Who We Are

History

Congregation B'nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim (BJBE) is the union of two congregations, B'nai Jehoshua and Beth Elohim.

B'nai Jehoshua

B'nai Jehoshua was founded in 1893 by Bohemian and Czechoslovakian Jews. The synagogue originally was located at 20th and Ashland Avenues in Chicago. Although most temple members moved from that area in the 40's and 50's, they continued their membership, traveling long distances to attend services and religious school.

Beth Elohim

Early in the year 1963, five families got together to explore the possibility of starting a Reform Synagogue in the Des Plaines-Morton Grove-Glenview area. With many new housing developments in the area attracting young Jewish families, it seemed like the thing to do - and it evidently was. Membership, encouraged by publicity and by word of mouth, grew daily. Excitement was very much in the air. We began to hold Services, with lay leaders, at what was then the Good Shepherd Church on Ballard, and we held our first Second Seder at that location.

In the spring, the establishment of a religious school was announced, members were recruited as teachers, a book sale was held, and over a hundred children were enrolled. The first High Holiday Services were held at the Sahara Motel on Waukegan Road, and Irv Glick's masterful drapings helped disguise the original purpose of the room and make it into a lovely sanctuary. Services were led by Rabbi David Cedarbaum. That year, bi-weekly Services were conducted by either lay leaders or visiting Rabbis, and held at the Glenview Community Church. Eventually Rabbi Cedarbaum became our part-time Rabbi. The ritual objects were stored at homes, the bulletin was run off in the Waitsman's basement, the library was stored at the Schlanger's home, and classes were held at Ballard School.

The Merger Begins

The Board began to look at facilities for a permanent home in 1964, but as membership grew beyond our expectations, places were either too small or too expensive. In early 1965 the Board embarked on a search for a full time Rabbi, lists were drawn up stating the qualifications we wanted, and, at that point, we were approached by B'nai Jehoshua about the possibility of a merger - if we would take their name and their Rabbi. Upon meeting Mark Shapiro, the Search Committee discovered he met all the qualifications listed, and beyond, the merger would bring a base of more mature members, plus the possibility of our own building, and the process was begun.

Board of Trustees

 

2023-2024

 
 
Executive Committee
 
Term Ending
 
President
Mark Brodson
24
 
Executive Vice President
Steffanie Pinsky
24
 
VP/Treasurer
Kim Gordon
25
 
VP
David Greenbaum
24
 
VP
Steven Harfield
24
 
VP
Michael DiCocco *
25
 
VP/Recording Secretary
Sonya Morgan
24
 
Sisterhood Co-Pres
Carol Berger
24
 
Sisterhood Co-Pres
Reva Felder
24
 
Immediate Past President
Brian Tenner
24
 
Trustees with Portfolio
 
Term Ending
 
Adult Education
Open
 
 
Building & Grounds
TBD - Committee in
Formation
 
 
Communication
N/A
 
 
Caring Community
Erin Rosenberg * **
25
 
Education - School
Mindy Ingersoll * **
25
 
Budget & Finance
Melissa Berman * **
25
 
Financial Development
Steve Wander* **
25
 
Israel
Stephanie Rodgers *
24
 
Leadership Development
Jenn Dubinsky
24
 
Membership
TBD - Committee in
Formation
 
 
Ritual Chair
N/A
 
 
Social Justice/Social Action
Joel Newton
25
 
Trustees At Large
 
 
 
 
Sid Siegel
24
 
 
Paul Stepankovskiy **
25
 
 
Hope Shamberg *
25
 
 
Jodi Oldani
24
 
 
Ted Belinky
24
 
 
Laura Passmore *
24
 
 
Steve Hara
25
 
 
Tracy Slutzky
24
 
 
Gail Ostach
24
 
 
 
 
 
National URJ Board Member
 
 
 
 
Rich Goldberg
 
 
* = New to Position
 
 
 
** = New to Board
 
 
 
 
 
Honorary Board Members
 
 
 
Lynn Wax
Art Schlanger z”l
Val Rabin z”l
Bernice Waitsman z”l
Past Presidents
 
 
 
Brian Tenner
David Gates
James Harfield
Arnold Preis z"l
Lisa Wilson/Tracy Friend
Shirlee Cohen
Marshall Krolick z"l
 
Gary Schaffel
Martin Salomon z"l
Zelda Wise z"l
 
Bonnie Litch
Jim Ostach
Albert Wagner z"l
 
Terri Argentar
Sandee Holleb
Marvin Glanzrock
 
David Wax z"l
Dr. Milton Salzer
Gerald Hibnick z"l
 
Patti Frazin
Joseph Ernsteen z"l
Bertram Sinker z"l
 
Gideon Schlessinger
Stanley Swig z"l
Leon Rabin z"l
 
Tracy Friend
Sandra Leon
Robert Tauber z"l
 
Senior Youth Group
TBD
 
 
 

Who We Are

BJBE is an inclusive and welcoming community. We encourage participation from all who seek a connection to Jewish life and want to be part of our sacred community regardless of religious background, race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, political affiliation, ability, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity. We encourage all to participate in our community, regardless of knowledge of Hebrew or Judaism.

Our Mission & Five Core Values

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our mission is to provide portals and platforms where people can discover the meaning and purpose of their lives. Through our commitment to Judaism and each other we have established five core values that define who we are:

TORAH (Jewish Learning) is a lifelong learning that informs us of tradition, transforms us by touching our minds and souls, and connects us to our community.

AVODAH (Worship and Spiritual Practice) is the sacred obligation to foster a sense of meaning, intention, and spirituality. We understand the importance of integrating and applying a spiritual practice into our everyday lives.

G’MILUT CHASIDIM (Acts of Loving Kindness) is the obligation to give away three things: time to make the world a better place, money to ease someone’s pain, and kindness to heal a world that is broken.

Community is our central value. We aspire to build a center for Jewish life, a place for laughter and joy, for meaningful conversation and friendship.

ISRAEL is not simply a committee at BJBE. We are privileged to recognize the modern miracle of the establishment of the State of Israel. After centuries of dispersion and the Holocaust, we have a state which is a vibrant Jewish center and must be a core component of Jewish identity.