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Leonard Grossman,
webmaster emeritus
As a center of Jewish social life, our Temple is a place for members of all ages to gather, meet, and grow. The coffee pot is always on (except on Yom Kippur). From informal onegs and family Shabbat dinners to the annual Dinner Dance, young families, seniors and youth all find a Jewish address here.
Our synagogue and its members are also involved in various aspects of community life, including participation in the Community of Congregations, an organization of faith communities on the Oak Park- River Forest-Forest Park area. Members actively support West Suburban PADS (formerly Tri-Village PADS), which provides shelter for the homeless throughout the winter months and are involved in other social action projects as well.
VOLUNTEERISM AND COMMITTEES
We tend to look at committees as isolated responses to some need - we “need” a membership committee, we “need” a fundraising committee. Then we try to find people to be on the committees we “need”. We should look at committees differently – as a network. A system of related groups which together support the functions of the synagogue. This is straightforward. The committee framework is the support structure of the lay leadership. The smallest unit in the committee system is the individual volunteer. We organize individual volunteers into committees, committees taken together form the committee system. WE NEED YOUR HELP. Please pick out a committee that interests you and volunteer! Call or write our president, Vafa Shayani, or any of the other officers and help us.
COMMITTEES
Technology Committee: This committee is responsible for managing the various types of technology, including computers, telephones, sound systems, office equipment and the website you are reading right now! Many of our “systems” need to be upgraded for our current and future needs. Although this is very important to the synagogue, it is also very expensive. Our needs have to be evaluated, and prioritized with our available funds.
Adult Education: This committee plans the various programs geared to the adult members of the congregation. These programs include the Sunday morning lectures, special programs related to the holidays, adult Hebrew classes, synagogue skills, and other special programs.
Membership and Programming: This committee has many functions including planning events for prospective members to learn more about our synagogue. Special events are held throughout the year, for the entire West Suburban Temple family. This committee works to increase membership and offer a spectrum of events to our existing members. In addition, the committee works on developing and maintaining a presence in the community.
Community Relations and Membership: This committee works on various ways to increase membership in the Synagogue, and to retain existing members. In addition, the committee works on developing and maintaining a presence in the community. Please call the temple office if you would be interested in serving on this committee.
Fundraising: Led by the Vice President of Fundraising, this committee implements fundraising efforts on behalf of the long-term and short-term goals of our congregation.
Building and Grounds: Led by the Vice President of Building and Administration, this committee is charged with the responsibility of overseeing our synagogue building, inside and out. Our building is over 50 years old and we must continuously maintain our building and grounds and make necessary upgrades.
Religious School: This committee oversees the activities of the religious school. It meets, on a regular schedule, with the principal to monitor the activities of the school.
Youth: This committee oversees the youth activities of the synagogue. The support and advise the leadership of USY and Kadima. If you have children whose age fits the respective groups, we urge you to become involved in this committee. Please call the temple office for further information.
MEN'S CLUB
The West Suburban Temple Har Zion Men’s Club, a member of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (FJMC), sponsors programs throughout the year that promote fellowship, service, tefilah and tzdakah. Our club’s activities include participation in FJMC programs such as the World Wide Wrap and Yom Hashoah Yellow Candle program. Locally sponsored activities range from our annual Men’s Club Shabbat to family outings to sporting events to service projects such as the annual clean up at the Temple cemetery.
Additional programs such as the World Wide Wrap and the Men's Club Shabbat encourage participation in Conservative Jewish tradition.
SISTERHOOD
Sisterhood welcomes women of all ages into its fold. Our sisterhood has long played an integral role in congregational life by offering opportunities for friendship and a diverse assortment of exciting programs and social activities.
YOUTH GROUPS
Pre-teens and teens participate in our chapters of the Conservative movement's national youth groups and have the opportunity to meet, socialize and study with Jewish youth from other local communities as well as participate in regional activities in the Chicago area. To learn more, visit our USY's website at http://wsusy.freewebpage.org.
MACHAR - introduces fourth and fifth graders to fun programming.
KADIMA- is open to sixth, seventh and eighth graders.
UNITED SYNAGOGUE YOUTH (USY) - is open to high school students.
SOCIAL ACTION
"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve
the world."
--------Anne Frank, Diary of a Young Girl, 1952
WITHIN OUR CONGREGATIONAL FAMILY
- Prepare and deliver meals to an ill or homebound member
- Provide transportation to medical appointments and the airport in times of need
- Home and hospital visits
- Shivah calls and leading services in a house of mourning.
EXTENDED JEWISH COMMUNITY
- Tzedakah projects for Jewish groups in the Chicago area.
- Letter-writing campaigns for Jewish causes
- Donations of medical supplies, religious books and articles and money to the Jewish community of Penza, our sister city in the former Soviet Union.
COMMUNITY-AT-LARGE
- Blood drives
- Food and clothing drives
- Tri-Village P.A.D.S. homeless shelter
- Community of Congregations projects in Oak Park and River Forest