Programs

Programs Pre-School      Children      Youth      College      Adults

Pre-School age children
Am Yisrael offers a Tot Shabbat service for children aged 2-4 on the third Shabbat morning of each month, led by parents. The Tot Shabbat service is in conjunction with the School of Jewish Studies' Shabbat Morning Family Programming. There is a Tot Havurah that meets regularly.  

Children
School of Jewish Studies
Am Yisrael’s Religious School, now called the Am Yisrael School of Jewish Studies, has educated Jewish children and teenagers since the 1970’s, and many graduates are now adult members of the synagogue today with their own children in the school.

Classes are offered for young people of all school ages beginning with Gan, for kindergarteners, and going through 10th Grade.   Am Yisrael’s Rabbi William and Toby Frankel Religious Education Center, opened in early 2001, is a modern “wired” facility designed as a 21st century religious school dedicated to Jewish education. School Director, Mr. Charlie Sherman, has brought technology into the School for Jewish Studies and reaches the students in exciting and innovative ways.

Of course, what is most important is what happens within the school building. Students learn Hebrew, prayers, the Jewish Holidays, about Israel and about their Jewish heritage. They participate in many Social Action and Tzedakah activities such as dropping off lunch for the homeless and collecting food for the Ark. Students participate in "Chugim", electives such as art, newspaper, Israel, photography, band, choir.   The school has a vibrant staff of instructors who are dedicated and effective pedagogues and fine Jewish role models.

For more information about our wonderful School of Jewish Studies program,  please contact School Director, Charlie Sherman at csherman@amyisrael.org or by calling 847/446-7215 ext. 12 or click on the "Education" tab on the home page.

Informal Education
Am Yisrael offers Informal Education programming for children in the School of Jewish Studies as well as day school students.

Shalom Club is for K through 2nd graders.
Ruach is for 3rd - 5th graders.
Jamie Cooper coordinates the activities for these groups.

Kadima for 6th – 8th grade.
USY is for Jewish high schoolers. 
Shira Sender coordinates the activities for these two groups.

College
College Student Project
The Rabbi corresponds with college students of Am Yisrael families throughout the school year and holiday packages are sent to each one at Chanukah and Passover. The Chanukah package contains a menorah, candles, dreidel, gelt , cookies and a warm greeting from the Rabbi. At Passover students receive an assortment of Passover foods, a Haggadah and a warm greeting from the Rabbi. For college students who reside at home, a card is sent with the Rabbi's letter. To be included, please submit your child(ren)'s postal and e-mail address in the fall.

KoACH
Monthly E-zine of KoACH the organization for conservative Jewish Youth.

Hillel – The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life
Campus-based centers for Jewish services, specializing anf learning.<!--?xml:namespace prefix = o /-->

Adults
Visit the Adult Education topic in the Education tab on our home page to learn more about Adult Education programs.

Book Club
Meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. to discuss short stories. New participants are always welcome and encouraged to join.

Havurot
The synagogue has a number of Havurot, or social groups, that meet periodically (every 1-3 months) at different members’ homes. Most activities have Jewish or Jewish-related themes such as playing Jewish Trival Pursuit, Kosher wine tastings, Chanukah Party, Sukkot Party, discussing the pros and cons of school vouchers or whatever the hosting member chooses. Contact the synagogue office about joining a Havurah.

Congregational Field Trips with Jewish Themes
Dr. Elliot Lefkovitz leads congregational field trips to educational exhibits with Jewish themes throughout the year.

Emeritus Men’s Group
Once a month, a group of members who have retired meet to have lunch and lively conversation. The group gladly welcomes new members.

Hebrew for Adults
Am Yisrael offers two adult Hebrew classes. One is for beginners and another is geared to those who took the beginner’s class last year. An advanced class culminates in a Bat or Bar Mitzvah for participants.

JUF Event
Each Spring, Am Yisrael’s annual JUF Event always features a compelling and educational speaker as well as a delicious meal.

Talmud Class
Led by Dr. Larry Layfer, this ongoing class meets on Monday evenings from 8:00 to 9:30 pm. Congregants may join in anytime at no charge.

Contact Dr. Elliot Lefkovitz at elefkovitz@amyisrael.org or 847-446-7215 ext. 15 for more information about these programs.

Women’s League of Am Yisrael
The Women’s League meets  monthly from September through June.

To learn more about any of these programs, please contact Executive Director Nancy Holab Nevins at
847-446-7215 or NHNevins@AmYisrael.org.