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 Keshet grew 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

Upcoming Events

FridayFri, 2 JunJune, 2023

 

 

Congregational Pride Shabbat

Friday, Jun 2nd 6:15p to 7:30pJoin the Temple Sholom community to welcome in a special Pride Shabbat! This Shabbat is led by Or Chadash, open to all, and will celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.

MORE INFO

ThursdayThu, 15 JunJune, 2023

 

 

A Night at Eldorado: a Pride Event at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center

Thursday, Jun 15th 6:30p to 8:30pIn the early 20th century, Berlin was the center of LGBTQ+ life. The Eldorado was one of the most famous clubs and was frequented by both LGBTQ+ people and their allies, but was shut down 90 years ago, soon after the Nazi regime came to power. Join the Illinois Holocaust Museum, in partnership with OUTspoken!, for a celebration of LGBTQ+ life, in the spirit of the Eldorado and Weimar-era Berlin before the Nazis came to power. The evening will feature six Chicago LGBTQ+ Storytellers, music by DJ Stryfe, free signature cocktails, and food.

MORE INFO

SundaySun, 25 JunJune, 2023

 

 

March in the Chicago Pride Parade!

Sunday, Jun 25th 12:00p to 3:00pUnder the leadership of Keshet, join the many other Chicagoland congregations as we proudly march declaring that we are welcoming, inclusive, and one proud Chicagoland Jewish community. LGBTQ+ Pride is a Jewish value!

MORE INFO

MondayMon, 26 JunJune, 2023

 

 

Havdalah for Trans Resiliency & Night of Community Learning

Monday, Jun 26th 6:30p to 9:00pJoin us for a night of storytelling, poetry, good food, learning, and a Havdalah ritual to stand up against hate towards our transgender and non-binary siblings. This event will help us build solidarity between all who are allies of the LGBTQ+ community and those most affected by the numerous amount of anti-trans and anti-queer legislative attacks across the country. Together, we can affirm our belief that trans, non-binary, and gender expansive individuals are holy and deserve to live lives free of hatred, violence, and discrimination.

MORE INFO

Blog