Originally a rural two-room schoolhouse

The McHenry County Jewish Community is a congregation of about 90 to 95 member families as of this writing in 2016. It began in 1914 as the Ridgefield School, a rural two room school house, with children of multiple elementary school ages. There were about 50 to 60 students, mostly from farming families in the area. In 1958, the county added on to the building as it had become overcrowded. They added two large classrooms upstairs and a large multi-purpose room downstairs. The school also added two acres of land in the back.

During the 1960s enrollment began to fall. In July 1973, District 48 merged into District 47. However, enrollment continued to decline during the 1970s and the district finally closed the school in 1980. Crystal Lake District 47 closed the old Ridgefield School in 1980 and put the building up for auction, a group of founding McHenry County Jewish Community members put together a bid. They were successful at the May 1981 auction, and on August 30, 1981, McHenry County Jewish Community dedicated its new building.

The synagogue is an unaffiliated liberal conservative congregation. They use a non-gender prayer book, Eit Ratzon, written by a professor at Rutgers University. www.newsiddur.org

Quoting the written history of the synagogue:

“Jews have lived in McHenry County for over 80 years. Then, as now, they were drawn to the area for the “quality of life”: the friendly people, quality education, safe neighborhoods and open space.

Two generations of Jews met informally throughout the region, without a temple to call their own. Some joined the synagogue in Elgin. A group of men called themselves “The Lox and Bagel Club” met monthly, solely for the purpose of knowing other Jews in case there was ever a need for a minyan. In the 1970s, when new Jewish families would move to the area, a loosely knit group of women would host a welcome coffee. Before one such gathering in December 1978, a blizzard hit the area. But when 19 women braved the elements to attend the get-together, they looked at each other in amazement. One woman articulated their shock: “I didn’t know you all lived out here.”

The realization that there was a growing Jewish community in McHenry County provided the impetus to forming what is now McHenry County Jewish Congregation (MCJC). From its humble beginnings – congregating in people’s homes with borrowed books and teaching their kids around dining room tables – the momentum grew. The group was determined to provide their children with a connection to their Jewish heritage. Within a year, MCJC’s founders purchased the current building in a public auction. At last, the congregation had a place to call its own.

Over time, MCJC has grown to about 90 families, providing a wide range of programs and services for its membership and the community at-large. Throughout its history, the dedicated, energetic membership has brought a “hands-on,” “can-do” spirit to the task of building a temple from the ground up. More than three decades later, MCJC continues to serve as a House of Worship, a House of Study and a House of Gathering. Today, the spirit of its founders remains. MCJC remains a refuge for Jews throughout the region, a place where people from a wide range of backgrounds feel welcome and comfortable.”

Decorations in the sanctuary:

Shema: picture painted by 21 year old congregant

Ehtiopian picture: given when the was a Bar Mitzvah twinning program with that country Menorah: done by the grandfather of a congregant

Stained Glass behind ark area: came from Hyde Park, IL synagogue

Stained Glass doors entry to synagogue: designed by well-known artist Helen Holtzblatt of (Chicago) who was a former member of the congregation

Needlepoint: created by congregants

Mural picture: done by 4th and 5th graders about 5 or more years ago

Sculpture of notes over the piano: Sunday School class project