Lincolnwood Jewish Congregation AG Beth Israel

Bulletin

Rabbi Gordon’s Message

Some people engage in this activity while standing up,

some when seated. Some are discreet and others less discreet.

Some folks try to hide it behind a book or their hand, while others

do it loudly and with no shame. Both men and women do it. There

is no age discrimination, as people of all ages (youth, middle-aged

and seniors) engage in this activity. It happens in (too) many syn-

agogues of all streams all over the world.

If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m talking about - talking

during davening. While I seem to be making light of this activity,

it is a most serious issue. The only talking that should be going on

during religious services is between a Jew and the Almighty.

For many Jews, the experience of going to Shul is a social event.

There is nothing wrong with that. That is why we have Kiddushes

and S’udot (meals). In addition to nourishment and enhancing

Shabbat/Yom Tov or a weekday, the main purpose of these meals

and snacks is to socialize with our fellow congregants.

(Continued on page 6)

Inside this issue

Rabbi’s Message 1, 6

President’s Perspective 2

Announcements 3

Adult Ed. Classes 16

Holyday Programs 4-5, 10-11

Schedule of Services 8-9

Sept./Oct. Calendar 13

Sisterhood 14-15

Asst. Rabbi: James Gordon

Rabbi Emeritus: Joel Lehrfield

LJCAGBI Bulletin

Sept./Oct. 2017, Issue No. 5

Published bi-monthly

except for holidays

(6-7 issues per year)

Lincolnwood Jewish Congregation

A.G. Beth Israel

7117 North Crawford Ave.

Lincolnwood, Illinois 60712

Phone: 847.676.0491

www.ljcagbi.org

September-October 2017, Issue 5

2

President’s Perspective

This has certainly been an interesting year so far! We began with the Visiting Rabbi Weekend, with

Rabbi Daniel Askenazi, which I hope everyone enjoyed. I appreciate all of the feedback we got on his

visit both verbally and through participation in the on-line (and in office) survey. It was a pleasure to

see so much participation in Shabbos weekend activities, something that I hope we

can experience more frequently in the coming months.

Now we are faced with the serious responsibility of finding a Rabbi to lead our Shul

into the future as Rabbi Gordon has announced his plans to move on to other oppor-

tunities outside of LJCAGBI. The Future of the Shul Committee will be ramping up

its continuing efforts to identify candidate Rabbis for the consideration of the con-

gregation. I hope we can count on everyone to support these efforts with your at-

tendance and feedback on our programs.

Communication is so important in any time of transition and I hope that we reach everyone with our

announcements. If you use email, please make sure that the Shul has current email addresses on file

for everyone (not just one half of a couple who both use email). Phone tree messages are another great

way to get information, with the bonus that you will also receive an email with the same information

if you cannot hear or miss the message.

If you hear the LJCAGBI phone tree calling, please don’t hang up! And if you get an email message

from the Shul, please don’t put it in your “delete” file without reading it first (you know who you

are!). It takes a few seconds to read or listen to the message and it may actually be of importance to

you. You can always call the office during business hours if you need clarification.

Have you chosen your lucky number yet for the Fortune 500 drawing? $50 will win you 50 chances to

win $100. Please reserve your lucky number—the drawing starts during Succoth.

Fall is a busy time for everyone, starting with the coming of the New Year, Yom Kippur, Succoth,

Simchat Torah, and then the lox box and rummage sale events. Please read through the Bulletin for

many opportunities to participate in mitzvoth and Holyday activities.

On behalf of myself and my family, I wish everyone a very happy and healthful Rosh Hashanah,

Marcia Kramer

Your presence is greatly needed: please attend Lincolnwood Jewish Congregation A.G. Beth Israel, our Shul, has always maintained two daily minyanim for Shachrit and for Mincha/Maariv (or just Maariv during the winter months). During the past months it has become increasingly difficult to guar-antee that 10 men will be present for davening. Your help is urgently needed to en-sure that a full minyan is present for everyone, especially those who have Yahrzeit or are in their year of mourning. Please attend whenever you are able.

3

Mazel Tov Mazel tov to Edie & Jeffrey Light on

the occasion of their 50th wedding

anniversary

Mazel tov to Debby Goodman on her

special birthday

Mazel tov to Debby & Mort Goodman

on celebrating their 65th wedding

anniversary

Mazal tov to Shelly & Gary Auslander

on celebrating their 50th wedding

anniversary

Speedy Recovery

Dr. Barry Baylis

Dr. David Marcus

Condolences Louis Beller

Samuel Bernstein

(Dr. David & Ruth Marcus’

grandson)

Rabbi Nathan Gordon

Terri Rosen

(Jack Rosen’s sister)

Minnie Steinberg

Betty Unger

LOX BOX

Sunday, November 5, 2017

Start taking orders now!

Forms are included in this Bulletin and in the Shul office

Breakfast includes: 8 oz. Nova lox 6 bagels, cream cheese, orange juice, onion, tomato, jelly, cereal, dessert

and great CHATCHKIES!

Announcements

4

HOLYDAY PROGRAMS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

High Holyday Youth Services

The High Holydays will soon be here and as we have done in the past, we will be offering a variety of services for our children.

So that we can be fully prepared for the number of children who will be using our facilities, please call the Shul office at 847-676-0491, by September 26, and let them know how many of your children will be using our services, with their names and ages.

Labels with the child’s name & parents’ seat location will be prepared for the babysitting room to make it easier to find the parents if needed.

Babysitting—available for children under the age of 6. Infants are welcome if accompanied by an adult. Our babysitters will not be responsible for changing diapers. You are welcome, however, to leave any necessary equipment in the babysitting room, as long as it is marked with your name.

Nursing Mothers—will have a separate, private room available.

Intermediate Congregation—available for children ages 6 to 12. Signs will be posted as to the location. Please be sure to notify the Shul office so we can ensure that this service will be available. NOTE: If you plan to bring food into the synagogue, it must contain an appropriate hechsher, an OU or CRC. You should be sure that the containers are sealed when you arrive. We will supply snacks for the rooms, however, if you prefer to bring your own, please follow the aforementioned guidelines.

Please remind your children that they must be on their best behavior, so they do not interrupt the services upstairs or downstairs. We will have hall monitors on the lower level to help control disturbances. However it is the parents’ responsibility to ensure that their children are well behaved.

If you are interested in helping out by being a hall monitor, please contact the synagogue office. We will need hall monitors for both days of Rosh Hashanah, Kol Nidre, and Yom Kippur day. Thank you for your co-operation.

YOUTH SERVICES SCHEDULE

Babysitting Intermediate

Rosh Hashanah Thursday, Sept. 21 10:15 am -1:30 pm 10:30 11:45am

Friday, Sept. 22 10:15 am- 1:30 pm 10:30-11:45am

Yom Kippur Kol Nidre Friday, Sept. 29 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Saturday, Sept. 30 10:00 am – 1:30 pm 10:00-12:00pm

Neila 5:30 pm- 7:15 pm

5

Don’t forget to order your Lulavim & Esrogim for Succoth. Contact the Shul office to place your order to-day. The cost is $50 per set. Call the Shul office at 847-676-0491 to place your order.

Luluv & Etrog Orders

Maot Chitim Volunteers are always needed to help with

Maot Chitim food deliveries for the holi-days. Bring your friends, relatives, neigh-

bors and empty cars and vans.

Deliveries will be on Sunday, Sept. 17 from 9:00 to 11:00 am

(Packing of perishables begins at 6:00 am)

7100 N. McCormick Blvd.

Help is also needed for packing on Sunday, September 10

from 9:30 am—1:30 pm

No pre-registration is needed for Rosh Hasha-nah deliveries on Sept. 17. Just show up with

your car!

All Hands needed to put up Sukkah

Join in the fun after minyon (around

9:15am) on Sunday, Sept. 10. Whether

you’re practicing to put up your own suk-

kah or participating in the mitzvah for the

fun of it, please stop by and lend a hand on

this Important occasion. All hands are wel-

come! Putting up the NEW sukkah is a

breeze. RAIN or SHINE.

HOLYDAY PARKING NOTICE

Please do not use the parking lots of local businesses during

the High Holydays, including the lot on Touhy. The office receives complaints every year about our

members using local business parking. These businesses have been gracious not to tow away cars belonging to members and

their families in the past, but their good will may not last for-

ever. Let’s be good neighbors.

6

Lincolnwood Jewish

Congregation A G

Beth Israel

We are a traditional

congregation offering a

full range of services

to the Jewish Commu-

nity of Chicago and the

northern suburbs.

As a traditional synagogue,

we observe all of the cus-

toms, practices and services

of an orthodox shul, but with

mixed seating. We also have

a daily mechitza (separate

seating) minyan in our Beit

Midrash.

LJCAGBI is a family congrega-

tion, a place to discover reli-

gious identification and

strengthen cultural heritage;

where we celebrate holidays

and joyous times and find

comfort during times of sor-

row. It is a place to make

friends and to learn through

our many programs for adults

and children.

Most of all we are a commu-

nity. LJCAGBI members offer

warmth, friendship and sup-

port. Our members are open

and welcoming; it does not

take long to feel right at

home.

Rabbi’s Message—continued from page 1

In the almost eight years that I have had the honor of serving the

LJCAGBI community, I have put a heavy focus on the

importance of stepping-up to make a Minyan. During the balance

of my tenure, I plan on focusing more on the quality of our prayers.

Here are four pieces of advice on how to enhance the quality of our

prayers:

(1) If you don’t understand the meaning of a prayer, be sure to

(also) read the English translation;

(2) There is no need to sit in the chair immediately next to your

neighbor. We have an abundance of chairs at Shul. So

many chairs that, often times, if we sat in every other seat

we would still have plenty of seats available. By sitting

next to an empty chair, there is less temptation to talk.

(3) When the urge comes to talk, take your conversation out-

side in a place that is safe and will not disturb anyone try-

ing to daven.

(4) If someone is speaking, let them know politely that s/he is

disturbing you. (There are some cards at the Shul that are

meant to give to a person who is talking during davening.

Printed on both sides of this card is the statement: “Please

Forgive Me I am trying not to talk during davening Unless

it is an EMERGENCY”

On the first day of Rosh HaShanah in the Haftarah we read

about Hannah’s prayers at Shilo for HaShem to bless her with a

son. She promises the Almighty that if He answers her prayers,

she will lend this boy to the Almighty to serve Him. CHA-

ZA”L (Our Sages of Blessed Memory) teach that we learn from

Hannah’s prayers that proper decorum for davening includes

articulating every word out loud, but softly. While the person

praying should hear every word of her/his prayers, the person

next to her/him should not be distracted in any manner, shape

or form - even by another person’s davening.

As we welcome in the New Year 5778, let us be inspired by

Hannah to enrich the quality of our prayer. Let us start by not

talking to our neighbor, and instead engage in intense dialogue

with the Almighty.

Along with Marilyn and our dear children Max, Rita (Carmi)

and Sophie, I wish you a healthy, peaceful, successful and hap-

py New Year.

K’tiva VaChatima Tova - May you be inscribed and sealed in

the Book of Life!

7

The Visiting Rabbi’s Weekend, with guests Rabbi Daniel Askenazi

and his wife, Rachel, was an opportunity to share an extended

Shabbat together with Shul family and friends. Kabbalat Shabbat

made a very welcome change to the bare minyan of attendance

needed for Friday night’s service.

Many thanks to the planning committee who sent out lovely invita-

tions and organized food for all of the Shabbat meals: Anna Mos-

kovitz, Kari Gutstein, Yonah Gutstein, Darlene Piell, Marcia Kra-

mer, Shirley Derdiger, Merilyn Thal and Myrna Rosenberg, as well

as Jadwiga and Ryzsard for all of their hard work.

Visiting Rabbi Weekend Brings Ruach to Shabbat Services

Our Fortune 500 Raffle!

Here’s your opportunity to win a $100 Prize…drawn twice weekly for 25 weeks. Only 500 Chances are to be sold, and every winning ticket goes back in the hat to be drawn again. Reserve your tickets and numbers now at $50 per chance. Call the synagogue office, look online at our website, or find entry forms with this shul bulletin. Good Luck!

The Future of the Shul Committee...Where are We Now?

In August, Rabbi Gordon announced that he is withdrawing his name from consideration as

Rabbi of LJCAGBI. Rabbi Gordon will remain as our Rabbi until the end of December, when his

contract as Assistant Rabbi expires. He will continue leading services, leining as needed, recruiting

for daily minyanim, teaching classes and serving as our spiritual leader through the end of the year.

With this announcement, the Future of the Shul Committee is ramping up efforts to find the

right candidate to take our pulpit in 2018. The committee, which has been reviewing resumes for

several months, will be expanding the search to find a Rabbi suitable for our congregation.

Hopefully, many congregants were able to attend the meeting at which the Future of the Shul Com-

mittee presented its current plans, discussed progress and answered questions concerning where the

committee believes the Shul is going, and the steps that the committee is taking to move forward.

LJCAGBI is a Traditional Shul, with a mixed seating service as well as a mechitzah minyan.

As we move forward in our search for a new Rabbi, this is the description that is being advertised.

The Future of the Shul Committee is receiving resumes on this basis and, whatever the future holds

for us as a community and as a Shul, we are moving forward today as a Traditional Shul.

8

Schedule for Daily/Shabbat & High Holy Day Services Candlelighting

9

Schedule for Daily/Shabbat & High Holy Day Services Candlelighting

10

11

12

BUILDING COMMITTEE As we approach the Jewish New Year of 5778, or the “Yamim Noraim,” let us think about how we can keep our synagogue spiritually strong and financially viable. Spiritual viability can be achieved by making sure the “Daily Minyan,” both morning and evening, is functioning without the need for last minute requests to attend. Financial strength comes from your generosity in support of the ongoing fundraising projects. For example, our “Synagogue Restoration Project” has a long way to go before we are fully funded. We rely on your donations, as well as occasional major gifts to maintain the structure and utility of our building, or to undertake new projects to beautify our Shul. You can support the Restoration Project and add your names to the beautiful mural, designed by Dr. Marc Feder. Please start the new year of 5778 with an act of Tzedakah. Thank you for your generous support of LJCAGBI

Building Fund Contributions

Name: _________________________ Address:___________________________________ The Nimrod Tsubely Memorial Garden Fund: $36______ $54_____ $100_________ Synagogue Restoration Project: $500_____ $1,000_____ $2,500________ ___MEYER & BEE KAPLAN TORAH FUND ___MAURY & SALLY KAUFMAN TORAH FUND Aliyah ($200)____ Pasuk ($100)____ Word ($50) GENERAL OPERATING FUND: $100 ______ $250 _____ $500 _______ Other ___________

Please make your check out to LJCAGBI and send it to the Shul Office 7117 N. Crawford, Lincolnwood, IL 60712

13

September/October 2017 Calendar

Monday, September 4 Labor Day

Saturday, September 16 Selichot Services (9pm)

Wednesday, September 20 Erev Rosh Hashana

Thursday, September 21 Rosh Hashana- Day 1

Friday, September 22 Rosh Hashana- Day 2

Sunday, September 24 Fast of Gedalyah

Friday, September 29 Erev Yom Kippur/Kol Nidre

Saturday, September 30 Yom Kippur

Wednesday, October 4 Erev Sukkot

Thursday, October 5 Sukkot- Day 1

Friday, October 6 Sukkot- Day 2

Saturday, October 7—

Wednesday, October 11 Chol Hamoed Sukkot

Monday, October 9 Columbus Day

Tuesday, October 10 Sisterhood Hadassah Keturah

Event

Wednesday, October 11 Hoshana Rabba

Thursday, October 12 Shemini Atzeret

Friday, October 13 Simchat Torah/Luncheon

Wednesday, October 18 Board of Directors Meeting

Friday, October 20 Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan-Day 1

Saturday, October 21 Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan-Day 2

Sunday, November 5 Lox Box

Sunday, November 12 Sisterhood Rummage Sale

A good way to stay in touch with our shul is by accessing our web page, www.ljcagbi.org.

The current shul calendar, flyers for current activities as well as davening times are readily

available on the site. In addition, order forms for Lox Box and the Fortune 500 game are

also available and can be printed. And, should you want to make a donation, or pay mem-

bership dues, you can do it on our web site. You can even read this bulletin on the web

site. Stay in touch wherever you are by accessing www.ljcagbi.org.

14

From the Catering Department

Did you ever stop to think of how names have changed thru the years? I'm not talking about

so-called standards that have been around forever. Our custom, according to my grandmas, has

always been to give a newborn the name of a deceased relative who lived a long life, so that

they will always be remembered. In my family that special name was Yuddie (for my

grandma's father). Everyone of my cousins (and I had a lot) has a Yuddie. His English name

given by immigration officers was Julius, so we have Julius, Jules, Jay, Jan always using the J.

All were and are Yuddies (Yehuda in Hebrew). If I say we didn't have a choice, anyone who

had a grandma like mine could understand. So this name goes on in English as well as Yid-

dish, as it should, because he was a very special person and will always be remembered by this

family. We also have an abundance of Sara's (in Yiddish) which became Shirley, Shiela,

Shelly, Sheara, and Sarah. Sarah was my grandma's mother, Bubbe Sarah. By now you've fig-

ured out my grandma was a very strong-willed woman. We laugh at the thought that a modern-

day Sean can be a grandfather to a Shmuel (since biblical names have become popular again).

Jacob & Saul, Dina & Yaffa, Leah & Miriam, David & Moishe. I always wondered why we

hear of so many Moishes, but never a Moses. I guess that name just never caught on with our

people. And in all honesty, it's hard to look at a teeny newborn and call him a grown-up name.

In my case, my newborns were called "Tataleh" or Mamaleh", or Bubbaleh (always adding the

'leh') until they grew into their given names. Oh well, at least I may have given you something

to smile about.

The bum walked up to a Jewish mother on the street and said "Lady, I haven't eaten in three

days". " Force yourself", she replied.

Seeing as how my report is usually about food, with the holidays approaching we'll all be

thinking about special food...like kreplach, matzo balls, sweet/sour meatballs and all your fa-

vorites thru the years. May you have them all and continue to enjoy the special treats of the

holiday, along with good health, strength and years.

L'Shana Tova,

Shirley Derdiger, Catering

15

Sisterhood Helps Build

Do you have a personal announcement, simcha, thanks, congratulations or yahrtziet that you would like to share with your Shul family? Consider putting your words to work with Sisterhood Helps Build. Contact the Shul office or drop your message in the Sisterhood folder in the Shul office. Donations are $5 for your personal message.

Thank you to the Synagogue and Sisterhood for your good wishes for my recovery. It was truly appreciated. Marla Schaffer

We deeply appreciate the comfort, wise words and support shown us from both Rabbi Lehrfield and Rabbi Gordon. Thanks to our synagogue family for the numerous cards, calls and donations in Bob's memory. The family of Robert Kochman

Thank you for the cards & good wishes in honor of our 50th Wedding Anniversary. We appreciate your thoughtfulness. Edie & Jeff Light

Many thanks for all of the good wishes I re-ceived from our LJCAGBI family in honor of my granddaughters Aliza, for her Bat Mitzvah and Jenny for graduating from Law School. Helaine Ellenby

Come have a L'Chaim and socialize with us

on Shabbos after davening. Everyone is

welcome. Our libations are not funded by

the Shul; therefore, consider making a do-

nation to the Kiddush Club. Send a check to

the office labeled "Kiddush Club". Join us to

raise a glass!

Please get your articles in for the Shul Bulletin

If you have a program, announcement or event, please get your information to the Shul Bulletin so every-one will know about it! Please send your electronic submissions to the editor at bulletin@ljcagbi.org or submit a hard copy to the Shul office before the deadline (November-December issue—Sunday, October 9, 2017. All material is subject to approval by the Shul office and may be edited for space or content. In-serts must also be approved by the Shul office before inclusion in the Bulletin. Please call the Shul office at 847-676-0491 for further details.

16

Rummage Sale!!!

LJCAGBI Sisterhood’s Fall Rummage sale is

Sunday, November 12, 2017 Drop off your GENTLY used merchandise beginning Monday, November 6. Final

collections must be in by Friday, November 10 at noon! Please lay out your merchandise on the tables or on hangers. This is one of our biggest fund-raisers, so please contribute your “stuff” and time.

Tax letters will be available.

Current and on-going classes at LJCAGBI

LJCAGBI classes have "Open Enrollment"—feel free to attend any class at any time.

The more often you attend, the more wisdom you will gain.

(1) Sh’nayim Mik’ra v’Echad Targum v’Rashi (Monday-Thursday 15 minutes prior to Mincha). Instructor: Rabbi Gordon, this “mini-course” examines verses in Parashat HaShavua (The

Weekly Torah Portion) along with Targum Onkelos and select Rashi commentaries.

(2) Rabbi Gordon’s Shabbat Afternoon Pirkei Avot (Ethics of Our Fathers) Shiur (40 minutes prior to Shabbat Mincha).

(3) Hebrew Level II [Mondays 45 minutes prior to Mincha (approx 7:00 pm)]

Instructor: Rabbi Gordon

For those with a basic level of competency in Hebrew reading who would like to feel more comfort-able davening (reading/understanding) from the Siddur and learning traditional Jewish texts. Be-

fore each holiday, we study the relevant liturgy or text.