Shabbat Vayetze
Friday December 5, 2008 Saturday December 6, 2008
8:15 PM Shabbat Evening Service 9:00 AM Torah Study
Rabbi Bob will discuss, "A Dear Friend 10:30 AM Morning Service
I Hardly Knew." Bat Mitzvah: Hannah Jablow Oneg Host: Jablow-Spertus Family
Shabbat Vayishlach
Friday December 12, 2008 Saturday December 13, 2008
6:30 PM Tot Shabbat 9:00 AM Torah Study
Anne Stein will tell a story 10:30 AM Morning Service
8:15 PM Shabbat Evening Service B'nai Mitzvah Marina & Tamara Rostein
Rabbi Cosnowsky will discuss, "It's
Never Too Late."
Oneg Host: Rostein Family
Shabbat Vayeshev
Friday December 19, 2008 Saturday December 20, 2008
8:15 PM Shabbat Evening Service NO Torah Study
Rabbi Bob will discuss, NO Morning Service
"Understanding Hanukkah."
Oneg Host: Ritual & Religious
Shabbat Miketz
Friday December 26, 2008 Saturday December 27, 2008
7:30 PM Hanukkah Family Service NO Torah Study
Rabbi Bob will tell a story NO Morning Service
Peyton Blew baby naming. Oneg Host: Sisterhood & Blew Family
Current Torah Portion
* Childcare is available during Friday evening services in our Nursery.
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NOTICE Please note that the next E-Bulletin will be December 31st, the deadline for all articles is December 29th.
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Message from Rabbi Cosnowsky 
Thank you for your overwhelming response to my letter. Many of you asked for a copy and permission to send it on to friends, loved ones, etc. I am making it available so that you can send it off to anyone you wish.
Also, please remember our panel discussion sponsored by Brotherhood and Sisterhood that will take place on Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 10:00 AM. The panel will be comprised of Rabbi Lawrence Edwards of Congregation Or Chadash in Chicago, Catina Lowery of Lambda Legal, and me. Even if you are not a member of the Brotherhood or Sisterhood, please consider joining us for an informative discussion and discourse. You will have the opportunity to ask questions of the panel as well. Come and learn how you can get involved and help bring equal rights to all people.
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A Friend of Those in Need has Died
We offer our condolences to the family of Paul Edward Prieske who died on Monday. I understand that few of you knew him. Some of you will recognize his name from having heard it read as part of our Mi Shebeirach prayer. Ed fought serious illness for a long time. He was a Tzedaka hero in our midst. I will be paying tribute to him during my sermon this Friday evening.
Rabbi Steven Bob |
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Hanukkah Begins Sunday, Dec. 21st  Hanukkah begins at sunset on Sunday, December 21st. During this holiday we light the menorah, sing songs, play dreidel and, of course, eat lots of latkes. Hanukkah is a holiday not only for children to enjoy, but to be celebrated with family and friends.
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Two Exciting Speakers Kick Off the New Year The Social Action Committee invites you to two thought-provoking programs in January. We are honored to host Rabbi Funnye during our Social Action Shabbat service on Friday, January 16, 2009, and Aaron Freeman for our annual Martin Luther King Jr. program on Sunday morning, January 18, 2009.
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Paul Liptz to Speak at Etz Chaim  Please join the Social Action and Adult Education Committees for a very special evening on Saturday, January 24, 2009. We will be hosting a special evening with Paul Liptz, a visiting scholar from Israel. Paul will also be one of the scholars with whom our Social Action Israel trip will study in May. Do not miss this incredibly enlightening evening.
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Lehrhaus at OSRUI, July 16-19 2009 Rabbi Cosnowsky will teach another Lehrhaus Adult Study session at OSRUI, "Jewish Mindfullness- How to Be Present in the Moment." Full details to follow in the near future.
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Concert at Congregation Etz Chaim- Saturday, January 31
On Saturday, January 31st from 7:30-10:00 PM, a concert will be held at Congregation Etz Chaim. All proceeds will go to our PADS program. Come hear a variety of music from talented local musicians and perform a mitzvah all at the same time.
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| School & Youth Activities
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Message from Anne |
 Do you have a favorite family tradition? The tradition can revolve around a holiday, birthday celebrations, bed time rituals, etc. If so, Anne is compiling a book of traditions which will be distributed to anyone who wants one. It is all part of the 3rd-7th grade family program this coming Sunday morning.
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School Closing Information  We will no longer use a telephone "snow tree" to inform people about school closings this year. If there is a school closing, an email will be sent out before 7:00 AM on a Sunday morning to all families and before 2:00 PM on a Wednesday afternoon. In addition, it will be posted on the Etz Chaim website if school is closed.
If you do not have access to email at home, please let Anne Stein know and we will arrange for you to get a phone call.
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JYG Retreat Weekend Recap On Friday, November 23, 2008, 28 Etz Chaim JYG members, our two advisors and Rabbi Cosnowsky (along with Jacob and Zoe) went up to OSRUI for the weekend.
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OSRUI  Summer is just around the corner and so is camp! OSRUI applications are available at the temple or on the OSRUI website. Spaces fill up quickly so get your application in soon! Financial assistance forms are available at the temple or on our website. The Robert Scott Samuels Fund is specifically marked to help our families send children to OSRUI.
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New Member Dinner Recap The annual New Member Dinner that was held on November 15th was a wonderful evening out.
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Winter Clothing Drive Thank You  Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to the Winter Wear Drive. We collected 17 new coats, 2 pairs of new snow pants, 3 pairs of new boots, 6 new scarves, 30 pairs of new mittens/gloves, 2 pairs of warm socks and 26 new hats.These items have all been delivered to Jewish Child and Family Services. We also collected several used items: 21 coats, 5 scarves, 1 hat, 10 pairs of mittens/gloves and 1 pair of boots. These items have been donated to PADS. |
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Mah Jongg Cards  Attention all Mah Jongg players: Sisterhood is now taking orders for 2009 Mah Jongg cards. The costs are $7.00 for a standard card and $8.00 for large print. We earned $231.00 for Sisterhood last year! The deadline for getting the order in is January 31st. Please make the checks out to Congregation Etz Chaim Sisterhood. Orders and checks can be mailed to Kathy Herbach or put in the Sisterhood mailbox at the temple.
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Fall Blood Drive a Success
Thanks to 46 generous donors, the annual blood drive was a huge success. Our spring blood drive will be Sunday, April 19, 2009.
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Manna Orders Can Help PADS
Sunday, December 7th is the order deadline for our next Manna sale. With the holidays approaching, this is a great time to get gift cards for friends and family. Also, Etz Chaim is collecting money or $10 gift cards to give to our PADS guests on Christmas Eve as we have in the past years. This year we are requesting $10 cards for Panera, Dunkin Donuts and Subway.
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Sunday, December 7
9:30 AM Sisterhood Meeting & Program. Sisterhood welcomes Dr. Frances Coletta who will discuss nutrition, obesity and women's health issues. Program begins at 10:00 AM
Monday, December 8
Manna Order Deadline
Find order form here. For more info about Manna.
Tuesday, December 9
12:00 PM Seniors Meeting
The Seniors Group will meet for a lox and bagel lunch and then see the showing of James Carroll's Documentary , "Constantine's Sword."
Thursday, December 11
7:30 PM 2009-2010 Budget Meeting.
First budget meeting for the 2009-2010 year.
Saturday, December 13
5:00 PM- 10:30 PM SYG presents PJ Movie Night
SYG wants you to wear your favorite (and appropriate) PJs, stay for a yummy pasta dinner and watch a movie on the big screen.
Wednesday, December 17
4:00 PM Sisterhood Hanukkah Craft Party
Sunday, December 21
First Night of Hanukkah - 1st Candle. Hanukkah begins at sunset.
Friday, January 16
Social Action Shabbat Service
Congregation Etz Chaim welcomes back Rabbi Capers Funnye of Beth Shalom B'nai Zaken, Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation of Chicago, Illinois as its guest speaker this Shabbat.
Sunday, January 18
Martin Luther King Program. We are eager to welcome Aaron Freeman for our annual Martin Luther King Jr. morning program. |
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Orders Due December 7, 2008
Pickup December 10, 2008
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Schmaltz Deli
Jill Rudman
Julie Kalwat
Ink Well
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