L’Shanah Tovah!

Wishing All a Happy and

Healthy New Year !

L’Shanah Tovah!

May we be inscribed in

the Book of Life!

Women of Temple Chai Yom Tov Book 2017 – 2018 / 5778

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On behalf of Women of Temple Chai, the

president and board would like to wish you all a

wonderful New Year filled with love, joy and

good health; overflowing with hope and blessed

with peace!

As we begin a new year,

We are blessed to live in a time and place

Where we can use our energy and abilities in creative and exciting ways!

We look for guidance so that our talents may be used for

Tikkun Olam, to repair the world.

We are blessed with so many opportunities

And yet we find our lives complex and confusing.

We are taught that understanding does not take place alone

But in communities.

Help us to build such a community

Within our Temple where we can learn from each other.

We are encouraged to study together, to work with each other,

To share ideas and concerns, and to support each other.

Give us the strength, the wisdom, and the compassion

To bring richness and meaning into our lives.

By working together, may the year ahead be filled

With accomplishments and fulfillment.

Adapted from the Covenant of the Soul,

Women of Reform Judaism

L’Shanah Tovah,

Linda Brubaker

Women of Temple Chai President And the

Women of Temple Chai Board

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High Holy Days 5778

Dear Friends,

It is a joy to be able to greet you through this Annual Yom Tov Book. We are grateful to the Women of Temple Chai for providing our congregation with this vehicle to connect with one another at this High Holy Day Season. This book is just one example of how the Women of Reform Judaism works to support our temple community.

Our Women of Temple Chai stands as one of the strongest pillars of our congregation. Their support strengthens our congregation in endurable ways: from gifts to all our B’nei Mitzvah students, to holiday boxes to our college students, to funding needed supplies and technology for our religious and Hebrew school students. Their generosity is without measure, and they are indeed a blessing to our entire congregational family.

As God’s blessings rested upon the mothers and fathers of our people in ages past, so may we be granted a New Year filled with the blessings of wholeness, well being and peace.

L’Shanah Tovah,

Rabbi Stephen Hart Rabbi Ilana Baden Senior Rabbi Senior Associate Rabbi Cantor Scott Simon

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“Rosh Hashanah is about relationships. Whether between

individuals and the God in whom they believe, communities and

the traditions which define them, or simply between individuals,

whether any God or tradition is part of their lives, it’s all about

sustaining relationships which sustain us and help us do the same

for others.”•

– Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, president of CLAL, The

National Jewish Center for Learning and

Leadership

The Tapestry of Jewish Time

We Jews are a union of weavers. Interlacing our traditions and

languages, our rituals and laws, with fibers gathered from the cultures

around us, we each weave a personal shawl of Judaism. Some shawls

are open and loose, allowing the currents of other cultures to flow in and

out easily. Others are fine and tight, holding much of Jewish culture in

and foreign cultures out.

The world of Judaism is filled with shawls of different weaves, from loose to

fine…Each add its flair, its strength, and its warmth to the sacred garment

of the Jewish people…and every now and then we add a thread or two

of a new hue and a new texture that serves to enrich and extend our

wardrobe.

Leviticus 8:7 Nina Beth Cardin

The Torah A Women’s Commentary

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Yad b’Yad

People holding hands…

The hands of sisterhood, of brotherhood, of Temple,

The hands of Rabbis, of family members, of friends

The hands of adults and children of all ages

The caring hands of community

Together let us envision the many opportunities for

Yad b’Yad…Hand in Hand

Of working together to do tikkun olam

Of working together to make the world a better place

People holding hands…

Yad b’Yad…Hand in Hand

With our heart

With our soul

With our spirit

Covenant of the Spirit

Women of Reform Judaism

To be a Jew means always run to God, Even when you want to flee; Means you are ready right now to hear --even if you are a skeptic— The blare of messiah’s horn. To be a Jew means you never escape from God, However much you may want to; Means you cannot stop your prayer Even when the prayers are done, Even when the “even’s” have been said.

On the Doorposts of Your House

Let there be love and understanding among us Let peace and friendship be our shelter from life’s storms. Adonai, help us to walk with good companions, To live with hope in our hearts and eternity in our thoughts, That we may lie down in peace and rise up waiting to do Your will.

Mishkan T’Filah

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What are the Days of Awe?

Rosh Hashanah is the first of the High Holy Days and begins a ten day period of

soul searching that concludes with Yom Kippur. Tradition tells us that on Rosh

Hashanah the names of the righteous are inscribed in the Book of Life,

guaranteeing another year of life. Synagogue services give us time to reflect and

resolve, but prayer and meditation are not sufficient to wipe the slate clean. The

only way to expunge sins committed against other people is by sincerely

apologizing and asking for forgiveness.

What do the words “Rosh Hashanah” mean?

Rosh Hashanah is Hebrew for head or beginning of the year. In the Torah, we

read, “In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, there shall be a

sacred assembly, a cessation from work,

a day of commemoration proclaimed by the sound of

the Shofar.” Therefore, we celebrate Rosh Hashanah

on the first day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the

Jewish calendar. The number assigned to the Jewish

year changes on Rosh Hashanah based on ancient

rabbinic reckoning of when the world was created.

Frequently Asked Questions:

High Holy Days

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What is done in the home for Rosh Hashanah?

The focus of home celebration is the evening meal served at the start of Rosh

Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah menus vary among Jewish subcultures and from

household to household, but two customs are pervasive: using a round challah

(with or without raisins) as a symbol of the cycle of the year and starting Rosh

Hashanah with apples dipped in honey as a harbinger of a sweet year.

What happens in the synagogue for Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah is primarily a liturgical or synagogue holiday with a few core

elements, the blowing of a shofar (the horn of a ram or other animal) and the

distinctive holiday melodies, which are reprised over and over during Rosh

Hashanah and again on Yom Kippur.

What does “Yom Kippur” mean?

Yom Kippur means “Day of Atonement”. Yom Kippur, the most somber day of

the year, is called Shabbat Shabbaton, the “Sabbath of Sabbaths” in the Bible.

On this day devoted to reflection and repentance, healthy adults fast from all

food and drink from sunset to sunset.

What happens in the home on Yom Kippur?

Although this is probably the least home-based of all

holidays, it begins and ends with a family meal. The

evening meal is cooked with a mind to the fast ahead,

so generally it is neither too heavy nor too spicy. Unlike

other festival dinners, candle lighting takes place

afterwards, marking the official start of Yom Kippur and

the fast. After eating and before lighting the festival

candles, it is traditional to light a candle in memory of

the family members who have died.

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What is Kol Nidre?

Services begin with the haunting melody of Kol Nidre, the opening prayer and

also the name of the evening service. Kol Nidre is an Aramaic declaration that

nullifies all the vows and promises that each person will make to God and to

him/herself in the coming year, an acknowledgment of the weakness of human

resolution.

Why is the Book of Jonah read on Yom Kippur?

The Book of Jonah was selected for the haftorah reading for the Mincha

(afternoon) service on Yom Kippur because God is represented there as the God

of all nations. The Book of Jonah also addresses itself to another High Holy Days

theme: that a person can abandon one’s evil ways, accept responsibility for

one’s own actions, and return to God.

What is Yizkor?

Yizkor is a service which recalls loved ones who have died. Yizkor usually takes

place on Yom Kippur afternoon, after the Afternoon Service and before Ne’liah,

or closing service.

Why do the Rabbis and Cantor wear white on Yom Kippur? Why do we

cover the Torah scrolls with white covers?

It is customary to wear white on the holiday, which symbolizes purity and calls to

mind the promise that our sins shall be made as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18).

Traditionally, Jews are buried in plain white garments. Wearing white on Yom

Kippur reminds us of our mortality. Some wear

sneakers or other rubber-soled shoes out of deference

to the ancient practice of avoiding leather shoes, which

were a symbol of luxury. Some people pray barefoot to

show humility.

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Rabbi Ilana, Jeff, Ellie and Zach Baden

Allan and Jan Bergman, Dina and Mindy - Wishing you and yours L’ Shana Tovah from our home to your

home.

Barbara Berman, Rick Elliot and Family - Wish you a Happy and Healthy 5778.

Linda and Don Brubaker

Martin and Eileen Davidson

Cathy and Bill Factor -L’Shana Tovah from the Factor Family.

Marc and Michele Fenton and Family: Ali, Jordan, Lior and Levi Stettner; Aaron, Jessie and Mason Fenton; Lawrence and Mallory Davis; Paige and Kat Davis

Sandi and Mike Firsel and Family

Rhoda and Burton Fischman - To all of our friends and family of Temple Chai – L’Shanah Tovah

– Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy and Sweet New Year!

Jeffrey and Laura Garb and Family

Lynne and Bruce Glickson, Aaron Glickson, Susan Glickson-House and Ian House

- Wishing all a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year!

Phyllis and Steve Gold

Deborah and Rick Greenswag and Family

Eugene and Marilyn Gregory and Family: John, Kerry and Patrick Gregory; Sheryl, Joshua and Jennifer Pascoe; Erin and Larry Gard

From all of us to the whole Temple Chai

Congregational Family – L’Shanah Tovah!

A very Happy and Healthy 5777!

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Rabbi Stephen and Mendy Hart and Family

Barb and Rich Heinrich and Family - We wish all our temple family a wonderful new year!

Susan and Daniel Hirschberg and Family

Laurel Israel

Norma, Nolan, and Stephen Kaplan; Gwen, Michael, Scotty and Ethan Federman

Eileen and Chuck Kuenneth

Larry and Lynne Leonard - Wishing all my friends and family L’Shana Tovah!

Kitty Loewy, Terry Steczo and Family

Craig, Debbie and Alan Marlowe

Phyllis and Edward Merkin and Family - A Healthy and Happy New Year to everyone.

Susan and Dick Millstone

Leah and Ian Miska

Barry Mortge, Carol Teplis, Daniel and Adam Mortge

Laura, Avi, Sammy and Eliana Perpinyal

David and Debbie Robins and family

- Wishing all the temple congregation a wonderful, healthy and happy new year!

Sheryl, Rick and Sam Rosen

The Ross Family: Mark, Elaine, Sam and Jaime

Jonathan and Rachel Roth - G’mar Chatimah Tovah-May you be inscribed for a sweet year!

May the world be blessed with peace

and your life blessed with joy.

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Mae, Al and Pam Schwab

Julian and Beverly Schreiber and Family

Charles and Donna Schwartz

Cantor Scott, Gail, Nadav, Haggai and Lily Simon

Lori and Larry Slavin and Family

Debbie, Marc, Brian and Danny Stookal and Lauren and Marc Cornfield - We wish the families of Temple Chai a happy and sweet year!

Lynne Turry

Mitch, Marcy, Brad and Lindsay Weinstein

Helene and Dave Wengerhoff and Family

Please forgive us if we made a mistake on your name.

May you be sealed for a good year, And may you discover a renewed commitment to your faith in the

coming year.

Designates Women of Temple Chai Board Members Designates Women of Temple Chai President

Thank you to all who participated in our Yom Tov Book! Money raised is used to purchase necessary items for Temple

Chai and/or the Education/Hebrew School.

May the world be blessed with peace and your life blessed with joy.

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High Holy Days: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. L’Shanah Tovah Tikatayvu: “May you be inscribed for a good year”. This is

the Rosh Hashanah greeting which expresses the hope that all friends and loved ones will be written in the Book of Life and granted happiness and fulfillment in the year ahead. Machzor: High Holy Day prayer book. The word “machzor” literally means “cycle”. Shofar: The shofar is made from the horn of a ram. It is sounded every morning during the month preceding Rosh Hashanah itself, and again at the conclusion of Yom Kippur. Some say that its piercing sound is a “wake-up call” that reminds people to engage in the process of repentance. Tallit: A prayer shawl, with fringes attached to each corner to remind us of the 613 commandments. Even though used for morning worship only, the tallit is worn for the Yom Kippur evening service. The reason for this exception is that the tallit helps to create a special atmosphere for worship and accentuates the idea of purity. Teshuvah: Literally means “returning”, a Hebrew term for repentance. Tzedakah: “Righteousness,” often mistranslated as “charity”.

Yahrzeit candle: Memorial candle lit on the anniversary of a loved one’s death, and also on those days when Yiskor is recited. Yiskor is recited on the afternoon of Yom Kippur. Yom Tov: Literally “a good day”. The term has come to mean “holy day”. It is often pronounced Yuntiff (the Yiddish pronunciation) and the standard holiday greeting is “Gut Yuntiff”.

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fter all, you have loved this

congregation and poured

your heart into it. It has

made you proud, and stands as a

testament to your values. You

have nurtured it and helped it

become what it is today.

This congregation is an enduring

part of your Jewish legacy, just

like your family.

As you plan for the future, think

about what that legacy means to

you … and please consider the

congregation in your will or estate

plan.

To learn more about how to create your Jewish legacy, please contact Deborah Greenswag at 847-537-1771 x

222 or Dgreenswag@templechai.org.

A

Think of us as YOUR FAMILY

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Linda Brubaker

Women of Temple Chai President

WOMEN OF TEMPLE CHAI

stronger together

1670 W. Checker Road

Long Grove, IL 60047

Phone: 847.537.1771

Fax: 847.537.8075

Email:

womenoftemplechai@gmail.com