Your Neighborhood Synagogue No Matter Where You Live.
Worship at Emanuel takes place every Friday evening at 6:30pm in our Sanctuary and is also streamed live on our YouTube channel. On the second Friday of each month, we celebrate Share Shabbat—a special evening that begins with a community dinner at 6:00pm, followed by our Shabbat service.
February
Share Shabbat Dinner & Service
Friday, February 13th
A Note from Chef Mark:
"After the rush of the Holiday season, this month’s Share Shabbat is an invitation to pause and treat ourselves a bit. It’s a chance to feast on really delicious food, enjoy it together, and step back in gratitude for how much goodness we truly have.
This menu is about comfort, richness, and balance—familiar flavors prepared with care, alongside vibrant, nourishing accompaniments that remind us how lucky we are to gather around the table as a community.
I’m looking forward to sharing this meal with you—simple, generous, and deeply satisfying".
Emanuel Congregation Explores Redevelopment and Renewal
Emanuel Congregation has been part of the Edgewater community for over 70 years. As we look to the future, we are exploring ways to right-size our building and create a space that better reflects the needs of today’s congregation. Redevelopment could also open opportunities for housing or commercial use — ensuring Emanuel remains a vibrant, sustainable presence on the lakefront for generations to come.
As we continue to keep our congregation and community informed about the future of Emanuel, we are sharing updates from the early conceptual planning stage of our campus redevelopment. Our design charrette meeting was held last week, and materials from that meeting—including the presentation and a video recording—are now available to view. We are also sharing recent media coverage, including a new article from the Chicago Sun-Times and an earlier feature from Chicago YIMBY, which describe the ideas and stages currently being explored for our Sheridan Road campus.
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▶️ Design Charrette Presentation (PDF)
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🎥 Watch the Design Charrette Recording
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📰 Chicago Sun-Times: Coverage of Emanuel’s Planning Process
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🏗 Chicago YIMBY: Early Massing Concepts
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📰 Read the Block Club Chicago article.
Unpacking Torah in 2026
Join Cantor Shelly for thoughtful study and conversation as we explore some of the Torah’s most challenging and meaningful passages together.
Next Session Begins on February 22nd
⏰ Sundays, 10:05–11:00 am
📍 No Class : March 8, March 22, March 29, April 5
To join, contact Cantor Shelly at cantorfriedman@emanuelcong.org
Spend a magical Shabbat weekend of rest and renewal at OSRUI in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin! Our annual Women’s Retreat, held at our beloved summer camp Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute (about 2.5 hours from Chicago), takes place Friday, March 6 to Sunday, March 8, 2026. The program begins at 6:30 pm on Friday and concludes at 12:30 pm on Sunday—please let us know if you expect to arrive late.
Over the course of the weekend, you’ll connect with friends old and new while immersing yourself in study, song, and warm companionship.
Those who completed the early “Save Me a Room” RSVP in 2025 will receive a discount code to reflect their prepayment. Contact Noah at Info@emanuelcong.org to confirm if you qualify for this discount.
Questions? Contact Deb Porter at debporter27@gmail.com.
Rabbi Michael Zedek’s newest book, People Are Like…, is a delightful collection of stories that speak to readers of all ages. Written in his signature refreshing and humorous style, Rabbi Zedek—an internationally featured speaker and TEDx presenter—shares timeless life lessons that spark reflection and meaningful conversation for children and adults alike. Paired with whimsical illustrations, this slim volume invites us to notice the wisdom hidden in everyday moments and reminds us that, at any age, there is always room to grow.
Emanuel Congregation proudly celebrates our Rabbi Emeritus with a heartfelt yasher koach on this meaningful new work.
Welcome to JLaB Sunday School at Emanuel Congregation!
Shalom! I’m Joel Lewison, your Director of Lifelong Learning, and we’re thrilled to welcome families to another exciting year at JLaB.
Enrollment is open year-round, so it’s never too late to join our vibrant community of learners. Early registration helps us prepare for a smooth and engaging year for your children, but we happily accept students at any time throughout the term.
We can’t wait to share another year of learning, community, and joyful Jewish experiences with your family!
Our Voice in the World
On the floor of Congress, Senator Dick Durbin read from the Jewish clergy letter that JCUA wrote with RAC-IL — signed by more than 100 rabbis and cantors from across Illinois — and entered it into the Congressional Record.
Spotlight on Our Stars
at the 2025 Purim Carnival
Congratulations and big kudos to our amazing JLaB actors, Cantor Shelly Drucker Friedman, and Mandy Herlich for a successful performance at Bramble Theatre Company's first ever Purim Carnival.
Emanuel is very honored to have been a part of this community event.
Visit Connecting Edgewater for local services, events, and support programs.
A grant-funded program developed by congregants of Emanuel, Connecting Edgewater is open to the senior public of Edgewater, offering engaging activities, social gatherings, and meaningful opportunities to foster connection, combat isolation, and enrich the lives of older adults in the community.
