EMBRACING THE NON-JEWISH PARENT
MICHELLE AND RYAN
When we joined Temple Chai nearly 10 years ago, my family was searching for a Jewish home that would welcome us, educate us, and be there when we needed them. We wanted our children to learn what it meant to be Jewish, understand the meaning behind our traditions, and feel connected to the Jewish community. Read More
COMMUNITY & INVOLVEMENT
MELISSA AND BRIAN
When we began the process of choosing a congregation to join, our priorities included finding a community that would enable us to raise our children with a Jewish identity and develop an affinity for the importance of Israel to the Jewish faith. Read More
FINDING A JEWISH HOME
LINDA AND DON Forgive the paraphrase, but it’s true – We get Chai with a little help from our friends! And that makes us really happy.
Thirty years ago we joined Temple Chai. We didn’t make that decision lightly. We had been very happy at our previous synagogue in a different city, but when we moved to this area, we knew we needed a new Jewish home too. After visiting several synagogues, attending services, and yes, interviewing rabbis, we joined Temple Chai. Read More
BREATH OF FRESH AIR
ARNIE AND LINDA
Temple Chai has been a breath of fresh air for us, especially during thetough and secluded COVID and overall challenging times. The quality programming, speakers, Shabbat and Havdalah services, and the constant warmth and care of the clergy has been nothing less than stellar! Read More
FORWARD THINKING
MITCH AND BARB
Before joining Temple Chai we had many opportunities to participate in family simchas of friends who were members of the congregation. We could easily see the embracing warmth of the Temple Chai Clergy and community—and the forward-thinking combination of traditional ritual, contemporary and emerging music, and strong focus on youth programming and interfaith outreach. Read More
A SAFE HAVEN
STEVE AND MAXINE
Shortly after Steve and I moved to Arlington Heights with our two sons in 1978, to our shock and dismay, for the very first time, we experienced antisemitism. Nothing sends you to find your own faster than a swastika on the back of your car. Our early involvement with Temple Chai were meetings in living rooms, study in local schools, and worship in rented space at a church. Read More
My lack of early Jewish education gave me an insatiable thirst for study in retirement. One of the most rewarding volunteer positions I had was Lifelong Jewish Learning Chair. I loved organizing classes on topics I was curious about and sharing Jewish wisdom with a room full of like-minded people.
Steve’s love of travel and passion for Israel made him the perfect choice for chair of the Israel Committee. What a joy it has been to share the Israel experience with hundreds of our fellow congregants. Nothing fills our hearts like watching the faces of those seeing the Kotel for the very first time.
I can’t imagine life without our Temple Chai community to share the joys and challenges of our life for the last 42 years. We feel truly blessed to be a part of its incredible journey.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY
BRUCE AND DEDE
Many ask why we joined Temple Chai. The answer to this question is for the usual reasons: obtaining a Hebrew Education for our two daughters, strengthening of our family’s Jewish identity, marking life cycle events, and feeling a need to belong to a spiritual community that is tied to people with similar goals and values. Read More
The more important question is why have we remained active members of Temple Chai for over 25 years. Supporting our Jewish home in the Northwest Suburbs is more important now than perhaps it has ever been. The continually increasing divisiveness and antisemitism that we see playing itself out throughout the world makes it imperative that we maintain a safe haven for our people where we can lend strength to each other during times of adversity.
When I ended my professional career through retirement three years ago, my wife Dede was very adamant regarding the fact that I would need to find something else to do, as remaining at home would not be acceptable. I always knew that when I left the “working world” my greatest desire was to find somewhere that I could give back and make a difference. Temple Chai became my passion where I have found the greatest amount of pride and joy in working with our Clergy, Staff and other lay leaders in maintaining MY Jewish home, not only for the present time but for the future, as well.
LIFELONG SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
JANE AND SCOTT
Our family came to the United States in 1979 from the Soviet Union, a country which not only abolished religious observance, but also persecuted Jews systematically. Consequently, our introduction to Judaism wasn’t rooted in family traditions, but rather in education over time. Read More
FINDING A SENSE OF BELONGING
DAN AND SUSAN
Thirty-one years ago, we were looking to join a Reform temple in the northwest suburbs. We attended services at three congregations and decided that we liked the atmosphere of Temple Chai. Over the years, as our children grew older, we became more involved in temple programs. Read More
INSTANT CONNECTION
JEFF AND KATIE
Our family initially joined Temple Chai simply due to proximity to our home and a recommendation from a friend when we moved to the area in 2013 and were looking for a Reform congregation to join. Read More
A PERSONALIZED EXPERIENCE
DAN
We joined Temple Chai because of the warm and welcoming atmosphere, the outstanding clergy, and because we had a lot of friends here. We’ve stayed for those same reasons. Read More
HOME AWAY FROM HOME
DEBBY AND BRAD
Brad and I joined Temple Chai many years ago, wanting to provide a Jewish home for our kids. We were initially attracted to the warmth and accessibility of the clergy and the strength of the school. Read More
WARMTH AND SINCERITY
SHARI
I am drawn to warmth and sincerity. It is how I choose my friends and it is how I raised my children and now nurture my grandchildren. Read More