Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois

beth hillel b'nai emunah yahrzeit records

2,722  records in database

In the mid-1950's young Jewish families began moving to the western part of Wilmette. On April 16, 1958, Beth Hillel was formally established. The group purchased land at Big Tree Lane and officially broke ground there in August 1961. The building was formally dedicated in March 1963, and eight years later their sanctuary building was constructed. Also in the 1950's, Jewish veterans from Chicago's west side moved north of the city limits, and in 1953 several families formed a charter for a new congregation to be known initially as Congregation B'nai Emunah of Lincolnwood. This group purchased property at Niles Center Road and Church Street in Skokie. In 1964 the group's main sanctuary and classrooms were built. In June 2004, B'nai Emunah combined with Beth Hillel. Over time the congregation's membership declined and their property at Big Tree Lane was put up for sale in 2023. It was sold to the Village of Wilmette and there are plans to use the location as a temporary police headquarters.