Clergy : Rabbi Max Weiss

Rabbi Weiss and his wife, Leslie, joined the Beth Tikvah family in 2001. They have two sons and one daughter. Leslie was instrumental in forming Kiddush Kids, a parent-tot playgroup for members and non-members. Kiddush Kids then sparked the revitalization of our early childhood program. Creating Jewish community and encouraging life long Jewish education are centerpieces of Rabbi Weiss' work at Beth Tikvah Congregation. These goals are accomplished in a variety of ways from fostering a warm and welcoming atmosphere at worship services to providing adult and child educational opportunities that foster conversation and interaction. Rabbi Weiss believes that all Jews who are interested in being part of the Jewish Community should be able to find a place for themselves at Beth Tikvah Congregation. He provides a variety of ways for people to take an active part in Jewish life. Click here to contact Rabbi Weiss

Clergy : Cantorial Soloist - Ilana Axel

Ilana joined Beth Tikvah Congregation as cantorial soloist in July 2007.  Ilana has a degree in Music Education from the Eastman School of Music, and years of music experience both in Israel and as the Director of Shir Hadash in Northbrook, where she developed and grew innovative music programs, becoming an accomplished worship leader, ensemble director, educator, composer, and arranger. Her family, husband Mark and children Yonatan, Timna, and Tahel, share her great love of Israel and Jewish history. Ilana is very excited about sharing the blessings of music, worship, education, and communal life with our Beth Tikvah family.

Click here to contact Ilana Axel.

Clergy : Cantor Emeritus Menahem Kohl

Cantor Kohl joined the Beth Tikvah family in 1998. Cantor Kohl integrates his multi-cultural background along with his guitar playing into services and also started a part-time congregational choir, which brings a new spiritual dimension to services.

For the past several years, Cantor Kohl, also served as Educational Director.  Together with Rabbi Weiss, they developed a new curriculum for our religious school to meet modern Jewish educational needs. At the same time together with the religious school committee they restructured the religious school class schedule in response to the changing demographic and life style needs of the congregants. Click here to contact Cantor Kohl

Clergy : Rabbi Emeritus Hillel Gamoran

Rabbi Emeritus Hillel Gamoran, who was Beth Tikvah's first full-time rabbi, served as the spiritual, educational and religious leader for 34 years before retiring in 1994. Rabbi Gamoran was instrumental in Beth Tikvah's achieving the reputation for having one of the finest Jewish religious schools in the Chicago area with many graduates receiving college credit for Hebrew. He also was a staunch supporter of sending our children to OSRUI, the Reform summer camp in Wisconsin. As part of his retirement gift, congregants established an OSRUI camp scholarship fund in his honor. Since retiring, Rabbi Gamoran has taught Jewish studies at the University of Washington. He and his wife, Judith, still maintain a residence in Evanston so periodically they can be seen at the temple for life cycle and other special events. Click here to contact Rabbi Gamoran