History

A Proud Tradition of Worship, Education and Community

Temple Beth-El has a distinguished and compelling 137-year history. As one of the oldest congregations in Chicago, Temple Beth-El has a rich history that is relevant not only to our own congregants but also to the broader Jewish community in Chicagoland and beyond. While it is the specific story of our congregation, the history of Temple Beth-El also reflects the larger story of Chicago Jewry – and particularly of the Reform Movement in Chicago.

The History Project

The mission of the Temple Beth-El History Project is to collect, preserve and present the history of Temple Beth-El in order to provide congregants and the wider community with an understanding of our congregation’s past and its role in the broader history of Jews in the Chicago area.

The History Project’s Major Components

The story of Temple Beth-El’s Proud Tradition of Worship, Education and Community will be told to multiple audiences through several projects that will be united by their thematic development, tone, style and message:

Establish an archival inventory for Temple Beth-El‘s historical documents and artifacts. The inventory was completed fall 2007.

Create a narrative written history with pictorial references as an enduring material to preserve and educate about the Temple’s history. The manuscript is in development and is scheduled for completion mid-summer 2008.  Plans for publication will be determined.

Expand this web site to feature historical pages re-purposed from the narrative history as a series of vignettes.  These pages will be created upon completion of the narrative written history in summer 2008.

Design, fabricate and install an interpretive exhibit about the history of Temple Beth-El as presented within the context of other relevant historical events and issues.  Depending upon funding availability, it is anticipated the exhibition will be completed in 2009.

Define a history educational component within the Temple’s religious school at multiple class levels to ensure religious school and confirmation students understand the significance of the Temple’s history.  Planning for this activity will begin fall 2008 in conjunction with development of the interpretive exhibit.

Join Us

Would you like to join us as we seek to preserve our temple’s history for current and future generations?  The committee will focus on finalizing the history plan, its components and their implementation, and addressing fundraising needs to make these exciting projects a reality for the entire congregation and the surrounding Jewish community. For more information about the History Project and/or to join our committee, please contact:

Ellen Carmell
Phone: 847-215-0126
Email:

Alan Blitz
Phone: 847-317-0420
Email:

Janice Hadesman
Phone: 847-559-5800
Email: