Rabbi Debra Newman Kamin came to Am Yisrael in 1990. In 1994 she became the Congregation’s sole Rabbi. At that time Am Yisrael became the first congregation in the Chicago metropolitan area to be headed by a woman, and for many years was the largest Conservative congregation in the country to have that distinction. Rabbi Newman Kamin provides keen intellectual and spiritual guidance to the congregation. She is a past President of the Rabbinical Assembly, the international membership Organization of Conservative Rabbis. Rabbi Newman Kamin serves on the Board of Masorti Olami, is co-chair of the Zioness Clergy Council and is a Hartman Fellow. Rabbi Newman Kamin is a recipient of the Jewish Theological Seminary’s Rabbi Simon Greenberg Rabbinic Achievement Award. Rabbi Newman Kamin is married, the mother of three adult children and the proud grandmother of two.
Rabbi Newman Kamin may be contacted at 847-446-7215 ext. 13 or rabbink@amyisrael.org.
Cantor Dara Sage Rosenblatt (she/her/hers) joined Am Yisrael in July 2023. Prior to moving to the Chicago area, she served as the cantor in Richmond, Virginia for five years. Cantor Rosenblatt aims to build strong relationships with others through music, song, and prayer. She helped establish a congregational band and song circle at her previous congregation, both bringing her great joy and pride. Along with leading davening, Cantor Rosenblatt loves to create new musical experiences through songwriting and creative experimentation. As a B’nai Mitzvah tutor she looks forward to getting to know each and every student and their family. Her love for all that she does often shows through the smile on her face. Cantor Rosenblatt is a member of the Cantors Assembly, Womens’ Cantors Network, and a Hebrew College Alumna. She currently serves on the Board of the Cantors Assembly and is a member of the LGBTQ+ Working Group subcommittee of the Conservative/Masorti Movement’s Social Justice Commission.
Cantor Rosenblatt is engaged to her partner, Jen, and a proud dog-parent of Emma The Coonhound.
Cantor Rosenblatt may be contacted at 847 446-7215 ext.15 or 847-529-1144 or cantordsr@amyisrael.org.
Judy Berkeley joined the Am Yisrael team as Executive Director in August of 2025. A lifelong advocate for Jewish life, Judy has spent her career nurturing and strengthening Jewish communities. Her work has spanned national and regional organizations such as the Jewish Federations of North America and the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago, to leadership roles in synagogues including Am Shalom, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, and most recently, B’nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim (BJBE). Judy brings deep, first-hand knowledge of synagogue life, along with a wide-ranging understanding of the Jewish communal landscape.
She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and holds dual Master’s degrees from the University of Southern California and Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, where she also received her honorary Doctorate of Divinity.
Judy was born and raised in Glencoe, where she has also lived as an adult with her husband and four children. When not at synagogue praying, singing and schmoozing, she can be found out and about in Glencoe with her family, friends, and most importantly, her two dogs.
Judy may be contacted at 847 446-7215 ext. 17 or 312 720-0045 or jberkeley@amyisrael.org
Charlie Sherman joined Am Yisrael in July 2010. A native of St. Louis Park, MN, Charlie’s passion for Judaism was ignited by his experiences at his synagogue, schools, Camp Ramah in Wisconsin, and trips to Israel. After completing his two bachelor’s degrees through the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) joint program with Columbia University, and a Master’s from the William Davidson School at JTS, Mr. Sherman began his career as a full-time Jewish Educator in 1998 at the Rodeph Sholom School in New York City. While in New York, he also served as Educational Director at Congregation Or Zarua. Prior to moving to Chicago, Mr. Sherman was the Jewish Studies Principal at Milwaukee Jewish Day School. Mr. Sherman is a 2025 recipient of the Or Zarua Award from the Jewish Educators Assembly (JEA) and a 2005 recipient of the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education for his work as a teacher, mentor, and leader. He is an active member of the JEA at both national and regional levels, and a proud alumnus of the Matan Institute for Education and Youth Directors and the Mandel Teacher Educator Institute (MTEI). Charlie and his wife, Laura, are the proud parents of Michael, Gabe, and Amelia.
Mr. Sherman can be contacted at 847-708-1805 (mobile), csherman@amyisrael.org, or 847-446-7215 ext. 12.
Cantor Stuart Simon, a truly gifted vocalist and musician, led prayers at Am Yisrael for 40 years. He transformed our services, integrating innovative contemporary sounds, instrumentation and familiar traditional nusach. During his cantorial career which spanned 48 years, Cantor Simon trained more than 1000 students and adults for their B’nai Mitzvah ceremonies. He continues to host a weekly Current Events class for our congregation. An avid gardener and bicyclist, Cantor Simon is married, the father of two sons and grandfather to two girls.
Nancy Holab Nevins joined the Am Yisrael staff in 1991 creating the role of Executive Director which she held for 34 years. Nancy has many achievements of which she is proud, including being instrumental in the construction of our school building, bringing in Banner Preschool as a tenant, successfully negotiating and maintaining a relationship with North Shore Center for the Performing Arts as our High Holiday home, navigating the congregation through covid, ensuring that Am Yisrael is a safe space, elevating regular Shabbat kiddushes, the annual Mishloach Manot project, overseeing two Torah writing projects, just to name a few. Nancy was an active participant in NAASE (North American Association of Synagogue Executives) serving on several committees and was involved in local professional groups, CASA and CASED. Nancy continues to handle the Shabbat kiddushes into her retirement and is happy to be able to spend time with the Am Yisrael community. Nancy and her husband, Marc, live in Highland Park and enjoy adventures with their dogs, Bailey and Murphy.
Am Yisrael’s administrative staff does an excellent job of managing the synagogue’s business affairs, office and building due to their skills, experience and dedication.
The administrative staff includes:
Supervised by Bryan Bogucki, our maintenance staff is comprised of dedicated and loyal employees. Their welcoming demeanor help make Am Yisrael warm and friendly.