What makes Am Yisrael different?
You need only come into our building to see. Founded in 1968 by Rabbi William Frankel and a devoted start up group of eighteen families, Am Yisrael is dedicated to being the liberal voice of the Conservative movement. When Rabbi Frankel retired in 1994, the congregation chose Rabbi Debra Newman Kamin, who was serving as Associate Rabbi, as the new rabbi. Am Yisrael was the first Conservative congregation in the Chicago metropolitan area to be headed by a woman, and at that time, the largest Conservative congregation in the country to have that distinction.
Both our founding and current Rabbis have been true visionaries. Rabbi Frankel created a congregation that resonated with values and ideals that are still relevant today. Rabbi Newman Kamin has added her own stamp to his vision, making Am Yisrael uniquely her own.
In Rabbi Newman Kamin’s words, “I would describe us as progressive traditionalists. We are committed to the Jewish tradition and are affiliated with the Conservative Movement, but we follow the Israeli calendar. We have adopted the triennial approach to Torah reading and we use musical instruments in our prayer services. Our services are focused and run for a reasonable length of time. All this enhances the beauty and attractiveness of our services and synagogue life in general.”
Am Yisrael is completely egalitarian and has been since its inception. We strive to be a congregation that includes all persons, embracing differences of marital status, family structure, sexual orientation, gender and its expression, age, mental and physical health and ability.
Music has always played an important role in our services and prayers. Cantor Emeritus Stuart Simon worked closely with Rabbi Newman Kamin to provide inspirational and joyous services that include musical instruments. When Cantor Simon retired in 2024, the congregation hired Cantor Dara Rosenblatt to be his successor. She brings vitality and energy to the bimah, along with new melodies and creative services. Am Yisrael is one of very few Conservative congregations in the country that have women in both clergy roles. We are proud to be trailblazers.
We hope you’ll explore our website and contact our staff directly if you have questions or want to learn more. We encourage you to attend any of our programs that interest you, or just stop in our building to say hello and get to know us.
Lovingly created by Rich Cohen, Eilene Isaacs, Jan and Jerry Loew, this video was made in honor of our 50th anniversary.