Caring Committees (New)

Learn About Anshe Emet Synagogues Caring Committees

The Caring Committee is comprised of five subcommittees that provide support throughout the life cycle. We are here to help whether it is preparing meals for the families of new babies, or people who are ill; being there to provide support and friendship to those who are isolated; or being on hand for rituals upon dying and helping members set up Shiva when they have experienced a loss. We are here to engage our communities, to help each other as needs arise, and to do so together.

Whether you want to help, or need services, contact us at caring@ansheemet.org.

The Torah teaches us that “All Jews are responsible for one another,” and the members who volunteer with the Chesed group take this teaching seriously.   For any member of our community in need, they are there. Whether in happy times, as with the birth of a child, or in the most difficult times of sickness and mourning, Chesed volunteers are there to support our community in any way they can. Three pillar programs are as follows:

  1. Cooking and delivering meals to families with newborns. If you are interested in cooking meals for families with new babies, please contact Jessica Bearak at jbearak18@gmail.com.
  2. Shiva Committee: Making Shiva calls and setting up homes for Shiva. Contact Diane Tesler at d.tesler@sbcglobal.net to learn more.
  3. Visiting sick children at Lurie Children’s Hospital and the Jewish elderly and The Self Help Home on a monthly basis.

Service group comprised of men and women who perform the pre-burial preparations of a Jewish body; Involves being informed when there is a need and you may participate based upon your availability. Volunteers should be 18 and older. Contact Barry Gross at bbgross39@gmail.com / 312-988-4010 or Merle Gross at merlekgross@gmail.com / 312-988-4010. Click here to learn more.

Join Our New Group: Family of Friends! Would you consider adopting/adding to your family a Bubby/Zaydie (grandparents) from the AES community? Are you a JBCer looking to enrich your Jewish life from the wisdom of our AES older Jewish adults/friends? Are you an older adult available to share your time and experience with the next generation? Please join our Family of Friends! Are you curious about AES Family of Friends? We need your help reaching the next generation – please join us. 

Please contact Chaim Tempesco at ctempesco@ansheemet.org / 773-868-5125.

Friedman Place is an assisted lifestyle community for blind and visually impaired adults and is currently at full occupancy with 83 residents. The residents range from age 20 – 90 with the mean being 60 years of age. The facility is managed by an amazing group of women. They have many wonderful volunteer opportunities and ways to get involved. Please feel free to read more about Friedman Place.

If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Beth Elman at beth@friedmanplace.org. To learn more, contact Anshe Emet member, Paulette Freed at paulettefreed@gmail.com.

Chesed Opportunities

Bikur Cholim: Visiting the sick

Involves being informed when there is a need and you may participate based upon your availability.

18 and older

Contact Julie Ann Sklaver for more information.

New Baby Meals

Cook a meal when a new baby is born; As often as you’d prefer.

Contact Jessica Bearak for more information.

Self Help Home

Various opportunities; as often as you’d prefer. 908 W. Argyle St., Chicago, IL 60640.

All ages.

Contact Paulette Freed for more information.

Friedman Place

Various opportunities; As often as you’d prefer. 5527 N. Maplewood, Chicago, IL 60625.

Age 16 and older, unless accompanied by an adult.

Contact Beth Elman for more information.

Chevra Kadisha

Service group comprised of men and women who perform the pre-burial preparations of a Jewish body; Involves being informed when there is a need and you may participate based upon your availability.

18 and older.

Contact Barry Gross (phone – 312-988-4010) or Merle Gross (phone – 312-988-4010) for more information.

Shiva Committee

Help prepare homes for Shiva,
help serve food at Shiva, cook a
meal for the immediate family; Involves being available upon short notice.

16 and older.

Contact Dianne Tesler for more information.

For Support with a Personal Affliction, or that of a Loved One, We Are Here to Help.

For clergy consultation
contact Chaim Tempesco at
ctempesco@ansheemet.org / 773.868.5125