Pillars in Action

​TORAH (Jewish Learning)
BJBE is committed to lifelong learning through experiences that challenge the mind and uplift the spirit, emphasizing the value of education beginning in early childhood and continuing through K-12 and into adulthood. Through programs geared toward specific age groups and interests, we aim to provide a comprehensive Jewish education and differentiated instruction for all learning styles.

​AVODAH (Worship and Spiritual Practice)
Our services are designed to provide an array of opportunities for families and individuals to connect with one another and with God. Judaism teaches us that Avodah, spiritual practice, is one of the three pillars on which the world stands, and the principles of Avodah serve as a guiding force in our commitment to enhancing the spiritual life of our congregation through prayer, programs, and services for all ages, knowledge levels, and interests.

G’MILUT CHASDIM (Acts of Loving Kindness)
G'milut Chasadim 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. In the spirit of tikkun olam (healing the world), BJBE engages in activities that benefit both our local and global communities, embodying the core values of Reform Judaism.

COMMUNITY
BJBE’s lifeblood is our people — an energy that connects and sustains us, making all who enter our doors feel seen, held, and cared for. We often hear, “I could not have walked through this moment without my BJBE community.” We share our values, live them out in this world, and build sacred Jewish life together.

ISRAEL
We are proud of our historic connection to the Land of Israel and pledge our support for a secure and prosperous State of Israel. This connection strengthens our ties with the global Jewish diaspora, bridging the BJBE community with Israel. In the wake of the events of October 7, this core value has gained even more significance. BJBE, led by Our senior rabbi, advocates forcefully for Jewish self-determination, Zionism, and the security and dignity of the Jewish people.

How Your Membership Sustains BJBE's Five Core Pillars

Your membership is an investment in BJBE — sustaining this dynamic engine of Jewish life: our sacred community and our cherished house of worship. Your dues and contributions translate directly into meaningful experiences, lifelong learning, and inspiring worship throughout the year:

Torah
We deepen our Jewish knowledge and sustain vibrant educational programming for children, teens, and adults.

• Youth & Teen Education: Interactive, weekly Jewish Learning Center (JLC) sessions (Pre-K through 10th Grade)
• Madrichim Leadership Program: Hands-on training and leadership development that empowers our teens to serve as mentors and classroom assistants.
• Experiential Milestones: Highly engaging grade-level cohort programs, including our signature 5th Grade Ellis Island Simulation, 6th Grade Holocaust Museum Field Trip, and the sweet, preparatory JLC Chocolate Seder for grades 3–6.
• Adult & Lifelong Learning: Weekly intellectual inquiry through Talmud Study, Shabbat Torah Study, Sunrise Study, and our foundational Beginning Hebrew courses.
• Specialized Series & Discussions: Deep learning via the Women’s Study Group, informal and lively Torah on Tap gatherings, and our Symposium series exploring Jewish thought, holiday traditions, and biblical texts.

Avodah
We support our clergy and professional staff in leading inspiring, hybrid services, designing transformative spiritual experiences, and guiding our families through sacred lifecycle milestones.

• Weekly Shabbat Worship (Hybrid & In-Person): Warm community gatherings including Shabbat Services, Kol Shabbat, P'nei Shabbat, traditional services with our Adult Choir, Outdoor/Summer Shabbat, Matzah Ball Shabbat, In-Person Morning Minyan,  youth-focused Family Playground Havdalahs, and weekly community Onegs.
• High Holy Days: Spiritual and reflective services for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
• Festivals & Holidays: Celebrating the full cycle of the Jewish year, from Sukkot and Simchat Torah to daily virtual Chanukah celebrations, Tu B'Shvat, Purim (featuring our legendary Purim Spiel, family carnivals, and adult trivia nights), Passover, Lag B'Omer, and Shavuot.
• Sacred Lifecycles & Pastoral Support: Full-service pastoral and ritual guidance for all of life's transitions including Baby Namings & Brit Milah, Conversions, Weddings, Aufrufs, and compassionate Funerals & Shiva support.
• B'nai Mitzvah Journey: Comprehensive, individual preparation and photography coordination, parent workshops, and deeply personalized B'nai Mitzvah ceremonies welcoming the next generation to the Torah.

G'milut Chasadim
We strengthen our pastoral care, ensure financial accessibility so no one is ever turned away, and power social action programs that extend our values into the wider world.

• Tikkun Olam: Hands-on, multigenerational repair of our world through the MLK Day of Giving, our annual community-wide Volunteerism Fair, and civic action through our non-partisan Postcarding Events.
• Local & Regional Mitzvot: Saving lives through community Blood Drives and delivering critical holiday food boxes across Greater Chicago through Maot Chitim.
• Justice & Dialogue Initiatives: Meaningful advocacy, learning, and action through our Immigrant Justice Initiative and The Red Tent Fund community conversations.
• Tikkun Olam Summit: Collaborative congregational planning to address systemic issues and local community needs.
• Feeding the Hungry: Dedicated support of local food pantries and direct food-security action through Project Nourish.

Kehillah
We fund programs and gatherings that unite us in joy, comfort, and shared connections across generations.

• Women of BJBE (Sisterhood): Warm connections featuring Sign Language Workshops, Bingo & Game Nights, Culture Club Theatre Outings, the Lilith Salon discussions, and the annual Devorah Quilting and Crafting Kallah retreat.
• Men of BJBE: Engaging social gatherings, discussions, and educational programs.
• Young At Heart: Culturally rich programs, classic movies, Yiddish conversation groups, and hands-on tzedakah projects supporting local youth-in-need.
• Youth Groups: Interactive peer connections through JYG (Junior Youth Group featuring Gaga and pizza nights).

• Community Gatherings & Music: Lively Matzah Ball Shabbat dinners, our soulful and uplifting annual Women’s Seder, and major Community Concerts & Musical Guest Artist Weekends (featuring guest performers alongside our BJBE Cantors and Kol Shabbat band).

Israel
We cultivate a deep, meaningful relationship with the State of Israel and global Jewish communities.

• Dialogue & Culture: Bringing global Jewish culture directly to our community, highlighted by our collaborative Israeli Scouts Concert, guest speakers, and teen-focused Israel Now Information Sessions.
• Global Jewish Travel: Occasions for shared discovery and heritage tours of historical global Jewish communities (such as our congregational journey to Jewish Morocco).
• Curriculum Integration: Dedicated Israel-focused history, culture, and Hebrew education woven organically throughout our JLC youth programs.

Behind the Scenes: Governance & Stewardship
​Your investment also secures the professional management, safety, and administrative systems required to run a thriving, modern congregation:

• Lay Leadership & Operations: Funding secure facility management, safety protocols, professional administrative staffing, and year-round congregational communication.
• Campus Infrastructure: Maintaining our physical facility, coordinating room configurations for services and celebrations, and cleanup following events.
• Technology: Operating high-tech streaming/broadcast systems that keep our hybrid services fully accessible.