What’s Happening Elsewhere:

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Teen Walk for Israel                                                                                                Sunday, May 6

Look Back, Walk Forward, the official teen Walk for Israel.
For the first time, teens from all over Chicagoland celebrate Israel’s independence with a journey through Jewish history. The day begins at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center in Skokie with a heartfelt program with Holocaust survivors, followed by a Walk with Israel from the museum to the Mayer Kaplan JCC. The day continues with advocacy programming, hands-on service projects, sports and more! This program is offered to teens in grades 8–12 only. SPACE IS LIMITED, so register today at http://www.juf.org/idays/iteens.aspx. Let me know you are registering and we will organize a bus.
Locations & Times:
Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center (9603 Woods Drive, Skokie)
9:00 a.m. Registration 
10:00 a.m. Program
11:15 a.m. Teen Walk with Israel
Mayer Kaplan JCC (5050 Church Street, Skokie)
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iDays! 2012 Israel Solidarity Days!                                                                          May 6

CBS (Congregation Beth Shalom) in Naperville is participating by hosting an event on May 6, geared for children up  to 12 years old. Enjoy arts & crafts; screenings of Shalom Sesame and Rechov Sumsum; pita making and hummus tasting with Pushing the Envelope Farm; interactive music, and more!
Congregation Beth Shalom is located at 772 West 5th Avenue, Naperville. For additional information and registration, visit http://www.juf.org/idays/ifamily.aspx (and scroll to CBS listing at bottom of page).
Volunteers are also needed to help with this event. Please contact Jacob Margulies: jacob@continentalenvelope.com.
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Summer Camp in Naperville!

Camp Gan Israel of Naperville 2012
Five-week camp from June 25-July 27. 
Give your child a rich and wholesome summer experience at the only Jewish day camp in the western suburbs.
Monday-Friday.
Gan Israel Program:
Ages 5-12 from 9:15 -3:30 pm
Mini Gan Israel:
Ages 3 & 4 From 9:15-1:00 pm
Location: Chabad Jewish Center-Naperville.
For more information visit www.CGINaperville.com or call the camp office at 630-344-9770
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Spertus

5000+ years of Jewish learning
Fresh, contemporary relevance for you and your career
At Spertus, our accredited graduate programs encourage students to grapple with Jewish ideas in the service of personal, professional, and communal advancement.
The Master of Arts in Jewish Professional Studies (MAJPS) program offers core courses in areas of classical and contemporary Jewish knowledge most relevant to Jewish communal life today, combined with essential professional training in nonprofit management.
  • Cohort model promotes collaborative learning and peer support
  • Dynamic faculty members with academic distinction and real-world experience
  • Strong mentoring component fosters professional development
  • Classes meet one night a week, one course at a time
Applications now being accepted for the fall Chicago-area cohort!
Contact Director of Recruitment Ann Luban, who will meet you for coffee, discuss your goals, and share how the Spertus MAJPS program could benefit you. She can be reached by email at aluban@spertus.edu or by phone at 312.322.1719. 
LOCATION
Spertus is located at 610 S. Michigan Avenue, directly across the street from Chicago’s Grant Park.
For information on programs, exhibits and learning opportunities, visit:
http://www.spertus.edu

Mark Your Calendar!

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April 29: FVJSchool at The Farm!

May 6: FVJSchool

May 8: FVJN Book Group

May 11: FVJN Shabbat Evening at Peck Farm

May 20: FVJSchool — End of Year!

For the Grownups

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FVJN Adult Events

Calling all FVJN adults!

Currently we offer a book group and a film club, as well as gardening (a fun and helpful activity!), and other volunteer opportunities. Would you like more? Social events? Learning opportunities? We would love to offer more, and to do so, we need your ideas as well as your participation! Please send your ideas and suggestions to: rachely@fvjn.org.

We Need Teachers!

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.
Thank you to Leslie Silver for her most excellent art instruction, this year. Due to work conflicts, Marci Lebowitz will take over teaching art at FVJS for the remainder of this year, and will be next year’s art teacher, as well!

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.

Last month we finished 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.

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.

Candy Goldstein, our last winner, received a gift card to The Breadsmith in St. Charles, where you can purchase challah every Friday. Mazel tov, Candy!

Past Events

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FVJN Film Club

On April 15, Film Club attendees enjoyed viewing “Ushpizin,” a heartwarming, entertaining look at uber traditional yet modern Israeli life. A discussion was held following the film regarding the club’s future dates, and whether to continue meeting Sundays or to change to Tuesday evenings (alternating months with the Book Group). Interested? Please share your thoughts at info@fvjn.org.

BBYO Connect

Samantha Isenstein from BBYO came and spoke to our 5th – 7th grade students last Sunday. She introduced the kids to BBYO Connect, and led some awesome activities, which our kids truly enjoyed!

How great would it be to have our own FVJN Jewish Youth Group? We can only do it with your help! Were you active in your synagogue’s youth group? Did you attend Jewish camp or belong to other Jewish social organizations? Wouldn’t you like that experience for your children?

This group needs a parent or two for coordinators/advisors, in order to work. If you are interested, please email rachely@fvjn.org.

Volunteer Corner

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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 גָן 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.