Robyn Helzner Trio Family Concert

Over 150 people attended this family concert. The Robyn Helzner Trio brings the world of Jewish music to audiences throughout North America and worldwide. One of the leading interpreters of Jewish music, Robyn Helzner demonstrates her love and appreciation of folk music in her performances.

She has performed to sell-out crowds in Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as Hong Kong, Beijing and Tokyo. Accompanying her at this concert were accomplished musicians Matt Holsen and Dov Weitman. Choirs from Temple Jeremiah, Am Shalom, Temple Beth-El and other congregations also performed. The concert was offered to the community at no charge.

 Mini-Concert with Rabbi Joe Black

Children and adults alike enjoyed the musical talents of Rabbi Joe Black, a vibrant voice in today's contemporary Jewish music scene.

A dynamic performer, lyrical composer and accomplished musician, Rabbi Black has produced critically acclaimed albums of Jewish music, a songbook and two videos. The recipient of numerous honors, Rabbi Black was recognized by Moment Magazine as one of the top ten male performers in Contemporary American Jewish music as well as one of the top ten children's performers in American Jewish music.

"You Light Up Our Lives" - Dr. Anne Lidsky's Anniversary Celebration 

Temple Jeremiah hosted a Gala Shabbat Service and Dinner to honor our beloved Education Director's 25 years with Temple Jeremiah. Over 350 congregants gathered for the joyous celebration.

 Purim Celebration 2006

Visit by Israeli Consul General to the Midwest Barukh Binah  

One of Israel's top diplomats. Consul General Binah discussed the current state of affairs in Israel in light of the recent elections in the Palestinian territory, the nuclear crisis in Iran and Israel's upcoming elections. The program included a presentation by the Consulate General and a question and answer segment.

A member of Israel's Foreign Service since 1979, Consul General Binah has held various positions in diplomacy, research, policy planning and media relations, including Head of the International Affairs Bureau in the Foreign Ministry's Center for Political Research from 2001 to 2005. To learn more, click here.

Seventh Annual Stanley C. Golder Lecture Series

Our keynote speaker, Irshad Manji, author of the international bestseller, The Trouble with Islam Today, talked about "The Challenge to Islam Today," concerning the prospect of a liberal reformation of Islam on April 29.

Her talk was preceded by Rabbi David Nelson, Associate Director of ARZA, who spoke at Shabbat Services on April 28 on "When Love is Shared," telling how Jews need to share their love of the land of Israel with the Christian and Muslim communities.

Concert: "The Harmony of Israel in Song"

Almost 200 people were in attendance as Cantor Amy Zussman and members of the American Conference of Cantors (ACC) and the Guild of Temple Musicians (GTM) joined together for a spectacular concert of Jewish music under the direction of Cantor Richard Cohn and Associate Conductor Richard Boldrey. Kol Zimrah - the Jewish Community Singers, a 100-voice choir, also participated.

The concert was held in celebration of the ACC's and GTM's upcoming mission to Israel. Proceeds benefitted Jewish music programs for students at the Leo Baeck School in Haifa.

Comedy Nite

The Jeremiah Comedy Club presented this exciting event, featuring internationally acclaimed comedian Joel Chasnoff. The event included hors d'oeuvres, appetizers, silent auction, dinner and comedy hour.

Joel Chasnoff's innovative, experience-based, positive Jewish humor has garnered him a cult-like following along with widespread press recognition. He has appeared on stage in seven countries across the globe, including the Montreal Comedy Festival, Zanies in Chicago and the USO Comedy Tour of Japan and Korea for our American troops, to name just a few venues.

Presentation by Madeleine Albright 

The former Secretary of State talked about politics, religion and the current state of world affairs at this extraordinary program hosted by Temple Jeremiah.  

Annual Meeting

Temple Jeremiah's 2006 Annual Meeting included a review of last year's events and accomplishments, projections for the coming year, a celebration of Cantor Amy Zussman's 20th anniversary with Temple Jeremiah and a presentation by historian Peter Ascoli on the life of his grandfather, famed entrepreneur and philanthropist, Julius Rosenwald. Congregants met the temple's Officers, Board members and professional staff and heard a presentation on the "State of the Temple" by President Howard Lanznar.

Julius Rosenwald

Mr. Ascoli wrote the biography, Julius Rosenwald: The Man Who Built Sears, Roebuck and Advanced the Cause of Black Education in the American South, which paints a vivid portrait of Rosenwald, his meteoric rise in American business and his philanthropic works. Dr. Ascoli is on the faculty of Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies.

The Annual Meeting included recognition of the many volunteers who participated in the Waukegan School District Social Action Project.

The Board was formally installed at the Kabbalat Shabbat Service on June 16, 2006.

"Caleb and the Spies" 

Candidate's Forum

Our conversation including topics such as: Healthcare, War in Iraq, Foreign Policy, Education, Veterans’ Affairs, Seniors, Deficit and more ...

DAN SEALS grew up in Chicago and taught high school English in Japan before earning a Master's in Public Policy at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. A Presidential Management Fellow during the Clinton Administration, Dan worked on trade issues to increase overseas markets for U.S. goods. He also worked on Capitol Hill, focusing on economic development and policy.

The Decade of the 1950's

Where were you in the 1950's? TV had replaced radio. Do you remember watching Gunsmoke, I Love Lucy and the $64,000 Question? Elvis Presley was the rage. It was the age of Beatniks, rock and roll and the Golden Age of Hollywood. Remember Jack Benny, Judy Garland, Dean Martin, Buddy Holly and so many more? It was also the time of the Korean War, the Cold War and the McCarthy Hearings.

190 people throughout the community gathered as Cantor Amy Zussman, Rabbi Paul Cohen and David Lornson presented the music, news and nostalgia from that era. For photos on this and other temple events, click here.

New Member Shabbat Dinner

Honor Breakfast

Israeli Art Show

Temple Jeremiah offered a unique opportunity for congregants and the general public to view art work from some of Israel's premier artists. Fifteen artists from northern Israel came to the temple to display their various items and talk about their lives and their art. The recent war with Hezbollah dealt a huge blow to Israeli tourism and the artist industry in general. Several artists from the Safed area came to the U.S. this summer to present "Shop Israel," a presentation of arts and crafts.

Items included lithographs, oils, weavings, crafts, jewelry Judaica and much more! The artists talked about their work as well as their lives in Israel to the Religious School children and their families as well as the viewing public. Click here to view photos from the Art Show as well as photos of other temple events.

"Hats Off to Fern" - Honoring Fern Kamen's 25th Anniversary with Temple Jeremiah

Temple Jeremiah hosted a fabulous extravaganza to celebrate our beloved Executive Director Fern M. Kamen's 25 years of service to the Temple Jeremiah community.

The gala event included tributes by Fern's family, Temple Jeremiah's staff, NATA President Loree Resnik, a medley of songs by Cantor Amy Zussman, Anne Lidsky and David Lornson and a special performance by "The Fernettes." 

"The Cantors Sing Songs from Broadway"

Our kick-off program featured Cantor Amy Zussman, along with cantors and musicians across the region, singing show tunes from Broadway.