Congregation Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Kesser Maariv Anshe Luknik - Brochure

4341 West Golf Road
Skokie, Illinois 60076
(847)679-9800
fax (847)679-5041
e-mail: bhhkmal@yahoo.com

In this brochure:
THE PURPOSE OF A SYNAGOGUE
PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH
PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES, ADULTS AND MATURE ADULTS
INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY JEWISH LIFE
CAMPUS
ENDOWMENT OPPORTUNITIES

THE PURPOSE OF A SYNAGOGUE

When Moses ascended Mount Sinai to receive the Torah, the Almighty appeared to him with the sounds of the shofar and with clouds of fire. The dual aspect of "Matan Torah - The Revelation Experience" was to teach the Jewish people two distinct lessons. The shofar blasts represented the laws given at Sinai. The fire represented the spirit of Sinai, which was the experience of coming face to face with Almighty G-d. The Mishkan or Tabernacle was to be the repository for transporting the law as well as the spirit of Sinai from the desert to the Temple in Jerusalem in the Land of Israel.

Today, the synagogue has replaced the Temple and Tabernacle and must serve those same two functions. Our congregation will develop programs and activities to fulfill both original mandates of sanctuaries. Preserving and spreading Torah, G-d's most precious gift and guide to life itself, in the minds of our membership; as well as promoting the spirit of Matan Torah, thereby inspiring our congregants by imbuing their hearts with a love of G-d.

We have built a different, unique and special "kehilla - community" in Skokie. It is an Orthodox congregation. "Halacha - Jewish law" is decided according to the traditions of Brisk and Volozhin. As with all synagogues, it will be the focus for the celebration of Jewish life cycle events. However, it also adapts the model of Jewish communities of nineteenth century Europe, and attempt to once again make the synagogue the center of Jewish life by emphasizing the primacy and sanctity of Torah and its applicability to all aspects of human endeavor. A congregation must be relevant, and central to the lives of its members. It must be a true renaissance institution where congregants can grow to their full potential in all aspects of their spiritual, emotional, and social development. As Jews living in a cosmopolitan society, we are presented with complex choices and decisions. The synagogue must be a safe place of refuge where we can grapple with these issues and become enlightened by the ancient yet timeless traditions of our people. In so doing, the synagogue will help prepare us for the end of the twentieth century and beyond. As we grow, we will offer additional programs.

The building design does and will continue to reflect the nature of activities that are and will be available in this communal resource when the multi-phase development is complete. The building will be accessible to all, as all Jews are responsible for one another. We are also responsible for the welfare and betterment of the general community. Our Kehilla aims to discharge those sacred obligations through the vision and direction of congregational leadership. Leadership will serve as key change agents and work in partnership with membership to actualize articulated goals.

PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH

Day Care*

Youth Group*

Mitzvah Corps

Youth Minyan

Junior Congregation

Music Program & Choir*

Midos/Morality Program

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Training

Learning Resource Center

Museum Program for Children*

Chevrusa - Study Partner Program

Sunday Educational Brunch Program

Father/Son Learning

Father/Son Sports League*

Elder/Younger Gedolim History Series

Religious Education Computer Center*

Send-A-Kid-To-Israel-Partnership (S.K.I.P.)

* Programs currently in formation

PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES, ADULTS AND MATURE ADULTS

Adult Jewish Learning Classes

Beit Hamusar

Hebrew Classes

Chevrusa - Study Partner Program

Sunday Educational Brunch Program

Inter-generational Program

Institute of Contemporary Jewish Life (see below)

"Chosin - Groom" & "Kallah - Bride" Classes

Lance and Rebecca Malamud Reference Library

Max Katz o.b.m. Learning Resource Center

Audio Cassette Torah Tape Lending Library

Pirkei Avot Classes

Parshat Hashavua - Weekly Torah Portion Class

Womens' Council Learning Sessions and Activities

Soviet Outreach Program Family-To-Family Program

Tehilla Religious Aliyah Lectures

Scholar-In-Residence Shabbaton Program

Programs in Formation

Bookstore and Gift Shop

Daf Yomi - Daily Folio of Talmud

Israel Missions Program

Israel Information Center

Traveling Exhibits

INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY JEWISH LIFE

The Institute will be an adjunct to the activities of the congregation, and will expand to respond to the needs of the community. Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik, Associate Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Brisk and son of Morenu Harav Hagaon Aharon Soloveichik zt"l, directs the activities of the institute. A brief sampling of selected courses that have been offered include:

	I.	Gemarah - Talmud
	II.	Tanach - Bible
	III.	Jewish History
	IV.	Philosophy
	V.	Hebrew Language Instruction
	VI.	Israel Studies
	VII.	Parachaplain Training

CAMPUS

PHASE I

Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik

Phase I was completed in October, 1999. It consists of a large entrance-way, a social and banquet hall, dairy and meat kitchens, administrative area and coat room. Lectures, events, classes and programming for youth and adults take place in this room.

PHASE II

The Rabbi Ahron and Rebbetzin Ella Soloveichik Torah Center was dedicated in May 2004. Phase II consists of the main sanctuary. The west wall of the sanctuary is connected to the banquet and social hall. The rooms will be divided by a moving partition to accommodate larger events. In this phase a Bait Midrash/Library, was also built.

PHASE III

Phase III will consist of the construction of a two story addition containing the mikva (a private facility available only to members of the congregation), classroom wing, learning resource center/bait medrash, office space, reception area and administrative offices. This will complete site development and is projected to be the final phase of the development of the congregation.

ENDOWMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The construction of our new home will provide our friends, neighbors and long time supporters with naming opportunities to perpetuate the sacred memory of a loved one or to pay tribute to a family member or friend. Opportunities that exist include:

CAMPUS	$3,600,000
SOCIAL HALL BUILDING	1,000,000
Social Hall	360,000
Kitchen - Meat	36,000
Kitchen - Dairy	18,000
Lobby	25,000
Entrance	25,000
Children's Room (each room)	18,000
Gift Shop	25,000
Coat Room (each room)	10,000
General Office	10,000
Rabbi's Office	15,000
SANCTUARY BUILDING
Aron Kodesh	SOLD
Ner Tamid	SOLD
Aron Kodesh Cover	15,000
Bimah	SOLD
Cantor's Pulpit	10,000
Holocaust Memorial Lamp	SOLD
Aron Kodesh Cover (High Holidays)	7,500
Bimah Cover	5,000
Stained Glass Panel (each)	5,000
Book Stacks (each)	3,600
Rabbi's Chair	3,600
President's Chair	3,600
Torah Cover (each)	2,500
Memorial Plaque (each)	360
Mezuzah (each)	300
BAIT MIDRASH	SOLD
Bimah	7,500
Ner Tamid	SOLD
Aron Cover - Daily	5,000
Aron Cover - Holidays	2,500
Bimah Cover	2,500
Cantor's Pulpit	SOLD
EDUCATIONAL CENTER BUILDING	2,500,000
Classroom (each)	50,000
Mikvah	150,000

The Etty Rubinow Tree of Life
Leaves are only $100 each, acorns are $500 each
and foundation stones are $1000 each.

Yartzeit plaques are a fitting way to memorialize loved ones.
They are only $360.
The Kel Malei prayer will be said prior to the yartzeit,
and Kaddish will be said on the yartzeit.

In addition to perpetually endowing all or part of the actual facility, any program listed for youth, families, adults or mature adults (see above) can also be endowed.

For information on naming opportunities, please contact Rabbi Lazovsky at (847) 676-0556, Larry Weinger at (847) 677-2198, Steve Goldrich at (847) 675-8730, or the congregation at (847) 679-9800. If you prefer, you can e-mail the congregation.

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