4435 Oakton Street
Skokie, IL 60076-3222
(847) 677-3330
Questions? Email:
congbeneshalom@gmail.com
Congregation
Bene Shalom
Mission Statement
Congregation Bene Shalom - Mission Statement
Providing an inspirational place for community worship and study
Mission
-
To worship G-d in the spirit of freedom with the understanding that we encompass a wide range of backgrounds and ideas about the nature of G-d
-
To cultivate love of Jewish traditions, understanding of our history and to have fun celebrating being Jewish together
-
To stimulate fellowship among the Jewish deaf and hearing people in all communities and to strengthen the bonds of loyalty with Jewish people in the United States, Israel and throughout the world
-
To promote and encourage brotherhood and sisterhood in society at large through our shared value that Judaism provides a way for us to be supportive to each other, Jew and non-Jew alike
Values
-
An inclusive Reform synagogue welcoming Jew and non-Jew, deaf and hearing, individuals and families, various sexual orientations making it universally accessible
-
Celebrate Shabbat and religious holidays – Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Hanukkah, Tu B’shevat, Purim, Passover, Shavuot
-
Be authentic in all of life’s events – Baby naming, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Weddings, Anniversaries, Funerals
-
Foster Healing Prayer Group
-
Empower through Kabbalah meditation
-
Welcome, acknowledge and support Special Needs
-
Create an environment encouraging the interest of youth so as to ignite the opportunity for individual and societal growth
Be yourself. We like it that way. Everyone is welcome. Difference is valued.
Attributes & Credentials
Calendar
-
Hybrid options for in-person or virtual participation
-
Weekly Shabbat Services
-
Monthly Havdalah Services
-
Monthly Kabbalistic Meditation
-
Monthly Healing Prayer Group
-
Recordings available on YouTube
-
Full selection of prayers and songs available on our website
Leadership and Staff
-
Full ownership of our building at: 4435 W. Oakton Street, Skokie, IL
-
Rabbi and Cantorial Soloist Charlene Brooks
-
ASL interpreted services and choir
-
Executive Director – Barbara Weiner
-
Facilities & Maintenance – Armando Rivera
-
Chicago Police Officers – Joel Bemis and Dino Amato
Congregation Bene Shalom’s Model
Board of Directors
President Laura Schwartz
Executive VP Ken Clinkman
VP Finance Ken Clinkman
VP Finance Mark Schwartz
VP Building Administration Bill Donets
Recording Secretary David Freireich
Financial Secretary/Treasurer - Vacant
At-Large Member Gary Slutkin
At-Large Member Chris Malwitz
Foundation
Friends Group –
Formed by an initial group of families committed to supporting an inclusive congregation. This devotion continues through the generosity of an annual endowment.
Haverah Groups –
Members with like interests gather for social events
​
From our Rabbi ~
​
Congregation Bene Shalom has lived for almost 54 years. For 50 of them, we were led by Rabbi Dr. Douglas Goldhamer. He was a Tzadik, a brilliant Rabbi, a healer, an author, a mensch, and my mentor.
It has been my honor to lead Shabbat, Kabbalah, and High Holiday services for almost four years now. I also officiate at weddings, and at funerals where I speak of the continuing soul of the loved ones being honored. I have been thinking about these final moments of Congregation Bene Shalom in terms of honoring our loss. I’ve been led to the obvious awareness that this congregation is not just a building, but a collection of the thousands of people who have prayed here that have become the soul of Congregation Bene Shalom.
Souls do not die; souls are forever. Souls are protected by angels and by God. The mission of this synagogue has always been inclusion, joy, and healing. The soul of this mission cannot die; the history, the memories and the love will never die. As we go forward, we must never lose sight that Congregation Bene Shalom will not only live on in our faith, but also our memories of the thousands of services, the countless simchas, joys, healing, the love and even the mourning.
This is our legacy. The memories I will carry with me making me smile, shed tears, and feel gratitude for the amazing experiences I have enjoyed on and off our bimah.
I want to share my email and website information so that you may contact me at any time. As I’ve said before,there are those who want to continue meeting as a Chavurah in our homes, and who knows what may happen!
While I am feeling the loss now, this is something I learned from Rabbi Goldhamer and want to share with you:
“Always remember, through your loss, your grief, there is always room for joy”.
We have entered a new year. May it be a wonderfully happy, prosperous, and healthy era filled with hope and peace.
Thank you all so very much!
Love,
Rabbi Char
Rabbi Charlene Brooks