jrc News Billy Kaplan presents A Shabbat Sweet Friday, June 3, 7:00 PM

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1 Summer iyar sivan tamuz av elul jewish reconstructionist congregation jrc News Volume 4 Number 2 Billy Kaplan presents A Shabbat Sweet Friday, June 3, 7:00 PM Experience a soaring, spiritual journey as JRC member and composer Billy Kaplan premieres his original folk-rock Kabbalat Shabbat service, accompanied by his baritone ukulele and the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band. Billy s lively, soulful prayer melodies are destined to become JRC classics! When Billy Kaplan s daughter, Hannah, was preparing for her Bat Mitzvah last March, he got inspired by her and wrote new melodies for two of the traditional prayers Oseh Shalom and Adon Olam. As she and he both agreed that she needed to be the one to shine the day of her Bat Mitzvah, Billy didn t share the melodies with the community that day. He asked her what she would like him to do with them and she replied, Why don t you play them Friday night before my Bat Mitzvah? (Continued on page 14) Rabbinical Commentary Brant Rosen Did you know that we re not the only Reconstructionists out there? There is in fact a Christian Reconstructionist movement, however, you should know they adhere to religious tenets that are decidedly different from Jewish Reconstructionists. In short, Christian Reconstructionists are far right religious fundamentalists. Here is their mission statement, as described by their primary ideological institution, the Chalcedon Foundation: (Christian Reconstructionism) labors to articulate in the clearest possible terms a distinctly Christian and explicitly Biblical solution to the prevalent evils of the modern world. Our objective is nothing short of setting forth the vision and program for rebuilding the theological fortifications of Christian civilization. These fortifications have been eroded by the forces of humanism and secularism... We work to press the claims of historic Christianity as the Biblical pattern of life everywhere. We work for godly cultural change across the entire spectrum of life. More alarming than these ideas of Christian Reconstructionism is its increasing influence in the American political area. Last week, in the aftermath of the deadly tornadoes that swept across the South, Georgia State Representative (Continued on page 16) Rabbi Rosen can be reached through the JRC office: In case of emergency, he can be reached at home: where an answering machine will record your message if he is out. address: rabbi@jrc-evanston.org. IN THIS ISSUE A note from our cantor 2 beach services 2 standing on one foot 3 staff changes 3 adult programming membership renewals 4 high holiday committee 5 member profile: shirley gould 5 religious school 6 youth group news 6 early Childhood 7 Photos: our children 8 kvell korner 9 library news 10 contributions 11, 12, 13 thank yous 13 new members 13 Gesher 15 jrc information 16 funeral plan 16 Affiliated with the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation

2 2 A Note from Our Cantor Howard I have used this column, over the last several years, to talk about things important to me, and things that aren t important to anybody. Now, I d like to talk about something of great importance to all of us: Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, and my first-hand experience as to why JRC is so vital. My mother, Ruth, died a month ago. Mom was a member of JRC for nearly 10 years. She served on the Membership Committee and came to services with me every Friday night. (Saturday morning was a bit early for her.) She was shown so much kindness by so many of you. What do I need a synagogue for? Her funeral and burial took place in Springfield, Illinois. We returned [M]y stock answer has always been, here for shiva. Now to the topic at hand: You ll need it when your mother dies. During the shiva, I mentioned that whenever I encounter Jews who are not affiliated with a synagogue, and who ask the question, What do I need a synagogue for? my stock answer has always been, You ll need it when your mother dies. Truly, that s what I say. Of course, I believe in shul membership for countless reasons, but the death of a parent is a big one. I deal with death professionally. I am with people before, during and after they die. I know all of them at least fairly well. Some, I know very well. I like to think I m a calm, steady presence in those moments. I know whom to call to make arrangements, I know how to give comfort. But that all goes by the wayside when it s your mother who died. You don t think as clearly. You feel lost and dazed. That s when you feel the amazing comfort of those who come to your house for shiva. People sent food, flowers. JRC people came in hoards. We got notes and s and phone calls. All of those things mean so much! The smallest gesture is the greatest gesture when you re mourning. We re getting back on our feet, back into life. On behalf of my family, and my brother, Lew, and his family, I want to thank all of you for your kindness to Ruth in life, and for your comfort and support to us after her death. She really loved living here, and she loved being involved in JRC. Her death was not a surprise. She was 90 years old and lived a fantastic life. Even knowing that, I feel sad sometimes. But, oddly, these days when I m prone to cry, it s because of the overwhelming gratitude that I feel being surrounded by so many loving friends. That s why you need a synagogue. Beach Services Join your JRC family for our informal, family-friendly Friday night shabbat services led by Rabbi Rosen and Cantor along the beautiful Evanston lakefront. There s no better place to spend shabbat in the summertime! Pack a dairy/vegetarian picnic dinner (no alcohol, per the Evanston Park District) and come early to eat and schmooze. (6p.m. picnic dinner, 7pm shabbat service, 8pm oneg, snacks) July 8 Noah s Playground, (in Lawson Park near the Lighthouse Landing Center), Evanston July 22 Elliot Park, Evanston (Dempster Street Beach) August 5 Elliot Park, Evanston (Dempster Street Beach) August 19 Elliot Park, Evanston (Dempster Street Beach) For more information, please contact Tom Samuels, Membership & Program Coordinator at tsamuels@jrc-evanston.org.

3 3 Standing on One Foot Joshua Karsh This is my last newsletter column as president, as I vacate the seat and Freddi Greenberg, who will be JRC s very capable next president, takes office. There have been some moments during my term that I ll always remember: a Sunday afternoon when I (and others) bailed water from the first floor while waiting for a plumber to come; last year s Erev Rosh Hashanah when members of the Westboro Baptist Church picketed our services bearing signs saying, Israel is Doomed, making me ponder how many different ways that statement could be understood; the afternoon when, while interviewing candidates to pick JRC s new executive director and considering whether to use a personality assessment tool as part of the screening process, I took the assessment myself and flunked a part of it; and the night I made remarks to the congregation from the bimah about the binding of Isaac, causing one of our sons to ask me why I was threatening him. All in all, I think serving on the JRC Board is a pretty good gig. JRC has very talented clergy and staff, board members who take the responsibility seriously, no permanent factions, and tremendous reservoirs of good will all of which make elected office much easier. And hands down, the best part has been getting to know more of you. This congregation is a remarkable collection of people. I encourage all of you to serve on the JRC Board or a JRC committee at some point. The more members that share that experience, the stronger JRC becomes, making it a better and more inspiring shul for all of us. JRC has very talented clergy and staff, board members who take the responsibility seriously,... and tremendous reservoirs of good will... (top bottom) Louis LeBlanc, Ernesto Vega, and Rick Valentin Staff Changes at JRC Sharon Díaz, Executive Director Have you met our new custodians? Louis LeBlanc and Ernesto Vega have joined our staff and between them they bring 25 years of experience. Louis was a custodian at Evanston Township High School for almost 20 years. You ll find him at JRC usually on weekdays keeping our building spotless. Ernesto worked at Temple Chai in Long Grove for six years where he learned the ropes from their head custodian. You will find him here mostly on evenings and weekends. He keeps our meetings and events humming along. Other new staff: Chances are you ve already met Rick Valentin. Rick is our door monitor on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, when we tend to have a lot of activities. He s been making sure folks have an easy time getting in and out of JRC. In April we said goodbye to our long time bookkeeper, Tuly Faden. After 19 years at JRC, Tuly was well liked and we will miss her. Earlier, our other bookkeeper, Richard Barwacz, left after a short time at JRC to move closer to his son in Iowa. So we now have a new bookkeeper, Mike Schuppe. Mike has over 10 years of experience and has his own consulting business. Mike is still learning our systems, but you can contact him with any question about billing or payments at mschuppe@jrc-evanston.org. So the next time you re at JRC, please introduce yourself to Louis, Ernesto, Rick and Mike and help them to feel welcomed into our community.

4 4 Adult Programming Tom Samuels, Membership & Program Coordinator Adult B nai Mitzvah Program It s often said that education is wasted on the young. With this in mind, JRC s next Adult B nai Mitzvah program is starting this September. The program is an 18-month commitment for those who want to enrich their Jewish life, expand their connection to the JRC community, and are interested in a meaningful Jewish learning experience Membership Renewals Keep your eyes peeled to your mailbox for the Membership Renewal kits! Any questions, please contact Tom Samuels, Membership & Program Coordinator at tsamuels@jrcevanston.org. This is a journey through Judaism using a seminar-style program, exploring prayer, Jewish history, life-cycle events and holidays. Classes are taught by in-house JRC experts, as well as rabbis and educators from across Chicagoland. In addition to grappling together with text-based materials, you will be part of a fun and informal learning experience, including Friday night dinners at each other s homes and at the synagogue. Any adult JRC member can participate in the Adult B nai Mitzvah program - even if you became a bar or bat mitzvah as a kid, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn from a grown-up perspective. And, it s a wonderful bonding experience; many of JRC s previous adult B nai Mitzvah classes continue to get together to pray, learn, and socialize. For more information and to sign up for our Adult B nai Mitzvah program, contact Tom Samuels, JRC s Membership and Program Coordinator. FEST (Families Enjoying Shabbat Together) This year s family-friendly Saturday morning service and oneg, FEST, was successful beyond anyone s expectations. A typical service was standing-room-only with children, parents and grandparents, all celebrating Shabbat together as a community. Families love FEST for its warm, engaging and spiritual break in an otherwise hectic family schedule. Rabbi Brant Rosen and Cantor Howard lead this lively and informal 40-minute Shabbat service, followed by a potluck oneg (Shabbat reception). FEST is already scheduled for once a month starting in the fall. If you re interested in celebrating a family milestone, such as birthdays and baby namings at FEST, contact Jill Persin at jpersin@jrc-evanston.org. Adult Education Lecture Series Coming this fall we will continue our stimulating and provoking Adult Jewish Education lecture series. New to the program is the opportunity to take classes on weekday evenings as well as on Sunday mornings during Religious School. Courses are taught by in-house JRC experts as well as rabbis and professors from across Chicagoland. Topics covered will include, Does Prayer Work, The Formation of the Middle East, Reconstructionsim 101, Jewish Meditation, Jewish Life Cycles, and much more. Of course, our own Rabbi Rosen will offer his popular God Talk series, as well as courses on the Bible and even on the Golem of Prague!

5 5 High Holiday Committee Needs Your Help Dianne Sperling, Marie Davidson, Co-chairs While Rabbi Brant is preparing his tough High Holiday questions for us and Cantor Howard is practicing his special melodies, the High Holiday Committee coordinates everything that needs to be done behind the scenes. Because we hold our High Holiday services off-site, we need to do more than many congregations. From special signage to helping our congregants find their way... moving in and out...coordinating Open Mike and finding interesting leaders for our Discussion Groups to finding a schlepper for the Tashlich service at the lakefront, there s room for lots of people to help, whether you want to spend a little time or a lot. Best of all, there are no committee meetings. For our upcoming Holidays we especially need: An assistant to Head Usher, Lou Weiss: This is a great opportunity to meet and work with Lou and Joan Spigelman and get to know more congregants. The job includes calling for volunteers to usher during services (there is a list to work from) and supervising ushers during the first hour and a half of the five High Holiday Services. Signage: A great job for two families to work together especially with young teens. Job requirements: a knowledge of Word, ability to cut and paste posters, time prior and after services, and the ability to run like the wind (teens)! Word files are already prepared and most signs are printed. You ll work with Dianne Sperling to create posters and understand the job. Break The Fast Coordinator: A real mitzvah! This is a job-sharing opportunity for a family, a couple, or two or more congregants. It involves taking reservations, coordinating potluck dishes, and organizing a clean-up crew. To find out more, send to: highholidays@jrc-evanston.org, or call Dianne Sperling ( ) or Marie Davidson ( ). Member Prof ile: Shirley Gould, Super Senior Vivian Mitchel On Thursday, May 26th Shirley joined 50 others being honored by community organizations at the 38th Annual Super Senior Day sponsored by the North Shore Senior Center in Northfield. Shirley represented JRC at the luncheon/award ceremony. Her guests for the day were Rabbi Brant Rosen and Ray Grossman. Rabbi Rosen briefly described Shirley for all to hear in these words: Shirley is a long-time member of JRC in Evanston and is universally considered to be the matriarchal figure in the congregational community. She is a mainstay at the Shabbat morning minyan, the weekly Torah study, and numerous adult educational programs. Her Open Mike presentations on Yom Kippur in which she reflects on the joys and challenges of growing older have long been among the most eagerly anticipated events of JRC s High Holiday season. Shirley s hearty spirit, her willingness and love of Jewish learning and community, and her friendship have truly been an inspiration to JRC members young and old. Through her inspiring example, she has modeled for so many on what it means to be part of a real community. I ve known Shirley since the late 1970 s when I hired her to speak at Oakton Community College about one of her recently published books. She was a big hit then, and she s a big hit now. Shirley Gould, caught enjoying a humorous moment at JRC

6 6 This year we worked on being more mindful of using particular Jewish values to guide our relationships. Religious School Terri Bernsohn, Director Reconstructionism rejects the notion of Jews being a chosen people. One of my family s favorite Passover readings refers to us instead as a choosing people. I love this idea that we choose continually to live, learn and engage communally as Jews. As I m writing this last newsletter of the school year, we are approaching the holiday of Shavuot, when we read the Book of Ruth. There are two aspects of Ruth s story that are particularly relevant to our community school. After the women are widowed, Ruth follows her mother-in-law Naomi who is returning to her Israelite community. Although Naomi encourages Ruth to return to her people, Ruth tells Naomi, Wherever you go I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people and your God shall be my God. At this moment, Ruth intentionally joins the Israelite people, and throughout the remainder of the story, she demonstrates chesed, or lovingkindness and devotion. This year we worked on being more mindful of using particular Jewish values to guide our relationships. (I was inspired by Keshet s Seven Jewish Values document I wrote about earlier in the year.) All of the values, such as Shalom Bayit (peace in the home) and Kavod (respect), ultimately come back to the idea of chesed, making the individual commitment to treat others with lovingkindness. To enroll in our school, families need to join JRC. Although Ruth is often cited as the first Jew-by-choice, many of our members, even those born into Jewish homes, make the thoughtful and deliberate decision to join our community. It s a big decision. Happily, we already have several new families joining us for next year, and there will be many families making this decision over the next few months. At the same time, I am aware and appreciative that even those of you who have been members for many years continue to choose to make your involvement in JRC a priority in your life. I like to think that we are teaching and demonstrating to our children that as Jews we are always a choosing people, choosing to commit to membership in the congregation, and choosing to make values-based decisions in how we organize our institution, how we treat one another individually, and how we take responsibility for Tikkun Olam, repairing the world. Youth Group News In January, the board approved a proposal to hire a Youth Group Advisor, which Chantal Blaustein has been filling on an interim basis. Most recently she organized an improv evening for the youth group. In June they will be getting together again for a sushi and pizza-making extravaganza. More events are being planned, so stay tuned.

7 7 Early Childhood Bonnie Silverman, Director JRC s Early Childhood Center has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the nation s leading organization of early childhood professionals. We re proud to have earned the mark of quality from NAEYC and to be recognized for our commitment to reaching the highest professional standards. NAEYC accreditation lets families in our community know that children in our program are getting the best care and early learning experiences possible. To earn NAEYC accreditation, our preschool went through an extensive self-study process, measuring the program and its services against the ten NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and more than 400 related accreditation criteria. The program received accreditation after an onsite visit by NAEYC assessors to ensure that the program meets each of the ten program standards. Every classroom participated in collecting the data and developing strategies to address the criteria, including documenting and revising practices and policies throughout the program. NAEYCaccredited programs are also subject to unannounced visits during their accreditation, which lasts for five years. In the 25 years since NAEYC accreditation was established, it has become a widely recognized sign of high-quality early childhood education. More than 7,000 programs are currently accredited by NAEYC, approximately 8 percent of all preschools and other early childhood programs. We join many Evanston centers who have achieved this goal, and we are grateful to be part of a community that values early childhood education. The NAEYC accreditation system raises the bar for child care centers and other early childhood programs, said Jerlean E. Daniel, Ph.D, executive director of NAEYC. Having earned NAEYC accreditation is a sign that JRC is a leader in a national effort to invest in high-quality early childhood education. The NAEYC accreditation system was created to set professional standards for early childhood education, and to help families identify high-quality preschools, child care centers and other early education programs. Programs are accredited by NAEYC for a five-year period. I would like to thank all our teachers, who have worked toward this goal for many years. It is truly an honor for me to work with so many dedicated, caring and hard-working early childhood professionals who love their work and care so much about the families at JRC. Thank you to all the parents who have supported this achievement with their participation and cooperation. Thank you to the staff and clergy at JRC, who were always ready to give a hand during the process and to the JRC Board of Directors, for making this a priority, both in budget and mission. For more information about NAEYC Accreditation, visit Having earned NAEYC accreditation is a sign that JRC is a leader in a national effort to invest in high-quality early childhood education.

8 8 Our children! (Clockwise) Kindergarteners making sukkahs, 4th graders visiting the tall ship Windy, Davida & Goliath performance, 1st graders at Purim

9 9 Kvell Korner To kvell (or shep naches) means to be proud of. This column is devoted to letting our community know about the wonderful things happening in the lives of JRC members. Mazel Tov! A third great-grandchild was born on April 26 in northern California to Shirley Gould, bringing her much joy. Her name is Yehudit Chang, 7 lb. 14 oz., daughter of Miriam Gould and Walter Chang; granddaughter of Arthur Gould and Carol Robinson. Adrienne and Syd Lieberman have a new granddaughter, Zella Ruth Weisz, born February 11, Zella joins brother Ezra and their busy parents Sarah Lieberman Weisz and and Sandy Weisz. JRC member Alan Goldberg received smicha (ordination) as a Maggid from Rabbi J. Hershy Worch, Yeshiva Ateret Tzvi, on the 16th of Ram-Cheshvan, 5771: Steve Fox was named Illinois Masonic s Doctor of the Year. Callie Benson-Williams, daughter of Lesley Williams and Brian Benson, received the Justin Wynn Leadership Award, given every year to two 4th graders from each District 65 school. The award honors young people who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, citizenship and sportsmanship and encourages them to become involved in a lifetime of community service. Mazel Tov to Andy White, Artistic Director of the Lookingglass Theatre Company, which won the 2011 Tony Award for Best Regional Theatre. Congratulations to JRC members and McCracken Middle School Symphonic Band members Aaron and Natalie Niederman, Jennifer Goodfriend, Ben Barov, Matthew Harris-Ridker and Ari Bearman for their selection as Honor Band at the 2011 University of Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival. Ellen Cetera, daughter of Paul Cetera and Leslie Rosen, graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering and will be starting her new job building robots at Kiva Systems, Inc. in Boston this summer. Eric Rosen, son of Andrea and Brad Rosen, competed with more than a 1,000 players at the U.S. Chess Federation National Tournament in Nashville, TN to earn the title of National K12 Champion. Niles North principal Dr. Ryan McTague said, Eric is a positive role model whose commitment and dedication to our school and local community serves as an example to us all. Dr. McTague proclaimed Friday, May 6 as Eric Rosen Day at Niles North High School. Ellie Routtenberg is the featured artist in a show at Links Sweet Bean Cafe, 1141 Greenleaf, Wilmette, which runs from May 14 to July 14. Mel and Boris Furman are kvelling quadruply: Noah recently appeared in the performance piece, The palm poises as a plant does, and slips into the evening of the day, which was staged several times in Chicago and Minneapolis. He begins this fall on a Master of Fine Arts in Painting at Illinois State. Ezra Furman and the Harpoons released their third studio LP, Mysterious Power, in April and toured the U.S., Austria, Germany and the UK April June. They are playing at Summerfest in Milwaukee July 9. Emma moves to Tuscaloosa in August to begin a Master of Fine Arts in Poetry at the University of Alabama. And Jonah received a summer research grant from Johns Hopkins University to work in the David Foster Wallace archives at the University of Texas in Austin, examining the role of ethics in Wallace s work, particularly the recently published Pale King. Max Brown, son of Carole Caplan, graduated with honors from the University of Michigan with a degree in sociology and in the fall will begin working for the international consulting company Capgemini. Rachel and David Blechman, children of Joel Blechman and Carol Hirsh Blechman will be working as staff at Camp JRF this summer. Rachel graduates from ETHS and will be heading to the University of Miami in August. David, a senior at U of Arizona, will be spending the fall semester at the University of Nanjing, China on a political science program. This update on the Nolan Family: Bessie finished her first year at the University of Miami on the President s Honor Roll, Benjamin completed his Junior year at Von Steuben High School, and Jack is busy preparing for his Bar Mitzvah in October. Pomona College junior, Gabriel Friedman, son of Carol and Rick Friedman, has been awarded $10,000 from the Donald A. Strauss Public Service Scholarship Foundation to create a music mentoring program in the Pomona Valley. Ray Grossman was named the 2011 recipient of the Annual Lincolnwood Human Relations Commission Award for promoting respect and tolerance and for helping others. He ll be honored at the June 16 meeting of the village trustees. If you have any kvell-able information, Bonnie Stone Stern at BStern@jrc-evanston.org, fax: , or call: Remember, keep on kvelling!

10 10 Library News Eva Eisenstein, Librarian Suggestions for Some Serious Summer Reading This is about the time that we are inundated with lists of suggestions for the summer, and usually the lists are heavy on fast-reading mysteries, spy novels, and general popular fiction. I happen to think that summer is the perfect season to attack the more difficult books: nonfiction, poetry, biography, thoughtful and well-written fiction, especially since some of us may have more time to devote to such literature. Here is a very short list of such titles recently acquired by our library: Democratizing Judaism by Jack Cohen Jack Cohen, Kaplan s most knowledgeable disciple, goes beyond the basics, and in this new work gives us a sense of Kaplan s depth and uniqueness. He offers us the full range of Kaplan s thought while concentrating on his theology, his Zionism and the similarities between his system and that of the great mystic Abraham Isaac Kook. Mel Scult, Professor Emeritus in Judaic Studies at Brooklyn College. Donated by Martin Okun A Thousand Darknesses: Lies And Truth In Holocaust Fiction by Ruth Franklin Taking a fresh look at memoirs by Elie Wiesel and Primo Levi, and examining novels by writers such as Piotr Rawicz, Jerzy Kosinski, W.G. Sebald, and Wolfgang Koeppen, Franklin makes a persuasive case for literature as an equally vital vehicle for understanding the Holocaust (and for memoir as an equally ambiguous form). The result is a study of immense depth and range that offers a lucid view of an often cloudy field. From the Oxford University Press description. Donated by Harriet & Hank Conroe Yehuda Halevi by Hillel Halkin A wonderfully fresh biography of the great medieval Jewish poet and philosopher. Halkin has also provided a potent reading of Halevi s poems, a powerful contextual study of his times, and a provocative interpretation of his legacy. Read this definitive work and you will be deeply immersed in the world of a figure that Heinrich Heine described as God-kissed. Edward Hirsch. Donated by Susan Cherry How To Understand Israel In 60 Days Or Less by Sarah Glidden Glidden, a progressive American Jew who is sharply critical of Israeli policies vis-à-vis the Occupied Territories, went on an allexpense-paid birthright trip to Israel in an attempt to discover some grand truths at the heart of the Arab-Israeli conflict. This graphic memoir tells the touching and often funny story of her utter failure to do so. From Publishers Weekly. This graphic novel is for anybody who asks thoughtful questions about Israel. The seemingly simple illustration style and beautiful watercolors belie the seriousness of this confounding topic. EE Donated by Charlene Gelber Two books of fiction highlighted in the spring newsletter should definitely be considered for summer reading: To The End of the Land by David Grossman (The JRC Book Group will be discussing this book at their summer meeting.) Donated by Terri Ginsberg Bernsohn Foreign Bodies by Cynthia Ozick. Donated by Maxine & Chuck Lange Also recently donated: A Field Guide To Visiting A Jewish Cemetery: A Spiritual Journey to the Past, Present and Future by Joshua L. Segal. Donated by Naomi & Dan Feldman The Wisdom Books: Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes: A Translation with Commentary by Robert Alter. Donated by Mel & Boris Furman When you need some relief from the heavy reading, consider the fledgling DVD collection in the library. Jan Wishinsky has kindly donated the following three titles (they are shelved with book fiction): Fiddler On The Roof, Left Luggage (Based on the powerful novel The Shovel and the Loom by the Belgian Carl Friedman), and Inglourious Basterds directed by Quentin Tarantino. a note: If you would like to recommend a title for the library s collection, please contact Eva. And if you have any books from the library that you are no longer reading, please return for the use of other congregants. The Library is on the 2nd Floor, east side of the building. Librarian hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays including the hours when Religious School is in session. Otherwise the library is open when the building is open. Eva Eisenstein can be reached at eeisenstein@jrc-evanston.org or x2255.

11 11 Tzedakah is a central mitzvah of Judaism, humanizing both the donor and the recipient. JRC has established a series of tzedakah funds in response to members interests, aiming to serve three functions: To support the congregation. All are welcome to membership, to worship, to our school even those unable to pay full dues. Your contributions make this possible. To support important extra-budgetary activities. Most importantly, to provide a convenient and meaningful way for JRC members and others to fulfill the traditional obligation of tzedakah as we honor, commemorate, and express gratitude. Rabbi Brant Rosen and Hallie Rosen Cantor Howard and Terry Parisoli Joshua Karsh, President, and Carolyn Shapiro Mazel Tov to our March, April, and May B nai Mitzvah and their families: Barry Ruderman, Samuel Zofkie, Maia Spertus-Melhus, Ari Bearman, Isaac Moldofsky, Benjamin Barov, Ariel Hasak- Lowy, Alexander Brooke Condolences to: Sheri Young and her family on the death of her stepmother, Ethel Young Howard and his family on the death of his mother, Ruth Judith Childrey and her family on the death of her father, Sidney Warschausky Audrey Eisenmann and her family on the death of her stepfather, Herbert Rosenfeld Michael Edwards and his family on the death of his mother, Nancy Edwards Ruth Gideon and her family on the death of her second mother, Dorothy Gandell Josh Mark and his family on the death of his father, Joseph Mark Riva Blechman and her family on the death of her aunt, Mollie Kruger Eva Eisenstein and her family on the death of her brother, Colin Eisenstein Leo Gideon and his family on the death of his wife, Ruth Gideon Rabbi s Discretionary Fund The Reverend Cotton Fite Ellen Alexander Condolences to Cantor Howard and his family on the death of his mother, Ruth Rebecca and Spencer Stern In honor of their daughter, Kai, receiving her Hebrew name Jacki and Shelly Kimel In honor of Freddi Greenberg s special birthday Rosalie Murphy and Eric Selinger In honor of their daughter, Margaret, becoming a Bat Mitzvah Sue Levine Nina Raskin In memory of her husband, Nathaniel Raskin Sue and Steve Rasher With gratitude to Rabbi Rosen for the wedding of their son, Phil, to Diane Abramowitz Gwen Macsai and Paul Goren In memory of their brother-inlaw, Agass Baumgartner Julie Dorfman and Jerry Herst Condolences to Josh Mark and his family on the death of his father, Joseph Mark Condolences to Ruth Gideon and her family on the death of her mother, Dorothy Gandell Lesley Pearl In honor of becoming a member of the Jewish people Naomi and Dan Feldman Condolences to Pam Baumgartner and her family on the death of her husband, Agass Baumgartner Kim and Brad Moldofsky In honor of their son, Isaac, becoming a Bar Mitzvah Cantor s Discretionary Fund In memory of Cantor s mother and our friend, Ruth Suzie and Gershon Berkson Judy and Howard Cohen Alisa Cohen-Stein and Mark Stein Naomi and Dan Feldman Sue Levine and Leon Fink Ellen and Jeff Gilbert Ruth Gilbert and Marshall Lobin The Goldstein-Marshall Family Michelle Ney and Brian Gratch Kathy Greenberger and Steve Slaggert Sheri Young and David Greenwald Janet and Brian Hoffman and Family David Kleiman Beth Lange and Bill, Alex and Eleanor Martin Maxine and Chuck Lange Sheila Lapping Diane and Ben Melnick Vivian Mitchel Bonnie and Michael Nolan Lisa Pildes and Michael Sehr Sue and Steven Rasher Ruth and Larry Rosen Lynn and Mark Shapiro The JRC Choir Naomi Moderick With gratitude for Cantor s support after the death of her son, Mark Segal Susan Cherry Condolences to Ruth Gideon and her family on the death of her mother, Dorothy Gandell Baila and Irv Miller In memory of Irv s mother, Gertrude Miller Rosalie Murphy and Eric Selinger In honor of their daughter, Margaret, becoming a Bat Mitzvah

12 12 Ruth Gilbert and Marshall Lobin In memory of Ruth s father, Alter Lejzerowicz Marlene Stern In memory of her father, Bernard Stern In memory of her brother, Ben Zion Stern Kim and Brad Moldofsky In honor of their son, Isaac, becoming a Bar Mitzvah General Fund Sarah Lee and Charles Orlove In loving memory of Nellie Orlove, mother of Charles, on her Yahrzeit Margot and Bruce Goldsmith In honor of the naming of Cleo Segall, granddaughter of Nancy and Ralph Segall Anne Goldberg In loving memory of David Goldberg, father of Anne Goldberg, on his Yahrzeit Carolyn S. Levin In loving memory of Sol Charles Shaye, father of Carolyn Levin, on his Yahrzeit Ruth and Alan Goldberg In loving memory of Michael Lee Spivak Sharon and Earl Lichtenstein Deepest sympathies to the Byster family on the death of Gloria Byster, mother of Michael Byster, grandmother of Joshua Byster Rhoda and Richard Becker In honor of Shirley Gould Rosalie Murphy and Eric Selinger With thanks to Marc Chinitz, Lori Lippitz, and Kayla Chinitz for making Margaret (Selinger) such a part of their lives in the past year Vickie and Irv Korey In loving memory of Ruth, mother of Howard Julie Dorfman and Jerry Herst In loving memory of Ruth, mother of Howard In loving memory of Sidney Warschausky, father of Judith Childrey Barbara and Jerry Israelite In loving memory of Ruth, mother of Howard In loving memory of Sidney Warschausky, father of Judith Childrey Janie and Barry Winkler In loving memory of Ruth, mother of Howard Esther and Al Esbin In loving memory of Ruth, mother of Howard Barbara and David Pinzur In loving memory of Herbert Rosenfeld, stepfather of Audrey Eisenmann Albert and Mildred Margules Condolences to Josh Mark on the death of his father, Joseph Mark Cheryl and Mark Kaplan In loving memory of Sidney Warschausky, father of Judith Childrey In loving memory of Ruth, mother of Howard Rosalie Murphy and Eric Selinger In loving memory of Sidney Warschausky, father of Judith Childrey Marcie Weiss In loving memory of Sidney Warschausky, father of Judith Childrey Julia Talbot and Robert Zofkie In honor of Samantha McNelis for her help with Sam Zofkie s Bat Mitzvah Vickie and Irv Korey In honor of Debbi Rosenberg for her years of service to Na amat Condolences to Audrey Eisenmann on the death of her stepfather, Herbert Rosenfeld Condolences to Adrienne Eisenmann on the death of her stepfather, Herbert Rosenfeld Sheri Young and David Greenwald Edith and Kenneth Margules Condolences to Josh Mark and his family on the death of his father, Joseph Mark Art/Design Fund The Niederman Family Condolences to Howard on the death of his mother, Ruth Early Childhood Education Fund Terri Ginsburg Bernsohn In loving memory of Norma Bernsohn, aunt of Terri Ginsburg Bernsohn, on her Yahrzeit Mary Jo and Steve Herseth In honor of the baby naming for Eli Alexander Gutterman, son of Alison Gutterman Micki Lasher In loving memory of Aleen Redlich, mother of Anne Redlich Harvey Nixon In loving memory of Lillian Nixon, mother of Harvey Nixon, on her Yahrzeit Foundation Fund Jon Marshall and Laurie Goldstein With gratitude to Joel Gratch for tasteful assistance to the JRC development committee Larry Goldberg Mazel Tov to Betty Van Leuven on her birthday Landscape Fund Ruth Gilbert In loving memory of Dewey Gilbert, husband of Ruth Gilbert, on his Yahrzeit Judy and Steve Smiley In honor of Vickie Korey s 60th birthday Religious School Fund Lila Katz In loving memory of Ethel Young, mother of Sheri Young Laurie Goldstein and Jon Marshall In honor of Steve Fox being named Illinois Masonic s Doctor of the Year Robert Turner Torah Restoration Fund Nina and Elliott Goldstein In loving memory of Blanche Goldstein, mother of Elliott Goldstein, on her Yahrzeit

13 13 Sidney and Leota Hirsch Memorial Fund (Library) Susan and Bill Siebers In loving memory of Philip Pollay, father of Susan Siebers, grandfather of Eli Spector Mel and Boris Furman Mazel Tov to Jeff and Jan Berkson on becoming grandparents Refuah Sheleymah to Lisa Pildes Condolences to Betty Van Leuven on the loss of her mother, Marion Deraedt Van Leuven, and to Naomi, Simon, and Rachel Goldberg on the loss of their grandmother Todah Rabah to Bryna Cytrynbaum a model retiree Charlene and Howard Gelber In loving memory of Mollie Kruger, aunt of Riva Blechman Terri Ginsberg Bernsohn Condolences to Howard on the death of his mother, Ruth Condolences to Michael Edwards on the death of his mother, Nancy Edwards Condolences to Josh Mark on the death of his father, Joseph Mark Condolences to Judith Childrey on the death of her father, Sidney Warschausky Social Action Food Fund Rosalie Murphy and Eric Selinger With thanks to Sara Polonsky, Kunal Pujara, and Shanti Polara for their lovely desserts at the Oy Vey Café With thanks to Stan and Sara Cohn for making the Oy Vey Café such a perfect start to Margaret s Bat Mitzvah celebration Susan Cherry In loving memory of Dale Cherry, husband of Susan, father of Alison and Erica Cherry on his Yahrzeit Wendy Margolis In loving memory of Beatrice Gunther, mother of Wendy Margolis, on her Yahrzeit In loving memory of Irving Margolis, father-in-law of Wendy Margolis, on his Yahrzeit In loving memory of Aaron Gunther, father of Wendy Margolis, on his Yahrzeit For Passover Social Action HIV/AIDS Robin Drayer, Steve Siegel and Family Condolences to Judith Childrey on the death of her father, Sidney Warschausky Social Action Kehillah Robin Drayer, Steve Siegel and Family Condolences to Howard on the death of his mother, Ruth Betty Van Leuven and Larry Goldberg Refuah Shelaymah to Ruth Gideon Thank You to: Shabbat Oneg Hosts: Reese and Joel Gratch, Mikel and Mike Carter, Becky Mitchell and Jim Zeckhauser, Beth and Dick Ruderman, the REACH/PASS Task Force, Laurel and Bruce Watson, Gwen Macsai and Paul Goren, Karen and Bob Libman, Cece Lobin and Jay Schwartz, Marty Okun, Carolyn Shapiro and Josh Karsh, Elizabeth and Michael Shapiro, Susan Cherry, Carol and Howard Ellegant, Julia Talbot and Bob Zofkie, Jen and Adam Gooze, Rachel and Devin Gross, Cheryl and Craig Simon, Rebecca Hamlin and Robert Bearman, Joe Ellison and Martin Milligan, Ana and Chip Kaufman, Kim and Brad Moldofsky, Melissa Mizel and Michael Edwards, Sara Polonsky and Kunal Pujara Shabbat Minyan: Ruth Wenger and Jonathan Markowitz, Anne Goldberg, Darlene Grossman, Becky and Dick Block, The Nolan Family, Vickie Korey, Debra Crestoni, Adrienne Lieberman, Sally Brown-Winter and Jeff Winter, Alan Goldberg, JRC s 6th Grade Families, Carrie and Jeremy Elsberg Welcome New Members! Beth and Michael Gladstein Emily and Benjamin Berk

14 14 Billy s lively, soulful prayer melodies are destined to become JRC classics! Billy Kaplan presents A Shabbat Sweet (Continued from page 1) So Billy contacted Brant and Howard, and they agreed. One rehearsal later, Billy lovingly offered the prayers to the community to honor his daughter the night before her Bat Mitzvah. Billy kept writing melodies to more prayers from the Kabbalat Shabbat service. When he shared them with Brant and Howard a few months ago, they suggested he share it with the JRC community. This Kabbalat Shabbat service on June 3 at 7:00 is being called, A Shabbat Sweet. Billy will be backed by his ukulele, the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, a trio of teens, including Hannah Kaplan and Emma Chanen, now known as The Sweet Sisters, and his wife, Jennifer McCray. Experience this soaring, spiritual journey. While he reports being uncomfortable with the comparisons, those who have heard the melodies suggest that they are reminiscent of Debbie Friedman and Shlomo Carlbach. Billy may have been known in the late 1980s by teens and folkies hanging out in Washington Square Park in New York City as Mr. Tambourine Man, but now he is known for catchy melodies, rich harmonies and unique arrangements. Dradle Round the Tree, his first CD, is a wonderful collection of original holiday music for families who celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Hanukkah-Christmas or any winter celebration of light. The CD features Billy s infectious music, lyrics, and singing with the harmonies of his 11-year-old daughter, Hannah. Billy also plays the baritone ukulele and other live and digital instruments on the recording. Billy has been involved in music since he was a teenager: he played Jesus in Godspell, sang in the Bradley University choir, wrote music for a very Off-Broadway show, and worked with the Chicago band, Word Bongo. He is currently the drummer in Heavy Shtetl, the JRC s Klezmer house band. Billy has been playing his children s music and adult contemporary music most recently at Starbucks, children s birthday parties, and non-profit fundraisers. To learn more, hear samples of the music, and see music videos, go to

15 15 Gesher Looks at Judaism through a Jewish Lens Sam Frolichstein-Appel This year in Gesher, we spent the year learning about photography and how we can learn about Judaism through pictures. We made a list of eleven values spirituality, wisdom, learning, passing of knowledge from generation to generation, tikkun olam, beauty, love, community, unity and freedom and went to Millennium Park to take pictures of them. We got pictures of values, our city, and our crazy class. The whole year, we discussed what Judaism meant to us. And that s what made this year unique. Every other year we studied Hebrew, the Torah, and commentary. Now that was all fine and good, but we never really got to talk about our perspective of Judaism. And that s what this class allowed us to do. We did it through discussions in class and through photos, which are displayed in the case across from the office. Please stop and take a look. During class, we talked about Judaism, Jewish values, and some Ke$ha. We looked at photos taken by other photographers, took our own photos, viewed and critiqued them. We talked about different aspects of Judaism and photography techniques, like perspective, light, angle, and black and white or color.

16 16 Rabbinical Commentary (Continued from page 1) Bobby Franklin, who belongs to a local Christian Reconstructionist church, said he was saddened as he watched his fellow Georgians pray to their god FEMA to save them. This is the same Franklin who proposed a bill that would require that rape victims be described as accusers rather than as victims....[n]ow, it seems we have to share our movement s name with fundamentalist Christians whose mission statement calls for Christian domination of the world. I will confess that I was never a huge fan of the term Reconstructionist for our movement, even before I heard about Christian Reconstructionism. If you are wondering about the history of our name, it is a reference to founder Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan s influential book, Judaism as a Civilization: Toward a Reconstruction of American Jewish Life. It s not, needless to say, a term that rolls trippingly off the tongue and now, it seems we have to share our movement s name with fundamentalist Christians whose mission statement calls for Christian domination of the world. Oh well, I guess in the end, these appellations tend to take on a life of their own. Regardless of the name, I m immensely proud to call myself a Jewish Reconstructionist. If you d like a helpful description of our religious tenets, go to the JRC website by clicking here. One choice excerpt: Reconstructionists are Religious Humanists. Reconstructionists believe in the human authorship of all religious traditions, including their own, and they realize that no tradition has a monopoly on religious truth. Reconstructionists believe that all peoples are called to build a world of justice and compassion, and we welcome dialogue with persons of good will in all traditions. And to that let us say, Amen. JRC STAFF rabbi Brant Rosen x2223 cantor Howard x2232 president Joshua Karsh executive director Sharon Díaz x2224 asst. executive director Jill Persin x2222 early childhood director Bonnie Silverman x2227 religious school director Terri Bernsohn x2225 Membership & Program coordinator Tom Samuels x2229 administrative assistant Bonnie Stone Stern x2220 Bookkeeper Mike Schuppe x2221 JRC ESSENTIALS office hours Monday Thursday 9 am 5 pm Friday 9 am 1 pm phone fax website JRC NEWSLETTER editor Robyn Hurtig x2226 next issue s deadline August 15, 2011 submissions articles to Robyn Hurtig at rhurtig@jrc-evanston.org JRC Funeral Plan The purpose of the JRC Funeral Plan is to simplify the process and reduce the cost and stress of making funeral arrangements when a loved one dies. Administrator: Chicago Jewish Funerals, Ltd., 195 North Buffalo Grove Road, Buffalo Grove, Illinois, 60089; , or toll free At your time of loss, call them at any hour of the day. Rabbi Rosen will be contacted immediately, or you may also call him directly. A detailed funeral guide is available from the JRC office.