Learning with Lox

Sunday March 21                       I.D. 106

Join us for lox, bagels and cream cheese, and stay for an informal conversation on current Jewish issues led by experts from the Jewish community. Come and be part of the group.

9:00 - 10:30 am      

$5 /session for members

$10 /session for non-members

 

God Squad at Synaplex              I.D. 116

Rabbi Helbraun, Rabbi Weill &

Cantor Harris

Friday, March 18                                  

7:45 - 8:45 pm                       No Charge

If you have questions for our clergy, but have never gotten around to ask, these sessions are for you!  Come to learn, discuss and question the "God Squad."

Community Corner

Jews in American Politics          I.D. 110

Julie Strauss

Thursday, March 11

7:30 - 9:00 pm                       No Charge

This class will explore the early American party system and Jewish voters evolution of affiliation with the Democratic and Republican parties. A discussion on Jewish political influence that includes an exploration of Jews who have served on the local, state and national level, as well as members of the President's Administration and Supreme Court.

An Insider's Look at the

News from Israel                       I.D. 111

Gil Hoffman                           

Sunday, April 25

9:30 -11:00 am                                 $20

Congregation Beth Shalom

3422 Walter Ave. Northbrook

We'll explore the first year of the Netanyahu-Obama relationship and its impact on the Palestinian, Iranian and internal Israeli issues.  Also addressed will be the internal politics in both the US and Israel and how they impact the Israeli-American relationship in general..

Soul Food for Jewish Living

Praying in Her Own Voice                                                      I.D. 104
Dinner, Movie & Discussion                                        Dinner - $10/pp

Rabbi Sidney Helbraun                                                        
Sunday, March 7

5:00 -7:15 pm  

A fascinating, thought provoking and powerful piece about Judaism, feminism and Israel.  It depicts the courageous struggle of the Women of the Wall in the last few years.  The right to wear a talit and read from the Torah at the Western Wall the same as men.  This movie premiered at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, and has successfully played around the country and now at Temple Beth-El.  This film explores issues on Jewish identity, American Jews and Israel.

 

URJ Book Club                                                                      

Reva Auerbach

6:45 - 8:00 pm  

     "The Bread Givers", by Anzia Yezierska                               I.D. 107 

       Wednesday, April 21

This author was one of the few women who wrote stories about the         lives of American Jewish immigrant women as they struggled to find their own identity.  This book offers a glimpse into the life of Sara Smolinsky as she grows from a young child into a strong and independent women.

     "Joy Comes in the Morning", by Jonathan Rosen                 I.D. 108

       Wednesday, May 12

This novel, set on Manhattan's Upper West Side, is about the courtship and love affair of Deborah Green, a Reform rabbi, and Lev Friedman, the son of a patient who Rabbi Green was counseling. This is very much a story about faith, both spiritual and human.  Like so many of us, these characters are on a journey of self-discovery as they attempt to work through their crises of faith.

    "People of the Book", by Geraldine Brooks                            I.D. 109

Hanna Health, a detached and hard-working Australian book conservator, is hired to prepare a fifteenth-century Haggadah for display in the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo.  As she begins initial clean-up, she finds serveral peculiarities: the parchment pages had once been savagely trimmed; the book bares grooves indicating that it was once held by clasps; and a crystal of salt.  Each of these artifacts provides a springboard into stories of the book's past.  Interspersed with these stories is Hanna's own story of self discovery.

On-Going Classes

Stories from the Heart                                                            
Rabbi Jeffrey Weill                                                              No Charge
Sundays TBD

9:00 - 10:30 am   

Come by during Sunday school to read and discuss Fascinating stories, plus other writings (philosophical, legal) from our sacred literature. This year, we will begin with early literature from the Chasidic and Reform movements, continue with Israeli poetry and music, and then return to the Bible and Talmud for some of Rabbi Weills's favorite stories.  No Hebrew knowledge required. Coffee and bagels encouraged.

Kabbalah: A Look Into Our Jewish Souls                                I.D. 113
Rabbi Victor Weissberg                 $50 - Members  $60 - Non-Members
Tuesdays,  9:30- 11:00 am

One of the greatest and most controversial literary treasures of the Jewish people is the Zohar—the study of Kabbalah. It has been a way of study that is creative and leads to heightened spirituality. Come and learn the importance of this way of looking at God, Torah and the Jewish people.


Nosh and D'rash                                                                      I.D. 115
Cantor Steven Stoehr, Rabbi Jeffrey Weill &

Alissa C. Zuchman                                                               No Charge

Wednesdays, 1st & 3rd of each month, except if a holiday

11:30 am – 1:00 pm 

Judaism has many halachot (laws) and regulations, but Judaism is also filled with minhag (customs) that become Halacha because of practice and belief.  Spend your lunch hour and discover the Halacha and the minhag of Torah, life cycle and holidays.  Bring your own dairy/pareve lunch. Drinks and dessert provided.

Grief Support                                                                         
Noah C. Weinstein, MA, LCPC                                            No Charge

Wednesdays, February 24, March 24, April 28, May 26

7:00 - 8:15 pm

This grief and loss support group is open to all who would like to meet and talk with others who are experiencing loss in their lives, in a confidential and comforting setting.