History
A Concise History of Temple Beth Israel
1917 – Summer
Two merchants discuss the idea of a new temple while standing in front of a delicatessen on Kedzie Avenue in Albany Park. Money was collected for rental of a hall for High Holidays.
September, 1917
First High Holiday Service at Kimball Hall at Lawrence & Kimball.
October, 1917
Meeting to decide if first Jewish organization in northwest Chicago would be orthodox or reform. As a result of that meeting, a group formed Temple Beth Israel, but a small splinter group, fiercely opposed to reform Judaism, later formed the first orthodox congregation in Albany Park, Beth Itzchok.
November, 1917
Founding meeting presided over by Rabbi S. Cohon (Washington Boulevard Temple): Name “Temple Beth Israel” adopted and charter members enrolled.
Rabbi Ungerleider hired as a part time Rabbi for Friday nights and Sunday School (40 children enrolled).
Sisterhood Temple Beth Israel founded with 35 members.
January, 1918
Terminal Hall, 3304 W. Lawrence Avenue, rented for Sunday School and Friday night worship.
May 8, 1918
First Sisterhood Installation of Officers held at Terminal Hall.
May 19, 1918
First Shavuot service with confirmation at Terminal Hall. Anna and Charles Benjamin donated the Temple’s first Torah.
June 1918
Formal dinner held at Edgewater Beach Hotel to raise money to build permanent facility (first of many fundraising events).
January 25, 1919
First Annual Reception and Ball of Temple Beth Israel Sisterhood.
May 1919
Rabbi Felix S. Mendelsohn, recommended to the congregation by Rabbi Cohon, traveled to Chicago to give a guest sermon.
July 9, 1919
First Annual Temple Picnic.
July 15, 1919
Rabbi Mendelsohn, elected first full time Rabbi, arrived in Chicago.
September 15, 1919
Temple Center, first northwest side Jewish social center for young adults, is founded at Temple Beth Israel.
September 1919
First 60 feet of land at 4850 N. Bernard Street is purchased.
February, 1920
Membership grew to 175 families with 80 children in the school.
Emma Sonnenshine Roe hired to organize volunteer choir. She remained until 1928 and was followed by several Choir Directors.
April, 1920
First issue of Temple Beth Israel Bulletin, called the Temple Beth Israel Review.
May, 1920
Purchased second 60 feet of land at Bernard and Ainslie.
October 4, 1920
First Simchat Torah with Ark built by Charles Benjamin dedication (still in use).
March, 1921
Kipot purchased and placed in basket at worship services in effort to make traditional members more comfortable.
April 20, 1921
Community Hall dedication with procession of Torahs from 4818 N. Kedzie to 4850 N. Bernard.
Sept. 23, 1921
Arthur Sommerfield observed his Bar Mitzvah at Temple Beth Israel. First Bar Mitzvah at a Reform Congregation in greater Chicago area.
Oct. 22, 1922
Community Hall cornerstone laid for first phase of construction at Bernard and Ainslie. Speakers included: Judge Hugo Pam, Judge Henry Horner and Rabbi Samuel Cohon.
April 20, 1923
Community Hall at Bernard and Ainslie dedicated. Procession of Torahs from 4818 N. Kedzie to 4850 N. Bernard.
September 23, 1923
Arthur Sommerfield observed his Bar Mitzvah at Temple Beth Israel. First Bar Mitzvah at a Reform Congregation in greater Chicago area.
February, 1924
Brotherhood founded as “TBI Men’s Club”.
January, 1927
National Jewish Book Week founded by Rabbi Mendelsohn which later became the Jewish Book Month.
September 7, 1928
Dedication Service of new School Building held on Friday night. School Building was second phase of construction at Bernard and Ainslie. Dr. Felix A. Levy delivered the sermon.
November 10, 1929
First Annual Education Dinner called the “Silver Plate Educational Dinner” held at the Gold Room of the Congress Hotel with 225 present and guest speaker Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver of Cleveland.
November, 1932
Fourth Annual Education Dinner held at the Blackstone Hotel which commemorated Temple Beth Israel’s 15th Anniversary.
November 5, 1933
Fifth Annual Education Dinner with Rabbi Solomon Freehof as the speaker.
November 18, 1934
Sixth Annual Education Dinner with Dr. Steven Wise as the speaker.
September, 1935
Hebrew instruction reduced from 4 days a week to 2 days a week.
June, 1936
Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops chartered at Temple.
November, 1943
25th Anniversary of Temple Beth Israel with 350 children in Sunday School.
October 17, 1947
Rabbi Lorge installed as Associate Rabbi. Sermon given by Rabbi Samuel Cohon professor at Hebrew Union College who installed Rabbi Mendelsohn in 1919 and recommended Rabbi Lorge to Temple Beth Israel.
September, 1948
Rabbi Lorge introduced the celebration of all holidays on the actual Jewish calendar day rather than nearest Sunday and conducts summer Shabbat services.
Membership grew to 350 families with 500 children in the school.
March 11, 1949
Rabbi Lorge introduced Bat Mitzvah observance (Elayne Shapiro Dunn).
October 23, 1950
Young marrieds group formed at Rabbi Lorge’s home.
November 23, 1951
First Shabbat Service held in the new Sanctuary with Rabbi Samuel Cohon as the guest speaker.
December 2, 1951
The Community dedication of the new Sanctuary with Governor Adlai E. Stevenson as the featured speaker.
February, 1952
Temple Juniors (high school youth group) founded.
Rabbi Lorge along with three other Rabbis founds Union Institute (OSRUI) in Oconomowoc, WI. and serves as Dean of first faculty. Temple Beth Israel supports the camp with money, and several congregants serve on the Camp’s first board.
September 19, 1952
First High Holiday with two concurrent services held in the lower (600) and upper (1,000) Sanctuaries on Bernard Street.
October 17, 1952
Friday night service honored Rabbi Mendelsohn’s 35 years of service and Rabbi Lorge’s honorable discharge from the service as a Chaplain. Rabbi Mendelsohn officially named Senior Rabbi and Rabbi Lorge officially given title of Rabbi.
November 3, 1952
Institute for Adult Jewish Education founded at Temple Beth Israel with an enrollment of 100 students.
February 27, 1953
Rabbi Felix S. Mendelsohn passed away while on sabbatical in California.
Fall – 1955
Membership grew to 600 families with over 700 children enrolled in the school. Temple could not accommodate all students, so three divisions of Religious School were created; one on Saturday, one on Sunday in the Temple and another one on Sunday in the Deborah Boys Club.
September 10, 1955
First Slichot service held with creative service written by Rabbi Lorge.
June 15, 1956
Cantor Irving Zummer appointed Cantor.
May 26, 1957
40th Anniversary Celebration included Albany Park building mortgage burning.
Fall – 1958
Membership grew to over 750 families with almost 1,000 children enrolled in the school. One of the largest Sunday and Hebrew Schools in the city and the length of Hebrew School studies increased from 4 years of study to 5 years.
Fall – 1960
Facilities rented at East Prairie Public School, Skokie where Religious and Hebrew School classes were held for members who had moved into suburbs.
May 1, 1961
Dr. Arnold Cohn purchased land in Skokie at Howard and Crawford and offered it interest free based on Rabbi Lorge’s idea of a “Branch School”.
May 16, 1962
Cornerstone laid for the “Branch” at 3939 Howard with speakers U.S. Senator Paul Douglas and County Commissioner Seymour Simon (TBI member).
July 6, 1962
Judy Karzen hired as Music Director upon resignation of Cantor Zummer.
February 10, 1963
Branch School dedication with Federal Judge James B. Parsons as speaker.
Board passes resolution that no worship services can be held at Branch on regular basis. Membership closed at 1000 families with over 1,000 children enrolled in the school.
June 17, 1963
Rabbi Lorge invited to the White House by President John F. Kennedy to discuss national civil rights matters – one of several meetings and marches in which he participated, including mediating between Mayor Richard M. Daley and Dick Gregory during the Chicago riots and serving as a co-chair of the 1964 Chicago Martin Luther King Rally.
April 18, 1966
First Temple Beth Israel trip to Israel.
June 11, 1967
Testimonial Dinner and Shabbat service honored Rabbi Lorge on the occasion of his 25th year in the Rabbinate and conferring Doctor of Divinity by Hebrew Union College.
April 27, 1968
50th Anniversary Jubilee Banquet with Lt. Governor Samuel H. Shapiro.
November 18, 1971
Sidney I. Cole, long time Temple Beth Israel member, elected National President of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (now URJ).
Fall – 1976
Temple Menorah merged its schools with Temple Beth Israel and students attended together at TBI buildings.
May 27, 1977
Ben Shahn tapestry entitled “Candelabrum” dedicated. Tapestry chosen because it was transportable due to anticipated Bernard Street sale.
August 4, 1978
Rabbi Gary Gerson hired as assistant to Rabbi Lorge.
September, 1978
Temple Beth Israel opens Deerfield “Satellite School” (operated until 1982).
May 11, 1979
Rabbi Lorge introduced Adult Bar and Bat Mitzvahs with the Lelands.
August 1, 1980
Rabbi Samuel Gordon hired as Assistant Rabbi.
December 14, 1980
Board of Trustees approved sale of Bernard Street building to Korean Methodist Church.
July 10, 1981
Last Shabbat Service at Bernard Street building. Service ended with removal of Torahs by past presidents and turning off Ner Tamid.
July 12, 1981
Dedication of new Sanctuary at 3939 Howard, Skokie with Skokie Mayor Al Smith as the speaker. Procession of Torahs from Albany Park to Skokie.
Oct. 8, 1981
Yom Kippur services held at The Lincoln Village Theater in Chicago. First High Holiday worship service held outside of 4850 Bernard Street in 60 years.
March 7, 1983
Fire in Howard Street building destroyed entire lower level including storage.
June 3, 1984
Rabbi Lorge honored at tribute dinner on the occasion of his retirement as Senior Rabbi with Rabbi Gunther Plaut as speaker. Rabbi Lorge becomes Rabbi Emeritus.
July 1, 1984
Rabbi Frederick L. Wenger elected Rabbi of Temple Beth Israel.
May 18, 1986
The Lorge Pavilion built by Temple Beth Israel and Lorge Family at Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute in honor of Rabbi Ernst and Eudice Lorge is dedicated.
February 8, 1987
Congregation voted to terminate merger discussions with Temple Judea.
July 1, 1987
Rabbi Michael A. Weinberg elected Rabbi.
Dec. 11, 1988
Congregation voted to sell building at 3939 Howard Street to a Korean Baptist Church and to purchase building at 3601 Dempster.
May 15, 1989
Construction begins on Dempster Street Temple.
September 15, 1989
Last Shabbat Service at Howard Street Temple. Service ended with removal of Torahs by past presidents and turning off Ner Tamid.
September 17, 1989
Procession of Torahs from 3939 Howard Street to 3601 Dempster Street and Dedication of new building.
September 22, 1989
First Shabbat at Dempster Street Temple. Partial construction completed.
December 24, 1989
Flood at Dempster Street Temple filled entire 5,000 square foot basement, floor to ceiling. Flood destroyed entire library, many ritual objects and 5 Torahs. Congregation used temporary space.
February 4, 1990
Rabbi Ernst M. Lorge passed away.
May, 1990
Rabbi Weinberg introduced expanded celebration of Shavout, including study sessions, discussions and worship.
August, 1990
Rabbi Weinberg elected National President of CAJE (Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education)
January, 1993
Ritual Committee introduced gender sensitive liturgy and Board of Trustees voted to use gender sensitive prayer book.
January 29, 1993
Shabbat Worship Service commemorating the 75th Anniversary; speaker: Rabbi Donald M. Splansky.
October, 1993
Dedication of Rabbi Ernst M. Lorge Sanctuary. Installation and Dedication of Lorge Sanctuary stained glass windows.
September, 1993
Midrasha Community High School created, and 4 other congregations are invited to participate.
February, 1995
Members engaged in once a week staffing and supplying food to the soup kitchen at the Second Baptist Church of Evanston.
March, 1995
Shushan Café, the first biennial Purim Spiel, is produced.
June, 1996
Michael M. Lorge honored for 13 years as Temple Educator.
July, 1996
Lori Sagarin is hired as full time Temple Educator.
1997
Successful 5th Generation Campaign reduces construction loan.
September, 1999
Stained glass installed and dedicated in first floor lobby.
June, 2000
Pavel Roytman is hired as Music Director.
Koleynu, a new choir is formed in the tradition of previous volunteer TBI choirs.
March, 2000
Dedication of Elmer and Fannie Morris Family Kiddush Room.
September, 2003
Installation and Dedication of Sanctuary doors created by artist Richard Bitterman.
August, 2003
Kabbalat Shabbat worship format instituted based on URJ Board experience.
September, 2005
eBulletin to electronically notify members of activities is launched.
July, 2005
Chalutzim Chapel at Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute dedicated in honor of Rabbi Michael and Jody Weinberg by Weinberg family.
March 2, 2006
Torahs are purchased; one in honor of Rabbi Michael Weinberg and one to replace the Lodz Torah Rabbi Lorge brought from Europe after WWII.
March, 2006
Rabbi Michael A. Weinberg celebrated 25 years in the rabbinate and is awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Hebrew Union College.
September, 2006
Emergency relief community campaign organized to fill two 18-wheel truckloads with supplies and food for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
December, 2007
Lori Sagarin installed as president of National Association of Temple Educators.
January, 2008
Celebration Dinner of the 90th year anniversary included special programs all year.
June, 2011
Marla Aviva Bentley is hired as Music Director.
2014
Social Action Committee, in collaboration with the school, undertook to build a relationship with Chicago Public School the Theodore Herzl School to build bridges of understanding using the legacy of Herzl as a common ground.
2017
Emergency relief community campaign organized to fill an 18-wheel truckload with supplies and food for the victims of Hurricane Harvey.
January, 2018
New Endowment Fund is created in honor of the 100th year anniversary for sole purpose of unique and new programming for the congregation and community.
April, 2018
Temple Centennial celebrated at Gala in the Crystal Ballroom, Evanston.
July, 2019
Rabbi Weinberg completed study at Hartman Institute.
June, 2021
Rabbi Michael Weinberg retired as Rabbi Emeritus.
Rabbi Rachel Kaplan Marks elected Rabbi.
June, 2022
Cantor Richard Cohn hired as Cantor-In-Residence after he concluded his tenure as Director of the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.
March, 2023
Temple Beth Israel donates washer and dryer to Niles Township Respite Center and in 2025 begins to participate in meals and other support for it.
Temple trip to Israel led by Rabbi Marks.
October, 2023
Establishment of Sylvia and Jerry Arnold Scholar-In-Residence Fund. First scholar programs Hollie Nzitatira, PhD (2003); Rabbi Gary P. Zola, PhD (2024); Abigail Pogrebin & Rabbi Dov Linzer (2025)
December, 2023
Kibbutz Kissufim fundraiser for October 7 attack
2024
Congregational Retreat Weekend continues for decades at Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute with new Scholar component, Rabbi Dalia Marx, PhD.
2025
Rabbi Rachel Marks begins participation in the Clergy Leadership Program with the Institute for Jewish Spirituality.
