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As a center of Jewish social life, our Temple is a place for members of all ages to gather, meet, and grow. The coffee pot is always on (except on Yom Kippur). From informal onegs and family Shabbat dinners to the annual Dinner Dance, young families, seniors and youth all find a Jewish address here.

Our synagogue and its members are also involved in various aspects of community life, including participation in the Community of Congregations, an organization of faith communities on the Oak Park- River Forest-Forest Park area. Members actively support Tri-Village PADS, which provides shelter for the homeless throughout the winter months and are involved in other social action projects as well.

VOLUNTEERISM AND COMMITTEES

We tend to look at committees as isolated responses to some need - we “need” a membership committee, we “need” a fundraising committee. Then we try to find people to be on the committees we “need”. We should look at committees differently – as a network. A system of related groups which together support the functions of the synagogue. This is straightforward. The committee framework is the support structure of the lay leadership. The smallest unit in the committee system is the individual volunteer. We organize individual volunteers into committees, committees taken together form the committee system. WE NEED YOUR HELP. Please pick out a committee that interests you and volunteer! Call or write our president, Vafa Shayani or any of the other officers and help us.

COMMITTEES

Technology Committee: This committee is responsible for managing the various types of technology, including computers, telephones, sound systems, office equipment and the website you are reading right now! Many of our “systems” need to be upgraded for our current and future needs. Although this is very important to the synagogue, it is also very expensive. Our needs have to be evaluated, and prioritized with our available funds.

Adult Education: This committee plans the various programs geared to the adult members of the congregation. These programs include the Sunday morning lectures, special programs related to the Holidays, Adult Hebrew classes, Synagogue skills, and other special programs.

Special Events and Hospitality: This committee has a dual function: they plan and organize special events during the year; they also meet and greet new and existing members, making them “feel at home” in the synagogue, and answering any questions they may have. This is a very important function which helps to build and maintain membership.

Community Relations and Membership: This committee works on various ways to increase membership in the Synagogue, and to retain existing members. Last week we had a bagel brunch which attracted eight new families. There are other events in the coming months. In addition, the committee works on developing and maintaining a presence in the community. Please call the temple office if you would be interested in serving on this committee.

Fundraising: This is an active committee involved with raising funds to support the synagogue. Please call Barbara Yong or Ken Brotman for further details.

Building and Grounds: This committee is charged with the responsibility to oversee the maintenance of our synagogue, inside and out. The building is over 50 years old, and it requires frequent decisions on maintenance and repairs. Often these decisions require prioritization, as available funds are limited. Please call the temple office if you would be interested in serving on this committee.

Religious School: This committee oversees the activities of the religious school. It meets, on a regular schedule, with the principal to monitor the activities of the school.

Youth: This committee oversees the youth activities of the synagogue. The support and advise the leadership of USY and Kadima. If you have children whose age fits the respective groups, we urge you to become involved in this committee. Please call the temple office for further information.

Our third annual WSTHZ Bookfair (10-05) was another rousing success! We would like to thank Lisa Browdy, Laurie Myers, Danny Sheinis, Jim Bernard, Ken, Kim and Jeffrey Heiferman, Jan Patterson, Fran Kravitz, Barb Yong, Elyse Gilbert, Ellen Shorser, Juli Geldner, Kim and Eric Miller, Robyn Seidman, Sonia Levy, Cindy Banai, Debra Murphy, and of course, Carol Serber and Carlos! We couldn't have done it without you!....Fay Bomberg and Laurel Saltzman

MEN'S CLUB
Our Men's Club, a member of the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs, sponsors programs throughout the year that promote fellowship, fun, and tzedakah.

The monies raised each year by initiatives such as the Yom HaShoah Candle program, Roses from Israel, and group outings to Chicagoland sporting events, support the Men's Club Scholarship Fund.

Additional programs such as the World Wide Wrap and the Men's Club Shabbat encourage participation in Conservative Jewish tradition.

This year's programs included:

The World Wide Wrap which is a national event, was on Superbowl Sunday, February 5th, 2006. What is the WORLD WIDE WRAP? On this day, the Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs will try to have all Jews everywhere put on TEFILLIN! All men and women are invited to participate. Minyan begins at 9:30am. Bring your tefillin and if you have extras sets please bring those as well. This event is sponsored by the WSTHZ Men's Club. http://www.worldwidewrap.org

To all members of the West Suburban Temple Har Zion Men's Club: Saturday, March 17, 2007 will be our annual Men's Club Shabbat. On that day, the Men's Club members are all invited to take various parts of the Shabbat morning service. Parts include both Hebrew and English readings, as well as a few non-speaking parts. If you are interested, please contact Ed Sachs via phone at 630-833-3763 or via email at edsachs@comcast.net. We hope to see many you there and participating on March 17.

SISTERHOOD
Sisterhood welcomes women of all ages into its fold. Our sisterhood has long played an integral role in congregational life by offering opportunities for friendship and a diverse assortment of exciting programs and social activities.

Sisterhood Shabbat will be held on May 19th, 2007. We have many wonderful volunteers participating in the Shabbat service, but there is always room for more. If you wish to participate, please call or email Ruby Hilker before all parts are taken.

YOUTH GROUPS
Pre-teens and teens participate in our chapters of the Conservative movement's national youth groups and have the opportunity to meet, socialize and study with Jewish youth from other local communities as well as participate in regional activities in the Chicago area. To learn more, visit our USY's website at http://wsusy.freewebpage.org.

MACHAR - introduces fourth and fifth graders to fun programming.

KADIMA- is open to sixth, seventh and eighth graders.

UNITED SYNAGOGUE YOUTH (USY) - is open to high school students.

ISRAEL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

The Israel Affairs Committee work to achieve the following goals: Israel Advocacy at the Local, Regional, and National Levels

- Provide information on organizations and events supporting the existence of the State of Israel and the peace and security of its citizens

- Monitor anti-Israel activity

Israel Awareness within the Congregation
- Maintain an ongoing educational process designed to cultivate a strong connection between individual members of the congregation and the people and the State of Israel

- Encourage congregational and individual trips to Israel

- Encourage members of the congregation to invest in Israel and buy Israeli products

Connection to the Conservative/Masorti Movement in Israel
- Make congregants aware of United Synagogue projects and programs in Israel

- Encourage teens to participate in Conservative Movement programs in Israel

- Promote membership in MERCAZ, the Conservative Movement Zionist organization

SAVE THE DATE The 2005 Israel Solidarity Day/Walk with Israel will be on May 15 in eight different neigborhoods throughout the Chicagoland area. Oak Park-River Forest is one of the sites! Please come out and show your support! Tell your friends and neighbors! If your want more information on registering for the walk or volunteering for the event, please go to http://www.juf.org/walk.

Please follow these links for more information on Israel Affairs:

Local Israel Advocacy Organizations
Committee for the Fairness in the Middle East
http://cfmeoprf.org/

West Suburban Friends of Israel:
http://www.wsfi.net/

Israeli Media
Jerusalem Post: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/P/FrontPage/FrontPage&cid=1002116796299

Ha'Aretz
http://www.haaretz.co.il/

Ma'ariv
http://www.maarivintl.com/

Conservative Judaism in Israel
World Council of Conservative Judaism:
http://www.masortiworld.org/

Fuchsberg Center for Conservative Judaism:
http://www.uscj.org.il/

The Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem:
http://uscj.org/israelcenter/yeshiva/home/index.shtml

Conservative Aliyah to Israel:
http://www.uscj.org/Making_Aliyah_to_Isr5385.html

MERCAZ--The Zionist Organization of the Conservative Movement:
http://www.mercazusa.com/

Israel Advocacy on Campus
Israel on Campus Coalition
http://www.israeloncampuscoalition.org/

Hillel - Israel on Campus:
http://cms.hillel.org/Hillel/Israel/Israel+on+Campus/default.htm

Supporting Israel
Shop Israel:
http://www.shopinisrael.com/

10 Ways to Support Israel
http://www.uscj.org/Support_Israel5901.html

Buy Israel Goods
http://www.buyisraelgoods.org/

AIPAC is the most important organization affecting America's relationship with Israel, it is consistently ranked among America's most powerful interest groups. For more information go to: http://www.aipac.org

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SOCIAL ACTION

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."
--------Anne Frank, Diary of a Young Girl, 1952

Click here for Word document of the West Suburban Temple Har Zion Caring Committee,
2004-2005/5765

WITHIN OUR CONGREGATIONAL FAMILY

• Prepare and deliver meals to an ill or homebound member
• Provide transportation to medical appointments and the airport in times of need
• Home and hospital visits
• Shivah calls and leading services in a house of mourning.

EXTENDED JEWISH COMMUNITY

• Tzedakah projects for Jewish groups in the Chicago area.
• Letter-writing campaigns for Jewish causes
• Donations of medical supplies, religious books and articles and money to the Jewish community of Penza, our sister city in the former Soviet Union.

COMMUNITY-AT-LARGE

• Blood drives
• Food and clothing drives
• Tri-Village P.A.D.S. homeless shelter
• Community of Congregations projects in Oak Park and River Forest

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PROGRAMMING CHAIRS NEEDED

As VP of Programming I am looking for some creative congregants who are interested in chairing or assisting with various synagogue events. These events (recurring) are as follows:

1. Taschlich Coordinator: picks up/brings prayer sheets to the river; directs congregants to the site and distributes “sins” for those who have not brought their own. This activity takes place after services on the 2nd day of Rosh Hashana.

2. Sukkot Decoration Shopper: shops for the perishable plants and vegetables that are used to decorate the sukkah.

3. Simchat Torah Oneg Chair: coordinates the oneg which takes place after services on Simchat Torah evening. Works with the office to plan and order the refreshments to be served.

4. Hanukah Dinner Chair and Assistant: develops and coordinates activities for the children and designs/installs decorations. Can be assisted by the school for children’s activity ideas.

5. Kallah Chair and Assistant: develops and coordinates schedules, content and activities for the annual Kallah weekend w/input from the Rabbi. Works with the office to insure communication with the site regarding set-up needs. Works with the office on PR for the event.

6. Purim Carnival Entertainment Chair: works with Alicia to coordinate entertainment/activities that are managed by the school.

7. Shabbat Across America Chair: identifies dates of annual event and cross-reference with synagogue calendar to see if event possible and then brainstorm ideas for participation.

8. Pesach Seder Assistant: assists the chair with procurement of papergoods and decorations and develops children’s activities.

9. Yom Ha’Shoah Chair: works w/clergy to coordinate anything not covered by service.

10. Shavuot Eve Chair: works w/office to coordinate dessert break.

Please consider participating in one of these events and suggesting others you know would be interested. I can be reached at: (708) 524-2361 or via email at queencard@comcast.net.

--Ricky Roth