24 Years in Skokie! 151 Years Serving Chicagoland!
THE BETH HAMEDROSH HAGODOL
KESSER MAARIV ANSHE LUKNIK NEWSLETTER
TISHREI / CHESHVAN 5779
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2018
Stay Updated on Facebook @KesserMaariv Twitter @Kesser Maariv
UPCOMING EVENTS & DATES TO REMEMBER
A Little Bit About Kesser Maariv
Welcome to Kesser Maariv. Our full name is Beth Hamedrosh
Hagodol Kesser Maariv Anshe Luknik. We have a long name
reflective of our long history. Our first minyan took place in
Chicago in 1865, and Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol officially
opened in 1867 in downtown Chicago. Eventually the Shul
moved to the West Side, and we have several congregants who
celebrated their Bar Mitzvah at that site. After several
mergers, in the 1950s BHH moved to East Rogers Park when
it merged with Kesser Maariv. Due to shifting demographics,
Kesser Maariv sold their building in East Rogers Park in 1989,
determined to continue in a new neighborhood. In the
following years, High Holiday services were held in West
Rogers Park.
In 1993, we held High Holiday services in Skokie, and we
were able to purchase our current property in Skokie. Regular
minyanim began in an existing farmhouse on December 31,
1993. In autumn 1999 the first phase of our building was
completed, consisting of the Social Hall and kitchens. The
second phase of the Main Sanctuary and Bais Midrash were
completed in 2004.
Leadership
Rabbi Louis Lazovsky has been Rabbi of Kesser Maariv since
1984, when he succeeded Rabbi Zev Wein, who retired.
Rabbi Lazovsky has served the Jewish community in many
capacities for over 40 years, including leading educational
programs and organizations to benefit immigrants and the
underprivileged.
In January 2011 the Board of Directors appointed Rabbi Ben
Zion Lazovsky to serve as Associate Rabbi in addition to
serving as Executive Director.
Our Davening
For the High Holidays, we use the ArtScroll Machzor. Thanks
to the generosity of Bob & Sheryl Greenstein, we have many
Machzorim available for use.
We have a live auction of aliyas on Rosh Hashana, Yom
Kippur and Simchas Torah. This practice is mentioned in the
Shulchan Aruch, the Code of Jewish Law. The auction is
conducted immediately prior to taking out the Torah.
Yizkor Appeal
There is an ancient custom, mentioned in the Talmud, that
even those who have passed away need atonement. How can
those souls, who are no longer on this earth, achieve
atonement? The Talmud says that charity should be given on
their behalf. Accordingly, Kesser Maariv has a live Yizkor
Appeal. If you would like to have your pledge announced at
the beginning of the appeal, please contact Rabbi Ben Zion
before Yom Tov and make your pledge before Yom Tov. For
those who would like to make a private pledge, see Rabbis
Ben Zion or Eli to make a matan b’seser.
www.KesserMaariv.org
Shiurim at KesserMaariv.pododmatic.com áñØã
High Holidays 5779 & Memberships
Rosh Hashana will begin Sunday night
September 9, and Yom Kippur will be
Tuesday evening and Wednesday September
18th and 19th. Membership information is
enclosed!
We will recite Yizkor on Yom Kippur, Wednesday
September 19th at about 11:30 am, and on Shmini Atzeret,
Monday, October 1st at about 10:30 am. For information
about ordering Yahrzeit plaques, please call the office at
(847) 679-9800.
Lulav and Etrog Sets - Deadline September 12
The shul will once again sell top quality Lulav sets
from Israel. Please order your set from the office
by September 14th. Cost per set is $50 for members
or $55 for non-members Upgraded sets available.
Please call Rabbi Benzie at (847) 679-9800 or
email bhhkmal@yahoo.com . Sets will be
available for pick-up after Yom Kippur. Order
Form is later in this newsletter.
Shabbat Shuva Shiur
On Shabbat September 15th Rabbi Louis Lazovsky will
deliver his annual special Shabbat Shuva shiur in lieu of the
Shabbat afternoon class at 5:00 pm.
Kids Sukkah Party!
All kids are invited to a Sukkah Party on Shabbat Sukkot
(September 29) at 4:40 pm at the Shul.
Hakafot on Simchat Torah
Hakafot will be held on Monday evening and Tuesday
morning, October 1st and 2nd.
Rabbi Juzint’s Nechamas Meyer & Chain of Miracles
Get authentic Slabodka Mussar explanations on the weekly
Parsha (Breishis & Shemos) by Rabbi Meyer Juzint z”l,
Purchase from the office and on our website for $25. The
Chain of Miracles, which describes how Rabbi Juzint was
saved by Divine Providence many times during the
Holocaust, is available for $20. Rabbi Juzint’s yahrzeit is
the second day of Sukkot.
Parsha Podcasts - For High Holidays!
Rabbi Louis Lazovsky's morning Vorts on the Parsha are
available as podcasts at KesserMaariv.podomatic.com (a
link is on our homepage, www.KesserMaariv.org). We are
currently posting Rabbi Lazovsky’s podcasts on the entire
Rambam Hilchos Teshuva in 33 sub-5-minute chunks.
Facebook: Fb.me/Kesser Maariv Twitter: @KesserMaariv
Stop By the Shul to...
•Pick up a Kesser Maariv Pushke (Tzedaka Box). If you
have a full Kesser Maariv Pushke, please call or text Aron
Lavon at 773-418-2766, and he will pick it up. Pushkes
are available from the office during the week.
•Borrow books from our Lending Library, located on the
south side of the Social Hall (for members only).
•Borrow Shiurim from the Tape Lending Library
•Study from books in the Malamud Reference Library and
the Max Katz Memorial Library.
E-mail List
To receive our emails, please send an e-mail to
bhhkmal@yahoo.com indicating that you wish to be placed
on the e-mail list. We are happy to have more than one e-
mail per family
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. Students in
grades 3-6, enrolled in a day or afternoon school, who have
finished paying their annual membership to the shul are
eligible to participate. For additional details, a registration
kit or to enroll your child(ren) for the first time, please
contact Ben Zion Lazovsky at (847) 679-9800. Josh
Goldrich and Netanel Fensterheim used SKIP funds for
Israel experiences in the past year.
Misheberach List
If you have names for a misheberach, please send them to
the shul office or e-mail to bhhkmal@yahoo.com.
Mark a special occasion, milestone or memory with
Congregation B.H.H. Kesser Maariv A.L.
4341 W. Golf
Skokie, IL 60076 Fb.me/KesserMaariv
(847) 679-9800 twitter.com/KesserMaariv
fax (847) 679-5041 KesserMaariv.podomatic.com
e-mail: bhhkmal@yahoo.com
www.KesserMaariv.org
Rabbi Louis A. Lazovsky
Steven D. Goldrich, President
Rabbi Ben Zion Lazovsky,
Associate Rabbi & Executive Director
Sandy Miretzky, Nasrin Kheradyar & Saretta Lazovsky,
Co-Presidents, Adele Goldblum Women’s Council
Committee Contact Information:
Happy Day Cards Saretta Lazovsky
(847) 676-0556 or lazovsky@juno.com
Chesed Fund Anne Elovic (847) 673-2904
Donate Books & Siddurim Office
(847) 679-9800 or bhhkmal@yahoo.com
Endowment Rabbi Louis Lazovsky
Pushke Aron Lavon (773) 418-2766
Kiddush & Seudat Shlisheet Judy Whisler
Membership 8/677-2281 j5awhisler@aol.com
a leaf, acorn or foundation stone on our Etty Rubinow
Tree of Life! Forms are online or in the Shul.
Happy Day Cards & Standings
Beautiful All-Occasion Cards (designed by Wendy Hartz
z“l) are available for purchase from the office.
PAST EVENTS
Skokie First responders Kiddush - We thank the many
families for sponsoring a huge kiddush in honor of first
responders. About 15 police, ambulance personnel, and
firefighters joined us.
Annual Meeting - On August 28 we discussed our many
important accomplishments and voted in a new board. The
officers were all reelected. May Hashem
allow us to continue offering many
programs and services to the community.
New Year Greeting Card - Thanks to
Sheryl Greenstein for organizing the
lovely card which is posted in the lobby.
ADELE GOLDBLUM
WOMEN’S COUNCIL
After Sukkot we will announce our
membership event.
Past Events
July Women's Seudat Shlisheet. Sandra Cagan spoke on
“Noah’s Ark was Just a Start: Animal Welfare and the
Torah.” In late July Dr. Malka Miller spoke about
“Practicing Mindfulness to Make the Most Out of Life’s
Journeys,” and in August Lily Cherny spoke about her
recent Jewish trip to Eastern Europe.
Summer Bonfire in late July 25 at Emily Oaks Nature
Center was a lot of fun. Thanks to musician Miriam
Brousseau for entertaining, and to Julie Rosenheim for
leading Bonfire Yoga.
Serve Dinner at Café Ark in August - Thanks to Brenda
Kahn, Sharon Friedman, Carmella Bega, Larry Stein and
Floyd Ruben for serving, and to Cookie Goldrich for
coordinating.
GOOD & WELFARE
Thanks to our Kiddush Sponsors: Yoni & Aliza Blumofe;
Larry & Judy Weinger; Sandy & Jeff Cagan; and
anonymous sponsors.
Thanks to our Seudat Shlisheet Sponsors: Sharon
Friedman; Steve & Susan Goldrich; Cookie Goldrich; The
Kipnis-Kucher-Cheskis family; Samuel & Sofia Gabay;
Aron Lavon; and anonymous sponsors.
Mazal Tov to: Leon & Anna Vilinskiy on the
birth of a daughter, Shaina Ruth...Evelyne
Sternfeld on the birth of a great- grandson,
Shlomo Feivel Rosenberg, in Israel...Myra
Goldstein on the Bnot Mitzvah of her
granddaughters Mira Babani and Baylee
Ashkenazy...Fredi & Craig Weiss on the
birth of a granddaughter...Marty & Sandy
Miretzky on the birth of a granddaughter, Shana Liba, born
to Eitan & Chaya Sarah.
Welcome to the Neighborhood: Susan Schreck Greer &
family.
Refua Shleima to: Bella Perlman, Alvin J. Goodman, Alan
Slodki.
Condolences to: Naomi Landes Stern on the loss of her
husband, Rabbi Harold Stern.
Nate Serlin on the loss of his brother Alan Serlin.
Dr. Eugene Chez on the loss of his brother Jerry Chez.
Rent the Shul for Your Simcha
For information regarding renting
the Social Hall for your event, please
call Ben Zion Lazovsky at the Shul
office at (847) 679-9800. Also, book
you child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah in the
Shul calendar! Contact Judy
Whisler at j5awhisler@aol.com
Brief Laws of the Month of Tishrei - 2018 / 5779
On Rosh Hashana night after we come home from
shul we make Kiddush with Shehechiyanu. After hamotzi,
many have the custom to eat an apple dipped in honey, as
well as other symbolic foods. Please note that despite what
the Machzor says, it is proper to make the bracha Ha'eitz on
dates (or pomegranates if you don't eat dates) and eat them
before eating the apple dipped in honey.
As Rosh Hashana is the beginning of our Judgement,
we start davening early as we add special prayers describing
G-d as King. In the morning we read in the Torah about G-d
remembering Sarah and in the haftorah how He remembered
Chana (mother of the prophet Samuel) hoping that G-d will
remember us for good. We blow the Shofar, which is the
special mitzvah of Rosh Hashana, and the special Mussaf we
mention Biblical verses accepting G-d as King, about G-d
remembering people for good, and about Shofar blasts. After
Shul we have Yom Tov meals at home. Some have the
custom to say Tashlich at a body of water.
Monday afternoon we daven Mincha and Maariv.
Candle lighting is not before 7:52 pm, which is the earliest
time to prepare and warm food for that night's meal. We do
recite Shehicyanu at candle lighting and kiddush (some have
a custom to have a new fruit for the second night). The
second day is like the first, except we read about the Binding
of Yitzchak (Akeidah).
During the 10 Days of Repentance culminating with
Yom Kippur we repent for our actions from the previous
year, commit to not repeating them, and do as many good
deeds and give as much Tzedaka as possible. We also make
several changes to Shmone Esray.
On Erev Yom Kippur we have a mitzvah to eat, in
order to strengthen ourselves for the fast. We daven Mincha
early with the Viduy confession, as Rambam says one may
choke while eating out of the fear and dread of Yom Kippur.
We gather at Shul before sunset for Kol Nidrei. On Yom
Kippur we abstain from eating, drinking, wearing leather
shoes, using lotions, creams, ointments or perfumes, washing
past the knuckle and marital relations. After Yom Kippur we
make Havdala over wine, candle and the last bracha of
Havdala.
After breaking our fast there is a custom to
immediately do more mitzvot, so some begin building their
Sukkah, or at least gathering its pieces.
Sukkot has two
special mitzvot associated
with it - the Four species
(Lulav, Etrog, Hadas, Arava)
and eating in the Sukkah.
The Lulav is the tallest of the
species; we hold it with its spine (the darker green vertical
line) towards us, with the three hadasim on the right (as we
look at the lulav) and the two aravot on the left.
On the first night of Sukkot, we make Kiddush, the
bracha “Leisheiv Basukkah,” then Shehichaynu. While we
are exempt from eating in a Sukkah in the rain, on the first
night there is a special mitzvah to eat in the Sukkah and if it
rains we wait out the storm, even until midnight. (Remember
Yaaleh Veyavo in Birkat Hamazon.)
The first day we make kiddush, leisheiv basukah,
wash, hamotzi and eat a Yom Tov meal. During Sukkot
whenever we eat any mezonos or hamotzi food in the Sukkah
we make the Bracha “Leishev Basukkah.”
The second night we may not light candles or
prepare for that night's meal before 7:27 pm. We make
Kiddush, then shehechiyanu, then Leisheiv Basukah
(different than the first night) and have a Yom Tov meal.
During Sukkot G-d decides how much rain we will
have for the year (which will water the crops, ensuring our
food needs are met). In the Beit Hamikdash, there was a
special water-drawing ceremony called the Simchat Beit
Hasho'eivah, which was the most joyous ceremony all year in
the Beit Hamikdash. In our community we find some
Simchat Beit Hasho’eivas with music and dancing to
commemorate that.
(Many books with the Laws of Yom Tov [like
cooking] and Chol Hamoed, and the Lulav may be found in
the Malamud Reference Library.)
The last day of Sukkot is Hoshana Rabbah, which is
important day according to the Kabbalah, as in the Beit
Hamikdash they performed a special, lengthy ceremony, and
our prayers that day, as well as beating the Hoshana bundle,
are to commemorate that special service.
Sunday night September 30 begins Shmini Atzeret,
a distinct holiday from Sukkot, and therefore we do make
Shehechiyanu at candle lighting and in Kiddush. However,
outside Israel we are required to eat in the Sukkah on Shmini
Atzeret but we do not make the bracha Leishev Basukkah.
On Monday morning we recite Yizkor. Later in the
afternoon, before Mincha, we make a special prayer when we
leave the Sukkah after eating in it for the final time.
The final day is called Simchat Torah. It is the day
we complete the annual cycle of reading the Torah, and begin
it again. Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik's grandfather taught that
our joy comes from starting the Torah again with new depth
and insight, not from finishing the Torah. On Monday night
we have seven Hakafot (circling the Bimah) where we dance
joyfully with the Torahs which we repeat the next morning,
along with all males above Bar Mitzva receiving an aliya, and
we have a special aliya for all children. We finish the Torah,
begin it again, and finish davening.
 SHABBAT & HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Date Candle Erev Mincha Shacharit Shiur Mincha

Lighting

Nitzavim 9/7-9/8 6:54 pm 7:00 pm 8:45 am 5:45 pm 6:45 pm

1st Day Rosh Hashana 9/9-9/10 6:51 pm 6:55 pm 8:30 am no shiur 6:55 pm
2nd Day Rosh Hashana 9/10-9/11 7:52 pm 6:55 pm 8:30 am no shiur 6:55 pm
Vayeilech (Shuva) 9/14-9/15 6:42 pm 6:45 pm 8:45 am Drasha 5:00 pm 6:30 pm
Yom Kippur 9/18-9/19 6:35 pm Mincha 2:30 pm 8:00 am during break Mincha 5:10
Kol Nidrei 6:35 Yizkor Neila 6:30

Ha’azinu 9/21-9/22 6:30 pm 6:35 pm 8:45 am 5:20 pm 6:20 pm

1st Day Sukkot 9/23-9/24 6:26 pm 6:35 pm 8:45 am TBA 6:35 pm
2nd Day Sukkot 9/24-9/25 7:27 pm 6:35 pm 8:45 am TBA 6:35 pm
Shabbat Chol Hamoed 9/28-9/29 6:18 pm 6:25 pm 8:45 am TBA 6:10 pm
Shmini Atzeret 9/30-10/1 6:14 pm 6:20 pm 8:45 am TBA 6:20 pm
Yizkor Hakafot
Simchat Torah 10/1-10/2 7:14 pm 6:20 pm 8:45 am TBA 6:20 pm

Breishit 10/5-10/6 6:06 pm 6:10 pm 8:45 am 4:55 pm 5:55 pm

Noach 10/12-10/13 5:54 pm 6:00 pm 8:45 am 4:40 pm 5:40 pm
Lech Lecha 10/19-10/20 5:43 pm 5:45 pm 8:45 am 4:30 pm 5:30 pm
Vayeira 10/26-10/17 5:33 pm 5:35 pm 8:45 am 4:20 pm 5:20 pm
If you have a chiyuv (to daven or for an aliya), please inform Rabbis Benzie or Eli Lazovsky before Shabbat.
To sponsor a kiddush or shalashudos, please call Judy Whisler at (847) 677-2281 or j5awhisler@aol.com.

WEEKDAY SCHEDULE - Minyanim meet in the Kaufman Bais Midrash

Minyan Times
Shacharit
Sunday: 8:00 am
Monday-Friday: 6:00 am
Mincha-Maariv
Sunday-Thursday: 10
minutes before sundown
Classes
Special Shacharit Schedule
Sunday Morning at 9:15 am: Parsha Class
Sept 4,5,6,7: 5:40 am
Given by Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik
Wednesday evenings after Maariv - Gemara
Sept 12 (Fast day) 5:20 am
Brachos (6th chapter). Sept 13, 14: 5:35 am
Given by Rabbi Ben Zion Lazovsky Sept 18: 5:50 am
Shabbat Afternoon Sept 26, 27, 28: 5:45 am
1 hour before Mincha: Weekly Parsha
Given by Rabbi Louis Lazovsky

Malamud Reference Library - Come and Learn from any of the hundreds of titles in our library, located in the
Kaufman Bais Midrash.
Lending Library - Members may borrow books from our Lending Library, located on the south side of the
Social Hall. For hours of operation, more details or to donate books, please call the office.
Tape Lending Library - We have tapes and digital audio files on many topics including Chumash, Talmud and
Mussar.
 MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
KM NEW YEAR GREETING ORDER FORM
LULAV SET ORDER FORM

On behalf of the Board of Directors, President Steven Goldrich and Rabbi Louis Lazovsky, we are proud to invite
you to join us for our High Holiday 5779 Services this year, beginning with Selichot on Saturday evening,
September 1th. Rosh Hashana begins Sunday night, September 9th.

Membership & Ticket Rates Family (2 tickets) Single (1 ticket) Additional Seat Dependent Child
Membership $1,100 $550 $200 $75
First Time Good Neighbor Tickets $500 $275 $200 $75
Tickets Only, no membership $550 $200
Friend of Kesser Maariv (no tickets or membership) $200
To serve you better, we accept payments of $500 and above by Visa, Master Card, Discover, and American Express.

Rabbi Ben Zion Lazovsky at (847) 679-9800 bhhkmal@yahoo.com or Judy Whisler at (847) 677-2281
j5awhisler@aol.com will be happy to help accommodate you and give more information about membership.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

G My membership is enclosed.
Number of Men's Seats: ________ Number of Women's Seats: _______

Number of Boys’ Seats: ________ Number of Girls’ Seats: _________

G I would like to order _____ Lulav sets sets at $50/member or $55/non-member

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name: _______________________________________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________________________________

City, State & Zip Code: _________________________________________ Phone : __________________

E-mail: _______________________________________ and __________________________________________

---------------------------- For Credit Card Payments: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I authorize Kesser Maariv to charge my __________ card.

Name on Card_______________________ Amount to be charged: ________________

Card # _________-_________-_________-_________ Exp: ____ ____ 3-digit Security Code:__________

Signed _____________________________ Date _________