A Celebration of 75 Years in River Forest and a Decade with Rabbi Adir Glick
The year 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of our congregation moving into our magnificent building. (The congregation itself is decades older.)
Temple member and historian Michael Zmora has been researching Har Zion’s history for over a year. He has unearthed a treasure trove of information about the history of Har Zion and of local Jewery. Michael, longtime member and temple historian Len Grossman, and their committee, have been preparing for this anniversary for over a year.
Moments from Har Zion’s History
In anticipation of this 75th Anniversary Celebration, Michael has gathered a series of small vignettes of Har Zion’s history from various members of the community, including Rabbi Glick and Rabbi Emeritus Mirelman. Read them in Our History.
A Celebration of 75 Years in River Forest and a Decade of Leadership under Rabbi Adir Glick
Saturday Evening, November 15, 2025, 5–8pm
We will begin with havdalah, and will have both in person and video presentations. Beverages and substantial hors d’oeuvres and will be served.
The programming at this event will feature esteemed speakers and will premiere a newly produced film honoring our history and spotlighting our congregation today.
Reservations
Reservations are required, both for the celebration and for childcare if you need/want it.
FAQ for the 75th Anniversary Celebration
Q: What is the dress code?
A: Leave your t-shirts and baseball caps at home. We want to see you dressed up for the evening. Business casual or cocktail attire.
Q: I may be running late. When does the programming start?
A: We will start our program with Havdalah at 5:30pm and then a food and cocktail hour will follow. There will be beer and wine and heavy apps. A jazz trio will be playing and there will be pictures and synagogue “artifacts” to view. At 7:00pm we will start the speakers program.
Q: Will the childcare also have dinner for my kids?
A: Yes, there will be food provided at babysitting for the kids. Please let us know of any allergies in case you haven’t already and make sure the office knows how many kids will be in our care.
Q: Will there be security at the event?
A: Yes, we will have our usual event security staff.
Q: What if I need to buy a ticket last minute at the door? Can I do so?
A: We will not be selling tickets at the front door. If a guest is only able to commit at the last minute, we welcome them but ask that they call the office on Monday to retroactively purchase their ticket.
Q: Will there be Havdalah candles to light for my family?
A: We will have a limited number of Havdalah candles we can provide you. Feel free to bring your own Havdalah candles if you have them.
75 Years of Art and Architecture at Har Zion
A recording of the previous program, “75 Years of Art and Architecture at Har Zion,” is on Har Zion’s YouTube channel here. It includes temple member Michael Zmora’s overview of the synagogue’s construction and modification over the years, and a conversation between Michael and temple former member and interior designer Linda Bisberg. Linda was on the temple committee that oversaw our building’s reimagination in the 1990s, to serve the new generation and to look forward to the future.