Chai Society: The Boomer Babes

Pam and Jan, otherwise known as "The Boomer Babes," presented a musical extravaganza recalling their formative years in the 50's. Flashbacks included such TV theme songs and commercials as "See the USA in your Chevrolet", as well as vintage pop tunes by such musical greats as Rosemary Clooney and Bobby Darin.

Chai Society: Three Sopranos and a Wedding

Our three sopranos - Cantor Amy Zussman along with Nancy Landsman from Am Shalom and Leslie Newcorn from Kol Ami - presented a concert of love songs for a Jewish wedding, accompanied by David Lornson.

Chai Society: Irving Berlin: America's Songwriter  

Susan Benjamin, a professional speaker, author and host of musical biographies, presented a look at and listen to the music of the great American composer and lyricist, Irving Berlin, as performed through the chronology of his life. Audience members learned how Berlin's music, which included such hits as "God Bless America," inspired the nation. The program instilled a feeling of pride - as a Jewish American and a member of a generation that could produce such outstanding songwriting. Susan also shared Irving Berlin's personal life story. 

Chai Society: Happy Birthday to You, Israel 

April's Chai Society celebrated Israel's 60th birthday through story and song. Cantor Zussman and David Lornson led attendees on a musical journey through the history of Israel's independence. We heard Jewish pioneer songs, Israeli folk songs and beautiful ballads as Rabbi Cohen recounted the story of Israel - from her birth to her 60th birthday.

Health Forum & Shabbaton: "Chicken Soup for the Jewish Genes"

Temple Jeremiah's Brotherhood, Sisterhood and Caring Community presented a special forum focusing on genetic diseases, including breast cancer, auto-immune disorders, mental illness and colo-rectal disorders. Scott Weissman, Licensed Genetic Counselor at the Center for Medical Genetics at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, was the keynote speaker. Topics included: genetic testing; communicating about medical issues; and federal and local resources.

The event featured panel discussions with a variety of experts and Temple Jeremiah members and concluded with a Havdalah service.

Scott Weissman

Scott Weissman received his B.S. in Biology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, after which he spent two years at the Molecular Oncology Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Illinois developing expertise in molecular genetic techniques used in hematologic and oncologic disorders. He received his M.S. in Genetic Counseling at Northwestern University and became a Certified Genetic Counselor in 2002.

He counsels patients in a variety of adult-onset genetic disorders. He is an active faculty member at Northwestern University's Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling as well as an instructor of Clinical Medicine at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern. Scott served as co-chair of the National Society of Genetic Counselors Familial Cancer Risk Counseling Special Interest Group from 2004 to 2006 and is currently the agency's liaison to the Commission on Cancer.

Passport Jeremiah

Participants enjoyed international cuisine, a live auction and entertainment. 

Chai Society: "Broadway Show Tunes" with the New Horizons Band

Temple Jeremiah's Brotherhood and Sisterhood presented a musical fundraiser with the senior concert band "New Horizons" playing the songs of "Oklahoma," "My Fair Lady" and swing medleys.

Funds from this concert went toward purchasing a compact fire truck for Israel as part of the Jewish National Fund's program on behalf of Israel's Fire and Rescue Services. These mini-pumpers, which cost $100,000, are economic, state-of-the-art and highly effective in emergencies and rough terrain.

Strokes are the third leading cause of death in the U.S. To protect against this often-silent killer, Life Line Screening offered a series of screenings at the temple to detect arterial abnormalities which could lead to a stroke or aneurysm. The tests included: Stroke Screening/ Carotid Artery Ultrasound; Abdominal Aortic Aneyrsm Screening; Peripheral Artery Disease Screening; and Osteoporosis Screening. The cost was $129 and the tests took less than an hour is complete. For more information on this screening, call 1-800-324-1851 or log on to Life Line Screening.

Candidates' Forum

Just in time for the November election, Temple Jeremiah hosted a forum between Elizabeth Coulson (R), five-term Representative in the Illinois 17th District and her Democratic challenger, Daniel Biss. The candidates spoke on their respective platforms and responded to questions from the audience.

New Member Dinner

"Decade of the 1920's"

Cantor Amy Zussman and Rabbi Paul Cohen, accompanied by David Lornson, presented the music and headlines from the fabulous era of the 1920's. World War I has ended. Prohibition is underway. Silent Cal is in the White House and Rudy Vallee, Al Jolson and Eddie Cantor are crooning on the air waves. Over 150 people listened to the songs and news from this exciting era in history.

Annual Blood Drive

Every year Temple Jeremiah, in cooperation with LifeSource, hosts this annual drive to support the community's access to a healthy blood source.

"Giving the Gift of Peace of Mind"

The Jewish Healing Network of Chicago (JHNC) presented this seminar on the importance of advanced care planning and end-of-life, hospice and palliative care from a Jewish perspective. Preparing for a crisis, long-term illness or end-of-life care in advance can reduce anxiety, guilt, stress and uncertainty related to requiring a loved one or stranger to make important decisions for us.

Chai Society: "Shirlee Todd and the Jazmer Quartet"

Kicking off this year's Chai Society series, Shirlee Todd and the Jazmer Quartet played their trademark combination of Klezmer, Yiddish, Israeli and Sephardic music. The acclaimed musical group has performed at Chicago's YIVO Summer Festivals of Yiddish Culture as well as at Hadassah programs and numerous other venues.