COVID-19 Response

TWO MINUTES OF TORAH

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

MAZAL TOV...

... to Hannah Frazer, a 2021 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awardee! Each year, the Diller Family Foundation recognizes fifteen Jewish U.S. teens for exceptional leadership and engagement in initiatives making the world a better place. Hannah developed the Question Connection card game to facilitate interpersonal connection and cultivate empathy at a time when social media and technology inhibit open communication. Read more about Hannah and the awards: https://www.dillerteenawards.org/recipient/hannah-frazer/ 

LAST CALL! HIGH HOLY DAYS PLANNING SURVEY CLOSES FRIDAY

Please take a few moments to share your thoughts about coming to the temple for High Holy Days worship. This survey takes less than two minutes to complete. The purpose of this survey is to help us plan as we balance the hopes and concerns around worshipping together in person while continuing to meet you where you are - whether that’s here at the temple or tuning in from home. Click here to start the survey.

FEEDING THE HUNGRY 

Last Sunday, we welcomed back Feeding the Hungry volunteers to the Am Shalom kitchen. Check out this video recap!

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

Please take a moment to renew your membership; you may renew online, or fill out and mail back/drop off the printed commitment form. We recognize that the pandemic has impacted our community in every way, and want to reiterate that no one will ever be denied membership because of an inability to meet the standard dues commitment. If your financial situation has changed, or if you would like to confirm a continued dues assistance plan for the coming year, please contact Zoe Sherman at 224.805.9400 or zoes@amshalom.com.

AM SHALOM STANDS WITH THE FIREHOUSE

The Firehouse offers year-round, multi-disciplinary cultural arts programming, mentorship, leadership and workforce development centered around the prevention and interruption of violence. Supporting this organization is especially important now, as we come out of Covid and begin to venture out again. The We Stand With You fund will help The Firehouse put more Outreach Advocates on the streets of North Lawndale, specifically late into the evening – when most of the challenges take place. It will also go to expand the crucial educational programing that prepares young men and women for social, emotional and professional success. Please consider donating to the Firehouse We Stand With You Fund. 

SAVE THE DATE: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM CONCERT

On Sunday, July 25 at 4:00pm, Music at Am Shalom presents... SHIR LaAHAVA, a musical melange of Love Songs in celebration of Tu B'Av - the Jewish Day of Love, featuring Cantor Andrea Rae Markowicz, Cantor Julie Staple, Orna Arania, and Kadi House, with guest artists, Cantor David Berger (KAMII) and Cantor David Goldstein (NSCI), accompanied by The Don Cagen Ensemble.

The Concert is FREE and will be LIVESTREAMED. Pre-REGISTRATION now open for limited "in person" seating.

MULTI-ACCESS GATHERINGS 

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

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.

SCHOOL REGISTRATION

School registration is now open! Click here to read more about our plans for the 2021-2022 school year, and to enroll your family. Religious School begins on Sunday, September 19!

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