COVID-19 Response

TWO MINUTES OF TORAH

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

MAZEL TOV...

...to Sam Rosen, child of Carrie and Michael Rosen, on becoming a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, December 26.

...to Zoey Alzate, child of Robyn Tavel and Juan Alzate, on becoming a Bat Mitzvah on Monday, December 28.

...to Hadley Lewensohn, child of Abby Starr Lewensohn and Mark Lewensohn, on becoming a Bat Mitzvah on Monday, December 28.

TOGETHER WE CAN HELP

We cannot mask the need. From now until December 31st, all repeat donations to Am Shalom's Annual Challenge will be increased by 25%, and all NEW and INCREASED donations will be MATCHED! Donate Now

CONNECTING WITH OUR COMMUNITY: CALLERS NEEDED

As we enter into the winter months, and our quarantine continues, we are revisiting and expanding our caring community. Volunteers are needed to make regular check-in phone calls to fellow congregants. You'll be assigned a list of about five names, and you'll call the same people each time. Interested in getting involved? Please contact Merle Passis, Co-Chair, Caring Community, at merle@successinreading.net.

CRAFTING FOR GROWN-UPS: MEZUZAH MAKING

We're excited to gather for a craft night once again! Art Party Chicago will lead us in a virtual mezuzah making workshop on Tuesday, January 12 at 7:00pm. Each artist will design & create their own one-of-a-kind fused glass mezuzah that will be treasured in your home every day. All materials will be provided in advance. Click here for more information & registration.

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.

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.

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!

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