Upcoming and Ongoing Programming at JRC
Quick Links: Upcoming Events | Ritual Practice | Community Connection | Early Childhood | Tikkun Olam
Upcoming Events
Where Do We Go From Here?
November 8 at 10:00 am via Zoom
Join Rabbi Rachel, Rabbi David, Emily Harris, and a group of JRC political minds to debrief, discuss, learn, and plan for future action. Bring your questions, your optimism, your anxiety, and your presence.
Trans Day of Remembrance Shabbat
November 20 at 5:00 pm via Zoom and Facebook Live
Join us for an Erev Shabbat service honoring the Transgender Day of Remembrance (observed on November 20).
Our service will feature a reading of names (that we know) of those trans people who have been killed as result of transphobia, as well as prayers and liturgies that celebrate trans experiences in Judaism and in the world, with participation from our LGBTQ Havurah, our Gender Inclusion Task Force, and members of JRC who identify as trans or nonbinary.
Ritual Practice Events
Tuesday Minyan
Tuesdays at 5:00 pm via Zoom
Open to all, and those needing to say Kaddish will be given space in this service to have a virtual minyan.
Thursday Torah Study
Thursdays at 11:00 am via Zoom
In ancient times Torah was read in the markets on Mondays and Thursdays, so join the JRC clergy Torah study every Thursday at 11am. Each week, the Clergy will lead a participatory conversation around the week’s Torah portion.
Kabbalat Shabbat
Fridays at 5:00 pm via Zoom and Facebook Live
After hearing from so many of you about how intimate our High Holiday services felt, and how connected our members felt to one another and with our clergy, we have decided to move our Kabbalat Shabbat service to Zoom. We will still be streaming live on our Facebook page, but now our JRC community can gather together virtually, and see each other’s faces as we celebrate Erev Shabbat.
Join us at 5:00 pm and stay for a little schmooze after the service.
Tune in to either with Zoom or on JRC’s Congregational Facebook Page from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Saturday Minyan
Saturdays at 11:00am via Zoom
Join the JRC Minyan for Shabbat Shaharit (morning services) at 11:00am this Saturday. Members lead the service, give the D’var, and chant Torah. The service will last about 90 minutes and will include the opportunity for Mourners' Kaddish and Healing Prayers as well as chat time after the service.
Tune in to with Zoom from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. *Click here for Zoom information*.
Use this link to sign up to lead a portion of the service.
Rosh Chodesh
Once a Hebrew month
Rosh Chodesh, translated as a the “head of the month”, is a time to mark the start of a new month in the Jewish calendar. Historically, it is a minor holiday where women would refrain from work. Each month we gather to explore a variety of relevant topics in a creative and thought-provoking celebration. All adult JRC members (13 years and older), who identify as women, are welcome to participate.
If you are interested in joining, please reach out to info@jrc-evanston.org for more information.
B’nai Mitzvah Service
Saturdays at 10:00am via Zoom and Facebook Live
The entire JRC community is invited to celebrate with B’nai Mitzvot students and their families as they are called to the Torah as a B’nai Mitzvah. On Shabbat mornings with B’nai Mitzvot services, Rabbi Weiss and Cantor Friedland lead the congregation in a special service with the B’nai Mitzvah via Zoom and streamed on Facebook Live.
Community Connection
Writers Group,
First Wednesday of the Month at 1:00pm via Zoom, Email Contact Required
The JRC writers group consists of 20 members, usually 10 of whom who meet on the first Wednesday of a given month from 1:00-3:00 to share their work and receive feedback from other members. People write poems, memoirs, fiction, and opinion pieces that can be shared in five minutes or less. The group started meeting at JRC in the spring of 2019 but now meets via zoom.
If you are interested in joining, please reach out to info@jrc-evanston.org for more information.
Book Group
Second Sunday of the month at 10:00am via Zoom, Email Contact Required
JRC’s Book Group is a long running book club that meets on the second Sunday of every month to discuss one book each session. To see what books are coming up, **check out this document**. While JRC’s building is closed, this group meets via Zoom.
If you are interested in joining, please reach out to info@jrc-evanston.org for more information.
Early Childhood Events
Play-At-JRC
Monday through Friday at 10:00am, Pre-registration Required
Throughout the fall, we are offering “Play-At-JRC”, a small group class where children play together and participate in preschool activities at JRC’s nature playground, while accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Pre-registration is required.
For more information, please contact Shelli Patt, Early Childhood Director.
JRC Baby Club
Alternating Fridays at 9:30am, Email Contact Required
Come join us for Shabbat songs and parent and caregiver connections for families with babies and toddlers as we welcome in Shabbat together! This week we will be joined by Cantor Howard Friedland! Be sure to bring a stuffed animal that we can wish “Shabbat Shalom” to! JRC Baby Club meets every other Friday morning. Upcoming dates are 10/23, 11/6 and 11/20.
For more information, please contact Shelli Patt, Early Childhood Director.
Tikkun Olam (Task Forces & Committees)
JRC's Green Team urges you to get involved in Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, by engaging n acts to repair the environment.
Contact us at greenteam@jrc-evanston.org to join or get involved.
The Gender Inclusion Task Force provides information and facilitates opportunities for learning and advocacy on the issue of gender diversity and inclusion. The Task Force works to ensure that JRC is welcoming in all aspects of congregational life including educational programs, ritual, facilities, communication, and events.
This committee meets at 00:00am/pm, Contact us at
Gun Violence Prevention Task Force
This committee meets at 00:00am/pm, Contact us at
The Immigrant Justice Task Force aims to learn about and engage with and on behalf of immigrants and refugees in our congregation, our local community, our nation and the global community. We want JRC to be a congregation that welcomes immigrants and refugees into our own community and provides opportunities for members to engage with others with and on behalf of refugees and immigrants.
Contact us at immigrantjustice@jrc-evanston.org to join.
JRC’s Racial Equity Task Force is based on a belief that a more just and peaceful world is possible. Our goal is to learn and grow, both as individuals and as a community, so we can better understand and interrupt the racism that lives in our societal institutions and in ourselves. The Task Force’s programming includes training, education, conversation, and social action. We know there is work to do wherever we are, and we are committed to doing that work within and beyond JRC.
Contact Task Force Co-Chairs Nancy Hirsch and Lisa Ehrlich-Menard at RETF@jrc-evanston.org to get involved.
