'A perfect beginning to a new year': Rosh Hashanah marks a new beginning for two suburban synagogues

Rosh Hashanah holds a special significance at Temple Beth-El this year.

Less than a month ahead of the Jewish New Year 5784, to be observed starting at sundown today, the Northbrook synagogue hosted a "Welcome Home" event for members of Temple Chai in Long Grove.

After 50 years, Temple Chai ceased operations on June 30. About half its membership subsequently joined Temple Beth-El.

"It's 100% a new year for all of us," said Temple Beth-El Rabbi Sidney Helbraun.

Discussions between leaders of the two communities started around February after Temple Chai, founded in 1973, decided to close. Changing demographics and financial issues made it difficult to continue, said Noam Alon, Temple Chai's board president.

Over time, the number of member families had fallen to 340 from around 900.

Alon said Temple Chai looked at a variety of options, including remaining independent in a smaller location or finding another community to join.

"When the opportunity to do that with Temple Beth-El became a possibility, it became the obvious choice because of the commonalities between the membership and the welcoming that we've received from Temple Beth-El," Alon said.

About 50% of Temple Chai's membership relocated to Temple Beth-El, founded in 1871.

"It was just a natural fit," Temple Beth-El board President Amy Huck said. "It just seems like a perfect beginning to a new year."

Celebrations for the High Holy Days across suburban congregations have returned to some semblance of normality since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted faith communities and the world.

The 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur - the holiest time of year for Jews - traditionally are spent focused on prayer, reflection, repentance and acts of charity. It's a time for new beginnings.

For Congregation Kneseth Israel in Elgin, this year's High Holy Days are also about surviving as a community.

The 130-year-old congregation is thriving while many synagogues are struggling to survive, said Rabbi Margaret Frisch Klein.

"We know that the very nature of community is changing, not just for the Jewish community but across many layers of society," Klein said. "This year, our Torah School parents picked the theme of the year, 'Coming Together Again.'"

Members will have ample opportunity to come together, whether in person or on Zoom, for services starting Friday night through Sunday.

The synagogue's choir, cantorial soloist and master player sounding the notes of the plaintive shofar - a ram's horn used in traditional Rosh Hashanah services representing the cry of the soul calling out to God - are among the highlights. There will be a return to the apples and honey fest as part of the evening service and a Sunday afternoon picnic with the "tashlich" service, symbolizing the casting off of sins.

"People come to services for all sorts of reasons: to hear the music; to hear the words; to reconnect with family and friends; to reconnect with their ancestors; to reconnect with themselves," Klein said. "We'll explore this sense of connection and belonging. Ultimately, that is what community is about."

Back at Temple Beth-El, in addition to Temple Chai members' moving there for worship groups and services, four Torahs, memorial plaques honoring past members, assorted Judaica and relics such as artwork, stained glass and an ark carrying its scriptures will join the two Beth-El arks in its library.

Temple Beth-El also invited Temple Chai Rabbi Emeritus Steve Hart and Cantor Scott Simon to participate in services and life-cycle events, Helbraun said. Temple Chai Senior Rabbi Ilana Baden moved on to a congregation in Las Vegas.

New sisterhood and brotherhood groups have started to form at Temple Beth-El - and softball teams. Now, there are "north of 600 families" at Temple Beth El, Alon said.

"It's been a rejuvenation and a revitalization of the community," Rabbi Helbraun said. "They've shown up and returned. I don't think I've ever had 100 people in the summer for a service, and we've had over 100 people on several occasions. It's breathed new life into the community."

During a recent sermon, Helbraun equated the lesson of Moses' feeling it "unfair" he should die while still strong and healthy with the closing of Temple Chai and its members' integration into his congregation.

Sometimes one must let go of the past to bring light into the world, Helbraun said.

"Honor the past, but continue to look forward. And I think this Rosh Hashanah, it gives us the same opportunity," he said.

Due to high attendance, Temple Beth-El will hold its High Holiday services for Rosh Hashanah Friday and Saturday at the Glenbrook South High School auditorium. A service for the second day of Rosh Hashanah will be held Sunday morning at Beth-El.

Temple Beth-El's community has enlarged by about a third with new members such as Alon's family of five.

"I'm just really proud of what the two communities have been able to do, and I'm excited about what's to come," he said.