CHICAGO
SINAI
CONGREGATION
MAY 2016 Volume 62 Number 10
Celebrating a Year of Community
W
A
L
WORSHIP p.10
ACT p.13
LEARN p.14
CONTENTS
THE SPIRIT OF SINAI
Renew Orleans - A Sixth Helping 2016
2
Renew Orleans
3
News and Views
5
Reflections by
Rabbi Greene
6
Spring Choral Program
7
48th Annual Gala
8
Nominating
Committee Report
9
Thank You
155th Annual Meeting
Mother’s Day
10
Worship
12
Make Yourself More
13
Act
14
Learn
16
Sinai in Focus
Wine & Paint
17
Religious Education
Preschool
18
Tributes
In the Lives
19
Calendar
Sinai members spent the weekend
of April 1 in New Orleans
volunteering their time in the
Lower 9th Ward. We went to the
Whitney Slavery Museum on a
4,000 acre sugar plantation,
immersed ourselves in New Orleans
civil rights history and current
issues of racial justice. We attended
services at Touro Synagogue.
We ate great food and created
wonderful memories.
Chicago Sinai
Congregation Bulletin
(USPS 0103-880) is
published monthly, by
Chicago Sinai
Congregation, 15 W.
Delaware Pl., Chicago, IL,
60610-3306, except for a
combined issue in
July/August.
Periodical postage paid
at Chicago, IL.
POSTMASTER: Send
address changes to
Chicago Sinai
Congregation,
15 W. Delaware Place,
Chicago, IL 60610-3306.
Volume 62, Number 9.
2
www.chicagosinai.org MAY 2016 Temple Office 312.867.7000
NEWS AND VIEWS
Rabbi Seth M. Limmer
Reforming Judaism: Forms, Dogma and Ideals
Sinai’s decisions of the
past have never been
decisively determinative
for our future:
each generation of our
congregation has taken
into its hands the
responsibility of
responding religiously
to the needs of its time.
Reform Judaism has never been afraid of bold
strokes. Famously, in our infancy in 18th Century
German, our early Reformers proclaimed
outdated not only antiquated dietary laws—or
traditions of ritual affectation such as yarmulke
and tallit—but also perhaps the most beloved
tradition in the life cycle of families: the bar
mitzvah. Deeming this rite not only sexist [as no
parallel ceremony had truly been celebrated for
girls], but also logically dishonest—as no 13
year-old boy can truly be called a full adult—bar
mitzvah was removed from Reform Jewish
practice. In its place was put the group
ceremony at which high school graduates—
male and female—affirmed their commitment
to continue their Jewish practice as they left
their parents’ homes: we call this ceremony
Confirmation.
Walking on the third floor of our building, we see
the shining faces of Sinai’s Confirmands—girls
and boys—dating back all the way to 1924.
Some of you reading these words can find your
picture there, and others are able to spot the
likes of their parents and grandparents. [I’m sure
some of you are also able to pick out the punim
of your children and grandchildren!]
Confirmation remains a proud tradition here at
Chicago Sinai Congregation, which we will
celebrate with a remarkable class of young
people on Sunday, June 5th. But, in the near
century since that first Confirmation Class photo
was taken, something curious happened at our
Reform Synagogue: we opened our arms and
welcomed back a once outcast ceremony, bar
mitzvah.
For the first time in the history of Chicago Sinai Congregation we are delighted
to celebrate a Bat Mitzvah in the family of our Rabbi.
We invite the entire congregation to join together for a festive Friday evening
service on May 27th, with a celebratory Oneg Shabbat to follow, as we welcome
the Shabbat when Rosey Esther Limmer becomes Bat Mitzvah.
The Limmer family is blessed in many ways and has requested that this
celebration not be a time for gifts. If your heart so moves you, Rosey is working
to raise awareness and funds for Autism advocacy and research and donations
would be welcome to Autism Speaks, Team “Rosey’s Puzzle Piece”.
Link: http://www.autismspeakswalk.org/northshore/rlimmer0502
Or send a check to: Autism Speaks, Walk Donations Department
North Shore, Chicago, Team: Rosey’s Puzzle Piece
1060 State Road, 2nd Floor - Princeton, NJ 08540
The walk is on April 24.
How did this happen? There are different ways
to answer that question. The first is the historical
approach: we did so by stages. In the early 70s,
Rabbi Sam Karff responded to a resurgent desire
for this ritual by initiating a Saturday morning
Torah reading service for 13 year-olds. At the
outset, these were intentionally not called bar
mitzvah; over time, as they were celebrated for
both boys and girls, we fell back into millennial
habits and referred to these services as bar
mitzvah or bat mitzvah services. This Jewish
year alone, we have or will celebrate at over 30
b’nai mitzvah ceremonies!
But seeing the timeline of when b’nai mitzvah
returned to Sinai is only part of answering how
this happened. Another aspect is
anthropological: no matter how meaningful are
ceremonies of Confirmation, there is something
in the heart of many Jewish parents that wants
to see their children become b’nai mitzvah. It
might make no sense to call a 13 year-old a full
adult, but it also became less and less plausible
to tell families their children couldn’t read Torah
and lead the service at age 13 because the title
of the beloved ceremony was a legal fiction.
Which brings us to the last piece of how the
Chicago Sinai Congregation bnai mitzvah puzzle
was completed: the rationale. Chicago Sinai
Congregation has never been afraid to take a
stand, but the stances we assume are always
principled. We moved Shabbat worship to
Sunday mornings because that was the only day
of rest for many in our Congregation; we
maintain an open House of Prayer for All Peoples
and welcome interfaith families because that is
what we believe our faith demands. Likewise,
now that b’nai mitzvah has returned to our
congregation, it is in a new context. First and
foremost, b’nai mitzvah ceremonies remain
linked to Confirmation: the first is an individual’s
affirmation to continue on a course of
commitment that leads to the latter. Secondly,
as much as we celebrate our young people in
these ceremonies, we are acutely aware—and
speak as such—that they are just beginning
their forays into adolescence and adulthood.
B’nai Mitzvah at Sinai symbolize the beginning
of exploring Jewish adulthood, and not the
attainment of full religious responsibility.
(Continued on page 4)
www.chicagosinai.org MAY 2016 Temple Office 312.867.7000
3
NEWS AND VIEWS
Continued
Reforming Judaism: Forms, Dogma and Ideals
Sinai’s decisions of the past have
never been decisively determinative
for our future: each generation of our
congregation has taken into its hands
the responsibility of responding
religiously to the needs of its time.
Throughout the years, we have
changed the language of our
sermons [from German to English],
rewritten our Prayerbooks [twice in
the last decade!], added Hebrew to
our Religious School curriculum,
moved Shabbat to Sundays, and
then, later, back again to its historic
home. We have been able to keep
this continuing course of evolution in
the manner prescribed by Rabbi Emil
G. Hirsch in his first sermon at Sinai in
1880, we are not afraid to raise our
voice “against the materialism of
dogmas”. It was once dogma that
bnai mitzvah were intellectually
dishonest; we replaced that dogma
with a new understanding that
allows us to incorporate this ancient
tradition alongside its modern
counterpart, Confirmation.
There is a timeliness to these
thoughts that it not solely connected
to our upcoming ceremonies of
Confirmation next month. One week
before that, something new will
happen at Chicago Sinai
Congregation: the child of its rabbi
will celebrate becoming bat mitzvah.
This is not novel just because I have
two daughters; no Sinai Rabbi’s son
ever became bar mitzvah here, either,
to the best of my research. But this is
not the only symbol that Sinai
continues to move forward in
fighting any material dogma we
inherit from our past.
When my daughter becomes bat
mitzvah, she has chosen herself to do
what many of her peers at Sinai have
done in past years: she will wear a
tallit, the prayer shawl traditionally
worn by those leading services and
reading from the Torah.
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Amongst the material dogmas held by many at Chicago Sinai Congregation is the notion
none of our Rabbis has ever worn a tallit while leading our services. Knowing that fact, but
hardly knowing the Congregation when I moved here just about two years ago, I made a
decision; I took off the tallit I had worn for fourteen years while leading services as a Rabbi
and—quite literally—hung it up in my closet. It was hardly that I felt unwelcome wearing a
tallit, but rather that I knew it would be controversial in some quarters and did not want to
define myself by such staunch attachment to ritual garb. [Especially when, it should be
noted, I never bring my tallit with me to Camp, conventions, or services at other
congregations and am obviously content in services without wearing one.] This point—as
well as an hour’s discussion of the meaning of forms and dogmas—dominated much of my
formal interview at Sinai. It was actually the precise moment I knew for sure I wanted to be
at Sinai: a room filled with thoughtful Reform Jews was debating, from principled and
informed places, whether religious forms once outdated and meaningless could be
reincorporated in a new day with new intention.
On the last Saturday in May, we will arrive at a point I predicted during my interview
process: my daughter will become bat mitzvah and wear her tallit, leaving me to wonder
what I will do. On the one hand, it would be completely reasonable for me to keep my
current practice of not wearing one: I feel fully present in our worship without the tallit,
and do not feel I need it authentically to serve as prayer leader in any way. On the other
hand, my daughter will be wearing her tallit for the first time; could it really be inappropriate if
I did the same? I really am not sure what I will do on the Shabbat when my older daughter
reads from the Book of Leviticus. However, it is possible that on that Saturday, two firsts
will be achieved at Sinai: a rabbi’s child will become bat mitzvah, and that rabbi will be
wearing a tallit.
Now, it is also possible, that rabbi might again be in touch with how meaningful it is to
wear the tallit during prayer and consider continuing to do so in our sanctuary. If that is
the case, of course, we will have plenty of time for continuing discussions about these
important topics of personal religious meaning, dogmas and forms, and the orthodoxies
and evolution of Jewish practice. If such a change is to take place, this will certainly not be
the last time we all get to talk about it.
I write about this subject not only because it is of the moment, but also because I believe it
is an important discussion for our historic congregation to hold. Chicago Sinai
Congregation for over 150 years has been a thought leader in our Reform Movement: we
should not shy away from difficult subjects and neither should we be afraid to talk
respectfully through our disagreements. It is in that spirit of sharing ideas—and raising an
important subject of how we continue to bring our brand of unorthodox Judaism into the
future—that I write this lengthy letter. And it is why I hope that, if this matter matters to
you, you reach out to me so we can talk about it together.
While I do not know what decision I will make on May 28 or subsequently, I do know two
things about the decision. First, it is a personal decision, informed by the text and textures
of Jewish tradition, about what feels religiously appropriate for me: I hope everyone
understands that my wearing of or refraining from tallit is about my personal religious
experience, and shouldn’t in any way be taken as determinative of what you should do.
Secondly, whatever choice I make, I make two promises: first, to continue to provide a
forum to discuss these important signal issues in the life of our congregation; and second,
not to fall victim to the dogma of my decision and continue it unquestioningly. Whatever I
am wearing, I remain committed—for myself and for all—to the thorough and fearless
examination of our tradition that we might always insure our modern practice honors our
past through the honest evaluations of our day.
www.chicagosinai.org MAY 2016 Temple Office 312.867.7000
REFLECTIONS
Rabbi Amanda Greene
Millennials
I have often been criticized for not caring about
religion. Well, not me personally, but my
generation, the Millennials. When the Pew
Research Center released the results of their
most recent study on religion in 2014, the fear
of the loss of Millennials in religion grew
dramatically. Two years later, people still ask
me, “so what is it about your generation that
you don’t care about religion?”
At the end of the
day, we all want the
same thing -meaningful
connections to
others and to our
Jewish roots, deep
conversation, and
even ritual.
Volunteering at Inspiration Cafe
Challah Baking with Sinai
Young Adults
On Friday March 18th, Chicago Sinai
Congregation partnered with two other
synagogues, North Shore Congregation Israel
in Glencoe, IL and Sukkat Shalom in Wilmette,
and hosted a young adult Shabbat at the Rec
Room at Henry’s Swing Club. From 6:00 pm to
8:30 pm, over 75 people between the ages of
22 to 38 came together to celebrate Shabbat. It
may have looked a little different than the
traditional Friday night worship that took place
in the synagogues of each of the three
synagogues that evening. But 75 young adults,
some of whom had not done anything Jewish
since their Birthright trip to Israel, or even since
their Bar or Bat Mitzvah, came together, in a
casual, low-pressure environment to connect
with others and to connect to their Jewish
roots.
Together Rabbis Ryan and Carlie Daniels,
singer/songwriter Alan Goodis and I created a
Shabbat experience at bar that included
singing, candle lighting, a short teaching, a few
prayers, kiddush and a l’chayim toasting to our
first “Friday Night: A low key Shabbat
Celebration for Young Professionals.” A few
hours before the event, the four of us practiced
the flow of the evening. It turned out that our
waitress for the evening was a junior high
school classmate of mine. I hadn’t seen her in
years, probably since her Bat Mitzvah. As we
practiced, I caught Andi in the corner with her
iphone, recording and taking pictures of our
rehearsal. After, she came up to me and told
me that watching us, brought tears to her eyes,
as she remembered the blessings and the
prayers that she hadn’t heard or recited in
years.
The event that Friday night was
overwhelmingly successful. Here are just a few
anecdotes from the evening:
“This is exactly what is missing from Chicago.”
“You have to do this again, and next time, I will
bring my friends.”
People posted photos on facebook with the
caption, “Shabbat Shalom.”
Sinai Young Adults at Friday Night:
A Low Key Shabbat Experience for Young Professionals
On the following evening, Saturday March
19th, Rabbi and Molly Limmer hosted a special
Havdalah at their home for young adult
newlywed couples. Seven couples, whose
weddings Rabbi Limmer and I had the honor to
officiate, joined us for this evening. It was a
wonderful opportunity where young Sinai
couples got to know one another. They shared
wedding stories and their connection to Sinai.
The success of both evenings, I think, was that
no one doubted these Millennials desire to be
Jewish, no one doubted their desire to
connect. Eleven young adults have expressed
interest in serving on the Sinai Young Adult
Committee and we will have our fourth
meeting next week where we will begin
planning for next year. Indeed, Millennials do
care about Judaism, it may look different, and
we might not be able to check a box on a
survey about our religious identity. At the end
of the day, we all want the same thing -meaningful connections to others and to our
Jewish roots, deep conversation, and even
ritual.
www.chicagosinai.org MAY 2016 Temple Office 312.867.7000
5
MUSIC NOTES
Scott Kumer
15th Annual Spring Choral Program
The Music of
Robert Applebaum,
Guest Artist-Composer
Shabbat Eve Service
Friday, May 20, 2016
6:15 pm
All are invited to experience the music of jazz artist and composer Robert
Applebaum as presented by the Chicago Sinai Professional, Volunteer, and
Children’s Choirs, as well as guest instrumentalists. Mr. Applebaum will offer
remarks during this evening’s Sermon-In-Song.
Make Yourself More Presentation
by Robert Applebaum
Sunday, May 22, 2016
10:30 am
Batik Art by SUE DUDA
SueDuda.com
All are invited to attend this interactive
session by Mr. Applebaum as he discusses his
music. Come ready to sing a few excerpts
with the help of the Sinai Choir! Afterward,
please join us in the Social Hall and Patio for
the Religious School’s end-of-the-year picnic.
A word from Bob Applebaum…
“I am delighted and honored to be sharing my music with the Sinai community this weekend.
I realize that it is challenging for congregants to be bombarded with so many unfamiliar settings.
I hope that some of the music will connect with you in a meaningful way.”
Bob’s Biography…
For many years, music was an abiding love but a professional sideline for Robert Applebaum
(b. 1941), who taught physics and chemistry at New Trier High School, Winnetka, IL from 1965 until
his retirement in June 2000.
Bob’s secular and non-secular choral music has received frequent performance in concert settings
throughout the USA by a variety of vocal ensembles including Chicago a cappella, Kol Zimrah (the
Chicagoland Jewish Community Singers), the Chicago Children’s Choir (who sang Applebaum’s
setting of V’ahavta at the 2000 White House holiday concerts), the Chicago Institute of Music Chorale,
the Coriolis Ensemble (Evanston, IL) and the Pacific Edge Voices (Berkeley, CA). His pieces have been
featured many times at the Zamir North American Summer Choral Festival (New York). In 2015 and
2016 his settings of Shakespeare texts were featured in programs in the USA and in Europe.
Many of his liturgical settings have been in regular use in services at the Jewish Reconstructionist
Congregation (Evanston) where he was affiliated until 2008, when he moved to California. (And a
few of his compositions have even found their way into services here at Chicago Sinai Congregation.)
Chicago a cappella included two of his Chanukah pieces on their 2002 CD Holidays Live!, three of his
settings of Shakespeare texts on their highly acclaimed 2005 Çedille release, Shall I Compare Thee?,
and his setting of Im ein ani li, mi li on their 2011 release Days of Awe and Rejoicing.
As a jazz pianist/composer he has three albums to his credit: Hora and Blue (with the Modern Klezmer
Quartet, on the Global Village label, 1993), The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far from the Tree (jazz piano duos
with his son Mark Applebaum, on the Innova label, 2002), and Friday Night Jazz Service (2007).
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www.chicagosinai.org MAY 2016 Temple Office 312.867.7000
Robert Applebaum,
Guest Artist-Composer
SINAI
48th Annual Gala
Saturday | may 7 | 6:30 pm
Stock Exchange Room
Art Institute of Chicago
Cocktails followed by dinner and dancing
1893 Chicago Sinai Sanctuary. Designer, Louis Sullivan.
1894 Chicago Stock Exchange Room. Designer, Louis Sullivan.
www.chicagosinai.org MAY 2016 Temple Office 312.867.7000
7
NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT
Proposed Slate of Candidates for 2016-2017
In accordance with the by-laws, the Nominating Committee has submitted to the Secretary the following
recommended slate of candidates for election as Officers and Trustees at the Annual Meeting of
Chicago Sinai Congregation to be held on June 3, 2016
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Officers to be elected to a one-year term
ending June, 2017
Bruce Miller
Liz Darke
Jessica Diamond
Susan Lucas
Larry Schor
Norman Hirsch
Bruce Simons
Michael Mannis
President
Vice President
Vice President
Vice President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Immediate Past President
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Trustees to be elected to a one-year term
ending June, 2017
Ashley Jonas
Neal Kulick
Josh Mangoubi
Kathleen Marks
Howard Tanzman
Blair Mannis, Youth Representative
Trustees to be elected to a two-year term
ending June, 2018
David Ginsburg
Barbara Jacobs
Susan Leis
Elaine Moss
Trustees to be elected to a three-year term
ending June, 2019
David Garfield
Ben Meisner
Lucy Herman Moog
Grant Peters
Jill Peters
Trustees not up for Election
Trustees elected to a two-year term
ending June, 2017
Philip Auerbach
Steven Meyers
Midge Perlman Shafton
Ross Emmerman
Trustees elected to a three-year term
ending June, 2017
Ellyn Daniels Marvin Pollack
Merilee Elliott Sarah Samuels
Martin Farkas Jan Stone
Trustees elected to a three-year term
ending June, 2018
Ted Naron
Yvonne Sor
Peter Rubnitz
Trustees who terms are interrupted by
service as an Officer:
Liz Darke Bruce Miller
Jessica Diamond Larry Schor
Susan Lucas Bruce Simons
LIFE TRUSTEE
Kate T. Kestnbaum
PAST PRESIDENTS
Donna Barrows
Peter B. Bensinger, Jr.
Henry Freund
Alec Harris
Stanley Jarrow
Miriam Letchinger
Victoria Woolner Samuels
Mark Segal
Bruce Stern
Errol Stone
Howard Sulkin
Jack D. Tovin
We are pleased to recognize Ellyn Daniels who will be completing her term as Secretary
and Norman Hirsch who will be completing his term as Vice President.
We are pleased to recognize Carrie Baker, Lou Genesen, Arnold Myers, Jennie Rosenthal, Dan Silverstein,
Susan Stone, Alan Tinsmon, Carol Yanowitz Miller and Gail Zugerman who are leaving the Board and thank them
for their devoted service to the Congregation.
The Nominating Committee:
Michael Mannis, Chair, Lou Genesen, Daniel Janich, Debbie Murphy, Arnold Myers, Marvin Pollack,
Peter Rubnitz, Daniel Silverstein, Ellen Smith and Susan Solomon, ex officio.
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www.chicagosinai.org MAY 2016 Temple Office 312.867.7000
SINAI
Thank You
Join us
INTERFAITH SEDER THANK YOU
Thank you to the volunteers from Sinai and the staff who
helped in the preparation, participation and clean-up for
the Interfaith Seder held on April 14. Our guests from
Downtown Islamic Center, Fourth Presbyterian Church,
Holy Name Cathedral, Shambala, St. James Cathedral, Old
St. Pat’s Chuch, Faith in Place, Trinity United Church of
Christ, Lasalle Street Churc, Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church
and Chicago Community Chorus at the Chicago Temple
enjoyed the seder conducted by Rabbi Limmer and Rabbi
Greene. The success of the seder would not have been
possible without your assistance. Thank you again.
155th
ANNUAL
MEETING
June 3, 2016
Peter Rubnitz
Chair of the Interfaith Committee
Immediately
following our
6:15 p.m.
Shabbat Eve service
Agenda
• President’s Report
• President’s Award
• Report of the
Nominating Committee
• Election
• Installation of Officers
and Board Members
SINAI ART COMMITTEE | enLIGHTenment
This winter, to honor the universal spiritual celebrations
of light amidst darkness, we invited our neighbors at
Marwen to share some works with us on this theme.
Marwen is a high-level after-school fine art program for
6-12 graders that is housed in a recently renovated stateof-the-art facility just a few blocks from Sinai on Orleans
and Chestnut. Marwen art classes are available only to
the under-served communities of Chicago. Marwen
serves several hundred students each year and has
touched children and families in 55 of the 57 zip codes in
our city.
We thank Marwen for its generous donation to Chicago
Sinai of a photograph by Marwin alumni Janet Garcia
from a class called, “Photo Illuminations. The photo is
displayed in the rabbinic suite.
MOTHER’S DAY FAMILY SERVICE
SUNDAY, MAY 8
11:00 a.m.
One of our most beloved traditions at Sinai is our
Baby Blessing Ceremony at our annual Mother’s
Day Family Service. All children born during the
past year are brought to the Bimah by their
parents and family for a special blessing on this
wonderful day that celebrates family life. Please
email Dee Dee at [email protected] or
call her at the Temple office at 312.867.7000 if
you have had a baby within the last year and
would like to participate in this ceremony.
www.chicagosinai.org MAY 2016 Temple Office 312.867.7000
9
W
SPRING CHORAL PROGRAM
Please join us for worship on
Friday, May 20, at 6:15 pm for an
unforgettable evening of the music of
guest-artist Robert Applebaum, who
composes Jewish liturgical music in a
contemporary style influenced by jazz.
Our expanded professional and
volunteer choirs will be enhanced by a
clarinetist, string bassist, and
percussionist, in addition to a pianist
and organist. Mr. Applebaum's music
will be featured throughout the
service, and he will speak during the
"sermon-in-song." You may recall
hearing some of his music during the
High Holy Days, and more recently at
Shabbat services when we have sung
his beautiful Mi Shebeirach, R'tzei, and
Shalom Rav.
WORSHIP
In May
Every Friday evening
throughout the year, Shabbat
Eve Services are held with
Kiddush and Oneg immediately
following services. Our choir
provides beautiful music drawn
from a wide variety of
composers. Members and
visitors who reside in or are
visiting Chicago find this
Shabbat Eve Service to be an
uplifting and spiritual
experience.
Friday, May 6
6:15pm
SHABBAT EVE SERVICE
The service will be led by our 1st and
2nd graders honoring our Religious
School teachers.
Friday, May 13
5:30pm
TOT SHABBAT SERVICE
6:15pm
SHABBAT EVE SERVICE
Shabbat Morning Prayer
and Torah Study
Every Saturday, 9:30 am
Rain or shine—holiday, Holy Day, or
weekly Shabbat—members gather in
the library to learn the many lessons of
the weekly Torah portion. From one
Fall to the next, we make our way,
portion by portion, from Genesis
through Deuteronomy. Over the year,
not only will we understand the many
nuances of our Torah saga, but we will
also connect more deeply with the
forms of communal study through
which Jews have always explored the
many meanings of Torah.
Rabbi Greene will lead the service and
Rabbi Limmer will deliver the sermon.
Friday, May 20
6:15pm
SHABBAT EVE SERVICE
Rabbi Greene will lead the service and
Rabbi Limmer will deliver the sermon.
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Friday, May 27
6:15pm
SHABBAT EVE SERVICE
Rabbi Limmer will lead the
service and Rabbi Greene will
deliver the sermon.
www.chicagosinai.org MAY 2016 Temple Office 312.867.7000
Family Services
One Sunday morning each month
is devoted to family worship.
Service begin at 11 am and
conclude by 12 pm. Children of all
ages join their families and the
entire Sinai congregation for a
warm and informal experience of
communal worship. Each family
service is based on a special
theme taken from Jewish and
societal events. Join us for our
next Family Service on Mother’s
Day, May 8, 2016.
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WORSHIP
In June
Confirmation Service
Sunday, June 5, 2016
10 am
Please join with the members of the Confirmation Class of 2016
as they celebrate this important milestone in their lives.
We extend our best wishes to our Confirmands and their families.
Emma Adelstein
Daughter of Eric Adelstein and Gail Basch
Sonia Meisner
Daughter of Benjamin and Risa Meisner
Oliver Cohen
Son of Joel and Samantha Cohen
Annabel Nied
Daughter of Stephen and Deanna Nied
Adam Cole
Son of Brian and Emily Cole
Jillian Erlechman
Daughter of David and Merry Erlechman
Olivia Garg
Daughter of Sunil and Julia Garg
Abigail Jones
Daughter of Laurence and Sarah Jones
Jonah Meiselman-Ashen
Son of Deborah Ashen and Cara Meiselman
Ashley O'Toole
Daughter of John and Lisa O'Toole
Alexander Patent
Son of David and Amy Patent
Olivia Reingold
Daughter of Stewart Reingold and Diane Schmidt
Joey Rivkin
Son of Larry and Michele Rivkin
Natalie Wexler
Daughter of Doug and Michelle Wexler
SHARE THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT MEMBERSHIP AT SINAI
By far, the best way for our congregation to gain new members is for our current congregants to share the good
news. Each of us is a full partner in the continuous challenge of making Chicago Sinai Congregation all that we
aspire for it to be. If you have friends or relatives who currently are not affiliated or who may be looking for a new
Temple experience, please consider bringing them to Sinai for one of our services. If you think they might like to
receive a phone call, just let our Executive Director, Susan Solomon know and she will contact them. Susan can be
reached at the Temple office, 312.867.7000, or by email at [email protected]. Sinai’s greatest assets are
its devoted members.
www.chicagosinai.org MAY 2016 Temple Office 312.867.7000
11
MAKE YOURSELF MORE
Sundays at Sinai
Sunday, May 1
NO CAFÉ SINAI
NO MAKE YOURSELF MORE
Sunday, May 8
10:00 a.m. CAFÉ SINAI
Parent Discussion Group meets in the Libaray
11:00 a.m. Mother’s Day Family Service
Sunday, May 15
10:00 a.m. CAFÉ SINAI
MAKE YOURSELF MORE
Sunday, May 22
10:00 a.m. Last CAFÉ SINAI
10:30 a.m. MAKE YOURSELF MORE
Music and Meaning
Jazz Music Lecture
See page 6 for details.
Last Day of Religious School
Picnic in the Social Hall at noon
W
In a busy, often
over-scheduled world,
Chicago Sinai
Congregation offers a
weekly opportunity to
ensure we do more
than run from
meeting to meeting,
from errand to errand.
Throughout the year—
and through the lenses of
worship,
learning,
music,
art and
justice—
we explore how our
Jewish tradition helps
frame our lives and
endow them with
deeper meaning.
Come join us every Sunday, when you can.
We always begin with breakfast at Café Sinai at 10 a.m.
Our Make Yourself More sessions begin at 10:30 a.m.
12
www.chicagosinai.org MAY 2016 Temple Office 312.867.7000
A
ACT
In May
Art with a Heart
Sinai helps TLP youth craft a quilt that expresses their hopes and dreams
(the finished project is coming this summer to Sinai).
As part of Sinai's commitment to
supporting homeless youth, we decided
to fund an art project at Teen Living
Program’s Drop In Center. The Drop In
Center is a safe space for homeless teens
to come in out of the cold and hopefully
establish some connections with the TLP
staff so that they can be given some
guidance to find safe housing, continue
their education, or find employment.
The youth who participate in this project
are asked to create ideas on canvas which
will eventually be incorporated into the
"Dream Quilt ". Every other week for 5
sessions, Sinai volunteers assist Margo
Rush and Reba Blick, the artists who
developed this program. The project
allows the youth to express their
thoughts and feelings through art. Each
session has brought out more creativity
and excitement among the
group. Reba and Margo will put the
individual canvases together into one
large quilt. Once completed the quilt will
be displayed at Sinai as well as the TLP
Belfort House and Drop In Center.
This program will last for ten weeks, and
was designed to test the concept that it is
possible to reach these homeless youth
through art. The initial response has been
dramatic, and we look forward to the
possibility of expanding this program.
To the right are the artists appreciating
each others work and the paintings they
created!
WE ARE VERY PROUD OF SINAI, TEEN
LIVING AND THE WONDERFUL TEENS
WHO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM.
www.chicagosinai.org MAY 2016 Temple Office 312.867.7000
13
L
LEARN
In May
Tuesday
May 3
12pm to 1pm sharp
LEARNING
IN
THE LOOP
CONSIDERING THE QUESTIONS OF LIFE:
“Are Jews permitted to hunt for sport?”
“If surgery is elective, is it okay for us to pursue it?”
“What does an individual owe a congregation – and vice versa?”
These kinds of queries pop up every month at Sinai’s new Learning in the Loop
(LIL) sessions, held on the first Tuesday of every month.
The answers are based, in part, on what’s called Responsa literature (Rabbinic
answers to contemporary questions, based on the traditions of the Bible, the
Mishnah, the Talmud, and the codes of Jewish religious law) – and, in part, on
the often lively discussions of the LIL group.
Responsa, quite literally, refer to questions and answers, with an
individual/community asking rabbis and teachers about Jewish law and the inturn responses, at time, via an exchange of letters.
“This kind of learning is designed to be very accessible, and to show that it’s a
very normal activity for us,” explains Rabbi Seth Limmer (who pioneered these
in downtown Manhattan while leading his Armonk, NY congregation). “It also
underscores that our intellectual curiosity, in and by itself, is very worthwhile,
all within the context of our 2,000-year-old history.” No homework is required;
the rabbi distributes e-text in advance as a heads up.
Anywhere from ten to 15 people attend, with lunches in tow (drinks are
provided). LIL is held at the Jenner & Block offices (courtesy of Norm Hirsch);
simply RSVP to Dee Dee Dukes ([email protected]) at the temple office
to ensure that the building’s security will be notified. On May 3 we will discuss
Death and Dying.
In the end, the rabbi notes, yet another Sinai community is being formed -with a mix of young parents, professionals, and retired people just seeking
great conversations and good company.
14
www.chicagosinai.org MAY 2016 Temple Office 312.867.7000
I Belong at Sinai
L
LEARN MORE
In May
Wednesday
May 4, 11, 18 and 25
11am in the Library
Thursday
May 5, 12, 19 and 26
11am in the Library
Saturdays
May 7, 14, 21 and 28
9:30am in the Library
WEDNESDAY’S
WITH
RABBI LIMMER
THURSDAY’S
WITH
RABBI GREENE
SHABBAT
MORNING
TORAH STUDY
The Bablylonian Talmud is the
centerpiece of Jewish literature.
Come take the first introductory
steps exploring the intricacies and
profundities of our great masterwork
on Wednesdays in our Library.
What's God Got To Do With It? Join
Rabbi Greene for a look at Modern
Jewish thought. We will explore the
writings of Hermann Cohen, Leo
Baeck, Franz Rosenzweig, Martin
Buber, Abraham Joshua Heschel and
more! How did the events of World
War I, World War II, the creation of the
State of Israel influence these thinkers
understanding and conception of
God?
Come study the weekly Torah portion
together in an open and inquisitive
atmosphere!
JUDAISM IN
INTERFAITH
HOMES
Thursday
May 5
7pm
Judaism in Interfaith Homes is not
about proselytizing or conversation,
but focuses on how we are able to
meet fundamental spiritual needs.
This program allows couples to discuss
important topics in a safe, nurturing
and respectful environment. This
program will resume in the Fall.
FILM
REVIEW
SERIES
Join us as Zbigniew Banas, a former
movie critic for The Reader, leads a
discussion of a current film.
Participants view the movie in the
theater and then meet at Sinai in the
Social Hall on the first floor. We will
discuss A Hologram for the King,
starring Tom Hanks. The cost of $15
per person includes dessert. To make a
reservation, please call the Temple
office.
May 10
2pm
SINAI BOOK CLUB
Join fellow congregants and discuss
J: A Novel by Howard Jacobson.
www.chicagosinai.org MAY 2016 Temple Office 312.867.7000
15
L
LEARN
Film Series
LADIES NIGHT OUT!
Wine & Paint
Thursday, May 12
6:30 pm
Chicago Sinai Congregation
Join us for a carefree evening including
hands-on art instruction by
Bottle & Bottega.
No experience necessary!
Make a masterpiece!
Women only. Ages 21 and up.
$45 per person includes food,
wine and supplies
© Bottle & Bottega
RSVP by May 2 at 312.867.7000
SINAI in FOCUS:
a film series on
LIFE CYCLE EVENTS
The cost of dinner is $15.
Doors open at 6:00 p.m. (with beginning of movie soon after).
Reservations Required:
To make a reservation, please call the temple office 312.867.7000.
16
www.chicagosinai.org MAY 2016 Temple Office 312.867.7000
Wednesday, May 11
END OF LIFE:
This is Where I Leave You
L LEARN
Religious Education
For Children
Sinai Preschool
Upcoming Religious School Events
Friday, May 6
6:15 p.m.
Shabbat Eve service led by 1st and 2nd graders honoring
Religious School teachers
Sunday, May 8
10:30 a.m.
Make Yourself More/Parent Discussion
11:00 a.m.
Mother’s Day Family Service
Sunday, May 22
10:00 a.m.
Last day of Religious School
12:00 p.m
Religious school picnic in the Social Hall
Sunday, June 5
10:00 a.m.
Confirmation service
Upcoming Preschool School Events
May 3
Teacher Appreciation Event
May 9-10
Parent Teacher Conferences (No Classes)
May 13
Tot Shabbat
May 26
Last day of preschool
If you are interested in a tour, or in enrolling your child,
or if you have any questions about Sinai Preschool,
please contact Fern Katz
[email protected] or 312.867.7010
If you are interested in learning more about our Religious school,
please contact Heidi Kon at [email protected]
or 312.867.7012
Accredited by NAEYC’s National Academy of Early Childhood Programs
www.chicagosinai.org MAY 2016 Temple Office 312.867.7000
17
TRIBUTES
In Memory of Don Letchinger
Evelyn Asch and John Tingley
Helaine Billings
Jill Deutelbaum Giller and Roger Giller
Betty and Tom Philipsborn
Carol Sadow
Ellen and Larry Schor
Connie and Howard Sulkin
Frankie and Skip Welfeld
Temple Fund
In memory of my mother, Della Golbus
Donna Wolin
In memory of Alice Deimel
Ady and Harry Rosenberg
In memory of my mother, Joan Epstein
Mary Kaltman
In memory of my father, Morris Friedman
Zelda Star
In memory of father, Barney Berkowitz
Carolyn B. Hadesman
In memory of Alice Deimel
Judy and Michael Goodman
In memory of Sidney Epstein
Polly Deutelbaum
Judy and Rick Kern
In memory of my parents Fay and Dan
Landsberg, husband Thomas Smith, and
companion, Pumpkin Landsberg Smith
Charlene L. Smith
In honor of Samantha Simon's
engagement to Andrew Horn
Fanchon and Bruce Simons
Community Concerns Fund
In memory of Helen Lee,
mother of Michelle Wexler
Stephanie Ross Auerbach and
Philip Auerbach
In memory of Warren Wexler, father of
Doug Wexler (Michelle)
Stephanie Ross Auerbach and
Philip Auerbach
In the Lives
Music Fund
Sending warm thanks to Scott Kumer and
Kimberly Jones for the beautiful music they
performed at the memorial service for Don
Letchinger
Gloria Gottlieb
Religious School Fund
In honor of Heidi Kon for her assistance
with Nathan Siskel’s Bar Mitzvah
The Shaw and Collins Families
Blessings in a Backpack
In honor of Tanya Klasser’s good health
Eva and Marty Farkas
Hailey Hurd
daughter of Jenny and Tim Hurd
on becoming a Bat Mitzvah
Rosey Limmer
daughter of Rabbi Seth and Molly Limmer
on becoming a Bat Mitzvah
Sophia Pasquale
daughter of Jamie and Marc Pasquale
on becoming a Bat Mitzvah
In memory of Norman D. Jones and Timothy
Oneg
Francis Jones
The Gahan Family
Father and Nephew of Laurence J. Jones
in honor of Nathan Gahan becoming
(Adele)
a Bar Mitzvah
In memory of my mother, Irene Citron
The Hurd Family
Ferle Terry
in honor of Hailey Hurd becoming a
Jenner School Fund
Bat Mitzvah
Elaine Allensworth and Dr. Steven Meyers
The Pasquale Family
Dr. Elton Dixon
in honor of Sophia Pasquale becoming
Rabbi Limmer’s Discretionary Fund
a Bat Mitvah
In honor of the naming ceremony for
The families and Board of
Miles Cohen
Chicago
Sinai Congregation
Anna and Josh Miles
in honor of Rosey Limmer becoming
In memory of our mother, Frances Laskow
a Bat Mitzvah.
The Boruszak and Laskow Families
Pulpit Flowers
We Record with Sorrow
The Gahan Family
the Death of Our Members
in honor of Nathan Gahan becoming
Selma Levy, cousin of Ferle Terry
a Bar Mitzvah
Helen Lee
The Hurd Family
mother of Michelle Wexler (Bruce)
in honor of Hailey Hurd becoming
a
Bat Mitzvah
Donald S. Letchinger (Gloria Gottlieb)
Welcome to the World!
Taylor Klein,
new daughter of Courtney and Ari Klein
Amelia Silverberg
new daughter of RongRong and
Alex Silverberg
Alexandra Firestone
new daughter of Gina and
Benjamin Firestone
18
Congratulations to
Nathan Gahan
son of Rebecca and Daniel Gahan
on becoming a Bar Mitzvah
www.chicagosinai.org MAY 2016 Temple Office 312.867.7000
The Pasquale Family
in honor of Sophia Pasquale becoming
a Bat Mitvah
Lyn, Ella and Scott Goldstein
in memory of Phillip M. Goldstein
The Barrows Family
in memory of
William Harris Barrows, M.D.
Albert and Lindy Bloom
in honor of the wedding anniversary of
Sara and Allen Grgurovic.
MAY
2016
sun
mon
tues
1
2
3
wed
4
10am RS
12:15pm Hebrew Club
12:30pm Confirmation
10am CJE at Sinai
12pm Learning in the
Loop
11am Adult Ed with
Rabbi Limmer
8
9
10
11
Lunch Program:
Bring Bag Lunches
10am CJE at Sinai
10:15am Movie Group
2 pm Book Club
15
16
17
10am Café Sinai
10am RS
10:30am Make
Yourself More
12:15pm Hebrew Club
12:30pm Confirmation
2 pm Sunday Supper at
Fourth Church
10am CJE at Sinai
5:30pm Board of
Trustees
22
23
Last Café Sinai
10:30am Make Yourself
More/Music and
Meaning/Jazz Music Lecture
10am Last RS
12pm RS Picnic in Social
Hall
12:15pm Hebrew Club
12:30pm Confirmation
10am CJE at Sinai
29
30
10am Café Sinai
10am RS
10:30am Make Yourself
More/Parent Discussion
11:00am Mother’s Day Family
Service
12:15pm Hebrew Club
12:30pm Confirmation
24
W
A
L
thurs
fri
sat
5
6
7
10am CJE at Sinai
6:15pm Shabbat Eve 9:30am Torah Study
11am Adult Ed with Service led by 1st & 2nd 10:30am Nathan Gahan
Rabbi Greene
graders honoring
Bar Mitzvah
7pm Film Review
Religious School
11:30am Prayerbook
teachers/Oneg
Hebrew
6:30pm A Gala of
Historic Proportions
12
13
11am Adult Ed with
10am CJE at Sinai
5:30 pm Last
Rabbi Limmer
11am Adult Ed with
Tot Shabbat
6pm Sinai in Focus/This
Rabbi Greene
6:15pm Shabbat Eve
is Where I Leave You 6pm Interfaith Outreach
Service
6:30pm Wine & Paint
Night
14
9:30am Torah Study
10:30am Hailey Hurd
Bat Mitzvah
11:30am Prayerbook
Hebrew
4:30 pm Ronald
McDonald House
18
19
20
21
11am Adult Ed with
Rabbi Limmer
10am CJE at Sinai
11am Adult Ed with
Rabbi Greene
6:15pm Shabbat Eve
Service/Oneg
9:30am Torah Study
10:30am Sophia
Pasquale
Bat Mitzvah
11:30am Prayerbook
Hebrew
25
26
27
28
11am Adult Ed with
Rabbi Limmer
10am CJE at Sinai
11am Adult Ed with
Rabbi Greene
6:15pm Shabbat Eve 9:30am Torah Study
Service/Oneg
10:30am Rosey Limmer
Bat Mitzvah
31
MEMORIAL DAY
TEMPLE CLOSED
www.chicagosinai.org MAY 2016 Temple Office 312.867.7000
19
CHICAGO
SINAI
CONGREGATION
@ChicagoSinai
Facebook.com/ChicagoSinaiCongregation
Periodical postage paid Chicago, IL.
Return service requested.
15 W. Delaware Place
Chicago, IL 60610-3306
Seth M. Limmer Senior Rabbi
Amanda Greene Assistant Rabbi
Howard A. Berman Rabbi Emeritus
Bruce Miller President
Susan Solomon Executive Director
Fern Katz Early Childhood Director
Heidi Kon Education Director
Scott Kumer Music Director
Susan Solomon Bulletin Editor
SINAI
Save the Date!
You are invited to join us for
tot shabbat
on the
beach
August 26, 2016 at 5:00 p.m.
A 30-minute music-filled Shabbat service
Oak Street Beach on the Beautiful Shores of Lake Michigan
All families with young children are welcome!
Join Rabbis Limmer and Greene on the beach near the Oak
Street Beach Food & Drink. Look for the Chicago Sinai Banner!
Questions? Call the Temple office at 312.867.7000