Women of Temple Sholom

1903

At a dinner at the Ideal Club, a suggestion was made to the temple Board of Directors that the women be allowed to form an organized society to work for the religious and social betterment of the Temple, and the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the North Chicago Hebrew Congregation (later named Temple Sholom) was created. Starting with 40 women, the group grew in strength and importance, and by 1967 had nearly 1,400 members.1909 In anticipation of the move to a new, larger home at Pine Grove and Grace, the Ladies’ Auxiliary urged the Temple Board of Directors to change the name of the synagogue to Temple Sholom, a Sanctuary of Peace.

1913

Temple Sholom was one of the founding members of the national federation of Temple Sisterhoods.

1919

The Ladies’ Auxiliary had 24different committees at this time,including those for Museum, Red Cross, Coffee,War Service, and Loyalty. It sponsored an annual National Defense Day program, a Patriotic Pageant and a card party.

1927

The Ladies’ Auxiliary was renamed Temple Sholom Sisterhood. A major activity that began that year was delivering Chanukah Baskets to Jews living in poverty.

1929

Sisterhood published a cookbook.

1930

At the dedication of the new Temple, the Sisterhood presented the organ as well as equipment for the community center, the result of four years of raising $50,000 for the project. Sisterhood consistently raised important funds for the Temple, including religious school and camp scholarships through its gift shop, market days, annual luncheons, and other fundraisers.

1940s

Sisterhood became very active in interfaith affairs, sending women to help at the Salvation Army and hosting interfaith services and functions, including an annual Interfaith Day program. This decade also saw the formation of a Business and Professional Women’s Group to meet the needs and schedules of women who were entering the workforce.

1961

Temple Sholom’s Bea Hollobow was named President of the National Federation of Temple Sisterhood, a very important and prestigious position.

1962

Sisterhood sponsored a highly successful interfaith program on Religions of the Orient, which included representatives of 70 different churches and synagogues. Sisterhood created many striking needlepoint projects for the Temple, including the Ark doors for Temple Beth Am, which are hanging in Bettie Port Hall; the panels for our Chuppah, which hang in the Beit Midrash; and a series of beautiful and colorful Torah covers. Sisterhood provided much-needed support for Temple activities in the years when most women did not work outside the home. Men heavily dominated the formal Temple governance structure, but women made their mark and contributions primarily through Sisterhood. There were several women on the Temple Board, including the Sisterhood President holding an ex-officio position. Sisterhood women also provided support for the Temple’s operations in a time when staff levels were very limited.

1970s & 1980s

As women’s lives began changing, the traditional role of and participation in Sisterhood was challenged. Many women were invited to participate in Temple governance including serving on the Temple Sholom Board of Directors.

1993

Sisterhood hosts Temple Sholom’s first Women’s Seder.

1996

With membership declining and an inability to find leadership, Sisterhood ceased operation, donating its remaining funds to the Temple but with $5,000 set aside to fund a new Sisterhood in the future.

2000

The hiatus was short-lived. A new group approached Rabbi Aaron Petuchowski about restarting a group for Temple women, and in this year, the new Sisterhood was formed. It was originally called Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) to reflect the national title and to provide a signal that this was a “more modern” group, with Rachelle Crane, a Gan Shalom mother, serving as its first President.

2011

The name was formally changed back to Sisterhood in a desire to reconnect with the past. In this new era, WRJ provided a way to create community and programming for women across generations. The revitalization of Temple Sholom Sisterhood launched new worship activities from a woman’s perspective, including monthly Rosh Chodesh study, Sisterhood Shabbat, and expanding our wonderful Women’s Seder. The new Sisterhood has also focused on learning and social justice, inviting dynamic speakers, embracing important causes and creating programs of strong interest to women. Sisterhood women were addressed by such women as Ruth Messinger of the American Jewish World Service, and clinical psychologist and parenting expert Dr. Wendy Mogul. We celebrated the 10-Year Anniversary of the Innocence Project with a film screening and panel of wrongly-convicted people. More recently, Sisterhood has focused its spotlight on the issue of sex trafficking, as well as supporting incarcerated women of Logan Correctional Center and their children. 2018 To reflect this contemporary, inclusive approach, Temple Sholom’s Sisterhood has been renamed The Women of Temple Sholom.