Kehillah Connection

December 20, 2024           19 Kislev 5785               Parashat Vayeshev School of Jewish Studies (SJS) meets Sundays 9:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and Wednesdays 4:15 p.m.-6:15 p.m. Winter Break: December 19 through January 4

UPCOMING EVENTS

Please click here to signup to volunteer or contribute to Family Promise’s December 22-29 time at Am Yisrael.

Shabbat DinnerYou’re invited to a delightful Shabbat dinner at Am Yisrael on January 10th immediately following our 6 p.m. Shabbat Services.  Enjoy a delicious meal and the warmth of our community.  Please RSVP via this link by Thursday, January 2.We look forward to sharing this special evening with you!  Thanks to our Better Together grant, the cost of the dinner will be significantly offset.

AMUSY Ice Skating We are going ice skating on January 12th immediately following SJS.  We will eat lunch and then head over to the skating rink in Northbrook.  This event is open to 2nd-12th graders. students. Click here for more information and to RSVP.

Calling all 6th-12th Graders! Join us for a fun Lounge Night at the synagogue on Wednesday, January 15th from 6:15 PM to 8:30 PM.We’ll have a delicious Kosher dinner and hot chocolate to keep you fueled. Feel free to bring your homework to work on while you chat and relax with friends.RSVP is requested to help us plan the food: here

Better Together Family Shabbat Saturday, January 25 at 10:15 a.m.Join us for Better Together Family Shabbat, a wonderful opportunity for K–12 families (and younger siblings) and congregants to connect and celebrate Jewish life, prayer, and learning. We warmly invite you and your loved ones to a family-friendly Shabbat service featuring intergenerational Torah reading, followed by a Kiddush lunch.  Please RSVP via this link by Friday, January 17.

Torah Tots Join us for Torah Tots on Sunday, January 19th from 9:15 AM to 10:15 AM. This program is designed for 2-4 year-olds and their adult. We’ll have fun, sing, tell stories, do crafts, and celebrate Havdalah. Please click here for information and to RSVP.Torah Tots is sponsored by the JBaby Chicago Grant, a program of Jewish United Fund.

Tallit Design The Women’s Network is presenting a Tallit Design and create a Tallit for yourself or family member. The Tallit could be a perfect gift for a B’nai Mitzvah student. Join with Deeana Jacobson on Sunday, January 26th at 10:30. For more information and to register for the program please click here.

5th-7th Grade ShabbabaFest! Mr. Sherman is one of the leaders of a groundbreaking immersive educational experience exploring the meaning of Shabbat. The Shabbaton will be held January 31st-February 1st at Camp Nageela Midwest for Jewish 5th-7th graders, including our Hei, Vav and Zayin SJS & Day School students. Thanks to generous grants from USY and JEA. In addition, this program is a recipient of a $10,000 innovation grant of JUF Springboard, Chicago’s hub for Jewish teen programs powered by JUF.  Due to these generous grants, the cost is only $99 thru January 3rd for the entire weekend, including transportation!Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity—register now at CHUSY.org/fest!

CLASS HIGHLIGHTS, PHOTOS & VIDEOS

Please click here to access our curricular overview, class highlights, regular schedules & photo/video collection for 2024-2025 (revised 12-19-24)

TIKKUN OLAM

Tzedakah Donations and Tikkun Olam Opportunities for 5785Please remember to bring $1 or more for Tzedakah every Sunday morning and every Wednesday afternoon. So far, we’ve collected a total of $691.09! Please click here to order a bracelet to support our Tzedakah initiatives and learn about how we can support Family Promise.

Please click on this link to order a bracelet to support the people of Israel. Thank you to the Gesher Leadership for their continued phenomenal work in supporting our beloved Jewish homeland.[Link to order bracelet]

MAZAL TOV

Kol HaKavod (All the Honor) to our Better Together Family Shabbat and Choir/Band participants!We extend our gratitude to the following individuals: Torah Chanters: Dan Adelman, Jack Adelman, Marcia Adelman, Elizabeth Adelman, Adam Aft, Adina Aft, Ari Aft, Ezra Aft, Ben Appel, Liora Appel, Jordy Bressler, Marlene Bressler, Rob Bressler, Arthur Green, Mollie Jaffe, Myles Jaffe, Tavor Kamin, Ben Legator, Mona Legator, Brynn Murray, Rebecca DeNosaquo Murray, Sam Murray, Joshua Ravage, Cantor Rosenblatt, Daniel Schack, Aliza Silver-Schack, Evan Silver-Schack, Henry Schiff, Amelia Sherman, Mr. Sherman, Jeff Solotoroff, Sarah Solotoroff, Linda Spring, Morah Myra Weisberg, Levi Zadikoff, and Noa Zien. Choir/Band Performers: Marcia Adelman, Ari Aft, Lynn Miller, Morah Yehudit (Jessica) Morgan, Mr. E. Marc Nevins, Nera Oldfield, Adrian Rattner, Aliza Silver-Schack, Evan Silver-Schack, Amelia Sherman, Mr. Sherman, Jeff Solotoroff, Sarah Solotoroff, Linda Spring, and Elyse Tish. Special thanks to Jan and Jerry Loew for photographing the entire Torah scroll and to Ben Legator, with assistance from Mona Legator, for digitally organizing the photos. We also thank Mr. E. Marc Nevins and Morah Yehudit (Jessica) Morgan for leading our Better Together Choir/Band throughout the first semester. They look forward to seeing the group again after Winter Break.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

2024-2025 SJS, Families w/Children & USY Calendar (revised 12-17-2024): Click here Please click here to be added to populating Google Calendar.  -Families with Young Children (0-4): Torah Tots Program: Link -School of Jewish Studies (SJS) Mission Statement, B’Yachad (Havurah) Program and Involvement of Jewish Day School Students: Link -Featured Family & Intergenerational Programs & Services: Link -Family Shabbat Services: Link -Audios/Texts for Chanukah Blessings, Songs & Tefillah Practice: Link -Growing Spotify Playlist of SJS Musical Tefillah: Link

Please click here for information on upcoming Family Promise Please click here for information on a program by Cantor Emeritus Simon Please click here for information on No Shame U

!עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי Am Yisrael Chai! Thank you for your partnership! !שַׁבָּת שָׁלוֹם Shabbat Shalom!  Charlie Sherman, MAEd, CJE Head of School Am Yisrael Conservative Congregation 4 N. Happ Road,Northfield, IL 60093 847-708-1805 (mobile) csherman@amyisrael.org https://www.AmYisrael.org  *Please note that I will not view and respond to emails on Mondays and over Shabbat (Friday evening to Saturday evening). Thank you for your understanding.