Membership
Thank you for your interest in Congregation Or Shalom! We are a growing, yet intimate, Reform synagogue located in Vernon Hills, about two blocks west of Hawthorn Mall.
Choosing a spiritual home is an important decision and may be overwhelming at times. Or Shalom’s clergy and staff welcome the opportunity to meet with you to better understand what you are looking for in a congregation. Our education director looks forward to sharing information about our highly regarded, accredited religious school program. Please stop by to visit, or better yet, come celebrate Shabbat with us to get a feel for the warmth of our congregation.
We hope that you choose to become a part of our inclusive community, where we aim to provide a sense of belonging to all congregants, including interfaith families and people of different races and ethnicities, gender expressions, sexualities, and abilities. We are confident that you will find Or Shalom to be a place that is responsive to your needs and welcomes your ideas, a home that nurtures your spirit, and a community that imparts the beauty and values of Judaism.
Membership Benefits
With your generous self-directed terumah (gift), you have the opportunity to be a part of our Or Shalom Family and receive:
Support, spiritual guidance, and leadership from our clergy for your family's life-cycle events
Meet with clergy for pastoral care
Hold life-cycle events such as weddings and funerals in our sanctuary
Rent our spaces for other purposes such as meetings, meals, and parties
A spot for your child(ren) to attend our award-winning, innovative J2 (Jewish Journeys) religious school
Tickets for your households (one or two adults and children under 26) to attend our High Holy Days member services
Attend High Holy Days services at other synagogues in the United States or abroad via reciprocity
Purchase guest tickets for family or friends to attend services with you at a discounted price
Connections to our 400+ family community for support, socializing, and networking
Invitations to attend holiday celebrations, engaging adult and family programs, and educational opportunities to learn about our shared Jewish culture, history, and community
Receive our members-only publications such as our Weekly email newsletter and notes from our clergy
Travel with us on trips to Israel and other Jewish communities around the world
Attend members-only social events such as our Chavurah and small group programs
Use of our sanctuary and social hall for family events, including weddings, baby namings and your child's bar/bat mitzvah
Join us!
If you are interested in joining the Or Shalom Family, give us a call at 847-362-1948 or email our Communications and Engagement Coordinator, Claire Katz-Mariani at ckatz-mariani@orshalomlc.com, or our Programs & Engagement Specialist, Nancy Trudell at ntrudell@orshalomlc.com, to schedule a Zoom call or a tour.
For questions about our religious school, you may contact our Director of Lifelong Learning, Rabbi Sarah Rosenbaum Jones, at rabbisarah@orshalomlc.com.
