ENews October 2017

 

 

Hot Dogs & Havdalah, plus Sukkot!
When: Sat., Oct. 7, 3:00 – Sunset
Where: Wheeler Park, Geneva (Rt. 31, 4 blks north of Rt.38)
RSVP: rachely@fvjn.org

** In case of rain storms this event will be rescheduled. Updates will be emailed, or contact Rachel.

Join us for our popular annual Hot Dogs & Havdalah event, along with this year’s addition of a bit of Sukkot fun!
The event will start at 3 pm in the park, with outdoor family games (bring your favorites). We’ll cook burgers, regular & veggie, and hot dogs on the grill, and enjoy a fun meal together. A musical Havdalah service will finish the day.
We will also be celebrating Sukkot in the park! Help decorate a big cardboard box sukkah, shake the lulav and etrog, and sing Sukkot songs!

* FVJN will provide: HD, burgers, veg burgers, buns, condiments, chips, beverages, cookies. You MUST RSVP so we know how much food to provide.
* YOU:  bring side dishes, such as salad, fruit or pasta.
*YOU: bring any outdoor games, like bags, frisbee, softball, bubbles, etc. AND, for decorating the sukkah, please bring any items for decorating: crayons, markers, paper, scissors, tape, ribbon, old wrapping paper, whatever else you think of!
PLEASE RSVP for planning purposes to: rachely@fvjn.org.
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Help Victims of Natural Disasters
FVJN will continue to collct donations at the upcoming Hot Dogs & Havdalah event, to benefit  all who suffer because of recent hurricanes and earthquakes. Our donation will go to the Jewish United Fund, which passes along 100% of donated funds to those in need, and also sends volunteers to affected areas.
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Book Group
Tuesday, Oct. 10, 7 pm at FVJN

Discussing: French Encounters,  by Katherine Lato (An FVJN participant!)
All adults welcome!
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Come Volunteer at NIFB with FVJN!
Saturday, Oct. 21, 9 am – noon

NIFB: 273 Dearborn Court, Geneva
Come help us help NIFB help our community members in need!
Adults and children, ages 8 and older, are welcome. Close-toed shoes are required.
Sign-up is a MUST! Please RSVP by Oct. 16.
Please contact Rachel to sign up and if you have any questions: rachely@fvjn.org
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Friday Flicks

”Immigration Battle”

Friday, Oct. 27, 7 pm

At UUSG, 110 S. 2nd St., Geneva
In “Immigration Battle” we follow Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) as he works to try to create a bill that would be acceptable to both Republicans and Democrats.
Friday flicks are documentaries with social justice themes. They are sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva. These films are free and open to the public.
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Playgroup!
Sunday, Oct. 29, 10 – 11:30 am
Gather at Wheeler Park (or FVJN, in case of rain)
For children age 3 and under. Parents must stay with children.
Come play with us and make new friends! Everyone’s welcome!
Please RSVP to Rachel: rachely@fvjn.org
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FVJS Parent Monitors Needed
Parents are needed to take turns monitoring students’ arrival and departure each day of school. Please contact Rachel (rachely@fvjn.org) to sign up, or use the sign up sheet at FVJN.

Registration Open! Fox Valley Jewish School (FVJS)
Register now for the 2017 – 2018 school year!
Classes offered from PreK (age 3) through 8th grade.
Registration forms and more information available HERE.
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Lazarus House Mitzvah Dinner
First Wednesday of Each Month
Coming Up: 10/4
More Volunteers Needed!
Click http://www.fvjn.org/lazarus-house/ to sign up!
FVJN invites you to help provide monthly dinners for guests of Lazarus House in Geneva. Questions? Please contact Lisa Foydel at lisafoydel@hotmail.com.
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Jewish Film!
at Charlestowne Theater, St. Charles

Wednesday, October 4, 1:00 pm & 7:00 pm. One Day Only!
Join us at the Charlestowne 18 Theatre for the First Wednesday Film Club presentation of The Women’s Balcony shown on Wednesday, October 4 at 1:00 & 7:00 PM. General Admission.  Film discussion led by Dave Gathman.
The Women’s Balcony: An accident during a bar mitzvah celebration leads to a gendered rift in a devout Orthodox community in Jerusalem, in this rousing, good-hearted tale about women speaking truth to patriarchal power.

*This is not an FVJN event, but something of interest to our community which we are happy to promote and support.
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Support FVJN!
Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors does not charge membership dues, and most of our events are open to all with no fee. Your generosity and support is what 
keeps us going and growing!
Please visit https://www.fvjn.org/donate/
or send your donation to:
FVJN • PO Box 346 • Geneva, IL 60134.
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Elsewhere:
• Prairie Jewish Youth •
Check out exciting events for students in 5th – 12th grade!
 RSVP Required for ALL EVENTS:
http://prairiejewishyouth.weebly.com/upcoming-programs.html
•Build a Candy Sukkah!
Sunday, Oct. 8. 3 – 4:30 pm
•PJY Make Music Club
6 sessions starting Oct. 2 5
at Congregation Kneseth Israel in Elgin

Author Speaking:
Fox Valley Hadassah is sponsoring 
Maggie Anton, Author of “Rashi’s Daughters”
Wednesday, October 18, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Geneva Public Library, 127 James St., Geneva
Hear about her newest book:
”Fifty Shades of Talmud”
Register at: http://gpld.org/geneva/events

ENews September 2017

FVJN High Holidays Services: Mark Your Calendars!
Rosh Hashanah Service Led by Cindy Michelassi
Wednesday, Sept. 20, 6:30 pm service at the UUSG
Yom Kippur Service Led by Cindy Michelassi
Friday, Sept. 29, 5:30 pm light meal; 6:30 pm service at the UUSG
Family friendly, open to all, and free!

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

$10 Donation Requested
Please RSVP now for planning: rachely@fvjn.org

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Registration Open! Fox Valley Jewish School (FVJS)
Register now for the 2017 – 2018 school year!
Classes offered from PreK (age 3) through 8th grade.
Registration forms and more information available at
http://www.fvjn.org/fox-valley-jewish-school/
FVJS is held at FVJN, twice a month, Sept. – May.

The first day of school is Sunday, Sept. 10, and kicks off with a bagel breakfast!
The FVJN Marketplace will also be open with new and gently used menorahs for sale (cash & check only)!
We look forward to helping your children learn and grow in a fun, Jewish environment!

FVJS has two new Teachers!
Tracy Schoenberg will be teaching preschool-2nd grade and Evan Bennett will be teaching grades 3 and up.
Jeremy Foy will be back teaching art for grades 3 and up; younger grades have art in regular classes. Rachel Yackley will return for special music sessions during the year.

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Upcoming Events!

September
9/6 – Lazarus House Dinner
9/10 – FVJS
9/13 – Board Meeting
9/16 – Adult Social Dinner
9/17 – Playgroup
9/20 – Rosh Hashanah Service
9/29 – Yom Kippur Service

Save the Date!
Sat., Oct. 7: Hot Dogs & Havdalah! And Sukkot!
3:00 – Sunset, Wheeler Park, Geneva. More info to come!

See details below, or at fvjn.org 

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Adult Social Dinner!
Saturday, Sept. 16, 6:30 pm
Location The Lodge on 64, in St. Charles
RSVP to Alysa: ahwalisz@comcast.net 

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Playgroup!
Sunday, Sept. 17, 10 – 11:30 am
Gather at Wheeler Park (or FVJN, in case of rain)
For children age 3 and under. Parents must stay with children.
Come play with us and make new friends! Everyone’s welcome!
Please RSVP to Rachel: rachely@fvjn.org

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Lazarus House Mitzvah Dinner
First Wednesday of Each Month
Coming Up: 9/6, 10/4
More Volunteers Needed!
Click http://www.fvjn.org/lazarus-house/ to sign up!

FVJN invites you to help provide monthly dinners for guests of Lazarus House in Geneva. Questions? Please contact Lisa Foydel at lisafoydel@hotmail.com.


 

Recent Donations:

Nancy Sohn, Mike, Dan & Ben Simon Family donation in honor of the birth of Mim and Chuck Evans’ twin grandchildren.

Adele Stein donation to FVJN.

Toda raba!

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Support FVJN!

Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors does not charge membership dues, and most of our events are open to all with no fee. Your generosity and support is what keeps us going and growing!

Please visit https://www.fvjn.org/donate/ or send your donation to:
FVJN • PO Box 346 • Geneva, IL 60134.

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Fox Valley Jewish School: Starts Sept. 10!

Welcome to Fox Valley Jewish School 2017-18 School Year

We are excited to share the plans in place for the 2017-18 school year! FVJS welcomes all children in grades
preschool (age 3 years) through 8, regardless of past religious education or family religious practices.
Registrations are now being accepted at
http://www.fvjn.org/fox- valley-jewish-school/ .

Calendar, Schedule and Tuition

School starts on Sunday, September 10 and will meet two Sundays each month through May. A complete calendar can be found at:http://www.fvjn.org/fox-valley-jewish- school/. Class hours are 9:30-11:30. Children in grades pre-school through 2 will meet downstairs. Grades 3 and up will meet upstairs. There will be several special days throughout the year, including holiday parties, field trips and special guests. Watch for information by email prior to each special day.

The first day of class will once again start with a welcome back breakfast at 9:30, outside if the weather is good and inside if not. All parents are encouraged to attend with their children. There is no charge for anyone attending. Registering students online prior to the first day is much appreciated so we can plan accurately, but we will have registration forms available and new registrations are welcome at breakfast or any time during the year.

Tuition remains the same as it has been for the past two years at $210 for the first child and $180 for each additional child from the same family. Scholarships are available in cases of financial need. Tuition covers all costs including supplies and field trips.

Community Service Project

Each year the students at FVJS work with a different nonprofit group to learn about how they serve the community and help out. This year the students will work with Kane County Forest Preserve. The fall field trip is scheduled for October 15 and will involve learning about seed harvesting and how it helps preserve our natural environment followed by harvesting the seeds themselves. A second trip in the spring is in the planning stages and may involve tree planting or seed distribution. Working with the Forest Preserve will connect well with FVJS curriculum on caring for the earth.
Watch for details by email on the fall trip.

Personalized Hebrew and Bar/Bat Mitzvah Calendar and Schedule

FVJS encourages all families wishing to have a bar or bat mitzvah for their child to contact the school committee by emailing info@fvjn.org to discuss your plans. In order to tailor the experience to each child and family, we will assist you in arranging for as much or little Hebrew instruction as you are interested in.
Because of the great differences in Hebrew knowledge and expectations, we will no longer offer group Hebrew classes.

Core Teachers

We are excited to welcome Tracy Schoenberg and Evan Bennett as our core teachers for this year.
Tracy will be teaching preschool-2nd grade and is a music therapist by training. She looks forward to incorporating music and movement into the program.
Evan has an outstanding network of experts in the Illinois Jewish community and a strong knowledge of Chicago Jewish history which he can incorporate into classes for grades 3 and up.

Art and Music

We are pleased to announce that Jeremy Foy will be back to lead the art program for grades 3 and up. Younger grades will have art as part of their regular class sessions.
We are happy to report that Rachel Yackley will return for several special music sessions this year.

Register Now!

Register your children online at
http://www.fvjn.org/fox-valley-jewish-school/.
Please register now so we can better plan for the upcoming year. The website is also the place to check the school calendar for the coming year. If you would like more information or know of a family that may be interested in FVJS, please email info@fvjn.org .


Need a menorah? 
New and gently used menorahs will be for sale at FVJN, during the FVJS breakfast, on Saturday, Sept. 10.

Priced at $5 and $10, cash or check only. All sales final.


FVJN High Holidays Services: Mark Your Calendars!
Rosh Hashanah Service Led by Cindy Michelassi
Wednesday, Sept. 20, 6:30 pm at the UUSG
Yom Kippur Service Led by Cindy Michelassi
Friday, Sept. 29, 6:30 pm at the UUSG
Family Friendly! Free and open to all!
*Readers needed for both services!
$10 Donation Requested.
RSVP Requested: rachely@fvjn.org

FVJS 2017.18 Info

ENews July 2017

Our FVJN Healthy Food Booth at Swedish Days was a Hit!

Thanks to our many volunteers, listed below, as well as to a week of some of the best weather we’ve had in years, our booth raised more than we have since 2012!

Very special Thank You to the following businesses for their donations:
Meijer in St. Charles
Target in St. Charles
Trader Joe’s in Batavia
The Little Traveler in Geneva
Thank you all!
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Coming Up:
July
7/5 – Lazarus House Dinner
7/12 – FVJN Board Meeting
7/22 – FVJN @ NIFB
7/30 – Playgroup

August
8/2 – Lazarus House Dinner
8/8 – Book Group
8/9 – Board Meeting
8/11 – Shabbat Family Service @ Peck
8/27 – Playgroup
See details below! Helpful links included.
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2017 FVJN Swedish Days Booth Volunteers
We couldn’t have done it without you!
Mike Yackley, FVJN Swedish Days Booth Chair
Dave Larson, FVJN Swedish Days Booth Chair
Jill Larson           Alysa Hwalisz
Keith Larson           Helen Grosman
Lilian Tazer           Ruth Silverman
Joanne Spitz           Evan Bennett
Felice Jones           Zoe Steele
Mark Shumow           Jay Schwab
Lee Shumow           Alexa Schwab
Natalie Stratton           Dan Simon
Rachel & Matthew Stratton           Susan Jensen
Amanda Littauer           Jeanette Grosman
Laura Steele           Chris Pacanowski
Julian Miller           Colin Delarme
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Lazarus House Mitzvah Dinner
First Wednesday of Each Month
Coming Up: 7/5 & 8/2
More Volunteers Needed!
Click http://www.fvjn.org/lazarus-house/ to sign up!

FVJN invites you to help provide monthly dinners for guests of Lazarus House in Geneva. Questions? Please contact Lisa Foydel at lisafoydel@hotmail.com.
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Come Volunteer at NIFB with FVJN!
Saturday, July 22, 9 am – noon
NIFB: 273 Dearborn Court, Geneva
Come help us help NIFB help our community members in need!
Adults and children, ages 8 and older, are welcome. Close-toed shoes are required.
Sign-up is a MUST! Please RSVP before July 17.

Please contact Alysa to sign up and if you have any questions: ahwalisz@comcast.net*If we don’t get enough responses, this event will be canceled.
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Playgroup!
Sunday, July 30, 10 – 11:30 am at FVJN
For children age 3 and under. Parents must stay with children.
Come play with us and make new friends! Everyone’s welcome!
Please RSVP to Rachel: rachely@fvjn.org
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Book Group
Tuesday, August 8, 7 pm @ FVJN
Book: The Natural, by Bernard Malamud
All are welcome! Questions? Contact MikeY@fvjn.org (mailto:MikeY@fvjn.org)
No RSVP required.
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Shabbat Family Service!
Friday, Aug. 11, 6:15 pm
at Peck Farm Orientation Barn, 4038 Kaneville Rd, Geneva
Please join us for a fun Shabbat family service!
Challah and juice/wine will be provided. Feel free to bring an oneg treat to share.
RSVP Required in order to hold this event!
Please RSVP before August 7th to Rachel: rachely@fvjn.org
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Registration Open! Fox Valley Jewish School (FVJS)
Register now for the 2017 – 2018 school year!
Classes offered from PreK (age 3) through 8th grade.
Registration forms and more information available at
http://www.fvjn.org/fox-valley-jewish-school/
FVJS is held at FVJN, twice a month, Sept. – May.
We look forward to helping your children learn and grow in a fun, Jewish environment!
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Donations to FVJN

•Greg Cibura purchased a bronze leaf for our Giving Tree,
in Honor of Mark Blumenthal and Family.

•Mike Simon, Nancy Sohn and family made an FVJN donation
in memory of Jill Larson’s father, Richard Holtzman.

Hakarat Ha’tov.
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Support FVJN!
Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors does not charge membership dues, and most of our events are open to all with no fee. Your generosity and support is what keeps us going and growing!
Please visit https://www.fvjn.org/donate/
or send your donation to:
FVJN • PO Box 346 • Geneva, IL 60134.
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Out in the Community
• Prairie Jewish Youth •
Check out exciting events for students in 5th – 12th grade!
RSVP Required for ALL EVENTS:
http://prairiejewishyouth.weebly.com/upcoming-programs.html
Coming up: Shabbat Chicago – July 22,  PJY Mini Golf – Aug. 20

•Join PJ Library and JUF’s TOV Volunteer network
as we make a difference in our community this summer.
Sunday, July 16, 10 – 11:3- am @ Pushing the Envelope Farm in Geneva.
Hands on environmental activities. $10 per family.
Sign up at: http://www.juf.org/youngfamilies/PJ-Gives-Back.aspx

June 2017: FVJN Booth @ Swedish Days!

Working the booth!

Come Volunteer, Have Fun & Meet New Friends!

Visit http://www.fvjn.org/2017-swedish-days/ to check for openings in the FVJN booth schedule, pick which times you can volunteer, then email Mike at mikey@fvjn.org and include the following information: Your name, email address, phone number, and shift(s) day and time you are available. 

Shifts still needing to be filled are:

Wed., 6/21: 2 – 6 pm (2 people needed) *Acute need!

Thurs. 6/22: 2 – 6 pm (1 person needed) *Acute need!

Friday, 6/23: 6 – 10 pm (1 person needed)

Sat. 6/24: 2 – 6 pm (1 people needed)

                6 – 10 pm (1 people needed)

Sun. 6/25: 10 am – 1 pm (1 person needed)

                    1 – 4 pm (3 people needed)

                    4 – 7 pm (1 person needed)


Our food booth at Swedish Days is one of our biggest annual fundraisers, and we rely on everyone to volunteer, to make this a fun, successful event!

This year’s Swedish Days is June 20 – 25 (booth setup June 19). 

Come have fun selling veggie burgers, kosher hot dogs, healthy frozen treats and pickle pops, and enable FVJN to continue to do all we do! No experience needed, and No One Works Alone!

The FVJN food booth will again be located on the northeast corner of Third and Campbell. Children are welcome to work with their parents, but there must be a minimum of two adults per shift.

This is the largest annual fundraising event for FVJN, and your help is needed to make this a success!

Please email Mike and sign up NOW! Don’t miss out on the fun!