Rabbi Yaakov Fenton said that he had always intended to be a teacher. But he couldn’t resist the offer to serve as the senior rabbi at the synagogue Young Israel of Northbrook at 3545 Walters Avenue. The congregation, which was founded in the late 1980s, has been at its current location since 2000.
“I got a call that they were looking for someone to replace Rabbi Berger here at the Young Israel,” Fenton said. “I grew up in a similar suburban community in Lexington, Massachusetts. I felt like I could really help this kind of a community.”
The Rabbi’s plans include revamping the minyan — 10 Jewish adults, traditionally men, who are required for certain religious services, including daily services. “Our daily minyan has kind of died down and I’d like to pick that up again,” Fenton said. “But I also want to focus a lot on the education and get more classes going.”
He has already started a couple of classes and said that he wants to get involved in interactive learning. “I want people to contribute to their understanding,” Fenton said.
One new class on Tuesday evening is “Fundamentals of Judaism.”
“I try to touch on as many fundamental ideas as I can to try to really educate people about Judaism,” Fenton explained. “On Sunday mornings, we have a little breakfast here after services and I give a short talk.”
Before joining Young Israel of Northbrook, Fenton served as a Kollel Fellow (scholar) and educator since 2015 in Chicago, first at Telshe Yeshiva and then at Kollel Ateres Ami.
“I really enjoyed helping the students grow and understand,” Fenton said. “I taught high school. It was really a great experience interacting with the kids.”
Fenton began serving the congregation last fall during the high holidays; he moved to Northbrook to serve the congregation full-time a few weeks ago. Fenton’s wife Rivka Fenton, as Rebbetzin of the congregation, is very involved in helping support Young Israel of Northbrook.
Rivka Fenton said that when she learned that her husband was asked to serve as senior rabbi at Young Israel of Northbrook, “I thought it would be a good job for him because I think he has the qualities to do that kind of job. He grew up in a very similar background as the people in the area here so I thought he could relate to them. He does a lot of teaching and giving speeches, and he knows how to run a shul. He has what it takes to do what he needs to do.”
Rivka Fenton has been arranging gatherings before each of the holidays for the congregation.
“I’m hoping to introduce more people and hope we will be hosting people for meals on Shabbos and the holidays,” she said.
She indicated that coming to Young Israel was a good move for their family. “Once my husband got in, the rest of the family was happy with the idea,” she said. “And my children like the shul.”
The Fentons have four sons, ages 9, 7, 3, and 1. When he isn’t serving the congregation, the Rabbi enjoys cycling and playing classical piano. The Rebbetzin enjoys stitchwork and music.
For more information about Young Israel of Northbrook, visit yionb.com.
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
