Helene and her husband Donald have been members of Beth Emet for 35 years. They have two children. Scott is an associate professor at the University of Iowa and lives with his wife Rachael and their son Lake in Iowa City. Nancy is a math teacher in Sharon, Massachusetts, and lives in Needham Heights with her sons, Jordan and Tyler. Scott and Nancy had their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs at Beth Emet. Scott was married by Rabbi London and Nancy was married by Rabbi Knobel.
After fifty-one years, Helene retired from Northbrook School District 27 in June 2021 having taught 7th and 8th grade Reading and Language Arts to gifted students for 35 years as well as working in administration for the past 14 years as a Coordinator of professional development, reading and language arts, and gifted education. Presently, Helene is an Adjunct Professor of Education at DePaul University, supervising student teachers. Helene enjoys biking, swimming, reading, and spending time with her family. Donald practices law and is a part-time professor of law at Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, where he teaches two commercial law courses.
Helene has been involved at Beth Emet in the Soup Kitchen, the New Member Committee, and the Friday Challah Midrash. Donald had blown the Shofar for the High Holy Days for many years at Anshe Emet and Beth Emet, and he regularly attends Rabbi London’s Close Look at the Torah class. Before the Pandemic, Helene and Donald regularly attended Friday Shabbat services. Since the Pandemic, they participated in the Zoom and Livestream Friday night services, rarely missing a service.
For Helene and Donald, Beth Emet provides a source of community and a spirituality. Helene is honored to serve on the Beth Emet Board.
