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.