10 reasons to renew your JRC membership today
  • It's a tangible way to show your support for this spiritual community that we all love
  • Even though JRC's eco friendly lights turn on and off with motion sensors, they would stay off permanently if it wasn't for your membership
  • So you can play softball at next year's Family Kallah 
  • High Holidays are coming up - and your friends will all be there
  • Save your child's spot in Religious School (your registration only counts if your membership is up to date)
  • You'll continue the 50+ year history of JRC that we are building together 
  • It's the start of Rabbi Rachel's second year and we can't wait to see what she has planned
  • We have a new membership category! Young Adults ages 35 and under can now join JRC for just $36 a month - less than a gym membership.
  • The Tu b'Shvat Seder, Purim Carnival, beach services, Shabbat wine & cheeses, Simchat Torah candy apples, Hanukkah music, Pride parade, Sukkah decorating, summer BBQ...
  • Do you need any more reasons? What are you waiting for?

Please return your  membership renewal form as soon as possible to ensure a seamless transition.

Questions? Contact Jill Persin at  [email protected] for more information. 

Summer: Weekly Community Events
Erev Shabbat Service: Fridays at 7:00pm 
Shabbat Minyan and Oneg: Saturdays at 10:00am
Choir Rehearsal: Thursdays at 7:45pm
August Events
Tuesday August 1
One Jewish Evanston: Learning for the End of Tisha b'Av (Not at JRC) 7:00pm
One Jewish Evanston, a consortium of six Evanston Jewish communities including JRC, will host a learning event for the end of Tisha b'Av: "Comfort After Catastrophe: The Use or Misuse of Prophetic Texts," with Rabbi Michael Balinsky. Meet at Fiedler Hillel at Northwestern University, 629 Foster Street in Evanston.

Wednesday August 2
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 favorite Torah commentary, and yourself! 

Communications Committee Meeting 6:00pm

Israeli Film Night: Dough 7:00pm 
In London's East End, Nat, an elderly Jewish baker, struggles to keep his small bakery afloat and to ward off real estate developers. His Muslim cleaning lady is having trouble with her teenage son Ayyash, so she asks Nat to take him as an apprentice. A strong bond develops between the two men, unbeknownst to them that problems are just around the corner. 
Watch the trailer

Thursday August 3
No Choir Rehearsal 

Friday August 4
Erev Shabbat Beach Service and Picnic at Noah's Playground 6:00pm
Click here for more information

Sunday August 6
Buy-In: Meshugenah Mason Jars 11:00am
Click here for more information

Wednesday August 9
Play Bridge! 7:00pm

Thursday August 10
No Choir Rehearsal

Monday August 14
Strategic Planning Committee Meeting (Not at JRC) 7:00pm

Wednesday August 16
Membership Committee Meeting 11:30am
Click here for more information

Thursday August 17
No Choir Rehearsal

Sunday August 20
Rosh Chodesh Service (Not at JRC) 10:00am 
JRC invites all members who identify as women to our Rosh Chodesh group. During the summer the group will meet at Elliot Park at Dempster Street Beach. Please join us as we begin this women's journey that seeks to inspire spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually. 

Wednesday August 23
Play Bridge! 7:00pm

Thursday August 24
Religious School Committee Meeting 7:30pm

Friday August 25
Erev Shabbat Beach Service and Picnic at Dempster Street Beach 6:00pm
Click here for more information

Saturday August 26
Buy-In: Fire and Ice Whiskey Pairing Dinner 6:00pm 
Click here for more information

Sunday August 27
Early Childhood Back to School BBQ 4:00pm
RSVP Here
Celebrate the beginning of Preschool at the Early Childhood Center Back to School BBQ! JRC will be grilling up kosher hot dogs and veggie burgers, families should bring a vegetarian, nut free and dairy free side to share. 
Community Updates
beachBeat the heat with Shabbat at the beach! 
6:00pm: BYO Picnic
7:00pm: Erev Shabbat service 

There are two chances left for you to join us for a fun and summery Erev Shabbat service led by Rabbi Weiss on the beautiful Evanston lakefront. Pack a vegetarian and nut-free picnic dinner and come early (6:00pm) to eat and spend time with friends. 
In case of rain,  the whole operation - 6:00pm picnic, 7:00pm service - moves to JRC. If it looks like rain, check our website's front page at 5:00pm under "Upcoming Events" for a notification if we are moving the service indoors.
Taste of JRC Religious School
September 10 - October 15
Register Here 

Families new to JRC: If you're searching for the right Jewish learning experience for your kids, try a taste-test of our programs. With the Taste of JRC, you will be able to sample classes, talk with our caring, accomplished teachers, and get to know our community. You and your child can participate in school and fall holiday programming through the month of October-and it's only $54 per child. You do not need to be a member of JRC to get a taste of JRC.

You and your family will have access to wonderful programs including: 
  • Enrollment in Religious School classes from September 10 - October 15
  • Sunday, September 10: All School Family Ed Day
  • Sunday, October 8: Coffee with Rabbi Weiss
  • High Holiday Family Services
  • Family Sukkot Service
  • Simchat Torah service with dancing and candy apples
For questions, please contact Religious School Director Terri Bernsohn at [email protected]. 
Parent-Tot Morning Classes 
Fridays 9:30-11:00am 
Age: Birth-2 years
 
Register for the 2017-2018 school year

Start learning and playing early with our parent-tot classes for kids from birth to 2 years old. Parents, grandparents or caregivers spend a relaxing morning together with their children in a warm and stimulating setting. This class offers a great opportunity for families to get to know each other and share experiences.
Watch your mail!   
High Holidays are coming 

The first round of High Holiday mailings has been sent to members' homes. This packet includes a lot of important information to get you ready for the holiday season including a volunteer form, memorial book form and additional ticket ordering for friends and guests.  Tickets will be mailed to JRC member families late August/early September. 

Spotlight on the Membership Committee
membershipWhat's our goal?
To provide meaningful opportunities for members to interact with each other to help engage, retain and attract members.
 
What do we do?   
  • Plan member events: You may have been to the the Summer Kick-Off BBQ, Erev Shabbat Wine & Cheese gatherings and several Shabbat potlucks throughout the year, all hosted by the membership committee. We welcome our newest members too - with new member Shabbat bags, and the New Member Tea and Building Tour. In fact, we're providing the Oneg for the last Beach Service on August 25! 
  • Support new member groups: like our Young Adult and LGBTQ Havurot. We're always looking for more ways to help our members connect. Have a new interest to share with JRC members? We can help you get your group going.
  • Member Mentors: Member Mentors (long-time JRC members who are matched with new members) invite new members to attend JRC events with them and check-in periodically with them throughout the year. If you're interested in becoming a Member Mentor, contact Robert Lange.
  • Find potential new members: We reach out and invite people who might find a spiritual home here to JRC events, and we represent JRC at Evanston-area festivals and gatherings.
Where can you find us?
Our next meeting is on August 16 at 11:30am at JRC. To join us, contact  Membership Committee Chair,  Linda Hewitt. 
Tikkun Olam Opportunity 
Cradles to Crayons  

JRC 7th grader Talia Berger-White is organizing a drive for Cradles To Crayons for her bat mitzvah tzedakah project.  Cradles to Crayons is a non-profit organization that helps kids in low income and homeless families by passing along essential items at no cost to the kids. In order to help, you can donate new or gently used (no rips or stains) toys, books, clothes, and shoes for kids from ages 0-12 in a range of sizes.  You can also get a tax receipt  for your donations.
   
To help these kids, please drop your donations at the box in the JRC office.

There are many items that are not suitable to donate to Cradles to Crayons. See a complete list.
August Buy-In Parties! 
buyinAugust 6: Meshugenah Mason Jars
11:00am
Register Here
Come and create a whole meal - an appetizer, salad and dessert - each in a Mason jar!  Enjoy eating your three creations at this party, along with other refreshments. Take home other Mason jar creations, plus recipes for future meshugenah Mason jar delicacies. Hosted by Bonnie and Ron Silverman in their Evanston home.

August 26: Fire & Ice Whiskey Pairing Dinner 

Click here to see all upcoming Buy In Parties for 2017-2018! 

Photo by: Abby Harris-Ridker
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: 
  • Larry Goldberg for his work on the JRC garden (it looks great!) and for recruiting other helpers.
  • Tina and Gonzalo Escobar for their leadership with the Immigrant Justice Task Force.
  • Juliet Berger-White, Keegan Sherlock, and Nicki Bazer for coordinating JRC's participation in the Chicago Pride Parade.
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 [email protected].

Mazel Tov To:

Darlene and Ray Grossman, on the birth of their granddaughter, Noa Elise

Jonathan Markowitz and Ruth Wenger, on the engagement of their daughter, A riell.

Ben and Diane Melnick on the engagement of their son, Ian, to Lauren Gold.

Fran and Skip Landt on the engagement of their daughter, Ginny Landt to Brandon Pyle. Mazel tov also to Shirlee Wishinsky and Jan Wishinsky, Ginny's grandmother and aunt.

Terri Bernsohn on the engagement of her daughter Chuck Bernsohn to Florence McCafferty. 

Aaron Friedman, son of Carol and Rick Friedman, who graduated with a Master's of Science degree in Information Systems from Northwestern University.

Judy Mendel and Jorge Kurganoff on the wedding of their daughter Yael Kurganoff who married Burak Atagün at JRC. 

Bon voyage to Maple Conn (daughter of Dori Conn and Jeff Balch) who will be studying at the Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy! She will take her new skills to the University of Minnesota next year. 
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.
We would like to express our gratitude for these donations made between June 28 and July 31, 2017

To donate online,  please click here. 

Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation |  www.jrc-evanston.org