Celebrating 20 Years of the Soup Kitchen and

Honoring the Legacy of Rabbi Peter and Elaine Knobel

Sunday, March 19

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There were so many amazing moments at Sunday's 20th Anniversary Celebration and the renaming of the soup kitchen to "The Rabbi Peter and Elaine Knobel Soup Kitchen at Beth Emet." Nearly 200 guests were in attendance, treated to a traditional soup kitchen-style dinner with home-baked desserts; raising money for this important work we do at Beth Emet; and celebrating our wonderful soup kitchen volunteers and leaders.


Speakers included U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky, Evanston 4th Ward Alderman Jonathan Nieuwsma, Rabbi Lisa Greene, Soup Kitchen Co-Chair Leslie Shulruff, President Lee Weintraub, and Rabbi Andrea London. Past President Mort Denlow and Lee Weintraub shared the importance of supporting the Soup Kitchen in order to uphold the legacy of the core values that Rabbi Knobel and Elaine so admirably embodied, and Jeremy and Seth Knobel spoke about the meaning and importance of renaming the Soup Kitchen in their parents' memory.


Indeed it was truly a special evening for all.

Meet the Match Challenge! Donate Today!

The Knobel family has generously offered a $50,000 match for all donations made as part of the renaming of the Soup Kitchen to honor the legacy of Rabbi Peter and Elaine Knobel. Your donation will be matched dollar for dollar, allowing the soup kitchen to raise more than $100,000 to ensure its continued success for years to come.

Donate Today
List of Donors

Blessing for the Soup Kitchen

As part of the celebration, Alden Solovy, liturgist and Beth Emet community member, wrote a blessing. His words are incorporated into a beautiful piece of art, created by member Clark Ellithorpe, and now on display in the Crown Room. Read the full blessing here.


Missed the Program?

Hear what makes the Rabbi Peter and Elaine Knobel Soup Kitchen so special.

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"Love Can Conquer Hate"

Words by Rabbi Peter Knobel,

Music by Barb Wertico

At the community memorial service following the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in 2018, Rabbi Peter Knobel shared these words, "Love Can Conquer Hate." Moved by this, our Accompanist, Barb Wertico, wrote music to his words. At the celebration, Barb and Rebecca Raus performed it. Read the lyrics here.

Special Thanks!

A big thank you to the celebration planning committee: Leslie Shulruff, Susan Davis Friedman, Tracey Denlow, Lizzie Graham, Arlene Steele, Beth Tucker, and Bekki Kaplan.

Additional thank you's to:

  • Linda Schneider who played piano at the event, capturing the experience our Soup Kitchen guests have of live music every week.
  • Cooks: Arlene Steele, Lizzie Graham, Beth Tucker, Tracey Denlow, Susan Davis Friedman, Gail Doeff, Kathy and Dan Kaberon, Susan Melczer, Laurel Wooley, and Heidi Levin.
  • Bakers: Gail Doeff, Reva Denlow, Susan Davis Friedman, Susan Melczer, Bekki Kaplan, Debbie Render, Elaine Heuberger, Ann Graham, and Arlene Steele.
  • Set-up crew: Rich Steele, David Graham, Neal Shanoff, Helene Spak, and Elaine and Rich Heuberger.
  • Check-in volunteers: Jeff Forgash, Neal Shanoff, Chris Wynn, and Jackie Berman.
  • Servers: Rich Berger, Judy Caplan, Nisan Chavkin, Sharon Ephraim, Suki Fisher, Ted Goldsmith, David Graham, Sara Hartman-Seeskin, Hollis Heavenrich-Jones, Paul Isaacson, Mike Isaacson, Karen Isaacson, Jessica Kaplan, Michael Orenstein, Michelle Oxman, Bob Render, Lee Weintraub, Gita Weintraub, Jane Wintroub, Greg Wintroub, Wendy Yanow, and Josh Zorger.

Behind the Scenes....