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THE BETH HAMEDROSH HAGODOL KESSER MAARIV ANSHE LUKNIK NEWSLETTER

Shevat / Adar 5770
January / February / March 2010


UPCOMING EVENTS & DATES TO REMEMBER
Food Drive For The ARK
A food drive is currently underway to stock the ARK’s food pantry. All items are appreciated but the biggest needs now are peanut butter, tomato sauce, cereal, baked beans, pasta, white and brown rice, cooking oil, paper goods, toiletries and diapers. Please drop off the items by February 12th (a collection bin is in the lobby) or call Larry Weinger at (847) 677-2198 to arrange a pick-up.

Make our Tree of Life Bloom for Tu B’Shevat
During the month of Shevat (January 16 - February 14) you will save 10% on all leaves, acorns and foundation stones on our Tree of Life (ordered and paid for). Wording can be in English, Hebrew or a combination of both.

Leaves are available for $90, Acorns are available for $450, and Foundation Stones are available for $900 during Shevat. To order, call Ben Zion Lazovsky at (847) 679-9800 and leave a message, or e-mail bhhkmal@yahoo.com. A form is included with this newsletter and is also available on our website (print out & fax it in or drop it off).

Boys Mishnah Club
Boys ages 12-16 are invited to participate in a Mishnah Club, led by Rabbi Ben Zion Lazovsky. The boys meet on Thursdays right after 7:00 pm Maariv until 8:00 pm and currently learn Mishnayot Sanhedrin.

JUF Brunch
Please join us on Sunday, February 21 at 9:30 am for our annual JUF Brunch on behalf of the 2010 Annual Campaign. The brunch will feature Guest Speaker Leah Averick, author (with Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski) of “In Laws: It’s All Relative.” For more information or for reservations, which are only $10 per person, please contact Becky Shulman, Jewish United Fund, 312-357-4563 or email BeckyShulmanATjuf.org.

Taanit Esther and Purim
Taanit Esther, the Fast of Esther, falls on Thursday, February 25. The fast begins at 5:20 am, Shacharit will begin at 5:45 am, and Mincha will be at 5:10 pm. The fast ends at 6:01 pm. Purim will be Saturday night and Sunday February 27 and 28! Megillah Reading on Purim evening, February 27, will be after Shabbat at 7:00 pm. On Purim day, Sunday, February 28, Shacharit (which includes Megillah reading) will begin at 8:00 am. If you can play a musical instrument, tell jokes, spin plates, juggle, do magic tricks…You can entertain at Kesser Maariv’s 5770 Purim Seudah on Sunday night February 28 at 5:00 pm. Sign up by phone at 847-679-9800 or by e-mail at bhhkmalATyahoo.com. Please inform us of your talent as soon as possible. Prices for the Seuda are on the flyer, and please make reservations by February 19 to Judy or Larry Weinger at (847) 677-2198.

Misheberach List
In order to minimize the time necessary to make the Misheberach for ill people, we are asking everyone who has a name or names for the misheberach to please send them to the shul office or e-mail to bhhkmalATyahoo.com during the week so we can put them on a list.

E-mail List
We occasionally send e-mails with important information. However, we do not have everyone’s e-mail address. To put you on our e-mail list, please send an e-mail to bhhkmalATyahoo.com indicating that you wish to be placed on the e-mail list. Families may submit multiple email addresses.

Rent the Shul for Your Simcha
Our Social Hall is available for your party or simcha! For more information and to rent the Social Hall for your event, please call Ben Zion Lazovsky at the Shul office at (847) 679-9800, or Judy Whisler at (847) 677-2281. Also, book you child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah in the Shul calendar! Please call Judy Whisler.

SKIP / Israel Experience Update
We have completed another enrollment in SKIP. Funds can be used from 10th grade through 5 years after High School. If you have any questions about approved programs contact Mandy Weiss at the JUF at 312-444-2895. Children in grades 3-6 can be enrolled next November. See www.juf.org/israel_experience/default.aspx for more details about Israel Experience Programs.

College Scholarship opportunities See www.jvschicago.org and click on Scholarship Services or call the JVS Scholarship Secretary at (312) 673-3457 or e-mail: jvsscholarshipjvschicago.org. The application deadline is February 15, 2010.

PAST EVENTS
Oneg Shabbat – We had a beautiful Oneg Shabbat on November 6 at the home of Sandy & Marty Miretzky. Thanks to the Miretzkys for opening their home, to Ira for the gourmet cuisine, which included hot Cholent and homemade borekas, and to Rabbi Ben Zion Lazovsky for speaking (text is available at http://bit.ly/6ieQg3)

Gold Rush - Thanks to Bob Greenstein, David Greenstein and Marty Miretzky, who used their professional eyes to look at old gold, precious metals and diamonds. Thanks also to Sheryl Greenstein for her assistance with helping the sellers, many of whom left very happy.

Chanukah visits to patients at Skokie Hospital - Many patients were cheered up on Chanukah by the many volunteers from Kesser Maariv. The following people visited at Skokie Hospital: Wendy Hartz, Hannah Hartz, Gilda Allswang, Saretta Lazovsky, Faith Harris, Debbie Brill, Brianna Brill, Kayla Brill, Cookie Goldrich, Sheryl Greenstein, Brenda Kahn, Shelley Schwartz, and Sanford Schwartz. Thank you to the volunteers.

Michael Medved events - On Parshat Shemot, the 16th anniversary of our move to Skokie, we had radio personality Michael Medved speak at Shabbat Lunch and on Saturday night. Thanks to our sponsors, and to Alan Busch and everyone who made the events so successful and enjoyable.

THE ADELE GOLDBLUM WOMEN’S COUNCIL
Knitting for Charity - The sock and scarf workshops are underway. Regular knitting will resume shortly. Call Wendy Hartz at (708) 205-5109 for more info. We hope to have a Supper & Book Review at Bagel Country in February. Look for an email, or call Saretta for more information. The Women’s Council is considering selling lox boxes for Mother’s Day. This project can only be done with the help of many volunteers. If you would like to help solicit, sell, pack and/or deliver lox boxes, please call Saretta at (847) 204-0556 or email her at lazovskyATjuno.com. Men are also encouraged to volunteer.

Past Events
The Membership event "Around the World" with entertainer Heather Braoudakis was truly delightful...Many thanks to Sandy & Marty Miretzky for chairing a very fun Game night....The Women's Council received the following thank you note from the recipient of the gifts which were donated to the ARK’s Chanukah Gift Wish Program: "To Whom It May Concern, Thank you for all the wonderful gifts to my family. They were very much appreciated by all! Please convey my thanks to those who participated in the planning, shopping and donating. We will be enjoying Chanuka all year long! Thanks. Sincerely, XXXXXXX." Thanks to Sandy Miretzky for shopping for all of the gifts and to Brian Miretzky who delivered them....Thank you to all who participated in the Jewel Shop & Share Days. We have just received word that for now this program is being discontinued. Thank you to Tina Pressburger for coordinating our drives with Jewel headquarters for many years.

GOOD & WELFARE
Mazel Tov to: Evelyne Sternfeld on the marriage of her granddaughter Zehava Rosenberg...Mrs. Jean Goldrich on the birth of a great-granddaughter...Gila & Shlomo Walny on the birth of a grandson, Timron Shami Walny...Cookie & Art Goldrich on the birth of a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter...Sandy Miretzky on being honored by AMIT...Evelyne Sternfeld who will be honored as the Kesser Maariv honoree at the HTC Women of Valor luncheon at the DoubleTree Hotel on Sunday, March 7th. Call HTC for further details.

Refuah Shleima to: Saretta Lazovsky and Alan Slodki.

Condolences to: Misha Livshultz on the passing of his mother...Levi Asher Sidel on the passing of his mother Fay Sidel...Roberta Rosenfeld on the passing of her husband Ronald, and on the passing of her mother.

HANDY KESSER MAARIV COMMITTEES PHONE LIST
To reserve your kiddush date call Judy Whisler at (847) 677-2281 or e-mail j5awhislerATaol.com.
Donate Books, Sidurim or Chumashim to Our Shul - Please call Ben Zion Lazovsky at (847) 679-9800.
Newly RedesignedCommemorative Brick Certificates - Each brick costs $20.00 and you receive a beautiful certificate to present to a loved one. Please call Saretta Lazovsky at (847) 676-0556.
Chesed Fund - please send checks to the shul and write "Chesed Fund" in the memo section of your check. If you have any questions, please call Anne Elovic at (847) 673-2904.
Happy Day Cards - For all occasions. Designed by Wendy Hartz & Rachel Grossman. $1.50 each, 13 for $18, or $2 each if we mail it for you. Call Wendy at (708) 205-5109. Cards are also available at the Shul office.
Lending Library - Members can borrow books from our lending library now located on the south wall of the social hall. For hours of operation, more information or to donate books, please call Barbara Pomper at (847) 256-1198.
Tree of Life - generously donated by the Goldrich and Rubinow families in memory of their beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Etty Rubinow. Leaves are only $100 each, acorns are $500 and foundation stones are $1,000. Please call Judy Whisler at (847) 677-2281 or the Shul office to honor, pay tribute or memorialize a loved one.
Yahrzheit Plaques are a fitting and appropriate way to memorialize your loved ones. For information please call Ben Zion Lazovsky at the Shul office at (847) 679-9800.

DVAR TORAH - UPCOMING JEWISH HOLIDAYS
Tu B'Shevat - Shabbat, January 30 (Shabbat Shira): Tu B'Shevat, one of four Jewish new years, is also known as Jewish Arbor Day. Hashem judges the world on each of the four new years. On Tu B'Shevat, we are judged on the amount of fruit that trees will bear. In Israel, children usually use the day plant trees, but they cannot plant this year because it is Shabbat, but they will plant on Friday and Sunday. In all diaspora countries, including the United States, we use the day to stress our connection with Israel, emphasizing our national homeland and the unity of our people.

The Four Parshiot - Before Rosh Chodesh Adar we begin a series of four special Torah readings and haftarot. Parshat Shekalim is on Shabbat, February 13. It commemorates the annual required donation of a one-half shekel coin that every Jew made to maintain the Temple, to purchase the daily sacrifices and to conduct a census of the Jewish people.

Parshat Zachor, Shabbat, February 27, is always read on the Shabbat before Purim. All of us, even children, are obligated to hear every word of the special maftir of Parshat Zachor. In the special reading, we learn about our obligation to destroy Amalek, which is also one of the major themes in the Book of Esther. Haman is associated with Amalek, the grandson of Esav, who was even worse than Haman in that he represented total and absolute evil. The Jewish people have been commanded to wage a never-ending battle against evil. This special Shabbat reminds us how and why.

Parshat Parah - Shabbat, March 6. In the time of the Temple, everyone must eat from the Paschal Lamb (korban Pesach) on Passover. We read about the parah adumah to remind everyone to ritually purify themselves with the ashes of the Red Heifer (Parah Adumah) to be able to eat the sacrifice. This reading, like that of Parshat Zachor, should be heard by everyone, even children.

Shabbat, March 13 is Parshat Hachodesh. The additional reading discusses laws pertaining to the Passover sacrifice and the importance of time, which is the defining characteristic of the Jewish people. The Almighty promised that the Jewish empire will be one over time, as our sages expressed: “The nations of the world are like the sun and the Jewish nation is like the moon;” despite waning, always regenerating.

Taanit Esther (Thursday February 25) and Purim (Saturday evening & Sunday February 27-28)

As Megillat Esther teaches, Jews were hated in every one of the 127 countries known in the ancient world. Haman, a former stable worker who was originally a slave to Mordechai, became the richest man in the world. He bribed Achashverosh, king of Persia and emperor of the ancient world, for permission to annihilate the Jews. Unlike our enemies during the time of Chanukah, who would have permitted our survival had we converted, Haman had desired the extermination of every Jew. Once permission was granted, Haman drew lots, or “Purim,” to select the day to implement the final solution. Queen Esther prayed and fasted for three days prior to her request of King Achashverosh that the Jews should not be killed. The original fast began the night of the first Passover seder. Esther was only partially successful in that three-day fast; it led the King to issue a proclamation permitting the Jews to protect themselves, but the King’s original order for the extermination of the Jews was not rescinded. As a result, we prepared for a defensive war on Purim. As during all times of danger, we did teshuva, prayed and fasted for Hashem’s help. This second fast, a communal fast, was held the day before Purim and eventually became known as Taanit Esther to commemorate Hashem’s answering the prayers of Esther and Am Yisrael.

Four Mitzvot were ordained especially for Purim. They are: 1) Reading or listening to the reading of the Megillah at night and on the day of Purim to remind ourselves of the hidden but ever-present hand of the Almighty; 2) Mishloach Manot, or giving at least two gifts of food to at least one person; 3) Matanot Le'evyonim-- giving two gifts of charity to at least two poor people; and finally, 4) Purim Seuda, or eating the festive Purim feast where we break bread together with family, friends and strangers on Purim day. These mitzvot help promote fellowship and love among Jews and are as valid now as they were then.

SHABBAT SCHEDULE
  Date Candle Lighting Mincha Shacharit Shiur Mincha
Beshalach 1/29-1/30 4:42 pm 4:45 pm 8:45 am 3:35 pm 4:35 pm
Yitro 2/5-2/6 4:51 pm 4:50 pm 8:45 am 3:40 pm 4:40 pm
Mishpatim (Shekalim) 2/12-2/13 5:00 pm 5:00 pm 8:45 am 3:50 pm 4:50 pm
Teruma 2/19-2/20 5:09 pm 5:10 pm 8:45 am 4:00 pm 5:00 pm
Tetzaveh (Zachor) 2/26-2/27 5:17 pm 5:20 pm 8:45 am 4:10 pm 5:10 pm
Ki Tisa (Parah) 3/5-3/6 5:26 pm 5:25 pm 8:45 am 4:15 pm 5:15 pm
Vayakhel-Pikudei
(Hachodesh)
3/12-3/13 5:34 pm 5:35 pm 8:45 am 4:25 pm 5:25 pm
Vayikra 3/19-3/20 6:42 pm 6:45 pm 8:45 am 5:30 pm 6:30 pm
Tzav (Hagadol) 3/26-3/27 6:50 pm 6:50 pm 8:45 am 5:40 pm 6:40 pm

If you have a chiyuv - obligation to daven or require an Aliya, please inform Rabbi Lazovsky in person or at (847) 676-0556 before Shabbat.

To sponsor a kiddush or shalashudos, please call Judy Whisler at (847) 677-2281.
WEEKDAY SCHEDULE
Minyan Times
Minyanim meet in the Kaufman Bais Midrash
Shacharit
Sunday: 8:00 am
Monday-Friday: 6:00 am
 
Mincha-Maariv
Sunday: 15 minutes before sundown
Monday-Thursday: 7:00 pm Maariv
Classes

Sunday Morning at 9:40 am: Parsha Class in the Weekly Sedra
Given by Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik

Thursdays at 7:20 pm: Boys Mishna Club
Given by Rabbi Ben Zion Lazovsky

Malamud Reference Library
Come and learn from any of our hundreds of titles in our library.

Lending Library
Members may borrow books from our Lending Library, located on the south wall of the social hall. For hours of operation, more details or to donate books, please call Barbara Pomper at (847) 256-1198.

Tape Lending Library
We have tapes on many topics including Chumash, Talmud and Mussar from many well-known lecturers.


August 13, 2009
23 Av 5769
Dear Members and Friends:

We hope this letter finds you well, and safely enjoying the summer. By now we hope you are familiar with the many programs and milestones that we have achieved since our arrival in Skokie. It is with great pleasure that we invite you, your family and friends to reserve your high holiday seats and worship with us for the upcoming New Year of 5770. We are confident that the upcoming holiday services will be truly moving and meaningful.

Selichot services will be held on Saturday night, September 12, 2009, at 11:00 p.m., at 4341 W. Golf in Skokie, with a special program and refreshments held at 10:00 p.m., immediately preceding the services. Please come, get acquainted with our congregation and allow us to welcome you and include you as part of our extended family.

We will once again use the ArtScroll Machzor for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. While a number of Adler Machzors will be available, Congregants will need to purchase their own ArtScroll Machzors from one of the area book stores.

Membership and Ticket Rates
Family Rate Single Rate Additional Seat Dependent Child
(2 tickets) (1 ticket)
Membership $1000 $525 $200 $75
First Time Good Neighbor Tickets $475 $265 $200 $75
Tickets only, no membership $525 $200
Friend of Kesser Maariv (no tickets or membership) $200
The membership rates have not increased in the past three years. To encourage new memberships this year, we will waive the building fund obligation for new members.

To serve you better, we accept payments of $500 and above by Visa, Master Card or Discover.

If you have any further questions, please call Bob Greenstein at (847) 967-7408, Judy Whisler at (847) 677-2281, or the synagogue office at (847) 679-9800.

The congregation and officers want to extend our warmest best wishes for a New Year filled with good health, peace, prosperity, and happiness to our members, worshipers, families and friends. Please tell your friends, neighbors and relatives about our shul, and encourage them to join us for the upcoming high holiday season.

L'Shana Tova Tikatevu V'Tachatemu,

Steve Goldrich, President                     Rabbi Louis Aryeh Lazovsky

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Name: _______________________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________

City, State & Zip Code: _________________________________________

Phone : ________________

Number of Men's Seats: ____________ Number of Women's Seats: ___________

Number of Boys Seats: _____________ Number of Girls Seats: ____________

Total Number of Seats: ______________ Amount Enclosed : __________________________.

Credit Card Payments: Name on Card_______________________ Amount to be charged: ________________

Card # ______-______-______-______ Exp: ____


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Tree of Life Order Form

TREE OF LIFE



Sale During Shevat! Ends February 14!

* Honor a relative or friend
* Mark a special occasion
* Memorialize a loved one

Wording can be in English, Hebrew or a combination of both.

Leaves are available for $90
Acorns are available for $450
Foundation Stones are available for $900

Questions? Call Ben Zion Lazovsky at (847) 679-9800 and leave a message, or e-mail bhhkmal@yahoo.com.

To order, please return the order form below to the Shul office.

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Tree of Life Order Form

Name:_________________________________

Phone Number: (_____)______________

Amount Enclosed: $________

Please check one:

[ ] Leaf - $100 each

[ ] Acorn - $500 each

[ ] Foundation Stone - $1,000 each
TEXT OF PLAQUE

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

__________________

Please note: Leaves are limited to four lines plus the date.
For Foundation Stones and Acorns, feel free to attach a sheet of paper with the text.



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