I grew up in Deerfield and always felt like Jewish life in our town was alright. But as I grew I wanted a couple more options. I was ahead of my time; the town’s Jewish institutional community is about to expand significantly.
I was on Craigslist when I came across this posting. Bnai Joshua Beth Elohim is on the move, adding a new Chazzanit and purchasing buidlings in Deerfield on Lake-Cook Road. BJBE will be the first large format reform shul in Deerfield, which joins former Humanist congregation Beth Or, who recently announced that it was becoming a progressive Reform congregationafter excluding references to HaShem for 30 years…
Deerfield has long been anchored by two large mainline Conservative shuls Bnai Tikvah and Moriah. Now breaking ground just blocks from my old house on Lake Cook Road will be the new home of the Chicagoland Jewish High School, breaking ground next Sunday.
