Irwin Friedman
About Irwin Friedman
Posts by Irwin Friedman:
L’Dor Vador Oral Histories
We have always been a special community. Now we’re telling our story, and the story is incomplete without you.
Our video histories record memories, thoughts, and feelings about our Jewish journeys. We interview one person at a time. Collectively, our histories tell the story of the community and the history of the people in the congregation.
Click here to see Shir Tikvah’ growing collection of oral history interviews.В
Shir Tikvah members ask the questions and work the camera, so you will feel at home. The first step is to fill out the Pre-Interview Questionnaire. Start the memories flowing, and prepare your interviewer with basic facts about your life.
Click here to open and print out the Shir Tikvah Pre-Interview Questionnaire from your browser. В If you’d prefer a Word document that you can edit in your word processing program, click here to download it to your computer’s download folder.
If we don’t capture and preserve our history, who will? You will receive a DVD copy of your interview. To tell your story:
- Return the completed questionnaire to the temple office. You will be contacted to schedule a convenient interview date at the temple.
- Sign a waiver form at the interview giving Shir Tikvah the right to use the interview as part of our collection.
If you have any questions, need help with the questionnaire, or would like to get involved as a project volunteer, please contact Jerry Shnay or Chuck Stone from the temple directory, or email the temple office (office@shir-tikvah-hopmewood.org) using the subject line “Oral History.” We’ll see you soon!
L’Dor Vador Oral History is funded in part by a grant from the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.
Community
The south and southwest suburbs of Chicago are home to a close-knit, inclusive Jewish community of several thousand, which stretches from the Indiana border to Joliet and is enriched by many interfaith families.
The towns around I-57 and I-80 support two congregations, one Reform and one combined Reform and Conservative, which were founded in the 1940s and early 1950s. Further west, Joliet Jewish Congregation was founded over a century ago and is believed to be the first synagogue organized in the United States to simultaneously serve orthodox, conservative, and reform members in one congregation.
Our community also enjoys the support of very active chapters of NCJW, Hadassah, B’nai Brith, Women of Reform Judaism, and both the AZA and BBG youth organizations.
Our Cooperative Jewish Council is a unique group that adds special strength to our community. Formed in the early 1990s, CJC promotes communication and cooperation among the area synagogues and other local Jewish organizations and with the Jewish Federation of Chicago. Through CJC and other cooperative efforts we share periodic community Shabbat services rotated among the synagogues, as well as other community events and activities through the year, such as joint observances of Yom HaShoah, Yom HaAtzma-ut, special adult education programs, and showings of films of Jewish interest.
Libraries
The Warren-Jacoby Libraries at B’nai Yehuda Beth Sholom were formed by merging the collections of the Abraham H. Warren Library of Congregation Beth Sholom and the Hans Jacoby Library of Temple B’nai Yehuda. Over the years, many volunteer hours have gone into organizing, sorting, labeling, and shelving books, both in the children’s library on the second floor and the adult library on the first floor. Duplicate copies of many books were given to a new congregation and others were donated to various local public libraries for their book sales. New books were donated and purchased, especially in the children’s area. The libraries are open for use during Sunday School and on Friday evenings following services.
Donations can be made to the Library Fund. Cash donations are welcome and for the purchase, replacement, or repair of books. Currently, the adult library has very limited space for additional donated books.
Simchas and Remembrance
We encourage you to mark key moments in your lives by commemorating the life-cycle events of your loved ones with meaningful symbols that become a permanent part of our temple and our shared memories. To order one of these symbols, please call the temple office at 799-4110.
Tree of Life—Leaves for the Tree of Life or Stones (for the base of the Tree) may be purchased to celebrate simchas. Each Leaf costs $175 and has limited space for either a short message or a name and date. The Stones hold slightly more text and can be purchased for $500 each.
Memorial Plaques—Plaques to commemorate your loved ones on one of our Memorial Boards may be purchased for $300. When a plaque is delivered to the temple, you will be contacted and asked if you wish to have a short ceremony of dedication conducted by the Rabbi when the plaque is affixed.