West Suburban Temple Har Zion has been the center of Conservative Judaism in the Western suburbs since the 1930's. Since then, we have continued to grow as a dynamic community of people who join together to pray, learn, develop lifelong friendships and to celebrate the joys of Jewish life.

In addition to serving the Jewish communities of River Forest and Oak Park, our membership extends to many of Chicago's far west and southwest suburbs. We are easily accessible from the Eisenhower (290), Stevenson (55), Kennedy (90) Expressways as well as the tristate tollway (294). We are a 20 minute ride from the Loop and all major medical centers and 25 minutes from the far west suburbs.

Please visit our synagogue, join us for worship and meet our rabbi, cantor, education director and our greatest assets - our members.

SHABBAT SERVICES

FRIDAY EVENINGS AT 6:30pm
We warmly welcome Shabbat each Friday evening with Kabbalat Shabbat services. Religious school classes often lead this service, which is sometimes followed by a special Shabbat dinner.

SATURDAY MORNINGS AT 10:00am
At Shabbat morning services, children are welcome to sit with their parents or to attend regularly scheduled Junior Congregation or Tot Shabbat services. Pulpit honors are accorded equally to men and women. While many prayers are recited in Hebrew, there are many English readings, to allow everyone's participation.

ALIYAHS
Members desiring an aliyah or other honor at the Shabbat morning service (to commemorate a Yarhrzeit, special birthday, or other milestone) may contact the Temple office or our Gabbai (Ricky Roth). Even when we have a Bar or Bat Mitzvah or other special Shabbat, we will reserve some honors to for members of the congregation.

THE SHOHET DAILY MINYAN

MONDAY AND THURSDAY AT 7:30AM
TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY AT 7:45 AM
SUNDAY AT 9:30AM
Every morning of the year the members of our daily minyan daven the Shachrit service and face the day ahead with smiles on their faces. After the service, there is a D'var Torah (an explanation of the week's portion), bagels, coffee and interesting conversation.

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HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS

We observe all of the traditional Jewish holidays and festivals. A temple membership entitles a family to seating for the High Holy Day services. Junior Congregation and Tot services are conducted during Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur and babysitting is also provided.

At West Suburban Temple Har Zion, we celebrate the festivals in a variety of ways. Services usually start at 10:00 am unless otherwise noted. Evening services vary and will be posted on our Announcements page.

PASSOVER: A congregational seder is led by the rabbi and cantor on the second night of Passover. There are special activities for the younger children and a traditional Pesach feast.

SUKKOT: Decorating the temple's sukkah and sharing family traditions by visiting members' sukkot on a congregational sukkah walk.

SIMCHAT TORAH: Noisy, joyously celebrated, dancing to a klezmer band and marching with the Sifrei Torah in hand.

YOM HA'ATZMAUT: A festive Israeli dinner and Israeli dancing put us in the mood to celebrate Israel's Independence day.

PURIM: Student-led Megilla reading and groggers, costumes and a carnival that includes games, prizes and the Shushan Food Shoppe.

HANUKKAH: This festival is celebrated with a special dinner and candlelighting.

SHAVUOT: At Tikkun l'eyl Shavuot, we meet to study the sacred texts on the first night of Shavuot.

SELICHOT: A moving and beautiful late-evening service to usher in the High Holy Days, preceeded by a dessert reception and program.

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TOT SHABBAT

Our tots get their introduction to services in a comfortable setting on Shabbat mornings. Once or twice a month, they learn popular melodies, begin to recite Hebrew portions of the service and get a sense of the joys of Shabbat.

JR. CONGREGATION

What is Junior Congregation?
Junior congregation is an opportunity for children to lead and participate in Shabbat services, assisted by a few teen volunteers. It’s a service run by kids, for kids.

Where does Junior Congregation happen?
In the Guralnick chapel, on select Saturday mornings.

Why is Junior Congregation important? Don’t the children learn prayers in Hebrew school?
The children STUDY prayers in Hebrew school, but they PRAY in Junior Congregation. Actively learning to pray, and to become comfortable with the structure of the Shabbat morning service, only happens when children are given the opportunity to participate in actual services.

Why do the children need a special service?
Children can certainly join in adult services, and we are so happy when the children do! Junior Congregation is special because it is a service for kids, run by kids…it is just a different, interactive experience.

Will this help my child be more prepared for bar/bat mitzvah?
Absolutely.

Is Junior Congregation fun?
We love to have fun at Junior Congregation – encourage your child to invite a friend, stay a little while, socialize….but prayer is also a focused activity. It requires effort, and the children learn and grow through their participation. We discuss the meaning and purpose of specific prayers, the parsha of the week…it’s an important part of the complete religious school experience.

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Temple facilities are available for important lifecycle events such as B'nai Mitvah, Brit Milah, baby namings, weddings, anniversaries and funerals. Our Gottlieb Community Hall can accommodate up to 250 people for luncheon or dinner.

Please note: to help you derive the most from our services and to help us maintain our traditions and the proper decorum of our service:

Attire in the sanctuary should be modest and appropriate for a house of worship; no strapless, bareshoulder dresses, no torn jeans or pants; no bare midriffs or short shorts, etc.

Do not enter or leave the sanctuary when the ark is open or when the rabbi is speaking

All males should wear a kippah (head covering) while in the building; these are available in the rack in the front foyer.

Do not take tallit or prayer book into the restroom

Do not smoke anywhere in or near the building

Complimentary babysitting is available in the pre-school room from the beginning to the end of the service

Writing is prohibited on Shabbat and holidays; it's considered a creative act and thus is not allowed on sanctified days

Refrain from chewing gum in the synagogue building

Pocket-sized hearing amplification devices are available; see an usher or the executive director.

Pagers and cell phones should be silenced in the sanctuary.

Photography is prohibited in the sanctuary during services.

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