Jewish congregation welcomes new rabbi

The McHenry County Jewish Congregation is celebrating the installation of its new spiritual leader, Rabbi Tom Samuels, with a ceremony at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10.

The evening also will serve as an open house to those wanting to learn more about MCJC and Rabbi Tom. There is no cost, but please RSVP by Sept. 1 to mcjcoffice@yahoo.com.

Rabbi Tom originally hails from Toronto, Canada. He has an undergraduate degree in accounting and two masters degrees, one in landscape architecture and a second in Jewish studies. He was ordained through the nondenominational Jewish Spiritual Leadership Institute.

"Being a rabbi is a calling," says Rabbi Tom. "I am blessed and honored to be a part of the MCJC community. MCJC is a model of how a group of different people, with a wide array of backgrounds, traditions, beliefs and the like come together as a community."

MCJC is an independent, egalitarian Jewish congregation, committed to social action, learning, worship and community-building. Its members come from the greater McHenry County area and beyond. Interfaith and multi-faith families are welcome. It also operates a gift shop offering a range of Judaica items. Worship is held every Friday night and Saturday morning, and on Jewish festivals. Religious school, which starts on Sunday, Sept. 11, offers classes for students from prekindergarten through high school, and adult education classes are offered throughout the week.

MCJC is located on Ridgefield Road in unincorporated Crystal Lake, accessible from Route 14. For information on the congregation or any of its events or educational programs, contact (815) 455-1810 or at mcjcoffice@yahoo.com. Visit www.mcjconline.org.