Festive Activities Herald the Arrival of Spring at Or Shalom

Congregation Or Shalom welcomes spring with some special programming treats.

Everyone loves a good scandal. After investigating rumors of an old family scandal that took place in Chicago during the Roaring Twenties, genealogist and Grayslake resident Robin B. Seidenberg uncovered a story that made sensational newspaper headlines across the nation. 

At 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 8, Congregation Or Shalom will host “The Kissing Blonde:  Researching a Family Scandal.” During this free presentation, Seidenberg will reveal an intriguing tale of romance, betrayal, wealth, jealousy and murder.  Discover the identity of the "Kissing Blonde" and learn how Robin researched historical newspapers to unravel this family mystery. 

Currently serving as executive vice president of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois, Seidenberg is also president of Lake County Area Computer Enthusiasts, and vice president of PCBUG, as well as a member of the Genealogical Speakers Guild and the Association of Professional Genealogists.  A former college French teacher, she also has been known to use her linguistic skills to translate family records from Polish and Old Cyrillic languages. This program is for adults and teens only.

On Sunday, April 15, Or Shalom’s Holocaust Commemoration will feature the powerful story of Beatrice Munchman, whose family fled Germany for Belgium when Hitler came to power. Hear her recount how her parents, killed during the Holocaust , entrusted a Catholic woman to raise her and how she learned the truth, through mislaid letters they wrote, about why her parents “abandoned” her. This free discussion is open to the public and begins at 7 p.m.

On Sunday, May 6, the temple will hold its third annual Mitzvah Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Or Shalom hosts a community blood drive, a car wash, creates birthday bags for the Vernon Hills Food Pantry, collects gently used books for under-equipped schools, offers a talent show at Hawthorn Lakes, and much more. 

Bring a water bottle, wear comfortable clothing and be prepared to laugh your stress away when Caryl Derenfeld, CLYLT (Certified Laughter Yoga Leader and Trainer), returns to Congregation Or Shalom. Rather than focusing on pretzel positions, this yoga concentrates on breathing and laughing while sitting, standing, moving and experiencing joyfulness. Protect your heart, boost your self-confidence and feel good -- for the nominal fee of $5 for the session -- held on Wednesday, May 16, at 7 p.m. Reservations are requested for this adult-focused program.

Enhancing the summer months, a Mah Jongg Tournament, sponsored by the temple Sisterhood, will be held on Sunday, June 24 and is open to the public for a fee of $40 per player. Groups and singles are welcome to attend. For more information on this event, please contact Michelle at 847-680-5057 or michpod@comcast.net.

The temple will also hold a Rummage Sale on Friday, June 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday, July 1, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact the temple or watch for further details.

Celebrate the end of  summer with the temple Golf Outing on Thursday, August 30, at White Deer Run Golf Course, located at 250 W. Gregg’s Parkway in Vernon Hills. The event will include a silent auction, raffles and 50/50 raffle. Pre-registration is encouraged as the outing will close at 144 golfers. Register now! The fees -- which include 18 holes of golf, a cart, range balls, a box lunch and dinner – are $150 for pre-registered single golfers, $175 for walk-in single golfers, pending available slots, $600 for pre-registered foursomes, and $700 for walk-in foursomes. Contact the temple now for additional information. Payment for pre-registered golfers is due by August 20.     

Located at 21 Hawthorn Parkway, in Vernon Hills, Congregation Or Shalom’s mission is to meet the diverse spiritual, educational and cultural needs of its congregants and the local Jewish community and welcomes interfaith families in all facets of temple life.

Call 847-362-1948 for additional information about these programs, please contact Ellen Kaufman; for information about Congregation Or Shalom, contact Andi Freier Nussbaum.