We are a thriving Reform congregation located in the historic Hyde Park-Kenwood neighborhood, only seven miles south of downtown Chicago. Our diverse membership comes from all across the Chicago metro area. We welcome interfaith families and all those who seek an invigorating Jewish experience.
As the oldest Jewish congregation in the Midwest, we have been known throughout our history for our commitment to authentic and innovative Jewish music, quality education for adults and children, and social justice both at home and around the world. Today, we are also known as the beautiful Byzantine-inspired synagogue at Greenwood Avenue and Hyde Park Boulevard across the street from President Obama’s house.
Please join us at our weekly Friday night and Saturday morning Shabbat worship services , our Sunday morning lecture series or one of our many adult education classes. We invite and welcome everyone to enjoy our High Holiday services in our National Landmark sanctuary (see pictures below).
Security Update!
Now that our famous neighbor, President Barack Obama, and his family have moved to Washington, D.C., there are still a few security precautions around the synagogue.
Vehicular access is still limited to Greenwood Avenue at 50th Street, but cars are generally allowed through without impediment, although an officer may stop you to ask for your destination. Pedestrians may enter through 50th & Greenwood or Hyde Park Blvd.
As before, please be prepared to show a photo ID at all times. When the family is home, you may be required to open the trunk or hood of your car to check for explosive devices.
As always, we continue to provide a full schedule of programming, services and classes. Please browse our website to find our full breadth of offerings. We look forward to seeing you!
Also, next time you are in the building, take a look at the certificate of appreciation we received from the Secret Service. We join him in thanking everyone for their patience and good humor in the past year.
Have you forgotten to send in your membership renewal form?
Not to worry!
Just print out this form (click here), fill it out (both sides), and send it in to the office with your payment.
KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation 1100 E. Hyde Park Blvd. Chicago, IL 60615
Remember, you need to pay at least a quarter of your dues to receive High Holiday tickets.
KAMII welcomes our new Religious School Director, Jessica Hassid!
“I am delighted to join KAM Isaiah Israel as the new Religious School Director. I have already been warmly welcomed by the community and I am grateful to you all. I am looking forward to meeting each and every student and their families, and am eager for this school season to begin.Education is extremely important to me and I take pride in seeing my students learn and grow. My goals are to increase the student’s knowledge of Judaism and involve them in engaging classes to help them find their Jewish identity. I am involved with all things Jewish and I hope to pass on my love for Judaism to all students, so that they too will make Jewish culture and religion part of who they are.”
July 2009 - Rabbi Batsheva Appel initiated a new era of rabbinic leadership at KAM Isaiah Israel with her first Shabbat service as our Senior Rabbi on Friday, July 10, 2009.
Previously, Rabbi Appel served as the Director of Rabbinic Services for the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life where she had been the rabbi for more than 25 underserved congregations in an eight-state area.
KAM Isaiah Israel is proud to have Rabbi Appel follow in the tradition of the congregation's strong rabbinic leadership including Rabbis Jacob Weinstein, Simeon Maslin, Hayim Perelmuter and Arnold J. Wolf. Together their commitment to education and social justice inspired KAM Isaiah Israel to become one of the leading social action congregations in the country.
KAM Isaiah Israel hosts a wide variety of services for the High Holidays. They include a traditional service with a professional choir, a young families service, children's service and a service of healing and renewal.
Selichot ~ Preparation for Repentance, Saturday, September 4
7:30 p.m. - Selichot Program
8:30 p.m. - Dessert and Havdalah
9:00 p.m. - Selichot Service, led by Rabbi Appel and Cantor Eskenasy
Rosh Hashanah Services
Erev Rosh Hashanah (Wed., Sept. 8) Tickets are required for all services.
Evening Service - 8:00 PM Traditional service with a professional choir
Rosh Hashanah Morning (Thurs., Sept 9) Tickets are required for all services.
Young Children's Service - 9:15 AM
Morning Service - 10:00 AM Traditional service with a professional choir
Student Service - 10:00 AM
Tashlich with Rodfei Zedek Community at 51st St. Beach - 5:30 p.m.
Mincha and Ma'ariv Services at Rodfei Zedek (5200 S. Hyde Park Blvd.) - 6:30 p.m.
Rosh Hashanah Second Day (Fri., Sept 10) No ticket required.
Second Day Service - 10:00 AM Led by members of the congregation
by Rabbi Marla FeldmanDirector of Development, URJ Several months ago, I received a panicked email from our contact at the International Medical Corps, one of the URJ's grant recipients from...
by dcc I was recently asked by someone I very much respect to address "the" question. So I started to write the answer in a post...about five times without any luck....
by Arlene ChernowOutreach Specialist, Union for Reform Judaism Ah, the memories! The smells, the food, the cookies, the craft projects, the family decorating together, the company coming over to celebrate,...
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