From the Rabbi s Desk

Volume 42 Number 5 March 2012 Adar I/Adar II 5772 From the Rabbi s Desk Tikkun Olam in Washington, DC Our Confirmation Class just got back from the L Taken Social Justice Seminar, a program for high school students run by the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism. The students learned about some of the biggest issues in the world today, and that there is a Jewish approach to all of these issues. They also learned how to lobby their elected officials. After some preparation, they synthesized everything that they learned over the weekend and went to Capitol Hill on Monday. As they spoke about embryonic stem cell research and economic justice, I watched them exercise newly learned skills. I saw what any teacher wants to see - students using what they have learned and soaring. RavBat7 The visit to Washington D.C. surpassed my expectations. I went in thinking that it was going to be a lot of work and that it would be no fun. I was correct about there being a lot of work, but I didn t mind it. I learned about the problem of homelessness in America and I learned about gun control. The people who were in charge of the event definitely planned out a fun trip. I got to go to Georgetown for a few hours for dinner and we got to see some of the Smithsonian museums. Going to the Senate to speak with Illinois senators was a great experience. It was a chance to express my feelings on certain topics. I also enjoyed the Jewish aspect of the trip. I felt more comfortable around three hundred other Jews. Overall, the L Taken trip was enjoyable and I recommend it to all Jewish teens. Max Volchenboum If you had told me a couple of years ago that one day I d be standing in my senators and representative s office advocating for a bill to be passed, I would have laughed and told you that you were wrong. The weekend I spent at L Taken was certainly a once in a lifetime chance for me to find my voice, both as a Jew and as an advocate for equality. We learned about issues in our world through a Jewish perspective and I was comfortable referencing the things I had learned from countless Sundays spent at our Temple. As someone who has never been to a Jewish camp or fulltime Jewish school before, I was finally given the chance to meet over three hundred other kids who, not only shared similar interests with me, also shared the same religious beliefs. The things I learned this weekend about economic inequality, prejudices, and many more issues will stick with me for a long time and this weekend gave me a chance to make a difference on Capitol Hill. I would encourage every other teenager to go on this trip if they get the chance, because I hope that everyone could have the opportunity to learn how they, both as a citizen of the United States and a Jew of the world, can make a difference. Lillian Eckstein

Notes from the Cantor A review of the Janowski Centennial Weekend January 29th marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of long-time Music Director and Cantor of KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation, Max Janowski. From 1938, when Max was lured to Chicago, until 1991 when he died, Max directed the music activities at KAMII, as well as several other synagogues and churches in the Chicago/Milwaukee area. More than just a director, Max Janowski was encouraged by the congregation to compose beautiful Jewish music, which he did in abundance. As the Reform movement shifted to a new prayer book in the 1970 s, Gates of Prayer, Max Janowski became more and more inspired to compose music to accompany the many texts in the prayer book, as well as many other compositions for poems and biblical passages. He arranged American and Israeli folk songs for choirs and soloists and exhibited a wealth of creative genius. Some of his soulful and inspiring melodies have become staples of worship in most reform synagogues, such as his Sim Shalom and Avinu Malkeinu, while others have yet to be published. Aside from the High Holidays, Max s music is no longer heard on a regular basis. However, the weekend of January 27-29, 2012 was devoted to celebrating Max Janowski and his music. We began with an all Max Janowski service on Friday evening. Music was chosen from different periods reflecting Max s growth as a composer. We specifically included several pieces from his Shabbat service, Avodath Hakodesh, composed in 1947 in honor of KAM s 100 th birthday, as well as several pieces from another Shabbat service commissioned by Congregation Emanu El of Houston, Texas in 1978, Bayom Hahu (On that Day). The culminating part of the service was a piece performed by Kurt Hansen, longtime favorite soloist of Max, called Mi Eyl Kamocha (Who is a God like You) with text from the prophet Amos. Many congregants participated, both as soloists and choir. Sunday, January 29 th was a day devoted to learning about Max Janowski in the morning, with an afternoon concert of his music at 4 pm. Our morning symposium included Professor Phillip Bohlman, of the University of Chicago, who spoke about the Central Europe of Max Janowski s youth, the synagogue where he worked before he went to Japan, and how his music was understood in early 20 th century Germany. Professor Judah Cohen, of Indiana University, focused his paper on Max s early years in Chicago, his involvement with the many Jewish organizations here, and how that impacted the music he composed. He also noted the impact that his music had on these organizations and the Jewish community at large. Finally, Jonathan Miller spoke about the personal influence Max had on him as a child growing up in Hyde Park. The afternoon concert was the culmination of the weekendlong celebration. Over 500 were in attendance from all over Chicago! The performers were all people who were impacted by Max Janowski one way or another and they came from all over the United States to pay tribute to this great man. Some had been his soloists, some his students and protégées. Others, who grew up in the synagogue, went on to become Cantors in their own right (Joanna Alexander and Ben Rosner). We also commissioned and performed a new composition, in honor of Max s 100 th birthday, with text from Psalm 92 (Tov Lehodot). The composer, Robert Applebaum, is a Chicago composer who was very influenced in his youth by Max. All other compositions performed in the concert were by Max Janowski and we strove to choose a variety of styles, subjects, and texts. This variety showed the versatility of a great composer and, at the same time, a distinct and instantly recognizable style. One could walk out inspired and uplifted humming one of his haunting melodies for days after such an event (I did). Since we ran out of programs early on, thanks to the wonderful turn-out, we are making the programs available on our website, if you want to know more about the pieces we performed and the singers who performed them so lovingly. The entire concert, as well as the Friday night service, was recorded. As soon as the music is available, we will be putting clips on our website for your enjoyment, as well. B shira (in song) Cantor Miriam 2 KAMII

Divrei Shir Words of Song A Mini-Course with Cantor Miriam Eskenasy Tuesdays in May (May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29) 7:00 p.m. The goal of this mini-course will be to deepen the relationship between us and the music of our people. Among other things, we will gain some insight into our liturgy by exploring the relationship between text, music, and prayer; we will understand the organic way in which music is integrated with the rhythms and seasons of Jewish life; and we will gain a deeper respect and appreciation for the wide range of Jewish musical traditions and styles. We hope you can join us for this mini-course! Israel Teaching Fellows A Year of Service for Israel s Future Israel Teaching Fellows, a project of Masa Israel Journey and Israel s Ministry of Education, will select 200 outstanding US college graduates to close the achievement gap in Israel s education system through volunteering as English teacher s aides in schools throughout Israel. The program begins with a month of training including Hebrew ulpan and pedagogical training. Following training, participants will live in small groups throughout Israel and will be placed in schools as English teacher s aides. Participants will teach for 20 hours per week in their school and will also choose or design a secondary volunteering project in the community in which they live. Successful applicants must have a college degree, have experience in formal or informal education, have previously demonstrated the ability to excel in a cross-cultural environment and be willing to immerse themselves in Israeli culture. For more information, www.israelteachingfellows.org SPECIAL MARCH BIRTHDAYS Harold Black, March 2; Konstantin Umanskiy, March 2; Ann Rothschild, March 8; Stanley Rothstein, March 10; Hannelore Loevy Taschini, March 12; Regina Umanskiy, March 16; Sarah Gillespie, March 16; Helmut Strauss, March 19; Louis Robinson, March 21; Rachel Havrelock, March 31 SPECIAL MARCH ANNIVERSARIES Charles and Louise Saltzman, March 17, 40 years SPECIAL APRIL BIRTHDAYS Christine Singer, April 6; Lena White, April 8; Janet Midgley, April 11; Nancy Perelmuter, April 12; Claire Dankoff, April 14; Sarah Saks-Fithian, April 15; Samuel Golden, April 16; Susan Key, April 20; Deborah Epstein, April 21; Michael Morowitz, April 23; Bernard Greenberg, April 24; Rebecca Incledon, April 25; Bob Goldberg, April 27 mark your calendar APRIL S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 KAMII Spring Benefit LIVE! at the Vick A night of improv comedy and beatbox rhythm featuring The Neo-Futurists & Yuri Lane Saturday evening, April 21 Stay tuned for the details! March 2012 3

Looking ahead to Passover starting Friday night, April 6 Seder-less this Passover? Try Our Seder Match-Making Service Should you find you are not joining family and friends as usual for seder this Passover, take advantage of the synagogue s seder matchmaking service. Let the Temple office know you seek a place at a seder table, and someone will get back to you with a home where you can celebrate Passover and enjoy good company, too. You may contact the office at kamii@kamii.org or 773.924.1234. Be sure to let them know if you have any special dietary requirements, i.e., vegan, in recovery, etc. If you are interested in hosting congregants at your seder, please call the office as well. Hachnasat Orchim: Welcoming Guests this Passover Hospitality is one of the fundamental Jewish values. From the time of Abraham and Sarah, Jews have welcomed guests into their homes. As Passover approaches, we hope that you will consider opening up your Passover table to host congregants who might otherwise not have a seder to attend. If you are interested in participating in our seder match-making service, please contact the temple office at kamii@kamii.org or 773.924.1234. And thank you, in advance, for your gracious hospitality to fellow congregants. Yom Hashoah Program of Remembrance April 18 Mark your calendar to join us in a remembrance of the Shoah on Wednesday evening, April 18 at 7 PM at KAMII. There is still time to help plan or participate in the Yom Hashoah program. There will be two more planning meetings in March and one in April. Please call the KAMII office for dates and times or leave your name and contact information if you wish to participate in the program as a reader or greeter. We welcome your participation. 4 KAMII

MARCH 4 Ellen Cassedy Journalist, author, playwright and Yiddish translator We Are Here: A Lithuanian Encounter with Holocaust and Soviet Memory MARCH 11 Jan Lisa Huttner Arts & culture critic, JUF News Sholem Aleichem s Women Adult Education SUNDAY MORNING LECTURES We ve assembled a very interesting group of speakers. Please come and enjoy. Lectures begin at 10:30 am. APRIL 1 Leslie Kay, Associate professor of Psychology, Director of Institute for Mind & Biology, University of Chicago The Scent of Time: How Odors and Time Interact in the Brain APRIL 15 Jean & John Comaroff Professors of Anthropology, University of Chicago South Africa: New Democracy or Criminal Nightmare? APRIL 22 Lainie Friedman Ross, M.D. Associate Director of MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, University of Chicago The Ethics of Jewish Genetic Testing MUNCH & LEARN Noon at KAM Isaiah Israel. Bring your lunch, and we will supply dessert. This spring you will be entertained, stimulated, and moved by a variety of Munch & Learn programs. Join us and bring a friend. March 13 April 10 May 8 Dr. David Terman. The Psychology of Fundamentalism and Various Political and Social Movements David M. Terman, M.D. is the immediate past Director of the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis, where he has been a Training and Supervising Analyst for the past 30 years. He will introduce us to the subject of his latest book, The Fundamentalist Mindset. Leigh Breslau. The Design of Sacred Spaces Our KAM Isaiah Israel member and noted architect will share his thoughts with us and present visuals about his latest work and interests. Ruth Ultmann. Sharing A Personal Account of the Kinder Transport March 2012 5

In the Family By Grace Wolf yxxx The Glow Continues After the wonderful Max Janowski centennial celebration January 27 & 29, how lovely to see a photograph of the Sunday concert on the front page of the February 1 Hyde Park Herald. The caption identifies Cantor Miriam Eskenasy singing a solo; to her right one can also recognize Alyssa Luboff and Martha Nussbaum, who were among the many choir members and soloists singing Max s music that afternoon. yxxx More Recognition for Our Vegetable Garden On February 12, at Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School in St. Louis, our Social Justice Committee chairman, Robert Nevel, spoke about food justice and sustainability at a program sponsored by the Union for Reform Judaism. The program announcement promoted Robert s talk as demonstrating how to create a comprehensive program of growing and gleaning based on his award winning, nationally recognized KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation program model. yxxx Discussing Issues of Kidney Transplants Lainie Friedman Ross, professor of clinical medical ethics at the University of Chicago Medical Center, spoke on campus on January 10 about solutions to the ongoing scarcity of kidneys available for transplant. According to the January 13 Chicago Maroon, Lainie said that preventive care provided the best approach to decreasing kidney failure: We re getting fatter, lazier, not keeping control of our blood pressure, and more people are getting Type 2 diabetes. She also predicted that someday scientists will figure out how to grow kidneys from stem cells and thus eliminate the need for human kidney donors. We will have an opportunity to hear Lainie discuss the ethics of Jewish genetic testing at our congregation s Sunday lecture series on April 23 at 10:30 a.m. yxxx Cleaning Up the Jordan River Rachel Havrelock recently posted an article on the Huffington Post website about the issue of water scarcity in the Middle East. After describing the polluted trickle that is the current, much reduced Jordan River, Rachel suggests that Arab-Israeli cooperation on cleaning up the river might lead to cooperation in other ways: Friends of the Earth Middle East (FOEME), an environmental organization based in Amman, Bethlehem, and Tel Aviv proposes to transform the relationship of Israelis, Palestinians, and Jordanians, as well as Christian pilgrims, archeology buffs, and eco-tourists, to the Jordan River by creating a transborder peace park. Through a flood event, FOEME plans to flush pollutants through the waterway, and by reallocating water, the organization intends to restore the flow of the Jordan. The peace park will create a space for contact among traditionally hostile groups as well as a place for enjoyment of the river. The FOEME peace park promises to transform the political situation through a collective water conservation project. Rachel is an associate professor of English and Jewish studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago. yxxx Another Urban Legend Falls Are patients penalized for leaving the hospital against medical advice? According to a recent press release from the U of C Medical Center, a survey of general internal medicine doctors at the U of C found that two-thirds of residents and almost half of attending physicians believe that when a patient leaves the hospital against medical advice, insurance companies will not pay for the patient s hospitalization, leaving the patient liable for the full hospital bill. Doctors frequently tell their patients this when they try to dissuade them from leaving against medical advice. However, the researchers checked the records of more than 46,000 patients at the medical center and discovered none were denied coverage for leaving against doctor s orders. One member of the research team--john Schumann, M.D., now at the University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine--followed up the published study with a less formal survey.... I called the insurance companies themselves. I talked with VPs and media relations people from several of the nation s largest private insurance carriers. Each of them told me that the idea of a patient leaving AMA and having to foot the bill is bunk. They were glad to tell me so as this was a rare occasion of insurance companies looking magnanimous. yxxx Newsworthy Dan Dorfman writes: [In January] I had the comprehensive history of the Score, one of the local all-sports stations, published at chicago.cbslocal.com. This five-part article celebrated the 20th anniversary of 670The Score/WSCR-AM. The idea of an allsports radio station was new to Chicago, and Dan presents a fascinating history of how the station developed. At the annual Chicago Association for the Education of Young Children Conference in January, Dara Henning, who teaches pre-school and art at Akiba-Schechter Jewish Day School, and a colleague presented a workshop on Building Our Own Neighborhood in a Pre-School Classroom. On February 7 at 57th Street Books, Jake Austen, son of Ernestine and Ralph Austen, gave a reading from his recent book, Flying Saucers Rock n Roll, published by Duke University Press. Rebecca Zemans, daughter of Fran and Joel Zemans, was the February exhibition window featured artist at the Illinois Artisans Gallery in the James R. Thompson Center. Rebecca designs jewelry inspired by patterns she sees in biological cells viewed through a microscope and in stars viewed through a telescope. On Sunday, February 12, the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra performed Light & Shadow by Daniel Golden, son of Paula and Sam Golden. This new composition blends klezmer and classical music, evoking rhythms of many cultures. 6 KAMII

In The Community By Grace Wolf yxxx Upcoming at University of Chicago On Thursday, March 1, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Professor Nili Sacher Fox of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati will speak on Fashion vs. Ideology: Biblical Laws Pertaining to Israelite Dress. Her talk will take place in Classics 110, 1010 E. 59th Street. On Thursday, March 29, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Professor Steven Zipperstein of Stanford University will speak on Mythology, Historicity, and the 1903 Kishinev Pogrom: How a Riot Changed 20th Century Jewish History. His talk will take place in Rosenwald 405, 110l E. 58th Street. These lectures sponsored by the Chicago Center for Jewish Studies are free and open to the public. For further information, contact Miller Prosser at m-prosser@uchicago.edu or 773.702.7108. yxxx Do We Know the Ancient Middle East? On Saturday, March 10, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., the Oriental Institute is offering a public symposium that will explore the many ways the Ancient Middle East has been portrayed. Speakers include Jack Green and Emily Teeter of the Oriental Institute, Michael Seymour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, archaeological illustrator Eric Carlson, and Donald Sanders, a pioneer of Virtual Heritage. The symposium relates to the current exhibit, Picturing the Past: Imaging and Imagining the Ancient Middle East, which runs until September 2. Free lunchtime tours of the show will take place at 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28, and Wednesday, April 25. The Oriental Institute is located at 1155 E. 58th Street. For further information, call 773.702.9507. yxxx Support Our Neighborhood Day School The Akiba-Schechter Jewish Day School is holding its annual benefit dinner and silent auction on Sunday, March 18, at 5:00 p.m. at the Palmer House. Quite a few children of KAMII members attend Akiba-Schechter, and the school is worthy of our support. This year s dinner will honor Rabbi Elliot Gertel of Congregation Rodfei Zedek, the other synagogue in Hyde Park. Rabbi Gertel and his congregation have been good neighbors to KAM Isaiah Israel. To attend the dinner or make a contribution, contact Angie Day at 773.493.8880, ext. 214, or visit www.benefit@akibaschechter.org. yxxx How Are Cuban Jews Faring? On Monday, March 19, the Rodfei Zedek Sisterhood is holding an open meeting featuring a video presentation by Suzanne Robin on Jewish Life in Cuba Today. The program starts at 1:00 p.m., preceded by refreshments at 12:30. yxxx Volunteer Opportunity with AJWS American Jewish World Service offers many different volunteer opportunities in different parts of the world. March 14 is the application deadline for a program called Go on Volunteer Summer. It provides 16-to-24-year-olds a chance to spend the summer living and working in Ghana, India, Peru or Uganda between June 17 and August 10. They live and work in a community and learn about human rights and social justice through a Jewish lens. Throughout the year following their return, participants continue to build skills and organize their home communities around critical global justice issues. More information is available at ajws.org or by calling 212.792.2900. yxxx This Month at Spertus First, a reminder that six important Jewish scholars, including David Ellenson, the president of HUC-JIR, will be speaking at Spertus Institute on Sunday March 4, noon - 6:00 p.m., about The State of American Jewish Belief Revisited: At the Edge of a Crisis or At a New Threshhold? Admission is free, but registration is required at uofcconference@spertus.edu. This conference is co-sponsored by the Chicago Center for Jewish Studies. On Tuesday, March 6, at 7:00 p.m., at Northwestern University s Norris Center, 1999 Campus Drive, Evanston, John L. Allen, Jr., the prize-winning senior correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter, will speak on Trends in the Global Church--And Why Jews Should Care. Admission is free, but registration is required. Visit spertus.edu for more information. On Sunday, March 11, at 2:00 p.m., Spertus will present the Chicago premiere of Women Unchained, an important new film that documents the experiences of women whose husbands refuse them a Jewish divorce. The film, followed by a panel discussion, will take place at Spertus Institute, 610 S. Michigan Avenue. Tickets are $18, $10 for Spertus members, $8 for students. Buy tickets online at spertus.edu, or call 312.322.1773. On Sunday, March 18, at 2:00 p.m., at Spertus, Moroccan music expert Vanessa Paloma will present a lecture/performance of Intertwined Identities: Music of Northern Morocco s Jews. Same ticket and contact information as for Women Unchained. On Monday, March 19, at 6:30 p.m., Chef Laura Frankel will present Delectable Passover: Cook Up Something New. This program will take place at the Bernard Horwich JCC, 3003 W. Touhy Avenue. Tickets are $25, $18 for Spertus members. Same contact information as for Women Unchained. March 2012 7

KAM Isaiah Israel March 2012 KAM Isaiah Israel 8 KAMII Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Kid shabbat 1 2 6:00 pm 3 torah study 9:30 am congregational shabbat dinner 6:30 pm shabbat service with hannah gillespie's Bat mitzvah 10:30 am shabbat service 7:15 pm Please confirm dates and times with the office, as schedules may change. lecture with dr. nili fox 8:00 pm erev Purim 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 religious school 9:30 am torah study 9:30 am wednesday morning minyan 8:00 am shabbat service at montgomery Place 5:00 pm adult Bible study 9:30 am shabbat service 10:30 am family education Program 5:30 pm intro to Judaism 7:00 pm 6:30 pm rabbi's talmud class 9:30 am Beginning hebrew 9:30 am hyde Park second saturday 4:00 pm shabbat service 8:00 pm megillah reading 6:45 pm sunday lecture 10:30 am Purim reception 7:30 pm Jcc Purim carnival 1:00 pm religious school, 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 torah study 9:30 am 6:30 pm adult Bible study, Beginning hebrew & rabbi's talmud class 9:30 am hyde Park munch and learn 12:00 pm shabbat service 10:30 am Kol sasson shabbat service 7:00 pm wednesday morning minyan 8:00 am intro to Judaism 7:00 pm Board of directors meeting 7:30 pm sunday lecture 10:30 am leifer lecture at uchicago hillel 12:00 pm nursery school winter concert 2:00 pm 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 torah study 9:30 am shabbat service at montgomery Place 5:00 pm wednesday morning minyan 8:00 am intro to Judaism 7:00 pm shabbat service 10:30 am 6:30 pm no religious school or adult learning shabbat service 8:00 pm 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 torah study 9:30 am shabbat service 8:00 pm wednesday morning minyan 8:00 am intro to Judaism 7:00 pm shabbat service 10:30 am 6:30 pm no religious school or adult learning Zemer am choir festival

Looking ahead to... April 2012 KAM Isaiah Israel Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Second Seder religious School Erev Passover 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9:30 am First Seder adult Bible Study 9:30 am torah Study 9:30 am Shabbat Service 5:00 pm wednesday morning minyan 8:00 am intro to Judaism 7:00 pm 6:00 pm Beginning hebrew 9:30 am Shabbat/Festival Service 10:30 am rabbi's talmud class 9:30 am Sunday Lecture 10:30 am Kosher wine tasting 4:00 pm Last Day of Passover 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 torah Study 9:30 am office closed Shabbat Service 10:30 am Festival Service 10:30 am hyde Park munch & Learn 12:00 pm wednesday morning minyan 8:00 am 6:30 pm no religious School or adult Learning hyde Park Second Saturday 4:00 pm Shabbat Service at montgomery Place 5:00 pm intro to Judaism 7:00 pm Shabbat Service 8:00 pm 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 torah Study 9:30 am religious School 9:30 am Shabbat Service with Emi cohen's Bat mitzvah 10:30 am wednesday morning minyan 8:00 am 6:30 pm adult Bible Study 9:30 am Kol Sasson Shabbat Service 7:00 pm Board of Directors meeting 7:30 pm Beginning hebrew 9:30 am rabbi's talmud class 9:30 am Spring Fundraiser yom hashoah Program 7:00 pm Sunday Lecture 10:30 am 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 torah Study 9:30 am religious School 9:30 am Shabbat Service with Sophie Zamocjin's Bat mitzvah 10:30 am Shabbat Service at montgomery Place 5:00 pm mitzvah mall 9:30 am yom ha'atzmaut wednesday morning minyan 8:00 am 6:30 pm adult Bible Study 9:30 am Beginning hebrew 9:30 am Shabbat Service 8:00 pm Program with ruth messinger: tbd rabbi's talmud class 9:30 am Sunday Lecture 10:30 am 29 30 religious School 9:30 am PLEaSE confirm DatES and times with the office, as SchEDuLES may change. 6:30 pm adult Bible Study 9:30 am Beginning hebrew 9:30 am rabbi's talmud class 9:30 am March 2012 9

Nursery School The last month has been busy. Each day is fun, packed with lots of excitement.the children have been patiently waiting for snow. But when the children started getting impatient, we decided to make our own snowballs from shredded paper, flour and water. It was great fun. Some of the snowballs were large. I wonder if they ever will dry. We also created a winter village that was covered with snow. The story about Katy and the Big Snow was enjoyed. While we were talking about winter, one child questioned, What if there is no winter? I told him to just wait. I still have memories of March coming in like a lion and leaving as a lamb. It certainly has been fun to experience a mild winter and be able to get outside most days to play. Making snow city In contrast to our winter, we have been talking about different climates around the world. We have planted etrog seeds to celebrate Tu B Shevat. We have painted pictures of trees and have used the fruit to print. The children put cloves in several etrog so the classrooms would smell sweet. But best of all was our holiday treat of figs and dates. The teachers attended a wonderful conference and we are introducing new ideas to the children. One of the meetings we went to focused on building with blocks. It was suggested that we take photographs of the children s constructions and make a book out of them. We are working on this, as well as encouraging all the children to share and work together on large projects. Putting cloves in etrogs for Tu B Shevat The teachers also attended a workshop on art in the classroom. We learned many new ideas and refreshed the old ones. The most important thing is to let the children explore with the materials and different mediums to learn about colors, shapes and textures. I always feel that we can learn so much from the children by observation. In our classes, we try to give the children as much freedom as we can. We have been having parents share their talents with us. Every week, a volunteer reads a story or shares a special talent. We were treated to an introduction to the viola. The children were fascinated as Erielle, Alice s mother, showed all the wonderful sounds the instrument could make. The school is beginning the month of March with our annual concert on the eleventh. We hope that you can join us. The event is geared for children 3-5 years old. If you can t attend the concert, we will be having a bake sale that morning and hope that you will buy some delicious fresh baked treats. If you would like to participate at the event, it would be appreciated. We need your help to make this a successful event. Cooperative block play As Nursery School Director, I am available to talk to all interested families every Tuesday morning from 11am to noon. Call me to make an appointment. We also have our parent-toddler classes every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 9-10:30am. If you would like to visit, please let me know. Fran Gordon, Nursery School Director Erielle entertaining the children with her viola 10 KAMII

Winter Concert The Nursery School at KAM Isaiah Israel Presents The Dot & Susan Show! A program of story and song featuring Storyteller Dot Kane and Singer/Songwriter Susan Salidor Sunday, March 11, 2012 2:00-3:00 p.m. 5039 S. Greenwood Avenue 773-924-1234 Susan Salidor is an accomplished singer who knows how to write songs that speak to the very heart of childhood, parenting, and family life. Her melodies will linger in the minds of kids and parents alike. With a background in early childhood education, children s theater and dance, Dot educates, entertains, and keeps the kids movin! The Dot & Susan Show is entertaining for all ages! Dot Kane s interactive storytelling, coupled with Susan Salidor s toe-tapping tunes, have been entertaining children and their families for over ten years. Tickets are $15 at the door; $13 in advance ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Order Your Tickets Early* (And don t forget extras to give as gifts for grandparents, nieces and nephews and friends with small children.) Name: Address: Phone: We need tickets @ $13 each in advance ($15 at the door). Please make checks payable to KAM Isaiah Israel. Please enter the block at 50 th St. and Greenwood Ave. and bring a government-issued photo ID. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Nursery School. A special thanks to the generosity of these sponsors March 2012 11

Calling All Bakers! The Nursery School at KAM Isaiah Israel will be having a bake sale, on Sunday, March 11 from 1:30-3:30 pm, at the annual Winter Concert. Both the concert and the bake sale will help raise money for the Nursery School. If you would like to donate baked goods to the bake sale, please contact Fran Gordon, the Nursery School Director, at fgordon@ kamii.org or 773.924.1234. Thank you! 12 KAMII

Religious School Shalom everyone! February was full of fun programs! We had a lovely time at Family Shabbat/ Shabbat Shira on February 3. A few days later, we had a great family Tu B Shevat seder, where we feasted on various fruits, nuts and more. We also prayed and sang in celebration of the Birthday of the trees. The Confirmation students participated in the Religious Action Center s L Taken Seminar in Washington, D.C on February 10-12. The program exposed and explored the Jewish values surrounding various public policy issues and taught advocacy skills. The following weekend was the Family and 5th/6th Grade Retreat to OSRUI in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. We had a great time learning about the prophets, and we painted Elijah and Miriam s glasses for our Passover seder tables. It was beautiful to spend Shabbat surrounded by nature, snow and great company. March is a very busy month. We have Family Shabbat and Potluck on Friday, March 2. I hope everyone comes in costume on Sunday, March 4 for the Purim concert during the end of Religious School. Afterward, we will all head over to the Hyde Park Purim Carnival, at 1pm at the Hyde Park JCC. In March, we also have a 3rd and 4th grade Family Education Day and a 6th grade Shabbaton. I hope everyone enjoys all the wonderful events! Jessica Hassid Religious School Director Hyde Park Community Purim at Congregation Rodfei Zedek Wednesday, March 7 Please join us for Purim 2012, a gathering of children and adults from throughout the community. The event will be hosted at Congregation Rodfei Zedek, at 5200 S. Hyde Park Blvd. Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. dinner will be a deli dinner buffet, including munchies, sandwiches, hamantaschen, and more! Free of charge, but reservations required by Monday, March 5, at 4:30 p.m. RSVP to www.kamii.org/rsvp Purim celebration at 6:30 p.m. including a sing-along, Purim spiel with actors from CRZ and KAMII, a costume parade for all children, and a children s Megillah reading. Children will make their own groggers, which will be donated to a food pantry at the end of the evening. Please bring $1 or a box of pasta. If you would like your child to read (in English or Hebrew) from the Megillah - please contact sarah.abella@mac.com Full Megillah reading at 7:30 p.m. followed by a reception with Klezmer music by KAMII s The President s Own Klezmer Band We hope people of all ages will join us! Congregation Rodfei Zedek 5200 S. Hyde Park Blvd. March 2012 13

Tributes We thank all contributors for their generosity and support of our synagogue family. (Contributions received January 18th - February 20 are listed) General Fund In Honor of Dan Mass, President of KAMII Shelley Gorson and Alan Salpeter In Memory of Morris Sklarsky Louis and Judith Robinson Memorial Yahrzeits In Memory of Sharl B. Bass Susan Bass Marcus In Memory of Kitty Dickler Bernard and Barbara Greenberg In Memory of Sam Marcus Dorothy M. Gans In Memory of Benjamin Margolin Victor and Sylvia Margolin In Memory of Irwin Newman Dr. William Newman The Music Enhancement Fund In Honor of the Success of the Janowski Centennial Joan Levin Martha Nussbaum The Nursery School Concert Fundraiser In Honor of Norm Weinberg s Speedy Recovery Fran and Marvin Gordon In Memory of Sara Jane Hurtig Fran and Marvin Gordon ZICHRONA LIV RACHA May her memory be a blessing We extend condolences to Alison Leff Triggs on the death of grandmother, Harriet Rosene EDITOR S NOTE: The next bulletin deadline is: Monday, March 5th for the April issue Please send your event notices, articles and photos to Phyllis at phyllis.cohn@gmail.com and to Mark at mmandle18@gmail.com -- Phyllis Cohn, bulletin editor 14 KAMII

Tributes KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation Tribute Funds Donor Address I/We contribute $ Date Acknowledge to Address In Honor Of In Memory Of Temple Operating Funds Discretionary Funds: Rabbi s Fund Cantor s Fund Other Landmark Preservation Fund Stolz-Levi Walter Jacobs Memorial Library Fund Music Enhancement Fund Prayer Book/Humash Fund 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 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 Youth Activities Fund Youth Group Israel Scholarship 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 Rabbi Arnold J. Wolf Adult Education Fund Other Please make checks payable to: KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation 1100 East Hyde Park Blvd. Chicago, IL 60615-2899 Contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law March 2012 15

Shabbat Service Shabbat T tzaveh: Exodus 27:20 30:10 Friday, March 2 Kid Shabbat at 6:00 pm Congregational Shabbat Dinner at 6:30 pm Shabbat Service at 7:15 pm Dr. Nili Fox at 8:00 pm, speaking on Israel in and out of Egypt: An Archeological View of What to Tell Your Children Saturday, March 3 Shabbat Service at 10:30 am Hannah Gillespie will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah Shabbat Ki Tisa: Exodus 30:11 34:35 Friday, March 9 Shabbat Service at 8:00 pm Saturday, March 10 Shabbat Service at 10:30 am Shabbat Vayak heil/p kudei: Exodus 35:1 38:20/38:21 40:38 Friday, March 16 Kol Sasson Shabbat Service at 7:00 pm Saturday, March 17 Shabbat Service at 10:30 am Shabbat Vayikra: Leviticus 1:1 5:26 Friday, March 23 Shabbat Service at 8:00 pm Saturday, March 24 Shabbat Service at 10:30 am Shabbat Tzav: Leviticus 68:1 5:36 Friday, March 30 Shabbat Service at 8:00 pm Saturday, March 31 Shabbat Service at 10:30 am Torah Study at 9:30 am every Shabbat morning. Transportation to Shabbat evening services is always available. Please call the office. KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation, Founded in 1847 1100 E. Hyde Park Boulevard Chicago, Il 60615 P: 773.924.1234 F: 773.924.1238 kamii@kamii.org www.kamii.org Daniel P. Mass... President Batsheva Appel...Senior Rabbi Miriam Eskenasy...Cantor Deborah Bard... Cantor Emerita Tal Rosen... Executive Director Jessica Hassid... Director of Religious School Fran Gordon...Nursery School Director Phyllis Cohn...Editor Mark Mandle... Assistant Editor Abigail Allison... Assistant Editor Stewart Martin... Assistant Editor March 2012... Vol. 42, No. 4