October 2017
Tishri 5778
Monthly E-Newsletter
Sukkot
Join us in the great outdoors for the fall harvest holiday of Sukkot! All events in the sukkah will happen rain or shine...in case of inclement weather we will gather in the Small Sanctuary.

Sukkot Festival Service
Thursday, October 5
10:00am

Early Childhood Sukkah Decorating Party!
Friday, October 6
9:30am
The JRC Early Childhood Center invites families and friends to help decorate our sukkah with artwork made by JRC preschoolers and plants, fruits, and vegetables of the season.The decorating party will end with a gathering in the sukkah led by Rabbi Rachel and Cantor Howard. Light snacks will be provided for kids.

Wine and Cheese in the Sukkah
Friday, October 6
6:00pm
Schmooze with your friends and enjoy your wine and cheese outdoors in our festive fall sukkah while enjoying a delicious taste of wine and cheese. Then stay for our 7:00pm Erev Shabbat service.

Shiviti Outdoor Drum Circle
Sunday, October 8
1:30pm
This special Sukkot drum circle led by JRC Member Al Goldberg uses drumming as a spiritual practice to get in touch with one's spirit and soul. Dancers and singers invited. No experience or equipment is required, and people of all ages are welcome.
To learn more about monthly Shiviti drum circles, visit www.meetup.com/shiviti.

Cocktails in the Sukkah for Young Adults
Tuesday, October 10
7:30pm
Young Adults (20s+30s) of all backgrounds are invited to join Rabbi Weiss in the sukkah for cocktails, small bites and conversation. Guests and members alike are welcome to come to this free event. Please remember to wear warm layers as we will be outdoors.

Simchat Torah Family Service
Wednesday, October 11
6:30pm
This celebratory service marks the beginning of a new cycle of reading Torah. Join JRC and our resident Klezmer band Heavy Shtetl for a party including dancing, taffy apples, and our tradition of unfurling the Torah around the room. 

Shemini Atzeret Yizkor Service
Thursday, October 12
10:00am
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
October Events
Sunday October 1
JRC Garden Day 9:00am
Help care for JRC’s sustainable landscape by working on the garden together. Bring your garden gloves and wear a sun hat.

Wednesday October 4
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!

JRC Office Closing at 2:00pm for Sukkot

High School Class with Rabbi Rachel 7:00pm

Thursday October 5
Sukkot: JRC Office Closed, No Early Childhood Classes, No Religious School

Sukkot Festival Service 10:00am

Friday October 6

Early Childhood Sukkah Decorating Party 9:30am

Wine and Cheese in the Sukkah 6:00pm

Sukkot Erev Shabbat Service 7:00pm
Rabbi Rachel Weiss and Cantor Friedland lead a service filled with music, discussion and camaraderie celebrating the Fall harvest festival of Sukkot. 

Saturday October 7
Halle Bernard Bat Mitzvah 10:00am
The entire JRC community is invited to celebrate with Halle Bernard 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: Evanston Progressive Dinner (Not at JRC) 5:30pm

Sunday October 8
Taste of JRC Parent Coffee 10:30am

Shiviti Drum Circle in the skukkah 1:30pm

Tuesday October 10
Israeli Film Night: Zrubavel 7:00pm

Cocktails in the Sukkah for Young Adults 7:00pm

Wednesday October 11
JRC Office Closing at 1:00pm for Simchat Torah

Simchat Torah Family Service 6:30pm

Thursday October 12
Shemini Atzeret: JRC Office Closed, No Early Childhood Classes, No Religious School

Yizkor Service 10:00am

Saturday October 14
Theo Schloff Bar Mitzvah 10:00am
The entire JRC community is invited to celebrate with Theo Schloff 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. 

Sunday October 15
Fall Birding Outing (Not at JRC) 7:30am

Last Day of Taste of JRC

Rosh Chodesh Service 10:00am
Please join us for this monthly celebration of womanhood as we journey to inspire spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually.

Wednesday October 18
Board of Directors Meeting 7:30pm

Thursday October 19
Membership Committee Meeting 7:00pm

Religious School Committee Meeting 7:30pm

Friday October 20
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.

Shabbat Potluck 6:00pm
Everyone in the community is invited to join the K-1st graders and their families for our monthly Shabbat Potluck.

Erev Shabbat Service Honoring K-1st Graders 7:00pm
Kindergarteners and new First Graders are given a special honor during this Erev Shabbat service welcoming them to the beginning of their Jewish learning and giving them their own mini Torahs.

Saturday October 21
Elliot Weisfeld Bar Mitzvah 10:00am
The entire JRC community is invited to celebrate with Elliot Weisfeld 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. 

Adult Ed: The Creation of Funny Girl 7:00pm

Sunday October 22
Capital Campaign Meeting 9:30am

Buy-in: Stitch and Bitch (Not at JRC) 3:00pm

Progressive Chevra Kadisha (Not at JRC) 1:00pm

Tuesday October 24
Adult Ed Committee Meeting 7:30pm

Wednesday October 25
Play Bridge! 7:00pm

Saturday October 28
Talia Scott Bat Mitzvah 10:00am
The entire JRC community is invited to celebrate with Talia Scott 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. 

5th Annual Early Childhood Fall Social 5:00pm

High School Program With Rabbi Rachel 7:00pm

Sunday October 29
JRC at the Theatre: Fun Home (Not at JRC) 3:00pm

Tuesday October 31
Teacher In-Service: No Religious School
Adult Education
New Adult Education Catalog!
The 2017-2018 Adult Ed classes have been announced! Our programs are designed around our members’ thirst for knowledge, a series of expert speakers, and strengthening a sense of community.

Dates are subject to change. For full, up to date information please visit our calendar or www.jrc-evanston.org/education/adults.

New this year:
Exploring Islam, Meeting our Muslim Neighbors
As part of a larger effort to create greater mutual understanding, JRC is proud to announce a congregation-wide, year-long initiative focusing on Islam. Our goal is to educate ourselves about this often misunderstood religion and facilitate interactions between JRC members and our Muslim neighbors in the Chicagoland area. This series of events will include classes, plays, speakers, panels, visits to Muslim spaces, and social gatherings, all with an eye on strengthening the bonds between our communities.

JRC at the Theatre
Experience live theater through a Jewish lens with our "JRC at the Theater"
series. Over the course of the year, we will organize trips to stage
performances throughout the Chicagoland area, engaging in discussions
with playwrights, directors, dramaturges and performers, and using this art
form to examine ideas from a Jewish perspective.
October
The Creation of Funny Girl
Saturday, October 21
7:00pm
Presenter: Charles Troy

Funny Girl was an amazing cosmic convergence: a show already in development about the producer’s famous mother-in-law, Fanny Brice, and an extraordinary young talent ready to be a star. Lessons in self-promotion and improbable casting decisions abound in this creative presentation by the extraordinary master of Broadway history, Charles Troy.

JRC members $6; non-members $12
JRC at the Theatre: Fun Home
Sunday October 29
3:00pm
Victory Gardens Theatre, Chicago

Hailed as one of Broadway’s most original musicals and the winner of 5 Tony Awards, Fun Home is a groundbreaking story inspired by Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic memoir.

In this intimate musical, Alison sets out to unravel the many mysteries of her childhood through a series of memories and conversations - from her coming out to her moving journey to acceptance. Gary Griffin ( Hand to God, Never the Sinner) directs this emotionally charged family drama that the New York Times calls “extraordinary,” and “a rare beauty.”

Use the code JRC at checkout to save 25% for the October 29th performance. Go online, or call 773-871-3000 and enter code JRC. $15 student tickets are also available over the phone.
November
The Bible, History, and Politics
Sundays, November 5 and 12
11:30am-1:00pm
Presenter:  Rachel Havrelock

What does it mean to ask whether or not the Bible is true? How should biblical texts be interpreted? How have they been interpreted? Although nothing like a Supreme Court refers to the Bible in determining laws, the interpretation of biblical texts in many ways resembles the interpretation of the Constitution. And, like the Constitution, biblical interpretation is often driven by politics. As we think about the historical value of the Hebrew Bible, we will also survey the major schools of biblical interpretation and the political positions that have motivated them.

JRC members $12; non-members $24
JRC at the Theatre: Yasmina's Necklace
Wednesday, November 15
7:30pm
The Goodman Theatre, Chicago

The refugee experience is illuminated by this "sweet and hopeful story" ( Chicago Tribune) about love and renewal in the face of past devastation.

Challenged by his Iraqi roots, Abdul Samee has hidden his Muslim background. But his attitudes change when he meets Yasmina, a refugee, leading to a new relationship and hope for the future. The play was nominated for a 2016 Jeff Award for Best New Work.

The play will be followed by a discussion with cast members.

Ticket prices: Balcony $10, Mezzanine $25, Main Floor $30
Tickets are available online or call 312-443-3800 between 12:00pm-5:00pm
Did you know? If you bought High Holiday tickets and decide to join JRC by November 1, the cost of your tickets will be credited towards your membership. Contact Jill Persin at jpersin@jrc-evanston.org to learn more!
Tikkun Olam Opportunities
Provide Dinner at Hilda's Place Shelter
September 20th and October 21st
Hilda’s Place Shelter (Lake Street Church) provides food for for 20 people Sign up at Connections for the Homeless, or contact Lisa Todd, 847-475-7070

Donations for Holiday Store Needed
Donate gently used items to a free one-day Holiday Store for children in residence at the Rice Child and Family Center in Evanston. contact Marne Glaser, 773-338-0248.

Cook Needed
A cook(s) is needed for the IAE Thursday soup kitchen, which has been closed for 9 months, for it to reopen. 

Phone Callers Needed
Weekly caller will contact volunteers for the Emergency Overnight Shelter.

Texter Needed
Daily texter will contact the people handling the laundry for the Emergency Overnight Shelter.

Groceries Needed
Purchase and deliver one week's worth of groceries to the Hospitality Center.

Contact Sue Murphy, 847-475-1150
JRC 7th grader Talia Berger-White is collecting for Cradles To Crayons for her bat mitzvah tzedakah project. Cradles to Crayons helps kids in low income and homeless families by providing essential items. 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.
  
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.
Pick up your pushke!
We have brand-new, easy to assemble JRC tzedakah boxes that you can pick up from the JRC office. Start saving your shekels to repair the world in the New Year.
The devastation that has struck Puerto Rico’s 3.4 million people has stunned people around the world.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation is collecting funds to assist victims of the recent natural disasters. The federation is partnering with the Jewish and general communities in each of the affected areas to assess the needs of local residents and institutions, and to quickly mobilize emergency relief and recovery resources.

One hundred percent of all contributions  will be directed to assist victims of the disaster relief fund(s) you designate.
For other organizations, Jewish and otherwise, that are lending a hand, you can find a comprehensive list put together by PBS.
Progressive Chevra Kadisha
Sunday, October 22
1:00pm
Chicago Jewish Funerals

The Progressive Chevra Kadisha, a volunteer inter-congregational society in which JRC members participate, is holding a workshop on performing a Tahara, the ritual washing and purification of the deceased. If you are already a member and want a refresher, interested in becoming a volunteer or just interested in the ritual, please join us on October 22 at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Boulevard.

For questions and RSVP please email or call Fay Lipshultz at  faygel524@hotmail.com or 773-965- 3297
Spotlight on the Financial Development Committee
What’s our goal? Fundraising!
The overriding goal of the Financial Development Committee is the short and long term financial health of JRC. We are charged by our Board of Directors to help JRC have strong, stable, financial footings so the community can thrive and grow now and in the future. We come together monthly to brainstorm, discuss, dream, plan and hope. Through our efforts, and those of the huge number of people giving of their energies to make our plans come to life, we achieve our goals. We do this through the variety of fundraising activities held at JRC throughout the year. We support and assist those people who head these efforts and work to create future efforts to maintain our congregations health. We do this keeping in mind that our most important responsibility is to keep our community strong and welcoming to all. And we have fun doing it. We are looking for a few interested members to join us in our quest to help make JRC the best place to be part of a Jewish community.

How can you can get involved?   
  • Attend an Event: Our first fundraiser of the new year, the Fifth Annual Early Childhood Fall Social, benefiting the JRC Early Childhood Center's scholarship fund, will be held at JRC on October 28th. Hosted Early Childhood Center families, this event is always a great time for adults with on-site babysitting provided for kids. Learn more
  • Help Plan: Do you love making sure that everyone has a great time supporting JRC? Our annual spring Gala Committee will be gearing up soon, under returning co-chair Sara Cohn.
  • Solicit Donations: Are you always looking to chat with the chef at the latest new restaurant? Have a small business that you just rave about to your friends? Then you’re in-the-know for helping us solicit donations from local businesses for our Gala’s silent auction.
  • Call and Letter Write: Volunteers for our December Phonathon are needed every winter. A tasty dinner and fun camaraderie are always provided.
  • Join the committee: We are always looking for interested people who might want to help out with an activity or event, or be part of the larger planning group. All skills are needed.

Where can you find us?   
The next meeting of the Fundraising Committee is on October 15 at JRC at 9:30am. If you want to get involved in any of these ways, please contact our VP of Financial Development, Joel Gratch.  
Join together to benefit the JRC Early Childhood Center!
Saturday, October 28, 2017
5:00 - 8:00pm

This cozy fall party to benefit the JRC Early Childhood center will feature craft brews and cider tastings, small bites, a silent auction, and raffle with fabulous prizes.

Babysitting for children ages 1+ in the Early Childhood Classrooms (and a pizza dinner for the kids) is included in your ticket price. Babysitting will be staffed by caregivers from   Chicago Collegiate Nannies .

Get your tickets now and get a $10 per ticket discount off the door price!
JRC members are joining together to write the congregation's 5th member-produced book.  Lost & Found: Embracing the Whole of Life will be a collections of personal essays, poems, and stories examining the losses and gains - both positive and negative - that are an inherent part of life.

The JRC Press Task Force will direct the project and consists of a number of seasoned editors and published writers who will work with each author to help refine and edit each submission.

Here are a few prompts to get you started:
• finding or losing/regaining a job or love or wealth
• health changes for good or ill
• the one that got away
• adoption/birth
• sexual orientation
• learning a new language or how to chant Torah
• friendships lost and found
• leaving home behind

Send submissions to:  jrcpress@gmail.com
Deadline: November 15, 2017
Limit: 800 words

The JRC Press Task Force will confirm your email and be back in touch with you approximately 4 weeks later with questions, edits, and a timetable for moving your piece toward publication. Books will be printed and available for sale (all proceeds to JRC) just in time for Hanukkah 2018, and an opening party with author readings will celebrate this accomplishment.

The JRC Press has produced four previous books. Pick up your own copies at the JRC library!
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:
Carol and Rick Friedman on the engagement of their son, Gabriel, to Thuy-Lan Vo Lite. 

Halle Bernard, Theo Schloff Lewis, Elliot Weisfeld, and Talia Scott, who will become b'nai mitzvah in October!
Religious School Director Terri Bernsohn on the birth of her first grandchild, Sadie, daughter of Noah Bernsohn and Erin Wheeler.

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