At Congregation Ahavat Olam, all are welcome to participate in the intimate, nurturing, and vibrant Jewish congregational community that is committed to Torah, Avodah and G’milut Chasadim, as well as the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

OUR LEADER

Spiritual Leader: Rabbi-Cantor Nancy Diamond Landsman

Nancy Diamond Landsman is the Spiritual Leader of Congregation Ahavat Olam since its inception in August 2012.


Nancy began her rabbinic studies at the Hebrew Seminary for the Deaf and Hearing, and was ordained as a Rabbi by the Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute, in January, 2016.

 Nancy knows each member of the congregation well, is easily accessible, and always makes herself available for simchas and sorrows, providing compassionate support.  

Nancy began her cantorial career in 1979, with her first pulpit being Congregation B.J.B.E. (the congregation where she grew up), now located in Deerfield, IL. A graduate of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois in 1980, Nancy received her Bachelor of Science degree, with a major in Social Work and a minor in Music.

Nancy's passion for Jewish worship and music, thirst for learning, love of teaching and helping others, and contagious enthusiasm led her to her current rabbinic path and position of spiritual leader at Congregation Ahavat Olam.

Nancy comes from a musical family, where weekly family gatherings always included "show time. This was the beginning of her musical career. Her love for singing led her to perform in musical theater, opera, choirs, and eventually the Cantorate. Her cantorial studies have been with Hazzan Shlomo Shuster, the late world-renown composer, Max Janowski, and Hazzan Henry Rosenblum. Nancy has served both Conservative and Reform congregations in the Chicago area as well as Rockford, Illinois. Her voice has been heard on the radio and in concerts throughout the United States. Nancy is involved with several Cantorial organizations: Chicago Milwaukee Association of Synagogue Musicians (past Vice President), A.C.C./Guild of Temple Musicians, and Women's Cantors network.

Nancy is honored to be the sole Spiritual Leader of Congregation Ahavat Olam, where all are welcomed to participate in the intimate, nurturing, and vibrant congregational community that is committed to Torah, Avodah and G’milut Chasadim, as well as the Jewish people and the State of Israel.