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Am Yisrael Chai

02/28/2025 07:07:01 AM

Feb28

Rabbi Weill

February 20, 2025

Dear Friends,

Today Israel received four bodies from Gaza. It is likely that three of them are the bodies of Shiri Bibas and her precious children, Ariel and Kfir, nine months old and four years old at the time of Hamas's terrorist onslaught on October 7. Husband and father Yarden Bibas was released alive two weeks ago. 

Somber citizens holding Israeli flags lined...Read more...

02/21/2025 12:51:35 AM

Feb21

February 13, 2025

Dear Friends,

We recited "Yona Betzalel Brief" every day for more than a year after October 7, 2023, when Yona risked his safety to save his fellow soldiers from the terrorist onslaught. We recited psalms for Yona and held a special healing service for him. We raised funds for other wounded soldiers in Yona's honor. When he died at 24 years old, we grieved.   

Read more...

A Prayer For Our New Board of Trustees

02/18/2025 12:42:30 AM

Feb18

Cantor Gale

January 9, 2025

Read more...

Parashat Vayigash

01/12/2025 11:01:15 PM

Jan12

Cantor Gale

January 2, 2025

Dear Friends,

This year we celebrate the final days of Chanukah and the secular New Year together. This rare confluence of Chanukah, the celebration of dedication to Jewish life and values, and the secular New Year, a time of universal renewed hope for humankind may find some meaning in this week’s parasha.

Parashat Vayigash documents Joseph’s...Read more...

Happy Hannukah!

01/06/2025 09:53:25 PM

Jan6

Cantor Gale

December 19, 2024

Dear Friends,

This week Jewish communities all over the world are celebrating the joyous festival of Hanukkah. We all are familiar with the story of Hanukkah. In 167 B.C.E. the evil Seleucid forces of King Antiochus defiled the Holy Temple of Jerusalem. Replacing the ritual objects of the Temple with statues of Zeus and other pagan artifacts, Antiochus planned to have the...Read more...

Annual Message

12/24/2024 11:46:17 PM

Dec24

Rabbi Weill

December 5, 2024

Dear Friends,

We at Ezra-Habonim, the Niles Township Jewish Congregation lift each other up during difficult times and rejoice with each other during happy times. This may sound trite, but it is true. EHNT is a community.

We have needed each other during this last challenging year. Antisemitism has risen. Israel is fighting a multi-front war. All Jews...Read more...

"Chayei Sarah"

12/11/2024 01:27:45 AM

Dec11

Rabbi Weill

November 21, 2024

Dear Friends,

In "Chayei Sarah", this week's Torah portion, Abraham purchases the Cave of Machpelah, which is where he buries Sarah. 

He and Sarah arrived in the Promised Land years earlier, but this transaction conferred to Abraham formal ownership of real estate upon it.

The land is integral to God's covenant with the Jewish people. Note...Read more...

We're All In This Together

11/25/2024 12:17:32 AM

Nov25

Rabbi Weill

November 7, 2024

Dear Friends,

What a week. Some are despondent and some elated. But we’re all in this together. Let’s keep the following in mind:

Be united. Friends do not become enemies when they vote for candidates we oppose. People choose parties and candidates for all sorts of reasons. Diverse political opinions are represented within our congregation. We can still sit together...Read more...

A Holiday Message

11/10/2024 09:33:53 PM

Nov10

Rabbi Weill

October 23, 2024

Dear Friends,

I am so pleased that we at Ezra-Habonim, the Niles Township Jewish Congregation gathered throughout this holiday season. From the first musical notes of Selichot to our deep silent prayers on Yom Kippur to the seventh dance around the sanctuary on Simchat Torah, we were together. It’s been a blessing.

I am also acutely aware that this was the most difficult holiday season in many...Read more...

Embracing Hope and Celebration in 5785

10/30/2024 02:25:35 AM

Oct30

Rabbi Weill

September 26, 2024

Dear Friends,

We have always known about the horrors of Jewish history from books, movies, and museums. On October 7 we realized that those horrors are not historic or distant. They possess a shocking immediacy in our own lives.

The year 5784 was difficult. There has been so much sadness, so many assaults, so much hatred, so much confusion.

And...Read more...

Ki Tavo

09/29/2024 06:47:18 PM

Sep29

Rabbi Weill

September 19, 2024

Dear Friends,

Moses commands us twice in Ki Tavo, this week’s Torah portion, to rejoice in the fulfillment of mitzvot. How might we do this?

The performance of all commandments is considered joyful. Of course, we rejoice especially on our holidays like Shabbat (“day of gladness), Sukkot (“season of our rejoicing”), Simchat Torah (“Rejoicing...Read more...

Clarity

09/23/2024 01:21:55 AM

Sep23

Rabbi Weill

September 13, 2024

Dear Friends,

Everything gets muddled up. That’s not the most optimistic observation about life, but there’s truth to it, particularly as far as our perspectives are concerned. I often feel like I vacillate between clarity and confusion. This olam hafuch - upside down world - contributes to the confusion. 

But on Rosh Hashanah, the world is born...Read more...

Rosh Hashanah Message

09/17/2024 11:59:11 PM

Sep17

Rabbi Weill

September 10, 2024

Dear Friends,

October 7 and its aftermath have colored so many aspects of our lives. It has placed on our laps an awful brew of violence, hatred, and opprobrium. We enter the High Holiday season with heaviness in our hearts.

Yet we also enter the holidays with a spark of hope, for we are welcoming a new year.

We Jews are stubbornly hopeful. Hope is inherent in everything Jewish thing we do:...Read more...

From DNC Convention speech by Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s parents

09/10/2024 09:35:03 PM

Sep10

Rabbi Weill

Dear Friends,

At this moment, one hundred and nine treasured human beings are being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. They are Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. … The youngest hostage is a one-year old red-headed baby boy and the oldest is an eighty-six year old mustachioed grandpa. Among the hostages are eight American citizens. One of those Americans is our only son. His name is...Read more...

We Pray For The Hostages

08/25/2024 05:10:08 PM

Aug25

Rabbi Weill

August 8, 2024

Dear Friends,

President Yitzhak Herzog addresses Jews around the world in the powerful video message linked below. I appreciate that President Herzog, who always speaks from the heart and without bluster, mentions the recent fifth birthday of red-headed Ariel Bibas, who was taken hostage with his parents and little brother Kfir on October 7. If you have ever harbored doubts as to the inhumanity...Read more...

Shabbat Morning - An Analysis of the Current Events in Israel

08/12/2024 12:39:34 AM

Aug12

Rabbi Weill

August 1, 2024

Dear Friends,

Events in Israel have unfolded rapidly and alarmingly: Hezbollah’s horrific killing of twelve Israeli children in the Golan; the assassinations of leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah; the escalation of violence in the north; Iranian threats against Israel.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave his fourth address to a joint session of...Read more...

Adult Education

08/02/2024 04:18:19 AM

Aug2

Rabbi Weill

July 11th, 2024

Dear Friends,

I have led my classes -- Torah & Haftarah: The Weekly Reader and Wisdom of the Sages -- since shortly after last High Holiday season. These classes will continue through July until taking a short break.

Learning together is extraordinarily fruitful for all. As we read during just this morning's class, "Who is wise? It is the one who learns from all...Read more...

Happy Independence Day!

07/15/2024 02:17:59 AM

Jul15

Rabbi Weill

July 3rd, 2024

Dear Friends,

This Saturday morning we will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Drs. George and Veronika Urban! The Urbans have been good friends and dedicated members of EHNT for many years. I am so pleased they are celebrating their simcha in the midst of our synagogue family.

 

Veronika and George came to America from...Read more...

Erev Shavout -- Tuesday Night The Big Question: Evolution And Revelation

06/12/2024 09:00:39 PM

Jun12

Rabbi Weill

June 6th, 2024

Dear Friends,

How do we understand revelation in relation to evolution of species and of the universe? Are religion and science compatible? Do they contradict or complement each other? These are the great conundrums facing religious people in the modern world. On Tuesday evening, Erev Shavuot, we will explore these questions with two scientists in our community, Dr. Trudy R. Turner and Dr....Read more...

"The Joy of Music" 

06/06/2024 10:38:37 PM

Jun6

Rabbi Weill

May 23rd, 2024

Dear Friends,

"Somewhere there's music. How faint the tune." Well, that somewhere is here at EHNT, and the tune is not so faint! We are making and enjoying music all the time.

 

Last Friday night, more than 100 congregants enjoyed a Shabbat dinner with a sing-along by our Shireinu choir, followed by a Koleinu service, featuring folk-rock...Read more...

"Israel Independence Day"

05/23/2024 04:35:28 PM

May23

Rabbi Weill

May 9th, 2024

Dear Friends,

To celebrate Israel's independence and to honor those who perished in its defense, we will be very fortunate this Monday evening to be joined by Hilik Wald. Hilik was the wonderful guide of EHNT's 2016 and 2023 trips to Israel. Besides being knowledgeable, he brings the gift of insight, honesty, and charm. 

Please join us for a special maariv minyan at 7...Read more...

"Yom Ha’Shoah" 

05/13/2024 01:58:52 AM

May13

Rabbi Weill

May 6th, 2024

Dear Friends,

Today is Yom Ha’Shoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. Some have compared today’s anti-Semitism on American and European campuses to the devastating tragedy against our people 80 years ago in Europe. 

I understand the temptation to make such comparisons. Yes, we are living during fretful times. I am relieved...Read more...

"Od Tirei" 

05/08/2024 11:26:14 PM

May8

Rabbi Weill

April 18th, 2024

Dear Friends,

Od tirei, od tirei kama tov yihiyeh ba'shanah ha'ba'ah

You will see, you will yet see how good it will be!

So goes the catchy Pesach song, capturing the ultimate hope of our holiday of liberation. May we sing it with a fervent hope that we will indeed see that next year will be good, very good, for us,...Read more...

"Bernie Black"

04/19/2024 10:25:57 AM

Apr19

Rabbi Weill

Dear Friends,

Bernie Black, EHNT congregant and Northwestern University professor, offered a compelling presentation at our Shabbat services a few weeks ago about what he had learned from his recent long stay in Israel. Bernie teaches law each year at Tel Aviv University and the University of Haifa.

He offered an expanded version of that presentation at Northwestern last week at an event sponsored by the Jewish Law Students...Read more...

"Brothers for Life"

04/11/2024 08:32:26 PM

Apr11

Rabbi Weill

Dear Friends,

Many of you know that Yona Brief, the grandson of Rabbi Neil Brief z"l, was severely wounded while defending a kibbutz on October 7. Yona has been in the ICU since that horrific day.

Yona fought heroically against those who believe Israel has no right to exist and who sought, in an act of complete evil, to murder as many Jews as they could. We owe Yona and so many others our...Read more...

"True Wisdom Comes From Humility and Openness" 

03/23/2024 12:10:26 PM

Mar23

Rabbi Weill

Dear Friends,

Generations of bar mitzvah boys have proclaimed "Today I am a man." It is hard to imagine any 13-year-old boy as a real man. But in this week's Torah portion, God identifies Bezalel as the Israelite who will oversee the building of the tabernacle and, according to Talmud, he was only 13 years old!

When I was 13, I couldn't finish building a sturdy Lincoln Log cabin -- and Bezalel was the general contractor...Read more...

"We Stand With Israel" 

03/03/2024 09:16:57 PM

Mar3

Rabbi Weill

Dear Friends,

Several congregants have recently been to or will soon be in Israel. Some have volunteered, some have taught, and others have just wanted to be there. In all cases, they are showing solidarity with the Jewish state during this perilous, tragic time. 

At Shabbat services this Saturday morning, Beth Farber and Robin Richman will discuss their recent volunteer experiences in...Read more...

"Remembering Rabbi Brief" 

02/16/2024 03:42:57 PM

Feb16

Rabbi Weill

February 1st, 2024

Dear Friends,

Rabbi Neil Brief passed away last Shabbat morning. This has been a sad week for Ezra-Habonim, the Niles Township Jewish Congregation.

Rabbi Brief began serving this congregation on July 1, 1971. Since then, 2744 weeks have passed. Those numbers (2 + 7 + 4 + 4) equals 17, the date in the month of Shevat on which Rabbi Brief passed away.

Read more...

"Let's Welcome Our New Board!"

02/01/2024 04:46:56 PM

Feb1

Rabbi Weill

Dear Friends,

The Hebrew Bible can be read as a study of leadership models – what works well and what does not, what is holy and what is not.

After making our way through the stories of our patriarchs and matriarchs in Genesis, we read about the development of Moses in the books of Exodus through Deuteronomy. Other leaders follow. We learn about Joshua and about judges, like Samson, Deborah...Read more...

"Bring Them Home!"

01/19/2024 02:13:28 PM

Jan19

Rabbi Weill

Dear Friends,

Murdered Israelis; wounded Israelis; the rape of Israeli women and girls; fallen Israeli soldiers; the deaths of innocent Gazans; the rise of Palestinian terrorism in the West Bank, the violence and harassment by Jewish “hilltop youth” toward Palestinians; the rise of antisemitism globally, including on campuses some of our children attend.

And, of course, the...Read more...

Tue, March 18 2025 18 Adar 5785