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 JRC's Early Childhood Center
At JRC, everything that happens in the Early Childhood classrooms springs from relationships forged between our teachers, families, students, clergy and the larger JRC community. This integration promotes the values that JRC members want to instill in every generation such as kindness, giving, and justice. If you or someone close to you is looking for an enriching and fun NAEYC accredited preschool program, please contact Early Childhood Director Claudia Rozenberg at
crozenberg@jrc-evanston.org to arrange a tour.
Grand Person Day
Friday May 5
9:30am
Grand Person Day is a wonderful opportunity for Early Childhood grandparents and other special people to be a part of their JRC preschool experience. The morning will include fun activities, time in the classroom, games in the outdoor play space (weather permitting), singing with Cantor Howard and a snack.
Siyyum
Tuesday, May 30
5:30pm
Please join JRC's Early Childhood Center for this special ceremony and reception marking the end of the preschool year
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Early Childhood Summer Camp
June 12-July 29
Keep the fun of preschool going all summer lon
g! This
camp allows young children ages 3-5 to explore, investigate, discover and create three days a week. Register here
Parent-Toddler Morning Program
It's never too early for your child to start learning and playing! Our once a week Parent-Toddler program ranges from birth to 2 years old.
Find out more here
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Weekly Community Events
Erev Shabbat Service:
Fridays at 7:00pm
Torah Study:
Saturdays at 9:00am
Shabbat Minyan and Oneg:
Saturdays at 10:00am
Ma'ariv Evening Service:
Tuesdays from 7:00-7:30pm
Religious School Tefillah:
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:15-4:30pm
Choir Rehearsal:
Thursdays at 7:45pm
Tot Shabbat: Fridays from 9:45am-10:00am
Junior Choir Rehearsal:
Sundays from 10:45-11:15am
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Tuesday May 2
Israeli Film Night: Tel-Aviv-Jaffa Part Two 7:00pm
Produced in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Tel Aviv, this two-part film explores the rich and complex history of Tel Aviv and Jaffa.
Film provided by The National Center for Jewish Film.
Watch the trailer here
Wednesday May 3
Adult Ed: Conscious Community a Guide to Inner Work 7:30pm
Sunday May 7
Tablecloth Tanach: Falafel 9:00am
Join with JRC Religious School parents and other members for a Jewish-themed cooking lesson and discussion. This time we will be making an Israeli falafel feast!
Immigration Justice Task Force Meeting 10:00am
The Immigrant Justice Task Force meets to discuss and disseminate information and facilitates opportunities for learning and advocacy on a variety of issues, including refugee resettlement, immigration, and other emerging concerns.
Walk With Israel at Ravinia Festival 2:00pm
Activities for children of all ages, Three-Mile Walk with Israel & One-Mile Family Walk
5:00pm Idan Raichel Concert.
See the full schedule here
Wednesday May 10
Play Bridge! 7:00pm
Board of Directors Meeting 7:30pm
Adult Ed: Conscious Community a Guide to Inner Work 7:30pm
Friday May 12
Erev Shabbat Service with Heart and Soul 7:00pm
JRC is pleased to welcome back Chicago's Makom Shalom and The Jews' Brothers for another Rock and Soul Shabbat. Combining prayer with classic rock music and soulful nigguns, these four guys know how to get people excited about Shabbat. The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, Bob Marley, Simon and Garfunkel; You name the greats and it's likely they've got a prayer to it. So, come sing along as Rabbi Michael Davis, Steve Herman, Aaron Burnstein, Michael Meltzer and Al Goldberg join Rabbi Rachel Weiss in this rock and roll service. We invite you to welcome Shabbat with a smile on your face and gladness in your heart.
Saturday May 13
Youth Group Shabbat Picnic in the Park 12:30pm
JRC's 5th-8th graders are invited to have a springtime picnic in the park and a relaxing afternoon of eating, playing sports and games, and maybe even a scavenger hunt. Bring your own picnic lunch (Youth Group will provide snacks). Also feel free to bring any games or toys you'll want to play with (we'll have some too). Meet at
Elliot Park (on the Lake just south of Dempster). RSVP to Alex Rubin at rubin.alex14@gmail.com.
Sunday May 14
Parlor Meeting with Rabbi Weiss 9:30am
Rabbi Weiss wants to meet you! In this series of small meetings you will get the chance to share your personal JRC stories with our new Rabbi and get to know her in an relaxed and informal setting. To give everyone a chance to meet the rabbi, please plan to attend only one parlor meeting. Please do not register if you have already attended a previous parlor meeting. Open to all current adult JRC members. Each meeting is limited to 25 participants (advance registration required; no walk-ins)
Register Here
Book Group: The Paris Architect 10:00am
May's Book Group selection is
The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure.
Click here for a short synopsis.
Tuesday May 16
Jewish Lens Exhibition 7:00pm
Join us for the opening reception for our 8th graders' newest photography exhibition where you can meet the photographers, artistic mentor Richard Cahan and teacher Abby Harris-Ridker. Refreshments will be served. This show is made possible through our involvement with
The Jewish Lens Project, which gives our students the opportunity to explore what Judaism means to them through photography.
Adult Ed Committee Meeting 7:30pm
Wednesday May 17
Parlor Meeting with Rabbi Weiss 7:00pm
In this small meeting you will get the chance to share your personal JRC stories with our new Rabbi and get to know her in an relaxed and informal setting.
Register Here
Strategic Planning Committee Meeting 7:00pm
Young Adult Meeting (Not at JRC) 7:00pm
Help plan events and programs for Young Adults (20's-30's) at JRC at this meeting at the Whole Foods on Kingsbury (near the North and Clybourn Red Line). To RSVP please contact Abby Harris-Ridker at
aharrisridker@gmail.com.
3rd Grade Potluck Dinner 6:00pm
3rd grade families are invited to share dinner together. Please bring a vegetarian and nut-free dish to share.
Max Straus Bar Mitzvah 10:00am
The entire JRC community is invited to celebrate with Max Straus and his family as he is called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah. A special aliyah will be given to members of the JRC community.
High School Program 7:00pm
High schoolers are invited to engage in conversations about Jewish topics relevant to today in a relaxed, informal setting.
Sunday May 21
Brunch 9:30am
Please join us before the Annual Meeting at 9:30 am for bagels and coffee. The Meeting is timed to coincide with the schedule for the last day of Religious School, so drop off your kids and join us!
Annual Congregational Meeting 10:00am
All JRC members are invited to attend our Annual Congregational Meeting, during which we'll hear a "State of the Synagogue" report, as well as vote on the new slate of Board members and Officers for 2017-2018.
Last Day of Religious School All School Assembly 11:00am
All grades of Religious School students will gather together for an assembly to kick off the summer and say goodbye to this school year. The assembly will directly follow the Annual Meeting and parents are welcome to attend. The assembly will include the performance of the much anticipated Jr Choir Musical!
Wednesday May 24
Play Bridge 7:00pm
Ritual Practices Committee Meeting 7:00pm
Adult Ed: Conscious Community a Guide to Inner Work 7:30pm
Friday May 26-Sunday May 28
Annual Family Kallah (Not at JRC)
Monday May 29
Memorial Day: JRC Closed
Tuesday May 30
Early Childhood Siyum 5:30pm
Click here for more information
Erev Shavuot One Jewish Evanston (Not at JRC) 7:00pm
All are invited to join together as multiple Evanston Jewish communities celebrate the beginning of Shavuot. The evening will feature a Shavuot evening service (with participation from Rabbi Weiss and Cantor Friedland), good food, and a Tikkun Leyl Shavuot (an evening-long series of learning sessions) with teachers selected by each of the participating communities. Rabbi Weiss will teach a class on behalf of JRC.
Click here for more information
Wednesday May 31
Shavuot: JRC Office Closed
Shavuot Yizkor Service 10:00am
Rabbi Weiss and Cantor Howard will lead a morning Yizkor service to mark Shavuot, the holiday commemorating the gift of the Torah on Mount Sinai.
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Concert for Syrian Refugee Relief
Sunday, May 7
7:00pm
Chicago Temple, 77 W. Washington Street, Chicago
Everyone is invited to a concert for Syrian refugee relief featuring performances by the the renowned Syrian Trio Hewar, guest percussionist Omar Al-Mufsi, and Catherine Brubaker, violist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, who has organized a chamber orchestra for this concert of more than a dozen of Chicago's top classical musicians. All the musicians are donating their time and proceeds from the concert's ticket sales will be donated to Save the Children.
Order Tickets Here: $40 (adults), $10 (students and children age 12 and under) or pay what you can.
JRC is a co-sponsor of this event.
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Photo by Ravi Ganapathy |
Feminist Torah Study
First Wednesday of the month 12:30pm
This new monthly daytime Torah study group taught by Rabbi Rachel Weiss looks at the weekly parshah through a feminist lens. Use feminist theory, contemporary experiences and scholarly work to explore themes and texts. People of all genders welcome - bring your lunch or snacks, your favorite Torah commentary, and yourself!
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How to Get Things Done at JRC
Are you a member hoping to plan a meeting or event at JRC but you don't know how to get started? Do you want to learn how to get an appointment with the clergy or get a message into the weekly announcements? We have FAQs and resources to help make the process easier and to explain all of our event and communications policies and procedures.
The How to Get Things Done at JRC FAQs can be your guide for everything from booking a conference room for a meeting to finding out how to collaborate with other committees on a project.
If your committee is hosting an event at JRC, consult our Checklist for Developing a Program in the early stages of your planning. It tells you the best order to go about organizing your event and who to consult for questions.
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Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute for Mental Health Education
Community Conference "Raising Resilient Children: Prioritizing Their Mental Health"
Sunday June 4, 2017
9:30am - 3:30pm
Beth Emet the Free Synagogue
Register here
JRC is a participating organization in the 16th annual Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute Conference. The conference is designed to inform, teach and learn more about the most vulnerable in our society and how each of us can help. Topics will cover a broad range of topics relating to youth psychology including: depression and anxiety, how schools can help with children's behavioral and educational needs, the positive role of community connections, coping with thoughts and emotions, children who learn and see the world differently, allowing your child to take risks, digital kids, spirituality, and straight talk on drug use and sexuality. For a schedule and full list of speakers and presenters please visit
www.naomicoheninstitute.org.
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Hevreh: A Community of Adult Jewish Learners
Hevreh 3: July 19-23, 2017
Theme: Making Good Decisions: Jewish Approaches
Hevreh is a summer retreat for adults wanting to broaden their Jewish experience through study, prayer, spiritual renewal and growth with leading Jewish scholars including several from the Reconstructionist movement.
During this unique retreat located in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, Participants will:
- Study with master teachers of Judaica
- Reflect and rejuvenate
- Pray, sing and dance
- Reconnect with friends and make new ones
- Encounter nature
- Celebrate Shabbat
Register for this summer's session here |
Save the Date for the Reconstructionist Convention
November 15-18, 2018
Philadelphia
, PA
Join with other Reconstructionists to sing, pray, learn, eat and be together.
Strengthen our networks and deepen our connections.
Celebrate the movement and 50 years of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Stay tuned for more information including plans for a JRC delegation!
Save the date.
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Instructor:
Rabbi Sam Feinsmith
This class is a series and meets on Wednesday, May 3, 10, and 24.
The Rabbi of the Warsaw Ghetto, Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Shapira, was one of the preeminent hassidic luminaries of the early 20th century. We will be studying essential selections from his book Conscious Community: A Guide to Inner Work, with an eye towards shaping intentional community, and working to deepen our mindfulness, self-awareness, and Jewish practice. The three-part series is suitable and accessible for beginners and experienced students of hassidic thought and practice. Fluency with Hebrew not required
JRC members $18; non-members $36
About the Presenter:
Rabbi Sam Feinsmith is a co-founder of Orot: Center for New Jewish Learning, and directs the Center for Jewish Mindfulness at Orot. He currently directs the Institute for Jewish Spirituality's Educating for a Jewish Spiritual Life pilot, which supports teachers, counselors, and administrators at Jewish day schools and summer camps to integrate mindfulness practice into work with Jewish youth.
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Name: Max Straus
School: Stone Scholastic Academy
Bar Mitzvah Date: May 20, 2017
What are your hobbies/interests?
I enjoy playing piano, games, and spending time with my Guinea pig.
What is your tzedakah project?
For my tzedakah project, I am volunteering at nature preserves around Chicago, helping to get rid of invasive species, and monitoring the ecosystem by counting blue spotted salamanders. I'm also raising money for organizations that help the land, including Angelic Organics Learning Center, which teaches farmers how to grow sustainable and organic food.
What's the most interesting thing you have learned about Judaism?
I thought it was interesting that there is a "Shabbat for the land," like there is a Shabbat for people. The land is supposed to lay fallow every seventh year to let it replenish.
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Thank you and Yasher Koach
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At the end of JRC board meetings, the board recognizes members who have volunteered their time and talents. We call it the Yasher Koach Corner. Below are full lists acknowledging those members who donated their time to make JRC such a wonderful place and for whose work we are truly grateful.
Yasher Koach To:
- Jonathan Markowitz and Sharon Diaz for their work on the FY 2017 budget.
- Carrie Elsberg for making and delivering dinner to Rabbi Weiss on a very busy day.
- Nominating Committee members Jonathan Goldman (chair), Cindy Aaronson, Jordana Binstock, Jeremy Gershfeld, Rich Katz, David Pinzur, Hannah Shearn for proposing the Board slate for 2017-18.
- Ray Grossman for finding leaders for lay-led Friday night services and Saturday morning Torah study.
- Robert Lange and Beth Lange for organizing the Service to Man movie presentation with filmmaker Aaron Greer on April 4.
- Rich Cahan for teaching on his book Un-American: The Incarceration of Japanese Americans During World War II: Images by Dorothea Lange, Ansel Adams, and Other Government Photographers following Shabbat services on April 7.
- Kirsten D'Aurelio for organizing JRC's first Social Action Salon meeting on March 17.
- For the Annual Strategic Planning Retreat on February 12: All committee/task force leaders for participating; Rabbi Rachel Weiss, Cantor Howard Friedland, Terri Bernsohn, Claudia Rozenberg, Sharon Diaz, Nina Litoff, Jill Persin, Linda Mathias Kaskel, Emily Harris, David Tabak, Diana McNelis, Linda Kaskel, Sheri Young, Ann Kaplan-Perkins, Ernesto Vega, and Reese Gratch.
- For organizing and helping with the Immigrant Justice Task Force's event on April 2 to kick-off JRC's support of the HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) Welcome Campaign: Gonzalo & Tina Escobar and Becky Block, Nina Litoff, Ray Grossman, Lori Lippitz, Fred Wellisch, Tamar Frolichstein-Appel, Elliot Frolichstein-Appel, Susan Siebers, Alan & Sallie Gratch, Maria Tolpin, Ann Bashook Leiner, Nancy Freedman, Judith Helzner, Ilene Lebovitz, Alan Wachs, Helga Low-Harper, Judy and Howard Cohen, Sallie Gratch, Marie & Gerry Davidson, Dick Block, Hannah Scherberg, Pat Montag, Lily & Jemma Montag, Lisa Ehrlich-Menard, Jason Menard, Bella & Sophie Menard, Scott Pollack, Howard Friedland, Robin Trilling, Marla Baker, Jil Levin Deheeger, Ann Schmidt. Also, to the representatives of the partner organizations: Sarah Goone, Amro Hosny Helmy, Joey Spilberg, Lokman Odeh, Yara Shadid, Josh Turnbull, Cinthya Rodriguez, Shanti Elliott, Melanie Schikore, Pam Shearman, Daryna Bernhardt.
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To kvell (or shep naches) means to be proud of. This column is devoted to letting our community know about the wonderful things happening in the lives of JRC members. If you or your loved ones have something to celebrate, send an email to Nina Litoff at nlitoff@jrc-evanston.org.
Mazel Tov To:
Joan Dumser and Alan Rudin on the engagement of their son Zach Rudin to Mallory Martin.
Judy Mendel and Jorge Kurganoff on the marriage of their daughter Yael Kurganoff to Burak Atagün in Istanbul, Turkey.
Sallie and Alan Gratch for leaving their home of 49 years and moving to a new condo - and
still smiling with their new surroundings.
Linda and Bob Hewitt, on the birth of their grandchild Emilia Rose Hewitt.
Aaron Litoff on his graduation from Northwestern University with a degree in Chemical Engineering and receiving a job offer from
SABIC Innovative Plastics in western Massachusetts.
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Thank you for your generosity
Tzedakah is a central mitzvah of Judaism, humanizing both the donor and the recipient. JRC has established a series of tzedakah funds in response to members' interests, aiming to serve three functions:
- To support the congregation. All are welcome to membership, to worship, to our school-even those unable to pay full dues. Your contributions make this possible.
- To support important extra-budgetary activities.
- Most importantly, to provide a convenient and meaningful way for JRC members and others to fulfill the traditional obligation of tzedakah as we honor, commemorate, and express gratitude.
We would like to express our gratitude for these donations made between March 28, 2017 and May 1, 2017
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