Looking for a Jewish community that is “just right”? Check out our Bnai Chai havurah. It’s our Chicagoland fellowship for Jews who meet regularly for Shabbat and holiday services, Jewish learning and social events. We are friends in a group that is more than a casual club but not a formal congregation. We don’t have or need a building or fancy facility. We are able to organize and support our activities easily at a very low cost.
We welcome members from any background. Our services are short, melodious and lively, traditional and modern, mixed Hebrew and English, rabbi-led with member participation. We are very lucky to have as our rabbi, Jonathan Ginsburg, who is familiar with all the denominational traditions, is learned and worldly, a great teacher, a wonderful storyteller and most of all, he is a mensch. Find out more and join us for a Shabbat service (now unfortunately just virtual). LG
"Rabbi Ginsburg doesn’t just go through the religious service liturgy. He explains why we do certain things, examines traditions and discusses the weekly Torah portion and how it applies to today. I am finding that I am learning more about Judaism now than ever before, and I am very happy about it. SW
" Main points: We joined Bnai Chai since leaving Am Chai after it disbanded a couple years ago
- The rabbi is very informative and conducts services with commentary making it more interesting
- Since it doesn't have a building, building fund nor a full time religious school, the dues are particularly low at $135/person per year which better serves the needs of older,retired couples such as ourselves.
- The rabbi's once per month class on Jewish theological subjects is an added perk
- Has accommodated getting together during the pandemic very well by having services and classes via Zoom". From Wayne Schneidman
"RABBI GINSBURG IS THE BEST!!!! THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO JUDY PEYOVICH"
"Bnai Chai is perfect for us. Our children are grown so we don’t require extensive programming for all ages or a dedicated building. Rabbi Ginsburg is intellectually stimulating, highly knowledgeable about all branches of Judaism, and expert—but not partisan—on Israeli affairs. (All this and at a very attractive price.) " Diana Schneidman
From a member: B’nai Chai is a Chavurah which has been in existence for over 30 years. For those of you who do not know what a Chavurah is. A Chavurah is a small group of like-minded Jews who assemble for the purposes of facilitating Shabbat and holiday prayer services, sharing communal experiences such as lifecycle events, or Jewish learning.
We meet once a month, normally the 1st Friday of the month in Deerfield, to celebrate Shabbat. Following a short Shabbat service, led by our Rabbi we enjoy a lively discussion on topics pertaining to Jewish Life, holidays, and current events.
Following is an Oneg Shabbat including wine, challah and treats.
On a side note. There are many of us that would like to participate and I had been looking for a while. As with everyone else I was always too busy to participate and get involved. This Chavurah has been perfect for me. I joined after coming one year for the high holidays. My husband was not really interested in joining at the time, but after seeing how much I enjoyed it, he actually asked me why I never invited him to come with me. He has been a member for years now and even participates and enjoys the services. I feel involved and really enjoy our once a month services, along with our Passover Seder. And our Chanukah Party. Some of the members go out to lunch after this service. Of course I have 20 people coming to my house for dinner so no lunch for me. We have a member Larry Greenberg who has planned some outings including going to a Chicago Dogs game, where we had beautiful weather and lots of fun and we all got baseball caps. Larry seems to be happy to plan outings for anything the group would be interested in. Larry also relays information about Jewish events around the area.
On Tisha B Av the Rabbi showed a movie about our connection to the land of Israel and also has shown other movies during the year.
In addition the Rabbi teaches a topics-in-Judaism class once a month from his home. I have wanted to go, but it interferes with my work, and have not been able to make it as yet.
I have met many friends and even have some couples that my husband and I go out to dinner with before our Friday night services. I have learned a lot of things from the Rabbi and our members. Rabbi Ginsburg likes to talk about Jewish history and how it fits into the present day. I always enjoy when Rabbi Ginsburg tells us about his travels and the Jewish people around the world, often in Mexico, which is a great place to travel to in the winter.
We invite you to consider becoming part of our Chavurah family.
L.Z.
Jews come to us for a synagogue experience from all over Chicagoland: Highland Park, Vernon Hills, Lake Forest, Deerfield, Skokie, Glenview, Glencoe, Northbrook, Morton Grove, Lincolnwood, Wilmette, Lake Bluff, Arlington Heights, Palatine, Evanston, Buffalo Grove, Long Grove, Wheeling Northfield, Bannockburn, Mundelein, as far away as Homewood, Naperville, Chicago,
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