Chai Society:
Corky Troy on Oklahoma!

Using narrative, recorded songs and PowerPoint slides of photos, graphics and video, Corky Troy will tell the dramatic story of how Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein found unimaginable success producing their first musical hit together, Oklahoma!

A graphic designer known for his creativity and technical skills, Mr. Troy dramatizes the stories behind the great creations of the American Musical Theatre. Enjoy new insights and perspectives into the play hailed as “a revolution in musical drama.”

Family Concert with Kol Sasson

The dynamic musical group Kol Sasson presented a family concert. Kol Sasson is made up of talented musicians whose repertoire includes Hebrew and Israeli music and folk songs. Our audience sang along, danced in the aisles and enjoyed a wonderful time.

The Junior Choir accompaned Kol Sasson on various songs.

Musical Shabbat: V'Shamru

Congregants enjoyed a special Sabbat Service featuring a sermon in song as Cantor Amy Zussman, the Adult Choir and David Lornson looked at the Shabbat prayer V'Shamru sung on Friday nights. V'Shamru describes Shabbat as an eternal sign between God and Israel.

Chai Society: Love Songs

Backstage Bima Tour

Rabbi Paul Cohen and Cantor Amy Zussman led congregants on a tour of the bima to explore the texts and music behind our worship services. 

Purim Masquerade Ball

Congregants enjoyed an evening of revelry and fun at a Purim masquerade ball. The evening featured a roving magician, caricature artist and palm and tarot reader, along with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres dinner, live auction, entertainment and more.  

Purim Celebration

Temple Jeremiah celebrated Purim 5767 to the theme of the hit musical, Annie.

Chai Society: "The Rothschilds"

Chai Society: "The Shtetl Wedding: How We Sang, Danced & Celebrated"
Presented by Dancin' Steve Weintraub and Members of the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band

Audience members enjoyed one of the Midwest's premier Klezmer bands at April's monthly concert series!

Founded in 1983, the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band brings an old-fashioned spirit of fun to their performances. Combining dance, music, folk songs, theatre medleys and jazzy Yiddish pop music from the 1930's to the 1950's, the performers re-create the lost world of Eastern European Jewish culture. The band has performed across the U.S. and Europe - from Carnegie Hall and New York's Lincoln Center to concert stages in London, Munich and Amsterdam. As an extra treat, this month's program featured dancing along with music.

8th Annual Golder Lecture

"Jews, Christians & Muslims Partnering for Peace"

Carmi Gillon, mayor of Mevasseret-Zion, a suburb of Jerusalem, and the former head of Shabak, the Israeli Secret Service, talked about the prospects for peace in the Middle East.   

8th Annual Golder Lecture

"The God Factor"

Keynote speaker was Cathleen Falsani, author of the new book, The God Factor: Inside the Spiritual Lives of Public People.

Chai Society: "Let's Pull Out All the Stops"

Temple organist David Lornson led a fascinating tour of all the "bells and whistles" on the sanctuary organ with music spanning over 400 years from the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, France, England and the United States. 

Street Fair

In addition, the Street Fair included sales of the Temple Jeremiah CD, songs featuring Jeremiah children, went to purchase a fire truck for the state of Israel. The CD is still available for purchase. 

Trip to Loyola University Art Museum

Rabbi Paul Cohen and Monsignor Robert Dempsey of Saint Philip the Apostle led a trip to Loyola University's Museum of Art to see the exhibition, "A Blessing to One Another: Pope John Paul and the Jewish People."

The exhibits illustrates the life of the Pope and his boyhood friendship with Jerzy Kluger, a young Jewish man who was later instrumental in organizing the Pope's historic visit to Israel in 2000.

The tour also featured a visit to the stained glassed exhibit, "Sacred Visions in Art and Design," by Chicago based artist David Csicsko.

Backstage Bima Tour

Bowling Night

Decade of 1900 - 1909

Cantor Amy Zussman, Rabbi Paul Cohen and David Lornson looked at the music, headlines and nostalgia of the 1900's. The dawning of the 20th century, 1900-1909, ushered in automobiles, telephones, the Wright Brothers, the Gibson Girl look and President Teddy Roosevelt.Nine million immigrants cleared the entry port at Ellis Island, bringing their music, language, food, fashion, religion and culture to America. Vaudeville and the Ziegfield Follies drew large crowds.

Victor Herbert and George M. Cohan wrote such memorable songs as “Toyland”, “Harrigan”, “Yankee Doodle Boy” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” to name a few. Enrico Caruso performed at the Metropolitan Opera and Buffalo Bill and his spectacular Wild West Show toured the country. “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” became the unofficial anthem of baseball.

New Member Shabbat

Temple Jeremiah hosted a progressive dinner for new and long-time members. Attendees learned about the great activities taking place at temple while meeting fellow congregants. Child care was provided.

Chai Society Concert: "The Cantors from Chai-land Park"

Chai Society kicked off the 2007/08 year with a special concert featuring cantors from the North Shore. Attendees enjoyed an afternoon of songs in Hebrew and Yiddish along with Broadway favorites by Cantor Amy Zussman, accompanied by Cantor Larry Goller from Beth El, Cantor Lynda Casden from B'nai Torah and Cantor Michael Davis from Lakeside Congregation and Temple Jeremiah Music Director David Lornson.