COVID-19 Response

TWO MINUTES OF TORAH

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

UPDATE FROM THE COVID TASK FORCE

The COVID Task Force met on Tuesday, April 6, and made several recommendations and changes to Am Shalom's parameters. Read more.

HOLOCAUST SERIES

We are honored to welcome filmmaker, activist and actress Beth Lane, on Friday, April 9 at 12:00pm. WOULD YOU HIDE ME? is Beth's debut feature documentary. It tells the incredible story of seven siblings evading capture as German Jews during World War II. Among these children? Beth's own mother. Their survival was made possible by the heroic actions of the citizens of a small town just east of Berlin. ZOOM in.

YOM HA'ATZMAUT CELEBRATIONS

In celebration of Israel’s 73rd birthday, join us for a special livestream concert celebration, a discussion with Israel tour educator Mike Hollander, a podcast discussion, and an Oneg Shabbat!

JEWISH MUSIC HERITAGE LEARNING SERIES

The Jewish Music Heritage Learning Series endeavors to study the ever-evolving modes of worship and musical expression within the Jewish prayer experience. ZOOM in on Thursday, April 15 at 7:00pm with our cantors to explore Shalom Rav with special guest composer, Cantor Erik Contzius.

GOOD DEEDS DAY COOKIE COLLECTION

Am Shalom is partnering with JUF TOV Volunteers on a Good Deeds Day project to help food insecure families. We are collecting cookies, which will accompany a meal provided by the organization Fight2Feed. Any and all cookie types welcome (NO NUTS, please). Please provide a minimum of two dozen (no maximum).

Drive through our Circle Drive with your cookies on Friday, April 16 between 9:30-10:30am, and receive a challah for Shabbat on your way out. Please sign up so we know how many bakers to expect! More logistical info will be emailed upon registration.

PASSOVER FOOD COLLECTION

Did you buy the five pack of matzah, but only get through a box or two? We've got you covered. Bring your left over Passover food to Am Shalom before next Tuesday, April 13, and we'll deliver it to the food pantry. Please use the bin labeled Lakeview Pantry. 

TIME TO TALK DURING COVID TIMES - SUPPORT GROUP

JCFS hosts an ongoing, weekly drop-in support group providing a comfortable and safe place for adults who feel alone or isolated to meet and talk with others experiencing similar feelings. The group facilitates mutual support through encouragement, hopefulness, and companionship. For more information, to register and to receive a Zoom link, please email LaurieGarber-Amram@jcfs.org. This series is free and open to the public.

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

Click here to support Am Shalom when you shop on Amazon. 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