STAR Suburban Thursday Afternoon Retirees

Suburban Thursday Afternoon Retirees, better known as STAR, meets via zoom 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.  We also heard a program from Robb Packer, a building consultant, on buildings that are current or past homes to Chicago area synagogues, including the history of West Suburban and Oak Park Temples.  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 November, STAR will meet on the 3rd, 10th, and 17th.  We will not meet on Thanksgiving, Nov. 24th. Our schedule is as follows:

November 3rd - STAR will screen the documentary Suppressed and Sabotaged: The Fight To Vote. This film shines light on the dark corners of our country’s voting processes. 

November 10th - A chance to schmooze and perhaps a surprise speaker

November 17th - A chance to schmooze and perhaps a surprise speaker

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!