Worship & Prayer

Davening with Mah Tovu

We use the Conservative movement’s prayer book Sim Shalom. The service is a traditional Conservative service conducted mostly in Hebrew, with a D’var Torah (short talk or discussion about the weekly Torah or Haftorah reading) given by members in English. The atmosphere is casual and much of the service is sung out loud.

We are a lay-led minyan where services are organized and led by the members themselves.  Several of our members are Jewish Educators or Rabbis who serve the greater Jewish community in other capacities.

Shabbat

Mah Tovu holds Shabbat and holiday services at 9:15 am in our building at 7315 N. Western in Rogers Park.

Each Shabbat a different member coordinates the service. This weekly coordinator arranges for Torah readers and persons to lead each part of the service and gives out honors.

Members are also encouraged, but not in any way required, to periodically participate in the service as their skill level permits. This can range from opening the ark or taking an aliyah to reading Torah, Haftarah, leading Davening (prayers), or giving a d’var Torah.  There are members who can teach these skills to those who wish to learn. Mah Tovu is unique in the amount of participation it allows its members. This participatory element gives members a wonderful sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.

Daily Services

We have a shacharit daily minyan on Zoom only at 6:45 am. On Sundays and national holidays (e.g. Thanksgiving) it meets  at 8 am.

Daily maariv services (Sunday to Thursday), and post-shabbat maariv – havdalah services are on Zoom at times which vary through the year. (See the home page calendar for times.)
Erev Shabbat mincha is at 5:00 pm on Zoom.

For Zoom connection information, email mahtovuchicago@gmail.com

Holidays

Mah Tovu meets in person on all Jewish holidays.  On major holidays such as Sukkot and Passover, services begin at 9:15 am.  See our calendar for any specifics on upcoming holidays.

Mah Tovu holds services on all High Holy Days.

Kids at Mah Tovu

While children are always welcome in the service, we also provide a Gan room. Again. children are welcome to remain in the service with their parents as well and are encouraged to participate by opening the ark, reading the Maftir aliyah of the Torah reading, or leading the singing of Ein Kelohainu or Adon Olam.

Mah Tovu participates in the SKIP program. SKIP is a cooperative program in which families, congregations and the Jewish Federation of Chicago each contribute funds toward an educational program in Israel for participating students. Children in grades 3-6 are eligible to enroll. The money can be used toward an approved trip to Israel any time between the end of ninth grade and five years after graduation from college.