Programs

 
Programs Pre-School      Children      Youth      College      Adults

Am Yisrael offers opportunities for Jewish education for pre-schoolers, children and 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.  There is a Tot Havurah that meets regularly.  Contact rebecca_h76@yahoo.com.  Tot services are also offered on the first day of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur morning.

Children

Religious School
Am Yisrael’s Religious School 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.

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. The school has a veteran staff of instructors who are dedicated and effective pedagogues and fine Jewish role models. This is only the tip of the tip of the iceberg, and an adequate description would require this entire web site.

For more information about our wonderful Religious School program, in writing and verbally, please contact Religious School Director, Charlie Sherman at csherman@amyisrael.org or by calling 847/446-7215 ext. 12.

For older children, also see Youth.

Youth

Am Yisrael has 3 youth groups which sponsor many social activities throughout the year.

Chaverim (3rd – 5th grade)
Chaverim is a program for Jewish children in grades 3-5.  Chaverim make art projects, see puppet shows, go on hayrides, and much more.  Many of the events are educational because they are based on the current season or Jewish holiday.

Kadima (6th – 8th grade)
Kadima is for Jewish pre teens in grades 6-8.  Kadima events range from relaxing at one of our lounge-nights, to playing for our basketball team, to laser tag.  There is a Kadima board that helps plan events such as the lock-in they have every year at the synagogue. There are also regional programs including a weekend convention at Camp Chi and a Thanksgiving Turkey Dance.

USY (high school)
USY is for Jewish high schoolers.  There are a wide array of events including a basketball team which has won several regional trophies from Chicago USY (CHUSY) There are at least 3 conventions a year and one or two dances.  Other regional and international opportunities include Camp CHUSY, Israel Awareness, Religious Education and SA/TO (social action/tikkun olam) programming. Summer programs include USY on Wheels: Mission Mitzvah, and Israel trips. 

USY is run by the teens, under the guidance of Youth Director, Marah Shuman ALtenberg  There is an executive board for all of CHUSY region, and each chapter also has a board that is vital to its success.  Our board works very hard to make USY fun for everyone. Events are carefully planned, phone calls are made, fundraisers are executed.  USY chapters in CHUSY region also have sister chapters.  Our sister chapter is BTUSY. Our chapter gets along great with theirs and we love having events with them.

Ezra Balser , (847-446-7215, ext. 16 or ebalser@amyisrael.org) is the Youth Director at Am Yisrael and he would be happy to answer any of your questions.  Chaverim, Kadima, and USY are great because everyone has fun and makes new friends.

Junior Congregation
Third Shabbat morning of each month 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Geared for students in grades Aleph (3rd) through Heh (7th). Led by Mr. Charlie Sherman.

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.

Adults

Opportunities for Jewish learning and socializing abound at Am Yisrael. In addition to special events throughout the year, here are regularly scheduled classes and groups. Some of our programs are primarily educational and others more social, however most afford opportunities for both Jewish education and socializing.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Class for Adults
This class prepares adults to have their own Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Students usually begin with Hebrew for Adults classes, take this class and then have their Bar or Bat Mitzvah at a Shabbat morning service. It’s never too late. Congregants have done this in their 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and 60’s, and those are the youngsters. Others have studied for and had their Bat Mitzvahs in their 70’s and 80’s.

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.

Late Friday Night Program Series
We offer late services at 8:00 pm on the second Friday of most months. The late service is followed by an Oneg Shabbat and speaker.

Shabbat Parsha Group
Meets every other Shabbat afternoon to discuss the weekly parsha immediately following services. Group members turns preparing and leading the group discussion. All interested congregants are welcome.

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 Mitzvah Group
The Women’s Mitzvah Group meets on the second Thursday of the month. The group is one of women with diverse interests, ages and backgrounds whose mission is to:

• Further the sense of community among Am Yisrael members.
• Participate in Tikun Olam through community outreach and social action.
• Partner with other synagogue groups to support, enhance and enrich synagogue life.
• Educate its members with programs on Israwel and Jewish life, thought and ritual

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