Welcome to B’nai Torah, a place for prayer, study and the performance of good deeds.

Upcoming Services

Shabbat Services at B’nai Torah are involving and warm. Our prayers derive from a respect for tradition coupled with an appreciation of how we lead our lives today. Children are
always welcome, as are extended family & friends.

Friday, February 27
6:15 PM, Aleph Shabbat Dinner
7:30 PM, Shabbat Services

Friday, March 6
5:30 PM, Family Erev Shabbat Service & Purim Celebration
7:30 PM, Shabbat Services
h4. Friday, March 13
5:30 PM, Tot Shabbat
7:30 PM, Shabbat Service

Friday, March 20
7:30 PM, Rosh Chodesh Musical Shabbat Services

Friday, March 27
6:15 PM, Aleph Shabbat Dinner
7:30 PM, Shabbat Services

B’nai Torah Institute of Adult Learning

Saturday, February 28 and ongoing Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. in the White Building Library- Explore the Rabbinic Mind with Rabbi Feinberg. This class meets to examine Midrash on weekly Torah portions in English translations.

Sunday, March 1 at 9:50 a.m. in Rabbi Jonathan’s study- Have Breakfast with Rabbi Jonathan Magidovitch and read Talmud, in translation, and bring to this study traditional scholarship and our own life experience. All levels of knowledge are welcome.

Monday, March 2 and ongoing Mondays, 10:30-11:30 a.m.- Beginning Adult Hebrew -Students will learn to read Hebrew and then use their reading skills to master Shabbat and Holiday prayers, reading for fluency and understanding. This class will culminate with the option of participating in Adult B’nai Mitzvah. Call Judy Jury at 847-433-7100 for more information or to register.

Wednesday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lester & Edna Shapiro Library, Rabbi Feinberg leads the class “Israel Now”. In past years we have met to discuss the idea that there is not one, but several philosophies of Zionism and the tensions inherent within them: Should Israel be a secular or religious state? Should Israel focus solely on its own needs or strive to be a “light unto the nations”? Who is an Israeli and what is the future of the “Law of Return”? This year we will further this conversation by focusing on the question of whether the current generation of Israeli political leaders has diverged from classical philosophies of Zionism and the implications for world Jewry.

Thursday, March 5 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. in the Lester & Edna Shapiro Library, Rabbi Nesselson leads “An Ongoing Exploration of Exodus.” Upcoming dates are Thursday, March 12 & 19, & April 2 & 23. Rabbi’s class poses such questions as, why did God redeem us? What’s in it for God and what’s in it for us? Today we think of freedom as an ultimate goal for humanity, but the Israelites suffered the anguish and pain of freedom with its responsibilities and burdens. In these interactive, intergenerational sessions, we will explore these and many other themes of Exodus. The text is studied with classical and modern commentaries and contemporary film clips. All are welcome and needn’t have been enrolled previously to attend. For further information and to register for class, please contact the temple office, 847-433-7100.

Sunday, March 8 at 10:50 a.m. in the Lester & Edna Shapiro Library-
“How to Read the Bible” with Dr. Audrey Gordon. We will have a discussion based on the book of the same name by James Kugel, former professor of Bible and Archaeology at Harvard. An Orthodox Jew, Professor Kugel presents the modern theories about Biblical events and writers, and offers an explanation of the mindset of the creators and editors of the Bible that is consistent with Jewish theology. This is an interactive class with many viewpoints.

Upcoming Events in our B’nai Torah Community:

Saturday, March 7, 2009 at 1:30 p.m.- The Men’s Club is getting together for an afternoon of indoor go-cart racing at Chicago Indoor Racing. The cost is $70 per person, everyone must have valid drivers license and you have to be 18 or over. Chicago Indoor Racing is located at 301 Hastings Drive in Buffalo Grove. To RSVP or for more information, contact Ed Gordon at Edward.gordon@ubs.com.

Sunday, March 8, 2009 at 11:15 a.m.-All families are welcome to join us for the 5th Annual Men’s Club Purim Carnival! The carnival will be held in the Social Hall and we need volunteers to help set-up the games, run the games with the kids and then break everything down. We will meet at 9:45 a.m. in the Social Hall to set-up all of the games. If you are planning to attend, please let Scott Weil know @ sweil@sans.org.

Sunday, March 15 at 3:00 p.m. – CMASM Concert
Join Cantor Casden for “A Tribute to Jewish Composers & Performers” featuring Cantors & soloists of the Chicago Milwaukee Association of Synagogue Musicians. The 1st Concert is here at B’nai Torah.For information contact Shana Hampton, 847-433-7100 ext. 230. The 2nd Concert is Saturday, March 28th at 8:00 p.m. at Emanuel Congregation, 5959 N. Sheridan Rd. in Chicago, Illinois. For information call 773-561-5173.Admission for Concerts is a charitable donation. Parking is FREE.Donations will benefit the Cantorial Scholarship Fund of CMASM

Tuesday, March 17 at 6:00 p.m. – Women’s Seder
Please join us for The B’nai Torah Women’s Seder in the Berman Family Auditorium on Tuesday, March 17 at 6:00 PM (Check in at 5:45). Bring your friends, your daughters, your granddaughters (12+). All non-member female guests are welcome. Couvert is $50 per person and donations are welcome and appreciated. Seder leaders are Rabbi Debra Nesselson and Cantor Lynda Casden. Reservations and payment must be received by Friday, March 6. Please call Laurie Glenner at 847-433-1154 to RSVP.

Thursday, March 19, 7:30 p.m.- Join CAMERA for an exciting lecture and discussion with Yaakov Katz, Military Correspondent and Defense analyst for The Jerusalem Post, the Middle East’s leading English daily. Mr. Katz spent January 2009 with the Israel Defense Forces along Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip, covering Israel’s war against Hamas. Originally from Chicago, Mr. Katz moved to Israel 15 years ago and served in the IDF Armored Corps. General admission is $15, free for students and military personnel in uniform. Private reception with Yaakov Katz is at 6:00 p.m. in ?? . Admission is $50. RSVP required. Dietary laws observed. RSVP to Larry Brown at larry@camera.org or 847-983-8803. Send checks to CAMERA PO Box 4453 Skokie, IL 60076.

March 15, 20, and 22nd – Pulpit exchange with B’nai Torah and Church of the Holy Spirit Episcopal Lake Forest. On March 15th at 9:00 a.m., Rabbi Jonathan will deliver a sermon at Church of the Holy Spirit. On Friday, March 20th, Reverend Sidebotham will join our Friday night service (7:30 p.m.) to give a sermon. On Sunday, March 22, members of B’nai Torah and Church of the Holy Spirit will gather together at 1:00 p.m. at BT to discuss a presented text. Admission for all these exchange events is free.

Friday, March 20-21 – 6-8 Grade Youth Group Shabbaton
Attention Youth Group-Grades 6-8!! Our annual Shabbaton dates have been announced. We will be going to Camp Henry Horner once again this year from Friday, March 20 to Saturday, March 21. This is an exciting event we have every year with a wonderful opportunity to be involved with many Shabbat activities! Registration forms will be coming in the mail as well. Feel free to contact Alan for more information, 847-815-6044; alanberlow@gmail.com.

Sunday, April 26, 2009, SAVE THE DATE for our 2nd Annual Mitzvah Day. Details to come.