We are thrilled to announce our Kol Nidre Appeal speakers for 2025. Dan Ripes will give the appeal in the Field Family Sanctuary and Brian and Rebecca Jacobson will give the appeal at the Ravinia service. Dan, Brian, and Rebecca will share their Beth El journeys, the positive impact of our Beth El community, and the importance of giving to the Appeal. We look forward to hearing their meaningful words during Yom Kippur.
If you have yet to make your pledge, you can do so during the Kol Nidre service or clicking this link.
Dan Ripes
Dan, and his wife Ronit, joined Beth El in 2011. Dan shines as one of the stars on the Men’s Club Softball team, was a member of the Relational Judaism Task Force in 2020, and helped design and architect the Tu B’Shevat forest for many years in the mid-2010s, taking it to incredible heights. Dan co-chaired the recent David Broza event in 2025. Ronit has served in many leadership roles for our community, including serving as a Vice President on the Executive Committee; their two children, Sophie and Noah, graduated from the Steinberg Preschool and the Cohen Religious School. Two of Dan’s happiest moments were watching his children read Torah and Haftorah at their B’nai Mitzvah on the Beth El Bimah in 2020 and 2023, respectively. Dan, a Vice President at Rise, a large marketing agency in Chicago, is looking forward to sharing a unique perspective on how Beth El impacts his Jewish journey.
Brian and Rebecca Jacobson
Since joining the synagogue 21 years ago, Rebecca and Brian have been active members of Beth El. They have served on multiple committees, attended dozens of classes and are frequent shul-goers. Brian is currently on the Board of Directors, serves as Executive Vice President of the Men’s Club, and is the Music Committee Chair. Rebecca is co-Vice President of Education on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. They live in Highland Park with their 2 boys, 2 cats, and 2 dogs. When this Beth El couple isn’t at the synagogue, Rebecca is a physician at Endeavor Health and Brian runs his bicycle store, Fit2Ride Velo Studio. Their boys Ari and Mason grew up at Beth El, attending Cohen Religious School and the Sokol Hebrew High School, and have been involved in BEANS, USY, and Camp Ramah.
Our Kol Nidre Appeal is an important annual fundraising effort that supplements the revenue that Beth El receives from dues, which does not fully cover our operating budget. The appeal helps to ensure that Beth El remains a safe, vibrant, and welcoming community for all of our members.
Why is it important?
It is vital for sustaining our operations and initiatives. It ensures that we can operate at our highest level and that everyone can be a member of our community, regardless of their financial situation. It also enables us to offer a range of spiritual, educational, and social programs in all of our spaces, including:
maintenance and improvement of our facilities,
educational programs for both children and adults,
community services and outreach programs,
ritual and spiritual activities,
and more.
YES! Every contribution, no matter the size, shows that Beth El matters to you and your family, and helps bridge the gap left by membership dues. This year, our goal is to increase participation from 50% to 100%, and we welcome donations of any size. We simply ask that you make a donation that is meaningful to you.
If I am a Bonim Benefactor, do I also contribute to the Kol Nidre Appeal?
Contributions at the Bonim level of $6,500 and above are considered a once-a-year gift, and include a gift to our Kol Nidre Appeal, so no additional contribution to the Kol Nidre appeal is necessary. For more information on Bonim Benefactor levels, please contact Jacob Markey, Development Director, at [email protected] or Audra Kaplan, VP Development and Fundraising, at [email protected].
How can I make a donation?
You can make a donation in several ways:
Online using this LINK or QR code
Mail a check to Beth El
In person at the synagogue office during business hours
Yes, all donations to Beth El are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. You will receive a receipt for your donation that can be used for tax purposes.
While general donations give us the flexibility to allocate funds where they are most needed, we also welcome designated donations. If you have a specific purpose in mind, please contact the synagogue office to discuss your wishes.
We understand that not everyone may be in a position to contribute financially. Your presence and participation in our community are invaluable. There are many other ways to support Beth El, including volunteering your time and skills.
We welcome and encourage active participation in our community. You can get involved by joining a committee, volunteering for events, attending services, and participating in educational programs. To learn more about ways to get involved, please reach out to Hillary Wenk, Engagement Director, at [email protected].
Who can I contact for more information?
If you have any further questions or need more information about the Kol Nidre Appeal, please contact Jacob Markey, Development Director at [email protected] or Audra Kaplan, VP of Development and Fundraising at [email protected].
Thank you for your support and for being a vital part of the Beth El community. Together, we make Beth El stronger.
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