I attended the Bat Mitzvah of the daughter of my best friend from the University of Iowa on this…read moreThanksgiving Day. This trip to stand with my friend for this key life cycle event was a mitzvah (good deed) I was happy to perform. Beth Judea is housed in a handsome building and seems to be an active and welcoming Conservative congregation. Many friends and family from near and far had come for this occasion, including all of the Bat Mitzvah girl's teenage buddies in the back corner. Norm's daughter was impressive in chanting her Torah portion (Toldot) and the entire Haftorah. Her drash (sermon) was pretty good too. I also thought that Rabbi Gamer and Cantor Weisberg were especially kind and helpful to the Bat Mitzvah girl and the other folks (including me) who come up for an honor. In my particular situation, I had the Hagbah honor. This consists of lifting up the Torah and turning it around so that the congregation can see the actual writing on the parchment. The Hagbah occurs after the Torah reading is completed and before the Haftorah takes place. This requires a certain amount of strength in the arms, as Torah scrolls are heavy and in this case disproportionately weighted on the left side. And despite that required strength and balancing act and the fear of actually dropping the Torah, this honor remains one of my favourites. Afterwards, another person dresses the Torah and I then sat with it on my shoulder as Norm's daughter read the Haftorah. It was great to witness her chanting and the congregation watching from this vantage point. And as the weight of the Torah rested on my shoulder, I thought of the ying and yang of my Jewish-related burdens and enrichment, especially as it related to my son. Gayle is right, it is time to do something positive about that. Afterall, this is Review #613 and maybe a few more mitzvot are in order.

I have been a member of Congregation Beth Judea since 1979…read more Keeping Conservative Judaism alive and flourishing in the NW suburbs of Chicago is of extreme importance to me and my family. Every friendship that we have made since our move from Philadelphia has been started at Beth Judea. Recently Beth Judea has employed New Clergy. Rabbi Zimbalist and Hazzan Ezring have made our Jewish Community even stronger. Not every thing we do at CBJ is religious oriented, our social, education, and youth programs are second to none. I strongly recommend you try us out. Arnie G

they use a good chaperone company for the kidsread more

My friend is very involved in this synagogue. Even though we are not members, I take my kids here…read morefor tot shabbat once per month. Its a great congregation. The members are incredible nice and everyone is welcoming. It definitely feels like the community you would expect from any house of worship. If we lived in the NW burbs, this would definitely be the place we'd belong. The Tot Shabbats have been a lot of fun and the kids have really enjoyed playing with the other kids.

What a warm and welcoming place!…read more First off, the temple is simply beautiful. It's a vibrant growing community that recently welcomed in the community of Temple Chai (Long Grove) who had to sell their synagogue. And they've been welcomed it with open arms with the lower level of the synagogue refitted with items from Temple Chai to make their displaced members feel at home. I recently was able to see their Men's Club run a Men's Seder and it was a splendid event! The Cantor from Temple Chai ran the Passover Seder and Temple Beth-El's Rabbi oversaw the proceedings and joined in on the festivities. They welcomed members and non-members alike and I felt as if I was a member despite just paying for the event and not a current member. There was networking/meet-and-greet prior to the dinner and the reading of the Haggadah. Then during dinner we were able to chat with friends new and old and after, the Men's Club President thanked everyone individually. I personally was moved by this gesture that I'll be joining the Men's Club this summer. Temple Beth-El is a welcoming, warm, lovely community that if you're looking for a place to call home and to fit in, this is the place for you.

Temple Beth-el is a vibrant, growing community I love the clergy and the friendly, warm TBE…read morecommunity. I am happy that I have found my spiritual home.

A bit strange ot write a 'review' on a congregation, but do yourself a big favor and come see for…read moreyourself. Come as you are, but you will leave changed for the better .All for HIS Glory.

A Warm, Nurturing Place to Worship, To Learn, and For the Whole Family!…read more Rabbi and Chanie Katz have been part of the Buffalo Grove and extended Northwest Suburban Community for over 20 years. They devote their lives to illuminating the world by helping to bring Judaism to this area and their loyal following shows how they have touched thousands of lives over the years. High Holiday Services are always free and require no tickets, membership, or building fund. They have a warm, nurturing and caring Hebrew School. Each Saturday services begin at 10 a.m. and are followed by a delicious Kiddush Lunch around 1 p.m. Shacharit services begin Monday through Friday at 7 a.m. and on Sunday at 8 a.m. Mincha and Maariv times vary through the year depending on sunset.