Kol Hadash achieves milestones

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Updated: August 3, 2011 7:24PM

Kol Hadash, a full‐service Humanistic Jewish congregation, will celebrates its 10-year anniversary on June 24.

The congregation is also commemorating more than 40 years of Humanistic Judaism in the Chicago area.

Humanistic Judaism was developed in the 1960s at the Birmingham Temple in suburban Detroit by Rabbi Sherwin Wine and introduced to the Chicago area in 1969 by Rabbi Daniel Friedman.

Today, Kol Hadash and other Chicago area Humanistic Jews celebrate the beginning of the second “generation” of Humanistic Judaism in the community as the congregation marks the 10th anniversary of its founding in June 2001.

Earlier this spring, Kol Hadash conducted an “all‐years” reunion of Humanistic Judaism Confirmations – more than 400 graduates of Humanistic Jewish education.

This year also marks the beginning of the public phase of the Kol Hadash Cornerstone Campaign, aiming to raise $250,000 to set the congregation on firm financial footing; 70 percent of the goal has already been pledged.

To honor achievements, Kol Hadash is sponsoring a Shabbat Service at 8 p.m. June 24 at the Heller Nature Center, 2821 Ridge Road, Highland Park. Rabbi Adam Chalom and the congregation will reflect on memories of the first decade of Kol Hadash.

The Kol Hadash Choir, led by director and music educator Sarah Beatty, will perform selections from its repertoire.

Kol Hadash will also be holding a members‐only gala dinner and silent auction June 26 at Bella Via in Highland Park.

Kol Hadash Humanistic Congregation invites the public to join in the anniversary celebration and to learn more about Humanistic Judaism.

The congregation has offices in Lincolnshire and holds Shabbat services at the Heller Nature Center. High Holiday services are held at the Gorton Center in Lake Forest; and Sunday School classes meet at Deerfield High School.

The congregation offers a year‐round calendar of services, Jewish holiday celebrations, community-service projects, social events and education for youth and adults.