This year, JRF is nationally honoring Rabbi Jeff Eisenstat, founding Director of Camp JRF and No’ar Hadash – the Reconstructionist youth movement.

Please purchase a tribute to Rabbi Jeff and/or your favorite Midwest Region honoree and plan on joining us at these FUNdraiser events: Register Online Now.  read more »

Cantor Susan Wehle, zl.With the deepest sadness, we want to let you know of the tragic death of Cantor Susan Wehle, who was among those who died in the plane crash of Continental Flight 3407 on Thursday evening, February 12. Susan was a dearly beloved cantor in the Buffalo area, where she previously served JRF congregation Temple Sinai in Amherst, NY for nine years, working alongside Rabbi Jamie Arnold. She was currently serving as cantor at Temple Beth Am, where she had worked for the last seven years.

JRF Midwest Region Family Journey to Israel - June 23 - July 7, 2009
Led by Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow and and Dawn Weiner-Kaplow of Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue, Northbrook, Illinois

Come to Israel to discover your Jewish historical and spiritual roots in the land and its people. Starting and ending in Jerusalem, we will track Jewish civilization from Biblical days to the bustling and exciting modern State of Israel. Our tour will explore Israeli society, culture, art, technology, spirituality, politics and more.  read more »

Read more to see all the details and download the attached flyer. To register or receive more information, contact Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue at 847- 498-8218 or info@shir-hadash.org.

The United Jewish Federation has joined with federations throughout North America to launch a relief effort for victims of the natural disasters, including floods and tornadoes, that have wreaked havoc in the central United States since mid-May.

The effort, to be coordinated through the UJF's national organization, United Jewish Communities, will raise funds to help victims in the Jewish and general populations, with funds going to local communities that have been affected by natural disasters. No administrative costs will be deducted from funds raised.

Donations can be made payable to the UJF/Central U.S. Disaster Relief Fund by check to the United Jewish Federation, 234 McKee Place, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15213 or by clicking the "Click to Give" image above.  read more »

Midwest Shabbaton - Multigenerational Fun!

These photos offer a glimpse of the great time that participants had at the 2008 Midwest Regional Shabbaton this past April.

The Midwest JRF Band!

Despite taking place just before Passover, nearly 50 people came together in central Michigan to learn, sing and enjoy each other's company. Congregations from St. Louis, Ann Arbor, Detroit, Lansing, Cleveland and Minneapolis were represented. Rabbi Renee Bauer was the masterful organizer and people from each community led classes, services and other activities.

Midwest Shabbaton: Rabbis Nathan Martin and Steve Seger

We look forward to seeing each other again, and others from the region, at the 2009 Midwest Shabbaton!
Dancing at the Midwest JRF Shabbaton

Shir Hadash and community members plant a garden.A special tikkun olam project of Milwaukee's Congregation Shir Hadash on June 1st drew approximately 75 people working side by side to plant a community garden at the Children's Outing Association's (COA) Goldin Center at 2320 W. Burleigh St. This is one of the poorest and most crime-ridden areas in the city. The project involved community residents as well as volunteers of all ages and from all walks of life from Shir Hadash, Milwaukee’s Reconstructionist congregation. People of all ages came together to plant a community garden and to beautify the grounds of the Center.

Brant RosenKol hakavod to Rabbi Brant Rosen, rabbi of the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation in Evanston, IL, for being recognized in Newsweek magazine as one of the Top Pulpit Rabbis in America.

With Rosen's leadership, JRC is gaining notoriety as "America's greenest shul" for meeting the highest standards in green building practices in its recent renovation.

Newsweek's criteria were rabbis' inspirational abilities; leadership within the congregation, denomination and the community; and skills in meeting the spiritual and personal needs of congregants.

New Green JRCMazal tov to Rabbi Brant Rosen and the Jewish Reconstructionist Synagogue (JRC) in Evanston, IL -- boldly going where no synagogue has gone before.

As noted in a JTA Breaking News story, JRC is in the process of applying to receive the highest rating from the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program for the congregation's new building.

JRC's beautiful new arkThe "platinum" rating is being sought for features such as using recycled concrete, sensor-controlled lighting and a parking space reserved for a hybrid car. JRC's energy costs will be about 45 percent less than a typical synagogue of the same size, the report said.

For full teachings from JRC on their process see:

• Presentation by JRC's Julie Dorfman
• Omer Sustainability teaching by Rabbi Brant Rosen and
• Omer Sustainability teaching by JRC's Carole Caplan

Read the article about JRC in Zeek magazine and the blog Champions of Sound.

Please join congregation Kol HaLev and more than 20 congregations and organizations throughout the Cleveland, OH area for a special community-wide event: “Sounds of Justice” Havdalah Concert and Advocacy Event for Darfur, featuring JRF's director of Outreach and Tikkun Olam, Rabbi Shawn Zevit.

Saturday, February 9th at 7:30 pm, B’nai Jeshurun Congregation, 27501 Fairmount Blvd., Pepper Pike, Cleveland, OH.

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY  read more »

Help spread the word - download and post the event flyer.

Butzel Conference CenterNeed a break? Want to re-energize your Shabbat practice? Could your family use some time to relax and be playful together? Come celebrate Shabbat with members of Reconstructionist congregations throughout the Midwest at the JRF Midwest Region Shabbaton.

This gathering for singles and families is conveniently located at the Butzel Conference Center in Ortonville, MI, just an hour's drive from Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Lansing.

The Butzel Conference Center is located on 1,300 acres of beautiful woodland overlooking a scenic lake with hiking, basketball, tennis, mini golf and more.

Register before March 28th and get the Early Bird Rate!  read more »

Help spread the word - please download and post the two-sided event flyer and schedule.