President’s Corner

In 1973, the Congregation Beth Shalom Men’s Club created the Kavod Award and named David Shapiro^z”l as our first honoree.  We are privileged to continue this tradition by naming Norman Padnos as our 50^th Kavod Award honoree

Norm grew up in the Chicagoland area. His family was affiliated with the Conservative movement at West Suburban Temple Har Zion. Norman is a graduate of IIT/Chicago Kent College of Law with a Juris Doctorate and is in private practice, when not volunteering on behalf of his synagogue. Norm and Darlene have been married since June 28, 1967 and lived for a short while in Skokie, then in Niles, and now in Glenview.

Norm is very devoted to Conservative Judaism. Before joining CBS in 2010, he served Northwest Suburban Jewish Congregation as its President for multiple terms with years of active involvement in many other apacities. He is especially proud to have served the USCJ Midwest Region as President, Financial Secretary and Youth Commission Chairman. He previously served on the boards of the Jewish National Fund Illinois Region and the Community Foundation for Jewish Education. He is a Hadassah Associate and a member of the Prime Minister’s Club for State of Israel Bonds. Norm was involved in their local community as a member of the Board of Education of the East Maine School District #63 for fourteen years serving as President, Vice President, Chairman of the Buildings & Grounds Committee, and Chairman of the Negotiations Committee.

Darlene and Norman first visited Israel in 1984 and have made over 35 trips since then. They were thrilled to serve as co-leaders of four synagogue missions to Israel. It is their passion to encourage family and friends to
travel to Israel.

Their greatest inspiration and nachas come from their family. Mitchell and his wife Sherri have become active CBS members. Their son Ethan and his wife Alexa served in the IDF as lone soldiers and now make their home in Jerusalem. Their other son, Benjamin, graduated from DePaul University after spending his gap year in Israel on Nativ. Billy and his wife, Shari Back, make their home in Pittsburgh and the family is affiliated with Temple Sinai. Their children, Elana and Ari, are both students of musical theatre.

Norm Padnos truly believes that his synagogue affiliation and active participation have provided the most positive influence on their family’s Jewish identity. It has strengthened their love and support for the State of Israel, encouraged greater ritual observance, and developed leadership skills.

As a member of Congregation Beth Shalom, Norm has served on the Congregation’s Board of Trustees, continues to sit on the Board of the CBS Men’s Club, and is always helping out in the kitchen when he is in town.

We give a hearty Mazel Tov to Norm, Darlene, and the entire Padnos family on Norm’s honor of receiving the CBS Men’s Club Kavod Award on its 50th year anniversary. Please join us on Saturday, April 15th as we honor Norm and his family at Men’s Club Shabbat.

Steve and Andy