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NOVEMBER 2016
Cheshvan 5777
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The
Yamim Noraim, the Days of Awe, are now behind us, but as you may know, High Holiday events are only some of the amazing community building programs that JRC has to offer. You may be interested in an enriching Adult Educational opportunity (including three new classes taught by Rabbi Weiss). You may want to participate in one of our popular Buy-in Parties hosted by JRC members to benefit the synagogue. Many are already sold out, so register fast! Or you may want to get involved in a Tikkun Olam project and do some good in the world. Whatever the way you choose to get involved, we hope you will find your time spent at JRC with your friends and community a fulfilling experience.
Sincerely,
Sharon Diaz
Executive Director
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Wednesday, November 2
Adult Ed: Arabs in a Jewish State
7
:30pm
Thursday, November 3
Israeli Film Night
7:30pm
Rabin the Last Day
Amos Gitai, famous Israeli director of Kippur and Kaddosh, explores the dynamics of Israeli politics leading up to the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin.
Friday, November 4
Interfaith Immigration Vigil
7:15am
Shabbat Services and Community Potluck
Early Bird Service 5:30pm
Community Potluck 6:00pm Bring a dairy/vegetarian/nut-free dish to share.
Erev Shabbat Service 7:00pm
Saturday, November 5
Arielle Feller Bat Mitzvah
10:00am
The entire JRC community is invited to celebrate with Arielle Feller and her family as she is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah. A special aliyah will be given to members of the JRC community.
Buy-in Party: An Evening of Trivia & Treats
6:30pm
Sunday, November 6
Adult Ed: Nurture the Wow
9:30am
Friday, November 11
Buy-In Party: Traditional Shabbat Dinner
SOLD OUT
Saturday, November 12
Lucia Goldberg Bat Mitzvah
10:00am
The entire JRC community is invited to celebrate with Lucia Goldberg and her family as she is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah. A special aliyah will be given to members of the JRC community.
Buy-in Party: Whiskey Tasting
SOLD OUT
Film Screening Win or Lose: A Summer Camp Story
7:00pm
This documentary created by JRC member Louis Lapat tells the story of a group of boys at summer camp who push themselves to win an ultra competitive event at the end of camp.
Sunday, November 13
Book Club: The Door A continuation of last year's "One Book, One JRC" program, this year's series will survey modern Hebrew fiction of the last 100 years.
Monday, November 15
Adult Ed: Arabs in a Jewish State 7:30pm
Click here for more information
Tuesday, November 16
Adult Ed: Remembering Dr. Janusz Karcazk
7:30pm
Friday, November 18
5th Grade Dinner
6:00pm
Buy-in Party: "Shabbat Sweet" and Sweets
Click here for more information
Saturday, November 19
Adam Weiss Bar Mitzvah 10:00am
The entire JRC community is invited to celebrate with Adam Weiss 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 Religious School Program
Adult Ed: Sacred Music
9:00am
LGBTQ Family Havurah
This social event is a chance for LGBTQ families at JRC to get to know each other and come together as a community.
Thursday, November 24
Thanksgiving JRC Office Closed
Friday, November 25
JRC Office Closed
Tuesday, November 29
Adult Ed with Rabbi Weiss: Reconstructionism 101: What does the R in JRC really mean?
7:30pm
Wednesday, November 30
Adult Ed: Negative Stereotypes
7:30pm
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Upcoming Adult Education Classes and Seminars
Arabs in a Jewish State: The Arab Minority in
Israel between Integration and Alienation
Led by: Professor Elie Rekhess
November 2 & 15
7:30pm
The 1948 war created a unique situation: a Palestinian-Arab minority amidst the Jewish state of Israel. Thus, Israel was established as a Jewish state but not exclusively so. The Palestinian Arabs who became Israeli citizens remained nationally and religiously bound to the outside Arab world. This necessarily resulted in a sharp crisis of loyalties. The lectures will focus on minority-majority relations in Israel.
About the Instructor
Professor Elie Rekhess is a Crown Visiting Professor in Israel Studies and Associate Director for Isra
el Studies in th
e History Department at Northwestern University.
Nurture the Wow: Parenting as a Spiritual Practice
Led by: Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg
November 6
9:30am
The work of parenting can be glorious and amazing. And it can be, at least as often, frustrating, crazy-making, and mind-numbingly boring.
How can the riches of the Jewish tradition help us to transform the most difficult moments with our children? How can it illuminate the beautiful moments in powerful new ways?
But no
t only that: What do parents who are deep in the trenches of this labo
r of love, have to teach Judaism about what spirituality is and can be? And, most critically, what might happen if we regard the work of raising children a legitimate spiritual practice in its own right?
This talk will
explore these essential questions of heart and soul, and their
implicatio
ns for parents of youn
g children.
If you are interested in registering your child for babysitting during this event, please contact Nina Litoff at
[email protected].
About the Presenter
Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg was named by
Newsweek as one of ten rabbis to watch, and by
The Forward as one of the top 50 women rabbis. She's the award-winning author of seven books. Her most recent one is
Nurture the Wow: Finding Spirituality in the Frustration, Boredom, Tears, Poop, Desperation
, Wonder, and Radical Amazement of Parenting.
Remembering Dr. Janusz Korczak
Panel discussion with moderator Richard Reeder and participants
Marlene Targ Brill, Ronald Swartz, and Ron Grossman
November 16
7:30pm
Register Here
Dr. Janusz Korczak was one of the most innovative European educators during the first half of the twentieth century. His book,
King Matt the First, remains as one of the most beloved children's stories in Poland. Dr. Korczak played a heroic role during the Holocaust, serving as a guardian of orphans in the doomed Warsaw Ghetto.
This event is free admission for JRC members. Non-members: $6.
About the Panelists
R
i
c
har
d Reeder is an Instructor of literature and social history at the Oakton College Emeritus program.
Marlene Targ Brill is an award-winning author of 65 books, most for children and teenagers, but some also for adults.
Ron Grossman is a writer for
The Chicago Tribune and a social historian.
Dr. Ronald Swartz is a retired professor of education and philosophy at Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan.
Sacred Music With JRC's Cantor Friedland
November 20
9:00am to
1:00pm
As part of the multi-year trek to explore other religious and musical traditions with Cantor Friedland, this year we will visit the Dominion Tabernacle Church, 4444 W. Montrose Chicago.
JRC members only; no charge.
About Cantor Friedland
Howard Friedland is JRC's cantor. Before completing his cantorial studies, he was an actor working in theatre, film, and television. He is the Past President of the Chicago-Milwaukee Association of Cantors.
Negative Stereotypes
Led by: Professor Alexander Barna
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
7:30pm
Register Here
In this talk with Professor Barna, we will examine negative stereotypes of the Middle East, Islam, Muslims, and "Arabs" and compare this material with anti-Semitic images and discourse.
About the Instructor Alexander Barna
Barna is the Outreach Coordinator and Director of the Middle East Education Initiative at the University of Chicago's Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES). He holds a BS in biology with a second major in religion from Duke University and an MA in Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard University.
For a list of future classes and the Adult Education Brochure
please visit our website.
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Tuesdays (November 29-December 20)
7:30pm-9:00pm
What's the history, theology and theory of Reconstructionist Judaism, how has it evolved over time, and how do we apply it to our lives today? Join Rabbi Rachel Weiss for a look at Reconstructionism, whether you're new to JRC or you've been here for years. This 4-session course will conclude with everyone crafting their own "elevator answer"-your personal 30 second explanation of what our movement is and why it's important to you.
Exploring Shabbat Liturgy through a Reconstructionist Lens
Tuesdays (January 17-February 7)
7:30pm-9:00pm
What do the words in the prayerbook mean, and why do we say them? What is the structure of a Shabbat evening service? The original 1945 Reconstructionist prayerbook began as a 3-ring binder, designed to add and remove what was relevant. Liturgy can be prayer, poetry, prose and more. Rabbi Rachel Weiss will guide us through our siddur, exploring what stayed in, what was taken out, why, and what's next. No knowledge of Hebrew or liturgy required-deepen your experience of Shabbat evening services by learning the keva (set prayers) and the kavannah (intentions we bring to them.)
Tuesdays (February 21, 28; March 7, 14, 21; April 18, 25)
7:30pm-9:00pm
Each of us has our own narrative, and our story intersects with the Jewish story. In a small group of 10, we will explore our own life cycles, beliefs, questions and curiosities, culminating in our own written spiritual autobiographies. In this respectful space, we will name ways in which we connect to that which is spiritual and sacred in our lives, to the Divine, and to each other. Read theologies and philosophies of Jewish thinkers. Bring questions about the God you do or don't believe in, with open minds and open hearts.
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November Buy-In Parties
Buy-In Parties are events donated and hosted by JRC members to raise money for the congregation and build fun community connections. All of the proceeds from these parties benefits JRC. (Several Buy-in Parties are already sold out, so get your tickets fast!)
Price: $40; 6 Spots Left
Hosted by: Denise Eichhorn, David Tabak, Cohns, Frolichstein-Appels & Pinzurs
Enjoy an evening of fun, food, facts and hanging out with fellow JRCers at the Pinzur's home in Northbrook! Includes cocktails, high class snacks, and extraordinary sweets.
Our friendly team competition covers a broad range of topics, maybe even including some JRC history, and is open to all, regardless of your trivia knowledge. Prizes (!?!) awarded for the high score, but everyone who attends will feel like a winner! Just be prepared to have fun.
Couples and singles welcome
Post Downton Abbey Tea
Price: $40; 6 Spots Left
Hosted by: Bonnie and Ron Silverman
Don't be down without Downton Abbey!
Come to Bonnie Silverman's Evanston home for a tea party to keep the Downton spirit alive. Enjoy tea, snacks, sweets, and camaraderie.
Hats optional!!
"Shabbat Sweet" + Sweets
Price $20; 18 Spots Left
Hosted by: Billy Kaplan & Jennifer McCray and Reese & Joel Gratch
Experience "Shabbat Sweet" intimately with it's composer, Billy Kaplan, in the Lincolnwood home of Reese & Joel Gratch. Double the sweetness by enjoying desserts and drinks.
"Shabbat Sweet" is an Erev Shabbat service of original melodies that is lively and soulful, and has a freshness that manages to seem familiar. A Kickstarter funded project, Billy has recorded "Shabbat Sweet" with an Emmy Award-winning producer and an amazing group of musicians, including members of the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band. If you haven't participated in a "Shabbat Sweet" service before, this is a great opportunity to share in what some people have said was the most enjoyable service they have ever attended, and others, who as teenagers at Jewish summer camp joyously welcomed Shabbat singing three-part harmony, have said was the most inspiring service they have attended since camp.
Price is $20 per person, with a maximum cost of $60 per family. Families with more than three people attending should only sign up and pay for 3 people.
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Tikkun Olam Opportunities
Interfaith Action Overnight Shelter Volunteers Needed
Inspired by diverse faiths and shared values, Interfaith Action of Evanston brings people together to serve hungry and homeless people, pursue interfaith dialogue, and engage in advocacy that promotes social justice.
Volunteers are needed to be overnight shelter supervisors. The overnight shelter supervisor will manage the overnight emergency shelter. The shelter will be open from November 15th through March 15th, will only operate when the temperature is 15 degrees or below, and will operate from various churches and synagogues in Evanston (location will change on a weekly basis). The supervisor is expected to arrive at the facility at 7:45pm and remain until 7:00am. The overnight shelter supervisor must be prepared to work a non-traditional and, at times, unpredictable schedule.
Interested participants must attend one of the following training sessions:
Thursday, October 27
Tuesday, November 1
Monday, November 7
Tuesday, December 6
More information is available here.
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Interfaith Immigration Vigil
JRC members Tina and Gonzalo Escobar have made it their mission to advocate for immigrants facing deportation and separation from their families.
Other JRC members are welcome join them at
7:15 AM the first Friday of every month for an interfaith prayer vigil at the
Detention Center,1930 Beach St., Broadview, IL
For more information (including carpools that leave in the early morning from JRC), contact Tina and Gonzalo Escobar at
[email protected]
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Save the Date: Rabbi Weiss's Installation
December 16 & 17, 2016
Rabbi Weiss will be officially installed as JRC's Congregational Rabbi in a ceremony the Erve Shabbat service on December 16, 2016. Rabbi Weiss is the first woman Rabbi in the congregation's 54 year history, and is also the only openly gay Rabbi currently leading a Chicagoland Synagogue.
The following night, Saturday, December 17th, we will celebrate together with a dance party in Rabbi Weiss's honor. Be on the lookout for more information and invitations for both events soon!
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Go Digital With Your Membership
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Did you know, JRC members have been logging in to a secure, password-protected section of our website? This exclusive section of the website can be used to view (and even update) contact info, and look up fellow congregants in a searchable directory. If you haven't used our online system in a while - or have never tried it at all -
today's a great day to log in and check it out.
Here are a few useful things to know:
- There is one account per household.
- The directory does some really neat stuff! Clicking on an email address will automatically open a new message, and clicking on a mailing address will open the person's home in Google Maps. If you're using a mobile device, you can simply tap a phone number to dial a friend.
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User IDs and passwords are generated by JRC's member database, so folks cannot create their own accounts.
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This system is not compatible with Internet Explorer 8. However, it does work in later versions, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Safari.
Here's how to log in:
Step 2:
Your User ID is
Your password is
Once you've logged in, you can change your password.
Need assistance?
Contact the JRC Office at
[email protected]
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Bundled Blessings Thank You Note
In recognition of JRC's Donations to Bundled
Blessings, Evanston's only diaper bank, t
his note was sent to the JRC office on October 19, 2016.
Thank you for your generous donation of 1,230 diapers from your congregation over the High Holidays! We were thrilled! Your contribution will help the pantry continue to provide a monthly bundle of diapers to children in need in our community. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Sincerely, Nancy Brown on behalf of Bundled Blessings
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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 [email protected].
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Mazel Tov to:
Rachel Cohn (daughter of Stan and Sara Cohn) got married this summer to Andrew Ash, and has also moved to Los Angeles where she has just started her studies to become a rabbi at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies of American Jewish University.
Simon Goldberg (Larry Goldberg and Betty Van Leuven's son) is now doing his counseling internship at the Seattle VA Hospital which will complete the requirements for his doctorate in counseling psychology.
Beth Wolf and Dave Urlakis on the birth of their new baby Miles Wolf Urlakis.
Emily Hauser, Cassidy Goldman, and Isaac Bernstein on becoming B'nai Mitzvah in October!
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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 September 29, 2016 and October 26, 2016.
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