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Leonard Grossman,
webmaster emeritus
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 the City of Chicago and its suburbs. We are easily accessible from the Eisenhower (290), Stevenson (55), Kennedy (90) Expressways as well as the Tri-State Tollway (294). We are a 20 minute ride from the Loop and 25 minutes from the far west suburbs.
Please visit our synagogue, religious school and Early Childhood Education Center, join us for worship and meet our rabbi, cantor, 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, usually followed by an Oneg Shabbat.
SATURDAY MORNINGS AT 10:00am
While many prayers are recited in Hebrew at Shabbat morning services,
there are many English readings to allow everyone's participation. Pulpit honors
are accorded equally to men and women.
At Shabbat morning services, children are welcome to sit with their parents or to attend
regularly scheduled Junior Congregation or Tot Shabbat services.
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. Even when wehave a B'Nai Mitzvah or other special Shabbat,
we will reserve honors to for the congregation.
THE SHOHET DAILY MINYAN
MONDAY AND THURSDAY AT 7:30AM
TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY AT 7:45 AM
SUNDAY AT 9:30 AM (9:00 am during the Summer months)
Every morning of the year the members of our daily minyan daven the Shachrit service. After the service, there is a D'var Torah (an
explanation of the week's portion), bagels, coffee, sweets and conversation.
HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS
We observe all of the traditional Jewish holidays and festivals in a variety of ways.
ROSH HASHANAH: We observe both days of Rosh Hashanah. Childrens' Services and babysitting are available.
YOM KIPPUR: Observance of the Day of Atonement begins with Kol Nidre. Yom Kippur services include Yiskor and Neilah and the blowing of the Shofar.
SUKKOT: Students and members of the congregation decorate our sukkah. Family traditions are shared during our Congregational Sukkah Walk.
SIMCHAT TORAH: Noisy, joyously celebrated, dancing to a klezmer band and marching with the Sefer Torah.
HANUKKAH: A congregational celebration with latkes, gelt, music and candlelighting.
PURIM: Costumes, groggers, Megillah reading and hamantaschen. A carnival with games, prizes and the Shushan Cafe.
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.
YOM HA'ATZMAUT: A festive Israeli dinner and Israeli dancing put us in the mood to celebrate Israel's Independence day.
SHAVUOT: At Tikkun l'eyl Shavuot, we celebrate with ice cream and Torah study.
SELICHOT: A dessert reception and program are followed by a late evening service to usher in the High Holy Days.
TOT SHABBAT
What is Tot Shabbat?
Where does Junior Congregation happen?
JUNIOR CONGREGATION
What is Junior Congregation?
Where does Junior Congregation happen?
Why is Junior Congregation important?
Goldstine Sanctuary, Gottlieb Community Hall and Guralnick Chapel are available for important lifecycle events such as Brit Milah, baby namings, B'nai Mitvah,
weddings, anniversaries and funerals. Our Gottlieb Community Hall can accommodate up to 250 people for luncheon or dinner. Call the Temple Office for more information.
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.
Tots are introduced to Shabbat services in a comfortable setting. They learn Shabbat melodies and prayers in Hebrew and English.
In the Early Childhood Education classroom, once or twice a month during the school year.
Junior congregation is an opportunity for older children to lead and participate in Shabbat services, assisted by teen volunteers.
It’s a service run by kids, for kids.
In the Guralnick Chapel, once or twice a month during the school year.
Actively learning to pray, and to become comfortable with the structure of the Shabbat morning service,
happens when children are given the opportunity to participate in services. Participation in Junior Congregation is part of B'Nai Mitzvah preparation.