STAR Suburban Thursday Afternoon Retirees

Suburban Thursday Afternoon Retirees, better known as STAR, meets every Thursday from 1-3 pm, except on Jewish and national holidays.  This vibrant group includes attendees from West Suburban Temple and Oak Park Temple, as well as the broader community.

This joint endeavor of both Temples offers a place for candid discussions on a variety of topics as well as an opportunity to socialize and to support each other.  Recent STAR programs have included a presentation by The Onion Roll about its history, its remodeled interior and new in-house bagel making; a presentation by Marc Stopeck on "Jews, Monsters, and American Pop Culture," a presentation by Oak Park Temple's Mozel Ginsberg on "Gender Theory in the 21st Century," presentations by the Executive Director/Administrators of both Temples, and a discussion with the head of the USC Hillel on antisemitism on college campuses.   STAR has longterm partnerships with Rush Oak Park Hospital, Dominican and Concordia Universities, Brookdale, Oak Park and River Forest Townships, Arbor West Neighbors, Jewish Child and Family Services and more. 

In October, STAR will meet on the 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th.  All meetings include a chance to schmooze! Our scheduled speakers are as follows:

October 6th - Robb Packer, a professional building consultant, will present to us on the buildings that are homes to Chicago area synagogues, including the history of West Suburban Temple Har Zion and Oak Park Temple B'nai Abraham Zion

October 13th - Oak Parker Matt Fruth, an assistant deputy clerk of elections at the Cook County Clerk's office, and an elected official himself, will speak with us about the upcoming November 8th midterm elections

October 20th - STAR convener Sandra Sokol and STAR member Janet Kelenson, both retired elected officials, discuss the November 8th midterm election 

October 27th - Phyllis Rubin, member of both West Suburban Temple and Oak Park Temple, will speak to us about a checklist of important documents for seniors

We are planning future programming and hope to include a presentation by women in the rabbinate.  Other programs are in the works!

We are currently meeting via Zoom. If you'd like more information about STAR, contact your Temple office.  We at STAR feel like a small community learning and growing together.  Please join us!