On Sunday, September 29, MCJCers will gather at 9:00 am, or whenever you can come during the morning, for our Annual Sukkah Raising. In past years, it has been great fun to have everyone out doing their share to make this holiday special.
Not only is it fun to build our sukkah, it’s an important part of your children’s Jewish experience. More than books and lessons, these are the memories that will stay with them forever, as they actively participate in creating a Jewish experience with their family and community.
Our own MCJC Maintenance Men, Steve Boress and Dale Morton, will show you everything you need to know and will have the supplies ready. The Purvins will provide coffee and donuts.
Although we’ll be thrilled if you just stop in to help out, it would also be great to let Dale Morton know you can come so we can plan how to use everyone most effectively – building@mcjconline.org.
Follow up a great Mitzvah Morning with a wonderful Mitzvah Afternoon. The McHenry County CROP Hunger Walk, in which MCJC is participating with 12 local churches, begins around 1:15 pm. Last year we raised $636! Think we can top that this year? If you’d like more information or want to volunteer to participate in the CROP Hunger Walk, contact Bruce Weiss at socialaction@mcjconline.org or Davina Kelly at school@mcjconline.org.
Join the entire MCJC community to Break-the-Fast
after Yom Kippur Services
Wednesday, September 19, at 7:15 pm $10 per person, $5 per child, $30 max per family To register, please contact the MCJC office:
815-455-1810 or office@mcjconline.org
or submit your payment below:
For other High Holidays 2018 Payments and
Volunteer Opportunities CLICK HERE.
Schedule for
High Holy Days, Sukkot, Simchat Torah
Erev Rosh HaShanah
Sunday, September 9, 7:30 pm
Rosh HaShanah Morning Service – Day I
Monday, September 10, 9:00 am
Children’s Service (ages 4-8): 10:15 am
Tashlich Service: 1:45 pm
(Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Dr,
Crystal Lake, IL 60014)
Family Service with Tashlich: 4:30 pm
(Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Dr,
Crystal Lake, IL 60014)
Rosh HaShanah Morning Service – Day II
Tuesday, September 11, 9:00 am
Kol Nidre
Tuesday, September 18, 7:00 pm
Yom Kippur Services
Wednesday, September 19, 9:00 am
9:00 am: Yom Kippur Morning Service
Children’s Service (ages 4-8): 10:15 am
Mincha Service: 4:30 pm
Neila Service: 6:00 pm
Break-the-Fast: 7:15 pm
Sukkot
Sunday, September 23, 9:15 am
Sukkot Services with the Religious School
Monday, September 24, 8:30 am
Sukkot Morning Services with Lulav & Etrog
Wednesday, September 26, 4:30 pm
Pizza in the Hut – Sukkot Program with the Religious School
Yizkor
Saturday, September 29, 9:30 am
Shabbat Morning Services & Torah Discussion with Yizkor
Simchat Torah
Sunday, September 30, 9:15 am
Simchat Torah Celebrations with
Religious School
Schedule for
High Holy Day Children & Family Services
Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur Children’s Services
Monday, September 10 & Wednesday, September 19 at 10:15 am
Bring your family to our High Holiday Children’s Services on the first day of Rosh Hashanah as well as on Yom Kippur. These are wonderfully engaging, musical and fun services, geared to younger children ages 4 through 8. Family & Community-Wide High Holiday Service with Tashlich
Monday, September 10 at 4:30 pm
MCJC will host a musical, family-friendly, High Holiday service at the Main Beach in Crystal Lake (300 Lakeshore Dr, Crystal Lake, IL 60014). We’ll share songs, stories, a shofar blowing Shofar-Palooza, and much more. This program is open to the public, so bring friends and family, Jewish or not. Simchat Torah Celebration
Sunday, September 30 at 9:15 am
Simchat Torah is a joyous celebration when we end the last book of the Torah and start again from the beginning. Young and old, generation-to-generation, we’ll sing and dance, together with the Torahs.
Kavanot: Intentional Meditations
for the 10 Days of Turning
A Journey to Peace 5779 The days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur 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. Day 1 Rosh Hashanah – Asking the Big Questions
Looking Within: Renewal of our Relationships How am I doing with friends, family, community, and work? Do I owe anyone an apology? Do I need to return a borrowed item? Can I mend a broken connection? Have I left a promise undone? Make a list. Day 2 – More Looking: Self Care Am I taking care of my physical body? Have I had doctor and dental check-ups? Have I listened to my body’s needs? Am I getting enough rest and quiet time? Am I caring for my changing challenges? Do I pay attention to my diet? How can I do better? Day 3 – Much More Looking Within What am I doing to grow spiritually? What new activity have I tried or re-introduced into my routine? Is there a comforting routine in my daily, weekly, or monthly schedule? Do I have someone in my circle to guide me? (If not, seek advice.) Day 4 – Am I Angry? Is there someone in my life that has hurt me? Have I retaliated? What is MY part? Can I forgive or start to forgive? Can I ask for forgiveness? Do I need help with this? Day 5 – Am I Afraid? What/who frightens me? Why am I fearful? Are they real or imagined fears? Are there things I do in my life to reduce those fears? Are my attempts to reduce those fears healthy? Yes, I am human; we all have fears. Day 6 – Am I Honest? Do I practice honesty with myself and with others? Do I justify “exceptions from the truth” to justify a perceived positive result? Am I more concerned with seeking approval than being truthful? Do I avoid making changes when I am not being honest with how I feel about a relationship, decision, or lifestyle? Day 7 – Balance: Where is the Joy, Love, and Play in my Life? Does my life have real fun space? Is it enough? Do I actively seek enriching experiences, entertainment, and generosity? Can I turn off my social media and electronic devices for a part of my day or week? Do I honor and spend time in nature? Do I listen? Can I say, “Not now”? Day 8 – Patience: Tell me Yes, Tell me No, But Please Don’t Tell me to Wait. Is time always a commodity, or can I slow down? Does my agenda supersede all others? Can I stay in the moment, or do I live in the past and future? How can I do better? Day 9 – Hope and Gratitude: Every Day is a New Beginning. We can start over any time. Prayer and meditation can take us to a place of unselfish and focused spiritual growth. Even something very, very small makes a difference. Am I willing to add just one tiny, new practice to my daily routine or more? Do I need help with this? Day 10 – Service: Giving Without Reward – the Greatest Gift of All. The path to peace and joy lies in the ability to do for others, when our motives are not self-serving. Even the smallest token or act of kindness is enough each day. Taking Action: Smile “Thank you.” An anonymous gift or gesture A kind word to a stranger Comforting the sick Supporting the grieving Sharing a talent Protecting the natural world
Minhag haMakom מנהג המקום
MCJC Traditions for High Holiday Services
Entering/Exiting the Sanctuary Integral to MCJC is the Jewish ethic of Hachnasat Orchim, “the welcoming of guests.” With this in mind, please feel free to enter and exit the sanctuary as you wish, knowing that you are always welcome. However, there are certain parts of the services during which entering could disrupt your fellow worshipers. Our ushers will let people know when these moments are and might ask you to wait before entering the sanctuary. Tallit and Kippah Our custom at MCJC is for male congregants to wear a kippah (head covering) and tallit (prayer shawl) during services. In our egalitarian community, women are welcome to wear these as well. Both are readily available in the foyer just outside of the sanctuary’s door. Electronic Devices Please turn off or mute any electronic devices before entering the building. We ask that you respect our tradition not to use any electronic device in the building during the High Holiday services. Sitting/Standing While there are times during services when the congregation is asked to sit or stand, the priority is that you are physically comfortable. At any point during services, if you need to sit or stand, regardless of what the larger congregation is doing, please honor what your body is telling you. Yom Kippur Fasting While most Jews fast on Yom Kippur, you are never allowed to jeopardize your health. See an usher if you need a snack.
Monday, July 31, 2017 at 7:00 pm Leil Selichot An Evening of Reflection & Learning in Preparation for the High Holidays Saturday, September 16, 2017 at 7:00 pm
Rosh HaShana Erev Rosh HaShana Sunday, September 9 at 7:30 pm
Rosh HaShana Morning Service – Day I
Monday, September 10 at 9:00 am Children’s Service (ages 4-8): 10:15 am
Tashlich Service 2:30 pm (Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Dr, Crystal Lake, IL 60014Family Service with Shofar Blowing & Tashlich by the Pond 4:30 pm (Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Dr, Crystal Lake, IL 60014) Join us for a musical family High Holiday and Tashlich service. This program is open to the public, so bring friends and family, Jewish or not.
Rosh HaShana Morning Service – Day 2 Tuesday, September 11 at 9:00 am
Shabbat Shuva Shabbat Shuva Morning Services Saturday, September 15 at 9:30 am Yom Kippur Kol Nidre Friday, September 29, 2017 at 7:00 pm SHARPYom Kippur Morning Service
Wednesday, September 19 at 9:00 am Children’s Service (ages 4-8): 10:15 amYom Kippur Mincha Service Start: 4:30 pm
Yom Kippur Neila Service Start: 6:00 pm
Break-the-Fast Start: 7:15 pm Click Here for Break-the-Fast Registration 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 and to help put this together at: 815-455-1810 or office@mcjconline.org
Sukkot 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 5, 2017 at 6:30 pm
Shabbat Morning Sukkot Services
Saturday, October 6, 2017 at 9:30 am
Special Religious School Sukkot Programming
Sunday, October 17, 2017 at 9:30 am
Shemini Atzeret Sheminim Atzeret Morning Services with Yizkor Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 9:30 am
Simchat Torah Simchat Torah Community Celebration / Shabbat Dinner Potluck Friday, October 13, 2017 at 6:00 pm
Rosh HaShanna & Yom Kippur Children’s Services (Ages 4-8) MCJC will offer Children’s Services on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, Sunday, September 9 at 10:15 am , as well as on Yom Kippur, Saturday, Wednesday, September 19 , also at 10:15 am. These are wonderfully engaging, musical and fun services, and geared to younger children ages 4 through 8.
Family Service with Shofar Blowing & Tashlich Monday, September 10, at 4:30 pm Join Rabbi Tom and the entire MCJC community on Monday, September 10 at 4:30 pm, (the first day of Rosh Hashanah), at Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Dr, Crystal Lake, IL 60014. We will have a musical family service and throw kosher oyster crackers (supplied by MCJC) into the pond next to the shelter. We will conclude with a community-wide shofar blowing Shofar-Palooza (bring your own shofar or use the ones MCJC provides). This program is open to the public, so bring friends and family, Jewish or not.
Days of Teshuva: A Journey to Peace High Holidays 2018/5779
The days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur 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.
Day 1: Rosh Hashanah – Asking the Big Questions Looking Within: Renewal of our Relationships
How am I doing with friends, family, community, and work?
Do I owe anyone an apology?
Do I need to return a borrowed item?
Can I mend a broken connection?
Have I left a promise undone?
Make a list.
Day 2 More Looking: Self Care
Am I taking care of my physical body?
Have I had doctor and dental check-ups?
Have I listened to my body’s needs?
Am I getting enough rest and quiet time?
Am I caring for my changing challenges?
Do I pay attention to my diet?
How can I do better?
Day 3 Much More Looking Within
What am I doing to grow spiritually?
What new activity have I tried or re-introduced into my routine?
Is there a comforting routine in my day, week or monthly schedule?
Do I have someone in my circle to guide me? (If not, seek advice.)
Day 4 Am I Angry?
Is there someone in my life that has hurt me? Have I retaliated?
What is MY part?
Can I forgive or start to forgive?
Can I ask for forgiveness?
Do I need help with this?
Day 5 Am I Afraid?
What/who frightens me?
Why am I fearful?
Are they real or imagined fears?
Are there things I do in my life to reduce those fears?
Are my attempts to reduce those fears healthy?
Yes, I am human; we all have fears.
Day 6 Am I Honest?
Do I practice honesty with myself and with others?
Do I justify “exceptions from the truth” to justify a perceived positive result?
Am I more concerned with seeking approval than being truthful?
Do I avoid making changes when I am not being honest with how I feel about a relationship, decision, or lifestyle?
Day 7 Balance: Where is the Joy, Love, and Play in my Life?
Does my life have real fun space?
Is it enough?
Do I actively seek enriching experiences, entertainment, and generosity?
Can I turn off the multimedia and electronic devices for a part of my day or week?
Do I honor and spend time in nature?
Do I listen?
Can I say, “Not now”?
Day 8 Patience: Tell me Yes, Tell me No, But Please Don’t Tell me to Wait.
Is time always a commodity, or can I slow down?
Does my agenda supersede all others?
Can I stay in the moment, or do I live in the past and future?
How can I do better?
Day 9 Hope and Gratitude: Every Day is a New Beginning.
We can start over any time.
Prayer and meditation can take us to a place of unselfish and focused spiritual growth.
Even something very, very small makes a difference.
Am I willing to add just one tiny, new practice to my daily routine or more? Do I need help with this?
Day 10 Service: Giving Without Reward – the Greatest Gift of All.
The path to peace and joy lies in the ability to do for others, when our motives are not self –serving.
Even the smallest token or act of kindness is enough each day.
Taking Action:
Smile
“Thank you.”
An anonymous gift or gesture
A kind word to a stranger
Comforting the sick
Supporting the grieving
Sharing a talent
Protecting the natural world
Please join us for MCJC’s annual Sukkot Celebration and Pizza in the Hut Wednesday, September 26, 2018.
Join the entire MCJC community to Break-the-Fast
Erev Rosh HaShanah 
Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur Children’s Services
The days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur 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.
Integral to MCJC is the Jewish ethic of Hachnasat Orchim, “the welcoming of guests.” With this in mind, please feel free to enter and exit the sanctuary as you wish, knowing that you are always welcome. However, there are certain parts of the services during which entering could disrupt your fellow worshipers. Our ushers will let people know when these moments are and might ask you to wait before entering the sanctuary.
Rosh HaShanna & Yom Kippur Children’s Services (Ages 4-8)
Join Rabbi Tom and the entire MCJC community on Monday, September 10 at 4:30 pm, (the first day of Rosh Hashanah), at 
Days of Teshuva: