Rabbi Taron Tachman of Temple Sholom of Chicago was one of three panelists discussing the issue of getting young Jews involved in congregational life at the recent Union of Reform Judaism Biennial in Toronto.

Rabbi James Gordon is the new assistant rabbi at Lincolnwood Jewish Congregation. The multi-talented spiritual leader is also a lawyer and the author of "Pray Ball! The Spiritual Insights of a Jewish Sports Fan."

Two Skokie women recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of their bat mitzvahs at Ezra Habonim-The Niles Township Jewish Congregation. Diane (Raynes) Rosenfeld became a bat mitzvah in 1959 at Ner Tamid Congregation in West Rogers Park. That same year, Judy (Rubin) Frank celebrated her bat mitzvah at Anshe Yanover in East Rogers Park. During the celebration at Ezra Habonim, the two women spoke about Rosh Chodesh (the beginning of the Jewish month) and its importance for Jewish women. At the Oneg Shabbat, Jewish doll centerpieces represented the Jewish women of today.