Category Archives: Services

Services

Erev Tisha B’Av Services & Discussion Group, August 10, 2019

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On Saturday, August 10, at 7:00 pm, at MCJC, we will share a special Tisha B’Av program.

The evening includes Havdala, readings from the Book of Lamentations / Eicha, and a discussion group titled: “From Victimhood to Victory – The Dilemma of Suffering and Forgiveness.” 

We look forward to sharing this time together the evening of Saturday, August 10.

About the Discussion Topic: 
From Victimhood to Victory – The Dilemma of Suffering and Forgiveness

  • The benefits of staying victimized (why do we whine so much?)
  • The rewards of moving toward healing
  • The power of spiritual strength
  • Lessons from our Jewish resources
  • How do we get past anger and fear from those who have hurt us?
  • A practical home exercise: Can we control others behaviors? Who can we control?

About Tisha b’Av:
Tisha B’Av culminates the Three Weeks, an annual mourning period for the destruction of the Holy Temple, an event that launched us into a still-ongoing exile. It is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, and it is also the date that many other tragedies befell the Jewish people.

Tisha B’Av is the time we begin, as individuals and as a community, to do a Heshbon HaNefesh, an Accounting of the Soul, as we prepare for the High Holy Days.

“Prayers”by chaim zvi is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Services, Shabbat & Holidays

A Special Shabbat Service Friday evening, April 26

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Paula Eskoz and Ilene Kaye are working with Rabbi Tom to create a special Friday evening service filled with beautiful and familiar melodies. Paula and Ilene are creating this service as they remember their fathers and say Kaddish for them on the occasion of their Yahrzeits.

At 6:30 pm on April 26, we will use our faithful friend and prayerbook, Siddur Sim Shalom, to welcome Shabbat with such wonderful prayers as Shalom Aleichem, Yedid Nefesh, Mizmor l’David, L’kha Dodi, Mourners’ Kaddish, the formal Barkhu, some beautiful English readings, Ahavat Olam, the Sh’ma, Hatzi Kaddish, Silent Amidah, Shalom Rav, the conclusion, Kaddish Shalem, Aleinu, and the Kaddish. We will end with Yigdal.

Ilene will work with Rabbi Tom to put together this beautiful service. Please come to share and help create an extra special evening. Services will begin at 6:30 pm.

We will enjoy a Kiddush after the service (If you can bring veggie or dairy food to share, please let us know what you’ll bring via kiddush@mcjconline.org).

Rosh HaShanah, Services

Selichot Service & Discussion with Havdala

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Saturday, September 1, 2018
5:00 PM at MCJC

The High Holy Days are imbued with a special light that gives us the chance to make changes in our lives that seemed out of our reach during the rest of the year.

Join the MCJC Community for an evening of discussion and learning to prepare for the High Holy Day season.

To guide you in your spiritual practice this season, we offer these Kavvanot.

Press Release, Services, Upcoming

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
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Yom Kippur Morning Service
Saturday, September 30, 2017, at 9:00 am
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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.

Press Release, Services, Upcoming

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.