On Friday, August 24, over 150 congregants gathered to celebrate the “happiest shabbat of all!” Members enjoyed appetizers and schmoozing along with music provided by Hazzan Tisser and friends. After shabbat services, guests were greeted by smiling emoji balloons and decor as they enjoyed a summer-time dinner straight from the grill. Our youngest members and their parents brought in shabbat “emo-jew” style with Ali Drumm, Marah Altenberg and Jeff Baden.
A special shout out to all who helped out on this event: Pam Schlosberg, Holly Reinsdorf, Rebecca Jacobson, Debbie Fox, Jackie Mellinger, Melissa Halperin, Hazzan Tisser, Abby Lasky, and Avram Pachter.
It was a beautiful summer night to enjoy food and cocktails on the Beth El patio. Members noshed and mingled before heading into the Blumberg for a fabulous performance by the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band! Hazzan Tisser joined the band to sing several songs, before the band switched to dance music and brought the crowd to the dance floor. Click HERE if you would like to watch the entire concert.
On July 26, Beth El members and friends of all ages were treated to an exciting and energetic performance from the Israeli Scouts Tzofim Friendship Caravan. Ten Israeli scouts from all over Israel danced and sang to new and familiar tunes. They shared their personal stories, as well as pride for their birthplace and its 70 year history. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to host these amazing young people. If you missed them this year, be sure to catch them next year!
40 members of NSS Beth El gathered at Ravinia on a beautiful Monday night in July to enjoy the music of George Gershwin. It was so successful, we are already discussing plans to do it next year!
Surprising all who attended our Kabbalat Shabbat reception on Friday, a chilly overcast day suddenly became a picture perfect one! Over 70 congregants gathered on our back patio and had the pleasure of listening to eight guitarists and a violin player “jam” to a variety of Shabbat melodies. Delicious food and drink added to a wonderful pre-Shabbat event.
On Tuesday, June 5th, Rabbi Nolan Lebovitz, a former Beth El congregant joined us to screen his new documentary “Roadmap Jerusalem.” The documentary tracks the connection of Jerusalem to the Jewish people by exploring the biblical, archaeological and political history of the city.
Rabbi Nolan Lebovitz initially began creating the documentary to encourage the American Jewish community to advocate for Jerusalem. Over the course of production, Rabbi Lebovitz came to realize that only under the control of the modern state of Israel can all religions have unfettered access to their holy sites. Therefore, the documentary really makes an argument for all people – of all religions – to support and fight for Israeli control of Jerusalem.
The screening was followed by a Q&A and discussion with Rabbi Lebovitz and Rabbi Kurtz. We wish Rabbi Lebovitz great success with his film. If you would like to learn more about the film, click here.
On Sunday, June 3rd, nearly seventy B’Yachad donors and Ner Tamid members enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres (provided by our own Circle of Life Catering) in the Blumberg auditorium, followed by a special program in the Grossinger Brickman Activity Center led by Mort Steinberg.
Chaired by Larry Pachter, Chairman of the Ner Tamid Society, and Stuart Hochwert, Vice President of Finance, this event was a donor recognition and thank you event for these special groups.
Mort Steinberg, Beth El historian, gave a presentation on “The Mansion and the Mavins – the Beginnings of NSSBE,” which was a preview of his forthcoming book “Tradition by the Lake: A Historical Outline of North Suburban Synagogue Beth El,” which will be available at our Anniversary Gala Dinner on November 4th, when we honor Rabbi Vernon and Bryna Kurtz.
*B’Yachad is an all-encompassing annual gift of $10,000 to NSSBE that includes synagogue dues, Fair Share donation, Kol Nidre Appeal donation, two extra High Holiday tickets and two tickets to our annual fundraiser.
*The Ner Tamid Society is a recognition society that honors those who have included NSSBE in their wills or estate plans.
For information about B’Yachad and Ner Tamid, please contact Judy Berkeley, Director of Development, at (847) 432-0703 or jberkeley@nssbethel.org
On Friday, May 25th, over one hundred Beth El members, many of whom had observed their B’nai Mitzvah or Confirmation ceremonies at Beth El, joined together for a celebratory weekend. The night began with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on the patio, followed by Kabbalat Shabbat services and dinner. Over 30 people participated in services Friday and Saturday.
A special exhibit is now on display through June 3 in the Rissman Kol Ami Collection gallery showcasing B’nai Mitzvah celebrations at Beth El over the past 70 years. We invite everyone to stop by and take a look at the photos, albums, invitations, and other memorabilia, as well as ritual items from the Collection which have been donated in honor of these milestones in our congregants’ lives. This exhibit is a wonderful tribute to the history of Beth El, its members, and clergy.
A curious thing happened at Beth El on Friday…we had some unusual visitors attend and lead our Jeans and Jammies Shabbat! There was nothing but ear to ear smiles all around as some of our youngest members were greeted and high-fived by none other than Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat! Together we shared songs, prayers, stories, crafts, and a great meal that included bananas (for George)! Incase you missed it, here are some great photos of all the activities. Stay tuned for more Jeans and Jammies with exciting guests in the future.
Last night the Beth El Sisterhood and Men’s Club hosted their annual dinner featuring a presentation by Rabbi Kurtz. This final dinner featured a talk entitled: Reflections on 42 years in the Rabbinate, and 30 years at Beth El.
A pre-event wine reception was hosted by Mayer Stiebel and Cara Madansky-Stiebel. Over 260 members came together to hear Rabbi Kurtz speak and share his thoughts on his personal and professional journey as a Rabbi. If you would like to watch a video of this presentation, click here.
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