eptsgg 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
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eptsgg
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 [email protected] with the name & school information and we will recognize
them. Please submit by June 15th so we can submit in
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 –
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
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