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Dear Friends:

I recently read that when Victor Hugo wanted to learn how Les Miserables was selling, he telegraphed his publisher

a message consisting only of this: ?

His publisher knew exactly what Hugo wanted to know, so he replied just as tersely: !

In others words, Les Miserables was selling well!

Interesting that Hugo, a man of many words refrained from using any words in his telegram.

We Jews know a thing or two about words. We immerse ourselves in them. We dwell in them.

When we prepare to study Torah, we praise God for commanding us “la’asok b’divrei Torah” – to be busy in words of Torah.

And we consider it a sin to misuse words. The Bible and rabbinic literature suggest that the misuse of word caused tzara’at, an affliction described in great detail in the book of Leviticus.

Tzara’at was considered divine punishment for the sin of gossip and slander. In Hebrew this sin is known as lashon ha’ra, the evil tongue.

Our tradition has employed volumes of words trying to figure out how to rectify this moral failing. But it’s hard! How many of us are capable of never uttering unflattering remarks about others? Even the Chofetz Chaim, a studiously moral teacher of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, was at times full of self-reproach for his tendency to engage in lashon ha’ra.

This period of self-isolation provides us with an opportunity to take a break from using words for negative purposes. Just as pollution is decreasing as traffic decreases, perhaps gossip can decrease as gathering decreases.

Wouldn’t that be nice? Let us exploit this period of separation for good purpose. Let’s get into the habit now of speaking kindly about each other – and let’s not break that habit later on!

On another note, friends and family have been asking me how our congregation is doing during this time of

separation and how we are faring on Zoom. I have a very simple answer: !

Hope to see you – on Zoom or in person – very soon!

L’Shalom,

Rabbi Jeffrey Weill

Ezra-Habonim, the Niles Township Jewish Congregation 4500 Dempster Street, Skokie, IL 60076 • 847-675-4141 • FAX 847-675-0327 • www.ehnt.org

A Call to Get Back to Business

Life is definitely different! We are all getting used to being home more and communicating through phone and virtual means. We long for the way things were and appreciate how we have all adapted to new and different ways.

EHNTJC has also adapted for you, and is bringing you, services seven days a week, three weekly classes led by the Rabbi, as well as virtual religious school leanings. These activities have been widely accepted and attendance far exceeds what we had seen in the past.

But you can only call this situation a crisis for so long, not saying we are anywhere near the end, but we must move forward, get back to business and create a community and experiences for our congregation, their families, and friends.

We are returning to our normal schedule of board meetings, having meetings the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Board members will be returning to Shabbat services with messages and announcements.

Going forward, EHNTJC leaders are looking to bring you more. Committees will be asked to return to work and will be given ideas and tasks to work on and pursue. Ways & Means and other committees will be getting their engines running and formulating plans to move us forward with new and exciting programs.

We will be looking to reengage with our fundraising. We have been receiving requests for donation cards -- remembering, celebrating, and announcing -- and these are a wonderful and thoughtful message to send. We continue the sale of our raffle tickets and the Chai Noon DVDs.

We will continue with our virtual services; Zoom has been wonderful. We will need to explore new technology that could be installed in the building allowing us to broadcast from the synagogue in the future.

We are excited to share our activities and visions – bringing you as much as possible, to be your trusted source and meet your needs. Stay well! We will get through this together!

Ed Cohen

President EHNTJC

Koleinu – “Our Voice” Join us for a lively and spirited musical Shabbat led by Rabbi Jeffrey Weill and the Koleinu Band.

Friday, May 1st Friday, June 5th 7:00 p.m. Service All are welcome! *Look for your weekly email with Zoom instructions!

…to Ken Dermer for his extraordinary skills, time and great effort for writing and directing the Purim Shpiel, Chai Noon. …to the cast and crew of Chai Noon for a spectacular show!

Ways & Means Can Do It! We already have done it! The first weekend of our Purim Shpiel was a huge success! Thank you Ken Dermer, the cast, all our volunteers and our donors. We are so sorry that the second weekend could not happen. FYI, you can still purchase the DVD of “Chai Noon”. The information is online or you can call the synagogue office. I saw it and it is wonderful.

Also, we are continuing to sell raffle tickets with wonderful prizes. The drawing will take place sometime in the near future.

We are optimistic! We Can Do It! But we need you, our members, to be behind us. I need not tell you how important our fundraisers are for our synagogue. It is my hope that we can still put together another successful fundraising year under these trying circumstances. Until we know what government mandates will be in place, we cannot make any final decisions. Meanwhile, we are working on revising our current plans for our fundraisers. We will advertise our events as soon as possible.

At this time, I want to THANK YOU for your continued support and understanding!

Best wishes and stay healthy, Ada Rabinowitz, Ways & Means Chair

Purchase a DVD of

Chai Noon The Western Musical Purim Parody

$10 each $8 for each additional

Call 847-675-4141 with a credit card or mail your check made payable to:

EHNTJC 4500 Dempster Street

Skokie, IL 60076

We want to celebrate our 2020 Graduates.

Pre-School Kindergarten Elementary

Jr. High High School

College Email jeanette@ehnt.org with the name & school information and we will recognize

them. Please submit by June 15th so we can submit in

our July/August Bulletin.

HERE’S A GREAT WAY TO HELP THE SYNAGOGUE AND IT’S SO EASY!!

If you shop at Jewel, purchase our $100 Jewel gift cards. You get full value and the synagogue gets money back for each card sold. Jewel gift cards can be acquired from Jeanette Sigler in the synagogue office.

Share Your Joy! Dedicate a leaf on the Tree of Life sculpture

in the synagogue lobby.

Celebrate your happy events. Call Bill Gerber in the office.

Adult Education at EHNTJC -Dr. Esther Javetz, Adult Education Chair

Jewish Music Influences on American Music Presented by David Chack

Sunday, May 3rd at 10:30 AM

Free and open to all! Copy and paste this link into your web browser –

https://us02web.zoom.us/s/81012856512 Call In: 312-626-6799

Meeting ID: 810-1285-6512 Or watch for an email with the link.

Religious Education Committee Judy Arkin, Religious Education Chair

This pandemic has been the ultimate challenge for everyone, but the children have been deprived of their socialization while learning in religious school as well as in public school. Rabbi Weill and I are so overwhelmingly impressed by our magnificent teachers – Miriam Davidson, Michelle Mantel and Michael Rosenberg. They stepped up to the challenge and embraced it. Our students are continuing their learning on the Zoom platform. Miriam and Michelle already had the expertise to use Zoom as a teaching tool. Michael could have taught his Lehrhaus students with a conference call if Zoom hadn’t existed. A huge todah rabah to our teachers!

Do you have a business you would like to advertise in our Bulletin?

Contact Jeanette Sigler for more information at 847-675-4141.

In Loving Memory If you wish to honor the memory of a dear one, a most fitting, traditional and dignified remembrance is through a memorial plaque.

Each memorial plaque, bearing the name and yahrzeit date, is mounted in the Memorial Alcove in our chapel. On the day of the yahrzeit, your loved one’s name is listed on a tablet in the chapel alcove.

For more information or to order a plaque, contact Bill Gerber in the synagogue office.

EHNTJC offers heartfelt condolences to…

Phyllis (Sheldon) Post on the loss of her

brother, Michael Segal.

Flora Steigman on the loss of her husband, Marty.

Dorette Klein on the loss of her sister,

Myriam Gordon.

Debbie (Dani) Dragon on the loss of her father, Harold Greenberg.

Mickey Gordon on the loss of her

brother-in-law, Earl Gordon.

Cantor Daniel Gale on the loss of his mother, Davida.

May G-d comfort them among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Seth Bachman Casey Jensen Debbie Reich

Barbara Barnett Jeffrey Kaiser Diane Rosenfeld

Paula Carroll Ken Kaiz Adam Rubinberg

Alana Chupack Susan Kaplan-Toch Myra Schultz

Shira Chupack Zachary Kramer Carolyn Shere

Sarah Claver Joel Levin Barbara Schwartz

Vivian Coretz Mark Levin Gerald Silberman

Jerry Ebner Stuart Levin Michael Slutsky

Mark DeBofsky Julian Levy Eva Spiro

Phillip Dickler Dori Marks Howard Spiro

Tamar Farkas Margot Marx Naomi Spiro

Robert Fine Idelle Peaceman Stuart StarrJe

Linda Fox Rosalie Persky Barry Summers

Luisita Graff Otto Placik Brian Weiner

Neil Gurevitz Taya Placik Robyn Weinstein

Marlene Hecktman David Reich

Rabbi Victor Weissberg

Marc Applebaum Barbara Frankston Michael Reinstein

Vanina Barnett Ted Goldman Deanna Shoss

Howard Bartman Emmet Hirsch Stan Shulman

Marv Bero Burt Hochberg Alex Stein

Jennifer Boston Michael Hoffenberg Cynthia Stein

Matthew Boston Talia Hoffenberg Veronika Urban

Marsha Brody Carolyn Katz Sam Weill

Ed Cohen Janet Keiser Yigael Weltman

Lillian Cohen Michael Korey Lise Weisberger

Rachel Cowen Alyssa Levin Camden White

Adi Dalin Jackie Levin Casey White

Felice Eckhouse Irina Pechenik Jay Zite

Jannis Eisbart Jeff Meyerowitz Sharon Zite

Margot Eisenhammer Lori Prosnitz

June Birthdays May Birthdays

May Anniversaries June Anniversaries

Have a Simcha? Call the office if you would like to sponsor a

Kiddush luncheon in honor of a birthday or

anniversary or to make a donation to the

Gerald Melton Simcha Fund. This fund

provides support of our Onegs and receptions.

Donations can commemorate a special event or

simcha.

Phillip & Penny Arnold

Howard & Judy Frank

Alan & Judith Harris

Jordan & Marlene Hecktman

Howard Kleinstein & Debra Honig

Michael & Deborah Reinstein

Mark & Terry Taylor

Uri Toch & Susan Kaplan-Toch

Steve & Sharon Wiseman

Carl & Ruth Alterman

Harold & Linda Chizewer

Mark & Paula DeBofsky

Phillip & Grace Dickler

Fred & Barbara Frankston

Sam & Gail Goldfarb

Steven & Madeline Goldman

Lester & Norma Gordon

Cy & Sally Jablo

Arthur & Judith Klowden

Stuart & Bobbie Levin

Rabbi Shlomo & Annabel Levine

Alan & Menucha Levy

Gunther & Margot Marx

Otto & Lora Placik

Allan & Carla Price

Dave Richmond & Edie Sue Sutker

Stan & Claire Shulman

Larry & Cheryl Sklar

Lloyd & Sharon Stein

Jason White & Bina Rubinson

Bob & Dolly Zavell

Let’s Celebrate!!

Our great funds to donate to:

BELLA BRIEF FUND – This fund is used by our Rabbi to schedule

programs and guest speakers for the congregation.

BIMA FUND – This fund provides financial support for our clergy,

daveners, layning and accompanists.

CANTOR’S MUSIC FUND – This fund is designated for the

Cantor’s use to benefit the congregation’s musical programs.

VIVIAN CHANNON SOCIAL ACTION/TZEDAKAH FUND –

This fund is used for social action and/or tzedakah projects for

people in need and disasters in the world.

CONGREGATION FUND – This fund is used by the congregation

for general operating expenses.

GEMILITH CHESED – LOTTE GRUEN FUND – This fund

confidentially assists needy members of the congregation. Funds are

awarded by a committee.

HERMAN GREENBAUM CAMP RAMAH FUND – This fund

assists needy members of the congregation to attend Camp Ramah.

The scholarships are awarded by a committee.

HILLMAN LIBRARY FUND – This fund is used to purchase

books and materials for the congregation’s library.

GERALD MELTON SIMCHA FUND – This fund provides support

of our Onegs and receptions – donations can commemorate a special

event or simcha.

PRAYER BOOK FUND – This fund is used to purchased prayer

books and Chumashim. Bookplates are inscribed and placed in the

front of purchased books. ($25 minimum donation)

RABBI EMERITUS FUND – This fund is designated for the Rabbi

Emeritus’ use at his discretion to promote the synagogue, for

education or charitable organizations.

RABBI’S SPECIAL FUND – This fund is designated for the

Rabbi’s use at his discretion to promote the synagogue, for

education or charitable organizations.

STEVE & MARGRIT REICH RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND -

This fund provides confidential support to families who need

scholarships for their children to attend our Religious School. It also

helps the school to underwrite needed projects.

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL EDUCATION FUND – This fund is used

for the Religious School as needed with the approval of the

Religious Education Committee.

RUBIN/LEVETON CAMP SCHOLARSHIP FUND – This fund

assists children of the congregation to attend Jewish-oriented

summer camps (other than Camp Ramah). The scholarships are

awarded by a committee.

AVRAHM STAMPFER FUND – This fund assists member

children who will be going on sponsored trips to Israel. Scholarships

are awarded by a committee.

TALCOTT/LEVIN YOUTH ACTIVITIES FUND – This fund is

used for youth activities and programs with the approval of the

Youth Activities Committee.

Shavuot 2020/5780 Schedule

Coming Soon! Watch for an email.

VIRTUAL 2020

On June 7, 2020 at 4:00 we will share 40 Years of the Festival. A virtual Greater Chicago Jewish Festival

with great performances from the past 20 Festivals! AND new performances from David Broza and other

acts that were planned for this year. Go to JewishFestival.org on June 7 at 4:00 and

click on the Virtual Festival button.

When you are shopping,

please keep in mind that Amazon (and almost every major on-line retailer)

will donate a portion of purchases to the synagogue as long as the retailer is selected and accessed

through our website. http://ehnt.org/marketplace

Thank you for the donations to EHNTJC…

BIMA FUND IN MEMORY OF

Judy & Ken Arkin Marty Steigman

Shoshana Dorman & Bruce Braverman Toni Bark

CANTOR’S MUSIC FUND IN MEMORY OF

Bette Blumenthal Davida Gale

Fran Givertz Davida Gale

Diane Rosenfeld Davida Gale

V. CHANNON SOCIAL ACTION/TZEDAKAH FUND

IN HONOR OF

Leslie Berman Shirley and Marty Lubowich’s

73rd wedding anniversary

CONGREGATION FUND IN MEMORY OF

Penny Arnold Peter Leshin

Andi Bannister Burton D. Katz

Ralph Baum Julius Baum

Walter Baum

Harriet Berland Dave Baum

Ben Coretti

Bette Blumenthal beloved father, Joseph Bliss

Goldie Brandhandler Cantor David Brandhandler

Michele Brandhandler

Marsha Brody Marty Steigman

Sally Brown-Winter Jerome Brown

Marilyn & John Chiappe Steve Smith

Lillian & Ed Cohen Myriam Gordon

Davida Gale

Marty Steigman

Vivian Coretz Susan Field

Sandi Cowen Marty Steigman

Shoshana Dorman & Bruce Braverman Marty Steigman

Rachell Eisenberg Ryvka Shachter

Margot Eisenhammer Howard Sherman

Henry Eisenhammer

Joel Farber and Beth Farber Laser Harry N. Farber

Harriett Farber

Bonnie & Dennis Feinberg Sandy Silver

Stanley Kaplan

Judy Frank Cyril Rubin

Barbara & Fred Frankston Nathan Miller

Adrienne & Irwin Friedman beloved brother, Jason Stern

Adie Fuchs Anna Glass

Bill Gerber Toni Bark

Wayne Meyerowitz

Earl Gordon

Davida Gale

Harold Greenberg

Myriam Gordon

Joan Anita Schwartz

The Gerber Family Irving Gerber

Shirley Gerber

Rebecca Sacks

Ted Sacks

Marty Steigman

Michael Segal

Harline Goldberg Ken Goldberg

Miriam Goldberger David S. Bern

Eunice Goldfarb Raymond Goldfarb

Ted Goldman and Family Marty Steigman

Luisita Mariano Graff Filomeno S. Mariano

Marilyn Gross William Dresden

Ronia Gross beloved mother, Aziza Dallal

beloved brother, Amnon Dallal

Dalya Dallal

Golda Fatal

Linda Heimann Norbert Heimann

CONGREGATION FUND IN MEMORY OF cont’d.

Burton Hochberg Myrna Hochberg

Sally & Cy Jablo Marty Steigman

Jeff Kaiser Dr. Jerome Kaiser

Elena Kalmykova our loved ones

Francine Karlin Nathan Karlin

Dr. Roberto & Beatriz Levi Surele Chichelnitzky

Bobbie & Stuart Levin Irving H. Levin

Toni Bark

Rebecca Meisinger

Davida Gale

Marty Steigman

Shirley & Marty Lubowich Nadia Blumenkrantz

beloved uncle, Joseph Faingold

beloved brother, Ralph Lubowich

Esther & Bob Manewith David Lieberman

Aaron Manewith

Karen Isonhart

Frieda Coble

Herman Manewith

Sylvia Margolies Louis Roth

Dori & Joel Marks Marty Steigman

Jeffrey Meyerowitz Bernard Meyerowitz

Jeff Michaelson beloved father, Bernard Mich

Marsha & Richard Newman Marty Steigman

Davida Gale

Debbie & Henry Novoselsky Pauline Novoselsky

Rose Pergricht Fanny Charbit

Avner Charbit

Allen Pergricht

Rosalie & Norm Persky Iris Feldman

Lora Placik Henry Pollak

Carla Price Mamie M. Herman

Ada & Beryl Rabinowitz Toni Bark

Wayne Meyerowitz

Harold Greenberg

Davida Gale

Myriam Gordon

Marty Steigman

Debbie & Stewart Reich Herman Ries

Davida Gale

Marty Steigman

The Stewart Reich Family John Oehrlein

Renée Repkin beloved mother, Goldie Himel Pozner

Debby Rheinstrom Celene Rheinstrom

Elaine & Michael Ries Herman Ries

Else Hessberg

Diane Rosenfeld Earl Gordon

Joan Anita Schwartz

Pauline Roth George Kuznitsky

Ida Kuznitsky

Seymour K. Cousens

Evie & Ralph Ruebner Sergey Veprinsky

Michael Stock

Gerald Silberman Harry Silberman

Sylvia Silberman

Marlene Singer Merv Singer

Sig Derman

Joanne Stein Hon. Jack G. Stein

Paul Sternfeld Sidonie Sternfeld

Andrea Toback Betty and Morris Rosen

Anne Toback

Anita Toback

Cynthia & Neal Toback Sam Toback

Richard Triffler Esther Triffler

Miriam Lerner

Annette Triffler

Edward Triffler

CONGREGATION FUND IN MEMORY OF cont’d.

Philip Wolgel Marcella Wolgel

Dolly & Bob Zavell Marty Steigman

CONGREGATION FUND IN HONOR OF

Stanley Bakshy my aliyah

Sandi Cowen a speedy recovery to Ken Arkin

a speedy recovery to Davida Grossman

Shoshana Dorman & Bruce Braverman a speedy recovery to

Ralph Ruebner

Lorraine Edelstein general donation

Eva & Robert Egel George Urban’s 70th birthday

Emilia Elgamil general donation

The Gerber Family a speedy recovery to Davida Grossman

Joyce & Jack Hoyt Cantor Benjamin Warschawski

Vilma Incze Shoshana Dorman

Sally & Cy Jablo a speedy recovery to Davida Grossman

with prayers for Elly Perlmutter

a speedy recovery to Irene Kushner

Marlyne Lang Shoshana Dorman

Bobbie & Stuart Levin Ellie Stein’s Bat Mitzvah

Renee Lubowich Shirley Lubowich’s birthday

Shirley and Marty Lubowich’s wedding anniversary

Esther & Bob Manewith Lee Levin’s and Alyssa Levin’s honor

as Men’s Club Man of the Year and Youth of the Year

Marsha & Richard Newman Lee Levin’s and Alyssa Levin’s honor

as Men’s Club Man of the Year and Youth of the Year

Ada & Beryl Rabinowitz Shirley and Marty Lubowich’s

73rd wedding anniversary

Rose-Lynn and Randy Jaffe’s new great-granddaughter,

Wynter Amore Edwards

Lee Levin’s honor as Men’s Club Man of the Year

Alyssa Levin’s honor as Men’s Club Youth of the Year

Dori and Joel Marks’ wedding anniversary

Debbie & Stewart Reich George Urban’s 70th birthday

Mary and Manny Schenk’s 40th wedding anniversary

GERALD MELTON SIMCHA FUND IN MEMORY OF

Evie & Ralph Ruebner Marty Steigman

Rochelle Dlugie

GERALD MELTON SIMCHA FUND IN HONOR OF

Shoshana Dorman & Bruce Braverman Shirley and Marty

Lubowich’s 73rd wedding anniversary

Lee Levin’s honor as Men’s Club Man of the Year

Alyssa Levin’s honor as Men’s Club Youth of the Year

Bill Gerber Shirley and Marty Lubowich’s

73rd wedding anniversary

Rose-Lynn and Randy Jaffe’s new great-granddaughter,

Wynter Amore Edwards

Lee Levin’s honor as Men’s Club Man of the Year

Alyssa Levin’s honor as Men’s Club Youth of the Year

Mary and Manny Schenk’s 40th wedding anniversary

The Gerber Family George Urban’s 70th birthday

Sally & Cy Jablo Rabbi Victor and Tamar Weissberg’s

68th wedding anniversary

Debbie & Stewart Reich the B’nai Mitzvah of Diane Rosenfeld’s

grandchildren, Max and Lexi

Evie & Ralph Ruebner Lee Levin’s and Alyssa Levin’s honor

as Men’s Club Man of the Year and Youth of the Year

George Urban’s 70th birthday

Arona & George Sarfatty Arona’s 68th birthday

PRAYER BOOK FUND IN MEMORY OF

Chavurah Rishon Marty Steigman

Mickey Gordon and Family Earl Gordon

Shirley & Marty Lubowich Earl Kuznetsky

RABBI’S SPECIAL FUND IN MEMORY OF

Jacqueline & Sheldon Chizever Judith Slotnick

Mickey Gordon Marty Steigman

Davida Gale

Jackie & Jack Lauwasser Ernie Pekofsky

Earl Gordon

Myriam Gordon

Davida Gale

Leah Lazere my cherished son, Steven J. Lazere’s 30th yahrzeit

my beloved sister, Adeline Bersh’s 2nd yahrzeit

Renée Repkin my beloved sister, Joan Anita Schwartz

RABBI’S SPECIAL FUND IN HONOR OF

Bette Blumenthal Rabbi Weill’s extraordinary commitment

to our congregation during these difficult times

Alice & Paul Bresler George Urban’s 70th birthday

Mickey Gordon and Family Ellie Stein’s Bat Mitzvah

Sally & Cy Jablo Shirley and Marty Lubowich’s

73rd wedding anniversary

Bobbie & Stuart Levin with thanks to the Weill Family for the

online services and classes led by Rabbi Weill

Linda & Bruce Mayor George Urban’s 70th birthday

Steven Rosenbloom general donation

George Urban the victims of COVID-19

REICH RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND IN MEMORY OF

Cooking Group and Book Club Friends Abraham “Bill” Golden

REICH RELIGIOUS SCHOOL FUND IN HONOR OF

Carol & Howard Bartman Cantor Benjamin Warschawski

Thank you for the donations to EHNTJC…

A Minyan Reminder… Those who attend our minyan enjoy double satisfaction: they are personally enriched and they help others by allowing them to recite mourners kaddish with a full minyan (ten adults). Attending minyan is a mitzvah! Thank you for supporting our fellow congregants and for helping to build our community.

Daily Minyan – Monday-Thursday 7:00 PM

Sunday 9:30 AM Holidays 6:00 PM

No Saturday Minyan *Look for your weekly email with Zoom instructions!

Affiliated with: The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation

4500 DEMPSTER STREET SKOKIE IL 60076 Phone: (847)675-4141, Fax: (847)675-0327

Website: www.ehnt.org Jeffrey Weill Rabbi Neil Brief Rabbi Emeritus Ed Cohen President Jeanette Sigler Executive Director