Category Archives: Press Release

Friday Night Live, Press Release, Shabbat Morning

Thank you MCJC & our friends and neighbors! What a beautiful Shabbat we shared

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“This is why I weep and my eyes overflow with tears” ~ (Lamentations 1:16).

We are all still in mourning for our murdered brothers and sisters from Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue. But in the words of Matthew Arnold, we will continue “…to keep pushing on one’s posts into the darkness, and to establish no post that is not perfectly in light, and firm.”

I want to express how proud I am of the MCJC community’s response in organizing last Shabbat’s vigil, done with unmitigated love and inspiration. A special shout out to Jill Purvin, Elaine Steinberg, Dara Turnball, Ellen Levy, Robb Tadelman, Gene Lindow, George Sachs, Leslie Cook, Linda Blatchford, Dale Morton, Muriel Pick, Bruce Weiss, and so many others, too many to mention.

May those grieving be comforted, and may MCJC continue to be a sacred space of peace, consolation and rebuilding.

B’Shalom,
Rabbi Tom, MCJC

From the McHenry Chronicle: http://chronicleillinois.com/news/mchenry-county-news/mchenry-county-jewish-community-mourns-loves-in-support-of-pittsburgh-victims

And a video:

Press Release

McHenry County Jewish Congregation to host vigil honoring Pittsburgh shooting victims

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In the Northwest Herald, October 30, 2018:

By Daniel Gaitan

In response to what is believed to be the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in U.S. history, the McHenry County Jewish Congregation, 8617 Ridgefield Road, Crystal Lake, will host a community Shabbat and vigil at 7 p.m. Friday.

“All faiths are welcome to join us in lighting candles and coming together in prayer for our Jewish family in Pittsburgh, and for all those who have experienced violence,” congregation membership chairwoman Linda Blatchford said in a statement. “May God grant our people both the strength to help each other during this time of mourning and the fortitude to rebuild together. May decent people the world over join together with us to foster kindness and love between communities.”

Attendees will gather to honor the men and women slain Saturday at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh.

On Nov. 3, the McHenry County Jewish Congregation will participate in a solidarity Shabbat, an initiative of Jewish United Fund’s Rabbinic Action Committee. It’s part of a national effort “to pray, to mourn and to strengthen one another,” according to the congregation’s website. The event will be from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the center.

“Shabbat was taken from us in the name of hate; we must reclaim Shabbat in the name of love. We hope you will find it meaningful to participate with local congregations,” Blatchford said.

The man accused of the massacre appeared in federal court Monday to face charges in connection with killing 11 people. Robert Gregory Bowers, 46, was ordered held without bail before a preliminary hearing Thursday, when prosecutors will outline their case against him.

Federal prosecutors set in motion plans to seek the death penalty against him. Authorities said he expressed hatred of Jews during the rampage and told police, “I just want to kill Jews.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Happenings, Press Release, Services

McHenry County Jewish Congregation continues a month of holidays

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PRESS RELEASE

By Leslie Cook

Crystal Lake, IL – Local congregation, McHenry County Jewish Congregation (MCJC) continues a time of reflection and return with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, beginning with Kol Nidre, Friday evening September 29 at 7:00pm.

Holidays at MCJC are unique and special.  Our own members lead the services, making these co-creative and empowering experiences for all.  

We welcome non-members and guests to share these days with us but ask that you RSVP in advance and consider making a donation to MCJC.

Kol Nidre
Friday, September 29, 2017 at 7:00 pm
​
Yom Kippur Morning Service
Saturday, September 30, 2017, at 9:00 am
​
Yom Kippur Children’s Services (Ages 4-8)
Saturday, September 30, 2017, at 10:15
MCJC will offer Children’s Services on Yom Kippur. This a wonderfully engaging, musical and fun service, and geared to younger children ages 4 through 8.  ​

Yom Kippur Mincha Service
Saturday, September 30, 2017, at 4:30 pm

Yom Kippur Neila Service
Saturday, September 30, 2017, at​ 6:00 pm

Break-the-Fast
Saturday, September 30, 2017, at 7:15 pm

Join the entire MCJC community for Break-the-Fast after Yom Kippur Services. So that we can plan, please contact the MCJC office to RSVP at: 815-455-1810 or mcjcoffice@yahoo.com.  

Pizza in the Hut Religious School Sukkot Celebration
Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at 4:30 pm

Sukkot Yom Tov Morning Services with Lulav & Etrog
Thursday, October 5, 2017 at 9:30 am

Friday Night Shabbat Services & Potluck Dinner in the Sukkah
Friday, October 6, 2017 at 6:30 pm

Shabbat Morning Sukkot Services
Saturday, October 7, 2017 at 9:30 am

Study, prayer, celebration and community-building continue throughout the year with Shabbat potlucks and services, Religious School, an active Adult Education program and online through our website at mcjconline.org. We hope you’ll join us!

Contact:

To learn more about MCJC, please contact:

Rabbi Tom Samuels
rabbi@mcjconline.org

Or stop in to visit us at 8617 Ridgefield Rd, Crystal Lake, IL 60012. Call the MCJC office first at 815-455-1810 to be sure someone will be there to greet you.

Happenings, Press Release, Services

McHenry County Jewish Congregation wishes you a Happy New Year

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PRESS RELEASE

By Leslie Cook

Woodstock, IL – Local congregation, McHenry County Jewish Congregation (known to its friends as “MCJC”) looks forward to to the beginning of a new Jewish year, 5778, on Wednesday, September 20, 2017.

Rosh HaShanna (“Head of the Year”) is known as the Birthday of the World, and it’s the perfect time to pause and celebrate the beauty of creation. It’s also a time to reflect on the past year as we look forward to the year to come.

You can even get a jump start on reflection and study the evening of September 16, Selichot.

High Holy Days at MCJC are unique and special. Our own members lead the services, making these co-creative and empowering experiences for all.

We welcome non-members and guests to share the High Holy Days with us but ask that you RSVP in advance and consider making a donation to MCJC.

We hope you’ll join us for one or more of our holiday services — better yet that you’ll study and celebrate with us throughout the year:

Saturday, September 16, 2017 at 7:00 pm
Leil Selichot – An Evening of Reflection & Learning in Preparation for the High Holidays

Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at 7:00 pm
Erev Rosh HaShanna (Eve of the New Year)

Thursday, September 21, 2017, at 9:00 am; Children’s Service (ages 4-8): 10:15 am
Rosh HaShanna Morning Service – Day I

Tashlich Service (Immediately following services, approx. 1:45 pm)
Cast your bread on the water
2:30 pm (Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Dr, Crystal Lake, IL 60014​)

Family Service with Shofar Blowing and Tashlich by the Pond – Open to the Public
4:30 pm (Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Dr, Crystal Lake, IL 60014​)
Join us for a musical family High Holiday and Tashlich service.

Friday, September 22, 2017, at 9:00 am
Rosh HaShanna Morning Service – Day 2

Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 9:30 am
Shabbat Shuva – Sabbath of “turning” and “returning”
Shabbat Shuva Morning Services

Friday, September 29, 2017 at 7:00 pm
Yom Kippur – Kol Nidre

Saturday, September 30, 2017, at 9:00 am; Children’s Service (ages 4-8): 10:15 am
Yom Kippur Morning Service

Start: 4:30 pm
Yom Kippur Mincha Service

Start: 6:00 pm
Yom Kippur Neila Service (“Closing of the Gates”)

Start: 7:15 pm
Break-the-Fast
Please join the entire MCJC community for a Potluck Break-the-Fast after Yom Kippur Services.
Contact the MCJC office to RSVP at: 815-455-1810 or office@mcjconline.org.

Contact:
To learn more about MCJC or our month of holidays (yes, there are more), or to let us know you’d like to attend, please contact:

Rabbi Tom Samuels
rabbi@mcjconline.org

Or stop in to visit us at 8617 Ridgefield Rd, Crystal Lake, IL 60012. Call the MCJC office first at 815-455-1810 to be sure someone will be there to greet you.