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Move from the Bimah to the Beach!
Summer Erev Shabbat Beach Services
6:00 pm: BYO Picnic
7:00 pm: Erev Shabbat service
Join your JRC family at
Elliot Park (Dempster Street Beach) for a fun and summery Erev Shabbat service led by Rabbi Weiss on the beautiful Evanston lakefront. Pack a dairy/vegetarian and nut-free picnic dinner and come early (6:00 pm) to eat and spend time with friends.
In case of rain, the whole operation - 6:00pm picnic, 7:00pm service - moves to JRC. If you can't make it this week, don't worry, we'll do it again! Here is our schedule of Erev Shabbat services at the lakefront:
- Friday June 30 at Elliot Park - near Dempster Street Beach (map)
- Friday July 21 at Elliot Park - near Dempster Street Beach (map).
- Friday August 4 at Noah's Playground - at Lawson Park near Lighthouse Landing (map)
- Friday August 25 at Elliot Park - near Dempster Street Beach (map).
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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
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Independence Day: JRC Office Closed
Wednesday June 5
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: A Borrowed Identity 7:00pm
A gifted Palestinian Israeli boy is given the chance to study at a prestigious Jewish boarding school in Jerusalem. As he tries to fit in with his Jewish schoolmates and in Israeli society, Eyad developes a friendship with Jonathan who suffers from muscular dystrophy and a romance with Naomi, a Jewish girl. Eyad leaves school when their relationship is uncovered and he must confront challenges of identity, family and love.
Wednesday July 12
Board of Directors Meeting 7:30pm
Thursday July 13
Buy In: After Work Zumba Party 6:30pm
Click here for more information
JRC Garden Days 9:00am
Help care for JRC's sustainable landscape by working on the garden together. Bring your garden gloves and wear a sun hat.
Saturday July 15
Buy In: Grilled Dinner on the Deck 6:30pm
Sold Out: Click here for more Buy-in Parties
Sunday July 16
Book Group:
The Patriots (Not at JRC) 10:00am
The summer meeting will be held at the home of JRC member Susan Siebers.
Click here
to read the New York Times Book Review: "
The Pa
triots
Charts a Family's Reverse Journey From Brooklyn to the Gulag"
Tuesday July 18
Religious School Committee Meeting (Not at JRC) 7:30pm
Friday July 21
Erev Shabbat Picnic and Beach Service 6:00pm
Click here for more information
Sunday July 23
First Day of Camp JRF (Session Bet)
Buy in: Merlot to Martinis...An Evening for Lovely Ladies (Not at JRC) 7:00pm
Click here for more information
Wednesday July 26
Hangout for Young Adults with Rabbi Weiss (Not at JRC) 7:00pm
Young Adults (20's, 30's) are invited to join Rabbi Weiss at the Heartland Cafe in Rodgers Park for drinks, snacks, and a discussion about Rosh Chodesh Av. The destruction of the Temple (which we commemorate on Tisha b'Av) is a mourning holiday, but Judaism as we know it today was created because of that destruction. What are the implications of this holiday based on how we understand Judaism in our contemporary lives?
Play Bridge! 7:00pm
Ritual Practices Committee Meeting 7:00pm
Saturday July 29
Buy In: Chi-Brew: Microbrews and Cheese Pairings Party (Not at JRC) 4:30pm
Click here for more information
Monday July 31
Erev Tisha B'Av Service 8:00pm
This somber holiday commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem serves as an opportunity to consider suffering and injustice in our modern world.
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Membership Season is Here!
It's time to renew your JRC Membership
Current members should have received a pre-printed membership renewal form in the mail. Here's what you need to know:
- Because the membership year ends on June 30th, please return your renewal forms as soon as possible to ensure a seamless transition.
- If you didn't receive a pre-printed form in the mail, you can download one here.
- If your kids are going to religious school we must have both your membership renewal and your religious school registration to ensure your spot.
- We've reinstated the 12-month payment plan. If you would like to take advantage of this plan, your membership renewal must be complete by July 27, 2017.
If you are not yet a member of JRC and would like to become one, please contact Jill Persin at
[email protected] for more information. Membership in our community means that you have the support of our clergy and community for all the important milestones in your family's life, that you can join our committees and task forces to make a difference in the world, and that you can engage in community building events with other members such as our annual Family Kallah.
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Taste of JRC Religious School
September 10 - October 15
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. You do not need to be a member of JRC to try our programs out.
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
Register Here
For questions, please contact Religious School director Terri Bernsohn at
[email protected].
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Summer Camp Care packages from the Rabbi!
If your child is going to a Jewish summer camp this year, Rabbi Weiss wants to send them a care package full of fun stuff! Please contact her assistant, Kara Hendrickson, at
[email protected] with the following information:
- Which kids are going to camp
- The full address of where they are staying
- The dates that they will be at camp
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July 13: After-Work Zumba Party
6:30pm
Take the "work" out of workout for this after work Zumba® party at JRC!
Shake it to the rhythms in this in this high energy, Latin inspired dance fitness class that combines cardio, fitness, flexibility and muscle conditioning all in an awesome and fun dance party environment. Your guide on your Zumba® journey will be Nina Litoff (JRC's very own Communications and Programming Coordinator!) Bring yourself, your gym shoes, your water bottle, and your most positive attitude.
July 15: Grilled Dinner on the Deck
SOLD OUT
July 23: Merlot to Martinis...and Evening for Lively Ladies
7:00pm
REGISTER HERE
Merlot to Martinis... join us Sunday, July 23 for an evening of food, fun, and friends for women, and all who identify as women, of JRC. An outdoor summer evening (inside if the weather does not cooperate) at the Gotkin Skokie Residence, and a chance to meet new people and enjoy those you already know. Who knows, maybe it will lead to additional gatherings at fun locations throughout the year.
We'll supply the wine and cocktails, cheese, appetizers and desserts. You supply the energy.
July 29: Chi-Brew: Microbrews and Cheese Pairings Party
4:30pm
REGISTER HERE
Come to the city to taste the beers of local micro-breweries, paired with cheeses (and other snacks).
Hosted by siblings Beth and Robert Lange at Robert's northwest side Chicago bungalow. Robert will share tasting notes so that you can learn a little more about what you are sampling.
Click here to see all upcoming Buy In Parties for 2017-2018!
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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:
- Robin Trilling for being an extraordinary Board president who handled everything beautifully and gracefully, and for her collaborative partnership with Rabbi Weiss and Sharon Diaz.
- Outgoing Board members Julia Talbot, Todd Hasak-Lowy, and Ilana Baker for their Board service.
- All the other Board members for a remarkable year and for their depth, dedication, and hard work.
- Sandy Spatz for her new role as incoming President and for leading her first Board meeting.
- Rich Katz for his new role as VP Administration.
- Joel Gratch for the JRC in Bloom gala fundraising.
- Rabbi Weiss for supporting Camp JRF, where JRC has the second largest camper contingency of all congregations.
- Todd Hasak-Lowy for his professorial skills leading a great year-long class exploring Israeli literature.
- Kallah coordinators Monica Lasky, Kim Holstein, Karen Libman, Beth Gladstein, Carrie Elsberg, and Abby Harris-Ridker, and the many other folks who participated in leading/playing/praying/schlepping/organizing, and more.
- Linda & Bob Hewitt and Reese & Joel Gratch for assisting with the membership BBQ, which had great attendance and enthusiasm - the start of a nice tradition.
- Rich Katz, Debi Lewis and Rebecca Osborn for their work on the Rabbi's Advisory Committee.
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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].
Mazel Tov To:
Jacob Goldin (son of Harry Goldin and Jane Kaplan)
and
Debi Schwartz on the birth of their daughter Naomi Lorelei Goldin.
Ilana Hamer, who graduated from Tufts University, and her parents Brian Hamer and
Madelynn Hausman who have now seen both their kids through college.
Josh Byster, son of Robin Byster and Mike Byster, for graduating with honors from Niles North High School. He will be attending the University of Illinois with a scholarship for work in Computer Science.
Mike Byster, Josh Byster's father, for showing off his astonishing
math wiz skills on the Fox TV show "Superhuman".
Other Recent Grads: Please send your school information and what your plans are for next year so we can kvell about you!
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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 May 22, 2017 and June 27, 2017
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