KAM ISAIAH ISRAEL FROM THE RABBI S DESK. December 2013/January 2014 Kislev/Tevet/Shevat Volume 44 Number 4. Inside:

Transcription

1 KAM ISAIAH ISRAEL C O N G R E G AT I O N December 2013/January 2014 Kislev/Tevet/Shevat 5774 Y Volume 44 Number 4 FROM THE RABBI S DESK ou may have heard that Judaism is not in favor of Jewish people marrying people who are someone other than Jewish. There is no way around the fact that throughout our long history, for most of it, there have been those in our tradition who have expressed disapproval of exogamy. In the Torah, Abraham makes it clear that Isaac his son is only to marry someone from the family, and not one of the Canaanites amongst whom they dwell. We see Esau marrying Canaanites but meeting disapproval from his parents Isaac and Rebecca. Jacob is sent back to the old country in order to find a proper wife. These are not the only voices our traditions have, however. Joseph marries Asnat, the daughter of the priest of On. Moses marries Zippora, the daughter of the priest of Midian. Both of these important figures in our tradition - Moses arguably being the most important - marry not only women from outside the faith, but daughters of idolatrous priests! Miriam, Moses sister, will later criticize Moses for having married such a woman, and God strikes her with leprosy as a punishment for her words. But we would be doing our history a disservice if we did not acknowledge that for the last two thousand years, at least, our people have discouraged exogamy. In the 20th century, things started to change. As Jews integrated more and more into America, certainly some Jews put aside their Judaism because they could. Now, every Jew in America is a Jew by Choice, because we could all choose to let it go, and we have to work actively to be part of Judaism. Those who chose to remain Jewish found something surprising: most of the rest of America not only didn t care that we are Jewish, but many of them found Jewish people who were enough the same that they fell in love and got married. To the point now that, of the marriages that involve one Jew in this country, 58% of them involve someone who is something other than Jewish. If we look only at non-orthodox Jewish, the number is 71%. Something has changed. There are people who love Jews, who want to join with us, who want to raise their children as Jews. I think that the answer to Jewish people marrying someone who is something other than Jewish is celebration. We should prioritize the other strains in our tradition which welcome people into our midst. For instance, Isaiah wrote that strangers shall join them. Throughout the our history, we have been accompanied by others who, while initially strangers to our traditions, come to be assets to the Jewish people. Continued on page 2 Inside: Rabbi s Installation Remarks... 2 President s Report... 4 Rabbi Wolf Memorial Shabbat... 5 Adult Education... 6 Food Justice and Sustainability Weekend... 8 Christmas at the Movies; Janowski Concert... 9 In the Family In the Community Religious and Nursery School Teen Award; Family Retreat Weekend Religious and Nursery School; Reasons to Celebrate Cooks Corner Donations Tribute Funds; Zichronam s Important Update from our President December Calendar January Calendar... 22

2 FROM THE RABBI S DESK When we see the importance that the stranger has in our tradition, we could be surprised to think that we have had any difficulty at welcoming them. We are not to oppress the stranger because we were strangers in the land of Egypt. We are told that there is to be one set of laws for the native Jew and the stranger both. We are told that we need to protect the stranger in our midst. And, even though this commandment has not had as much press as Love your neighbor as yourself, we are told that we are to love the stranger as we love ourselves. And so I say welcome to all interfaith families. And I say thank you particularly to the spouse who is something other than Jewish. Thank you for finding value in Judaism. Thank you for raising your children Jewish. You are doing something for the entire Jewish people. Thank you for making our community more diverse and therefore more robust and richer. We are better because of you. As we go forth into this new century, exploring the spiritual West and defining what Judaism in the 21st century looks like, let us do so with this guiding idea: Love. Not love for ourselves, or love for our own kind, but love. We love God, we love the neighbor, we love the stranger. These are the three loves commanded by the Torah, and they guide our 21st century Judaism. When we realize this love in our lives, we will be very close to that day in the future when all shall be right again. May it be speedily and in our own day. RABBI S INSTALLATION REMARKS Rabbi Frederick Reeves freeves@kamii.org Many of you mentioned that you were moved, and delighted, by Rabbi Reeves's remarks on the occasion of his Installation on October 11. And you asked to have a copy of the text. So we are including it here, in its entirety. There are some people I would like to thank, first and foremost those members of the search committee who decided to bring me here: co-chairs Amy Gelman and Robert Nevel, and the members Brian Coe, Shari Granat, David Hoyt, Leslie Kay, Gary Laser, Tom Levinson, Stephen Marcus, Daniel Mass, Jonathan Perman, David Rubin, Corinne Siegel- Gerson, and Regina Umanskiy. I know that the job wasn t easy, but, speaking personally, I think you did it very well. I would also like to thank the members of my transition team: Chair Amy Wishnick, Isaac Kirstein, Bruce Meyer, Michael Rosen, Deloris Sanders, and Janet Surkin. You have all helped to make this move into Chicago and KAM Isaiah Israel so much easier for Lauren and for me. Here we are, on October 11. You may not know that today is an auspicious day in the history of our congregation. On this day, in 1845, Benedict Shubert, Jacob Rosenberg, S. Friedheim, the brothers Julius, Abraham, Morris and Mayer Kohn, Harry Benjamin, Philip Newburgh and Mayer Klein met in a room situated above a store on the corner of Wells and Lake Streets and formed the first minyan in Chicago history. That year, October 11 was Yom Kippur, and these German Jewish settlers of the western frontier of this country came together to observe the solemnest day in our calendar. Two years later, these men drew up documents that created KAM, Kehilat Anshei Maarav, the Congregation of the People of the West. So, in some ways, October 11 this year is the 168th anniversary of our congregation, even though officially, November 3 will be our 166th. Since then, there were a number of mergers, so that today we are KAM Isaiah Israel. I spent a lot of time on Rosh hashanah talking about different aspects of our identity, particularly about redefining the West in our name into 2

3 RABBI S INSTALLATION REMARKS a spiritual West which will be the locus of our exploration, and much of that does not need to be rehashed now expect plenty of hashing and rehashing in the future. But what I do want to say this evening brings the focus on what we need in order to make it through the next 166 or 168 years of our congregation. When I have met with smaller groups of our congregation, I have talked about one word in particular, and that is excellence. Over the next few years, we are going to be playing around with things here at KAM Isaiah Israel. Our goal will be to bring excellence to everything that we do, so that in five years time, everything that we do will be excellent, and if we can t do something excellently, then we will not do it. I have heard it said that Harold Richman, may he be remembered for a blessing, had striving for excellence as a motto. We will use Harold s words as a guide. I think that we can agree, with humility, that such a striving for excellence has already been on display here in elements such as communications, and most particularly the High Holy Days that we experienced this year. Yes, there are improvement opportunities, nothing is perfect, but the feeling in the lobby as people were walking out and taking their honey sticks after Rosh hashanah morning services was the kind of excitement and joy that we want to bring to every moment. It is not easy, and it takes work from your professional staff. I am so grateful to be working with such great people Cantor Eskenasy is a wonderful partner with fun musical vision, Tal Rosen keeps us all on the straight and narrow, Sarah Cort brings energy and excitement to our children, and for the High Holy Days I was fortunate to partner with our Cantor Emerita Deborah Bard. Here at KAM Isaiah Israel, we are so fortunate to be supported by Roger Drobinige, Corey Caver, and Maurice Nichols nothing would happen here without them. And all of us here benefit from Stewart Martin many of you may only know him as the voice that says KAM Isaiah Israel may I help you? But he is much more. So yes, bringing excellence will take work from us. But not only us. I want everyone here to look left, look right, and then look inside. You have just looked at the essential people for this congregation the people of this congregation. When we come together, it is incumbent on us all to be excellent and here we want less Monty Burns and more Bill and Ted. When we interact with people, we will be excellent to each other. When we see someone we do not know, what s the excellent thing to do here? Saying hello and being friendly. Excellence in our congregation is not only for the professional staff. It is for us all. Then, when we come together, we will be creating excellent space, have an excellent experience, and we will tell others how excellent KAM Isaiah Israel is. And then they will come here, too. Through this next year, as we begin our exploration of the spiritual West together, we are excited to have a focus driving what we are doing. The focus this year is the Jewish family. On November 1st, at Shabbat services, we are going to be recognizing the place of interfaith families in our congregation and thanking the spouses who are something other than Jewish who play such an important role in the life of our people. Our school retreat in February will focus on families, and the Jacob J. Weinstein Scholar Weekend is entitled the Changing Jewish Family, preliminarily focusing on interfaith and LGBTQIA. And, just as a teaser, I will say that we are in the very early stages of developing an experiment for our religious school, an exploration of the West kind of project that will make KAM Isaiah Israel talked about by every Reform synagogue in this country. Provided we do it excellently. So I am delighted to be here. Thank you to everyone in this congregation. I am so excited to be your rabbi. 3

4 PRESIDENT S REPORT Houses of worship were, and sometimes still are, purposefully designed to be inward focused. High window sills are meant to keep eyes inside, inside and eyes outside, outside. Sanctuaries are often elevated several feet above street level to symbolically and actually separate those inside from those outside. Thick, windowless doors are meant to repel. Massive masonry fortress like facades are meant to appear impenetrable. What goes on inside stays inside. What goes on outside stays outside. This model may have been, in the past, useful and even necessary. Today, however, it may inadvertently deliver a message inconsistent with the ethos of the congregation. Our landmark building epitomizes this model. After a climb of fourteen risers or about seven and a half feet up from Greenwood, and a good tug on the iron pull of a massive hardwood door, one gains access to the lobby of our main sanctuary. Until inside, it s not clear what one is actually getting into. For the outsider or uninitiated, these uncertainties, obstructions and obstacles may impede or even prevent entry, reinforce an us and them distinction and deliver a message wholly inconsistent with our tradition and culture. The work going on right outside our building, however, delivers a different message, a message which demonstrates who we really are. KAMII s long tradition of social justice work and of leadership and innovation has been, since 2009, on display front and center, in our on-site urban farm. For the last five years from early March through late November, an interfaith group ranging in age from 13 to 83, and coming from the north side, the south loop, Hyde Park and Woodlawn, has been out farming along Greenwood and Hyde Park Blvd. Our shared teachings and traditions are on display each week for all to see as our crew performs acts of loving kindness, pursues justice, welcomes the stranger, loves their neighbor, provides for those in need, repairs the world and teaches others how to help themselves. Through this work KAMII has, in an odd sort of way, been turned inside out and the result is both surprising and amazing. Surprising is the extent to which our larger community is drawn to the work. Truly amazing and truly moving is the way in which our larger community has, through the work, become such an integral part of our congregation. Much has come from this inversion of KAMII. The yield from the congregation s farming exceeds 12,000 pounds and our summer young leadership program and urban ag weekends have helped to teach hundreds about food justice and sustainability. But far more amazing, is the incalculable amount of good will and understanding gained in our community and beyond. From common ground has grown a powerful interfaith community working together outside the conventional boundaries of our house of worship but well within our shared teachings and traditions. Let us all look for more ways to be a part of our larger community and more ways for our larger community to be a part of KAMII. The results can be truly amazing. May we go from strength to strength. Robert Nevel president@kamii.org 4

5 RABBI WOLF MEMORIAL SHABBAT cultivating hope in an era of uncertainty... In honor of Rabbi Wolf s fifth yahrzeit, the Rabbi Arnold Jacob Wolf Committee presents The Age of Catastrophes a new chamber work by Shawn Brogan Allison featuring the recorded sermons of Rabbi Arnold Jacob Wolf The Age of Catastrophes focuses on navigating the moral and spiritual complexities of living in a time when our worst dreams come true--our worst fears are in the headlines, and the role that we all play in creating hope for the future. Friday, December 6 Following the at 7:30 PM Julia Bentley Alan Dunbar Spektral Quartet Nolan Pearson Michael Lewanski Performed by: Spektral Quartet Julia Bentley, mezzo-soprano Alan Dunbar, baritone Nolan Pearson, piano Michael Lewanski, conductor Please join us for a Congregational Dinner at 6:30 PM, preceding this special Shabbat service. $5 per person. RSVP by Tuesday, December 3, to 5

6 ADULT EDUCATION Hyde Park Munch & Learn Please mark your calendars to join us for these stimulating conversations. All Munch & Learn programs are Noon to 1:00 PM. Bring your own lunch, and we ll provide dessert and snacks. Monday, December 9 (please note date change) Kate Grossman, deputy editorial page editor, Chicago Sun-Times Covering the Chicago Public Schools: Stories from the Front Lines Tuesday, January 14 Susan Alitto, Chair of Hyde Park Village It Takes a Village Susan Alitto chatting with Nina Helstein Susan, with guests Andrew Holzman and Phyllis Mitzen, will discuss the Village movement and its growth and opportunities in Hyde Park. Short-Term Class Series Death of the Gods Hints of Polytheism in the Biblical Text Tuesdays, January 14, 21, and 28, 7:00 8:00 PM Taught by Rabbi Reeves Although the final editors of our Biblical texts were certainly monotheists, the source texts they used to create the Bible frequently show evidence of a past in which the existence of multiple deities was recognized. We will read a number of these texts, including one which might portray the destruction of these other gods by the Israelite God. Introduction to Judaism Tuesdays, December 3 through April 8, 7:00 9:00 PM Taught by Rabbi Reeves & Cantor Eskenasy Learn the basics of Jewish thought and practice in this 17-week introductory class. The course presents a mix of study, discussion, and practical experiences designed for those exploring a Jewish life for themselves interfaith couples, non- Jews considering conversion, and Jews looking for adult-level basics. Classes discuss topics such as prayer, holidays, life cycle events, and history. For this course, please register at 6

7 ADULT EDUCATION Sunday Lectures Sundays during Religious School, 10:30 AM Noon Religious school time is not just a time for children there are learning opportunities for adults as well! Join us for one of these engaging presentations. Selected dates and topics are below; check kamii.org for more details. We will resume Sunday Lectures in February. December 8 Shawn Allison, Composer From Sermon to Score: Setting Rabbi Wolf s Words to Music December 15 John E. Woods, Professor of Iranian & Central Asian History, University of Chicago "The Jews of/and Iran" Save the Weekend! Friday, February 28 - Sunday, March 2, 2014 Jacob J. Weinstein Scholar-in-Residence Weekend A weekend of learning and dialogue on the New Jewish Family with Jonathan Boyarin, the Thomas and Dianne Mann Professor of Jewish Studies and Professor of Anthropology at Cornell University. Professor Boyarin is the author of Jewish Families, part of the Key Words in Jewish Studies series published by Rutgers University Press. More details to come KAMII FOOD JUSTICE PROGRAM MAKES THE NEWS AGAIN From a letter titled Seven Species, Urban Agriculture and Food Justice by Nigel Savage, Executive Director of Hazon, appearing in the Hazon newsletter of October 31: I think it s starting to become clear that really every Jewish community in the world ideally every single institution should have its own garden. In communities across America, urban agriculture is taking root as an innovative solution to increase access to healthy food while, at the same time, revitalizing the economic and social health of communities. And it s definitely happening in the Jewish community. It seems invidious to name just two examples there are so many good ones but I wanted to point out for example the great programs at KAM Isaiah Israel in Chicago, Illinois (called the Chicago s Garden of Eden by The Chicago Jewish News) and the Peninsula Jewish Community Center in Foster City, California (featured in the JCarrot article Sowing the Seeds of Justice ). Jewish communities can benefit from engaging in this movement.i also think that growing food for others with intention and love has a deeper impact than canned food drives, bagged lunches, or similar food justice/hunger relief initiatives, important though those are. Programming can involve the whole family. Gardens have intergenerational appeal; they re accessible. Seemingly abstract values derived from Jewish text can suddenly be seen, felt and touched. And the process of growing food suddenly opens us up to new awareness. 7

8 FOOD JUSTICE AND SUSTAINABILITY WEEKEND KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation s Social Justice Committee Presents The 5th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Food Justice and Sustainability Weekend Tu B shvat, Food Forests, and Sustainable Urban Design January 17-19, 2014 Friday, January 17 7:30 PM - Shabbat service with keynote speaker Martha C. Nussbaum, Ernst Freund Distinguished Service Professor of Law and Ethics, Department of Philosophy and Law School, The University of Chicago Martha Nussbaum received her BA from NYU and her MA and PhD from Harvard. She has taught at Harvard, Brown, and Oxford Universities. Ms. Nussbaum has been a member of the Council of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a member of the Board of the American Council of Learned Societies. Her 1998 book Sex and Social Justice won the book award of the North American Society for Social Philosophy in She has received honorary degrees from over forty colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, Asia, Africa, and Europe. In 2009, Ms. Nussbaum won the A.SK award from the German Social Science Research Council (WZB) for her contributions to social system reform, and the American Philosophical Society s Henry M. Phillips Prize in Jurisprudence. Her newest book is Political Emotions: Why Love Matters for Justice. Saturday, January 18 9:30-10:30 AM - Torah study led by Rabbi Frederick Reeves, followed by Shabbat morning service 4:30-6:30 PM - Community design workshop: An urban food forest case study, followed by refreshments Sunday, January 19 11:00 AM -3:45 PM - Workshops about trees, Tu B shvat, social justice, cooking, urban agriculture, and more! KAM Isaiah Israel s strong commitment to social justice is exemplified by its award-winning, nationally recognized food justice and sustainability program. Since it was founded in 2009, the program has grown, harvested, and donated more than 12,000 pounds of fresh food. In addition, KAMII s social justice committee presents an annual program devoted to equal access to healthy food and sustainable land use in celebration of the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. For more information, please visit 8

9 Join in our Annual Christmas at the Movies Wednesday, December 25 4:00 PM CHRISTMAS AT THE MOVIES In keeping with our newest tradition, KAMII will show a film of Jewish interest (accompanied by popcorn, what else!) followed by a Chinese dinner. Guests are welcome. Stay tuned to your for more details., Save the Date for this Musical Event! Janowski Young Artist Concert Sunday, February 2, 2014 at 3:00 PM Featuring Noah Meites, Composer JANOWSKI YOUNG ARTIST CONCERT Program highlights A newly commissioned piece for viola and piano featuring violist Linnea Powell (Los Angeles) and pianist Jani Parsons (Chicago) The U.S. premiere of Sonance for 9-piece chamber ensemble, composed in in the Netherlands under the tutelage of Dutch master composer Louis Andriessen An exciting ensemble of talented young musicians including Yvonne Lam (violin), Mira Magrill (flute), Linnea Powell (viola), Jani Parsons (piano), Christopher Sies (percussion), Alexa Muhly (cello), and Yaniv Segal (conductor) Commentary from the composer about his work and artistic process A reception will follow the program. Artist Biography Born and raised in the city of Chicago, Noah Meites (b. 1982) is a composer active in a variety of mediums including chamber, orchestral, and electronic music. A KAMII confirmand (1998), he recently completed a year of postdoctoral study in the Netherlands with Louis Andriessen in Amsterdam and Diderik Wagenaar and Martijn Padding at the Royal Conservatory of the Hague. Prior to moving to the Netherlands, Noah earned his doctorate in Music Composition from the University of California Santa Cruz where he studied with Paul Nauert, Hi Kyung Kim, and David Cope. Noah s music features a dynamic combination of driving rhythmic activity and penetrating lyricism, and has been recognized nationally in the United States by BMI, SCI/ASCAP, the Atlantic Center for the Arts, and the Virginia Center for Creative Arts. In addition to numerous performances throughout the United States, Noah s music has been perfomed abroad in South Korea, Japan, the Netherlands, and Guatemala. His doctoral dissertation composition, COUNTING, for large ensemble and vocal soloists with text by the Los Angeles-based poet Jeremy Schmidt, was recently premiered at the Royal Conservatory of the Hague s 2013 Spring Festival. Noah currently resides in Los Angeles and is the son of KAMII members Tom Meites and Lynn Frackman. This concert is sponsored by the Gretel and Max Janowski Fund. 9

10 IN THE FAMILY By Grace Wolf Recognizing Our Members Achievements In late September, Leslie Kay received an Award of Merit from the Alumni Association of St. John s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The award recognized her achievements as a scientist and the work she has done mentoring current students from her alma mater in her laboratory at the University of Chicago. Leslie is an associate professor of psychology at the U of C, as well as director of the Institute for Mind and Biology. On December 5, Max Stein will receive a Distinguished Alumni Award from the Public Interest Law Initiative. After Max graduated from law school, he was a PILI Fellow at the Sargent Shriver Center on Poverty Law in He says, The most interesting part of my time there was not so much the work I did as the glimpse it gave me into the wide variety of work that the organization as a whole was doingfrom impact litigation to policy initiatives to lobbying. As Max began to practice law, he continued his pro bono work and recently became board chair of the Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. He is currently a member of Boodell & Domanskis. It s hardly surprising that Max s parents are also being honored for their commitment to public service. On March 6, 2014, Fred and Nikki Stein will receive one of the 25th Annual Studs Terkel Community Media Awards from the Community Media Workshop. Their award, the Uplifting Voices Award, is a new award created to salute the contributions of those who have nurtured and supported the nonprofit organizations working in the diverse communities that the Studs Terkel Community Media Award winners typically cover. Congratulations to Dara Henning and Sam Volchenboum, who both successfully completed the Chicago Marathon on October 13. This was Dara s first attempt to run a 26+ mile race, and Sam s sixth running of the Chicago Marathon. (If I ve missed any other KAMII members who ran in the Marathon this year, please let me know.) See Nancy Fritz Paintings at ARC Nancy Fritz announces that her paintings will be shown at ARC Gallery, 2156 N. Damen, from January 8 to February 1, with the show opening on January 10 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. She says, This show features small, intimate portraits combined with installation elements, in which I try to comment on the life of my mother, who turned 90 this year. Religion and Women s Health Care May Conflict On November 8, Dr. Debra Stulberg spoke at the ACLU of Illinois about Women s Health at Stake: Medical Care in Catholic Hospitals. The following morning, she appeared, live, on the Melissa Harris-Perry program on MSNBC as part of a panel discussing women s health issues at hospitals subject to Catholic control. Debbie is an assistant professor of family medicine at the University of Chicago. Her research focuses on disparities in reproductive health, and the effect of religiously-sponsored health care on reproductive health, medical decision-making, and the doctor-patient relationship. JCUA Leader Arrested for Civil Disobedience On November 6, Sidney Hollander, a former president and current board member of the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, was arrested at a Chicago rally calling for immigration reform. In an to JCUA supporters, Sidney wrote, I do not undertake civil disobedience lightly. Law is a foundation of civilization, and is absolutely central to Judaism. Jews are commanded to welcome the stranger. The commandment is repeated more than 30 times, the most of any commandment in the Hebrew Bible. Unfortunately, for nearly four years the U.S. government has operated in flagrant disregard of that commandment, visiting a reign of terror on 11 million families who seek only to live peacefully and productively in their adopted country.... My small act of civil disobedience is a call to all of us to rediscover our humanity and welcome the stranger among us, as we are commanded. Greeting a New Generation Karen and Steve Bloomberg report that their first grandchild, Gabriel Morris Roberts-Bloomberg, was born on Oct. 22, weighing 7 lb., 11 oz. Michelle Bloomberg, a psychologist in Oakland, California, and Margaret Roberts, a translator for the California court system, are doing fine and enjoying being mothers. Karen says that the bris ceremony was extremely beautiful with chanting and singing and letters read to Gabriel from his Uncle Josh and Aunt Noemie, who live in Israel. On October 26, Cody Kumar Meadow ( Cokumeaux ) was born to Jess Kumar and Xander Meadow, who live in Oak Park. Cody is the first grandchild of Bill Meadow and Susan Goldin-Meadow. He weighed 6 lb., 2 oz., at birth. Cantor Emerita Deborah Bard participated in the bris ceremony, held at Bill and Susan s home in Hyde Park. 10

11 IN THE COMMUNITY Tour Chicago Synagogues The Chicago History Museum has announced The Synagogue Speaks, a tour of Chicago-area synagogues, on Sunday, December 8, led by expert guide and historian Rolf Achilles. The tour departs from the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark Street, promptly at 1:00 PM and lasts approximately four hours. It costs $55, $50 for members of the Chicago History Museum. Tickets are available at www. chicagohistory.org/tours or Learn About Jewish Life in Albany Park On Sunday, December 1, at 2:00 PM, the Chicago Jewish Historical Society is presenting a lecture by Chicago Tribune reporter Ron Grossman, You Can Go Home Again: A Love/ Hate Affair with Albany Park. It will be held at Kehilat Chovevei Tzion, 9220 N. Crawford Avenue, Skokie. General admission is $10 per person; free admission for CJHS and KCT members. Before the lecture, CJHS will elect members to its board of directors. A social hour with kosher refreshments will follow the lecture. On the University of Chicago Campus On Monday, December 2, 5:00-6:00 PM, award-winning Israeli novelist Dror Burstein, joined by translator Todd Husak-Lowy, will discuss his recent work. The event will be held in the Classics Building, Room 110, 1010 E. 59th Street. Further information is available from the Chicago Center for Jewish Studies at Sunday, January 19 - Tuesday, January 21 (all day), several departments and centers at the University of Chicago are presenting Pines Maimonides: The Translation, History, and Interpretation of The Guide of the Perplexed, an international conference to mark the 50th anniversary of the publication of Shlomo Pines English translation of Maimonides philosophical magnum opus. The conference will take place in Swift Hall, Third Floor Lecture Room, 1025 By Grace Wolf E. 58th Street. Further information is available from the Chicago Center for Jewish Studies at December/January at Spertus Matzah to Menorah: A Holiday Jazz Celebration will be presented on Thursday, December 5, at 7:00 PM at Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership, 610 S. Michigan Avenue. Hazzan Alberto Mizrahi of Anshe Emet Synagogue will perform along with jazz ensemble Trio Globo, featuring Howard Levy, Eugene Frieson, and Glen Velez. All seats are reserved and cost $35, $25, and $15. On Sunday, January 12, at 2:00 PM, Chef Laura Frankel will present Knead to Know: Challah Making Made Easy. She will demonstrate how to make both traditional and innovative versions of the delicious bread served on Shabbat. She will provide recipes, helpful tips, and plentiful samples. The admission charge is $25, $18 for Spertus members. On Sunday, January 26, at 2:00 PM, Professor David Nirenberg, who teaches medieval history and social thought at the University of Chicago, will discuss his new book, Anti- Judaism: The Western Tradition. Professor Nirenberg offers a wide-ranging explanation of why so much of the world has spent so much energy thinking about Jews and Judaism. Tickets cost $18, $10 for Spertus members, $8 for students. To purchase tickets for any of these Spertus events, call , or go to Share Your Stories Your fellow KAM Isaiah Israel members would enjoy reading about your doings and achievements. Please share news about yourself and your family. Just the information to me at wolf0047@earthlink.net, or leave a note in my folder in the synagogue office. Editor s note: Due to this combined December/January Bulletin, the next bulletin will be the February 2014 issue. Information will be due by Tuesday, January 7. Please send your event notices, articles and photos to me at my address below. Enjoy the holiday season and, as we welcome in 2014, may it be the beginning of a wonderful year for all! Phyllis Cohn, Editor phyllis.cohn@gmail.com 11

12 RELIGIOUS AND NURSERY SCHOOL As 2014 is nearing, I thought I would share some highlights in both of our school programs so far: In the Religious School, we started off the year by meeting the Jewish Avengers and the five Jewish values they represent: Iron Rabbi s zachor (remembrance), Captain Jewish s kavod (respect), Thor s minhag (tradition), the Incredible Hulk s koach (personal strength) and Black Widow s shem tov (good name). For our first five weeks we explore minhag (tradition) and started with the students making their own mezuzot. The exploration of minhag manifested itself in many different ways throughout our classes. In 5 th and 6 th grade, the students learned about the customs and traditions of different types of Jews and focused on our tradition as Reform American Jews. In pre-k and kindergarten, our students explored the traditions that accompany our Shabbat observance: the blessings for the candles, wine (grape juice), and challah as well as for havdallah. In 4 th grade, our students compared traditions of Jews in America to Jews in Israel. As Chanukah approaches, we are beginning the exploration of our new theme: ko-ach or personal strength. At our first all school assembly, we were visited again by the Incredible Hulk and began the discussion of the difference between physical and personal strength. I also planted the seed of different types of strength: of wisdom and knowledge, of courage, of humanity, of justice, and of transcendence. These are highlighted on our school bulletin board, where I invite you all to answer the question: When can you show personal strength? Another highlight of our school year has been the addition of electives into our curriculum, which has been fun and engaging for both students and teachers alike. For our first unit, students participated in cooking, art, garden, Jewpardy/ Jewish trivia, Jewish meditation, children s choir and Hebrew poetry. In our second unit, students signed up for music, cooking, art, Jewpardy/Jewish trivia, Modern Hebrew and You Be The Judge. The Nursery School has had an exciting few weeks in the 3-day and 5-day classes as well as our parent-toddler program. For the first few weeks of school, we welcomed new and returning students and spent a lot of time getting comfortable in the school setting with our daily routine. In our parent-toddler class, students and their caretakers worked together to create a beautiful Noah s Ark collage over several weeks, starting with the rocky waters, adding their Arks and, finally, adding animals. Our youngest friends love exploring our classroom and marching on the rug with Melinda! A main theme we ve been working on with our three- to five-year-old students has been Kind Hands and Gentle Words. Students had fun painting with all types of tools: brushes, our hands, sponges, apples and even cookie cutters. Students in the 3-day class discovered what happens when we mix different colors together. In the 5-day class, students have been busy with story dictation, sending piles of letters home. Both classes have started introducing the letter of the week and the accompanied show and tell, as well as the addition of Mystery Readers to their schedule. A highlight for the Nursery School this fall has been Shabbat with Rabbi Reeves. Students look forward to enjoying their special Friday snack of yummy challah. The first few Fridays, Rabbi Reeves joined us upstairs as students adjusted to school. Now we have moved downstairs to spend Shabbat with him in the chapel, where we light the candles and sing some of our favorite songs! We are looking forward to our Chanukah Assembly where students can teach their parents all of the new Shabbat songs they have learned! We still have openings in both the classic nursery school program for students ages three- to fiveyears-old, as well as in our parent-toddler classes. If you know any families who are eligible for our program, please pass along their contact information so we can be in touch. 12 Sarah Cort Director of Education scort@kamii.org

13 KAMII TEEN SELECTED FOR PRESTIGIOUS DILLER FELLOWSHIP Leah Umanskiy, the daughter of Regina and Konstantin Umanskiy, and a sophomore at the University of Chicago Laboratory High School, has been selected by the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago to participate in the region s inaugural cohort of the Diller Teen Fellows, a 15-month international leadership program that includes a three-week trip to Israel. Leah will join 19 other Chicago-area teens for monthly seminars and weekend retreats focusing on tikkun olam (social action and community service), Jewish identity, Israel and the Jewish community. Upon returning from Israel, teens will be mobilized to put what they ve learned into action through individual social justice projects. The international Diller program began in 1997 and was created to inspire and train future generations of Jewish leaders worldwide who will be committed to the Jewish community, Israel and community service. The local Chicago program is a collaboration of the Helen Diller Family Foundation, the International Diller Teen Fellows office, the JUF/Federation, and Chicago s Partnership 2Gether region in Israel. The local program is open to Chicago area Jewish high school sophomores and juniors. For more information, please visit or contact Jessica Fisher at JessicaFisher@juf.org. KAMII FAMILY RETREAT What: KAM Isaiah Israel Family Retreat When: Friday, February 7 - Sunday, February 9 Where: Olin-Sang Ruby Union Institute (OSRUI) in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin Register today at All are welcome to this family retreat! The topic is Jewish Family Values in the 21st Century. You won t want to miss this weekend of fun, learning, and (hopefully) snow. More details to follow. Any questions? Contact our Religious School Director, Sarah Cort, at scort@kamii.org or

14 RELIGIOUS AND NURSERY SCHOOL Join us on the fourth Saturday of the month for Tot Shabbat with Rabbi Reeves. We will sing songs and meet Ira! Upcoming Tot Shabbats: Saturday, December 21 and Saturday, January 25 9:00- in Stone Chapel Calling All Tots! Go to our website to see Sarah teach Ira Hinei Mah Tov! ( then scroll down until you see the puppet.) A Summer Camp Makes a Great Chanukah Gift Give your child or grandchild a gift that will last a lifetime a summer at URJ Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute. OSRUI combines creative and innovative Jewish experiences with all the fun of summer camp and offers sessions for campers entering 2 nd 12 th grades. Gift Certificates are available in any denomination, starting at $18. For more information about OSRUI programs, see their website: or contact them at osrui@urj.org or REASONS TO CELEBRATE! Chanukah Bazaar was a Star! The Chanukah Bazaar held on Sunday, November 17 was a wonderful success. Sales from 14 vendors, a delicious bake sale and the Judaica table raised over $2,000 for the Religious School. Many thanks to all the terrific volunteers as well as our great KAMII staff! While all birthdays and anniversaries are special, we list those on the decade or mid-decade as special. Birthdays over 85 years and anniversaries over 60 years are saluted each year. SPECIAL DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS Lawrence Klevan, December 1; Dana Gossett, December 4; Beverly Nathan, December 6; Henrietta Schultz, December 12; Aliza Jane Berks, December 13; Samuel Volchenboum, December 13; Brian Coe, December 18; Irene Fahrenwald, December 23; Lisa Williams, December 24; Robert Nevel, December 26; Mary Biblo, December 29 SPECIAL DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES John Selisky and Elizabeth Goldwyn, December 10, 25 years; Charles and Elizabeth Sklarsky, December 28, 40 years SPECIAL JANUARY BIRTHDAYS Harry Gottlieb, January 7; Helen Kim, January 8; Tina Weil, January 9; Dorothy Freedman, January 11; Nathan Kalichman, January 12; Myron Goren, January 13; Ruth Bloom, January 14; Addison Braendel, January 15; Shirley Fisher, January 16; Dorothy Gans, January 19; Harry Bekenstein, January 22; Paula Berger, January 22; Dana Edelson, January 27; Peter Heydemann, January 28; Martin Eckstein, January 30; Allen Roth, January 30 14

15 KAMII COOKS CORNER A new feature highlighting favorite recipes of our members, from a collection either recently submitted or from our First You Eat cookbook, issued over 30 years ago. If you have a recipe to share, please submit it to Phyllis Cohn at phyllis.cohn@gmail.com. Both space and seasonality will determine recipes featured. These treats make nice hostess gifts - and also are great to have on hand when you are the holiday hostess. With few ingredients and easy prep, they are really gems! Rugeleh From the kitchen of Amy Gelman Ingredients Filling 1 cup ground pecans 1 cup currants ½ cup sugar 1 T. cinnamon Combine pecans, currants, sugar and cinnamon in mixing bowl. Ingredients - Dough ½ lb. cream cheese (Neufchatel) 2 cups all purpose flour 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature 2 T. sugar Flour, for dusting the dough Combine cream cheese, flour, butter and sugar in large bowl and blend well. Divide dough into 4 pieces. Dust each with flour, shaking off excess. Roll each piece onto a sheet of waxed paper, into 10 circles. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Ingredient For Assembly 1 12-oz. jar apricot jam Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut each circle into 12 wedges. Spread each circle with jam. Divide the filling among the circles, spreading evenly. Roll up each wedge from outside edge to point. Arrange point down, on baking sheet that has been covered with parchment paper. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Slide paper off baking sheet and turn each cookie upside down to cool. Store in airtight container (may be frozen.) Makes 4 dozen cookies. Baked Snowflakes Adapted from The Fairy Cookbook From the kitchen of Susan Bass Marcus Ingredients 10 fajita-sized flour tortillas, room temperature 1 T. butter, melted Assorted colored sugars and/or edible glitters ½ cup powdered sugar Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Fold each tortilla into quarters and snip out shapes with a clean kitchen shears like you would make a paper snowflake. (15 seconds in the microwave will soften stiff tortillas.) Place tortillas on foil-lined cookie sheet, brush with melted butter and then sprinkle with colored sugars/edible glitters. Bake 5-8 minutes or until edges are browned. Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar and serve. Rosemary Walnuts Can be made a couple of days ahead and stored at room temperature, in an airtight container. From the kitchen of Linda Greenberg Hanessian Ingredients 2½ T. unsalted butter (or even a bit less) 2 tsp. dried rosemary, crumbled 1 tsp. salt ½ tsp. cayenne 2 cups (about 8 oz.) walnuts Put rack in middle of oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Melt butter, in a baking sheet with sides, in the oven. Stir in rosemary, salt and cayenne. Toss walnuts in butter until well coated and then spread out into one layer. Bake for 10 minutes. Makes 2 cups. 15

16 DONATIONS General Fund Irving Cutler Rosalie Dixler Congregation Emanu-El B ne Jeshurun The Estate of Juliette Porges In Honor of the B not Mitzvah of Kyle and Riley Kay Sam and Paula Golden In Memory of Elise Mann Sylvia Mann In Honor of Barbara Moss s Birthday Shelley Gorson and Alan Salpeter The KAMII Fresh Food Initiative Barbara and Steven Adelman Sam and Paula Golden The KAMII Food Justice and Sustainability Project In Honor of KAMII s Social Justice Efforts DePaul University The Weisman Family Foundation Memorial Yahrzeits In Memory of Marion W. Carter Shirley Carter In Memory of Harry Fisher Shirley Fisher In Memory of Leonard Fisher Shirley Fisher In Memory of Jack Jacob Moss Barbara and Jonathan Moss In Memory of Jean Winer Jerome and Inge Winer In Memory of Peggy Marie Zivi David Cramer and Susan Stodolsky The Music Enhancement Fund In Memory of Juliette Porges Sam and Paula Golden The Rabbi s Discretionary Fund Nina Helstein Joan Levin Dan and Lenore Mass Rabbi Rachel Mikva and Mark Rosenberg Dianne Ratowsky The Family of Norm Weinberg 16 We thank all contributors for their generosity and support of our synagogue family. (Contributions received October 6 to November 5 are listed) In Memory of Sandra Jacobsohn Lee Jacobsohn In Honor of Rabbi Frederick Reeves Installation Victor and Sylvia Margolin The William and Bernard Weinberg Scholarship Fund In Memory of Norm Weinberg Ernestine and Ralph Austen Jeff and Rabbi Ilana Baden Diane and Larry Crangle Rabbi Marc and Debbie Berkson Joan and Ronald Cohen Perri and Richard Courtheoux Robert and Claire Dankoff Marvin and Susie Dickman Marianne Dreyfus David Fine Charlie Firke and Miriam Kalichman Fern and Joel Ginsberg and Family Anita and Acho Fraiman Michael Gelber and Debra Hammond Paula Givan and Nathan Kalichman Sam and Paula Golden Ronald and Terry Hendin Jane Heron Clive and Judith Kamins Douglas and Ilene Klegon Lynne F. Landsberg Anita and David Lebowitz Joan Levin Bill Levy and Patrick Schwarz Bud Lifton and Carol Rosofsky Jeff Lyon Roz Mosko Sharon Morton The Board of Trustees of North Shore Congregation Israel Judith and Steven Richman Chad and Jessica Rosenthal Harold and Deloris Sanders Edith Strauss Dorothy and Peter Scheff Rabbi Howard and Eileen Shapiro Elliot and Jane Stokar

17 DONATIONS The William and Bernard Weinberg Scholarship Fund In Memory of Norm Weinberg Raymond and Mary Anne Wexler Henry and Lucille Wolf Rabbi Leo and Helen Wolkow Eric and Jillian Zaff The Rabbi Arnold J. Wolf Adult Education Fund Lila Bondy Ruth Eckhouse Carolyn and Howard Haas Sheldon and Lee Karon Barbara and Dennis Kessler The Liebow Family Shana Lowitz Marilyn Richman Richard and Betty Rubenstein Myron Scholes Arthur W. Segil Barbara Siegel Eric Sussman Karen, Irving, and Elizabeth Walanka Florence Weisblat DONATIONS IN HONOR OF RABBI FREDERICK REEVES S INSTALLATION Thank you to everyone who donated! Bernice Auslander Alison Banger and Joseph Slade Kate Berezutskaya Adrien Bledstein Tracy and Brian Coe Phyllis and Howard Cohn Marilyn Coopersmith Melinda and Robert Deegan Michael Dockterman and Laura DiGiantonio Amy and Andrew Gelman Harry and Jean Gottlieb Chuck and Shari Granat Elizabeth and Howard Helsinger Sidney Hollander and Kay Berkson Lorraine and Mickey Jaffe Rebecca Janowitz Jackie and Arthur Kanfer Alma and Ray Kuby Ruth and Don Levine Ruth M. Levine Bud Lifton and Carol Rosofsky Joe Marlin Richard and Lauren Miller Bud and Grace Newman Jonathan Perman and Melissa Hilton Kathy Reeves Marlene Richman Michael Rosen and Lee Haupt Martin and Donna Rosenbush David and Rebecca Rubin Diane and Scott Salk Harold and Deloris Sanders Barbara and Thomas Schnitzer Daila Shefner Howard and Roberta Siegel Morton Silverman and Kineret Jaffe Charles and Elizabeth Sklarsky Margie Smigel Fred and Nikki Stein Leslie Stulberg and Jerry Levy Janet Surkin and Robert Stillman The Clergy Team of The Temple Robert Wenger Amy and Jonathan Wishnick 17

18 TRIBUTE FUNDS Temple Operating Funds Discretionary Funds: Rabbi s Fund Cantor s Fund Landmark Preservation Fund Stolz-Levi Walter Jacobs Memorial Library Fund Music Enhancement Fund Prayer Book/Humash Fund Religious School Fund Nursery School Fund Kathrynn W. Rosenbluth Flower Fund Harold A. Rosenstein Temple Fund Blanche R. Stolz Scholarship Fund Jacob J. Weinstein Fund Rabbi Arnold Jacob Wolf Memorial Fund Youth Activities Fund Youth Group Israel Scholarship Fund Other Restricted Foundation Funds Blanche and Philip Brail Social Action Fund Julius J. Browdy Scholarship and Education Fund Agnes Davis Memorial Fund Ruth Diane Davis Scholarship Fund Maurice L. Heller Memorial Camp Scholarship Fund Gretel and Max Janowski Fund Babette and Irving H. Mann Educational Fund Necheles Scholarship Fund Rabbi Hayim Goren Perelmuter Fund Beatrice K. Schneiderman Social Action Fund Michael and Rebecca Schneiderman and Family Scholarship Fund Ezra Sensibar Fund Harvey Shapiro Memorial Scholarship Fund Esther Rosalie N. and Theodore Stone Chapel Fund William and Bernard Weinberg Scholarship Fund Other Donor Address I/We Contribute $ Date Acknowledge to Address In Honor of In Memory of Please make checks payable to: KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation 1100 East Hyde Park Blvd., Chicago, IL Contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. dkxal mpexkif ZICHRONAM LIV RACHA May their memories be for a blessing We remember our members Leonore Gill, mother of Larry (Rosemary) Gill Marvin Gordon, husband of Fran Gordon Lee Haupt, wife of Michael Rosen Sandra Jacobsohn 18 We extend condolences to Barbara (Jonathan) Moss on the death of her uncle, Morse Klubock Marlene Richman on the death of her aunt, Dorothy Garfield

19 SHABBAT SERVICES December Services Shabbat Vayigash: Genesis 44:18-47:27 Friday, December 6 Family at 6:00 PM at 7:30 PM Saturday, December 7 at 10:30 AM Shabbat Sh mot: Exodus 1:1-6:1 Friday, December 20 at 7:30 PM Saturday, December 21 Tot at 9:00 AM at 10:30 AM Shabbat Va-y chi: Genesis 47:28-50:26 Friday, December 13 at 7:30 PM Saturday, December 14 at 10:30 AM Shabbat Va-eira: Exodus 6:2-9:35 Friday, December 27 at 7:30 PM Saturday, December 28 at 10:30 AM January Services Shabbat Bo: Exodus 10:1-13:16 Friday, January 3 at 7:30 PM Saturday, January 4 at 10:30 AM Shabbat Yitro: Exodus 18:1-20:23 Friday, January 17 at 7:30 PM Saturday, January 18 at 10:30 AM Shabbat B shalach: Exodus 13:17-17:16 Friday, January 10 Family at 6:00 PM Shabbat Shira Service at 7:30 PM Saturday, January 11 at 10:30 AM Shabbat T rumah: Exodus 25:1-27:19 Friday, January 31 at 7:30 PM Saturday, February 1 at 10:30 AM Shabbat Mishpatim: Exodus 21:1-24:18 Friday, January 24 at 7:30 PM Saturday, January 25 Tot at 9:00 AM at 10:30 AM Edith Salk will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah Torah Study at every Shabbat morning. Transportation to Shabbat evening services is always available. Please call the office. 19

20 AN IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM OUR PRESIDENT Dear Fellow Congregants, As you recently read in a letter from Rabbi Reeves and me, our congregation is beginning the exciting process of searching for a new cantor. Leading us in this effort, I m pleased to report, are co-chairs Amy Gelman and Bruce Meyer. John Kerpel, Susan Marcus, Richard Miller, Sonja Seglin, Regina Umanskiy, Julie Volchenboum, and Pejaman Yousefzadeh have all agreed to serve on the committee, a wonderful group that represents our membership well. Rabbi Reeves, Tal Rosen and I will be involved throughout the process as ex officio members of the committee. With a deep understanding of the essential role all of you, our members, play in this search, the committee is kicking off the process with a Congregational Town Hall Meeting at KAM Isaiah Israel at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 12, Please save the date and please plan to attend. The information and feedback gained from all of you will be fundamental to the search committee s work as they define the ideal cantor for our congregation and as they evaluate the applicants. Over the coming months, there will be additional opportunities to share your ideas and thoughts with the search committee, but I encourage all of you to join us on January 12th so that we begin this journey together and with as much information as possible. Starting in February, Amy and Bruce s monthly updates will appear in the KAM Isaiah Israel bulletin. May we go from strength to strength. Robert Nevel President KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation, Founded in E. Hyde Park Boulevard Chicago, Il P: F: kamii@kamii.org Our Leadership, Clergy, and Staff Robert Nevel President Alan Berger Vice President Amy Gelman Vice President Leslie Kay Vice President Leslie Stulberg Secretary Ronald Bauer Treasurer Daniel P. Mass Immediate Past President Rabbi Frederick Reeves Cantor Miriam Eskenasy Cantor Deborah Bard Emerita Tal Rosen Executive Director Sarah Cort Director of Education Stewart Martin Administrative Assistant Abigail Allison Administrative Assistant Bulletin Designer Phyllis Cohn Volunteer Bulletin Editor 20 KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation, 2013