760

Fax: 847.441.5765

School Phone: 847.441.0202

An affiliate of the Union

for Reform Judaism

Visit us at www.templejeremiah.org

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Contains Dated Material

Women of Jeremiah Book Club

Jewish family stories await us, join WOJ Book Club! Meet in the temple library. For more information or to sign up, contact Vicki Siegelman at [email protected].

Thursday, June 14, 2018 10:00-11:30 a.m.

Thursday, July 12, 2018 10:00-11:30 a.m.

“The List: A Novel”

by Martin Fletcher

“The Glass Room”

by Simon Mawer

Martin Fletcher is known to television audiences for his award-winning work as NBC news foreign correspondent. Fletcher tells his family’s story as struggling, unwanted immigrants in post WW II London, alongside the politics and intrigue surrounding Palestine.

A fictional account of the real Villa Tugendhat built by Mies van der Rohe for Jewish German Fritz and his wife Greta Tugendhat. It is the late 1920s in Czechoslovakia…soon society, politics, & the beautiful couple’s marriage will threaten breakdown. Only the house may survive…

inside this issue: one who struggles - temple...

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