Nearly 200 guests gathered for the 60th anniversary celebration of Beth Hillel in Wilmette on Sunday for an evening of dinner, dancing and tribute to the longevity and traditions laid down by the congregation.
“Our congregants have a long history and many stories to tell,” said Marsha Lyons, Beth Hillel Bnai Emunah Synagogue president. “We are able to pass our love for Judaism and our synagogue and connection to the Jewish community to the next generations. L’dor v’dor — from generation to generation,” Lyons said.
“We are all connected and want to leave our legacy so that Beth Hillel Bnai Emunah continues to flourish for another 60 years,” she said.
Barry Goldberg of Evanston, a member of Beth Hillel Bnai Emunah for over 13 years, says the congregation has been like a family to him – warm, welcoming and supportive, in good times and in bad. A community, that according to Goldberg, is a necessary part of Jewish life.
Rabbi Annie Tucker, is finishing up her fifth year and is the first female rabbi in the synagogue’s history. “I think my hire relates to the unique niche our congregation occupies.” Tucker said. “We’re a fairly traditional synagogue when it comes to Jewish worship and ritual with a twice-daily minyan (prayer-service), a large Shabbat community, and a strong sense of identity among members.
“But at the same time, we’re progressive on social issues including LGBT and disability inclusion, as well as welcoming interfaith families and working for justice,” Tucker said.
It’s that balance between tradition and innovation, Tucker says, that helps Beth Hillel Bnai Emunah stay committed to enduring values, while remaining meaningful and relevant in changing times.
Wilmette Village Trustee Joel Kurzman and his wife Allison have been members for five years, and Kurzman says, “take a look at our synagogue garden, where we have begun to grow produce to give to area food pantries – this is the type of of community building that helps us breed new life and new ideas into how we serve,” Kurzman said.
The origins of the Beth Hillel Congregation are described on its website as dating back to the mid-1950s, when a group of 25 Jewish families living in the western part of Wilmette met to discuss establishing a synagogue in their community. Then, on April 16, 1958, Beth Hillel was formed under the spiritual guidance of Rabbi Louis H. Lieberworth.
It wasn’t until 1961 that Beth Hillel purchased the land at Big Tree Lane, with the formal dedication of the synagogue school in 1963 and completion of the sanctuary building eight years later, according to the website.
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“Congregation Beth Hillel then merged with Congregation Bnai Emunah (of Skokie), in 2004, to become Beth Hillel Bnai Emunah which now serves close to 500 families residing all across the North Shore,” Tucker said.
On this 60th anniversary, Congregation Beth Hillel Bnai Emunah celebrates the past six decades, while looking toward the next 60 years.
“This is a time to deepen connections to one another, to engage in joyful Jewish living, and to give back to the world around us,” Tucker said.
