As published in the JUF news - November 2002

New Beginnings:

Congregations see light of day

 By WENDY MARGOLIN

Staff Writer

WHEN MORE THAN A HUNDRED men, women and children gath­ered in the West Roger's Park congregation Sha'arei Tzedek for the simchas bais hashoeva during Sukkot (commemorating the water‑drawing festival dur­ing the Temple period), there was just enough room for every­one to dance and celebrate. Surely the crowd would not have fit in the shul's old loca­tion. For the shul members, the celebration was multifaceted. Not only did they rejoice in the holiday of Sukkot, a time of great happiness for the Jewish people, but they also rejoiced in their recent acquisition of a new building.

For members of Kehillat Shalom, the High Holidays sim­ilarly were a time of joy and pride.. What recently was a shared dream among friends had become a reality when months of hard work resulted in the creation of the new congre­gation in Skokie. Their High Holiday services led by a visit­ing rabbi attracted many people. Both congregations simultane­ously confront the excitement and challenges of new begin­nings.

Sha'arei Tzedek

What began with folding chairs, a shower curtain mechitza (divider) and barely a minyan (prayer quorum), has become a congregation so large that they recently relocated to a million‑dollar building. But it is not just any building. The shul, in conjunction with the Chicago Torah Network, purchased the former restaurant, Barnaby's, on Touhy Avenue. In early Sep­tember they moved out of their store‑front rental property, and “in one week we converted a 35‑year‑old restaurant into an honorable place for Rosh Hashanah,” says President Bruce Leon.

The conversion was not a minor job. For a week volun­teers worked 19 hours a day wiping away years of accumu­lated pizza grease, uprooting nailed benches and tables, cov­ering up the bar, and removing the furniture and decorative windows. Nonetheless, mem­bers were happy to assist, as Rabbi Reuven Gross explains, “The move generated a tremen­dous degree of excitement. Everyone sees so much poten­tial.”

Now that the building is func­tioning as a full‑service shul, the work is still far from com­plete. Members who raised and pledged the money necessary to make the building's down pay­ment, must still produce the finances to cover the renova­tions. The congregation is rely­ing on philanthropists to help them meet the costs, and since the shul rabbi is the only paid staff position, volunteers do all of the fundraising.

Building maintenance is also a new challenge. “There's a lot of work, and we all have fami­lies and jobs,” says Leon, “We do everything from cleaning to plunging toilets!”

In spite of some challenges, the shul members were eager to move to their new location. They were able to keep the shul within a few feet of its old loca­tion, maintaining its role as an anchor for the Touhy Avenue ­area residents. They were also able to develop a greater sense of community and ownership by devoting time, effort and money to the shul's welfare. “Everyone can assume his place in the community and help cre­ate a place that caters to the members’ needs,” says Gross.

The new building allows the shul to grow not only in size but also in its service to the com­munity at large. The renovations will include a beit midrash (a place to learn Torah) and facili­ties for community program­ming and lectures.

 For their growth and dedica­tion, the Sha'arei Tzedek mem­bers are extremely proud. The congregation is made up of 75 families and attracts 150‑200 people every Shabbat. With its new location, the shul is also seeing many new faces. In spite of their growth, they still main­tain their initial goals to be a shul with quiet davening that is friendly, growth‑oriented, and family‑oriented.

Kehillat Shalom

When several members of Kehillat Shalom gathered with gifts for a shower, it was not in honor of a wedding or a new baby. Instead, it was an innova­tive program designed to acquire much‑needed items for the congregation. In preparation for the “Shower for the Shul,” the synagogue registered at sev­eral stores just as a bride does.

With motivation, hard work and even creativity, Kehillat Shalom became a full‑fledged congregation in a matter of months. This past summer, a group of friends started casually discussing an ideal synagogue. When the discussions became more in‑depth and increasing numbers of individuals were interested, the group began planning the establishment of their vision.

“We would wonder, if we could start a synagogue, what would it be?” says Cynthia Lerner, vice president of mem­bership. “Word spread, and we gained confidence.”

The group of founders gained a critical mass of people who similarly envisioned an egalitar­ian Conservative synagogue that was friendly, family‑orient­ed and participatory. Their first informational meeting had between 50 and 60 people, and their first service held in a member's home was attended by more than 100 people. Atten­dees were impressed by the group's commitment to Judaism and its warmth. The atmosphere they established has attracted many enthusiastic members and visitors.

Driven by their shared pas­sion, the group overcame many challenges. From finding a loca­tion and resources to organizing services, the logistics of creat­ing a new congregation are seemingly endless. It took hours of time by volunteers to get the synagogue running, and the commitment has not ceased since.

Kehillat Shalom found its home in the Temple Judea Miz­pah building and has borrowed and received donated materials. Volunteers run all the programs, services and religious school. “We have core members who are dedicated people and are making it work,” says President Ed Hammerman.

Some of the aspects that make the congregation unique also present challenges. Larry Sklar, who is a ritual vice presi­dent, coordinates and imple­ments the participatory servic­es. This requires coordinating congregants weeks in advance for each part of the service. Members, who are often limited by their Hebrew skills, lead the prayer services, the Torah and Haftorah readings, and the divrei Torah (sermons).

“With a small membership, finding people to fill all the roles is a challenge,” says Sklar. “When I don't find someone, I end up doing it.” Though the nature of the services may pres­ent difficulties, members take pride in the inclusive and partic­ipatory atmosphere where even the children are incorporated.

Though Kehillat Shalom hopes to one day be a full serv­ice, synagogue with a rabbi and a building, Vice President of Membership Cynthia Lerner says they plan to “stay close and connected even‑as we grow.”

Press Releases as of November 11, 2002

        CONTACT: Ed Hammerman
                       Kehillat Shalom
                       312-337-0404

CONTACT: Ed Hammerman
                 Kehillat Shalom
                 312 337-0404

Rabbi Lisa Gelber Selected To Officiate At Kehillat Shalom For High Holidays


Skokie...Rabbi Lisa B. Gelber will serve as rabbi for Congregation Kehillat Shalom during the upcoming High Holidays.  Rabbi Gelber is a graduate of the University of Judaism in Los Angeles and received her ordination at the Jewish Theological Seminary with her Masters in 1996. She earned her A.B. from Amherst before entering the rabbinic studies programs.

Her impressive background includes served as both Acting Senior Rabbi and Second Rabbi of the 900 family Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation of Mercer Island, Washington for the last six years. Rabbi Gelder has worked in a variety of settings dedicated to both formal and informal education, including the National Center for Jewish Healing in New York and Camp Ramah in California.  She sees the rabbinate as a unique opportunity to teach Judaism to students of all ages from the pulpit, in the classroom and from life's experiences.

"Rabbi Gelber's background as a teacher and intergenerational educator was a most important factor in our review of her credentials," commented Ritual Co-Chair Shelley Kennedy.  "Additionally, her references spoke so highly of her, we feel we are lucky to have her services for the High Holidays", she concluded.

Kehillat Shalom is the new Conservative egalitarian congregation serving the near north shore suburbs from its home at Temple Judea Mizpah, 8610 Niles Center Road, in Skokie.  For more information, please contact the synagogue at (847) 674-3093.
 

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