The Jewish Bulletin - Joliet Jewish Congregation

JOLIET JEWISH CONGREGATION
The Jewish Bulletin
William T. Kaplan
President
Charles Rubovits
Rabbi
February 1, 2015
Candle Lighting Times
February 6, 2015………...4:57pm
February 13, 2015……….5:05pm
February 20, 2015……….5:14pm
Friday Evening Services
February 6, 2015………...7:00pm
February 13, 2015……….7:00pm
February 20, 2015……….6:00pm
Shabbat Morning Services - 9:00am
February 7, 2015
Torah portion of the week…..Yitro
Exodus 18:1-20:23
Haftorah portion of the week…..Isaiah
6:1-7:6; 9:5-6
February 14, 2015
Torah portion of the week…..Mishpatim
Exodus 21:1-24:18
Haftorah portion of the week…..II Kings
5:26-6:13
February 21, 2015
Torah portion of the week…..Terumah
Exodus 25:1-27:19
Haftorah portion of the week…..I Kings
5:26-6:13
Contacts
Main Phone………………………….…..(815) 741-4600
Email……………………………[email protected]
Website………..www.jolietjewishcongregation.com
Our address…...…250 N. Midland, Joliet, IL 60435
12 Shevat 5775
From the Rabbi’s Study
Even though we’re firmly entrenched in winter with the
cold & snow, I think it would be beneficial for our
membership to place the following dates on your calendars for special events at your Temple this coming
spring. As these events approach, you’ll read more
and hear more about them but I’d suggest you put
them on your calendar now.
Purim dinner and Megillah reading on the evening
of March 4. I know it’s a school night so we’ll start
early and attempt to end early. Right now we’re looking at a 6 p.m. start time. Dinner (if we can pull if off)
will be similar to what was served in Shushan, Persia
2500 years ago; chili and hot dogs! Then we will read
the story of Purim with costumes, grogers and fun for
everyone.
My Sunday morning lecture: “Moments in History
that Changed Judaism Forever” will begin at
10:30 a.m. March 8. This is one of my presentations
designed for adults. The program will end at noon so
families can gather their children from Sunday School.
We will be trying something new for a Friday night service on March 13 at 7 p.m. I will introduce a special
comfort and hope religious service written by the
Women’s League for Conservative Judaism. I led a
similar service in the Quad Cities with success and if
this one is successful, we’ll add more dates. This service focuses on prayer, music, reflection, study and
peace and will certainly touch all who attend.
The Blues & and Brews event is March 21. You’ll
find more info elsewhere in this newsletter. Last year’s
event was excellent and I’m certain this one will be
even better.
A congregation Passover Dinner is being planned
for April 8 during Chol HaMoed Pesach. This great
event will be open to anyone and everyone. It won’t
be a true “seder” event but will have all the trappings
and the enthusiasm of a seder plus the traditional
foods associated with the meals we’ve all come to
love. Be sure to make your reservations early!
Our annual Yom HaShoah program will be April 14
at 7 p.m. We’ll be featuring a film produced in the
Quad Cities 15 years ago regarding the Holocaust
years endured by three women, all named Esther.
Their stories are poignant and interesting and should
be seen by everyone.
The official date for Lag B’Omer is May 8th so our Sunday School will mark this observance during Sunday
School May 3. Several traditions are associated with
Lag B’Omer including archery contests and weddings.
I am going to attempt to plan and produce a “mock
wedding” featuring our Sunday School students.
You’ll see more about this in the coming weeks but for
now, please mark your calendars!
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS &
ANNIVERSARIES
2/4
2/6
2/10
2/11
2/17
2/18
2/19
2/19
2/26
2/27
Happy Birthday to:
Ed Kursell
Myles Jacobs
Chloe Gaither
Billie Klein
Rhoda Elias
Ron Galowich
Jael Aguilar
Jeanne Lewin
Stephanie Roebelen
Sarina Nayden
We will close our Sunday School year with our annual
picnic at Inwood Park from noon to at least 3 p.m.
May 17th. Everyone is invited to attend.
No one can possibly say that nothing is going on at our
Temple so please mark your calendars and make plans
to attend all or as many events as you possibly can these events and services are for YOU!
2/4
2/19
Happy Anniversary to:
Phil & Rhoda Elias
Dr. Robert & Martha Friedman
Rabbi Rubovits
NOTES
We need your eyes and ears. If you know a
congregant is ill, in the hospital, or nursing home,
please let the office know.
Join us on Thursdays at Noon for 90 minutes of lunch
& Torah study. Rabbi will review and discuss the upcoming Torah portion of the week so come prepared to
learn something new and exciting! Cost—$5 per week.
No Lunch & Learn scheduled for February 5th.
The Hadassah Book Club will meet on Wednesday,
February 18th at the home of Karen Luksa at 7:00 PM.
We will be discussing 700 Sundays by Billy Crystal. In
this biography, legendary comedian and actor Billy
Crystal tells the story of his youth growing up in the
jazz world of Manhattan, his teenage years and finally
adulthood. It is available at the library, in paperback
and in e-reader form.
We would like to welcome Mr. & Mrs. Jeremy (Judy) Link and children Ryan & Alyssa as
new members of our congregation family. We look
forward to getting to know you better.
GAME NIGHT
The synagogue Game Night will be hold on
Saturday evening, February 21st at 7:00 PM.
Snacks will be provided but please bring a favorite game (board, cards, mah jongg, etc.) if you
have one.
Any questions and to RSVP, please contact the
office.
Please join us on Friday, Feb. 20th for Family
Services beginning at 6:00 PM followed by dairy potluck at 7:00 PM. Please RSVP to the office.
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
We Jews are obligated to observe the Sabbath.
Observance is the key. We all have our own degree of
observance, as it should be.
The problem is that not enough of us are observing Sabbath by attending synagogue with any
regularity.
We are blessed with a truly great rabbi who is
not only extremely professional but also a great human
being and fun to be with.
Our rabbi deserves our support, he deserves
better attendance for both Friday night and/or Saturday morning services. By attending services we can
show him we really care about and appreciate him and
also our religion.
So, how about it. When the rabbi returns from
vacation on or about Feb. 10-12 please show him we
care enough to come to services more often.
DAYBREAK FEEDING—(Corrected Report)
I forgot at least 2 names and they are from
the same family.
I neglected to acknowledge advice and consultation from Chairperson Joyce Orloff and all the hard
work from son Steve Orloff.
I humbly ask forgiveness for the omissions. If
I forgot any others please advise this old man.
Temp. Chair - Mark Turk
THANK YOU
Thank you to the anonymous donor of children’s books for our library. They will be processed
and available for check-out soon.
BEST KEPT SECRETS
Did you know we have a wonderful gift shop?
The shop, run by Randi McCauley contains lots of Judaic items but also contains bowls, music boxes,
scarves, wood artistry and wine stoppers by Rabbi
Rubovits and even wonderful vehicle models made
with love by the late Dr. Mort Barnett.
The shop is located next to the administrative
office, is easy to get to and offers great opportunities
to purchase unique items for yourself and/or gifts.
So stop, browse, enjoy and enjoy one of our
best kept secrets.
BLUES & BREWS
The Blues and Brews fundraiser is coming
soon. This fundraiser is great fun and makes for a
wonderful evening. The music is great, the attendees
are fun, the food excellent and the drinks—wet. Anyway, this is your synagogue so support it while enjoying yourselves.
WELFARE CHEST
We assist over 20 charities and social groups
besides local help with Sunday School tuition for those
who qualify, feeding the homeless, emergency food
and gas to the needy.
We need your help to do this good work. Our
fund drive is ongoing and last year we had many dollars of needed support that we could not fill.
Please send what you can now to the Joliet
Jewish Welfare Chest to help us carry on this greatly
important humanitarian effort.
KIDDUSH
If you attend Shabbat Kiddush lunch and/or
evening oneg or know someone who does, please help
support these services with a generous Kiddush check.
SCRIP
Buying Scrip helps us both in an easy way.
You go to the drug and grocery stores and/or buy fuel
and/or lots of other purchases. Look at the enclosed
Scrip list and purchase some to help you and your congregation.
RAFFLE
The raffle drawing date is a few weeks away
— Tuesday, February 17th.
By now you have all received your annual raffle tickets. All are asked to facilitate the sale of at
least one ticket, board members 2, but after you’ve
accomplished that, try for one more.
Please turn in your ticket stubs and money to
the office as soon as possible.
Thank you for your support of this important
fundraiser.
Your Raffle Committee
Mark Horwitz & Mark Turk
SAFETY
Our general area has recently experienced
some break-ins. Please be vigilant of your surroundings and notify the police if your spot any unique or
suspicious activity.
SCRIP
An order form is
included with the newsletter. Order forms due
in the office by Friday, Feb. 13th. Any questions call
the office 741-4600.
Yahrzeits
(Week of February 1-7)
Bea Scholar
12 Shevat
Steve Klafter
12 Shevat
Kay Resis
14 Shevat
Lou Fish
14 Shevat
(Week of February 8-14)
Howard Pollock
19 Shevat
Evie Lobel
20 Shevat
Jim Kaplan
20 Shevat
Louise Freeman
22 Shevat
Bea Scholar
23 Shevat
Kay Resis
23 Shevat
Harriet Barnett
24 Shevat
Rabbi Charles Rubovits 25 Shevat
Mark Turk
25 Shevat
(Week of February 15-21)
Dr. Gary Trager
27 Shevat
Paul Beaver
1 Adar
Kay Resis
1 Adar
Mark Horwitz
1 Adar
WELFARE CHEST
February
February
February
February
1
1
3
3
February
February
February
February
February
February
February
8
9
9
11
12
12
13
February 14
February 14
February
February
February
February
16
20
20
20
The Yahrzeit light is lit on the evening before
the date noted above.
Yahrzeit lights will be lit on our Memorial Tablets in memory of:
Week of February 1-7:
Mrs. Yetta
Schneider, Ernest H. Klafter, Beatrice Finestone,
Shirley Fish, Fannie Singer, Sina Fishman
Week of February 8-14: Maurice Greenberg, Louis Geller, Max Schwartz, David Kristal,
Bertha Schneider, Mrs. Bertha Belle Gray, Mrs.
Ida Resis, Mrs. Ivy Barnett, Mrs. Rayda Kramer
Week of February 15-21: Miss Mary Ida
Slack, Maralyn Sharon Isaacs, Reva Schreibman,
Mrs. Florence Adelston, Morris Trackman, Seymour Beaver, Mrs. Esther Barkin, Mrs. Rose Fleisher
Hattie and Harry Brown
Happy Day Fund

None
Hattie & Harry Brown
Memorial Fund

None
TAX LETTERS FOR 2014
If you need a letter listing your payments to
and value of goods received from the synagogue during 2014, please send an email to Jim Kaplan [email protected]
This will not include accounts other than the
main synagogue checking account (e.g. Hadassah,
Sisterhood, Welfare Chest donations).
This month we will discuss The “ARK” and the
Will/Grundy Center for Independent Living (WGCIL).
February is ARK month. Soon
you will be receiving a letter for our
dinnerless ARK fundraising dinner
(please give). This is the congregations
turn to raise funds for The ARK. The
monies we send are from the separate
funds we raise.
Surely you remember The ARK’s basics being
the food and clothing collected and given to their clients. The question frequently comes up, if there are
really poor and/or homeless Jewish families in the Chicago area. Sadly, there are hundreds of families in
this situation.
The ARK is getting even more requests for
services, unlike what the government says about the
poor and/or homeless.
Additionally to its extensive pantry and clothes
closet, The ARK also operates medical, dental & eye
clinics and a pharmacy. Other services also available
are rent & utility assistance, job counseling, legal aid
and transitional housing. Beyond these services are
case management and advocacy, psychological services, adult & mental day care and Judaic enrichment.
WGCIL’s mission is to
“Assist persons with disabilities
and their families. They strive to
offer equality and empowerment
of persons with disabilities in Will
Grundy County.” They do this by
informing those disabled of their rights, help them understand their responsibilities, offer support, promote
advocacy, while raising community awareness. During
the past year WGCIL moved 12 persons from nursing
homes to their private residences, 20 young adults
learned about government while 17 traveled to Springfield to witness politics in action. Also 10 learned how
to use fixed route transportation and started working
on a supportive housing campaign while 3 public life
leadership teams were created and 267 received free
amplified phones.
Obviously both of these service providers are
worthy of our continued support.
ONGOING FUNDRAISERS
Joliet Jewish Congregation
collects inkjet/laser cartridges/cell
phones to recycle. Drop them off at
the office.
We take part in the
Food4Less program & receive a 4%
rebate on purchases by congregation
members & friends. Thanks to all
who help with these programs.
We have a new newspaper/magazine recycling
container at the Campbell St. entrance
PRAYERS FOR RECOVERY
Sula Andrew
Joel Bally
Patricia Barnhardt
Arline Kaiser Bartick
Sarah Benton
Jack Berkley
Barbara Bernstein
Stephen Bernstein
Mary Beth Bleu
April Brennan
George Burosh
Jo-Ann Byron
Lindsey Cass
Pete Cinquegrani
Colleen Cler
Donald Cordano
Bonnie Disera
Chip Donnick
Ken Erb
Peggy Fay
Marc Freeman
Lou Fish
Christina Gall
Lou Gersman
Shirley Glaser
Sheryl Heath
Syd Hernandez
Mary Ellen Hillman
Jean Horwitz
Audrey Kaiser
Jeffrey Kaiser
Rachel Karlin
Caryn Bernstein Kirman
Sharon Klichski
Sandra Kramer
Rita Kucinski
Ed (Yahuda) Kursell
Dave Kuzinowski
Elizabeth Lostis
Joann Marder
Don Mikrat
Nancy Onofrey
Olga Packeri
Justine Page
Ruth Paim
Rochelle Plager
Alvin Pollock
Max Rochrohr
Alice Rosenberg
Clair Scholar
Merle Schwartz
Myron Shellist
Edmond Smith, Jr.
Judy Stevenson
Bob Stoll
Diana Stonitsch
Becky Turner
Victor Walchirk
Bonnie Witcher
Rifka Hadasah bat Elana
Henya Leah bat Sara
Please look over the names listed above and contact the office with
those names that can be take off the list hopefully due to their recovery.
Thank you.
Joliet Jewish Congregation
250 N. Midland Avenue
Joliet, IL 60435
(815) 741- 4600
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