Chicago’s Desi Faith Community Lights Up Diwali and Embraces New Leadership

As the Festival of Lights returns and congregations welcome fresh voices, Chicago’s Desi religious landscape showcases unity, tradition, and renewal.

🪔 BAPS Swaminarayan hosts Diwali & Annakut 2025

The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha in Chicago announced its upcoming Diwali and Annakut celebration for 2025, inviting the community to join a series of spiritual and cultural events detailed on its website. [1]

✨ Thousands gather for Diwali in Bartlett

CBS News reported that a massive crowd assembled in Bartlett, Illinois, to observe the Hindu Festival of Lights, highlighting the event’s significance for the region’s Hindu population. [5]

✡️ Temple Beth‑El appoints Rabbi Marina Yergin

Temple Beth‑El of Northbrook named Rabbi Marina Yergin as its new associate rabbi, effective July 1, after a national search; she brings 11 years of experience from a Texas congregation. [3]

Sources: [1] BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha · [5] CBS News · [3] Patch