The future of the only full-service synagogue serving the deaf Jewish community in the United States and located in Skokie, is in jeopardy as members say their doors will close if they don’t come up with tens of thousands of dollars in the next several weeks.
Skokie’s 47-year-old Congregation Bene Shalom is in trouble and its members urgently ask for a Thanksgiving blessing. “What we need is financial help… badly,” said Rabbi Dr. Douglas Goldhamer.
The assistant to the rabbi, Shari Chen, said that if they don’t receive funds, the temple will likely close in three months.