periodical postage paid at skokie, il temple beth israel ... · proudly moored in our history but...

ShABBAT Friday evening, February 5*

5:30 P.M. – Likrat Shabbat

See box below for Birthday Contributors

6:15 P.M. – Kabbalat Shabbat

February Birthday Blessings

ShABBAT Saturday morning, February 6 at 10:30 A.m.

Baby naming of the granddaughter of Bonnie and Philip Gorelick

Kiddush luncheon sponsored by Jessica and David Gorelick

In honor of the naming of their daughter

Torah Portion “Mishpatim”

ShABBAT Friday evening, February 12 at 8:15 P.m.

6:00 P.M. Shalom Shabbat


Bat Mitzvah of Lauren Hersh

Daughter of Deborah and Michael Hersh

Torah Portion “Terumah”





12:00 P.M. Shabbat Lunch and Learn

Torah Portion “Tetzaveh”


Rabbis’ Yahrzeits

6:00 P.M. Shabbat B’Yachad


Shabbat Shira

Torah Portion “Ki Tisa”

ShABBAT Friday evening, march 4*



March Birthday Blessings

ShABBAT Saturday morning, march 5 at 10:30 A.m.

T’fillot Nashim with Koleynu

Shabbat Shekalim

Torah Portion “Vayakhel”

*Please note time

February 2016 Shvat – Adar 5776 Volume 99 Number 5

January 31, 2016 marked the 98th

anniversary of Temple Beth Israel’s official

incorporation in the State of Illinois. That means

we are only two years away from our 100th

anniversary. A centennial is certainly a reason

for joyous celebration as we look back on all

that we have accomplished over these many

years. But even more, it is an impetus to look,

with hope, to the bright and promising future. We can surely be

proudly moored in our history but we ought not to be mired in it.

Our congregation President, Linda Perlin, will soon be appointing a

special Centennial committee to envision and then implement all of

the programming that will accompany our 100th year. As a first step,

Linda has appointed an ad hoc committee on Long Range Financial

Sustainability. Ably chaired by Dale Cone and Bill Levy, this ad hoc

committee has already begun the task of charting our course into the

future. They are creating three sub-committees that will develop and

implement plans to keep us fiscally stable in the near term, mid-term,

and long term.

In the near term, the first sub-committee will examine our annual

revenue stream with particular attention to our dues structure. By

looking at the experiences of other congregations across the country,

by consulting with experts, and by engaging our members in

conversation, this sub-committee will determine whether there might

be a better way to meet our annual expenses while being sensitive to

the needs and abilities of all our members.

In the mid-term, the second sub-committee will craft a plan to

create an endowment fund for the future. What better time than our

100th anniversary to stage a campaign to build up the kind of reserve

that can sustain us through the coming decades?

And in the long term, the third sub-committee will investigate

various instruments that will allow any and all of us to provide for our

congregation even after our demise, through bequests and other

financial vehicles.

I have no doubt that we will be hearing more from all of these

sub-committees, as well as the special Centennial committee, over the

coming months. They will engage us all and help all of us tell the story

of where we have been and write the story of where we are going. Our

hundredth birthday ought to celebrate our moorings and also our reach

into the future – our reach as individuals, our reach as serious and

committed Reform Jews, and our reach as a sacred congregational

community. I can’t wait to see the cake!!

Rabbi’s ColumnShabbat Services

DATED MATERIAL — PLEASE RUSH

Change Service Requested

Temple Beth Israel Bulletin (USPS 537-480)Published Monthly by

3601 W. Dempster Street • Skokie, Illinois 60076847.675.0951 • www.tbiskokie.org

Michael A.Weinberg, RabbiLori B.Sagarin, RJE, Director of Congregational Learning

Marla Aviva Bentley, Music DirectorLinda Perlin, President

Ernst M. Lorge, Rabbi Emeritus*S. Felix Mendelsohn, Founding Rabbi*

*of Blessed Memory

Printed by Total Graphics

P E R I O D I CA L P O STAG E PA I D AT S KO K I E , I L

We would like to thank Marianna Tax Choldin and Robin Winer

who made donations for the Likrat Shabbat on February 5 in honor

of their February birthdays. We would also like to thank Bill Klopsch

and Debbie Talsky who made donations in honor of their December

birthdays; and Harriet Arons, Ernst Heimann, Linda Lewison, and

Gary Zimmerman who made donations in honor of their January

birthdays.

At the Kabbalat Shabbat service on December 9th our newest TBI members were welcomed. Each member household received a gift bag

which included a Sisterhood Cook Book, Hanukkah cookie cutters, recipes, and more. To date 12 new member households have joined our

TBI community. Those who were able to attend are pictured here (with the beautiful – and delicious – welcome cake).

LIkRAT ShABBAT

TBI WeLcOmeS NeW memBeRS

VISIT OUR LIBRARYCome and visit the Cohn Library located

on the lower level. Take time browsing through

our wonderful collection then check out your

selections. You will be glad you did!

Rebecca Kohn and her son Asher Sari and Brian Owen

and their children Julian, Eden, and Iris

Julie Selig and Mitchell Ehrlich

and their son Andrew

Michele Orenstein and her son Jacob

Paula and Jay Broutman

and their children Jack, Lilly, and Max

IN The TemPLe FAmILYMAZEL TOV TO:

Patti and David Krivo on the birth of their grandson, Maxwell Aaron,born to Eliza Krivo and Justin Stubbs.

Sue and Jim Cohn and Gene Lerner on the marriage of their son /grandson, Lee Cohn to Jennifer Broughton.

Lee Schur on the marriage of her grandson Michael Schur.

Trudy Isbitz Brodsky on the birth of her new grandson, BenjaminStanley Brodsky, born to Julie and Harry Brodsky.

ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY:

The following Temple members are recovering from recent illness orsurgery: Adam Bass, son of Jackie Bass; and Laverne Shavel. We wishthem a speedy recovery.

CONDOLENCES:

We note with sorrow the passing of Perry Weine, brother of Kenneth Weine; Katherine Z. Glaser, mother of Robert Glaser;Marjorie Frederick, mother of Steve Frederick; and Alan Zoot, father ofour faculty member and B’nai Mitzvah tutor Shari Granat. May their memories be a blessing.

cONgRegATIONAL ThANkS

Thank you, thank you to Flo Berman, Linda Lewison, and your committee for your patience, your wonderful choice of snacks, yourvery hard work, your expertise in making the room so perfect and sofestive. Everything not only looked inviting, but also tasted delicious. Iam very grateful to all of you.

Thank you to Marla Aviva Bentley for the very enjoyable musicalservice and the young man who accompanied you. To all of you, whocontributed to a most memorable evening, THANK YOU!

To my extended congregation family, I hope you enjoyed theevening. Thank you for participating in this festive occasion with me.And those of you who sent cards to me, thank you. I’m so lucky to bepart of Temple Beth Israel.

Lillian Rubenstein

A SAFe PLAce – By Nina Henry

There are those of us who feel we need to keep quiet. Due to societal stigma and shame, there are some problems we just do nottalk about. Issues of abuse tend to fall into this category – a silent subject. Perhaps one of the things that keep these people silent is their uncertainty. “If I told someone, would they know what to do?Would they keep my secret?”

Temple Beth Israel has entered into a partnership with Jewish Childand Family Services/JCARES (Jewish Community Abuse Resources,Education, and Solutions), to insure that one can feel comfortable seeking help for problems related to abuse. Partnership for SaferSynagogues, a program of JCARES, provides an organized, efficientprogram that concentrates on safe and healthy families and relation-ships for congregational leadership. The program covers a multitude oftopics that can adversely impact women, men, children, and familiessuch as intimate partner abuse, child abuse, teen dating violence, substance abuse, and elder abuse.

This program consists of three learning sessions offered to the professional staff and lay leaders of a synagogue with the goal ofinforming policy and programming. In December a small group, includ-ing Rabbi Weinberg, Lori Sagarin, and members of the congregationwho represent specific constituencies in the congregation, met for thefirst of the three learning sessions. This first session involved learningabout child abuse. There will be two more sessions and we will receiveongoing technical support from the Safer Synagogue staff as we craftour policies and programming.

While we can all feel confident that our professional and lay leadership have considerable knowledge and have already dealt effectively with difficult issues in the past, this program will deepen ourknowledge, influence our policy-making, and give us ideas about howto expand learning opportunities for the entire congregation.

Temple Beth Israel is a home away from home and a community ofcaring. It is also a safe place that we can count on in times of need.

FROm The PReSIdeNTjUdAISm AROUNd The WORLd

We were speaking with our son Jonathan upon his

return from a 2-week hiking trip that took him to some

remote areas of Patagonia. In one of his photos is a

sign on a hostel written in Hebrew that phonetically

is pronounced as “hostel.” It led me to think about

a Jewish presence in unexpected places around

the world. While I am aware that South America is a

popular destination for young Israelis during the

period between their military service and attending university, I was still

surprised to see that Hebrew sign in a very non-Jewish place.

Jews represent less than 3% of the population in the United States.

Yet we seem to have a disproportionate effect in the areas of medicine,

science, business, and the arts. In the entire world, Jews represent far

less than 0.5% of the population. Israel and the United States each have

about 6 million Jews.

When I think of geographical areas with Jewish influence, I think of

larger urban areas of the United States and Europe. However, it is the

unusual and unlikely places for finding a Jewish presence that are most

interesting. On a recent trip to one of the more secluded areas of north-

ern California, we saw the sign below in the town of Fort Bragg, north of

Mendocino. While it turns out this is a Messianic Congregation, we were

intrigued by the Israeli flag, symbols, and Jewish-sounding name.

Then I wondered, if we traveled all the way north to Alaska, what

would we discover? Not in an urban area like Anchorage where the

existence of a business and professional community might lend itself to

a Jewish presence, but all the way inland to Fairbanks, a legendary

place of the Alaskan gold rush. It turns out Congregation Or HaTzafon

(Northern Light) is located in Fairbanks, Alaska. The Jewish community

started there in 1904. During the Second World War, the Alaskan Jewish

community increased in size due to the military presence. As the military

presence declined, starting in the 1970s, the small community had to

become self-reliant and they were able to start a Congregation in the

1980s. (Editor’s note: Michael Chabon sets his book, The Yiddish

Policemen’s Union in Alaska. It’s a great read!)

Many people are familiar with the small community of about 2,000

Abayudaya Jews who live in Uganda. In spite of their isolation and their

uncertain beginnings, the form of Judaism they practice is remarkably

similar to established Jewish traditions. (Editor’s note: At the Sixth

Zionist Congress at Basel on August 26, 1903, Herzl proposed the

British Uganda Program as a temporary refuge for Jews in Russia in

immediate danger which was formally declared by the British

Government three days later. The Uganda Program was finally rejected

by the Zionist movement at the Seventh Zionist Congress in 1905.)

By Linda PerlinRABBI’S dIScReTIONARY FUNd

Continued

donor In memory of

Wendy & Marc Raven . . . . . . .Bernard Merritt

Melvin Alexander . . . . . . . . . .Louis Felsenthal

Carole Arenson . . . . . . . . . .Florence Strusiner

Bena Bloom & Family . . . . . . . . . .Robert Buzil

Iris & Jim Friedlieb . . . . . . . . . .Walter Friedlieb

Betsy Fuchs . . . . . . . . .Leonard & Rose Fuchs

Joyce Gartzman

Barbara & Stephen Miller

Ione & Steve Novak

Wendy & Marc Raven . . . . . . . . .Terry Berman

Ellen & Jeff Krupp . . . . . . . . . .Maurie Berman

Ione & Steve Novak

Wendy & Marc Raven . . . . . .Deborah Graham

Gale Nudelman . . . . . . . . . . . .David Neuhaus

Eleanor & Ed Rosen . . . . . . . . . . .Harry Rosen

Eleanor & Ed Rosen . . . . . . . . . .Leona Haber

Lawrence Sandler . . . . . . . . . .Charles Sandler

Alice Solovy . . . . . . . . . . . .Jerome R. Marcus

Karen & Thomas Weidner . . . . . . .Louis Stock

Lina & William Wenger . . . . . . . .David Ermann

Alyssa Young & Family . . . . . . . .Nancye Kalis

TORAh FUNd

Provides support for all Temple programs

donor In memory of

Deborah Bornstein & Steven Sklare . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Deborah Graham

Judith & David Schiffman . . .Deborah Graham


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dr. Herschel Bornstein


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ruth Haas Bornstein


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Terry Berman

Sofia & Naum Ligum . . . . . . . . . . .Riva Kogan

Patricia & Joseph Terry . . . . . . . .Nancye Kalis

edUcATION FUNd

Provides funds for Jewish education at TBI

donor In honor of

The Book Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .June Levin's

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Continued Good Health

Julie Dorfman & Jerry Herst . . . . .Kindness to

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ilse Herst

Marlene & Bob Drucker . . . .Arthur Friedman's

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85th Birthday

Gloria & Michael Froman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cindy & Steve Franklin

Lowell & Rita Goone . . . . . . . . . . . .June Levin

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . on her full recovery

Faye & Arnold Oskin . . . . . . . .Ryan Bowering

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . on his Bar Mitzvah

Illini Pride Family . . . . . . . .The Drucker Family

Barbara & Carl Rish . . . . . . . . . . .Full recovery

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . of June Levin

donor In memory of

Barbara & Robert Agden . . . . .Rosalyn Brown

Barbara & Robert Agdern . . . . .Shirley Agdern

Janette & William Bowers

Karen Gray-Keeler & Tom Keeler

Janet, Bob & Joseph Reed

Marsha Richman & Richard Lanyon

Karen Sherman . . . . . . . . . . .Deborah Graham

Phyllis Cantor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arlene Glaser

Marianna Tax Choldin & Harvey Choldin . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sol Tax

Lotus Greene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Irwin Greene

Karen Gray-Keeler & Tom Keeler . . .Sam Gray

Shirley & Hy Levens . . . . . . . . . . . .Ruth Ellyne

Barbara Nidetz . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Melvin Nidetz

Joyce Knauff

Ronna & Donald Pochter . . . . . .Nancye Kalis

Lawrence Sandler . . . . . . . . . . . .Celia Sandler

Lawrence Sandler . . . . . . . . . . .Joseph Brown

Lawrence Sandler . . . . . . . . . . . . .Katie Brown

Lawrence Sandler . . . . . . . . . .Lorene Sandler

Lawrence Sandler . . . . . . . . . . .Louis Sandler

Janice & Modesto Senra . . . .Arthur Gartzman

Dianne Venet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bess Venet

Dianne Venet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Libby Getz

Lynn, Devin & Trey Zakeri . . . . . .Jenna Zakeri

Lynn, Devin & Trey Zakeri . . . .Rochelle Kreloff

Sherry & John Chn

Lynne Cunningham & Theodore Wysocki

Gloria & Michael Froman

Nancy & Joel Goodman

Sandra & Charles Horberg

Sandy & Sonny Hornberg

Lynne & Marc Kaplan

Jo Ann Kawanaga


Mary Jane & Phillip Klein

Ellen & Jeff Krupp

Jennifer Oppenheimer

Rose & Sam Parker


Georgia & Carl Solovy

Judy Wachtenheim & Joel Bookman

Shapiro Associates . . . . . . . . . . .Terry Berman

SOcIAL SeRVIce FUNd

Provides support for social service

programs within the Temple and

in the surrounding community and

to some individual tzedakah recipients

donor In honor of

April & Morris Levy . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fran Meyer

. . . . . . . . . & the work of the Mitzvah Corp

donor In memory of

Alyce Heman . . . . . . . . . . . .Norman Sussman

Donna Joseph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ben Zeitlin

Morris Levy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Evelyn Levy

Paula Sabin . . . . . . . . . . . . .Betty Helen Giffin

Lawrence Sandler . . . . . . . . . . .Phyllis Sandler

The Reuhs Family . . . . . . . . . .Sadie Sherman

ARNOLd FAmILY edUcATION

eNRIchmeNT FUNd

Provides special programming for TBI schools

($25.00 minimum)

donor In memory of

Arnold Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Herman Yosell

jOSePh ANdeLmAN ISRAeL

SchOLARShIP FUNd

Provides funds to support

student travel to Israel

donor In memory of

Barbara Seaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mary Garbel

Diane Stotland Repkin . . . . . .Samuel Stotland

mORRIS FAmILY FUNd

Provides funds for social action projects

in Skokie and the surrounding communities

donor In honor of

Alan & Karrie Smookler . .Charitable Donation

donor In memory of

Ione & Steve Novak . .Jeanne & Nate Richards

Ione & Steve Novak . . . . . . . .Wendy Richards

FAYe ANd hOWARd RIce

cULTURAL FUNd

Provides funds for cultural programming

donor In memory of

David Rice . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Deborah Graham

David, Adria & Jordan Rice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nancy Weisman Rice

cONTRIBUTIONS (Continued)A minimum contribution of $15.00 (unless otherwise noted) for donation to be acknowledged with a card and published in the bulletin.

Continued on Page 6

heLP US geT IT RIghT!

Please help us recognize your

upcoming simcha correctly in the

Bulletin. If you are planning a bar or bat

mitzvah, aufruf, baby naming or other

life cycle event, please make sure we

know exactly how you want your names

to be listed. Without prior notification,

the Bulletin will list names as they

appear in our official TBI records.

Please contact Barbara Seaver via

email at [email protected] with

your information.

FROm The dIRecTOR OF cONgRegATIONAL LeARNINg

For the last several years TBI has hosted an event

called the Israel Scholarship Dinner and Dessert Auction.

This event is one of the highlights of the TBI year, bringing

together families of all ages, encouraging them to share a

nice meal and then engage in heavy bidding on desserts

baked by some of the best bakers in our community. The

monies raised serve to help children at TBI experience

Israel in all kinds of meaningful ways. This year’s event will

take place on Saturday, February 6th at 6:00 p.m.

This year we have kicked it up a notch. Beginning in the fall of 2016,

every B’nai Mitvah child at TBI will receive a certificate for $500 that can

be used towards an approved Israel program sometime in high school

or college. This is one way that our congregation is declaring that Israel

experiences are such an important priority of our community that we are

willing to help subsidize an educational visit to Israel for each and every

TBI Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

I am very proud of this action taken by our officers and board and I

deeply appreciate their support. I now need yours. Please register for the

dinner by visiting the www.tinyurl.com/tbiskokie. If you are unable to attend,

donations to the Israel Scholarship Fund are welcome and appreciated.

The evening will include a delicious catered Middle Eastern meal, a silent

and live auction, and activities for young children planned and executed by

our fabulous youth groups. And of course, there will be delicious desserts.

Please support this landmark effort in our congregation to insure our high

school students have an Israel experience.

B’Shalom,

Lori B. Sagarin

LORI’S BOOk gROUPLori’s Book Group concludes the season in February

and meets on Sunday morning from 11:00 to 12:00.

The remaining book this season is:

February 28, 2016 Day of Atonement by David Liss

Everyone is welcome to join us for a lively discussion about

this book.

Happy Reading!

chALLAh BRAIdINg WITh PReSIdeNT PeRLIN

On a bitterly cold Sunday morning, January 17, as part of the Adult

Education Sunday morning seminars, future challah braiders of TBI

received instruction about the art of braiding challah – both practical and

intellectual – from TBI President, Linda Perlin. With the able assistance of

Amber Wood, about 20 people first learned about and then learned to

create the lovely centerpiece to a Shabbat meal. Each participant had the

opportunity to braid two challot to take home and bake. The morning

concluded by tasting a challah from the kitchen of the instructor, herself.

The president’s photographer, Richard Perlin, caught much of the

activity in photographs.

Take a look at our NEWLY UPDATED

AWARD WINNING web site at

www.tbiskokie.org. You’ll find loads

of up-to-date, easy to find informa-

tion about worship services, school

schedules, regular programs, and

special events, along with important

phone numbers and other handy

and useful information.

VISIT The TBI WeBSITe

AdULT edUcATION ThINk TANk

Interested in what Adult Education at TBI will look like next year?

Have a great idea for an educational program,

but just not sure how to make it happen?

Join the Adult Education 2016-17 Planning Meeting!

Sunday, February 28th, 2016

Noon to 1:30 P.M. at TBI

Bring your ideas and suggestions

A light lunch will be served, so please respond to: [email protected]

FROm The PReSIdeNT Continued

There continue to be very small pockets of people of Jewish

descent in China. About 500 of these descendants are thought to live

in Kaifeng, a city about 300 miles from Beijing. While the origins of Jews

in China are not clear, they have probably been there since the 9th

century as a result of trading or manufacturing which continued for

about 800 years until the 17th century. Then it began a slow decline,

which accelerated post WWII, due to the communist revolution.

Unfortunately, except for foreign emissaries and business people, there

does not appear to be an organized Jewish community in China today.

(Editor’s note: A few years ago, your editor enjoyed a Passover seder in

Shanghai with about 500 Anglos and almost as many Israelis thanks to

a thriving Chabad House.)

In fact, today there is very little Jewish presence in eastern Asia.

There are very small communities in Japan (Tokyo and Kobe), the

Philippines (Manilla), Hong Kong, and Singapore. Australia is home to

about 90,000 Jews.

I suppose there is a novelty in finding Jews in unexpected places.

Given our small numbers, I am always excited to see where Jewish

communities exist and how they continue to thrive. (Editor’s note: The

official seal of Yale University includes Hebrew script. The words, Urim

and Tumim refer to the items that were kept in the breastplate of the

vestments of the High Priest as first described – but not explained – in

Exodus 28:30.)

So, when you are traveling, whether it is in the United States or

abroad, remember to seek out the Jewish communities, no matter how

large or small. There will always be an interesting story and history

behind the story. And remember to share this information with others to

continue our story.

NANeTTe B. meNdeLSOhN

TRee OF LIFe FUNd

Funds used for the beautification of Temple Beth Israel

donor In honor of

Harriet & Richard Arons

Rozanne & Stephen Epstein . . . . .June Levin, . . . . . . . . . wishing her a speedy recovery


Laura Cooper & Bruce Crane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .birth of Matthew, grandson of . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Linda and Erwin Janush


Rozanne & Stephen Epstein

Joanne Merritt

Sue & Kevin Schneider

Lisa Wynn . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jane and Al Page, . . . . . . . birth of their granddaughter Emily

Rozanne & Stephen Epstein . . . . .Bess Lieber, . . . . . . . . . . in honor of her 100th birthday

Linda and Erwin Janush . . . . . .Harriet Arons, . . . . wishing her a Happy Special Birthday

donor In memory of


Joanne Merritt

Lisa Wynn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Perry Weine

Joanne Merritt

Sue Schneider . . . . . . . . . . . . .David Neuhaus

Joanne Merritt . . . . . . . . . . .Deborah Graham

SIdNeY I. cOLe cAmP SchOLARShIP FUNd

Provides camp scholarships for our students who attend

Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute Camp

donor In honor of

Sisterhood TBI . . . . . . . . . .Erwin Barrington’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Program for Sisterhood

donor In memory of

Michelle & Jeffrey Agrest

Deborah & Jay Shulruff . . . . . . . .Terry Berman

Eunice Burns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fay K. Levine

Eunice Burns . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harry A. Berman

Eunice Burns . . . . . . . . .Joseph Jerry Berman

Eunice Burns . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Minnie Berman

Elaine Fox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Deborah Graham

Elaine Saphier Fox . . . . . . . . . .Rhoda Saphier

Hedy Stone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Benjamin Cole

mUSIc FUNd

Provides funds for music programs

donor In memory of

Patti & Cliff Levy . . . . . . . . . . .Herman Stivack

Richard Rotberg . . . . . . . . . . .Pauline Rotberg

Cynthia Roth Garfield . . . . .Ruth & Jules Roth

RABBI’S dIScReTIONARY FUNd

Provides funds for charitable uses within and outside the congregation

at the discretion of the Rabbi

donor In honor of

Margrit Baerman

Wesley H. Rieger . . . .Rabbi Michael Weinberg

Lee Schur . . . . . . . . .the wedding of grandson . . . . . . . . . . Michael Schur to Felice Watts

cONTRIBUTIONSA minimum contribution of $15.00 (unless otherwise noted) for donation to be acknowledged with a card and published in the bulletin.

ceLeBRATe YOUR SImchAS

AT TemPLe BeTh ISRAeL

Being a member of Temple Beth Israel is like being part of a

large family. When a family simcha occurs, such as a special

anniversary, birthday, baby naming, aufruf or Bar/Bat Mitzvah,

your friends at TBI would love to celebrate with you and help

make your celebration a success. Plan to mark your special

occasion by hosting a Friday night Oneg, and let the Catering

committee make sure every detail is perfect. You can also help

celebrate other simchas by volunteering your time to work with

the catering committee.

To schedule a date and make arrangements for your simcha

or to volunteer your time to help others celebrate, please contact

Linda Lewison (847.677.9369), Judy Kemp (847.475.5569) or

Marcia Satyr (847.679.8673).

All profits from Catering events are donated to the

congregation to support programming and daily operations.

In May 2010 I attended my first Hava Nashira, a

songleading and music education workshop at

OSRUI. Among the great teachers were Jeff Klepper,

Josh Nelson, and Ellen Dreskin. I also had the

opportunity to meet and work with Debbie Friedman.

Learning from Debbie was the experience of a

lifetime. On the last day, I hugged her and told her

that her music has changed my life. She then held me at arms length,

looked straight into my eyes, and told me “Marla, you have changed

my life forever.” I will forever cherish the memories and teachings

of that time, learning Debbie’s music directly from her. Saturday,

January 9, 2016 marked the 5th anniversary of Debbie’s passing. That

Hava Nashira was to be her last.

On the anniversary of her yahrzeit, I chose many of her melodies

during our morning service. We honored Debbie’s memory in

Asher Yatzar, Elohai N’shama, Psalm 150, Mi Chamocha, Kaddish

D’Rabbanan, Mi Shebeirach and many more. Debbie’s musical legacy

is vast and her settings of t’filah (prayer) can be heard in synagogues

of all denominations around the world. In my opinion, she is the most

important and most influential composer of modern Jewish music.

In 2010, upon the release of her 22nd and final album, As You Go

on Your Way, Debbie noted:

Debbie’s gift for creating melody to express sacred text so

poignantly allows everyone who sings and everyone who hears her

music to transcend the mundane and experience the holy. Zichrona

Livracha. May her memory be a blessing.

To learn more about Debbie Friedman z”l, please visit: http://www.

debbiefriedman.com/

Joy & Blessings,

Marla Aviva Bentley

BROTheRhOOd NeWSmIdWeST dUeLINg PIANOS

ReTURNS BY POPULAR demANd

Brotherhood is proud to present the return of Midwest Dueling

Pianos on Saturday, February 27th, from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.

With a repertoire appealing to all generations, this all-request

performance will be a great way to bid good-bye to winter and

welcome the warmer weather of March.

Michael Hornick of Chicago Diner is graciously providing a delicious

dinner. Wine will be served.

Tickets are just $30 in advance and $40 at the door. Angel

sponsorships, which include two tickets, are available for $100.

For tickets, please contact David Spector at davidscottspector

@gmail.com or 847-983-4398.

David Levinson & Ted Lavine

Brotherhood Co-Presidents

SISTeRhOOd NeWS SISTERHOOD MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON

As Women of Reform Judaism, we came together November 4

through 8, 2015 at the WRJ Assembly/URJ Biennial. With approxi-

mately 400 WRJ delegates and more than 5,000 congregational

delegates in all, we were led by President Blair Marks and URJ

President Rabbi Rick Jacobs in a spiritual, educational, and life

changing biennial.

We were inspired by services that reflected the beauty of prayer,

the spiritual uplifting through both traditional and contemporary music

led by cantors, song leaders, and a remarkable choir. We attended

workshops that educated, motivated, inspired, and enlightened lay

people and professionals. The words of Rabbi Jacobs let us know that

the Reform Movement is and will continue to be important to the

future of the entire Jewish people and, in fact, to the entire world.

Among the tremendous variety of insightful speakers was Lilly

Ledbetter, the plaintiff in the American employment discrimination

case Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. who has become a

women's equality activist. Actor Michael Douglas served on the Panel

on Audacious Hospitality moderated by Jodi Kantor, New York Times

journalist and author. Vice President Joe Biden, speaking at the joint

plenary on Saturday evening, gave voice to many issues faced by

sisterhoods and synagogues. His words were often directed at the

NFTY delegates whom he empowered with the future of our

movement. He also spoke of the support of Israel by the United

States, Israel's strongest ally.

During the WRJ Plenary sessions, we passed constitutional

changes, including:

• Women are now permitted to join WRJ as individuals.

• Distance/electronic voting of delegates will be allowed for the

Legislative Body of WRJ, for those sisterhoods that cannot send

delegates to the meeting of this body.

• The Fried Leadership Conference will become the format for the

meeting of the Legislative Body. The Biennial and Assembly will

be directly integrated and no longer parallel conferences.

• Executive committee and board members will now each hold a

3-year term.

Also passed at our Plenary were resolutions on Pay Equity,

Distracted Driving, and Paid Family and Medical Leave.

The impact of WRJ is far reaching. Audacious Hospitality has

become the key conviction of both URJ and WRJ. Although the

Midwest District did an outstanding job of being hospitable at the

dinner and meeting hosted by the District at the biennial, we

recognize that there are always ways to improve.

If you were unable to attend and have a moment, you can go to

YouTube to view the Women of Reform Judaism highlight videos that

reflect the spirit of the Assembly as well as the speech by Vice

President Biden.

As a first-timer, Gale reported:

Gale Nudelman and Linn Ullenbrauck

Delegates to WRJ Biennial 2015

SISTeRhOOd ANNIVeRSARIeS ANd BIRThdAYS

MARCH ANNIVERSARIES

Judi and Cary Weinstein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/2/1996

Shirley and Hy Levens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/3/1946

Mary Anne and Raymond Wexler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/5/1967

Paula and Daniel Sabin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..3/14/1993

Gladys Brina and Lory Merritt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/22/2015

Shana and Matthew Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/25/2001

Lisa Gelfond and Gary Manning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/26/2000

Rita and Lowell Goone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/27/1955

Andrea and David Yelin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/5/1967

Deborah and Jay Shulruf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/29/1980

MARCH BIRTHDAYS

Shelley Stone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/2

Aviva Sadkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/4

Devy Weitzman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/4

Rea Robin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/6

Eunice Burns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/8

Marsha Richman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/8

Louise Starkman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/8

Margie Goldzweig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/9

Tanya Frid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/11

Joan Hakimi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/11

Florence Berman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/13

Roslyne Heimann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/17

Susan Derex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/19

Ione Novak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/19

Linda Perlin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3/21

Sandy Sabin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/21

Diane Venet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/24

Elaine Clearfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/25

Dale Cone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/26

Sharon Glaser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/26

Ruth Dauber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/27

Ardel Fogel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/28

Andrea Blain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/30

Lee Schur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3/30

Would you like to celebrate simchas and benefit Sisterhood TBI?

Send a Uniongram, $2.00 each, by contacting: Sharon Levine,

[email protected], 847-965-5382; or Paula Sabin, paulalsabin@

gmail.com, 847-687-5108.

Chai NOTeS FROm The mUSIc dIRecTOR

U P C O M I N G S I S T E R H O O D E V E N T S

February 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Demystifying Hospice Care

February 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Board Meeting

February 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Evening Book Club

February 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Craft Night

March 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Open Meeting – Censorship in Russia

March 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .T’Fillot Nashim

March 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Board Meeting

March 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Trivia Night Spring Fundraiser

UPCOM I NG B R OTHE R HOOD E V E NTS

February 15, 7:00 p.m. . .Brotherhood Executive Board Meeting

February 27, 6:00 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dinner & Dueling Pianos

March 23, 4:00 p.m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Purim Carnival

ATTeNTION jOURNALISTS ANd

ASPIRINg jOURNALISTS!

Reminder: Material for the bulletin

is due electronically to Barbara Seaver at

[email protected] on the 10th of the

month prior to publication. If you do not have

access to a computer, please submit paper

copy to the Temple office by the 7th of the

month prior to publication so that it can be

transcribed and sent by the 10th. The deadline

for the March bulletin is February 10.

eVeNINg SISTeRhOOd BOOk gROUP

The Sisterhood Evening Book Discussion

Group will meet on Wednesday, February 17th

at 7:00 p.m. at Temple in the Cohn Library to

discuss Such Good Girls by R.D. Rosen.

This is a story of the generation of hidden child

survivors told through the true experiences of

three Jewish girls from Poland, Holland, and

France who transcended their traumatic child-

hoods to lead remarkable lives in America.

New members are welcome. The book is available at the public

library. Please RSVP to Linda Crohn, [email protected] or Jane Page,

[email protected].

The purpose of prayer is to be able to transcend the traffic

and the hustle of the daily routine – to begin the day by

acknowledging the magic of each day, the miracle of our

lives, our bodies, our breath and our minds. Once we can

begin to appreciate ourselves as living breathing miracles,

we can celebrate and give thanks to The Creator of All That

Was, All That Is, and All That Will Be.

Words do not do justice to this experience. To pray in a room

with 5,000 Reform Jews … was remarkable… How do you

get 5,000 Reform Jews in one room to be quiet? You put

Vice President Joe Biden in front of them. He was beyond

eloquent, educational, and often quite funny…The work-

shops, lunch meetings, dinners, and evening socializing

made for long but rewarding days with old and new friends.

I can't thank Sisterhood Temple Beth Israel enough for

giving me the opportunity to attend this year. The next

Biennial is in Boston in 2017… I hope to see you there.

SAVE THE DATES!

SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2016, 10:30 A.M.

T'FILLOT NASHIM SHABBAT SERVICEFOLLOWED BY KIDDUSH LUNCHEON

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2016, 2:00 P.M.WOMEN'S SEDER

INCLUDES LIGHT SEDER APPETIZERS

LIkRAT ShABBAT SPONSORS

On the first, third, and fifth Friday of each month our worship is

Kabbalat Shabbat (welcoming Shabbat) at 6:15 p.m. This short

service filled with Shabbat songs and music is preceded at 5:30 p.m.

by Likrat Shabbat when we approach Shabbat by greeting friends

and enjoying a “nosh” together.

We invite you to host Likrat Shabbat in celebration of a family

simcha or other special event. Please contact Flo Berman at

847.673.9191 for information on underwriting the cost of food and

refreshments for Likrat Shabbat.

FROm The dIRecTOR OF cONgRegATIONAL LeARNINg

For the last several years TBI has hosted an event

called the Israel Scholarship Dinner and Dessert Auction.

This event is one of the highlights of the TBI year, bringing

together families of all ages, encouraging them to share a

nice meal and then engage in heavy bidding on desserts

baked by some of the best bakers in our community. The

monies raised serve to help children at TBI experience

Israel in all kinds of meaningful ways. This year’s event will

take place on Saturday, February 6th at 6:00 p.m.

This year we have kicked it up a notch. Beginning in the fall of 2016,

every B’nai Mitvah child at TBI will receive a certificate for $500 that can

be used towards an approved Israel program sometime in high school

or college. This is one way that our congregation is declaring that Israel

experiences are such an important priority of our community that we are

willing to help subsidize an educational visit to Israel for each and every

TBI Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

I am very proud of this action taken by our officers and board and I

deeply appreciate their support. I now need yours. Please register for the

dinner by visiting the www.tinyurl.com/tbiskokie. If you are unable to attend,

donations to the Israel Scholarship Fund are welcome and appreciated.

The evening will include a delicious catered Middle Eastern meal, a silent

and live auction, and activities for young children planned and executed by

our fabulous youth groups. And of course, there will be delicious desserts.

Please support this landmark effort in our congregation to insure our high

school students have an Israel experience.

B’Shalom,

Lori B. Sagarin

LORI’S BOOk gROUPLori’s Book Group concludes the season in February

and meets on Sunday morning from 11:00 to 12:00.

The remaining book this season is:

February 28, 2016 Day of Atonement by David Liss

Everyone is welcome to join us for a lively discussion about

this book.

Happy Reading!

chALLAh BRAIdINg WITh PReSIdeNT PeRLIN

On a bitterly cold Sunday morning, January 17, as part of the Adult

Education Sunday morning seminars, future challah braiders of TBI

received instruction about the art of braiding challah – both practical and

intellectual – from TBI President, Linda Perlin. With the able assistance of

Amber Wood, about 20 people first learned about and then learned to

create the lovely centerpiece to a Shabbat meal. Each participant had the

opportunity to braid two challot to take home and bake. The morning

concluded by tasting a challah from the kitchen of the instructor, herself.

The president’s photographer, Richard Perlin, caught much of the

activity in photographs.

Take a look at our NEWLY UPDATED

AWARD WINNING web site at

www.tbiskokie.org. You’ll find loads

of up-to-date, easy to find informa-

tion about worship services, school

schedules, regular programs, and

special events, along with important

phone numbers and other handy

and useful information.

VISIT The TBI WeBSITe

AdULT edUcATION ThINk TANk

Interested in what Adult Education at TBI will look like next year?

Have a great idea for an educational program,

but just not sure how to make it happen?

Join the Adult Education 2016-17 Planning Meeting!

Sunday, February 28th, 2016

Noon to 1:30 P.M. at TBI

Bring your ideas and suggestions

A light lunch will be served, so please respond to: [email protected]

FROm The PReSIdeNT Continued

There continue to be very small pockets of people of Jewish

descent in China. About 500 of these descendants are thought to live

in Kaifeng, a city about 300 miles from Beijing. While the origins of Jews

in China are not clear, they have probably been there since the 9th

century as a result of trading or manufacturing which continued for

about 800 years until the 17th century. Then it began a slow decline,

which accelerated post WWII, due to the communist revolution.

Unfortunately, except for foreign emissaries and business people, there

does not appear to be an organized Jewish community in China today.

(Editor’s note: A few years ago, your editor enjoyed a Passover seder in

Shanghai with about 500 Anglos and almost as many Israelis thanks to

a thriving Chabad House.)

In fact, today there is very little Jewish presence in eastern Asia.

There are very small communities in Japan (Tokyo and Kobe), the

Philippines (Manilla), Hong Kong, and Singapore. Australia is home to

about 90,000 Jews.

I suppose there is a novelty in finding Jews in unexpected places.

Given our small numbers, I am always excited to see where Jewish

communities exist and how they continue to thrive. (Editor’s note: The

official seal of Yale University includes Hebrew script. The words, Urim

and Tumim refer to the items that were kept in the breastplate of the

vestments of the High Priest as first described – but not explained – in

Exodus 28:30.)

So, when you are traveling, whether it is in the United States or

abroad, remember to seek out the Jewish communities, no matter how

large or small. There will always be an interesting story and history

behind the story. And remember to share this information with others to

continue our story.

NANeTTe B. meNdeLSOhN

TRee OF LIFe FUNd

Funds used for the beautification of Temple Beth Israel

donor In honor of


Rozanne & Stephen Epstein . . . . .June Levin, . . . . . . . . . wishing her a speedy recovery


Laura Cooper & Bruce Crane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .birth of Matthew, grandson of . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Linda and Erwin Janush


Rozanne & Stephen Epstein

Joanne Merritt

Sue & Kevin Schneider

Lisa Wynn . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jane and Al Page, . . . . . . . birth of their granddaughter Emily

Rozanne & Stephen Epstein . . . . .Bess Lieber, . . . . . . . . . . in honor of her 100th birthday

Linda and Erwin Janush . . . . . .Harriet Arons, . . . . wishing her a Happy Special Birthday

donor In memory of


Joanne Merritt

Lisa Wynn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Perry Weine

Joanne Merritt

Sue Schneider . . . . . . . . . . . . .David Neuhaus

Joanne Merritt . . . . . . . . . . .Deborah Graham

SIdNeY I. cOLe cAmP SchOLARShIP FUNd

Provides camp scholarships for our students who attend

Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute Camp

donor In honor of

Sisterhood TBI . . . . . . . . . .Erwin Barrington’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Program for Sisterhood

donor In memory of

Michelle & Jeffrey Agrest

Deborah & Jay Shulruff . . . . . . . .Terry Berman

Eunice Burns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fay K. Levine

Eunice Burns . . . . . . . . . . . . .Harry A. Berman

Eunice Burns . . . . . . . . .Joseph Jerry Berman

Eunice Burns . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Minnie Berman

Elaine Fox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Deborah Graham

Elaine Saphier Fox . . . . . . . . . .Rhoda Saphier

Hedy Stone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Benjamin Cole

mUSIc FUNd

Provides funds for music programs

donor In memory of

Patti & Cliff Levy . . . . . . . . . . .Herman Stivack

Richard Rotberg . . . . . . . . . . .Pauline Rotberg

Cynthia Roth Garfield . . . . .Ruth & Jules Roth

RABBI’S dIScReTIONARY FUNd

Provides funds for charitable uses within and outside the congregation

at the discretion of the Rabbi

donor In honor of

Margrit Baerman

Wesley H. Rieger . . . .Rabbi Michael Weinberg

Lee Schur . . . . . . . . .the wedding of grandson . . . . . . . . . . Michael Schur to Felice Watts

cONTRIBUTIONSA minimum contribution of $15.00 (unless otherwise noted) for donation to be acknowledged with a card and published in the bulletin.

ceLeBRATe YOUR SImchAS

AT TemPLe BeTh ISRAeL

Being a member of Temple Beth Israel is like being part of a

large family. When a family simcha occurs, such as a special

anniversary, birthday, baby naming, aufruf or Bar/Bat Mitzvah,

your friends at TBI would love to celebrate with you and help

make your celebration a success. Plan to mark your special

occasion by hosting a Friday night Oneg, and let the Catering

committee make sure every detail is perfect. You can also help

celebrate other simchas by volunteering your time to work with

the catering committee.

To schedule a date and make arrangements for your simcha

or to volunteer your time to help others celebrate, please contact

Linda Lewison (847.677.9369), Judy Kemp (847.475.5569) or

Marcia Satyr (847.679.8673).

All profits from Catering events are donated to the

congregation to support programming and daily operations.

IN The TemPLe FAmILYMAZEL TOV TO:

Patti and David Krivo on the birth of their grandson, Maxwell Aaron,born to Eliza Krivo and Justin Stubbs.

Sue and Jim Cohn and Gene Lerner on the marriage of their son /grandson, Lee Cohn to Jennifer Broughton.

Lee Schur on the marriage of her grandson Michael Schur.

Trudy Isbitz Brodsky on the birth of her new grandson, BenjaminStanley Brodsky, born to Julie and Harry Brodsky.

ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY:

The following Temple members are recovering from recent illness orsurgery: Adam Bass, son of Jackie Bass; and Laverne Shavel. We wishthem a speedy recovery.

CONDOLENCES:

We note with sorrow the passing of Perry Weine, brother of Kenneth Weine; Katherine Z. Glaser, mother of Robert Glaser;Marjorie Frederick, mother of Steve Frederick; and Alan Zoot, father ofour faculty member and B’nai Mitzvah tutor Shari Granat. May their memories be a blessing.

cONgRegATIONAL ThANkS

Thank you, thank you to Flo Berman, Linda Lewison, and your committee for your patience, your wonderful choice of snacks, yourvery hard work, your expertise in making the room so perfect and sofestive. Everything not only looked inviting, but also tasted delicious. Iam very grateful to all of you.

Thank you to Marla Aviva Bentley for the very enjoyable musicalservice and the young man who accompanied you. To all of you, whocontributed to a most memorable evening, THANK YOU!

To my extended congregation family, I hope you enjoyed theevening. Thank you for participating in this festive occasion with me.And those of you who sent cards to me, thank you. I’m so lucky to bepart of Temple Beth Israel.

Lillian Rubenstein

A SAFe PLAce – By Nina Henry

There are those of us who feel we need to keep quiet. Due to societal stigma and shame, there are some problems we just do nottalk about. Issues of abuse tend to fall into this category – a silent subject. Perhaps one of the things that keep these people silent is their uncertainty. “If I told someone, would they know what to do?Would they keep my secret?”

Temple Beth Israel has entered into a partnership with Jewish Childand Family Services/JCARES (Jewish Community Abuse Resources,Education, and Solutions), to insure that one can feel comfortable seeking help for problems related to abuse. Partnership for SaferSynagogues, a program of JCARES, provides an organized, efficientprogram that concentrates on safe and healthy families and relation-ships for congregational leadership. The program covers a multitude oftopics that can adversely impact women, men, children, and familiessuch as intimate partner abuse, child abuse, teen dating violence, substance abuse, and elder abuse.

This program consists of three learning sessions offered to the professional staff and lay leaders of a synagogue with the goal ofinforming policy and programming. In December a small group, includ-ing Rabbi Weinberg, Lori Sagarin, and members of the congregationwho represent specific constituencies in the congregation, met for thefirst of the three learning sessions. This first session involved learningabout child abuse. There will be two more sessions and we will receiveongoing technical support from the Safer Synagogue staff as we craftour policies and programming.

While we can all feel confident that our professional and lay leadership have considerable knowledge and have already dealt effectively with difficult issues in the past, this program will deepen ourknowledge, influence our policy-making, and give us ideas about howto expand learning opportunities for the entire congregation.

Temple Beth Israel is a home away from home and a community ofcaring. It is also a safe place that we can count on in times of need.

FROm The PReSIdeNTjUdAISm AROUNd The WORLd

We were speaking with our son Jonathan upon his

return from a 2-week hiking trip that took him to some

remote areas of Patagonia. In one of his photos is a

sign on a hostel written in Hebrew that phonetically

is pronounced as “hostel.” It led me to think about

a Jewish presence in unexpected places around

the world. While I am aware that South America is a

popular destination for young Israelis during the

period between their military service and attending university, I was still

surprised to see that Hebrew sign in a very non-Jewish place.

Jews represent less than 3% of the population in the United States.

Yet we seem to have a disproportionate effect in the areas of medicine,

science, business, and the arts. In the entire world, Jews represent far

less than 0.5% of the population. Israel and the United States each have

about 6 million Jews.

When I think of geographical areas with Jewish influence, I think of

larger urban areas of the United States and Europe. However, it is the

unusual and unlikely places for finding a Jewish presence that are most

interesting. On a recent trip to one of the more secluded areas of north-

ern California, we saw the sign below in the town of Fort Bragg, north of

Mendocino. While it turns out this is a Messianic Congregation, we were

intrigued by the Israeli flag, symbols, and Jewish-sounding name.

Then I wondered, if we traveled all the way north to Alaska, what

would we discover? Not in an urban area like Anchorage where the

existence of a business and professional community might lend itself to

a Jewish presence, but all the way inland to Fairbanks, a legendary

place of the Alaskan gold rush. It turns out Congregation Or HaTzafon

(Northern Light) is located in Fairbanks, Alaska. The Jewish community

started there in 1904. During the Second World War, the Alaskan Jewish

community increased in size due to the military presence. As the military

presence declined, starting in the 1970s, the small community had to

become self-reliant and they were able to start a Congregation in the

1980s. (Editor’s note: Michael Chabon sets his book, The Yiddish

Policemen’s Union in Alaska. It’s a great read!)

Many people are familiar with the small community of about 2,000

Abayudaya Jews who live in Uganda. In spite of their isolation and their

uncertain beginnings, the form of Judaism they practice is remarkably

similar to established Jewish traditions. (Editor’s note: At the Sixth

Zionist Congress at Basel on August 26, 1903, Herzl proposed the

British Uganda Program as a temporary refuge for Jews in Russia in

immediate danger which was formally declared by the British

Government three days later. The Uganda Program was finally rejected

by the Zionist movement at the Seventh Zionist Congress in 1905.)

By Linda PerlinRABBI’S dIScReTIONARY FUNd

Continued

donor In memory of

Wendy & Marc Raven . . . . . . .Bernard Merritt

Melvin Alexander . . . . . . . . . .Louis Felsenthal

Carole Arenson . . . . . . . . . .Florence Strusiner

Bena Bloom & Family . . . . . . . . . .Robert Buzil

Iris & Jim Friedlieb . . . . . . . . . .Walter Friedlieb

Betsy Fuchs . . . . . . . . .Leonard & Rose Fuchs

Joyce Gartzman

Barbara & Stephen Miller

Ione & Steve Novak

Wendy & Marc Raven . . . . . . . . .Terry Berman

Ellen & Jeff Krupp . . . . . . . . . .Maurie Berman

Ione & Steve Novak

Wendy & Marc Raven . . . . . .Deborah Graham

Gale Nudelman . . . . . . . . . . . .David Neuhaus

Eleanor & Ed Rosen . . . . . . . . . . .Harry Rosen

Eleanor & Ed Rosen . . . . . . . . . .Leona Haber

Lawrence Sandler . . . . . . . . . .Charles Sandler

Alice Solovy . . . . . . . . . . . .Jerome R. Marcus

Karen & Thomas Weidner . . . . . . .Louis Stock

Lina & William Wenger . . . . . . . .David Ermann

Alyssa Young & Family . . . . . . . .Nancye Kalis

TORAh FUNd

Provides support for all Temple programs

donor In memory of


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Deborah Graham

Judith & David Schiffman . . .Deborah Graham


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dr. Herschel Bornstein


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ruth Haas Bornstein


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Terry Berman

Sofia & Naum Ligum . . . . . . . . . . .Riva Kogan

Patricia & Joseph Terry . . . . . . . .Nancye Kalis

edUcATION FUNd

Provides funds for Jewish education at TBI

donor In honor of

The Book Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .June Levin's

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Continued Good Health

Julie Dorfman & Jerry Herst . . . . .Kindness to

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ilse Herst

Marlene & Bob Drucker . . . .Arthur Friedman's

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85th Birthday

Gloria & Michael Froman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cindy & Steve Franklin

Lowell & Rita Goone . . . . . . . . . . . .June Levin

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . on her full recovery

Faye & Arnold Oskin . . . . . . . .Ryan Bowering

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . on his Bar Mitzvah

Illini Pride Family . . . . . . . .The Drucker Family

Barbara & Carl Rish . . . . . . . . . . .Full recovery

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . of June Levin

donor In memory of

Barbara & Robert Agden . . . . .Rosalyn Brown

Barbara & Robert Agdern . . . . .Shirley Agdern

Janette & William Bowers


Janet, Bob & Joseph Reed


Karen Sherman . . . . . . . . . . .Deborah Graham

Phyllis Cantor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arlene Glaser

Marianna Tax Choldin & Harvey Choldin . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sol Tax

Lotus Greene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Irwin Greene

Karen Gray-Keeler & Tom Keeler . . .Sam Gray

Shirley & Hy Levens . . . . . . . . . . . .Ruth Ellyne

Barbara Nidetz . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Melvin Nidetz

Joyce Knauff

Ronna & Donald Pochter . . . . . .Nancye Kalis

Lawrence Sandler . . . . . . . . . . . .Celia Sandler

Lawrence Sandler . . . . . . . . . . .Joseph Brown

Lawrence Sandler . . . . . . . . . . . . .Katie Brown

Lawrence Sandler . . . . . . . . . .Lorene Sandler

Lawrence Sandler . . . . . . . . . . .Louis Sandler

Janice & Modesto Senra . . . .Arthur Gartzman

Dianne Venet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bess Venet

Dianne Venet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Libby Getz

Lynn, Devin & Trey Zakeri . . . . . .Jenna Zakeri

Lynn, Devin & Trey Zakeri . . . .Rochelle Kreloff

Sherry & John Chn

Lynne Cunningham & Theodore Wysocki

Gloria & Michael Froman

Nancy & Joel Goodman

Sandra & Charles Horberg

Sandy & Sonny Hornberg

Lynne & Marc Kaplan

Jo Ann Kawanaga


Mary Jane & Phillip Klein

Ellen & Jeff Krupp

Jennifer Oppenheimer

Rose & Sam Parker


Georgia & Carl Solovy

Judy Wachtenheim & Joel Bookman

Shapiro Associates . . . . . . . . . . .Terry Berman

SOcIAL SeRVIce FUNd

Provides support for social service

programs within the Temple and

in the surrounding community and

to some individual tzedakah recipients

donor In honor of

April & Morris Levy . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fran Meyer

. . . . . . . . . & the work of the Mitzvah Corp

donor In memory of

Alyce Heman . . . . . . . . . . . .Norman Sussman

Donna Joseph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ben Zeitlin

Morris Levy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Evelyn Levy

Paula Sabin . . . . . . . . . . . . .Betty Helen Giffin

Lawrence Sandler . . . . . . . . . . .Phyllis Sandler

The Reuhs Family . . . . . . . . . .Sadie Sherman

ARNOLd FAmILY edUcATION

eNRIchmeNT FUNd

Provides special programming for TBI schools

($25.00 minimum)

donor In memory of

Arnold Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Herman Yosell

jOSePh ANdeLmAN ISRAeL

SchOLARShIP FUNd

Provides funds to support

student travel to Israel

donor In memory of

Barbara Seaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mary Garbel

Diane Stotland Repkin . . . . . .Samuel Stotland

mORRIS FAmILY FUNd

Provides funds for social action projects

in Skokie and the surrounding communities

donor In honor of

Alan & Karrie Smookler . .Charitable Donation

donor In memory of

Ione & Steve Novak . .Jeanne & Nate Richards

Ione & Steve Novak . . . . . . . .Wendy Richards

FAYe ANd hOWARd RIce

cULTURAL FUNd

Provides funds for cultural programming

donor In memory of

David Rice . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Deborah Graham

David, Adria & Jordan Rice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nancy Weisman Rice

cONTRIBUTIONS (Continued)A minimum contribution of $15.00 (unless otherwise noted) for donation to be acknowledged with a card and published in the bulletin.

Continued on Page 6

heLP US geT IT RIghT!

Please help us recognize your

upcoming simcha correctly in the

Bulletin. If you are planning a bar or bat

mitzvah, aufruf, baby naming or other

life cycle event, please make sure we

know exactly how you want your names

to be listed. Without prior notification,

the Bulletin will list names as they

appear in our official TBI records.

Please contact Barbara Seaver via

email at [email protected] with

your information.



See box below for Birthday Contributors


February Birthday Blessings


Baby naming of the granddaughter of Bonnie and Philip Gorelick

Kiddush luncheon sponsored by Jessica and David Gorelick

In honor of the naming of their daughter

Torah Portion “Mishpatim”


6:00 P.M. Shalom Shabbat


Bat Mitzvah of Lauren Hersh

Daughter of Deborah and Michael Hersh

Torah Portion “Terumah”





12:00 P.M. Shabbat Lunch and Learn

Torah Portion “Tetzaveh”


Rabbis’ Yahrzeits

6:00 P.M. Shabbat B’Yachad


Shabbat Shira

Torah Portion “Ki Tisa”

ShABBAT Friday evening, march 4*



March Birthday Blessings

ShABBAT Saturday morning, march 5 at 10:30 A.m.

T’fillot Nashim with Koleynu

Shabbat Shekalim

Torah Portion “Vayakhel”

*Please note time

February 2016 Shvat – Adar 5776 Volume 99 Number 5

January 31, 2016 marked the 98th

anniversary of Temple Beth Israel’s official

incorporation in the State of Illinois. That means

we are only two years away from our 100th

anniversary. A centennial is certainly a reason

for joyous celebration as we look back on all

that we have accomplished over these many

years. But even more, it is an impetus to look,

with hope, to the bright and promising future. We can surely be

proudly moored in our history but we ought not to be mired in it.

Our congregation President, Linda Perlin, will soon be appointing a

special Centennial committee to envision and then implement all of

the programming that will accompany our 100th year. As a first step,

Linda has appointed an ad hoc committee on Long Range Financial

Sustainability. Ably chaired by Dale Cone and Bill Levy, this ad hoc

committee has already begun the task of charting our course into the

future. They are creating three sub-committees that will develop and

implement plans to keep us fiscally stable in the near term, mid-term,

and long term.

In the near term, the first sub-committee will examine our annual

revenue stream with particular attention to our dues structure. By

looking at the experiences of other congregations across the country,

by consulting with experts, and by engaging our members in

conversation, this sub-committee will determine whether there might

be a better way to meet our annual expenses while being sensitive to

the needs and abilities of all our members.

In the mid-term, the second sub-committee will craft a plan to

create an endowment fund for the future. What better time than our

100th anniversary to stage a campaign to build up the kind of reserve

that can sustain us through the coming decades?

And in the long term, the third sub-committee will investigate

various instruments that will allow any and all of us to provide for our

congregation even after our demise, through bequests and other

financial vehicles.

I have no doubt that we will be hearing more from all of these

sub-committees, as well as the special Centennial committee, over the

coming months. They will engage us all and help all of us tell the story

of where we have been and write the story of where we are going. Our

hundredth birthday ought to celebrate our moorings and also our reach

into the future – our reach as individuals, our reach as serious and

committed Reform Jews, and our reach as a sacred congregational

community. I can’t wait to see the cake!!

Rabbi’s ColumnShabbat Services

DATED MATERIAL — PLEASE RUSH

Change Service Requested

Temple Beth Israel Bulletin (USPS 537-480)Published Monthly by

3601 W. Dempster Street • Skokie, Illinois 60076847.675.0951 • www.tbiskokie.org

Michael A.Weinberg, RabbiLori B.Sagarin, RJE, Director of Congregational Learning

Marla Aviva Bentley, Music DirectorLinda Perlin, President

Ernst M. Lorge, Rabbi Emeritus*S. Felix Mendelsohn, Founding Rabbi*

*of Blessed Memory

Printed by Total Graphics

P E R I O D I CA L P O STAG E PA I D AT S KO K I E , I L

We would like to thank Marianna Tax Choldin and Robin Winer

who made donations for the Likrat Shabbat on February 5 in honor

of their February birthdays. We would also like to thank Bill Klopsch

and Debbie Talsky who made donations in honor of their December

birthdays; and Harriet Arons, Ernst Heimann, Linda Lewison, and

Gary Zimmerman who made donations in honor of their January

birthdays.

At the Kabbalat Shabbat service on December 9th our newest TBI members were welcomed. Each member household received a gift bag

which included a Sisterhood Cook Book, Hanukkah cookie cutters, recipes, and more. To date 12 new member households have joined our

TBI community. Those who were able to attend are pictured here (with the beautiful – and delicious – welcome cake).

LIkRAT ShABBAT

TBI WeLcOmeS NeW memBeRS

VISIT OUR LIBRARYCome and visit the Cohn Library located

on the lower level. Take time browsing through

our wonderful collection then check out your

selections. You will be glad you did!

Rebecca Kohn and her son Asher Sari and Brian Owen

and their children Julian, Eden, and Iris

Julie Selig and Mitchell Ehrlich

and their son Andrew

Michele Orenstein and her son Jacob

Paula and Jay Broutman

and their children Jack, Lilly, and Max

periodical postage paid at skokie, il temple beth israel ... · proudly moored in our history but...

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