THE BETH HAMEDROSH HAGODOL KESSER MAARIV ANSHE LUKNIK NEWSLETTER TISHREI / CHESHVAN 5773 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2012

Welcome to Kesser Maariv for the High Holidays A hearty Bruchim Habaim to our new Members and Good Neighbors! Welcome their behalf. Accordingly, Kesser Maariv has a live Yizkor Welcome to Kesser Maariv. Our full name is Beth Appeal. If you would like to have your pledge announced at Hamedrosh Hagodol Kesser Maariv Anshe Luknik. We have the beginning of the appeal, please contact Rabbi Ben Zion a long name reflective of our long history. Our first minyan before Yom Tov and make your pledge before Yom Tov. For took place in Chicago in 1865, and the Beth Hamedrosh those who would like to make a private pledge, see Rabbis Hagodol officially opened in 1867 in downtown Chicago. Ben Zion or Eli to make a matan bseser. Eventually the Shul moved to the West Side, and we have Daily Minyan several congregants who celebrated their Bar Mitzvah at that We have daily 6:00 am Shacharit. Before Rosh Hashana, site. After several mergers, in the 1950s BHH moved to East Selichot will begin at 5:45 am. During the Aseret Yemai Rogers Park when it merged with Kesser Maariv. Due to Teshuva, Selichot will begin at 5:35 am, except on Erev Yom shifting demographics, Kesser Maariv sold their building in Kippur, when we will begin at 5:50 am. East Rogers Park in 1989, determined to continue in a new We are winding down our daily Mincha Maariv, which neighborhood. In the following years, High Holiday services begins 10 minutes before sundown. As sunset gets earlier, were held in West Rogers Park. we will soon switch to our winter schedule and have Maariv In 1993, we held High Holiday services in Skokie, and we only at 7:00 pm. were able to purchase our current property in Skokie. Celebrate Your Simcha at Kesser Maariv Regular minyanim began in an existing farmhouse on Sponsoring a Kiddush or Seudat Shlisheet is a great way to December 31, 1993. In autumn 1999 the first phase of our celebrate your birthday, anniversary or other simcha with building was completed, consisting of the Social Hall and your Kesser Maariv Family. Call Judy Whisler to reserve a kitchens. The second phase of the Main Sanctuary and Bais date. Midrash were completed in 2004. Another great way to mark a special occasion or milestone is Leadership to buy a Leaf, Acorn or Foundation Stone on our Etty Rabbi Louis Lazovsky has been Rabbi of Kesser Maariv Rubinow Tree of Life, located on the south wall of the since 1984, when he succeeded Rabbi Zev Wein, who retired. Sanctuary. Contact the office, or use the order form on our Rabbi Lazovsky has served the Jewish community in many website. capacities for over 35 years, including leading educational Call the office to donate Chumashim, Siddurim or books. programs and organizations to benefit immigrants and the Our Social Hall is available for rental for all types of underprivileged. Simchas. Contact the office for details. In January 2011 the Board of Directors appointed Rabbi Ben Chesed Fund Zion Lazovsky to serve as Associate Rabbi in addition to If you know of a new family in the neighborhood, please let serving as Executive Director. Anne Elovic know so Kesser Maariv can welcome them to Our Davening our neighborhood. We have many other chesed projects For the High Holidays, we use the ArtScroll Machzor. throughout the year. The Chesed Fund also arranges for Thanks to the generosity of Bob & Sheryl Greenstein, we meals during hospital stays and shiva. have many Machzorim available. Adele Goldblum Womens Council We have a live auction of aliyas on Rosh Hashana, Yom The Womens Council serves as an extension of the Shul by Kippur and Simchas Torah. This practice is mentioned in the sponsoring social, educational and chesed events and Shulchan Aruch, the Code of Jewish Law. The auction is fundraisers. Their many activities include summertime conducted immediately prior to taking out the Torah. Seudot Shlisheet with guest speakers, a Womens Week of Our Chazzanim are Dr. Edward Kaplan and Rabbi Dr. Learning and donations of plants to seniors. Pinchas Eisenbach who have been leading our High Holiday A full list of committees, chairpeople and phone numbers is on the next page. Services since 1994. Rabbi Ben Zion Lazovsky has blown UPCOMING EVENTS & DATES TO REMEMBER the Shofar for many years and also serves as Chazzan. Rabbi HIGH HOLIDAYS 5773 Eli Lazovsky reads the Torah. Membership Yizkor Appeal We invite you to join us for the High Holidays. Rosh There is an ancient custom, mentioned in the Talmud, that Hashana begins on September 16th ! Please refer to the even those who have passed away need atonement. How can enclosed flyer for information about membership and seats those souls, who are no longer on this earth, achieve for the High Holidays. atonement? The Talmud says that charity should be given on www.KesserMaariv.org

Shabbat Shuva Shiur On September 22, 2012, Rabbi Louis Lazovsky will deliver his annual special Shabbat Shuva shiur in lieu of the Shabbat afternoon class at 4:50 pm. Hakafot on Simchat Torah Hakafot will be held on Monday evening and Tuesday morning, October 8th and 9th. We are looking for a host or hosts to sponsor our refreshments. Please call the office to make arrangements. Simchat Torah Communal Luncheon On Wednesday, October 9th we will have our annual Simchat Torah Lunch. Thanks to a generous sponsor, there will not be a per person charge for lunch, though reservations are requested. Call the Shul office at (847) 679-9800 or email bhhkmal@yahoo.com by September 28th with your reservations. Yizkor We recite Yizkor on Yom Kippur, Wednesday, September 26th at about 11:30 am, and on Shmini Atzeret, Thursday Congregation B.H.H. Kesser Maariv A.L. 4341 W. Golf Skokie, IL 60076 (847) 679-9800 fax (847) 679-5041 e-mail: bhhkmal@yahoo.com www.KesserMaariv.org Rabbi Louis A. Lazovsky Steven D. Goldrich, President Rabbi Ben Zion Lazovsky, Associate Rabbi & Executive Director Nasrin Kheradyar & Saretta Lazovsky, Co-Presidents, Adele Goldblum Womens Council Committee Contact Information: Bricks Saretta Lazovsky (847) 676-0556 or lazovsky@juno.com (847) 673-2904

Chesed Fund Anne Elovic

Donate Books & Siddurim Office (847) 679-9800 or bhhkmal@yahoo.com Endowment Michael Hartz (708) 366-7662

Happy Day Cards Wendy Hartz (708) 205-5109 Kiddush & Seudat Shlisheet Judy Whisler (847) 677-2281 or j5awhisler@aol.com Membership Bob Greenstein (847) 967-7408 Judy Whisler (847) 677-2281 Office bhhkmal@yahoo.com (847) 679-9800

Social Hall Rental Tree of Life Yahrzeit Plaques

October 8th at about 10:30 am. Misheberach List If you have names for a misheberach, please send them to the shul office or e-mail to bhhkmal@yahoo.com. With Rosh Hashana approaching, we will make a new list. Please resubmit any names you may have previously submitted to ensure they will be included. ORDER YOUR LULAV AND ETROG NOW!! The shul will once again sell top quality Lulav sets from Israel. To order your set please contact the office by Friday, September 21st. For additional information, or to order an upgraded set, please call Ben Zion Lazovsky at (847) 679-9800. Sets will be available for pick-up after Yom Kippur. Order Form is later in this newsletter. Happy Day Cards & Standings Join the Kesser Maariv Cards standing list! For only $50 a year, your name will automatically be included whenever a card is sent from our shul to fellow members for a refua shlayma, condolence or mazal tov. To join the standings, please contact the office at (847) 679-9800 or bhhkmal@yahoo.com. Also, cards are available for purchase from the office for $1.50 each or 13 cards for $18. If you would like us to send a card for you for $2, please contact Wendy Hartz at (708) 205-5109. Rabbi Meyer Juzints The Chain of Miracles This amazing Holocaust memoir written by a teacher of Rabbi Louis Lazovsky and a friend of Kesser Maariv, is available for purchase from the office for $20. Final preparations for Nechamas Meyer, Mussar on Parsha, Breishis and Shemos, are almost complete, and will be ready, with G-ds help, within the next few months. Send-A-Kid-To-Israel Partnership (S.K.I.P.) Kesser Maariv is proud to be a participating Congregation in S.K.I.P. The program allows parents to contribute money annually in partnership with the synagogue and the Jewish Federation for an Israel trip for their children. For details please contact Ben Zion Lazovsky at (847) 679-9800. Save the Date - Scholar-in-Residence November 17 Rabbi Dr. Aaron Rakeffet-Rothkoff of Jerusalem, noted author and scholar, will be Scholar-in-Residence for the weekend of November 16-18. PAST EVENTS On Tisha Bav Rabbi Ben Zion gave a shiur on themes in Kinnot, which included suicide in the Kinnot and forms of dishonesty. We showed the Chafetz Chaim Heritage Foundation video, and we also showed Names, Not Numbers, interviews with Holocaust survivors by students of Hillel Torah...Our Annual Meeting was held on August 2nd. The Presidents Report of our activities and the nominating committee report were presented. Yasher Koach to our Board for their dedication to our Shul. ADELE GOLDBLUM WOMENS COUNCIL UPCOMING EVENTS KM Knitters For meeting information and to be placed on the email list please call Wendy Hartz at (708) 2055109.

PAST EVENTS Womens Week of Learning Malkie Eisenberg spoke about The Ultimate Mitzvah. Keren Bider of Shalva presented Healthy Relationships. Rabbi Ben Zion gave a book review of Out of the Depths by former Israeli Chief Rabbi Israel Meir Lau...On July 31 we had our annual Bonfire at Emily Oaks Nature Center...On August 5 we heard Dueling Pianos at Devonshire Park...Thanks to Larry, Joe and Ben Weinger, Carmella Bega, Larry Rosen, Brenda Kahn and Cookie Goldrich who served dinner at Cafe ARK on August 15th. GOOD & WELFARE Mazel Tov to: Yoni & Dr. Aliza Blumofe on the birth of a granddaughter, to Avner & Gitit Blumofe...Nasrin Kheradyar on the birth of a granddaughter, Lily Goldie, to Drs. David & Rinat Kheradyar...Oren Dragon on his marriage to Danielle Baranson. Mazel tov to Orens parents, Daniel & Debbie...Jeff & Judy Whisler on the birth of a granddaughter, Willow, to Josh & Sharona Whisler...Joyce Wankovsky on the birth of her grandson Michael...Steve and Sue Goldrich on the Bar Mitzvah of their son Josh. Mazal Tov to the grandparents Mrs. Jean Goldrich and Art & Cookie Goldrich. Refua Shleima to: Joe Fagan, Rebbetzin Saretta Lazovsky, Floyd Ruben, and Barbara Sachs. Condolences to: Dr. Aliza Blumofe on the loss of her father....Aron Lavon on the loss of his mother. Welcome to Skokie: Pamela & Mikael Salabi. Thank you to our recent Kiddush Sponsors: Milt & Shirley Sabin, Daniel & Debbie Dragon, Iris & Joe Fagan, Steve & Sue Goldrich and anonymous sponsors. Thank you to our recent Seudat Shlisheet Sponsors: Harvey & Miriam Schiller, Larry & Judy Weinger, Rabbi William Fertig, Rabbi Louis & Saretta Lazovsky, Marty & Sandy Miretzky and Steve & Sue Goldrich. DVAR TORAH Rosh Hashana - September 16-18. On Sunday evening, September 16th, we begin the Jewish New Year of 5773. We also begin the period known as the Aseret Yemay Teshuva, Ten Days of Repentance. A most solemn time, Rosh Hashana commemorates the anniversary of mankinds creation after the creation of the world six days earlier. During the two days of Rosh Hashana, G-d judges the entire world and inscribes the fate of all life. As Jews, we recite various prayers to express our aspirations, and we

eat many symbolic foods in hopes of bringing special blessings. During Rosh Hashanah, we observe the custom of Tashlich, in which we go to living bodies of water and recite prayers, thus symbolically casting off our sins, as well as to seek merit for the deeds of our forefather Abraham who, according to the Midrash, was forced to cross a sea in order to fulfill G-ds command to bring his son Isaac to Mount Moriah. A major focus of Rosh Hashana is the blowing of the shofar. One hundred kolot, or notes, blown during various portions of the service remind us of the Almightys coronation as King of the Universe, awaken our sleeping hearts from their lethargy to return to the Almighty and help us recount the story of Abraham sacrificing a ram in place of his son. Our sages teach us that the ashes of the ram of Isaac are maintained in a bag underneath the throne of Almighty G-d. Whenever the Jewish people are in danger of being punished by the Almighty, He looks at these ashes, remembers the actions of Abraham and Isaac and grants the Jewish people forgiveness and mercy. We pray for G-ds mercy and hope that we, like Isaac, will be spared. We also pray for forgiveness for the previous years transgressions and implore the Creator for a year where we will perform Mitzvot unstintingly, a year of good health, peace and prosperity on the merit of our teshuva repentance. And Repentance, Prayer and Charity remove the unfavorable judgement. Kesser Maariv Pushkas (Tzedaka Boxes) Are Available. Call the Office to pick one up. Tzom Gedaliah - Wednesday, September 19. The fast day of Tzom Gedaliah is on the day after Rosh Hashana. The fast commemorates the murder of Gedaliah ben Achikam, who was a Jewish leader appointed by our conquerors after the destruction of the First Temple in 586 B.C.E. With his assassination by one of his countrymen, Jews lost their stake in self-rule even in the Diaspora. The fast begins at 5:11 am and ends at 7:20 pm. Yom Kippur - September 25-26. Yom Kippur is the unique day of the year dedicated to forgiveness, mercy and conciliation between G-d and the Jewish people. This year it begins on Tuesday evening, September 25, with the ceremony of Kol Nidre, a prayer to annul any unfulfilled oaths or vows. Speech is the attribute that distinguishes man from the rest of the animal kingdom. Accordingly, we are very concerned with the punishments that may occur

````````````````Detach and return bottom portion along with your payment`````````````````````````````````` LULAV ORDER FORM Name:___________________________ E-mail: _______________________________Phone:_________________________ Number of Sets:__________ Total enclosed: $________ Price Per Set is $50.00 for members and $55.00 for non-members with deluxe $75 sets also available. My check in the amount of $ ____ is enclosed. Please call Ben Zion Lazovsky to make specific arrangements to pick up your set(s) which will be available after Yom Kippur.

for deliberate or accidental transgressions concerning our speech. The holiest day of the year, Yom Kippur, commemorates G-ds forgiveness of the Israelites, whose sin was the worship of the golden calf after they received the Ten Commandments. It is a day when we are commanded to shed our earthly limitations and aspire to emulate the angels. Accordingly, we abstain from eating, drinking, wearing leather shoes, using lotions, washing and marital relations. By observing these prohibitions, we transcend our physical existence and are elevated to a higher spiritual state, so we are better able to pray for ourselves, our loved ones, our families and for all of Israel. On Yom Kippur, G-d evaluates our actions during the Ten Days of Repentance and determines whether our actions were sincere or empty. On the merit of repentance, prayer and charity, we are able to avert the severe decree that may have been ordained during Rosh Hashanah. As we have been forgiven in the past through positive and sincere acts of repentance, may we be forgiven in the future. We pray for a new year filled with all of G-ds blessings for us, our extended families and for all our people. Sukkot begins Sunday evening, September 30, and continues through October 7. It commemorates the time when G-d took the Jewish people out of Egypt and housed them in the Annanei Hakavod - Clouds of Glory that protected the Jewish people; therefore we dwell in sukkot, or temporary huts. Sukkot is the holiday of perfection, completion and the Jewish peoples greatest joy. The first two days of Sukkot are known as yom tov (holidays) where most melechah (creative activity) is prohibited. They are followed by Chol Hamoed (Intermediate Days), which are hybrid, in that they have aspects of both holidays and regular week days. Sukkot is also called Chag Haasif - Festival of the Gathering, when we look back at the recently concluded growing season and take great pride in our achievements. However, even though Sukkot is a most joyous time, it is also a time of great spiritual danger. Jews must never believe that the great bounty and blessing bestowed upon them was achieved solely through their efforts, or that the bounty is the ultimate goal. It is the Almighty who bestows such abundance for the purpose of enabling our spiritual development and perfection. Accordingly, we leave our comfortable homes and make the succah our permanent dwelling for an entire week. We leave the abundance of harvest time to eat and sleep in the succah, which helps us remember the Exodus from Egypt and the seven Divine clouds which enveloped the Jewish people from the north, south, east, west, above, below and in front,

that sheltered us during our travels in the wilderness. By leaving our homes, we realize that unless the Divine presence is there to protect us, we are not safe even in the largest, most fortified castle. When eating in the succah, we invite seven Ushpizin or guests. These guests were the essential leaders of the Jewish people: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron and King David. We invite these guests because each represents one of the seven spiritual attributes needed to perfect our souls in service of the Creator. Jewish mysticism explains these characteristics to include: kindness, valor, splendor, eternity, glory, foundation, and kingship. Every day of Sukkot, with the exception of Shabbat, when they are not touched, one blessing is recited over the four species - the Etrog, Lulav, Hadasim and Aravot. The first time we take them on the holiday, we also recite Shehechiyanu. The four species are also used in the Hallel prayer, which is a prayer that praises and thanks the Almighty. Prior to the conclusion of the morning prayers, a Torah is taken out of the Ark and brought to the bimah - central podium. Congregants recite special prayers while holding the four species in their hands and make one complete Hakafa (revolution or circuit) around the Torah and Bimah in commemoration of the circuits that were made in the Temple. On the last of the intermediate days, known as Hoshanah Rabbah, seven circuits are made, after which willows are beaten on the floor to symbolize the end of the high holiday period of judgement. Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah October 7-9 At Sukkots end, Jews immediately celebrate the holidays of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. The Midrash, or Bible commentary, teaches that on Sukkot we are concerned with all humanity because in the Temple we offered 70 sacrifices during Sukkot, corresponding to the 70 nations of the world. However, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah is a holiday just for the Almighty and the Jewish people. The holidays remind us that material needs and wants are fleeting illusions; the realm of the spirit is the only true and permanent domain. We recite the Yizkor, or memorial prayer, during Shemini Atzeret to remember those who have gone before us and set out paths for us to follow. On Simchat Torah, Jews dance and rejoice with their entire being as we conclude the reading of the Torah, and then, immediately begin reading the Torah once again. In spite of tremendous adversity, oppression and exile, we have been promised that the Torah will always guard and protect us. Even if all else is taken away from the Jewish people, the Torah will always remain.

Order your Lulav & Etrog! Order form is on the back of this sheet.

SHABBAT & HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Date Ki Tavo Nitzavim 1st Day Rosh Hashana 2nd Day Rosh Hashana Vayelech (Shuva) Yom Kippur Haazinu 1st Day Sukkot 2nd Day Sukkot Shabbat Chol Hamoed Sukkot Shmini Atzeret Simchat Torah Breishit Noach Lech Lecha 9/7-9/8 9/14-9/15 9/16-9/17 9/17-9/18 9/21-9-22 9/25- 9/26 9/28-9/29 9/30-10/1 10/1-10/2 10/5-10/6 10/7-10/8 10/8-10/9 10/12-10/13 10/19-10/20 10/26-10/27 Candle Lighting 6:53 pm 6:41 pm 6:38 pm 7:38 pm 6:29 pm 6:22 pm 6:17 pm 6:13 pm 7:14 pm 6:05 pm 6:01 pm 7:02 pm 5:53 pm 5:42 pm 5:32 pm Erev Mincha 6:55 pm 6:40 pm 6:40 pm 6:40 pm 6:30 pm Mincha 2:30 pm Kol Nidrei 6:25 pm 6:20 pm 6:15 pm 6:15 pm 6:05 pm 6:05 pm 6:05 pm 5:55 pm 5:45 pm 5:35 pm Shacharit 8:45 am 8:45 am 8:30 am 8:30 am 8:45 am 8:00 am Yizkor 8:45 am 8:45 am 8:45 am 8:45 am 8:45 am Yizkor 8:45 am 8:45 am 8:45 am 8:45 am Shiur 5:40 pm 5:30 pm no shiur no shiur 4:50 pm Drasha no shiur 5:05 pm no shiur no shiur no shiur no shiur no shiur 4:45 pm 4:30 pm 4:20 pm Mincha 6:40 pm 6:30 pm 6:40 pm 6:40 pm 6:20 pm 5:30 pm Neila 6:30 6:05 pm 6:15 pm 6:15 pm 6:15 pm 6:05 pm 6:05 pm 5:45 pm 5:30 pm 5:20 pm

If you have a chiyuv - obligation to daven or require an Aliya, please inform Rabbi Lazovsky before Shabbat. To sponsor a kiddush or shalashudos, please call Judy Whisler at (847) 677-2281. WEEKDAY SCHEDULE Minyan Times Minyanim meet in the Kaufman Bais Midrash Shacharit Sunday: 8:00 am; Sept 16: 7:30 am (Erev RH) Monday-Friday: 6:00 am Sept 10-14: 5:45 am, Sept 19: 5:20 am Sept 20, 21, 24: 5:35 am, Sept 25: 5:50 am Mincha-Maariv Sunday-Thursday: 15 minutes before sundown Soon, we will have M-Th Maariv at 7:00 pm Classes Sunday Morning at 9:45 am: Parsha Class in the Weekly Sedra. Given by Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik Tuesdays after Maariv: Drush Or HaChayim by the Tiferes Yisrael on the Immortality of the Soul, given by Rabbi Ben Zion. For more learning opportunities, contact Rabbis B. or E. Lazovsky

Malamud Reference Library Come and Learn from any of the hundreds of titles in our library. Lending Library Members may borrow books from our Lending Library, located on the south side of the Social Hall. Tape Lending Library We have tapes and digital audio files on many topics including Chumash, Talmud and Mussar.

$@2" July 15, 2012 Dear Members and Friends: We hope this letter finds you well, and safely enjoying the summer. By now we hope you are familiar with the many programs and milestones that we have achieved since our arrival in Skokie. It is with great pleasure that we invite you, your family and friends to reserve your high holiday seats and worship with us for the upcoming New Year of - 5773. We are confident that the upcoming holiday services will be truly moving and meaningful. Selichot services will be held on Saturday night, September 8, 2012, at 11:00 p.m., at 4341 W. Golf in Skokie, with a special program and refreshments held at 10:00 p.m., immediately preceding the services. Please come, get acquainted with our congregation and allow us to welcome you and include you as part of our extended family. We will once again use the ArtScroll Machzor for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Membership and Ticket Rates Family Rate (2 tickets) $1000 $475 Single Rate (1 ticket) $525 $265 $525 $200 Additional Seat $200 $200 Dependent Child $75 $75 $200

Membership First Time Good Neighbor Tickets Tickets only, no membership

Friend of Kesser Maariv (no tickets or membership)

The membership rates have not increased in the past six years. To encourage new memberships this year, we will again waive the building fund obligation for new members. To serve you better, we accept payments of $500 and above by Visa, Master Card or Discover. If you have any further questions, please call Bob Greenstein at (847) 967-7408, Judy Whisler at (847) 677-2281, or the synagogue office at (847) 679-9800. The congregation and officers want to extend our warmest best wishes for a New Year filled with good health, peace, prosperity, and happiness to our members, worshipers, families and friends. Please tell your friends, neighbors and relatives about our shul, and encourage them to join us for the upcoming high holiday season. L'Shana Tova Tikatevu V'Tachatemu,

S vn Gld h tee o ric

L u A e L z vk ois ryh a osy

Steven Goldrich, President Rabbi Louis Aryeh Lazovsky ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Name: _______________________________________________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________________________________________ City, State & Zip Code: _________________________________________ Phone : __________________ E-mail: _______________________________________ and __________________________________________ Number of Men's Seats: _________________ Number of Boys Seats: __________________ Total Number of Seats: __________________ Number of Women's Seats: __________________________ Number of Girls Seats: _____________________________ Amount Enclosed : _________________________________.

Credit Card Payments: Name on Card_______________________ Amount to be charged: ________________ Card # _________-_________-_________-_________ Exp: ____ ____ 3-digit Security Code:__________