The CJC Newsletter

Community Updates

Happy Purim! I hope that you have the chance to sample some Hamentaschen! As we March towards spring, there is much happening in our community. I hope you find ways to connect and engage in the Jewish opportunities available.

Knitters, crocheters and needlework fans, come join us at Shir Tikvah on March 8 at 1:30. It's always a nice time to connect and see what others are making! On March 24 at 7:30pm, Temple Anshe Sholom and Temple Beth El host a Cooperative Jewish Council Shabbat. It is always a lovely gathering of our South Suburban community.

March 26, is Maot Chitim Passover food delivery. If you may be interested in volunteering, we could use additional help delivering food boxes to those in need. Please let me know if you would like to learn more.

From March 22 continuing until April 27, the library at Prairie State College will be hosting, Americans and the Holocaust, a traveling exhibit from the United States Holocaust Museum. The exhibit is open to the public and free to visit during the hours the library is open. In addition to the exhibit, there will be Holocaust related programs open to the public. For more details check out their website. If you would like a guided tour of the exhibit, please follow this link. From April 4 until April 17, the JCC Chicago program Violins of Hope will be part of the exhibit. Keep your eye out for more information about all the community programs this spring.

Save the date for April 16, Good Deeds Day. We'll have an open house for hands on volunteering at Shir Tikvah. More information coming soon!

If you're in need of a ride, Shalom Transportation has you covered! Older adults in the South Suburban community are eligible for 10 highly subsidized rides a month. Supported by the Albert and Lucille Delighter and Marcella Winston Foundation, a Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, each ride is only $5 and enables you to travel up to 25 miles, with a maximum of 10 rides per month. To learn how the program works and/or register, please contact Amy

As always, I'm only a phone call or an email away to help connect you to programming and resources. Chag Purim Sa'meach!

Amy

amybloomberg@juf.org tel:708-249-6086

Synagogue Updates

Joliet Jewish Congregation

Shabbat Services: Friday evenings at 7:00 PM (Family Service on March 10) & Saturday mornings at 9:30 AM - No services scheduled at JJC on March 24 - Community Shabbat to be held in Munster, IN

All services are in-person and can be live-streamed. Go to jolietjewishcongregation.com and click the link.

Mah Jongg on Wednesdays at 1:00 PM.

Lunch & Learn - Tuesdays 11:30 AM-12:30 PM (Zoom only) Contact the office at 815-741-4600 or jolietjewish1@gmail.com for sign-in information

Megillah Reading - Monday, March 6 - 7:00 PM on Zoom. Contact the office at 815-741-4600 or jolietjewish1@gmail.com for sign-in information.

Kulam Teen Program with Rabbi Jenny - Sunday, March 12 - 1:00-2:30 PM

Joliet Jewish Congregation is hosting a PJ Library program on Sunday, March 19 at 11am. - Families with children 5 and under (and siblings, too!) are invited to celebrate Jewish music & Spring with Cantor Jessica. Deadline for registration is March 13. To register email: jolietjewish1@gmail.com

Shir Tikvah

Please join us in person! Services are on Friday nights at 7:30 pm and on Shabbat morning at 9:45 am (unless otherwise indicated.) Call the office @ 708-799-4110 for details or zoom links.There will be an oneg sponsored by Susan Bayer in honor of her husband Barry’s special birthday on Friday, March 3.

The Shir Tikvah Shabbat Services are now on a four-week rotation. Week 1: Conservative Service, Week 2: Reform Service, Week 3: Conservative Service, Week 4: Combined Reform and Conservative Service. For security purposes, we are asking non-members to please call the office (at least a few days before) to let us know that you will be attending one of our services. 708-799-4110.

On Monday, March 6 at 6:15 pm, Shir Tikvah will be celebrating Purim with an Ice Cream Social and Megillah Reading! The theme will be ‘70s with the incorporation of musical inspirations by the Broadway show, “Hair”.

One of the mitzvot of Purim is matanot la-evyanim, gifts for the poor. Shir Tikvah is hosting a food drive, collecting non-perishable food to be donated to the Ark and Respond Now for those in need. Please bring donations of canned and shelf-stable foods to Shir Tikvah and put them in the Tzedakah Barrel in the Shir Tikvah foyer from March 6- April 16.

Shir Tikvah will hold their monthly board meeting for the Women of Shir Tikvah on Monday, March 13 at 10:30 a.m. Our regular ZOOM Board Meeting for all officers will be held the same day, Monday, March 13 at 8:00 p.m.

The Women of Shir Tikvah are hosting a Community Seder on April 6 and currently taking reservations. The cost is $40 for adults and $20 for kids under 12. The deadline to reserve your spot is March 20.

On Saturday, March 25 at 9:45 a.m., students from our Sunday School will be participating in the Reform Shabbat services.

Temple Anshe Sholom

Shabbat Each Friday at 7:30 P.M. In person and on Zoom.

March 5 - Family Purim Program at 11:30 A.M.

March 7 - Musing on the Megillah at 6:30 P.M. In Person and on Zoom.

March 10 - Shabbat in Illinois at South Suburban Vineyard Church

Torah Study March 11 & 25 at 10:00 A.M. on Zoom Only

Journeys Into Torah March 5 & 19 at 9:15 A.M. In Person Only

Havdalah - March 18 at Lynn Mesirow's Home - 7:00 P.M.

Sisterhood Women's Seder - March 26 at 1:00 P.M.

JCC Updates

Shalom over 50 meets on Tuesdays from 11-2:15, at Shir Tikvah. Join us for a lively current events discussion, lunch and a program. We will do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions. New to the group or looking to meet some new friends? Contact Ilene Uhlmann to sign up. .

Looking to go back to Israel this summer?

Become a camp counselor for Kefiada, JUF’s English-immersion, American style day camp in JUF’s Partnership Region Kiryat Gat-Lachish-Shafir, Israel! As a counselor you will help Israeli 4th-6th grade campers to retain and expand the English they have learned during the school year in this meaningful way.

Highlights include:

· No program cost.

· $1,200 flight stipends for all counselors.

· Free room and board.

· No Hebrew necessary. To learn more and apply, visit: www.juf.org/kefiada

Attention high school juniors and seniors!

You’re invited to get ready for your future with Launchpad. On March 19^th, spend the day discussing Jewish campus life, learn about antisemitism, make new friends and more! A limited number of applicants will also be eligible to apply to our lifechanging summer trip to Israel. Launchpad also features a seminar for parents so families can gain a holistic understanding of both the challenges and opportunities for Jewish college students. Register at juf.org/launchpad.

YLD Events

Shul Shuffle – Lake Shore Drive Synagogue

• YLD and Lake Shore Drive Synagogue are teaming up for a Shul Shuffle! Join us for a service and dinner to experience Shabbat at a local Chicago synagogue. Lake Shore Drive Synagogue will also be offering a Saturday service at 9:15 am followed by lunch for which no sign up is required.
• Friday, March 3^rd at 5:30
• Lake Shore Drive Synagogue (70 W Elm St)

• Free
• Register here

YLD Pride and Base Loop Purim Party

• Please join us and YLD Pride and Base Loop for a Purim celebration for the ages! Megillah reading, costumes, food, drinks, dancing...you won't want to miss this one!
• Monday, March 6^th from 6:30-9
• Base Loop
• Free
• Register here

Recent Grad Bowling

• Attention all recent grads! Join YLD for a fun night of bowling and meeting fellow Jewish young adults. This event is open to graduating classes of 20‍20, 20‍21, and 20‍22.

• Wednesday, March 8^th from 6:30-8:30
• Pinstripes (435 E Illinois St)
• $25
• Register here

World Baseball Classic Watch Party

• Join YLD and Base to cheer on Team Israel as they compete against Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic! Come for an evening of food, Israel spirit, and meeting fellow young adults.
• Monday, March 13^th from 6-8pm
• Base West Loop
• $5

• Register here

BPN Industry Networking Groups

• Join YLD's Business Professional Network (BPN) and other Jewish young professionals to network within your specific industry. Sign up for your industry and participate in conversations that apply to your everyday work as well as professional development. A YLD ambassador will host and lead each group. Please note that space is limited.
• Various dates; March 13^th-26^th
• Various locations
• $10
• Register here

Spring LEADS 2023 Series

• The Spring LEADS Program is a great way to meet new people in Chicago and offers an introductory exploration of the Jewish community in a fun, relaxed social setting.
• Tuesdays beginning, March 21^st from 6:30-8:30pm
• Various locations
• $50 per participant who has already made a minimum gift of $25 to the 2023 JUF Annual Campaign; $75 per participant who has not made their 2023 JUF Annual Campaign gift of $25 or more
• Register here

Keshet - For LGBTQ equality in Jewish life

In 2023, Keshet is excited to host two Shabbatonim for LGBTQ+ Jewish teens in grades 7-12. The Shabbatonim are an opportunity for LGBTQ+ Jewish teens to spend Shabbat together and to explore and celebrate living at the intersections of their Jewish and LGBTQ+ identities in a supportive, restful, and joyful environment. They are created by teens for their peers and bring together LGBTQ+ Jewish teens from all parts of the Jewish and LGBTQ+ communities. Registration is on a sliding scale beginning at $54, with generous travel scholarships available to help cover the cost of transportation. Keshet's Midwest Shabbaton is April 28-30 in the Chicago area. For more information, please email youth@keshetonline.org or visit www.keshetonline.org/shabbaton.