Osnat Strulov Shlain Executive Director
Osnat leads all aspects of synagogue life, from day-to-day to strategic planning and everything in between.
Born and raised in Israel, Osnat and her family moved to Berkeley, California in 2013 and later to Chicago in 2019 for her husband's academic career.
Osnat brings a unique combination of nonprofit management experience from the educational sector combined with experience working with Jewish organizations and a deep profound knowledge and passion for modern Jewish life.
Osnat lives in Hyde Park with her husband, three children, a dog, and a rescue cat. When not at the synagogue, Osnat is usually in the Hyde Park Arts Center creating with ceramics, volunteering at the Lab school and neighborhood events, or walking around the neighborhood with her children and dog exploring the parks, arts, and restaurant offerings.
"As the Executive Director of KAM Isaiah Israel, I'm honored to work daily in a place I deeply love. When my family moved to Chicago, we joined Shabbat in the park, and found a true "Kehilah"—a community where everyone feels at home, safe, and valued. As an Israeli immigrant and mother of three, I understand the challenges of maintaining a strong Jewish identity. KAM Isaiah Israel offers a warm, inclusive space where all, regardless of how "Jew-ish" they feel, can connect and belong. Our synagogue has evolved into a community hub, fulfilling religious, spiritual, and social needs while fostering Tikkun Olam. My vision is to make KAM Isaiah Israel a vibrant center for Jewish life, where our beautiful building thrives with art, celebrations, and Torah.
Come visit us! We welcome new faces and value your unique perspectives.
L'Shalom,
Osnat
Born and raised in Chicago, Deanna returned recently with her family from Los Angeles, where she served as the Director of Jewish Innovation at the Silverlake Independent Jewish Community Center. During her tenure, she built an alternative religious school, expanded curriculum for multiple ages, developed the b'nai mitzvah program, increasing enrollment by 300% over 6 years. Deanna managed a staff of 15 part-time teachers and organized weekly adult learning seminars, and created new programming. After leaving this position, Deanna created Pop Up Shul, a Jewish exploration initiative for musicians, artists, and philosophers, encouraging a fun and meaningful connection to Judaism. There she led Shabbat services, High Holiday services for hundreds of people, officiated weddings, bnai mitzvah, and more for mostly unaffiliated and interfaith families.
An accomplished writer, performer, and Jewish educator, Deanna brings a wealth of experience from her roles as a mentor with Hebrew Helpers, a cantorial soloist, a DreamLab fellow, a Storahtelling Maven, an ROI member, a Honeymoon Israel educator, and the founding Director of Performing Arts at Camp Ramah in Northern California. She wrote three award-winning novels and a children's book about national parks, and was recognized as a New Ground Changemaker grant recipient for her work fostering relationships between Jews and Muslims. Fluent in Hebrew, Deanna is excited to leverage her innovative approaches to education and her passion for networking, the arts, and nature in her new role.
Jacob Perkins
Office Assistant
Jacob is a second year Master of Divinity (MDiv) student at the University of Chicago Divinity School, pursuing ordination to the priesthood in The Episcopal Church. Additionally, Jacob studies medieval Spanish interreligious communities in al-Andalus, Mysticism, and Liturgy. Jacob cares deeply about building positive, mutually respectful relationships between Abrahamic faiths in a way that is genuine and celebrates differences.
Eva Griffin-Stolbach
Program Assistant
Eva is the program assistant for Shoresh. They are a life-long Hyde Parker, Lab graduate, and currently in school at UIC getting a Bachelor’s in Human Development and Learning with a focus on early childhood education and disability studies. In her free time, Eva likes to hang out with her dog (a goldendoodle named Rory), play ukulele, and geek out about their favorite TV shows. Eva comes from a Jewish-Catholic interfaith family and grew up in a renewal congregation, and is excited to bring that experience to KAMII.
James has been with our temple for almost a decade and is a wearer-of-many-hats while also helping all functions of each departments for everyday needs, whether it be for Shabbat services or daily activities.
Olga Pérez
Olga has been one of KAMII's long-standing staff members, and always looks forward to the High Holy Days as she is able to see and connect with all of the KAM Isaiah Israel community.
She is always eager to meet new people and help in any way that she can. Outside of work, Olga enjoys reading and walking and the best parts that Chicago has to offer. Beloved mother and grandmother to many, she also enjoys traveling back home to Guatemala as much as she is able.
John Sefner
Building Supervisor
John enjoys his role at KAM Isaiah Israel as the all-around 'go- to' for any and all maintenance requests that come his way and is very engaged with all tenants in the building for any needs that may arise.
Additionally, John is a great asset for vendor management as a contractor liaison for all construction-related activities.
A long-playing bassist and a recent newlywed, John enjoys spending his time with his wife and daughter and their cats- watching all of the hockey games they can, trying the latest restaurants in Hyde Park, and especially going fishing when weather permits.
Tue, October 22 2024
20 Tishrei 5785
Plant Your Roots with Jewish Education
The roots our learners plant at KAM Isaiah Israel will lead them to be adults who live meaningful Jewish lives.
