COVID-19 Response

TWO MINUTES OF TORAH

Here's Rabbi Steve's two minute take on this week's Torah portion. Read more about Vayeitzei.

MAZEL TOV...

...to Emma Firsel, child of Karen and Adam Firsel, on becoming a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, November 28.

...to Noah Schencker, child of Beth and Eliot Schencker, on becoming a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, November 28.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO BE GRATEFUL FOR?

Here's Rabbi Steve's sermon about gratitude, with words of wisdom from the late Harold Ramis.

GLENCOE INTERFAITH THANKSGIVING SERVICE

The Glencoe Clergy Association hosts an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service every year, and this year they've taken it online. Watch the service at your convenience this holiday weekend by clicking here.

TALKING THANKSGIVING

The Am Shalom clergy and staff discuss some Thanksgiving favorites. Check out the video here.

In YOUR Living Room… CONCERT SERIES

Join Music at Am Shalom from the comfort of YOUR living room for a CONCERT SERIES featuring musical artists from around the world.

Saturday, DECEMBER 5^th at 7pm - JAM Havdalah Concert

ZOOM in with our cantors for an evening of Modern-Musical Midrash in the Jew-Grass genre featuring long-time friends and multi-award winning singer songwriters, Joanie Leeds & Matt Check (JAM). In addition to their new “Havdalah Suite”, we’ll hear songs from their debut album, STERLING, inspired by stories and characters from ancient biblical texts retold through a modern, feminist lens. Register for the ZOOM link.

GRIEVING A DEATH DURING A PANDEMIC: AN EVENING OF SUPPORT

The experience of grieving always feels like visiting a foreign place, feeling disoriented and isolated in the new reality of life without the person we loved. COVID-19 has increased our isolation as it keeps us from grieving in community. JCFS Chicago is hosting an opportunity to come together virtually on Wednesday, December 2 at 7:30 PM CST to learn alternative ways to mourn and grieve while we gain comfort from being together. The evening will include wisdom from a cantor, a grief counselor, and a community member grieving a new death. This event is free of charge. Register for the ZOOM link. 

UPDATE FROM THE GLENCOE COMMUNITY GARDEN

The GCG harvested and donated roughly 2,000 pounds of produce, had its first and very prolific garlic crop, grew the best tomato crop to date, and provided a continuous bounty of fresh lettuces which kept producing through the end of October. Click here to read more about the smashing success of this season, and how to get involved for next year.

VIRTUAL GATHERINGS 

*Need help connecting to Am Shalom's Livestream or Zoom calls? 
Please contact Alyssa Latala at alatala@amshalom.com or 847.606.5168.

*Would you like a hard copy of Mishkan T'filah Prayer Book or Torah Commentary? Please fill out this form.

You can find a digital Mishkan T'filah prayer book here. It is also on our livestream page, along with a link to this week's yahrzeit list. Click here for the weekly Torah portion. Our complete Zoom and livestream schedule, along with instructions for joining the gatherings, can be found here.

SUPPORT AM SHALOM WHEN YOU SHOP ON AMAZON

Visit smile.amazon.com and select "Am Shalom" as your charity partner. When you shop, always start at smile.amazon.com to make sure a portion of your purchase is donated to Am Shalom. There is no cost to you, and you can even shop Amazon Smile from the app (here are the instructions for that). These every day purchases can really add up - thank you!

CREATE A JEWISH LEGACY

What’s your Jewish legacy? Learn more about Am Shalom’s endowment, and the many ways to support our beloved synagogue now and for generations to come. Through the Create a Jewish Legacy program, there are many ways to make a meaningful gift that will provide a steady and potentially growing stream of funding. For more information, please click here and/or contact: Zoe Sherman, Director of Financial Management - 224.805.9400, Randi Brill, Am Shalom President – randi@amshalom.com, or Steve Doblin, Chair, Create a Jewish Legacy Committee and Am Shalom President Elect – steved@amshalom.com.

GOOD & WELFARE NOTICES

If you would like to be notified via email when there is a death in the congregation, please contact Gia Master at giam@amshalom.com.

GETTING IN TOUCH

We are here for you. You'll find the cell phone numbers for our staff below. We've also created a non-emergency contact form on our website, if you'd like to reach us that way. 

If this crisis has caused you economic hardship, and you'd like to talk about your Am Shalom membership commitment, please contact Zoe Sherman at zoes@amshalom.com or 224-805-9400.

Rabbi Steven Stark Lowenstein - 847-630-6108
Rabbi Phyllis Sommer - 224-619-6807
Rabbi Pam Mandel - 561-886-8186
Cantor Andrea Rae Markowicz - 917-841-8385
Cantor Julie Staple - 317-418-4644
Laura Horn, Director of Operations - 847-772-8822
Alyssa Latala, Director of Engagement - 847-606-5168
Zoe Sherman, Director of Financial Management - 224-805-9400