Our Friends

Our Deepest Condolences

FVJN extends its condolences to the family and friends of West Chicago Mayor Mike Kwasman.

You may have met Mike at previous FVJN events, or when he has volunteered at the FVJN Swedish Days booth.

For more information, see http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/11968398-418/west-chicago-mayor-mike-kwasman-dies-of-heart-attack.html

 

FVJNeighbors on the Move

Check out the front page of today’s (Wednesday’s) Daily Herald. Read about changes coming for Paul Kuehnert (married to Judith Graber), who has taken a new job in New Jersey. We will miss Paul and his family, and wish them all well.

Jewish FAQ

Yom HaShoah

Included in the Jewish calendar are three modern holidays: Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), Yom HaZikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day), and Yom HaAtzma’ut (Israeli Independence Day).

The first of these is Yom HaShoah, which falls on Wednesday, April 18, this year.

 

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/yom-hashoah

 

Many people in the United States observe Yom Hashoah, which is also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day. It commemorates the lives and heroism of Jewish people who died in the Holocaust between 1933 and 1945.

What do people do?

Many people in the United States, including those with Jewish ancestry or connections, observe Yom Hashoah on the 27th day of the month of Nisan. Many Jewish communities hold commemorative ceremonies or events to remember Holocaust victims who died during World War II. Activities may include lighting memorial candles and reciting the Kaddish, which is a prayer for the departed.

The Masorti (Conservative Judaism) movement in Israel created Megillat HaShoah, a scroll and liturgical reading for Yom HaShoah. This is a joint effort between Jewish leaders in Israel, the United States and Canada. Rituals associated with Yom Hashoah are still being made and suggested. These rituals vary among synagogues in North America.

Educational programs about the historical events associated with Yom Hashoah are shown around this time of the year, particularly to students learning about Jewish history. These programs may include a documentary featuring Holocaust survivors’ stories, as well as a Holocaust-themed film.

Public life

Yom Hashoah is not a federal public holiday in the United States. The state of Israel moves the observance of Yom Hashoah when the actual date falls on a Friday or Sunday. It is then observed on the preceding Thursday or following Monday, respectively. Some communities in the US also follow this tradition, and there might therefore be some discrepancy about the actual date Yom Hashoah is observed in the US.

Background

Israel’s Knesset (parliament) established Yom Hashoah, also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, as a memorial to about six million Jewish people who were slaughtered by the Nazis between 1933 and 1945. It is observed on the 27th day of the month of Nisan, which marks the day when Allied troops liberated the first Nazi concentration camp at Buchenwald, Germany, in 1945. The full name of the day is Yom Hashoah Ve-Hagevurah, which means the “Day of (remembrance of) the Holocaust and the Heroism.”

Please Continue to Support FVJN

The Jewish tradition of Tzedakah (Charity)

Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for charity. Righteous giving is an appropriate way to honor one’s memory. Contributing money, time and effort to organizations and causes keeps their beliefs alive and active. Tzedakah connects us in the work of tikkun loam (repairing the world). Jewish tradition views charity as the strongest force in the universe.

Please consider making a donation (a suggested “chai” of $18, or multiples thereof) in honor or in memory of someone special in your life. FVJN will publish the tribute information in the next eNews.

 

FVJN gratefully accepts donations throughout the year.

You can easily donate right here on our website, or by sending a check to: FVJN, PO Box 346, Geneva, 60134.

Elsewhere In Our Community:

April 20, 7 pm: Friday Flick at UUSG

Green Fire, by Aldo Leopold, will be shown free of charge by the Green Sanctuary Committee at UUSG (Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva). The documentary highlights the environmentalist author, Aldo Leopold, who is considered by many as the foremost naturalist of the 20th Century, and the father of the United States’ wilderness system. Following the film, a short discussion of Leopold’s work will be led by Deb Askelson, UUSG’s Church School Administrator. Refreshments are provided. The church is located at 2nd and James Streets in Geneva, and please enter at 110 S. 2nd Street.  For more information call Ann at: 630-879-0677, or droverannal@aol.com.

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April 24: FVI (Fox Valley Interfaith)

Fox Valley Interfaith invites you to attend a program on Tuesday, April 24, 7:00 p.m., at The Schingoethe Center (www.aurora.edu/museum) of Aurora University, 347 S. Gladstone Ave., Aurora.  Executive Director Meg Bero will speak on “The Evolution of the Native American Church.” FVI’s meetings are informal and welcoming to all. There will be a $3/person fee. RSVP to Janet Bell: janetb316@gmail.com or 630-262-3923.

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2012 Israel Solidarity Days!

May 6

The 2012 Israel Solidarity Days brings the greater Jewish community together for a variety of festivities from April 26 to May 14!  This year, JUF is doing something different, and calling the event iDays.

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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Leadership Development Program

April 29-30

The Jewish Theological Seminary’s Wagner Institute Presents “The Ethics of Power: Might vs. Right”

The Isidor and Rose Wagner Institute for Leadership Development of The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), in partnership with Chicagoland Jewish High School (CJHS), will present a two-day program on “The Ethics of Power: Might vs. Right” on April 29 and 30, 2012. JTS Chancellor Arnold M. Eisen will give the keynote address, and members of the distinguished JTS faculty will lead courses on Jewish perspectives. The event will take place at CJHS (1095 Lake Cook Road in Deerfield, Illinois), a school known for its culture of academic excellence, and check-in will begin at 1:00 p.m. on the 29th. For more info and to register, visit http://www.jtsa.edu/News/Press_Releases/JTS_Wagner_Institute_Presents_2-Day_Program.xml.

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American Jewish World Service

Ruth Messinger, president of American Jewish World Service (AJWS), will be speaking in your area about AJWS’s work around the globe. We hope you will join us!

 

Global Responsibility through a Jewish Lens

Friday, April 27, 2012

8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Mega Shabbat lecture and Q&A with Ruth Messinger

Speaking of her own experiences in the developing world, Ruth will propose how American Jews, who enjoy greater affluence and influence than ever before, can do their part to alleviate poverty, hunger, violence, disease and oppression. Sharing the words of dedicated Jews from communities across the United States — college and rabbinical students, community leaders and skilled professionals — she will tell of the enormous transformative impact volunteering and advocacy can make in the modern era.

The Newberger Hillel Center at the University of Chicago

5715 South Woodlawn Avenue

Chicago, IL 60637

 

Pursuing Global Justice through Grassroots Change

Saturday, April 28, 2012

10:30 a.m. Sermon by Ruth Messinger, Kiddush to follow with Q&A/dialogue with Ruth

Ruth will discuss the role of “Jews as Global Citizens.” By embracing our obligation to assist all people in need, regardless of race, religion or nationality, we have the capacity to ensure social justice for coming generations. As Jews who take seriously our role as global citizens, we will contribute to tikkun olam, the fixing of the world.

Anshe Emet Synagogue

3751 North Broadway

Chicago, IL 60613

 

Fighting Hunger in a World of Plenty: A Grassroots Approach

Saturday, April 28, 2012

4:00 p.m. Community lecture by Ruth Messinger with a Q&A to follow

Join Ruth to learn about the politics behind the global hunger crisis.

Ruth will propose how American Jews can influence our government to

address the root causes of hunger and poverty, and put an end to the

world’s growing hunger problem from the ground up. She will also

highlight the work of AJWS and the grassroots projects we support in

countries throughout Africa, Asia and the Americas.

KAM Isaiah Israel

1100 East Hyde Park Boulevard

Chicago, IL 60615

 

For more information on events in your area, please visit www.ajws.org/events or contact Ilana Shushansky at ishushansky@ajws.org or 212.792.2886.

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Volunteer Summer Through AJWS!

American Jewish World Service wants to share a special scholarship opportunity for Illinois students, ages 16 – 24) to travel with us to the developing world this summer. The Harvey Miller Foundation has generously provided a $250 scholarship for young adults who are from Illinois or who currently go to school there to go on AJWS’s Volunteer Summer.

Mark Your Calendars!

April 14: Geneva Beautification/Gardening Day

April 15: FVJSchool

April 15: FVJN Movie Club

April 29: FVJSchool

May 8: FVJN Book Group