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Administration

Alyssa Latala joined as Director of Engagement, part of Am Shalom's Executive Team, in July 2017. She previously served as Director of Technology and Social Media Strategy. Before coming to Am Shalom, Alyssa was a program director for Big Tent Judaism, an independent, trans-denominational Jewish outreach organization. She's also worked for two non-profit consulting firms, a small family foundation and the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago.

Alyssa manages Am Shalom's various communiation platforms, including the KOL (our monthly newsletter), KOLbytes (our weekly email), the Am Shalom website and our social media pages. She also serves as a first point of contact for prospective and new members, as they begin their Am Shalom journey. 

When she's not at the temple, Alyssa's favorite role is mom to her boys, Ben and Sam. 

Before joining Am Shalom, Laura Horn was the Assistant Executive Director at the Union for Reform Judaism for three years. Prior to her role at the URJ, Laura was a practicing podiatrist. She was recruited to Am Shalom by Rabbi Steve (at a Cubs game, of course), and her position has grown through the years. As Director of Operations, part of Am Shalom's Executive Team, Laura is responsible for the day to day operations and management of the facility and the congregation’s business affairs. She is responsible for Am Shalom's Social Action programs and serves as staff liaison to the Board of Trustees, among other responsibilities. Laura played a key role in the resettlement of our two Syrian refugee families and continues to be a volunteer and friend to them. Outside of Am Shalom, Laura enjoys spending time with her family, including her beautiful granddaughters, Viviene and Lilah.

Leslie Nathan has worked at Am Shalom since 2002, after having worked seven years with Rabbi Lowenstein and Ed Alpert at Temple Sholom of Chicago. She feels extremely fortunate to have been able to follow them to Am Shalom! Leslie manages facility rental requests, designs our weekly Shabbat Shalom and keeps the Am Shalom database up-to-date, among many other responsibilities. Besides working in the office, Leslie has helped our Syrian refugee families establish themselves in their new community, as she is a long-time resident of Skokie, currently living in the home she grew up in. Outside of Am Shalom Leslie volunteers at the Evanston Animal Shelter and Random Acts of Flowers and is a life-long die-hard Cubs fan.

Gia Master is the Senior Administrative Assistant at Am Shalom, a role she's held for over 13 years. Prior to her position at Am Shalom, Gia was the Assistant to the Director of Education at Temple Sholom of Chicago. If you've ever called the Am Shalom office, chances are you've spoken to Gia. She keeps the Am Shalom office stocked and organized, coordinates our annual Book of Life, manages many mail projects and serves as assistant to Rabbi Pam, among other responsibilities. When she's not at Am Shalom, Gia enjoys biking, hiking and sitting by her fire pit.

Zoe Sherman, Director of Financial Management

Zoe Sherman became Am Shalom's Director of Financial Management in July of 2017. She is involved in all financial aspects of the synagogue. Have a question about your bill or need a tax form? Need to talk about giving opportunities? She is the person to talk to.

Zoe started at Am Shalom in 2002 as Controller. Before that she worked as an assistant controller at Temple Sholom of Chicago and at North Shore University HealthSystem as a biller and then as a staff accountant. Zoe graduated Loyola University Chicago in 1996 with a degree in Managerial Accounting. Zoe is a member of the National Association for Temple Administration. She lives in the suburbs of Chicago and enjoys her empty nester status with her husband Igor. Her son Jeffrey is a student at Indiana University.

Sat, December 21 2024 20 Kislev 5785