***Greater Chicago Jewish Festival!***

/0 Comments/in /by

A family Day of Music, Fun, Learning and Memories!

June 10, 2012, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

St. Paul Woods, Oakton St., Morton Grove, IL

www.jewishfestival.org

The Greater Chicago Festival is one of the largest and longest running Jewish festivals in the US, and the largest Jewish event in the Chicago area.

Featured performers this year include: Steven Page, formerly of The Barenaked Ladies; Blue Fringe; Rabbi Joe Black; Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, Lucky Break Blue Grass Band, and many more!

Free Movies in Geneva!

/0 Comments/in /by

At 7 pm on Friday, May 18, Uncounted will be shown free of charge at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva (UUSG), 110 S. 2nd St., Geneva. The film shares well-documented stories about the spine-chilling disregard for the right to vote in America.  Beyond increasing the public’s awareness, the film inspires greater citizen involvement in fixing a broken electoral system.  This is an important film to see as we approach the decisive election of 2012.

At 7 pm on Friday, June 15, Pricele$$ will be shown free of charge to the community at the UUSG. Pricele$$ shines a light on the corridors in our nation’s capitol to reveal how campaign money from deep-pocket special interests can influence both our electoral process and national policies like food and energy. In addition to time spent with seasoned lawmakers, lobbyists, and a few dauntless citizen watchdogs, the filmmakers visit farmers and an unusual group of Iraq War veterans with strong opinions about policies that have changed their lives.

Upcoming Events & More!

/0 Comments/in /by

 

FVJN SHABBAT FAMILY SERVICE & Potluck!

**Service, Story & Potluck!*

May 11, 6:30 p.m. at Peck Farm Park’s Orientation Bar

The ערב will begin with a short service and a story related to the week’s Torah portion, followed by a vegetarian potluck.

Please bring non-meat dishes, only.

RSVP asap and to rachely@fvjn.org with what you will bring (so we can plan accordingly):

If your last name begins with:

A – G: Salads or side dishes

H – N: Main dishes

O – T: Desserts

U – Z: Set-up/clean-up (*Please come 15 minutes early and stay 15 minutes after.)

Peck Farm Park is located on Kaneville Rd. in Geneva, just west of Peck Road.

Services will continue throughout the year.

Please see our calendar at www.fvjn.org.

Our services are always interfaith-friendly.

 

Find the Hidden Word and Win a Prize!

Find a hidden Hebrew word in this week’s eNews (you’ll know it when you see it — it’s in Hebrew!), and be entered to win a prize from FVJN! Email your answer to: RachelY@fvjn.org.

 

FVJN Book Group

May 8, 7 p.m., at FVJN

At our next get together, we will discuss Walking the Bible

by Bruce Feiler (not the children’s version). On July 10, our book will be Hornet Flight by Ken Follett.

In March we discussed Kosher Chinese in which Michael Levy told  of his fascinating experience during two years in rural China as a teacher with the Peace Corps. Participation in the Book Club is free and open to all.

FVJS Needs Teachers for 2012-2013!

Teach at FVJN’s innovative religious school!

Openings for 2012/13 school year:

Hebrew teacher

Preschool-2nd grade teacher

Competitive pay, twice a month program, Geneva location.

Contact Barbara Anderson: barb.anderson58@att.net.

President’s Corner

/0 Comments/in /by

Neighbors~

Welcome to May!  This time of year is literally springing forth with new life and opportunities.  If you would like to take advantage of the many opportunities to help the local area–whether it is the planting we have going on May 19th to help keep Geneva beautiful, the Wednesday nights at Pushing the Envelope Farm helping to feed our neighbors, our monthly cooking for Lazarus House, or upcoming Swedish Days events–please read on for more details.  All of these events invite us to help others, and what better way to instill a sense of community among Jews and our partners, family and friends, than to give of ourselves?!?

Another opportunity to come together is our May 11th Shabbat Evening which will be led by Rachel Yackley and will take place at Peck Farm.  For those of you new to that venue, it is an absolutely ideal location for our services during the spring and summer months!  Rachel will be leading us through a brief service–complete with storytelling–before we enjoy a meal and good conversation together.  As always, this is a family and interfaith friendly event!

Please take one of these opportunities to join us in helping our neighbors and getting to know our FVJNeighbors a little better in the process!

As always, the best to you and yours and we hope to see you at a FVJN event very soon!

Warmest wishes,

Tammie

Volunteer Corner!

/0 Comments/in /by

Volunteers Needed to Help Make Geneva Beautiful!    

May 19, 8 a.m.

FVJN volunteers (and friends!) are needed to help with planting on Saturday, May 19, starting at 8 a.m.

The garden we are responsible for is on the southwest corner of State St. (Rt. 38) and Third St., in Geneva.

You can just show up or contact our volunteer garden coordinator, Marci: marci@worddesigner.net.

If able, bring gardening gloves, shovel, trowel, clippers, etc.

 

Swedish Days 2012

Planning for this year’s FVJN booth at Swedish Days (June 19 – 24) has begun!

Our FVJN Swedish Days committee members are:

  • Mike Yackley, chairperson
  • Dan Simon
  • Kimberly Fivelson
  • Dave Larson

This is one of our biggest fundraisers, and you can help out and have a lot of fun at the same time! Contact Mike at: Mikey@fvjn.org to volunteer at our booth!

 

FVJN Lazarus House Volunteer Project

Volunteers needed once a month

FVJN individuals and families are needed to provide dinner the first Wednesday of each month to the guests of Lazarus House, a shelter located in St. Charles. Please consider helping with this FVJN Volunteer Project and sign up, now! Volunteers are currently needed for May, June and July.

Past FVJN families who’ve prepared and provided dinners include the Weinbergers, the Kurals, and the Evans families.

For info, tips and more, please RSVP to Bethany at: bkural73@hotmail.com, 630-208-6301.

 

Tzedakah Charity Gardening

Calling all FVJNers who love to garden and help provide healthy food to people in need!

When: 5-7pm Wednesday Evenings

Where: Pushing the Envelope Farm, 1700 Averill Road, Geneva

What: Come and help out at Pushing the Envelope Farm’s Tzedakah Charity Garden. Volunteers help us plant, maintain, and harvest food for the Northern Illinois Foodbank. Drop ins welcome, or call 607.654.8244 for more details.

About Us: Pushing the Envelope Farm is a Jewish educational and community farm. The farm grows and sells organic produce and has milking goats, laying chickens, and honey bees.