The Joseph and Mae Gray Cultural & Learning Center

Deepen Your Learning

Maxwell Abbell Library • Pinsof Children’s Reading Room • Kaye Reading Room
Susan Fisher Glick Memorial Research Center • Rissman Kol Ami Collection

The Joseph and Mae Gray Cultural & Learning Center (the CLC) aims to provide the congregational community with Judaic educational and cultural resources. Our superior, up-to-date collection of over 18,000 books, periodicals, videos, DVDs, audio, and other resources, as well as the CLC’s supportive programming, help to strengthen and further the vision of Beth El. Click here to access our automated Library catalog.  To put an item on hold, contact Marcie Eskin or call 847/926-7903.

We also offer free Coffee and WiFi! Sundays through Fridays, all day long, you can get free coffee and hot tea in the Kaye Reading Room.  While you’re sipping your coffee, take advantage of our free WiFi connection, check out our newspaper and magazine collection, browse our selection of new books and DVDs, or just hang out with a friend while enjoying the beautiful view of Lake Michigan. Next time you’re dropping off your child at pre-school, religious school, or b’nai mitzvah tutoring, coming to minyan, attending a meeting, or stopping by the office, stay for a while and relax in our amazing Jewish library!

The Writer’s Beit Midrash meets in the Maxwell Abbell Library every other Wednesday morning, 9:30-11:00 am. All fiction, non-fiction, poetry, memoir, and essay writers (published or not yet published) are welcome for discussions, exercises, camaraderie, and critique. Email Rachel Kamin for the meeting calendar. Also, several members authored pieces related to Hanukkah and Pesach.

For questions or comments, or to see if your favorite book is in, please contact: Rachel Kamin, Director of Lifelong Learning, at rkamin@nssbethel.org or 847/926-7902 or Marcie Eskin, Librarian, at meskin@nssbethel.org or 847/926-7903.