. How do we understand religion?
. What is Beth Or's view of God?
. Who is Beth Or's rabbi?
. How does Beth Or celebrate the Sabbath and the Jewish holidays?
. What is the nature of Beth Or's religious school?
. Does Beth Or offer classes for adults?
. What is Beth Or's involvement in the larger community and in service projects?
. What other activities should I know about?
. Where is Congregation Beth Or?
. What are Beth Or's physical facilities?
. How can I contact Congregation Beth Or?

How do we understand religion? return to top

"Religion," says our rabbi, David Oler, "expresses a vision of the highest ideals to which a person can aspire. The essence of religion is the aspiration to become the best that we can be."

And, further: "We understand God to be a symbol for ultimate ethics and the religious Jew as someone who aspires to identify with and seeks to emulate this ideal. At Congregation Beth Or with a Reform approach to observance and a critical approach to textual study our purpose is to support our people in this journey of spiritual transformation."

Here, religion is about people. We strive for such human ideals as kindness, compassion, truth, and justice. We work to become better people and to make our world a better place.

Congregation Beth Or is at the cutting edge of the evolution of progressive religious thought. We believe that contemporary religion, to be a true guide to living, must be consistent with a rational, scientific understanding of the universe. A realistic understanding of our place in the natural world and our appreciation of our connection with all humanity give deeper meaning and purpose to our lives.


What is Beth Or's view of God? return to top

As our Vision Statement and Mission Statement make clear, we are strongly committed to pluralism and respect for diversity. Our membership reflects a broad range of religious views, and views may vary even within the same family. We at Beth Or respect the religious and ritual freedom of each congregant, guaranteeing each complete equality. In a setting where no one is judged on the basis of belief, congregants feel free to express and examine their ideas. At Beth Or, the ongoing search for truth and understanding is what matters.


Who is Beth Or's rabbi? return to top

An inspiring speaker, educator, and counselor, Rabbi David Oler brings to Congregation Beth Or a wealth of enthusiasm, creativity, rabbinic experience, and vision. The rabbi is deeply committed to our congregation and to the Jewish Community at large. He reaches out with warmth and caring to ensure that congregants feel welcome, understood, and supported. Since coming to Beth Or in June 2000, the rabbi has instituted many exciting new programs. He seeks to foster a cohesive community concerned for the needs of all people.

A graduate of McGill University, Rabbi Oler was ordained by the Rabbinical Seminary of Canada. He holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Andover Newton Theological School, a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Maryland, and has done additional graduate study at Harvard Divinity School, Brown University, Boston University School of Theology and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, which also awarded him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. He has authored many published works on religion and psychology and has recently completed the editing of a book titled - The Image of God and the Psychology of Religion. He is on the editorial board of the American Journal of Pastoral Counseling, and has taught graduate school courses in Psychology as well as in Pastoral Counseling..

Rabbi Oler's vision and leadership skills have been recognized by his rabbinic colleagues. He has served in various positions of leadership in the rabbinate and the American Jewish community. He is president of the North Shore Fellowship of Rabbis, which includes rabbis of congregations affiliated with all branches of Judaism in Chicago's northern suburbs. He has been chosen as the Chicago Board of Rabbis' representative to the Jewish Community Relations Council, which includes representatives of all major Chicago area Jewish organizations. He is a member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the professional association of Reform rabbis.

Rabbi Oler is always available for consultation. You can contact him at Congregation Beth Or, (847) 945-0477; or by email at davidoler@bethor.com.


How does Beth Or celebrate the Sabbath and the Jewish holidays? return to top

Our Shabbat services and holiday programs contribute to our warm feeling of community. To be authentic in expressing our ideology, our religious observances focus on universal human ideals, such as freedom, justice, peace, compassion, integrity, honesty, responsibility, and dignity, expressed in meditations, poetry, and songs.

We hold weekly Shabbat services at 7:30 PM on Friday evenings. Once a month that service is a family service and congregational dinner, beginning at 6:30 PM. Family education programs are integrated into our family services.

Throughout the year, we observe the calendar of Jewish holidays, emphasizing themes appropriate to each.


What is the nature of Beth Or's religious school? return to top

Our Religious School, under the direction of our principal, Mary Oler, provides a gentle, nurturing environment in which children can safely express their ideas and feelings -- an environment that encourages critical thinking, love of learning, and the desire for self-improvement. It is a place where children feel good about themselves as Jews and as human beings and are empowered to think for themselves. We seek to give our children a solid, non-dogmatic understanding of Jewish religion and civilization and the tools to assess issues with an open mind.

The pre-kindergarten through 10th grade curriculum, leading to Confirmation, covers Jewish history, culture, literature, holidays, and life-cycle celebrations -- all grounded in Jewish philosophy, values, ethics, and character development. Basic familiarity with Hebrew language and with both traditional and our progressive liturgies is a goal of the curriculum at all levels. Classes meet for two hours on Sunday mornings from September through May, except for the 6th grade, which meets one additional hour one evening each week to allow time for more intensive Hebrew study. Most of our students become Bar or Bat Mitzvah during 7th grade.

We are affiliated with the Community Foundation for Jewish Education and have received awards for innovative teaching. Our teachers are committed to our progressive philosophy and are able to teach it from a position of genuine understanding.


Does Beth Or offer classes for adults? return to top

Ongoing ADULT EDUCATION classes, led by Rabbi Oler and other teachers, all with significant expertise in topics of study, are typically held on Sunday mornings to coincide with the Religious School schedule. Topics have included the study of Judaic texts, the evolution of Judaism, Jewish history and literature, and spiritual practices. An ADULT Hebrew reading program is offered from time to time. The classes are extremely well attended. The Sunday morning ADULT EDUCATION courses form a significant part of our two-year ADULT Bar/Bat Mitzvah program.


What is Beth Or's involvement in the larger community and in service projects? return to top

Our involvement in the larger Jewish community includes annual participation in the North Shore Fellowship of Rabbis' joint adult education programs and Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) observances. We have expressed our support and concern for Israel through guest lectures and other events in conjunction with the Jewish United Fund and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

We are committed to serving the needs of others, both within and beyond our congregation. Our Social Action Committee offers an ever-expanding array of community service programs in which our members can participate. The committee meets regularly to consider new ways in which we can fulfill this central goal of our community life. We reach out to the people of the wider community and are ready to help people within our Beth Or community when needs arise.

At Beth Or, we collect items for battered women, their children, and other needy persons. We go to a soup kitchen to feed the hungry on a monthly basis. We hold community blood drives, open to the public. Once a month, we join an interfaith group in work for Habitat for Humanity, building housing for people in need. We participate in an interactive online distance tutoring program for children in Chicago public schools. Our yad b'yad (Hand-in-Hand) network lends support to congregation members during times of illness, bereavement, or special need. Our children have the opportunity to participate in community service through a mitzvah program and are required to do so in preparation for becoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah.


What other activities should I know about? return to top

We sponsor a continuing program of social activities, from congregational dinners to theater outings. A women's group meets monthly for potluck dinners and discussions. Our youth program provides opportunities for involvement by young people over the age of Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Our choir is an important part of the High Holidays and an opportunity for participation by interested members. Bagel Boogie takes place one Sunday morning each month during the school year. Children and adults arrive half an hour before Religious School and ADULT EDUCATION classes for bagels, juice, coffee, and community singing led by our music teacher, Jeff Wolf, on his guitar.


Where is Congregation Beth Or? return to top

We are located at 2075 Deerfield Road in Deerfield, Illinois, just west of the I-94 tri-state.
Directions and Map.


What are Beth Or's physical facilities? return to top

Our inviting one-story architect-designed brick structure is indeed a "House of Light" with large expanses of glass facing a serene, landscaped inner courtyard. Despite its convenient location near the tri-state interchange, our setting is secluded and tranquil -- set back on 6 ½ acres of open space and bordered by high foliage on three sides. The site has ample off-street parking, a children's playground, and a sukkah, available for our members' use throughout Sukkot.

Our congregational life centers on two gathering spaces, one large and the other more intimate, used for services and other events. Off the foyer are the rabbi's study, administrative office, memorial alcove, and a handsomely appointed library with comfortable reading table and chairs. In a separate wing are eight cheerful, brightly painted classrooms and a kitchen equipped for catered events. Our facilities are available for large receptions or for dinners seating up to 200 people. For rental information, call (847) 945-0477or email admin@bethor.com.


How can I contact Congregation Beth Or? return to top
You may call us at (847) 945-0477, fax us at (847) 945-0694, or email admin@bethor.com.
You may email Rabbi Oler at davidoler@bethor.com.
You may email our Religious School principal, Mary Oler, at school@bethor.com.