ENews April 2019

Volunteers of all ages are needed to help with Good Deeds Day at FVJN, on Sunday, April 7 (during FVJS)!
Volunteers will receive a free Good Deeds Day T-shirt with the new FVJN logo! Please email rachely@fvjn.org if you are able to help with any of the following:
* Set up crew (tables)
* Clean up crew
* Donate cases of water to sell
* Donate dozen donuts or sweets or apple sauce pouches (snacks) to sell.
* Help sell above items
* Help carry boxes and bags in for people donating books.
* Hand out brochures and help answer any questions about FVJN/FVJS.
* Donate packing boxes to deliver books to McCleery School.
Thank you!

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URGENT: SIDE DISH NEEDED FOR THIS WEDNESDAY’S MITZVAH DINNER!
Lazarus House Mitzvah Dinner First Wednesday of each month.
Wednesday, April 3: 1 side dish needed!
PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW AND SIGN UP NOW!
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!

FVJN volunteers provide dinner the first Monday of each month to the 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.

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FVJN Book Group
Tuesday, April 9, 7 pm @ FVJN
Book to be discussed: The Woman Who Smashed Codes, by Jason Fagon.
Participation is free and open to all, ages 16 through 100!

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FVJN’s Annual Donors & Volunteers Thank You Dinner!
Friday, April 12 at 6:00 pm at Natalie’s House.
Thank YOU, our wonderful volunteers and donors who helped FVJN during another outstanding year!
In appreciation for your generous donations of time and financial support to FVJN over the past year, we invite you to a special Thank You Dinner!
The Board of Directors does the cooking and you get to schmooze and enjoy a wonderful evening!
Volunteers and donors, plus one, are our guests. Everyone else is invited to come share a great meal, and say thanks for $5 per person.
Please RSVP by Monday, April 8 to: rachely@fvjn.org. Indicate volunteer/donor or other in your email response, and how many people are coming (adults only, please.)
Natalie’s address will be sent via email after your RSVP is received.
Thank you!
FVJN Board of Directors

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Upcoming Events!
April
4/3 – Lazarus House Mitzvah Dinner
4/7 – FVJS: Good Deeds (Mitzvah) Day!
4/9 – Book Group (The Woman Who Smashed Codes)
4/10 – Board Meeting
4/12 – Donor Thank You Dinner
4/29 – FVJS

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Notes for you!
• The FVJN Board of Directors is searching for new new people who are interested in discussing, planning and contributing to the continual growth of Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors! You do not need past experience serving on a board, just an interest in being a vital part of your Jewish community group! Interested persons please contact Rachel at rachely@fvjn.org (mailto:rachely@fvjn.org) .

• If you are between the ages of 18 – 32 and have always wanted to go to Israel, now’s your chance! Visit the Taglit Birthright Israel site for all the info: https://www.birthrightisrael.com/. Registration now open!

• Interested in getting more involved in making FVJN all it can be? Contact Rachel for more information: rachely@fvjn.org (mailto:rachely@fvjn.org) .

ENews March 2019

Lazarus House Mitzvah Dinner
First Wednesday of each month.
Wednesday, April 3: 1 side dish needed!
PLEASE CLICK HERE AND SIGN UP NOW!
Thank you so much to the following volunteers for providing the March Mitzvah Dinner to Lazarus House: Mike Yackley, Nancy Sohn, Felice Jones and Joanne Spitz!
We are in need of volunteers to sign up for this FVJN mitzvah project, each month of the year.
Consider signing up each month. This is a great family or group activity.
FVJN volunteers provide dinner the first Monday of each month to the guests at Lazarus House, a shelter located in St. Charles, which serves men, women and children in need in the Tri-Cities.
Questions? Contact FVJN coordinator Lisa Foydel: lisafoydel@hotmail.com (mailto:lisafoydel@hotmail.com) .
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The FVJN Board of Directors is searching for new new people who are interested in discussing, planning and contributing to the continual growth of Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors! You do not need past experience serving on a board, just an interest in being a vital part of your Jewish community group! Interested persons please contact Rachel at rachely@fvjn.org (mailto:rachely@fvjn.org) .

COMING UP!
March
3/13 – Board Meeting
3/17 – FVJS *Purim Party! (During Sunday School)
3/22 – Friday Flick @ UUSG (See FVJN calendar for details!)
April
4/3 – Lazarus House Mitzvah Dinner
4/7 – FVJS
4/9 – Book Group (The Woman Who Smashed Codes)
4/10 – Board Meeting
4/12 – Donor Thank You Dinner
4/29 – FVJS
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NOTES FOR YOU
• If you are between the ages of 18 – 32 and have always wanted to go to Israel, now’s your chance! Visit the Taglit Birthright Israel site for all the info: https://www.birthrightisrael.com/. Registration now open!
• Interested in getting more involved in making FVJN all it can be? Contact Rachel for more information: rachely@fvjn.org (mailto: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.
•May 5: Yom Ha’aatzmaut: Israeli Iron Chef: Show off your chef skills with some delicious Israeli dishes!
•May 19: End of Year Celebration: Final program of the school year party!
To RSVP for any/all of these events click HERE.

ELSEWHERE
Jewish Film Festival Weekend!
March 30 & 31, 2 – 4 pm
Gail Borden Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin
Explore the rich offerings of Jewish film! Discussion will follow each film. Co-sponsored by Congregation Kneseth Israel in Elgin.
– March 30: The Band’s Visit (87 min)
– March 31: The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life (39 min)
– March 31: The Tiles That Bind (33 min)
Free and open to all.

FVJN Book Group 2019 List!

Book List for 2019!

February 12th: Jewish Mad Men by Kerri Steinberg
(please bring canned goods to donate to Northern Illinois Food Bank)

April 9th: The Woman Who Smashed Codes, by Jason Fagone

June 11th: Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean, by Edward Kritzler

August 13th: This Narrow Space, by Elisha Waldman

October 15th: The Weight of Ink, by Rachel Kadish
(Meeting one week late for Yom Kippur)

December 10th: The Tattooist of Auschwitz, by Heather Morris

Looking forward to another great year of book discussions! Thank you to everyone who voted! FVJN Book Group meets the second Tuesday of every-other month, at 7 pm at FVJN. 
All welcome (age 16 and up). No RSVP, no fee. Just come and chat about books!

November/December ENews!

Our latke makers need to know how many people are coming, so please RSVP today!

FVJN Chanukah Party! Dec. 2, 11:30 – 1 pm at FVJN All invited! Please RSVP ASAP to rachely@fvjn.org (mailto:rachely@fvjn.org) . We’ll light our menorahs, sing Chanukah songs, decorate Chanukah cookies, play games, and nosh! Bring your menorah and at least 2 candles. We need people to bring latkes, plain sugar cookies (chanukah shapes, if possible), donut holes and fruit. There will be a $5 requested donation per person. If you can help with food, games and/or art projects, please include in your reply. RSVP to RachelY@fvjn.org

End-Of-Year Fundraising Campaign!
Please donate now to help FVJN continue to build a more cohesive Jewish community in the Tri-Cities with its wide-variety of offerings!

We appeal to you this one time each year with our annual fundraising campaign. FVJN does not charge membership dues and relies primarily on donations from our participants and supporters. Your support sustains us and enables us to continue providing a Jewish presence and gatherings in your own community! Donating is easy by sending in your tax-deductible donations right away, online or through the mail. Go to www.fvjn.org/donate or mail your tax-deductible donation today to FVJN, P.O. Box 346, Geneva, IL 60134. Be sure to check out our Giving Tree at https://www.fvjn.org/giving-tree/ if you would like to make your donation in memory/honor of someone, and have a leaf added to the beautiful tree at FVJN. Thank you for your support! *FVJN is a 501c3 organization, and thus your donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by your individual circumstances.

FVJN Book Group Our stimulating Jewish book group meets at 7 pm the second Tuesday of every other month, at FVJN.
The book for Dec. 11 is In the Courtyard of the Kabbalist, By Ruchama King Feuerman.
All interested adults are welcome to attend.
For everyone interested, Mike Yackley, who runs the Book Group, collects suggestions at the end of each year, prior to creating a ballot of books which you can all vote on, to select the choices for the coming year. If you have any books in mind, either by a Jewish author, or featuring one or m ore Jewish protagonists/antagonists, or encompassing a Jewish theme — fiction or nonfiction — please email your suggestions for the ballot before Dec. 15 to Mikey@fvjn.org.

Sign Up Now for Sunday School 2018 – 2019!
Fox Valley Jewish School (FVJS) We offer classes for students from PreK (age 3) through 8th grade. Visit our website to learn about the wonderful plans for the new school year! Registration forms and more information available at http://www.fvjn.org/fox-valley-jewish-school/ Please email any questions to:Info@fvjn.org.

Upcoming Events
December
12/2 – FVJS
12/2 – FVJN Chanukah Party
12/5 – Lazarus House Mitzvah Dinner
12/11 – Book Group
12/12 – Board Meeting
12/16 – FVJS

Lazarus House Mitzvah Dinner
Thank you Lisa Foydel, Nancy Sohn, and Tobey Bartel (who provided a side and dessert!) for the November dinner!
Needed: Volunteers to sign up for January, February & March
FVJN Provides Dinner the First Wednesday of Each Month. Please sign up for upcoming months, too! Click http://www.fvjn.org/lazarus-house/ to sign up! Questions? Please contact Lisa Foydel at lisafoydel@hotmail.com

Interfaith Events
*Sandy Hook Vigil of Remembrance Friday, Dec. 14, 7 – 7:30 pm
South Riverwalk Plaza, Batavia Riverwalk, Batavia Join Moms Demand Action for a special interfaith vigil of remembrance of the lives lost in the Sandy Hook shooting 6 years ago. All are welcome! Hosted by Moms Demand Action – IL

Announcements!
•Important Announcement: Our Swedish Days booth chairman Mike Yackley and co-chair David Larson have resigned after many years of organizing and running our booth at the annual Swedish Days Festival in Geneva. We are in need of a new chairperson! If you are interested, contact Mike at Mikey@fvjn.org, and he will be happy to sit down with you and induct you into the excitement behind this event! If no one steps up at this time to take over, we will probably not participate in Swedish Days next year. So, if you can’t live without Pickle Pops, give Mike a call!
•Do you know we have a lending library at FVJN? Stop in on Sunday mornings during FVJS, or during other gatherings at FVJN, and check out books for children and adults!
•Are you interested in making FVJN what you’ve always wanted your local Jewish organization to be? There are so many ways to get involved: Join the Board, join and/or chair a committee, volunteer with events, and more! Email rachely@fvjn.org with your interests and ideas, today!
•If you have items to donate, please email us at info@fvjn.org first. Please do not drop items off at FVJN without first communicating with us. Thank you!
•Visit “Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors (FVJN) Group” and communicate directly with other FVJN friends!

Events & Programs for Jewish Youth!
•PJY HANUKKAH Party! Sunday, December 2, 3 pm to 5 pm At the Placko Residence in Elgin
•PJY Chinese Food and a Movie! Sunday, December 16 .
RSVP Required for ALL EVENTS: http://prairiejewishyouth.weebly.com/upcoming-programs.html
PJY events are open to all interested Jewish students in 5th – 12th grade!

Friday Flick Friday, 11/23, 7 pm At UUSG: 102 S. Second St., Geneva Free & open to all!
Film: Rise of the Superstorms

ENews October 2018

Shabbat/Adult Social Dinner!
Friday, Nov. 9, 6:30 pm
Aurelio’s Pizza: 330 W. State St., Geneva
Adults only!
RSVP required NOW to rachely@fvjn.org

Come have fun with FVJN/FVJS friends!
FVJN Bowling Party!
Sunday, November 18, 2 – 4 pm
Come enjoy a fun afternoon of bowling and pizza, with FVJN friends & family at St. Charles Bowl, 2520 W. Main St., St. Charles.
All ages welcome!
Per person fee is $5. Pay cash or check at event. Everything’s included! (Actual fee is $14.99 per person: FVJN is covering the rest!)
RSVP required by 11/12 to rachely@fvjn.org.

FVJS Students & Families are Invited: Family Shabbat Service at Etz Chaim!
When: Friday, Nov. 16, 7:30 pm
Where: Congregation Etz Chaim, 1710 S. Highland Ave., Lombard
Please RSVP NOW to rachely@fvjn.org!

Sign Up Now for Sunday School 2018 – 2019!
Fox Valley Jewish School (FVJS)
We offer classes for students from PreK (age 3) through 8th grade.
Visit our website to learn about the wonderful plans for the new school year!
Registration forms and more information available at http://www.fvjn.org/fox-valley-jewish-school/
Please email any questions to: Info@fvjn.org

UPCOMING EVENTS
November 11/7 – Lazarus House Dinner
11/9 – Shabbat Adult Social Dinner!
11/11 – FVJS 11/14 – Board Meeting
11/16 – FVJS families invited to Etz Chaim Family Service!
11/18 – FVJS
11/18 – Bowling Party!
11/23 – Friday Flick at UUSG

Lazarus House Mitzvah Dinner
Thank you Lisa Foydel, Nancy Sohn, and Tobey Bartel (who provided a side and dessert!) for the November dinner!
Needed: Volunteers to sign up for January, February & March
FVJN Provides Dinner the First Wednesday of Each Month. Please sign up for upcoming months, too! Click http://www.fvjn.org/lazarus-house/ to sign up!
Questions? Please contact Lisa Foydel at lisafoydel@hotmail.com

INTERFAITH EVENTS
Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration
Wednesday, Nov. 21, 5:30 pm At Little Home Church by the Wayside, UCC, 32W128 Army Train Rd., Wayne
All are welcome!
Little Home Church is hosting an interfaith Gathering of Gratitude. This is an opportunity to affirm that there is much more that unites than divides us. Visiting service leaders will include staff and members of Bait-ul-Jaamay Mosque of Glen Ellyn, Congregation Beth Shalom of Naperville, Congregational United Church of Christ in St. Charles, Little Home Church by the Wayside and Resurrection Roman Catholic Church in Wayne. Offerings of nonperishable food items for the Neighborhood Food Pantry will be collected.

Sandy Hook Vigil of Remembrance
Friday, Dec. 14, 7 – 7:30 pm South Riverwalk Plaza, Batavia Riverwalk, Batavia
Join Moms Demand Action for a special interfaith vigil of remembrance of the lives lost in the Sandy Hook shooting 6 years ago.
All are welcome!
Hosted by Moms Demand Action – IL

NOTES FOR YOU!
•Do you know we have a lending library at FVJN? Stop in on Sunday mornings during FVJS, or during other gatherings at FVJN, and check out books for children and adults!

•Are you interested in making FVJN what you’ve always wanted your local Jewish organization to be? There are so many ways to get involved: Join the Board, join and/or chair a committee, volunteer with events, and more! Email rachely@fvjn.org with your interests and ideas, today!

•If you have items to donate, please email us at info@fvjn.org (mailto:info@fvjn.org) first. Please do not drop items off at FVJN without first communicating with us. Thank you! •Visit ” Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors (FVJN) Group” and communicate directly with other FVJN friends!

Events & Programs for Jewish Youth!
•PJY Friendsgiving & Tzedekah Project
Sunday, November 11, 3 pm to 5 pm

•PJY HANUKKAH Party!
Sunday, December 2, 3 pm to 5 pm
At the Placko Residence in Elgin

•PJY Chinese Food and a Movie!
Sunday, December 16
RSVP Required for ALL EVENTS: http://prairiejewishyouth.weebly.com/upcoming-programs.html
Click above link for details and registration for all events!
PJY events are open to all interested Jewish students in 5th – 12th grade!

Friday Flick
Friday, 11/23, 7 pm At UUSG: 102 S. Second St., Geneva
Free & open to all!
Rise of the Superstorms
In just one devastating month, Houston, Florida, and the Caribbean were changed forever. As the planet warms, are these superstorms the new normal? How well can we predict them and does the U.S. need to prepare for the reality of climate refugees? This documentary takes you inside the 2017 superstorms and the cutting-edge research that determines how well equipped we are to deal with hurricanes in the future. Join us, November 23, at 7pm, in the Common Room.

ELSEWHERE
GI Jews: Jewish Americans in WW II — Documentary Film Screening & Discussion
Tuesday, Nov. 13, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Gail Borden Library, 270 N. Grove Ave, Elgin
This acclaimed film tells the profound and unique story of the 550,000 Jewish men and women who served in World War II. Through the eyes of servicemen and women – including Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner and Henry Kissinger – the film brings to life the little-known story of Jews who fought for their country, despite antisemitism both overseas and at home.
Register online HERE (http://exploreelginarea.com/events/gi-jews-jewish-americans-in-world-war-ii-) to attend.
Co-sponsored by CKI.

Elgin Spertus Institute One Book/One Community Author Event!
Where: Congregation Etz Chaim
When: Sunday, Nov. 18, 2 – 3:30 pm
Mark Sarvas will discuss his note, Memento Park.
Cost: Free to attend. Books will be sold for $18.
RSVP: Call Etz Chaim office: 630-627-3912

Amazon Smile: Shop and Help FVJN at the Same Time!
Support FVJN while you shop, and it doesn’t cost you a thing to donate!
Log onto AmazonSmile (https://smile.amazon.com/) and select “Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors” to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases. Thank you!