This post is part of a series highlighting the events and activities that took place from July 1 to July 6, 2025 at the FJMC Biennial Convention in Chicago, Illinois
Wednesday greetings from Sheraton Grand Riverwalk, the host venue for the 2025 FJMC Biennial Convention. Today was a busy day in Chicago; the FJMC Convention Registration desk officially opened, the full FJMC Executive Committee convened and video recording sessions from various Regional Ma’asim Tovim award honorees continued.
The second day of pre-convention and family programming began with a guided Bus Tour of “Jewish Chicago”. Chicago has a fascinating Jewish history, dating back to the late 1830s and early 1840s. The tour offered a unique glimpse into how Chicago’s Jewish population evolved across the city; we explored a multitude of neighborhoods on the north, west, and south sides of Chicago and learned about the synagogues, architecture, public art and businesses shaped by Chicago’s Jewish residents. Our tour included visits to the original site of Kehilat Anshei Ma’arav (KAM) in downtown Chicago, the first Synagogue in the State of Illinois, as well as a visit to their present synagogue home, the KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation in Hyde Park.
KAM began as a traditional Orthodox congregation in 1847, however by 1852 conflicts over issues of Reform vs. traditional observances led to creation of Congregation B’nai Sholom and in 1874, KAM became a founding member of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, (now known as URJ). Isaiah Temple was organized in 1895, with Temple Israel following in 1896. Finally, in 1906 Temple Israel merged with Congregation B’nai Sholom, and relocated to the South Side. In 1924, Isaiah Temple dedicated their brand new Hyde Park Building, and a month later merged with B’nai Sholom Temple Israel, taking the name Temple Isaiah Israel. In 1971, KAM and Temple Isaiah Israel merged to form K.A.M. Isaiah Israel Temple.
Our tour returned to the Chicago Riverwalk in time for the FJMC Executive Committee Planning Meeting as well as uplifting and participatory Ma’ariv services. Wednesday afternoon faded to evening and a Lake Michigan Dinner Cruise with great views of the Chicago waterfront plus fireworks from Navy Pier.
Looking ahead to tomorrow, Thursday’s action packed Convention agenda includes an early morning Architectural Boat tour of the Chicago River, official Convention opening ceremonies, Regional Caucuses, Keynote speakers and multiple breakout sessions, Ma’asim Tovim and Presidential awards and so much more. Until then, Layla Tov.
This message is brought to you by the Florida Region of FJMC International (FJMC). We are part of a confederation of over 200 Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods representing almost 20,000 members from across the United States, Canada, Latin America, and beyond. Learn more about how your Jewish Men’s Club or Brotherhood can affiliate with the FJMC at: https://www.fjmc.org/content/affiliating-fjmc.
The Florida Region of FJMC serves the needs of affiliated Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods throughout the State of Florida. Get to know more about the FJMC Florida Region and our growing network of Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods at www.floridaregionfjmc.org and please visit and LIKE our Florida Region FJMC Facebook Group at www.facebook.com/FloridaRegionFJMC.
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