Or Chadash

Or Chadash, previously named Am Keshet, is Temple Sholom’s community group built to support and embrace the ever-growing community of LGBTQ+ Reform Jews in Chicagoland. Am Keshetgrew into its current iteration when Congregation Or Chadash (New Light), founded more than 40 years ago as a Jewish resource for the LGBTQ+ community, combined its membership with Temple Sholom.    As a distinct congregation, Or Chadash was known as a vibrant community providing a full calendar of religious services, observance of life cycle events, education programs, and social activities. In 2006 it was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame. Upon its merger with Temple Sholom and Am Keshet in 2016, Or Chadash brought a legacy and energy to the Temple Sholom community that upholds deep inclusivity and pride for our Jewish LGBTQ+ community.   As one of Temple Sholom’s community groups, Or Chadash creates a space for the LBGTQ+ community of both Temple Sholom and the greater Chicagoland area to worship, learn, and socialize. It is an inclusive, intergenerational space where all people can find their chavurah and develop bonds of friendship. Or Chadash serves as both our community of people and our community of practice, as Temple Sholom, with the help of Keshet, continues to commit ourselves to reinforcing inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community in all our synagogue spaces and practices.  

Join Or Chadash for

• Collaborative services between Temple Sholom clergy and Or Chadash lay leadership on the 1st Friday of every month beginning at 7:45 PM, in-person events usually include an option for a kosher-style catered Shabbat dinner beforehand.
• Annual Pride Shabbat and Am Keshet awards, where we honor leading members of the LGBTQ+ community, coinciding with Chicago’s Pride Parade
• Annual programs in partnership with other area synagogues and institutions, honoring historic markers for the LGBTQ+ community (like marching in the Pride Parade!)
• Social events where new friends and old have the opportunity to spend time together