COVID-19 Response

AM SHALOM'S 50^TH ANNIVERSARY: DID YOU KNOW?

TWO MINUTES OF TORAH

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

MAZEL TOV...

...to Caroline Glauberman, child of Kelly and Scott Glauberman, on becoming a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, October 30.

...to Cooper & Gabriella Lanci, children of Karey Baum, on becoming B'nai Mitzvah on Saturday, October 30.

MULTI-ACCESS YIDDISH

We are pleased to welcome Joe Koch to Am Shalom, all the way from Sydney, Australia, for a special Yiddish session on Thursday, November 4 at 10:00am. Joe's parents came from the shtetls of Poland, where they only spoke Yiddish. Having been born in Kazakhstan shortly before the end of World War II, Joe's first language was Yiddish before learning English when his family immigrated in the late 1940s. Joe is a father, grandfather, and an artist with a deep love of being Jewish and passion for keeping the Yiddish language alive. All are welcome to register to join us in the Library or via Zoom to hear Joe's story and learn some Yiddish!

PAJAMA DRIVE 

Our friends at Cradles to Crayons are in need of NEW children's pajamas (size 2T to adult medium). They currently do not have enough items in their warehouse to fill the demand. We'll be collecting PJs through Sunday, October 31. Please drop your donation in the bin outside of the main entrance, and thank you!

JCFS HOLIDAY GIFT DRIVE (DREIDEL TAGS)

We are proud to continue supporting the JCFS Chicago holiday gift drive. The presents go to clients at the Knapp School, JCFS' therapeutic day school, and those who receive counseling, respite and other essential support services. To ensure the safety of staff, volunteers and clients JCFS will only be collecting e-gift cards this year. 

We hope to bring dreidel tags back in the future, but in the meantime, please fill out this form to sponsor a child.

ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE PARTNERSHIP

The United States has seen a dramatic rise in antisemitic incidents in the last few years. As a response, the Anti-Defamation League has created an initiative called 'Signature Synagogue Program' to establish strong, long-term partnerships with synagogues to help them address antisemitism. The benefits of membership include the ADL providing expert speakers on a wide range of topics, a training session for adolescents to learn about antisemitism, exclusive webinars throughout the year, and training in how to respond should synagogues fall victim to antisemitic incidents.

We're looking forward to sharing these opportunities with our community as they become available. Up first, the ADL's Never Is Now summit, the world's largest gathering on the topic of antisemitism. The summit is free and will take place virtually between November 7-9. Register here.

MULTI-ACCESS GATHERINGS 

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 - 847.835.4800, 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.

JCC CHICAGO EARLY CHILDHOOD AT AM SHALOM
Register for the 2022-2023 School Year!

We believe that every child is strong, capable and resilient with a natural curiosity that invites them to explore the world around them. Our classrooms are designed to foster this curiosity and encourage collaboration, communication and discovery with every activity. The JCC community inspires a love of learning and a celebration of Jewish identity in every child. To learn more about our extraordinary program, contact the Early Childhood Director, Jody Benishay, jbenishay@jccchicago.org or 847-835-0008.

Register today at: https://earlychildhood.jccchicago.org/registration/