Jewish Chicago Magazine

You may have spotted Benjy on the Wrigley Field jumbotron on Jewish American Heritage Night with a sign that read “Hit like Moses, party, like Miriam!” Or, perhaps you caught him dressed as Sven for a Frozen-themed Shabbat for young families. These moments reflect the rabbi’s belief that Jewish life should be joyful, meaningful, and accessible.
 
Since joining Anshe Emet Synagogue as an associate rabbi in 2023, Benjy has made a profound impact on members of the congregation at every age, including growing young adult and adult education opportunities. Passionate about teen engagement, Benjy has expanded the congregation’s youth and teen programming, creating Am Yisrael High, a teen education program for high school students, and he has deepened the congregation’s connections to teens at Bright Star Church.
 
As Rabbi Michael Siegel, Anshe Emet’s Rabbi Emeritus, put it: “Rabbi Forester has a love for all things Jewish and is an Ohev Yisrael—lover of Jews—in the deepest sense.”

Age: 32
 
Pronouns: he/him/his
 
Primary gig: Rabbi at Anshe Emet Synagogue
 
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I hope my Torah learning grows. I hope my relationships deepen. I hope my wonder widens. I hope my self-care and self-compassion expand. I hope my passport gets new stamps. I hope I find exciting ways to grow as a rabbi so I can continue to serve the community that I love.
 
A Jew who inspires you: Rachel Golberg-Polin
 
Something most people don’t know about you: I once went skydiving in Israel as a kavanah (spiritual intention) for the holiday of Sukkot.
 
Describe yourself in 10 words or less: Jew. Father. Husband. Rabbi. Friend. The Dude Abides.