North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, a congregation of over 1100 families, is affiliated with the Conservative Movement, and as such has adopted synagogue ritual practices consistent with conservative Halacha (law) and standards. These practices have been adopted, and re-evaluated, over many years by the Ritual Committee, based upon our understanding of Conservative Judaism, the decisions of the Rabbinical Assembly Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, an appreciation for the particular traditions of our own synagogue, and, of course, the guidance of our Rabbi and Hazzan.


These policies cover all synagogue ritual and every life cycle event. As synagogue members, we are all participants in synagogue ritual and from time to time all of us, whether adult, teen or child, will participate, individually or as a family, in one or more of the life cycle events. Therefore, we present this summary of Beth El's synagogue ritual decisions, in an effort to encourage full understanding and appreciation of our interpretation of Halacha and standards. Please feel free to contact the Rabbi, or theHazzan to discuss these matters in more particular detail.