Your faith

Children, teens

Gan Israel Camps of Chicago is opening a new winter camp program in Northbrook. The program will run Dec. 24-28, and will include daily trips and activities. The Northbrook winter program is open to girls ages 5-11 and boys ages 5-8. Transportation and extended care options available. Camp will be held at Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook 755 Huehl Road (corner Dundee Road), Northbrook.

For more information, call the camp office at (773) 262-2770, ext. 105, or visit www.ganisraelchicago.com/winter. Register by Nov. 20 to receive 5 percent off.

Notre Dame High School, 7655 W. Dempster St., Niles, will have an open house for prospective students from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 11. For details, call (847) 779-8616.

St. Viator High School, 1213 E. Oakton St., Arlington Heights, will have an open house for prospective students from 1-3 p.m. Sunday; 7-9 p.m. Nov. 28; and 7-9 p.m. April 9. For details, call (847) 392-4050, ext. 256.

Fundraisers

When you are out and about shopping, keep in mind the Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes that St. Peter Community Church, 2700 Willow Road, Northbrook, will again be collecting. The drop-off dates for 2007 are Nov. 12-18. These boxes are delivered to children in desperate circumstances around the world. For more information, call St. Peter Community Church office at (847) 272-2246.

St. Peter Community Church, 2700 Willow Road, Northbrook, will be having its annual Coat and Blanket Drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. Now is a good time to clean out your closets. Please bring clean new or slightly used coats & blankets to the lower level of the church. You will receive a receipt of donation, for tax purposes if you request. The items received will be given to shelters. For more information, call (847) 272-2246.

St. Peter Community Church, 2700 Willow Road, Northbrook, will hold its annual Festive Faire Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. Featuring baked goods, a deli goods table, lunch of soup, or sloppy Joes. If you would like to be a vendor or crafter, call (847) 272-2246 or e-mail secretary@stpeternorthbrook.org. Free Admission and plenty of parking.

Lectures, seminars

Touchstones is sponsoring a workshop, "Hidden Wholeness: Gifts from a Circle of Trust," from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday in Room 101 of the Glenview Park Center, 2400 Chestnut Ave in Glenview.

In "A Hidden Wholeness: Journey Toward an Undivided Life," educator and author Parker Palmer stresses the importance of creating safe spaces in our lives in which spiritual learning and growth can occur. In this introductory workshop, long-time teacher Marj Steiner, who has worked with Palmer, will help participants learn to listen to their inner voice, reconnect their interior and exterior lives and explore what really matters.

For details and directions, visit www.mytouchstones.org or call (866) 568-7152.

Touchstones is sponsoring a workshop, "Compassionate Responses to Conflict," from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 11 in Room 101 of the Glenview Park Center, 2400 Chestnut Ave in Glenview. Scott Seagren, a mediation consultant for Cook County, will help participants see that conflict can actually be a great opportunity to learn more about yourself and others. Suggested donation of $15.

Visit the Web site at www.mytouchstones.org for details and directions, or call (866) 568-7152.

Touchstones is sponsoring a workshop, "Faith At Home, In A Hectic World," from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 18 in Room 101 of the Glenview Park Center, 2400 Chestnut Ave in Glenview.

The Rev. Phyllis Beattle is a clergy member of the Presbytery of Chicago with many years of experience in Children and Family Ministries. This workshop will be a forum for sharing experiences, traditions and ideas for creating a spirit-filled home -- whatever and wherever "home" may be. Suggested donation of $15.

Visit the Web site at www.mytouchstones.org for details and directions, or call (866) 568-7152.

Northbrook Congregation Ezra Habonim will present a Kristallnacht Program titled "Take Good Care of the Jews" this week.

The program is in commemoration of Kristallnacht, also known as the "Night of Broken Glass," which occurred Nov. 9 and 10, 1938.

Habonim will hold a special program titled "Take Good Care of the Jews" at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The program will take place at the synagogue, 2095 Landwehr Road in Northbrook. The presenter will be Cyndi Trostin, an attorney in private practice and adjunct professor of John Marshall Law School.

The program is based on a recent trip Cyndi and her husband Vlad Trostin took to Russia, Belarus, and Latvia. The talk will review the rise of fascism and anti-Semitism in Eastern Europe and how the Jewish communities there are coping. Trostin will also talk about the brave people who are fighting to overcome the trends in their societies to fight for Jewish and minority rights.

For more information, call the synagogue at (847) 480-1690.

During Kirstallnacht, Jewish homes were ransacked in numerous German cities along with 8,000 Jewish shops, towns and villages, as civilians and SA storm troopers destroyed buildings with sledgehammers, leaving the streets covered in smashed windows -- the origin of the name "Night of Broken Glass." Jews were beaten to death; 30,000 Jewish men were taken to concentration camps; and 1,668 synagogues ransacked with 267 set on fire.

Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois will hold "Analyzing Late 19th and Early 20th Century Photographs for Family History Data" by genealogist and historian Craig L. Pfannkuche from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Nov. 18 at Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie.

The meeting facilities at Temple Beth Israel will open at 12:30 p.m. to accommodate members/guests who want to use library materials, get help regarding genealogical Web sites, or ask questions before the main program begins at 2 p.m. Visit www.jewishgen.org/jgsi or call (312) 666-0100.

Congregation Beth Judea will welcome United Synagogue's 20th Annual Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Daniel C. Goldfarb at 7:45 p.m. Nov. 14. His talk will be "The Internet and Its Dangers in Jewish Law."

Rabbi Goldfarb is the director of the Conservative Yeshiva at the Fuchsberg Center for Conservative Ju-daism in Jerusalem. For 25 years, he worked as an attorney for Israel's Ministries of Justice and Finance and in private practice in Jerusalem before joining the Yeshiva in 2000.

Admission is free and the whole community is invited to attend. Congregation Beth Judea is located on Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove. For more information, call the synagogue office at (847) 634-0777.

Author, historian, and theologian Forrest Church will speak at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at North Shore Unitarian Church, Deerfield, sharing views from his latest book, "So Help Me God: The Founding Fathers and the First Great Battle over Church and State." This event is open to the public.

For more information, e-mail Jan at communications@nsuc.org or call (847) 234-2460.

The North Shore Unitarian Church is located at 2100 Half Day Road (Route 22) in Deerfield, just off I-94.

The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute -- the world's leading provider of adult Jewish education programs -- will be offering its upcoming course, Israel: The Land and the Spirit, free, to those under the age of 30.

Israel: The Land and the Spirit will be offered locally at nine locations in the city and suburbs, including, Glenview, Highland Park, Northbrook, Skokie and Wilmette.

The free offer does not include student textbook fee of $20. Visit www.myJLI.com for up-to-date information about The Land and The Spirit.

Men's fellowship

Saint Philip Lutheran Church, 1609 Pfingsten Road, Glenview, will offer Men's Mini Retreat from 1 to 4 p.m. today. "Putting on the Newness of Christ" is the theme and will investigate a new motivation for living based on a new relational identity. Snacks and refreshments will be available. There is no charge. For more information, call Steve at (847) 998-1793.

Miscellaneous

Temple Chai members will create a loving legacy for future generations by participating in The Torah Mitzvah, a year-long celebration of Torah creation and study.

Each member will be invited to write a letter in the torah, guided by Neil Yerman, a renowned scribe, who has worked with congregations across the country. Yerman will privately guide participants as they dip a quill in ink and create a letter in the Torah.

The project began in August and will continue in November when Sofer Yerman returns for a second visit with the congregation. Each one-hour writing session consists of 25 people and begins with teaching, guided meditation and spiritual preparation. The schedule is as follows: noon to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 11; 3:30 to 7 p.m. Nov. 12; 3 to 8 p.m. Nov. 13; and 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 14.

Sofer Yerman will visit again in mid-February to conduct additional writing sessions and the Torah Mitzvah celebration will conclude May 9 when the last panel is sewn to the Torah scroll during a final gala celebration.

Temple Chai, a Reform Jewish congregation, is home to more than 900 Northwest suburban families and is led by Rabbi Stephen Hart, Rabbi Matthew Berger, Cantor Scott Simon and Executive Director, Larry Glickman.

Congregation Beth Judea has designated Sunday as Mitzvah Day, a day for its congregants to "make a difference" in the Chicago area. Chaired by Ronna Leibach, hundreds of people volunteer in a variety of programs geared to help the community in acts of kindness.

Projects will benefit the following agencies: JUF/TOV Uptown Cafe, Jewish Child and Family Services, Brentwood Nursing Center, The Ronald McDonald House, WINGS (Women in Need Growing Stronger), The Night Ministry, Council for Jewish Elderly, Jewish Family Services of New Orleans, The Fairy Godmother Project, The Brave, The ARK, The Haven, PADS, the Vernon Township Food Pantry, the Wheeling Food Pantry, Project Linus, Shalva, Inspiration Cafe, The Humor Cart, the Jewish Community of Yerkaterinburg and United Cerebral Palsy.

The collection drives kick off this year's campaign. They include: multivitamins for our sister city of Yerkaterinburg, Russia; paper goods, household cleaning supplies and first aid supplies for the ARK, WINGS and THE HAVEN shelters for women and children; small toiletries and white socks for PADS; nail polish and manicure items, playing cards, decorative soaps, hand lotions, greeting cards and stamps for the Council for Jewish Elderly; nonperishable kosher food; used cell phones for Shalva; coupons for food and household items; batteries, breath mints, Hanukkah decorations, DVDs, magazines, and books for Jewish soldiers; used computers; new or very gently used winter coats, hats and mittens; and much more.

Another special collection will be for Jewish Family Service of New Orleans, where there is still much to do. Beth Judea will collect gift cards from Wal-Mart and Target for social workers to dispense as needed.

Congregation Beth Judea is located on Route 83 at Hilltop Road in Long Grove. For information about donating items, contact the synagogue office at (847) 634-0777.

Saint Philip Lutheran Church, 1609 Pfingsten Road, Glenview, will offer flu shots from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday. The event is sponsored by Lutheran Home and Services of Arlington Heights. Bring Medicare Part B Card or $25 cash. For more information, call Linda at (847) 368-7403.

The Men's Club of Congregation Beth Judea will hold its annual blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 25 in the Social Hall of the synagogue, located on Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove. The blood drive is being held at this time due to the severe shortage of blood during the Thanksgiving holiday.

A photo ID is required when you fill out paperwork. Bring a state ID or driver's license and make sure to eat before you arrive. Refreshments will be provided by Shalom Kosher Bakery and Life Source.

Call the Beth Judea office at (847) 634-0777 to make an appointment.

Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue of Northbrook will be holding its second annual Day to Repair the World (Yom Tikkun Olam) Sunday. Nearly 200 Shir Hadash members will engage in the Jewish tradition of gemilut hassidim (social action) to improve the lives of others, the environment and the greater community.

Religious school students and their families, along with other Shir Hadash members, will participate in a variety of activities such as leading crafts and bingo at a senior residence, cleaning up trash at a local nature center, and making and serving meals at an area soup kitchen.

Yom Tikkun Olam day is put on each year by Shir Hadash's very popular one-day-a-week religious school.

Northbrook Congregation Ezra Habonim holds monthly movie nights. On Thursday nights, Congregation Ezra Habonim shows films of interest to the Jewish community. The films, which are in Hebrew with English subtitles, are shown at the synagogue at 2095 Landwehr Road in Northbrook.

Admission to each film is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers. Some of the films will highlight subjects that may be geared for adult audiences.

Upcoming films are: "Aviva My Love" at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15; "Someone to Run With" at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17; "Mortgage" at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2; and "Forgiveness" at 7:30 p.m. May 15.

For more information, visit the Web site at www.nceh.org or call the synagogue office at (847) 480-1690.

Performances

The Spirit of Life Chorus announces the following concerts as part of its Fall Concert Series:

• Sunday, 4 p.m., Christ Church, 1492 Henry, Des Plaines, (847) 297-4230.

• Nov. 11, 4 p.m., St. Mary Catholic Church, 1037 Dundee Road, Huntley, (847) 669-3137.

• Nov. 18, 4 p.m., Christ The King Catholic Church, 1501 S. Main St., Lombard, (630) 629-1717.

• Nov. 25, 4:30 p.m., Lutheran Church of the Master, 580 Kuhn Road, Carol Stream, (630) 665-3384.

• Dec. 2, 4:30 p.m., St. Walter Catholic Church, 201 W. Maple Ave., Roselle, (630) 894-2461.

For more information, visit www.spiritoflifechorus.org.

Young musicians songwriters, and vocalists will showcase their talent at the First Annual Jumpstart Jazz concert, a benefit for Public Action to Deliver Shelter Crisis Services. The performances will take place at North Shore Unitarian Church at 7 p.m. Nov. 17. The suggested donation is $10 with all funds going to PADS.

Performers include vocalist Amanda Nach, a sophomore at Maine West High School; the Dan Pierson Trio, with Dan Pierson from Libertyville High School (piano), Amalie Smith from DePaul University (bass), and Peter Manheim from Evanston Township High School (drums); jazz quintet Missing Fundamental from Lake Zurich High School with Cary Foxx (tenor saxophone), Tomas Drury (alto saxophone), Nick Fletcher (piano), Colleen McGuckin (bass), and Hannah Ford (drums); the John Klaess 5 from Libertyville and New Trier High schools with Cory Richardson (guitar), John Klaess (trumpet), Ben Solomon (tenor saxophone), Lee Starovich (bass), and Ben Paulson (drums); and professional singer and songwriter Shelley Orbach.

A raffle featuring donated gift baskets will be held. Hot cider and homemade baked goods will be served to guests.

For more information on Jumpstart Jazz, e-mail Libby at socialaction@nsuc.org. The North Shore Unitarian Church is located at 2100 Half Day Road (Route 22) in Deerfield, just off I-94.

The Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band opens the holiday season at St. Peter Community Church, 2700 Willow Road, Northbrook, with a concert at 4 p.m. Nov. 25.

St. Peter Community Church, 2700 Willow Road, Northbrook, will again host the Mad Monks of Melody for worship at 10 a.m. Sunday. They will stay to play a full set during fellowship time. For more information, call the church office at (847) 272-2246.

Seniors

The next program for LAFF (Life After 55), the senior group of Beth Tikvah Congregation in Hoffman Estates, will be at Beth Tikvah at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10. New Beginnings, a performing company of singers and instrumentalists who have a wide variety of musical styles, will entertain. The free show is approximately an hour. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call Lois Braverman at (847) 301-1449.

Special services

Shabbat worship services are offered at 7:30 p.m. Fridays (Kabbalat Shabbat) and at 9:30 a.m. Saturdays at Congregation Beth Judea, Route 83 and Hilltop Road, Long Grove. Birthdays and anniversaries will be recognized at the first Friday night service of the month. Daily minyan services are: Mondays at 6:15 a.m.; Monday through Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays at 9 a.m.

Tot Shabbat services are held in the main sanctuary of the synagogue at 6:30 p.m. on the second Friday of every month. Gan Shabbat services are held every Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. in the Beit HaMidrash on the Religious School level.

Nonmembers of Beth Judea are invited to attend services. For information, call the synagogue office at (847) 634-0777.

Women's programs

The Sisterhood of Congregation Beth Judea will hold its Annual Membership Dinner in the synagogue's Social Hall Wednesday. Hors d'oeuvres and cocktails are at 7 p.m., dinner begins at 7:30 p.m. After dinner, the women will be putting their hands together to create items for those in need. They will create easy-to-do blankets for Project Linus and other organizations. Contact the synagogue office at (847) 634-0777 for further information. Beth Judea is located on Route 83 at Hilltop Road, Long Grove.

Seniors

Elk Grove Baptist Church, 801 Beisner Road, Elk Grove Village, invites all seniors to its senior luncheons, the third Friday of every other month at 11:30 a.m. Bring a dish to share or just bring yourself and enjoy some good conversation and fellowship.

To submit items, e-mail faith@dailyherald.com, or send fax to (847) 427-1301.