Joining Oak Park Temple - Kathy Bezinovich

When I joined Oak Park Temple 34 years ago, I never realized how important it would become in my life.  At the time I was a single parent of a six year old and I wanted to join a Temple where my daughter and I would feel comfortable and one I could afford. Oak Park Temple welcomed me with open arms. They made joining affordable by allowing me to pay whatever I could afford.  This has always been their policy and I have been extremely appreciative of that policy. Their philosophy has enabled Jews of all income brackets to get together and worship, learn, celebrate, socialize, grieve, and comfort each other. For me it has provided an extended family that I can always count on to support me spiritually, physically, and emotionally.

Over the years I have been able to become more involved in Temple activities and committees.  For about ten years our family belonged to a chavurah with six other families and we celebrated many holidays together as well as family simchas and attended a few shivas. When I had major surgery, the Temple was there to help provide meals for my family and emotional and spiritual support for me. Five of my six children, as well as myself, have celebrated our B’nai Mitzvahs at Oak Park Temple with Rabbi Gary Gerson, whose position as Senior Rabbi started the same time I became a member.  Three of my children have attended Beatrice Glasser Preschool. Next summer our eldest son and his fiancée will be married by Rabbi Weiss.

I am an active member of Sisterhood and participate in two Torah study groups, one of which is run by our current Senior Rabbi Max Weiss. The second Torah study group has become my chavurah as well, and out of that group I also belong to a book group. Now my family and I celebrate many of the holidays together with members of that Torah study group.

In addition to my study groups, I belong to the Adult Education Committee and am the chair of the Worship Committee, which makes me an active board member. I also sing with one of the adult choirs.

Every week I attend Sunday minyan at 9am with Cantor Julie and many other congregants.  On the fourth Friday of the month I attend the Wine and Cheese social which  precedes the 6:30p Shabbat service. I always look forward to celebrating all of the Jewish Holidays at Oak Park Temple.

I am comforted by the fact that no matter what happens in my life, my Temple community will be there for me. My friends are mostly Temple members with whom I pray, celebrate, mourn, socialize, study, and debate. Oak Park Temple is not just a building, it is my extended Jewish family and community and without it, my life would be incomplete.

7/25/13                    

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