Thursday, December 24, 2020

 Membership only $145 per adult per year. No building fund. Includes High Holiday ticket. Best deal in the nation!!!

http://bnaichai.blogspot.com/p/membership.html

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Why Bnai Chai?

 

·         Warm, inviting, welcoming community?  

·         Very reasonable dues? 

·         No building fund?

·         "You will experience our rabbi,  who is familiar with all the denominational traditions, is learned and worldly, a great teacher, a wonderful storyteller, and most of all, he is a mensch." 

·         Services that are between traditional Reform and liberal Conservative in style, but not affiliated with any particular group? We also offer classes that examine traditions and how it applies to today

·         Fun outings

·          

 Looking for a Jewish community that is “just right”? Check out our Bnai Chai havurah. It’s our Chicagoland fellowship for Jews who meet regularly for Shabbat and holiday services, Jewish learning and social events. We are friends in a group that is more than a casual club but not a formal congregation. We don’t have or need a building or fancy facility. We are able to organize and support our activities easily at a very low cost.

We welcome members from any background. Our services are short, melodious and lively, traditional and modern, mixed Hebrew and English, rabbi-led with member participation. We are very lucky to have as our rabbi, Jonathan Ginsburg, who is familiar with all the denominational traditions, is learned and worldly, a great teacher, a wonderful storyteller and most of all, he is a mensch. Find out more and join us for a Shabbat service (now unfortunately just virtual).

   Try us out! Please join us for many of the festive, joyful, lively outings, with warmhearted people. 

Rabbis 800 Youtube videos

 Video courses on the Torah by book



Our Videos by parasha on youtube
Weekly Torah Portion
Introduction to the Torah JewU 154
is the Bible myth, legend, literal JewU315
Read the weekly Torah Portion JewU 257
Have a problem with a Biblical verse? JewU 161 

Genesis (Breisheet)
Breisheet
Voyager, Earth,100 million species & Genesis JewU 248
Creationism Evolution A Jewish View JewU 84
Torah Portion Breisheit Genesis JewU 58
Noah
Torah portion Noah and the flood JewU 60
Sputnik, Bears half-time speech and rainbows JewU 245
Noah, water-too much and too little JewU 247
Lech Lecha
Torah Portion Lech Lecha- Abraham's call JewU 61
Vayera
Torah Portion Vayera-the binding of Isaac JewU 62
Genesis 22 a close reading of the binding of IsaacJewU 193
Halloween, 3 visiting angels and their missions JewU 264
Chaye Sarah
Parashat Chaye Sareh JewU 272
Aging well -a Jewish view also parshat Chayai Sarah JewU 158
Improving marriages with Abraham Sarah example JewU 268
Toldot
Tunnels, Balfour, Kristallnacht, Nazis, Hamas JewU280
Parsha Toldot Isaac Genesis 25 JewU277
Vayetze
Parashat Veyetze Jacob's dream, ladder,angels JewU283
Vayishlach
vayishla Jacob wrestles and gets renamed Israel JewU285
God was on Jacob's side as Jacob wrestlesd himself JewU292
Vayeshev
In a pit or jail? How was Joseph sustained JewU299
Miketz
Parashat Miketz Genesis 41 10/54 portions JewU302
Forgiveness and the Joseph stories JewU298
Vayigash
Parashat Vayigash Joseph meets his JewU303
Vayechi
Parshat Veyehi Jacob meets his grandsons 12/54 JewU 313
Exodus (Shmot)
Shmot
Intro to the book of Shmote Exodus JewU336
Parasha Shmote Exodus ch.1 13/54 JewU327
Vaera
Parshat Vaera in Exodus 14/54 JewU333
Bo
Parashat Bo 15/54 Exodus 10 JewU340
Bishalah
Is the Exodus from slavery true Shmot 13/54 JewU314
Yitro
Ten Commandments JewU 22
Mishpatim
Parashat Mishpatim 18/54 Ex. 21 JewU 356
Capital Punishment Death Penalty from a Jewish View JewU 54
Abortion from a Jewish perspective JewU 53
Trumah
Parashat Trumah 19/54 Building the Sanctuary JewU 358
Tetzaveh
Parasha Tetzaveh Exodus 27 Ner Tamid Priests JewU 365
Oh God light my fire-the ner tamid in Judaism JewU 371
Clothes make the man-what the High Priest wore JewU 370
Kee Teesa
Parashat kee Teesa shekel golden calf forgiveness JewU373
Vayakhel
Parashat Vayakhel 22/54 Shabbat rest/giving/ JewU 378
Pikudei
Torah is the coach JewU 387
Parashat Pikudei ends Exodus JewU 385

Leviticus (Vayikra)
Vayikra
Sacrifices and Judaism-parashat vayikra JewU 28
Tzav
Cohenim Priests In Judaism-also parashat tzav JewU 29
Shemenei
Kosher 101 JewU 8
More on Kosher-lists of yes and no JewU 253
Tazria mezora
Torah portion Tazria Mezora Dvar Torah speech ethics JewU 56
Kedoshim
Torah portion Kedoshim-Love thy neighbor as thyself JewU 79

Emor
Origins of Jewish holidays JewU 38
Behar Behukotai
Behar Behukotai Torah portion Sabbatical, Jubilee JewU 87 32-33/54

Numbers (Bamidbar)
Bamidbar Torah Portion first in Numbers 
Torah portion Naso Explained-Priestly benediction JewU 52
Torah Portion Behaalotcha Numbers 8-12:16 JewU 95
Torah Portion Sh'lah l'kha-the spies JewU 63
Torah Portion Korach -Debate ok? JewU 111
Torah portion Parah /Hukkat JewU 7
Torah portion Balak-May tovu How goodly thy tents JewU 51
What we learn from the daughters of Zelophad JewU 157
Torah Portion Pinhas dvar Torah JewU 50
Torah Portion Matot Masei ends Numbers JewU 148

Deuteronomy (Dvarim)
Intro to Devarim-Deuteronomy JewU 160
Parashat Shoftim Judges JewU 184
Ki Teze
Don't make a mess in God's Camp JewU 197
Deuteronomy 21-25 Kiteze 1 JewU 195
Deuteronomy 21-25 Kiteze 2 JewU 196
Parashat Ki Tovo-Optimistic future depends on "If"JewU 205
The Bible says "Be strong and of good courage" JewU 218
Parashat Netzavim- Free will, JewU 213


Videos for by topic

 God 

OO    Our Holy books

Christianity and Judaism

Theology

Denominations
Ritual items


Prayer

History

Sabbath

Holidays

kashrut

peoplehood

anti semitism and the Holocaust.
Israel


Life cycle

Annual Tu b'Shvat Seder celebration

 watch for updated details for 2021


What is it?  
The 15th of Shevat on the Jewish calendar—is the day that marks the beginning of a “new year” for trees, according to the Talmud.. Commonly known as Tu Bishvat, this day marks the season in which the earliest-blooming trees in the Land of Israel emerge from their winter sleep and begin a new fruit-bearing cycle. We mark the 15th of Shevat by eating fruit, particularly from the kinds that are singled out by the Torah in its praise of the bounty of the Holy Land:
The “classical” fruits are the seven species described in Deuteronomy 8:8, “a land of wheat and barley, of vines [grapes], figs, and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and dates].
Tu BiShvat seder is a festive meal featuring fruits in honor of the Holiday.
During the Middle Ages or possibly a little before that, this day started to be celebrated with a minor ceremony of eating fruits, since the Mishnah called it "Rosh Hashanah" ("New Year"), and that was later understood as being a time appropriate for celebration. The seder was an innovation of the kabbalist mystics of Safed.

What will we do to celebrate?
Everyone who comes should bring either main or dish or dessert including one or more of the above foods: wheat, barley (can even be beer!), grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, dates. carob and almonds are also associated with the holiday.  For kashrut purposes, no meat, poultry or forbidden seafood.
We will have a Tu Bishvat SEDER, along the lines of a Passover seder, with readings, songs and great fun.
RSVP to bnaichai@gmail.com or call or text 847 331 3584 to coordinate food. 

Chanukah Party and services

 Special Chanukah Shabbat service/singing/Menorah lighting/learning about the true story and meaning. Contact bnaichai@gmail.com for updated details


ANNUAL CHANUKAH PARTY!! Cancelled 2020 because of the virus



PLACE:  RISE N. DINE PANCAKE CAFE,  102 S. MILWAUKEE AVE, WHEELING

We will start the festivities at 1;30pm on Sunday Dec 22

We are going to have a grab bag. Men bring men gifts, ladies bring ladies gifts. A wrapped gift of $15 would be perfect.

There is no obligation to participate, but the gift giving has been lots of fun!! Just coming for lunch is ok too.

We will order off the menu. No set price

We need to RSVP to Elaine Kirschbaum by December 11.


Her phone number is 847-564-5295

THANKS TO ELAINE AND JERRY FOR HOSTING

We had a great time last year. You don't want to miss it.



Monthly Pot-Luck Shabbat Dinner postponed until after virus

 Monthly  Shabbat Dinner  all postponed until after virus



Dairy/Parve/Healthy Shabbat Dinner at Rabbi Ginsburg’s 6:30-?
We’ll celebrate shabbat, eat great food, schmooze, sing and have a great Heimish (warm and friendly)  Shabbat time!
Sign up with Rabbi G. to bring one of the below items. Please RSVP with any allergies or restrictions in diet. We will label, if there is an allergen in any of the dishes.

1.     2 challot
2.      entrĂ©e
3.      salad
4.      side dish vegys like broccoli, cauliflower, green beans,  quinoa/potato/rice/lentils type dish
5.     Desserts (easy on the refined sugar please) like fruit, healthy cookies etc.

Dairy/Parve means NO Meat, Poultry, or forbidden seafood, (regular fish ok) If in doubt, ask me.
RSVP with how many and what type dish to: email bnaichai@gmail.com or text 847 331 3584 or call with questions

Bring your Bnai Chai name tags  if you have them. Ask for directions to my place if you don't know it!!!

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

About us

 Looking for a Jewish community that is “just right”? Check out our Bnai Chai havurah. It’s our Chicagoland fellowship for Jews who meet regularly for Shabbat and holiday services, Jewish learning and social events. We are friends in a group that is more than a casual club but far less onerous than a formal congregation. We don’t have or need a building or fancy facility. We are able to organize and support our activities easily at a very low cost.

We welcome members from any background. Our services are short, melodious and lively, traditional and modern, mixed Hebrew and English, rabbi-led with member participation. We are very lucky to have as our rabbi, Jonathan Ginsburg, who is familiar with all the denominational traditions, is learned and worldly, a great teacher, a wonderful storyteller and most of all, he is a mensch. Find out more and join us for a Shabbat service (now unfortunately just virtual).


  • Everyone is welcome to our Jewish community.
  • Our goal is to help people to Live, Love, Learn Jewishly.
  • We are a chavarah (fellowship) of like-minded people, that join together, as a family, for the purpose of sharing Shabbat, prayer services, and Jewish learning.
  • Low dues. No building fund.
  • Shabbat services are 45 minutes followed by an intimate discussion of Jewish subjects.
  • Services are between traditional Reform and liberal Conservative in style, but not affiliated with any particular group.