ENews November 2019!

Adult Social Dinner
Saturday, Nov 9, 6:30 pm
The Lodge on 64, 41W379 IL-64, St. Charles
Reservations Required! RSVP to rachely@fvjn.org
Come enjoy an evening with FVJN friends, old and new, and finish off with s’mores by the fire! Hope to see you there!
Please RSVP by Wednesday, 11/6
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Lazarus House Mitzvah Dinner
First Wednesday of each month.
Needed for December 4: Main dish
Needed for February 5: Main dish, 2 side dishes, dessert
*We are not providing the January 1 dinner, but please visit our website and sign up for 2020 dates!
Thank you to Nancy S., Mike Y., Lisa F.. and Tobey B. for providing the November Mitzvah meal!
Volunteers needed to sign up for this monthly FVJN mitzvah project.
This is a great individual, family or group activity!
Visit www.fvjn.org/lazarus-house/ to sign up today and help your local neighbors!
FVJN volunteers provide dinner the first Wednesday of each month to approximately 70 guests at Lazarus House, a shelter located in St. Charles, which serves men, women and children in need in the Tri-Cities. Please visit the above link to sign up for future dates!
Questions? Contact FVJN coordinator Lisa Foydel: lisafoydel@gmail.com.
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Jewish Sunday School in the Heart of Geneva!
Fox Valley Jewish School
•Registration is still open for the 2019 – 2020 FVJS Sunday school year!
Get all the details HERE!
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November
11/6 – Lazarus House Mitzvah Dinner
11/9 – Adult Social Dinner
11/12 – Volunteer @ NIFB w/UUSG
11/13 – Board Meeting
11/17 – FVJS
December
12/4 – Lazarus House Mitzvah Diner
12/8 – FVJS
12/10 – Book Group!
12/11 – Board Meeting
12/14 – FVJN Chanukah Party!
12/15 – FVJS
12/21 – Volunteer @ NIFB w/UUSG
Click HERE for more details and complete calendar!
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FVJN Book Group meets every other month, and is open to all!
Click HERE to visit our calendar and check out which books are coming up!
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It’s a (pre) Chanukah Party!
Saturday, Dec. 14, 4 – 6 pm
At Persinger Recreation Center, 3507 Kaneville Rd, Geneva
Come celebrate your inner Maccabee with food, games, candle lighting and fun with friends old and new!
Please sign up now to help with set up and/or cleanup, food, games.
Email rachely@fvjn.org with what you will do to help make this the best Chanukah Party, ever!
Keep checking your eNews for more details!
Chanukah begins the night of Sunday, Dec. 22.
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Volunteer Days at NIFB!
Dates: Tues., Nov. 12 from 6 pm – 8 pm
Sat., Dec. 21, from 9 am – noon
Registration required! To sign up, please click HERE!
Come partner with UUSG friends and help out our local neighbors in need!
Volunteers aged between 8 and 16 years need to be accompanied by an adult.
Because this is a warehouse environment closed toed shoes are required.
Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) is located at: 273 Dearborn Court, Geneva.
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Notes to You!
• Donations: We rely on your donations! Please consider FVJN when making donations in honor of or as a memorial to someone in your life. The FVJN Giving Tree is a great way to honor others and assist FVJN in our fundraising efforts: https://www.fvjn.org/giving-tree/.

• If you have an interest in being part of a Caring Committee, a Social Action Committee, an Adult Education & Social Committee or FVJS Committee, please contact Rachel (rachely@fvjn.org (mailto:rachely@fvjn.org) )!

ENews October 22, 2019!

It’s a FUNdraiser!
Monday, Nov. 4
California Pizza Kitchen at Geneva Commons
Treat yourself, your family and friends on Monday, Nov. 6, and help raise funds for FVJN, at the same time! Dine in or carry out the totally tasty pizzas, salads and other offerings from California Pizza Kitchen!

Just mention the Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors fundraiser when ordering, and 20% of your purchase will go to FVJN to help us do all we do for you and our community!

Please share this with your family and friends!
Be sure to go to: California Pizza Kitchen at Geneva Commons, 1202 Commons Dr, Geneva, IL

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Adult Social Dinner
Saturday, Nov 9, 6:30 pm
The Lodge on 64, 41W379 IL-64, St. Charles
Reservations Required! RSVP to rachely@fvjn.org

Come enjoy an evening with FVJN friends, old and new, and finish off with s’mores by the fire! Hope to see you there!
Please RSVP by Tuesday, 11/5

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Volunteers Needed!
Lazarus House Mitzvah Dinner
First Wednesday of each month.
Needed for November 6: All filled!
Needed for December 4: Main dish
The 2020 dates are up! Please help us plan ahead and sign up now!

We are always in need of volunteers to sign up for this monthly FVJN mitzvah project. This is a great individual, family or group activity!
Visit www.fvjn.org/lazarus-house/ to sign up today and help your local neighbors!

Thank you to Nancy S., Mike Y., Lisa F.. and Tobey B. for providing the November Mitzvah meal!

FVJN volunteers provide dinner the first Wednesday of each month to approximately 70 guests at Lazarus House, a shelter located in St. Charles, which serves men, women and children in need in the Tri-Cities. Please visit the above link to sign up for future dates!
Questions? Contact FVJN coordinator Lisa Foydel: lisafoydel@gmail.com

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Our deepest condolences on the passing of Brian Maxfield’s beloved mother and Roberta Maxfield’s mother-in-law, Phyllis Maxfield, who passed away on Monday, Oct. 14 at 96 years old. Services were Oct. 19 in Morrison, IL

May the memories of their mother, mother-in-law and grandmother bring their family much comfort.

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It’s Never Too Late To Register For Sunday School!
Fox Valley Jewish School
•Registration is still open for the 2019 – 2020 FVJS Sunday school year!

Interested in a unique Jewish Sunday school experience for your children?
FVJN offers Sunday an educational, fun, social Sunday school program during the school year, right in the heart of downtown Geneva!

If interested in attending the 2019 – 2020 school year, please email RachelY@fvjn.org. Tuition for all students is $250.

Learn more about FVJS here: https://www.fvjn.org/fox-valley-jewish-school/.

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Calendar
October
10/25 – Friday Flick w/UUSG
10/26 – Volunteer at NIFB
November
11/3 – FVJS
11/4 – FUNdraiser at California Pizza Kitchen!
11/6 – Lazarus House Mitzvah Dinner
11/9 – Adult Social Dinner
11/12 – NIFB w/UUSG
11/13 – Board Meeting
11/17 – FVJS

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Friday Flick!
Oct. 25, 7 pm
At UUSG: 102 S. 2nd St., Geneva
Free & open to all!

Follow their paths as four women mount grassroots campaigns against powerful incumbents in “Knock Down the House.” The movie traces the experiences of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Amy Vilela, Cori Bush, and Paula Jean Swearengin. Each was motivated to run by profound personal experiences. Winner of the Festival Favorite Award at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, Knock Down the House joins these women on the campaign trail as they mobilize their bases, engage voters, and build a movement during a time of historic volatility in American politics. Only one of the four – AOC – was successful. We will examine their stories to look for messages about how to run a winning campaign.

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Volunteer Days at NIFB!
Dates: Sat., Oct. 26, 9 am – noon
Tues., Nov. 12 from 6 pm – 8 pm
Sat., Dec. 21, from 9 am – noon
Registration required! To sign up, please visit:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040a4cafa628a31-food
Come partner with UUSG friends and help out our local neighbors in need!
Volunteers aged between 8 and 16 years need to be accompanied by an adult.
Because this is a warehouse environment closed toed shoes are required.
Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) is located at: 273 Dearborn Court, Geneva.

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Notes for You!

•Is this your dish? Someone left a rectangular brown Pyrex dish at the UUSG, when we were there for the light supper before our Kol Nidre service. If this was you (it had banana bread and chocolate iced mini cakes in it) please contact rachely@fvjn.org (mailto:rachely@fvjn.org) to get it back!

• Donations: We rely on your donations! Please consider FVJN when making donations in honor of or as a memorial to someone in your life. The FVJN Giving Tree is a great way to honor others and assist FVJN in our fundraising efforts: https://www.fvjn.org/giving-tree/.

• Recent Donations: Thank you to all who attended our Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services, and who donated to FVJN. Thanks to your generosity, we can continue to hire Cindy Michelassi to lead us through the High Holidays, each year!

• If you have an interest in being part of a Caring Committee, a Social Action Committee, an Adult Education & Social Committee or FVJS Committee, please contact Rachel: rachely@fvjn.org

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For Interfaith Families
Rabbi Reni Dickman’s recommendations from her Sept. 9 program:

Books:

1. Radical Inclusion: Engaging Interfaith Families for a Thriving Jewish Future, by Ed Case. The changing landscape of the Jewish community and best practices for communities seeking to engage and support interfaith families.

2. One Couple Two Faiths, by Marion Usher. The book includes descriptions of many couples who have participated in Usher’s workshops and the myriad topics these couples discussed with her.

3. A Passion for a People, by Avraham Infeld. Infeld is an internationally known Jewish educator who describes the different elements of Jewish identity, especially those elements that might not be considered particularly “religious.” This book has been helpful for Jewish partners to explain to their spouses why being Jewish is so important to them even if they are not particularly “religious.”

Helpful websites:

Interfaithfamily.com – there you can find articles on every topic facing interfaith families

bimbam.com – short, entertaining videos on a broad range of topics like holidays, lifecycle events and Torah portions.

myjewishlearning.com – fairly short articles on a huge range of Jewish topics.

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Hebrew word/phrase of the week:

ערב טוב

Erev tov: “Good evening!”

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PJY events are for Jewish youth in grades 5th through 12th!

All are welcome! For information and to RSVP, click on the link below.

http://prairiejewishyouth.weebly.com/upcoming-programs.html

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“To enrich the lives and enhance connections of our Jewish community.”

Newsletter September 2019!

First Day of Sunday School Is Sunday, 9/15
Come to our Back-to-School Breakfast this Sunday and Register on Site!
Tuition $210 until 9/15!
Click HERE to Register Now, and Save!

Are you looking for a fun Jewish educational experience for your children? We’ve got just the thing, right here in downtown Geneva!

Fox Valley Jewish School
•Register NOW for the 2019 – 2020 FVJS Sunday school year!
Interested in a unique Jewish Sunday school experience for your children?
FVJN offers Sunday an educational, fun, social Sunday school program during the school year, right in the heart of downtown Geneva!

If interested in attending the 2019 – 2020 school year, please email RachelY@fvjn.org (mailto:RachelY@fvjn.org)  as soon as possible, and express your interest. Responses are appreciated ASAP in order to plan for next school year. Whether or not your children are current, former or new to us, we hope to hear from you soon!

Tuition structure for 2019 – 2020: Annual tuition for all students is $210 by September 15, and $250 after that date.
Learn more about FVJS HERE!
Thank you!

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International Day of Peace 2019
“Diverse Voices: Come Listen & Converse”
Saturday, Sept. 21, 2 – 5:30 pm
At Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva (UUSG) 102 S. 2nd St., Geneva.
Free and open to all!

We hope you will join us in celebrating International Day of Peace with a diverse group of friends and neighbors from throughout your own community!
This is a local interfaith community event, coordinated and hosted by various faith groups in the Tri-Cities, including FVJN.
The afternoon will include a “Tri-City Environmental Action Panel, Children’s Peace Activities, and a Diverse Music for Peace Concert!
For more information, contact Rachel: rachely@fvjn.org.

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FVJN High Holidays Services 2019
Mark Your Calendars!
•Rosh Hashanah Service Led by Cindy Michelassi
Sunday, Sept. 29, 6:30 pm service at the UUSG

•Yom Kippur Service Led by Cindy Michelassi
Tuesday, Oct. 8, 6:30 pm service at the UUSG, Light meal at 5:30 pm.

*Readers needed for both services! Reply to email below and specify Hebrew or English.

Family friendly, open to all, and free!
$10 Donation requested to help pay for service leader.
Please all RSVP now for planning purposes to: rachely@fvjn.org
The UUSG (Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva) is located at 110 S. 2nd St. Geneva.
FVJN is providing building security for both services.
For more information: rachely@fvjn.org

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Calendar

September
9/11 – Board Meeting
9/15 – First Day FVJS!
9/21 – NIFB Morning
9/21 – Day of Peace Event!
9/29 – Erev Rosh Hashanah Service
Click HERE  for more details and complete calendar!

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Lazarus House Mitzvah Dinner
First Wednesday of each month.

Needed for October 2: Main dish, 1 side dish, dessert
Needed for November 6: 1 side dish, dessert
Needed for December 4: Main dish, 1 side dish, dessert

We are in need of volunteers to sign up for this FVJN mitzvah project, each month of the year.
This is a great individual, family or group activity!
Visit www.fvjn.org/lazarus-house/ to sign up today!

Thank you to Mike Y., Nancy S., Tammie M., and Tobey B for providing the September mitzvah meal!

FVJN volunteers provide dinner the first Wednesday of each month to approximately 70 guests at Lazarus House, a shelter located in St. Charles, which serves men, women and children in need in the Tri-Cities. Please visit the above link to sign up for future dates!

This is a wonderful, easy mitzvah we do to help those in need right here in our community. More volunteers are always needed!

Questions? Contact FVJN coordinator Lisa Foydel: lisafoydel@gmail.com.

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Notes for You!
• Donations: We rely on your donations! Please consider FVJN when making donations in honor of or as a memorial to someone in your life. The FVJN Giving Tree is a great way to honor others and assist FVJN in our fundraising efforts: https://www.fvjn.org/giving-tree/.

• If you have an interest in being part of a Caring Committee, a Social Action Committee, an Adult Education & Social Committee or FVJS Committee, please contact Rachel (rachely@fvjn.org (mailto:rachely@fvjn.org) )!

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Hebrew word/phrase of the week:
להתראות
“Lehitraot”
Meaning: See you later!

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ENews August 2019!

Are you looking for a fun Jewish educational experience for your children? We’ve got just the thing, right here in downtown Geneva!

Click HERE to Register Now!

Tuition information: Annual tuition for all students is $180 prior to August 31, $210 by September 1, and $250 after that date.

Fox Valley Jewish School
•Register NOW for the 2019 – 2020 FVJS Sunday school year!
Interested in a unique Jewish Sunday school experience for your children?
FVJN offers Sunday an educational, fun, social Sunday school program during the school year, right in the heart of downtown Geneva!

If interested in attending the 2019 – 2020 school year, please email RachelY@fvjn.org as soon as possible, and express your interest. Responses are appreciated ASAP in order to plan for next school year. Whether or not your children are current, former or new to us, we hope to hear from you soon!

Learn more about FVJS HERE!   

Book Group
Tuesday, 8/13 @ FVJN
All are welcome.

Book for August discussion: This Narrow Space, by Elisha Waldman
“A memoir both bittersweet and inspiring by an American pediatric oncologist who spent seven years in Jerusalem treating children—Israeli Jews, Muslims, and Christians, and Palestinian Arabs from the West Bank and Gaza—who had all been diagnosed with cancer.”

Hebrew word of the week:
בוקר טוב
Boker tov
Good morning!

Friday Flick
Film: “Dark Money”
Friday, August 23, 7 pm
At: UUSG, 102 S. 2nd St., Geneva
Free & Open to All
A real life political thriller, Dark Money exposes the impacts of the US Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. Through this gripping story, this Sundance award-winner uncovers the shocking and vital truth of how American elections can be bought and sold.
This event is a collaboration with POV, PBS’ award-winning nonfiction film series and with the League of Women Voters Central Kane County.  

Lazarus House Mitzvah Dinner
First Wednesday of each month.

Needed for September: 1 side dish, dessert
Needed for October: Main dish, 1 side dish, dessert

We are in need of more volunteers to sign up for this FVJN mitzvah project. This is a great individual, family or group activity!
Visit www.fvjn.org/lazarus-house/ to sign up today!

Thank you to Tobey, Felice and Joanne for the August dinner! It’s a mitzvah!

FVJN volunteers provide dinner the first Wednesday of each month to approximately 70 guests at Lazarus House, a shelter located in St. Charles, which serves men, women and children in need in the Tri-Cities. Please visit the above link to sign up for future dates!

Questions? Contact FVJN coordinator Lisa Foydel: lisafoydel@gmail.com.

Coming Up:
August
8/7 – Lazarus House Mitzvah Dinner
8/13 – Book Group
8/14 – Board E-Meeting
8/17 – Volunteer at NIFB
8/23 – Friday Flicks

Click HERE for complete calendar!

Notes for You

• Calendar Update: We had scheduled Hot Dogs & Havdallah for Aug. 24, but have to reschedule due to a space availability issue. We will let you know the new date asap!

• Donations: We rely on your donations! Please consider FVJN when making donations in honor of or as a memorial to someone in your life. The FVJN Giving Tree is a great way to honor others and assist FVJN in our fundraising efforts: https://www.fvjn.org/giving-tree/.

• If you have an interest in being part of a Caring Committee, a Social Action Committee, an Adult Education & Social Committee or FVJS Committee, please contact Rachel (rachely@fvjn.org)!

Prairie Jewish Youth!
PJY events are for Jewish youth in grades 5th through 12th!
All are welcome! For information and to RSVP, click on the link below.
http://prairiejewishyouth.weebly.com/upcoming-programs.html

ENews for June 2019!

Adult Social Dinner
Saturday, June 22, 6:30 pm
at The Lodge on 64, in St. Charles
All adults are welcome to join us for a fun time!
Please RSVP by Tuesday the 18th to rachely@fvjn.org.

Board News!
We’re excited to announce the addition of three new members to our Board of Directors!
Lisa Foydel, Lee Shumow and Amanda Littauer have joined Jay Schwab and Peter Evans, and Susan Jensen has also joined as a special advisor to the Board.
Please join us in welcoming and thanking each of them for volunteering their time and energy to make Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors all it can be!
If you’re interested in learning more about our Board of Directors, please contact me at rachely@fvjn.org

FVJN Book Group
Tuesday, June 11, 7 pm, at FVJN
Book: Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean, by Edward Kritzler
All interested adults are welcome to drop in!
For more info: mikey@fvjn.org

Sunday School Registration Open!
Fox Valley Jewish School
•Teachers needed for the 2019-2020 school year! This is a paid position.
Volunteer parents also needed to serve on our school committee.
Please contact Rachel for more information. rachely@fvjn.org

•Register now for the 2019 – 2020 FVJS Sunday school year!
Interested in a unique Jewish Sunday school experience for your children?
FVJN offers Sunday an educational, fun, social Sunday school program during the school year, right in the heart of downtown Geneva!
If interested in attending the 2019 – 2020 school year, please email RachelY@fvjn.org (mailto:RachelY@fvjn.org)  as soon as possible, and express your interest. Responses are appreciated ASAP in order to plan for next school year. Whether or not your children are current, former or new to us, we hope to hear from you soon!
Learn more about FVJS here:
https://www.fvjn.org/fox-valley-jewish-school/.
Thank you!

Safety Updates at FVJN
Thanks to a security grant from Jewish United Fund, we recently installed two outdoor security cameras at FVJN. We are in the midst of making additional security updates to our space, including solar panels to charge the outdoor camera batteries, and the installation of impact resistance security window film over the windows on each exterior door. These security upgrades were both suggested by the Geneva Police Department. The safety of everyone, whenever inside our space in Downtown Geneva, is of utmost importance to us.

Lazarus House Mitzvah Dinner
First Wednesday of each month.
Needed for July: Dessert
Needed for August: Filled!
Needed for September: Main dish, 1 side dish, dessert
We are in need of volunteers to sign up for this FVJN mitzvah project,
each month of the year. This is a great individual, family or group activity!
Visit www.fvjn.org/lazarus-house/ to sign up today!
Thank you to Lisa, Gary, Gabe and Hannah Foydel-Kramer for making the entire June dinner for Lazarus guests!
FVJN volunteers provide dinner the first Wednesday of each month to approximately 70 guests at Lazarus House, a shelter located in St. Charles, which serves men, women and children in need in the Tri-Cities.
Please visit the above link to sign up for future dates!
Questions? Contact FVJN coordinator Lisa Foydel: lisafoydel@hotmail.com

Coming Up!
June
6/5 – Lazarus House Dinner
6/11 – Book Group
6/12 – Board eMeeting
6/22 – Adult Social Dinner
Visit http://www.fvjn.org/calendar-of-events/ for complete calendar!

Announcements!
• Donations: The Sohn-Simon family and the O’Hara family and friends have recently made donations to FVJN in memory of Archie Fogle, father of Barbara Anderson.
• If you have an interest in being part of a Caring Committee, a Social Action Committee, an Adult Education & Social Committee or FVJS Committee, please contact Rachel (rachely@fvjn.org!

Prairie Jewish Youth
PJY events are for Jewish youth in grades 5th through 12th!
All are welcome! For information and to RSVP, click on the link below.
http://prairiejewishyouth.weebly.com/upcoming-programs.html