January 2018
Tevet 5778
Monthly E-Newsletter
Rabbi Weiss lights the candles at during last month's Hanukkah Family Service.
Weekly Community Events
Erev Shabbat Service: Fridays at 7:00pm 
Torah Study: Saturdays at 9:00am 
Shabbat Service and B'nai Mitzvah: Saturdays at 10:00am
Shabbat Minyan Service 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
January Events
Sunday December 24 - January 6
Winter Break: No Religious School or Early Childhood Classes
Wednesday January 3
Feminist Torah Study 12:30pm
This monthly daytime Torah study group taught by Rabbi Rachel Weiss looks at the weekly parshah through a feminist lens. Bring your lunch or snacks, your thoughts about Torah, and yourself!

Thursday January 4
Lunch for College Students with Rabbi Rachel and Cantor Howard (Not at JRC) 12:00pm-2:00pm
Get treated to lunch at Mt. Everest Indian Buffet (Church St. in Downtown Evanston) by Rabbi Rachel and Cantor Howard! Share what’s happening on campus, in your lives, and catch up on the latest at JRC. Connect with us, with friends, and with other college folks. RSVP to khendrickson@jrc-evanston.org (last minute joiners welcome!)

Saturday January 6
One Jewish Evanston Shabbat at Beth Emet 9:30am
All are invited as multiple Evanston communities will again join together under the banner of One Jewish Evanston to celebrate Shabbat. The program will feature multiple Shabbat morning services, a delicious catered kosher lunch, and afternoon learning sessions selected by the participating communities. The learning will focus on a subject at the core of what One Jewish Evanston is all about – "You shall surely reprove your fellow … And you shall love your fellow as yourself": The Challenges of Pluralism. Registration is required. Please RSVP to Dan Cedarbaum at dan@kaplancenter.org or 847-492-5200. Please note, there will be no other Shabbat observances at JRC on this day including Torah Study. 

Sunday January 7
Pajama and Cereal Day! 9:00am
Back to school in the winter means pajama and cereal day! Wear your coziest PJ's and munch on some sweet breakfast cereals with friends. Grown-ups can wear pajamas too! 

Parent Coffee Lounge 9:00am-12:30pm
Adults are invited to relax on Sunday morning while the kids are in Religious School in our Small Sanctuary-turned coffee lounge! Use JRC's free wifi, read the paper, chat with friends, and have a snack and coffee. Everyone is welcome to enjoy this casual gathering space.

Jewish News and Views Roundup 9:30am 
Both Jewish and secular news sources abound with developments affecting Jews, as well as Jewish perspectives on the events of the day. Once a month, JRC adults of all ages will review some highlights and exchange opinions.

Wednesday January 10
Early Childhood Parent Coffee and Kindergarten Discussion 9:30am

Play Bridge! 7:00pm

Board of Directors Meeting 7:30pm

Friday January 12
Martin Luther King Jr. Erev Shabbat Service 7:00pm

Saturday January 13
5th and 6th Grade Havdalah 5:30pm
5th and 6th grade Religious School students and their families are invited to celebrate the end of shabbat with a delicious dinner and Havdalah service with Cantor Howard. RSVP

Sunday January 14
Book Group: Dark Money  by Jane Mayer 10:00am

Rosh Chodesh Service 11:30am
All members who identify as women are invited to our Rosh Chodesh group to celebrate the first day of the Jewish month. Historically, this is a special observance for women: a time of the new moon, a time for renewal, a time to tap into the power of women. 

6-12th Grade Ski Trip to Grand Geneva, Wisconsin 12:30pm-9:00pm
JRC's 6th-12th graders are invited to go on a day long skiing adventure this winter! The bus will leave JRC promptly at 12:30pm and return to JRC at 9:00pm. (Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, so there's no school.) Email Robyn Hurtig for more details.

Monday January 15
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: JRC Office Closed, No Early Childhood Classes

Thursday January 18
Religious School Committee Meeting 7:30pm

Friday January 19
High School Hangout at Kafein 3:30pm
All JRC teens in 9th-12th grades are invited to join Rabbi Rachel at Kafein in downtown Evanston for schmoozing and refreshments (Rabbi’s treat), one Friday afternoon each month. See all dates here

Shabbat Potluck 6:00pm
Everyone in the community is invited to join together for our monthly Shabbat Potluck. Bring a vegetarian and nut-free dish to share with friends.  RSVP

Erev Shabbat Service 7:00pm
Rabbi Weiss and Cantor Friedland lead a service filled with music, discussion and camaraderie. This service will have a special section led by 7th and 8th grade religious school students. 

Saturday January 20
Community Shabbat with Special Guest Rabbi Isaac Saposnik 10:00am

Potluck Lunch 12:00pm

Buy-In: Bananagrams and Banana Splits (Not at JRC) 6:30pm

Sunday January 21
Teacher Inservice: No Religious School

High School Cooking and Dinner Event 3:00pm
High Schoolers are invited to cook and eat a delicious meal together in JRC's kitchen.

Monday January 22
Early Childhood Parent Coffee 9:30am

Buy-In: Bellydance Party at Hip Circle Empowerment Center 3:30pm

Tuesday January 23
Israeli Film Night 7:00pm

Play Bridge! 7:00pm

Tu B'Shvat Dinner for Young Adults (Not at JRC) 7:00pm

Saturday January 27
Early Childhood She'ma Pajama Party 5:00pm
Preschoolers and parents, put on your perfect PJ's and join us for a pizza party! Cozy up for havdalah, pizza and stories on a Saturday night.  RSVP

Buy In: Stories and Stew - Love, Loss and Cioppino (Not at JRC) 6:00pm

High School Class with Rabbi Rachel (Not at JRC) 7:00pm
The JRC religious school program for High Schoolers brings teens together with Rabbi Rachel for discussions important to our lives and our world today. January's Class will be at the Lewis household.

Sunday January 28
Reconstructionism 101: What does the R in JRC Really Mean? 9:30am

Buy-In: Wine and Cheese Party (Not at JRC) 5:00pm
Cap off your weekend as you enjoy wine and cheese with JRC friends at the Evanston home of Carolyn Shapiro and Josh Karsh.
Only 5 spots left!
Martin Luther King Jr. Erev Shabbat Service
Friday, January 12
7:00pm

On the Shabbat before Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, JRC's new Racial Equity Task Force welcomes the community to join us in a celebration of Dr. King's legacy. This inspirational service will be led by Rabbi Weiss and Cantor Friedland with participation from the Task Force and will kick off a series of programs about what racial equity means to each of us as individuals and as a JRC community. Families welcome.

For more information on the Racial Equity Task Force please contact Jennifer Jaffe. 
Community Shabbat with Special Guest Rabbi Isaac Saposnik
Saturday, January 20
10:00am
Join our Religious School families, Shabbat Minyan members and other JRC members for a warm, lively, spiritual worship service led by Rabbi Weiss and Cantor Friedland. As an added bonus, Reconstructionist Rabbi Isaac Saposnik, director of Camp Havayah (formerly Camp JRF), will join us. Just like at camp, we're unrolling the Torah for this week's reading. Campers, be ready to jump in for some camp song melodies! 

Potluck Lunch 12:00pm
The service is followed by a potluck kiddish. Please bring a dairy/vegetarian and nut-free dish to share. We look forward to having you join us!
Tu B'Shvat Dinner for Young Adults
Wednesday, January 24
7:00pm

Join Chibor, JRC's 20s-30s group, for dinner, drinks, and a conversation with Rabbi Rachel Weiss about Tu B’Shvat. We will take a fresh look at this springtime holiday (that falls right in the middle of the midwest winter!) and talk about the customs, symbols, and traditions beyond what you may have learned in Sunday school.

We will gather at the home of Abby Harris-Ridker in Rogers Park. Please  email Abby for the address.
Erev Shabbat Service celebrating Tu B'Shvat
Friday, February 2
7:00pm

Celebrate the springtime holiday of Tu B'Shvat during our Erev Shabbat service! Rabbi Rachel Weiss and Cantor Howard Friedland will lead a service incorporating the traditional symbols and rituals of Tu B'Shavt, the Jewish "New Year" for trees.  

After the service, join us for an oneg where we will eat symbolic fruits that represent this agriculturally based holiday. 
Adult Education
Islam 101
Two Sessions: Sundays, January 7 & February 4
11:30am-1:00pm

As part of JRC's Exploring Islam series, we are proud to announce Islam 101, a two-part course coming up in early 2018. Taught by two dynamic teachers,  Hind Makkai  (January 7) and  Tahera Ahmad  (February 4), this course will provide an introduction to Islam: its history, its holidays, its sacred texts, and much more. Time will also be devoted to letting participants ask questions about this complex and rich religion that is much-misunderstood in the Western world.

About the Instructors:   Hind Makki  is an interfaith educator who holds a degree in International Relations from Brown University. She develops and delivers trainings on civic integration through interfaith action, anti-racism education and youth empowerment.

Tahera Ahmad  is Associate Chaplain and Director of Interfaith Engagement at Northwestern University. She also serves as faculty at Garret theological seminary on the Northwestern campus. A renowned speaker, Ahmad has worked closely with the U.S. Justice and State departments leading both national and international workshops on cultural awareness of Muslims and religious diversity.
Reconstructionism 101: What Does the R in JRC Mean? (Abridged Version) 
Instructor: Rabbi Rachel Weiss

You may be part of the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation—but how do you explain Reconstructionism? Learn with Rabbi Weiss about the basics of Reconstructionist Judaism, from its history, philosophy, theology, practices and how Reconstructionism makes JRC a unique congregation.
Buy-in Parties
Wise & Otherwise
Sunday, January 7
5:30pm
Please join Melissa Mizel and Mike Edwards at their Winnetka home for a wonderful 3-course Sunday supper and a spirited session of Wise & Otherwise. In this Fictionary-like game, you do your best to fool your fellow players by devising plausible endings to proverbs from around the world while trying to guess the authentic ending to each one yourself. 

Perfect for cosmopolitans, amateur anthropologists, creative types and anyone who likes to have fun!
Wine and Cheese Party
Sunday, January 28
5:00pm
Cap off your weekend as you enjoy wine and cheese with JRC friends at the Evanston home of Carolyn Shapiro and Josh Karsh.
Bellydance Party at Hip Circle Empowerment Center
Sunday, January 21
3:00pm
Throughout history, women have gathered to support, celebrate, and encourage each other through all the stages of life. So January is the perfect time to celebrate making it through the holidays and winter break! 

This Bellydance Party will include a warm-up, basic bellydance moves, and a couple of dance games taught by Malik, founder of the Hip Circle Empowerment Center.

We will also enjoy some tasty treats after the dancing, because what's a celebration without food? 
Get to know the JRC Soup Kitchens
JRC has had a decades-long involvement with three Soup Kitchens that are organized through Interfaith Action of Evanston. All of our Soup Kitchens have both longstanding volunteers and an ever-changing roster of newcomers, who are always welcome to sign up and join us.

Sundays
  • Serves: hot lunch to 80-100 guests at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Evanston
  • Coordinated by: Ann and Jackie Kaplan-Perkins
  • Ann and Jackie have started an annual tradition of bringing JRC high schoolers who volunteer to serve on the Sunday before Rosh Hashanah.
  • Email: sunkitchen@jrc-evanston.org

Mondays
  • Serves: hot lunch to 80-100 guests on the 4th Monday of the month at Second Baptist Church in Evanston
  • Times: Volunteers arrive between 10:30 and 11:00 am and leave between 1:30-2:00 pm. There are no formal “shifts”, however the format involves prep and cooking followed by serving and clean-up.
  • Coordinated by: Michael Sehr and Lisa Pildes
  • Email: monkitchen@jrc-evanston.org

Thursdays
  • Serves: hot dinners to 80-100 guests and packs take-away lunches at First United Methodist Church in Evanston
  • Times: Two designated shifts: prep from 4:30-5:45; serve and clean-up from 5:45-7:15. We welcome families with children over the age of 8.
  • A tradition we have enjoyed over the years is our holiday donation “shop”. Volunteers bring hats, scarves, gloves, socks, and travel-size toiletries of all varieties. After dinner, guests are welcome to “shop” for items they can use. We have enjoyed singing holiday songs (and even dancing!) with our guests.
  • Coordinated by: Steven Fox, Candice Green, and Rhoda Kamin
  • Email: thurskitchen@jrc-evanston.org
How can you help?
We currently accept drop offs of specific non-perishable food at JRC. Because much of each of our meals includes fresh fruits, meat, vegetables, etc., we also welcome donations to JRC’s Soup Kitchen Fund.

Thank you to our longstanding volunteers (including Josh & Pam Mark and Linda Cosby who served as coordinators for decades) and to our newcomers, as well.

Looking to make a difference in the new year? Come join us in the kitchens!
Countdown to Convention
Rooted and Relevant: A 2018 Reconstructionist Conversation
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
November 15-18, 2018

Please save the date and plan to join us as we celebrate our movement...past, present and future. Mark 50 years of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Celebrate, learn, and create a Judaism that is "Rooted and Relevant." Strengthen networks and deepen connections with Reconstructionists from all over the country.

JRC will be sending a cohort to convention...stay tuned for more details!
B'nai Mitzvah Profile


Danny Hirsch 
January 27, 2018

What are some of your interests? I love sports. I like to play basketball and baseball, and I follow college and professional sports. I like playing video games and watching YouTube videos. 
What is your tzedakah project? I raised money for Make-a-Wish which partners with NBA Cares. Make-a-Wish provides a wish for kids with life-threatening illnesses. 
What's your favorite part about being Jewish? What I like about being Jewish is being with my friends at Religious School. 
Thank you and Yasher Koach!
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: 
  • Joel Gratch for organizing this year’s successful Phonathon.
  • Marla Baker, Paulette Herbstman, Carol Goldbaum, Linda Kaskel for leading the Rosh Chodesh service with One Jewish Evanston on November 19.
  • Religious School 4th graders for a project to repair and replace worn siddurim, and research names in the dedications of retired books. 
  • Hannah Tauber-Weiss and Maya Jaffe for raising $113 in a bake sale to help fund the siddurim effort.
Kvell Korner
To kvell (or shep naches ) means to express pride. 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:
  • Youth board member Jonah Karsh who played in the Carthage in Chicago Holiday Concert at the Chicago Symphony Center on December 4
  • Mel and Boris Furman on the wedding of Ezra Furman to Rosemarie Wagner on December 17 in Oakland, California
  • Ray Grossman who, as of December 31, will be retiring from a 45 year career in Law
Donations
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.
Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation