Along with turning the page on a new year, the following clergy are taking on brand new roles at congregations in the Windy City and suburbs. Most are newcomers to Chicago, and all are thrilled to embark on new challenges within the community. We asked each of them to answer this question:
"As you start your new journey in the new year, what are you most looking forward to?"
Here's what they said:
Rabbi Max Antman
New gig: Assistant Rabbi
New home: Temple Sholom of Chicago
Roots: Evanston native
Ordination: Hebrew Union College (Los Angeles campus), 2024
Noteworthy: I learned how to drive stick shift before automatic.
Quoteworthy: "I'm thrilled to be back home in the Chicagoland Jewish community. This coming year, I'm excited to deepen my work in all areas of Temple Sholom and specifically continue building a vibrant and thriving young adult Jewish community."
--
Cantor Stefanie Greene
New gig: Cantor
New home: Temple Beth-El in Northbrook
Roots: Highland Park native
Ordination: Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion, 2022
Noteworthy: She was in high school musicals with Rachel Brosnahan (of
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
fame) growing up!
Quoteworthy: "I'm looking forward to sharing new music and prayer experiences, building relationships, and collaborating with incredible lay leaders, clergy, and professional colleagues at Temple Beth-El and in the greater Chicagoland Jewish community."
--
Rabbi Jonathan Hecht
New gig: Interim Senior Rabbi
New home: Congregation B'nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim (BJBE) in Deerfield
Roots: Long Island native, then Albany and New York City
Ordination: Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, 1987
Noteworthy: Met his wife, Gladys Rosenblum, at Israeli Folk Dancing in New York City.
Quoteworthy: "I am most looking forward to building strong connections to the many wonderful members of BJBE and throughout the Jewish community. I love people and hope that I make many friends here! I also love teaching and am looking forward to sharing my love of Torah, Talmud, and Jewish history, in the many courses that we offer at BJBE."
--
Rabbi Jacki Honig
New gig: Assistant Rabbi
New home: Congregation Beth Shalom in Northbrook
Roots: Las Vegas native
Ordination: American Jewish University's Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, 2025
Noteworthy: In the last 10 years, has visited 23 zoos in 15 states and Israel
Quoteworthy: "I am so excited to get to know all the members of Congregation Beth Shalom. It is such a lovely community, and I cannot wait to get to know everyone-both who they have been and who they are working to be in this new year."
--
Rabbi Schachar Orenstein
New gig: Rabbi
New home: Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue in Wheeling
Roots: Born in Ramat Gan, Israel, raised in Canada
Ordination: Yeshivat Noam Hatorah and Mercaz Hatalmud Rabbinical Seminary in Montreal, 2001
Noteworthy: Helped to organize a Jewish solidarity tree-planting trip to the indigenous Atikamekw community of Wemotaci after a devastating forest fire.
Quoteworthy: "I'm most looking forward to deepening relationships-with individuals, with community, and with the sacred. I'm excited to help cultivate a space where people feel spiritually nourished, creatively engaged, and supported in their journeys. The High Holidays are a powerful time for renewal, and I feel energized by the opportunity to bring fresh ideas, music and practices that honor tradition while making space for transformation."
*Started in January.
--
Rabbi Allison Peiser
New gig: Education Director
New home: Congregation Beth Shalom in Naperville
Roots: Dallas native, grew up in Los Angeles
Ordination: Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, 2010
Noteworthy: Born in Dallas, grew up in Los Angeles, went to school in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Israel, worked in Colorado, and lived in Massachusetts for 13 years. Prior to this job, the Midwest is the only place she hasn't lived!
Quoteworthy: "In addition to beginning a new role and the start of a new year, I am looking forward to the start of the school year, when students will be in the building and I will experience all aspects of the vibrancy of this community."
--
Cantor Josh Rosenberg
New gig: Cantor/ Hazzan Sheini
New home: Anshe Emet Synagogue in Chicago
Roots: Boston native, but grew up in Bethesda
Ordination: Cantorial Investiture with Cantors Assembly program, member of the Cantors' Assembly, 2022
Noteworthy: I got kicked out of Hebrew school at age 10!
Quoteworthy: "I am most looking forward to using my voice, both musical and spiritual, to lift up others' voices at every age and stage. Especially in these difficult times, it will be a privilege to serve this community on the Jewish journey ahead."
--
Cantor Rosalie Will
New gig: Cantor
New home: Chicago Sinai Congregation in Chicago
Roots: Hyde Park native, grew up in Northern California and St. Louis, Mo.
Ordination: Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music of the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, 200
Noteworthy: She produced the Hava Nashira Songleader Conference at OSRUI, started by Debbie Friedman and Cantor Jeff Klepper.
Quoteworthy: "I am looking forward to taking the rich musical history and commitment to the arts of this congregation and deepening its impact on all parts of the community, as well as creating more opportunities for music to infuse the life of the congregation and the downtown Chicago area. I am also thrilled to be part of a dynamic, creative, forward thinking and compassionate clergy and staff team."
--
Cantor Ross Wolman
New gig: Cantor
New home: North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe
Roots: Lancaster, Penn.
Ordination: Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, 2007
Noteworthy: He was born on Feb.29, a fun and unusual birthday that helps to "keep me young."
Quoteworthy: "I am eager to get to know the families at North Shore Congregation Israel and make connections for me-as well as for my wife Malka and our three children. Our twins, Aviv & Bina, will become b'nei mitzvah here in February!"
