High Holiday (Tot, Family, Teen) Services/Programs
SJS and USY News and Program Updates
August 31, 2023
14 Elul 5783 י״ד אֱלוּל תשׁפ״ג
Parashat Ki Tavo פָּרָשַׁת כִּי-תָבוֹא
SJS, Families with Young Children & Youth Programming Calendar (revised 8-30-2023): Click here
Please refer to Am Yisrael Events emails for prayer service times & congregational programs
It's the 1st Day of Sunday SJS!!!!!

We welcome back all new and returning students to SJS
All K - 12th graders on Sunday, Sept 10th

Thank you to everyone who made the first Wednesday of SJS (for our 3rd-7th graders) sensational yesterday!
In this Edition

  • Neilah Message from Rabbi Newman Kamin
  • Added 2nd Day of Rosh Hashanah Programming
  • Rosh Hashanah Tot Service, Family Service, Teen Program, Magician Show and Babysitting for Saturday, September 16 and Sunday, September 17
  • Ambassadors of Am Yisrael
  • Synagogue Membership Form includes Kindergarten through 12th Grade School of Jewish Studies (SJS) registration
  • School of Jewish Studies (SJS), Featured Family Programs, Family Shabbat & Youth Chapter Updated Webpages
  • Save the Date - SJS Class Information
  • Student Data Information Form (including IEP, 504 & allergies)
  • Update: Families with Young Children
  • Kindergarten through 12th Grade Class Recaps; Cantor Rosenblatt & More
  • IsraelNow Registration for Rising 8th Graders
Neilah Message from Rabbi Newman Kamin

As you know, Am Yisrael Congregation places a high value on our children. We recognize that they represent the future of Judaism, and as such we honor them during the High Holidays.  

During the Neilah service on Yom Kippur we invite all the children present to come up to the bimah for a blessing. At the end of the Neilah service everyone who was called to the Torah as Bar or Bat Mitzvah during the previous year is invited to come to the bimah for a special blessing from the Rabbi.

Of special note this year, is that it will be Cantor Simon’s last Neilah as Cantor of Am Yisrael. We hope that you will make every effort to attend.

We encourage you to attend this service which will be held on Monday, September 25, at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts. Mincha begins at 5:15 p.m. and Neilah begins at 6:30 p.m. Please join us.

Very truly yours,

Rabbi Debra Newman Kamin
By popular demand, we are adding an additional program for Rosh Hashanah this year. Mr. Sherman will be leading a Family Service on Sunday, September 17 at 10:00 a.m. with a snack to follow. It will be a meaningful, spiritual service with take away lessons related to the holiday season for all who attend. 
Rosh Hashanah Tot Service, Family Service, Teen Program, Magician Show and Babysitting

We are excited to share with you a one page Google Document outlining the details for Rosh Hashanah for the youth and their families at our congregation. Please click here to access. We will send a similar document for Yom Kippur. 
Ambassadors of Am Yisrael

Our Sundaes on Sunday program on August 20 was a huge success. We had approximately 100 people attend! A gigantic thank you to our Clergy, Staff, Teachers, Madrichim, partners at both USY and Ramah and all who ran stations and games to make it possible. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN! At the program we had flyers with QR codes that we are sharing with you digitally. Please share them widely, with the following information:

Enrollment for Am Yisrael's School of Jewish Studies remains open for students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Our School of Jewish Studies (SJS) aims to instill our students with Jewish literacy, a sense of belonging to the Jewish people and encourages lifelong Jewish learning. If you have any friends or family who do not belong to a synagogue and are looking for their second Jewish home, please contact Charlie Sherman for more information. One must be a member of Am Yisrael to enroll their children in SJS and we are accepting new members. Contact Nancy Holab Nevins, our Executive Director for more information. 

Finally, please click here to access a document with QR codes to (1) our website, (2) SJS info, (3) social programming for our youth and for (4) membership inquiries.
Am Yisrael Youth Data Form

Please click here to access our data form for Am Yisrael Youth. This form collects the following information: emergency contact, pick up authorization, allergies and IEPs and 504 forms. If you filled out a similar form last year and nothing has changed you do not have to fill it out this year. Last year's form did not include allergies, IEPs and 504 forms, so please fill out this form if you need to add this information.
Torah Tots with a Twist - Friday, September 1st at 5:45

Bring your friends – everyone is welcome!

Friday, September 1 – Services starting at 5:45 p.m
Led by Rabbi Newman Kamin and Mr. Charlie Sherman. We will have an engaging half hour service, story and pizza dinner. 
Please click here to register for this program.

This program is made possible by a grant from jBaby Chicago, a program of the Jewish United Fund. 

Our children are essential to our congregation’s present and future. We cherish the opportunity to teach each student who joins our community. We value our teachers and teens equally as much. If you are a returning family, please complete the online forms as soon as possible so we can order the correct amount of materials for each class. If you know of a family who does not currently belong to a synagogue looking for a new Jewish home, please be in touch with us. Mr. Sherman’s calendar is updated weekly. Please click on the Calendly link to sign up for a time to learn more about SJS, programming opportunities for families with young children and/or our AMUSY Youth Chapter.
School of Jewish Studies (SJS), Featured Family Programs, Family Shabbat & Youth Chapter Updated Webpages

Click here for the detailed SJS, Family & Youth Programming Google Sheet Calendar updated 8-30-2023

Click here to access the Learning Page updated 8-1-23

Click here to access the Featured Family Programs updated 8-1-23

Click here to access Family Shabbat Services updated 7-23-23

Click here to access the Am Yisrael Youth Chapter updated 7-31-23
Save the Date information for each SJS Class

Please click here to access the information you will need for each SJS Class. Information includes Brunch and Family Ed with Rabbi Newman Kamin, Family Shabbat Services and so much more.

Update: Families with Young Children

We continue to collaborate with the JUF Young Families Division, PJ Library Ambassadors/Connectors as part of our grant with jBaby Chicago. We look forward to seeing you all very soon. 

Shabbat Service with pizza dinner on September 1 at 5:45 p.m. on your calendars.

Mr. Sherman continues to follow-up individually with families in the congregation who have young children. We continue to grow our school and would love to have you or your friend/family who is unaffiliated and/or looking for a new spiritual home.
Click here to open to all the wonderful CHUSY Chaverim, Gesher and USY Activities
Selichot Services & more. Please click here to access:

(1) Selichot Sunrise Service
(2) Sukkot and Simchat Torah Lulav/Etrog/Schach Order Form and Events
(3) Steak in the Sukkah
(4) Tzedakah Collection Totals
(5) Cantor Rosenblatt’s Spotify Lists
(6) Links to access Musical SJS Tefillah + Prayers for B'nai Mitzvah & Beyond
(7) Torah from our friends at Hadar
(8) Link to the Exploring Judaism website
(9) Music from our friend Rabbi Josh Warshawsky

,תּוֹדָה רַבָּה וְשַׁבָּת שָׁלוֹם


Thank you and Shabbat Shalom,

Charlie Sherman, MAEd, CJE
Head of School
Am Yisrael Conservative Congregation
4 Happ Road
Northfield, IL 60093
847-708-1805 (mobile)

Please click on the Calendly link to sign up for a time to connect.

SJS, Families with Young Children & Youth Programming Calendar (revised 8-30-2023): Click here

*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.