North Shore Congregation Israel Review

Beautiful Temple. Rabbi is warm and gave a beautiful message on Purim. Very accommodating.

I agree... The sign on the door is appalling...
We now live on the South side and visit North Suburbs very infrequently.
We had friends visiting from abroad who were very interested in Jewish life in Chicago. We were able to visit some synagogues and temples with appropriate identifications, no problems.
But this one - such an architectural treasure of the North Shore - does not want strangers. So - two elderly from over the ocean Jews shlepped home, very upset. It is not a good way to present yourself to the public and Jews alike.

This has been our family's spiritual home for nearly 20 years and we love it.

I ve gone here since I was in preschool. It s such an amazing school. I ve learned so much here. The buildings designed by the man who built the world trades centers. Perfect for faimilies. Has an amazing youth group and is great for kids.

I was there many years ago and the staff was friendly. One person who worked there told me of a private beach and how to get down to it. I kept it secret and went there for almost 15 years. One day I was confronted be a woman who asked me why I was there I told her I had permission granted from a long time ago, to use the beach. She called me a liar and called the police on me. Real nice. I have told many people of this experience.

We were not pleased with the staff at the Bat Mitzvah that we attended. We were told to take our children, who were eating in the hallway, outside - they would make a mess and it would need to be cleaned. Aside from that unpleasant interaction, we enjoyed the building - beautiful - and the wonderful ceremony. Please train your staff for a more cordial interaction with visitors.

While on an architecture tour of the north Chicago suburbs on May 15th I was intrigued by the original and flamboyant MCM temple created for this congregation. However, when I attempted to visit it, I was told rather curtly (and rudely) by an administrator in it's office that "we don't just let anyone in". I had earlier been warmly welcomed into Catholic and Unitarian churches. But the "welcome" here definitely ended at the sign on the front door. A very poor way to treat a sincerely interested visitor from out of state (MN). EDIT: I was later contacted by an administrator of the synagogue who apologized, offered an explanation (security concerns) and invited me to visit during my next trip to the Chicago area.