Skokie

Skokie Synagogue To Open New Facility That Will Be the First of Its Kind In Chicago

Posted on by Shalom Klein

9220 crawford frontIn August of 2005 a new Orthodox Jewish synagogue opened its doors. What began with a few Skokie residents getting together in their basements for Shabbat prayers has flourished into a vibrant and diverse synagogue.

Kehilat Chovevei Tzion (KCT) graduated from local basements to a converted beauty salon and hired Rabbi Shannan Gelman as Rabbi in 2006. Seven years and 160 member families later Kehilat Chovevei Tzion is opening a new set of doors with a state-of-the-art 31,000 square foot facility. The new synagogue will be the first in Chicago to offer services to both Asheknazi and Sephardic Jews. “Our congregation noticed that we were not adequately tending to the needs of the entire Jewish community” said Rabbi Gelman. “Jews from Morocco, Iran and other middle eastern countries who came to the United States to escape religious persecution have been challenged to fully integrate into a largely Ashkenazic community” The new Synagogue features two sanctuaries side by side, offering Orthodox prayer services and programs to each group as well as shared spaces for the entire community.

The new building is dedicated in honor of Sy and Anne Okner, two pillars of the Jewish community who were deeply committed in their lifetime to Jewish education and communal growth. The facility features two sanctuaries, a full social hall, seven classrooms and separate meat and milk kitchens.  The mission statement of this synagogue is to provide a meaningful connection to traditional values and rituals in a warm, welcoming and inclusive setting.

Kehilat Chovevei Tzion is proud to welcome the Chicagoland community to celebrate the grand opening of their new facility on August 18th 2013. The event will begin at 9:30am at 9220 North Crawford Avenue in Skokie, Illinois.

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Kehilat Chovevei Tzion is a Modern Orthodox Jewish synagogue in Skokie, Illinois. Led by Rabbi Shannan Gelman, KCT caters to the Jewish community of Skokie and the greater Chicagoland metropolitan area. Interviews with Rabbi Gelman as well as tours of the new facility are available upon request. Please direct interview/tour inquiries to Michael Mann at 847-767-9226. Further information regarding the congregation and weekly services can be found at skokieshul.com.

What is Community?

Posted on by Shalom Klein

CommunityHow often is that word mentioned in conversation on a daily basis? Just today, I noticed “community” come up in conversation on no less than 19 occasions (of course, that likely had something to do with my attendance at services / davening at Congregation Or Torah in Skokie, a synagogue that prides itself on its diverse membership). While I thought nothing of it in context, it’s clear that people from different walks of life consider community at different levels of importance.

 

Everyone has their set of priorities and causes they consider championing. For some its raising money while for others its grassroots advocacy. Many have an individual skill set that they can utilize for their issue of choice which can be a social issue, education, or their local house of worship. In my opinion, the reason “community” is so important is because we have a commitment to the people we spend time with (friends, family or neighbors) or get to know, directly or indirectly.

 

According to Wikipedia, community has two definitions: 1) A group of people living together in one place, esp. one practicing common ownership: “a community of nuns”. 2) All the people living in a particular area or place: “local communities”.

I was taught as a child that the highest form of charity is helping one earn their own livelihood. We all know the old proverb, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”. I’m proud to be a part of a community that has been developing solutions. The Jewish United Fund / Jewish Federation has partnered with Jewish Vocational Service / JVS Chicago to focus resources on retraining the long-term unemployed and putting people back to work.

 

Some people have greater resources, but everyone has the ability to give. Whether it’s volunteering, advocating, or donating – you have a responsibility. Get involved.

Economic Development

Posted on by Shalom Klein

Economic Development“Let’s slow the traffic down”, “This block needs more parking”, “Increased signage will attract new business”, and “Changing a zoning code is the solution”, are all pieces of feedback that those of us trying to attract business to the Chicago-land area hear on a regular basis.

My opinion – every area has a very different “personality” and attracts a different type of business that may be looking to call Chicago or its surrounding suburbs “home” as it

relocates. Having grown up in Skokie, and then thrown myself into developing a small business, and working closely with elected officials, I’ve discovered how diverse our community really is. While the culture of our residents is fascinating and so inspiring, I am going to focus this post on the business climate.

For a developing business which is interested in a change in scenery, the most intriguing area may be the far northern suburbs of Northbrook, Highland Park, and the higher end residential and shopping districts. For others (and I am personally biased in this direction), they may want to join the re-emerging business districts in Skokie, Lincolnwood, and Evanston. Certainly, a lot of recent NATO attention may attract a relocating entrepreneur to the busy business and shopping districts of the Loop / Chicago led by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, with it’s new infrastructure investments, and a strong support network in the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. At the far end, we has a diverse south side, home to President Obama, and its many malls, shopping centers, and lower costs of living.

I don’t think that there is any single solution or model we should follow in our focus on economic development. Let’s collect and solicit feedback from the stakeholders, the ones that shop, live, and work in our communities.

I believe that we can come up with the right recipe to attract business and businesses to every area in our community, encompassing all of our business districts. So, if you are thinking of moving your business or considering starting a new enterprise, please consider researching your options. We will find the right spot for you.

JB2B HOP 2 Networkers

Posted on by Shalom Klein

Hour of PowerAs there have been numerous requests, Jewish B2B is organizing a smaller, inclusive networking group to assist and encourage businesses to support, share ideas and grow together as they search for and market directly to consumers. The JB2B HOP 2 Networkers will be meeting on a monthly basis. Our networking group is designed for the business professional catering to the consumer market. Please note that our networking group is designed by invitation only and as we start the group, we are limiting participation to one participant each of their respected field only.

The mission of The JB2B HOP 2 Networkers is to help promote our businesses throughout our individual networks. As with any relationship, we meet, get to know each other and feel confident in recommending each other’s products & services. As is Aesop’s fable of The Tortoise and the Hare, our goal is to build long term relationships over time with trust, commitment and integrity. We all strive for business today and sales tomorrow, but the foundation of friendship is built on the layers of time.

The inaugural meeting will be Thursday August 1, 2013 from 7:30 – 9:00am. The meeting will be held is Skokie.

Please email/ RSVP your request to join to by Friday July 26, 2013:

Steven Schwartz – SMSchwartz@AAAChicago.com

You will receive a return email with greater details.

Ever wanted to learn how to use Microsoft Excel for your small business or job search?

Posted on by Shalom Klein
Software 101: Microsoft Excel
Wednesday, July 17, 2013 – 5:00pm – 6:30pm
4959 Dempster Street (behind Starbucks)
Skokie, IL 60077

The use of software and technology in our fast paced business world is no longer optional. If you are looking to stay ahead, and be advanced in your field – you will benefit from the Jewish B2B Networking “Software 101” courses. These 2 hour FREE intensive workshops are intended for either business networkers or job seekers that are looking to learn the basic skills of the software.

Be sure to come prepared to take notes, and follow-up on the many skills, tips, and tricks that will be presented. Our talk will focus on the functions of the software and ways to use it effectively. Most of the advice given is not effected by which version of the product being used.

The monthly series will rotate between topics of Microsoft Excel, Word, Powerpoint, QuickBooks, and WordPress.

Register for this FREE class at: http://www.jewishb2bnetworking.com/business-event/software-101-microsoft-excel-1

Chairing the Village of Skokie Economic Development Commission

Posted on by Shalom Klein
Village of Skokie Economic Development Commission
This morning was the first meeting of the Village of Skokie Economic Development Commission which I chaired at Village Hall. Thank you to my fellow commissioners, as well as the staff liaisons, and residents that attended. We have a full plate of agenda items and I look forward to continuing to focus on improving our already fantastic business community.

Networking Tip of The Week – Becoming a Resource

Posted on by Shalom Klein

Becoming a resourceTransform yourself into an effective and accessible resource for others. Once you become known as a powerful resource, people will think of you whenever they need help with something. They’ll turn to you for suggestions, ideas, names of other people, etc. This helps to keep you within their most immediate network of professionals, whom they think of on a regular day-to-day basis.