5959 is a Jewishly-based cultural and community destination to serve Chicago with programming, speakers, panels, author events, and more. 5959 is based out of Emanuel Congregation Chicago in Edgewater, but builds partnerships around the city to help people find community and connection through events, talks, workshops, performing arts and other event offerings.

During World War II, the Emanuel Congregation Stitching Ladies (formerly known as the Sewing Ladies) sewed for the Red Cross. Today, they knit, crochet, and sew such items as baby blankets, lapghans, sweaters, hats, scarves, mittens, and shawls. These items are donated to local hospitals and social service agencies, among them St. Joseph’s Hospital Jesse Brown VA Hospital, Northwestern Hospital Women's Cancer Center, Care for Real, The Ark, and other social service agencies for their clients. We encourage knitters and crocheters to join us on Tuesday mornings from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm at Emanuel Congregation. We supply the yarn; you supply the working hands!

Emanuel Eeshas is an inclusive group of women* supporting the Emanuel Congregation community, as well as our own personal growth, through our shared Jewish values. As our group evolves, we look forward to more opportunities to get to know one another and grow this supportive community of women within our beloved congregation.

*Woman - At Emanuel, any womXn is welcome. This includes non-binary individuals and anyone who feels this our group speaks to them and their life.

Every Shabbat morning, a group from Emanuel comes together on Zoom to study Talmud.

NFTY is a movement that builds strong, welcoming, inspired communities through teen-powered engagement. Together, we pursue tikkun olam, personal growth, youth empowerment, and deep connections, all rooted in Reform Judaism. NFTY’s Chicago Area Region (NFTY-CAR) comprises the city of Chicago, the surrounding urban and suburban areas, and northwestern Indiana.

Emanuel Senior Temple Youth (ESTY), the high school aged youth group at Emanuel Congregation, is grounded in the values of our national youth organization, NFTY. Together, our students learn, play, and give back to their community. Among events held annually are barbecues, movie nights, and days out in downtown Chicago. Additionally, the youth group plans and executes the Purim Carnival each year.

Members of ESTY are very active in NFTY, sending large delegations to events multiple times a year.

Many high school students also choose to take classes and work in our religious school on Sunday mornings, though neither is a requirement for youth group participation.

The Men of Emanuel is an auxiliary organization of Emanuel Congregation. We exist specifically to serve the needs of the men of Emanuel and enable them to find ways to channel their special talents or experiences to help the entire congregation and each other.
We have events and perform services. We donate our time, talents, and resources to help Emanuel be a better place for all. The Brotherhood provides a forum for men alone and men with their partners to voice their concerns, opinions, and questions regarding issues that affect Emanuel, the Jewish community, and society at large.

MOE provides OSRUI camperships to Emanuel children. We also have contributed to Emanuel fundraising efforts. We present gifts to the Bnai Mitzvot and Confirmands during their simchot.

MOE's programming varies between fun activities and events of a more serious nature. Our activities include sponsoring the Emanuel Picnic. We run the Emanuel Second Night Seder. We also had a series of round table discussions that opened challenging topics to examination and debate. Examples of other past events include line dancing, karaoke, and attending Cubs games. We have, along with the WRJ, presented a couple great nights of Emanuel Stories.

In short, we have had a wonderful and meaningful history and are very proud of everything we have done and plan to do in the future.

An opportunity to socialize with other ECRS parents and learnsomething with Cantor Michelle Drucker Friedman.The Cantorwill customize each learning session based on the interests ofthose who attend.

EDGE is Emanuel Congregation's 20s/30s group. We have programming approximately once every 1-2 months throughout the year. We enjoy getting together for all kinds of activities, from dinner and drinks at local restaurants to special holiday parties and events at Emanuel in conjunction with the larger Emanuelite community.

Every Shabbat Morning, Rabbi Zedek teaches a class of Jewish study in memory of Rabbi Herman Schaalman.

Join others in discussing books that cover a variety of relevant topics surrounding social justice and Tikkun Olam. Contact the Emanuel office for more information or visit our Calendar page to search when the next meeting is scheduled, or check our Upcoming Events page.

New High School programming this year in collaboration withCongregation Hakafa.This programming is designed to help our9th-12th graders gain knowledge and skills as communityleaders while they grow into Jewish adulthood.

The mission of the Mitzvah Corps group in collaboration with JCUA is to embody the values of justice, compassion, and community within the Jewish tradition while actively working to dismantle housing disparities and promote equitable access to housing for all residents in your area. If you want to be part of the Mitzvah Corps please contact Joy at Joygetzenberg@sbcglobal.net.