The NSSBE 70th Anniversary Weekend Celebration Honoring Rabbi Vernon and Bryna Kurtz was a resounding success! Beginning with the Friday night Shabbat Dinner, continuing with scholar in residence Rabbi Golinkin, and concluding with the gala dinner, our congregation turned out in force! Nearly 1,500 members participated in the weekend festivities that celebrated our milestone anniversary as well as our beloved Rabbi Kurtz and his wife Bryna. Kol Hakavod to the staff and lay leadership that worked tirelessly to make this weekend so special. Below are remarks by Rabbi Kurtz and Rabbi Golinkin expressing their gratitude.
On Friday, October 19th, Beth El held its Jeans and Jammies Shabbat Program for pre-school aged children and their parents. Elephant & Piggie, two very special characters from the book series by Mo Willems, made a guest appearance! Elephant & Piggie, along with their friends Ali Drumm, Jeff Baden, Rachel Kamin, Rabbi Schwab and Rabbi Freedman helped bring in Shabbat with songs and stories.
This year’s Preschool Sukkah Decorating Party was a fun-filled evening that included creating sukkah decorations, hanging them in the sukkah, having a delicious pasta dinner, hearing a story from Rachel Kamin, and singing songs with Hazzan Tisser. Rabbi Schwab taught a mini-course to some mini-students on how to shake a lulav and etrog! If you haven’t been to the Beth El Sukkah, please stop by and admire the handiwork of our smallest hands!
On Thursday, August 30, nearly 100 Men’s Club members and guests, attended the annual “Steak and Scotch” dinner. Nearly a dozen brands of scotch were available for tasting, along with a robust collection of Bourbons. Dinner included large ribeye steaks, potatoes and vegetables. All of our clergy was present for this not-to-be-missed event! Special thanks to our Men’s Club board for organizing, grilling, and hosting this favorite annual program.
On Friday, August 24, over 150 congregants gathered to celebrate the “happiest shabbat of all!” Members enjoyed appetizers and schmoozing along with music provided by Hazzan Tisser and friends. After shabbat services, guests were greeted by smiling emoji balloons and decor as they enjoyed a summer-time dinner straight from the grill. Our youngest members and their parents brought in shabbat “emo-jew” style with Ali Drumm, Marah Altenberg and Jeff Baden.
A special shout out to all who helped out on this event: Pam Schlosberg, Holly Reinsdorf, Rebecca Jacobson, Debbie Fox, Jackie Mellinger, Melissa Halperin, Hazzan Tisser, Abby Lasky, and Avram Pachter.
It was a beautiful summer night to enjoy food and cocktails on the Beth El patio. Members noshed and mingled before heading into the Blumberg for a fabulous performance by the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band! Hazzan Tisser joined the band to sing several songs, before the band switched to dance music and brought the crowd to the dance floor. Click HERE if you would like to watch the entire concert.
On July 26, Beth El members and friends of all ages were treated to an exciting and energetic performance from the Israeli Scouts Tzofim Friendship Caravan. Ten Israeli scouts from all over Israel danced and sang to new and familiar tunes. They shared their personal stories, as well as pride for their birthplace and its 70 year history. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to host these amazing young people. If you missed them this year, be sure to catch them next year!
40 members of NSS Beth El gathered at Ravinia on a beautiful Monday night in July to enjoy the music of George Gershwin. It was so successful, we are already discussing plans to do it next year!
Surprising all who attended our Kabbalat Shabbat reception on Friday, a chilly overcast day suddenly became a picture perfect one! Over 70 congregants gathered on our back patio and had the pleasure of listening to eight guitarists and a violin player “jam” to a variety of Shabbat melodies. Delicious food and drink added to a wonderful pre-Shabbat event.
On Sunday, June 3rd, nearly seventy B’Yachad donors and Ner Tamid members enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres (provided by our own Circle of Life Catering) in the Blumberg auditorium, followed by a special program in the Grossinger Brickman Activity Center led by Mort Steinberg.
Chaired by Larry Pachter, Chairman of the Ner Tamid Society, and Stuart Hochwert, Vice President of Finance, this event was a donor recognition and thank you event for these special groups.
Mort Steinberg, Beth El historian, gave a presentation on “The Mansion and the Mavins – the Beginnings of NSSBE,” which was a preview of his forthcoming book “Tradition by the Lake: A Historical Outline of North Suburban Synagogue Beth El,” which will be available at our Anniversary Gala Dinner on November 4th, when we honor Rabbi Vernon and Bryna Kurtz.
*B’Yachad is an all-encompassing annual gift of $10,000 to NSSBE that includes synagogue dues, Fair Share donation, Kol Nidre Appeal donation, two extra High Holiday tickets and two tickets to our annual fundraiser.
*The Ner Tamid Society is a recognition society that honors those who have included NSSBE in their wills or estate plans.
For information about B’Yachad and Ner Tamid, please contact Judy Berkeley, Director of Development, at (847) 432-0703 or [email protected]
1175 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, IL 60035 | (847) 432-8900 | [email protected] |
Copyright © 2025. All rights reserved. Website designed by Addicott Web.
