Seeing the picture in the Chicago Jewish News this week of Rabbi Newman Kamin placing a Mezuzah on our School of Jewish Studies building when it first opened really grabbed my attention.  Where would we be without our school building?  Rabbi Newman Kamin’s leadership and determination to bring a school building to Am Yisrael is just one of her many ongoing accomplishments at our synagogue.  I really hope to see many of you at the celebration honoring our Rabbi’s 25 years at Am Yisrael taking place on Sunday, February 8th at 3:00 p.m.  Two of our upcoming B’nai Mitzvah students are not only thriving at SJS, but were recently named students of the month at Wilmette Junior High!  Mazal Tov to Markus and Ella and their families.  Please continue to share good news with us when it comes your way.  While it feels mundane compared to those opening two points, please bring in toilet paper rolls for an upcoming Tu Bishvat project.  A true case of someone’s “recycling” being someone else’s treasure!  We will have a bin in the SJS lobby.  Also, please contact Becky Brodsky if you are able to volunteer at an upcoming Tu Bishvat program.  She will fill you in on all of the details:

beckybrod@comcast.net.

This Shabbat the Gan and Aleph Classes will help to lead services on Friday night beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary.  Mazal Tov to Sophie Himmelfarb, her parents Nancy and Michael, brothers Daniel and Jack and their entire family as Sophie will be called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on Shabbat morning.  Shabbat Shalom!