Am Shalom – Reform Congregation in Glencoe, Illinois - Youth

At Am Shalom, we believe that our youth are a critical part of everything that we do! There are so many options available for youth of all ages. Browse through our events on the left and find something that interests you. 

We have many key focus areas - click on any of the following to learn more:

• 2nd-6th Grade Programming: Events for our 2nd - 6th graders!
• AShTY: Our High School Youth Group for 9th - 12th graders
• JAmSY: Our Youth Group for 7th and 8th graders
• Madrichim: Our Teacher's Aids for Religious and Hebrew School
• Youth Social Action: Different projects for the kids of Am Shalom to get involved with Tikkun Olam.
• Drop-In: Right before Hebrew School, when students can come in, buy food, hang with friends, and win contests!

"Like" our Facebook page, "Am Shalom Youth Programming" for all the latest information about upcoming events, photos of our youth in action, and Am Shalom happenings!

Our Youth Groups:

AShTY - Am Shalom Temple Youth, a NFTY-CAR (North American Federation of Temple Youth- Chicago Area Region)- affiliated high school group led by the youth, for the youth! AShTY-ites in grades 9 through 12 attend NFTY retreats with other Jewish teens from all over North America, create social action projects to fulfill their passions, explore their Jewish identities, form life-long friendships, and have a ton of fun. 

JAmSY - Junior Am Shalom Youth, an exciting, social group for Am Shalom's 7th and 8th graders. JAmSY-ites participate in fun events all over the Chicagoland area and are even invited to attend NFTY's JYG (Junior Youth Group) Kallah with other 7th and 8th graders from all over the midwest for a weekend in the winter!  

Gesher, meaning "bridge" in Hebrew, is Am Shalom's group for 5th and 6th graders, who are bridging into their teen years! Gesher kids nosh and schmooze at "drop-in" before Hebrew school, hang out at our awesome events all over Chicago and the North Shore, and form great friendships. 

Rishonim, meaning "the first" in Hebrew, is the beginning of each Am Shalom kid's amazing youth group journey! Rishonim 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders nosh and schmooze at "drop-in" before Hebrew school with Gesher kids, play and make friends at both our kid-only and family-oriented events, and have fun! 

Our Awesome Youth Programming Team:

Kadi House is our full time Youth Programming Advisor, Hebrew School Teacher, Sunday School substitute, and musician extraordinaire! She brings her charming personality, California spirit, and musical talents to our Youth Programming team. The kids have come to love her and her charming personality, and the great new ideas she brings to the team!

Rabbi Phyllis Sommer is Am Shalom's Director of Congregational Learning. Rabbi Phyllis is passionate about Jewish life and learning... and baking... and technology... and reading... and quilting... and posting regular (!) updates on Facebook... and pretty much everything! She spends part of every summer on faculty at Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute, where she also leads a well-attended spring quilting retreat for adults. Rabbi Phyllis and her husband, Rabbi Michael Sommer, are the proud and loving (if sometimes harried) parents of four amazing children - David, Samuel Asher z"l, sister Yael, and Solly.