All local Jews invited to gather at Elgin synagogue for Shabbat

The candles, the wine and the challah bread of Shabbat are as familiar to many Jews today as they were to every generation before them, since the time of Moses.

The observant faithful gather Friday evenings, without fail, for worship and a leisurely meal to welcome the 24-hour Sabbath rest.

That's how it is for some American Jewish families, but not for most.

If you're of Jewish heritage, and especially if you're non-practicing, Elgin's Congregation Shirat Shalom has a special invitation for you -- come home to meet the family and experience the joys of Shabbat.

Shirat Shalom, located at 30W509 Shoe Factory Road, is one of 700 synagogues opening its doors at 7 p.m. March 7, for the 12th annual Shabbat Across America/Canada, sponsored by the National Jewish Outreach Program.

All Jewish people are welcome, practicing or not.

Although Shirat Shalom is a Conservative congregation, SAA/C is designed to unite all the major denominations -- Orthodox, Conservative and Reform -- in a single event to reintroduce unaffiliated Jews to the beauty and significance of Shabbat.

"Part of the point is to remind everybody that we may be many different denominations, but we're all still Jews," said Hazzan Sarah Alexander, spiritual leader at Shirat Shalom.

"One thing we share is an observance of the Sabbath."

Ordained in the Ten Commandments, the Shabbat, or Sabbath, involves not only a weekly time-out from work, but also the evening seder meal, with blessings and song.

"There's something very powerful about parents blessing their children or spouses blessing each other," Alexander said.

"It's incredibly moving."

It's also moving to celebrate Shabbat with the synagogue family, she said.

"To have a whole community sitting around the table, singing Z'mirot, meaning the Sabbath songs, together -- it's a completely different experience to do that with a community than to do it by yourself."

The SAA/C event is meant to be welcoming for first-timers, with a service explaining all the rituals and a full seder meal.

You can register by calling the synagogue office at (847) 965-6246.

This is the first year Shirat Shalom will participate, but Alexander hopes many newcomers will venture out to share Shabbat with her congregation of about 50.

"It's a great way to introduce people to get a little taste of their Judaism," she said, "and see what they've been missing."

Christian marriage: Now that Valentine's Day is behind us, you'll want to find a different way than red hearts and chocolates to express undying love to your spouse.

What about a marriage conference?

Okay, so maybe the chocolates don't have to go away completely.

But many couples have found the Love and Respect marriage conference by Emerson Eggerichs to be a good investment in their relationship -- whatever the state of the union.

Eggerichs and his wife, Sarah, travel the country to teach couples how to crack the communication code between husbands and wives, and apply the biblical insight that love is as important to the wife as respect is to the husband.

All kinds of couples are said to benefit from the two-day event -- whether happily married, in crisis or still picking out bridesmaids' dresses.

And you don't even have to be part of a couple.

Singles who want to get a head start on a healthy marriage are welcome, too.

Highland Fellowship Church, 2250 W. Highland Ave., Elgin, will host a video version of Love and Respect from 6:45 to 10 p.m. March 7, and from 7:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 8.

"We are really pumped about it," said Highland's executive pastor, Bill Warren.

"It's humorous and keeps your attention, but it's also got lots of meat."

Warren contacted Love and Respect Ministries after a pastor friend raved about the conference and sent him sample video clips.

"He said it was absolutely incredible," Warren said. "I'm very impressed with it, having seen it.

"Whether you're newly wed or you've been married 60 years, it's good stuff.

"My wife and I have been married 36 years and we watched it together, both learning."

Registration for the conference is $60 per couple or $30 per person and includes a workbook, refreshments, continental breakfast and lunch.

Childcare is provided free of charge.

Walk-ins are welcome, but the church would appreciate a heads-up by Monday to know how many lunches to buy.

To register, call the church office at (847) 741-6629.

• What's going on in your church or synagogue? Do you have a special program, new staff, big plans? Someone who deserves recognition or something a little out of the ordinary? Contact "In the spirit" at cmchojnacki@yahoo.com.