Upcoming Services

Congregation Tikkun Olam is pleased to offer Shabbat and High Holy Day services as well as occasional Havdalah ceremonies and holiday celebrations. We are a congregation that is open to diversity and wishes to pray, study, and celebrate our Judaism together in a warm, comfortable setting surrounded by friends and family. All members and guests are invited to participate in all of our services because we believe strongly in our commitment to the community. We use member leaders for most of our services, but all of our High Holy Day services and occasional others are led by a guest rabbi. Our services are announced in our newsletter, local newspapers, and on this website.

Friday night Shabbat services are observed in a comfortable, family-oriented setting. Prayers, songs and readings are conducted in both Hebrew and English. The rituals of sharing bread and wine not only unite our congregation's families, but link our families to past generations as well.

Services are held at 7:30 p.m. on the 4th Friday of each month at the Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean Street, Woodstock, IL unless otherwise indicated. Occasionally, extra services are added for special holidays or to include guest rabbis.

Upcoming Shabbat Services
April 25, 2008:
(See April Newsletter..click here)
Potluck Seder/Shabbat service
May 23, 2008:
(Children's Service)
June 2, 2008:
(to be held at Sun City with their Shalom Group)
July 25, 2008
August 22, 2008

Passover Seder
Friday, April 25 at 7:00 p.m.

We will be holding a dairy pot-luck, "kosher-for-Passover" Seder downstairs at the Congregational Unitarian Church. Since this 7th night of Passover is on the 4th Friday of the month, we will combine the Seder with a Shabbat service. If you have a Seder plate, matzo cloth, and/or Kiddush cup, please bring them. We will have extra ceremonial items for your Seder plate if you need them. Non-perishable food items will be collected for the food pantry. Please plan to arrive at 6:30 to allow time for seating and Seder plate setup before the Seder begins at 7pm. See the April newsletter for details and RSVP no later than April 18 to Debbi Viger at 815-455-9236.

Saturday Night Havdalah Ceremonies

A Havdalah ceremony is a brief, joyous ceremony bidding the Sabbath farewell for another week. Congregation Tikkun Olam holds Havdalahs on occasional Saturday evenings at different members' homes. They will be posted here, in our newsletter, and in the local newspapers. Please be sure to call 815-334-7110, or a different number if indicated, to RSVP and get directions.

If you've never attended Havdalah, come with your whole family and enjoy this ceremony filled with beautiful symbolism! We follow the ceremony with refreshments and a chance to socialize with other members in a relaxed setting at the close of Shabbat.

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High Holy Day Services

We offer a full complement of services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The services are led by a guest rabbi and cantor. We are proud to offer our services with no tickets to purchase. All that is requested is a donation that is comfortable for you and your family.

In addition to the services, our Yom Kippur observance includes an adult discussion group in the afternoon and a community pot-luck break fast in the evening.

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2007 High Holy Day Schedule:
Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - Erev Rosh Hashanah Service - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 13, 2007 - Rosh Hashanah Service - 10:00 a.m.
Friday, September 21, 2007 - Kol Nidre Service - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 22, 2007 - Yom Kippur:
Morning Service - 10:00 a.m.
Adult Discussion Group - 3:00 p.m.
Yizkor, Neila and Concluding Services - 4:30 p.m.
Havdalah Service - approximately 5:00 p.m.
Pot Luck Break Fast immediately follows Havdalah