Neighbor News
28th Year - With Your Support We Are Stronger Than ever
Jewish Center in Des Plaines Celebrates Milestone
There was a very special celebration on Sept. 7th in Des Plaines. Chabad and Free of Niles was celebrating the start of their 28th year of service to the Jewish community in the Golf Mill area. Over 60 people came to participate in a luncheon that had all the characteristics of a typical Chabad and Free party; good food, good music and a warm, friendly atmosphere. It is very unusual that a synagogue stays and flourishes in the same spot for 28 years. Especially a congregation that is made up of so many different cultures and origins. Jews from the Former Soviet Union, American Jews and Israelis all feel like the synagogue is their home.
Rabbi Naftoly Hershkovich began the party with the Havdala (separation) Service that marks the difference between the holy Shabbat and the rest of the week. Then, in preparation for the upcoming High Holidays he blew the shofar (ram’s horn). Rabbi Hershkovich welcomed all the guests by saying how special it is that they are able to enjoy a beautiful event in the newly renovated synagogue. An assortment of Yiddish and Hebrew songs was provided by the Tum Balalaika Band. At one point, some people got up and started to dance.
Rabbi Shmuel Notik executive director of FREE of Illinois gave words of greeting. He spoke about how welcome everybody is at Chabad and Free and the community that has grown up through the past 27 years. He then wished everybody a happy, healthy sweet New Year.
Over the past year new programs were started with the help of some special individuals who were acknowledged by Rabbi Hershkovich with a small gift. Among the programs started were; Chabad Cares, where volunteers go to visit people in hospitals and nursing homes, Legal Holiday Lunch, lectures on Jewish topics on Legal holiday Mondays and Mini-Chefs, helping Children learn about Jewish holiday through cooking.
We invite everybody to join us for High Holidays services starting Wednesday Evening, September 24th.
Please call our office at 847-296-1770 or visit www.chabadandfree.com for more information.
