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THE BETH HAMEDROSH HAGODOL KESSER MAARIV ANSHE LUKNIK NEWSLETTER

ELUL 5769 / TISHREI 5770
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2009


UPCOMING EVENTS & DATES TO REMEMBER
Oneg Shabbat
Please join us for an Oneg Shabbat on Friday evening Parshat Vayeira, November 6 at 7:15 pm at the home of Marty & Sandy Miretzky. We hope you can join us for Divrei Torah and refreshments.

Gold Rush
On Saturday evening November 21st at the Shul from 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm, you can bring your old gold or silver jewelry and diamonds and old coins. Buyers for the metals and diamonds will be at the Shul and will quote you a value for the metal and/or diamond and will pay you immediately if you wish to sell it. Walk-ins are welcome, and you may make an appointment if you wish. Contact the Shul office or Bob Greenstein at bobg@hjbltd.com for more details. See more details, including FAQ’s, on our website: http://bhhkmal.freeservers.com/GoldRush2009.html.

Michael Medved Events
Radio talk show host Michael Medved will be at Kesser Maariv on Shabbat January 9th. He will speak at Shabbat Lunch (reservations required). After Shabbat, at 7:30 pm, Michael will speak about his new book, The 5 Big Lies about American Business (reservations are welcome, but walk-ins will also we welcome). Prices and more details for the entire weekend will be posted on our website very soon, or contact Alan Busch at (847) 894-1001 or alandbusch@aol.com for reservations.

Daily Maariv at 7:00
With the days getting shorter, we have daily Maariv at 7:00 pm Monday - Thursday. We will continue to have Mincha - Maariv on Sundays 15 minutes before sundown. Daily Shacharit is at 6:00 am. Weekday Minyanim meet in the Maury & Helen Kaufman Bais Midrash.

Boys Mishna Club
Boys in 8th – 11th grades are invited to participate in a Mishna Club, led by Rabbi Ben Zion Lazovsky. The boys meet on Mondays from 7:15-8:00 pm (after Maariv) to learn Mishnayot, and are currently studying Sukkah.

Skokie Hospital Chanukah Visitations
Once again, members of Kesser Maariv will be visiting patients at Skokie Hospital, delivering Menorahs, candy and dreidels from December 11 through December 19. If you would like to do this mitzvah, please call and leave a message for Saretta Lazovsky at (847) 204-0556. In past years, we have asked that the volunteers be available from 3:30-5:00 pm (but earlier on Friday and later after Shabbat). Due to the scheduling needs of the hospital, please call Saretta by November 13th to reserve your spot.

Maftir Yonah
On behalf of the entire Board of Directors of Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Kesser Maariv Anshe Luknik, I would like to thank you for joining us this High Holiday Season. As you know, every year we bestow upon our rabbi, Rabbi Louis Lazovsky, the honor of reading the Maftir Yonah on Yom Kippur afternoon. In the past, someone went around and solicited for this during the service. We decided to use a different method this year – we ask that you please be generous in contributing for this honor as a show of appreciation for all that the Rabbi does for the shul and the community.

We thank all of you for the generous support you showed during the High Holidays and hope to celebrate many simchas together this year and beyond.
Bob Greenstein

Thank You
We wish to thank our members and friends for your generosity over the recent High Holiday season. We would like to point out a tax-advantaged way to give to Kesser Maariv – donate "appreciated property," which is anything that you have owned for over a year that has increased in value. A classic example is stocks or bonds. If you would like to donate publicly traded stocks or bonds to the shul, just contact our office at (847) 679-9800 and we can help you arrange a direct transfer to our brokerage account.

Misheberach List
In order to minimize the time needed 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 bhhkmal@yahoo.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 bhhkmal@yahoo.com indicating that you wish to be placed on the e-mail list. We are glad to send e-mails to multiple addresses per family.

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 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.

Send-A-Kid-To-Israel Partnership (S.K.I.P.)
Kesser Maariv is proud to be a participating Congregation in S.K.I.P. The program allows parents to contribute money annually in partnership with the synagogue and the Jewish Federation for an Israel trip for their children. Students in grades 3-6, enrolled in a day or afternoon school, who have finished paying their annual membership to the shul are eligible to participate. Last year's enrollees should make their annual contribution of $85.00 per child at this time but under no circumstances later than December 1, 2009. For additional details, a registration kit or to enroll your child(ren) for the first time, please contact Ben Zion Lazovsky at (847) 679-9800.

PAST EVENTS
High Holidays - Our annual Kesser Maariv High Holiday Card was proudly displayed in our foyer; thanks to Sheryl & Bob Greenstein (a copy of it is enclosed with this newsletter)....Thank you to Rabbi Ben Zion Lazovsky who delivered “Selichos as a Preparation for Yom Kippur” before Selichot. Many thanks to our Chazzanim who did such a beautiful job - Dr. Ed Kaplan, Rabbi Dr. Pinchas Eisenbach, and Rabbis Ben Zion & Eli Lazovsky....Sukkot was enjoyed by all and the Sukkah looked beautiful....Our Simchat Torah Hakafot were full of Ruach. The Simchat Torah Communal Luncheon was delicious. Thank you to the anonymous sponsor of the luncheon, all the people who picked up the food, worked so hard in the kitchen and set up and cleaned up.

ADELE GOLDBLUM WOMEN’S COUNCIL

Upcoming Events


Membership Event – Please join us at the Kesser Maariv Adele Goldblum Women’s Council Membership Event. Tuesday November 17, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. at 4341 W. Golf, Skokie as we “travel around the world” with entertainer HEATHER BRAOUDAKIS.
Dessert Buffet * Membership $25, Guests $12 * Sponsorships: $54, $72, $90
For more information, please call Evelyne Sternfeld at (847) 679-5366.

Knitting for Charity – Meets alternate Tuesdays at 7:00 pm at the Shul. Next date: November 10. Call Wendy at (708) 205-5109 for more details.

Our Next Jewel Shop & Share Days will be December 7, 8 & 9. Slips will be available in a few weeks.

Post-Chanukah Event - The Women’s Council invites everyone – men, women, teens and children – to a post-Chanukah Game Night on Saturday night, December 19th at the shul. Stay tuned for more details.

GOOD & WELFARE
Mazel Tov To: Nasrin Kheradyar on the birth of a grandson, Austin, to Debbie & Eric Schames...Dr. Stu & Jan Goldman on the marriage of their son Josh...Drs. Charlene & Bob Appleson on the birth of a granddaughter...Gilda Allswang on the Bat Mitzvah of her granddaughter Talia Allswang in Israel...Evelyne Sternfeld on the engagement of her granddaughter, Zehava Rosenberg, and on the birth of a great-grandson, Noam Sternfeld...Carmella & Yossi Bega on the birth of a grandson, Yisrael Chai, to Gabi & Orli Oziel...Sanford & Shelley Schwartz on the engagement of their granddaughter Tova Gates...Dr. Joel & Rita feder on the marriage of their son Nathan...Dan & Faith Harris and Rabbi & Mrs. Moshe Soloveichik on the birth of a granddaughter, Sara Shayna, to Shmuli & Rachel Soloveichik.

Refua Sheleima to: Iris Fagan & Joe Fagan.

Welcome to Skokie: Herb & Rita Lowenstein

DVAR TORAH - UPCOMING JEWISH HOLIDAYS
On Shmini Atzeret we began to say Mashiv Haruach Umorid Hageshem (He [G-d] makes the wind blow and the rain fall). If you forget to say this in Shmone Esray, or if you don’t remember if you said it, you must repeat Shmone Esray. There are two cases, however, that if you don’t remember if you said it, you don’t have to repeat Shmone Esray. After Monday, November 9, you are considered to be accustomed to say it, or if one says this line with the preceding line 100 times, like we sing during Hakafot, you don’t have to repeat Shmone Esray.

At Maariv on December 4th, we begin to say “V’tein tal umattar livracha” in the Shmona Esray. This is a request for rain, whereas Mashiv Haruach is only a praise, not a request. In Israel they began saying it 15 days after Sukkot, but outside Israel, we begin on December 4th, which is the Halachik beginning of winter. This calculation is part of the same equation used in calculation of the seasons in regard to the once-in-28-years Blessing of the Sun we just said the day before Pesach.

Chanukah - December 11 - December 19.
This year we light the first Chanukah candle on Friday, December 11th. We add one candle each night through Friday evening, December 18th. Remember, on Fridays, December 11th & 18th the Chanukah candles are lit before lighting Shabbat Candles. We make certain that night’s candle will burn until at least 75 minutes after sundown.

What does Chanukah commemorate? The Syrian-Greeks, in about 150 BCE, tried to make the Jews adopt some of their pagan practices. They also tried to introduce the sacrifice of unclean animals in the Temple. The Maccabees, a family of Jewish priests turned warriors, managed to vanquish the marauding Syrian/Greek armies. However, the Syrian-Greeks tried to defile all the pure oil for the Menorah by breaking the seals on the bottles. The Maccabees found one vial of pure oil, enough to kindle the Menorah for one day. The Sanhedrin, the Jewish Religious high court, decided to light all of the oil and fulfill the mitzvah (commandment) as required, and a miracle occurred. The Menorah burned for eight days, allowing the Maccabees the requisite time to sanctify themselves and prepare more oil. It was decided to light candles in areas visible to passers-by to publicize this great miracle. We light one candle the first night, and add one every night until the end of the holiday.

There are many special Mitzvot, Commandments, and customs that are observed on Chanukah. In addition to lighting the candles, we eat latkes (potato pancakes), and sufganiyot (jelly rolls), to recall the miracle that took place with the oil. We also add the prayer of Hallel, a prayer of praise and thanks to G-d as well as the Al Hanisim, prayer of miracles which is added to the Amidah and Grace after meals.

Children play with dreidels to remind us how we deceived the Syrian-Greeks. The Syrian-Greeks had a master plan of world domination. It involved the assimilation of those that they conquered to Syrian-Greek culture or else face extermination. By Syrian-Greek law, Jews were prohibited from learning Torah. They had regular patrols to all Jewish schools to assure that no Torah was being taught. The Jews were dedicated to the Torah and devised a plan to trick them. They learned Torah, but each school had a sentry, or look-out student. When the sentry announced the imminent arrival of the Syrian-Greek patrol, all the children hid their books and took out dreidels, which were simple gambling implements. The Syrian-Greeks were always quite happy to see the “progress” being made by the Jewish students who had seemingly abandoned the road of Torah and had embraced gambling. Chanukah calls upon us to fight assimilation and assume Jewish continuity, a task as valid today as it was in 150 BCE.

Asarah B'Tevet - Sunday, December 27th.
Asarah B'Tevet, which means the 10th day of the Hebrew month of Tevet, is a fast day. It was on this day in 586 BCE that the Babylonians began the siege of Jerusalem that eventually led to the destruction of the first Temple. Today, on this solemn occasion, we repent and return to our heritage and observance of the commandments, because it was our departure from these traditions that caused the Almighty to allow the destruction of both Temples. May the Almighty have mercy on His children and speedily redeem us on the merit of the commandment of Tzedakkah, charity and good deeds, that we all perform each and every day.

HANDY KESSER MAARIV COMMITTEES PHONE LIST
To reserve your kiddush date call Judy Whisler at (847) 677-2281 or e-mail j5awhisler@aol.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.

SHABBAT SCHEDULE
  Date Candle Lighting Mincha Shacharit Shiur Mincha
Vayeira 11/6-11/7 4:19 pm 4:20 pm 8:45 am 3:05 pm 4:05 pm
Chayei Sara 11/13-11/14 4:11 pm 4:10 pm 8:45 am 3:00 pm 4:00 pm
Toldot 11/20-11/21 4:06 pm 4:05 pm 8:45 am 2:55 pm 3:55 pm
Vayeitzei 11/27-11/28 4:02 pm 4:05 pm 8:45 am 2:50 pm 3:50 pm
Vayishlach 12/4-12/5 4:00 pm 4:00 pm 8:45 am 2:50 pm 3:50 pm
Vayeishev
Chanuka
12/11-12/12 3:59 pm 4:00 pm 8:45 am 2:50 pm 3:50 pm
Mikeitz
Chanuka
12/18-12/19 4:01 pm 4:00 pm 8:45 am 2:50 pm 3:50 pm
Vayigash 12/25-12/26 4:05 pm 4:05 pm 8:45 am 2:55 pm 3:55 pm
Vayechi 1/1-1/2 4:10 pm 4:10 pm 8:45 am 3:00 pm 4:00 pm
Shemot 1/8-1/9 4:17 pm 4:20 pm 8:45 am 3:05 pm 4:05 pm
Va'eira 1/15-1/16 4:25 pm 4:25 pm 8:45 am 3:15 pm 4:15 pm
Bo 1/22-1/23 4:33 pm 4:35 pm 8:45 am 3:25 pm 4:25 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

Tuesdays 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 southwest 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


* 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 $100
Acorns are available for $500
Foundation Stones are available for $1,000

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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