Congregational Cantor Michelle Drucker Friedman has been at Emanuel for over seventeen years. She teaches Hebrew, leads worship, and prepares students for their B'nai Mitzvah. She inspires all with her enthusiasm and love of Torah. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Syracuse University, and studied voice at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. She has studied Hazzanut with many of the luminaries in the field, most notaby Hazzan Henry Rosenblum and Hazzan Shlomo Schuster.  She is currently working on a Masters of Science in Jewish Studies from Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies, and has served as serving as Vice President of the Chicago/Milwaukee Association of Cantors.  She has been featured in many Cantorial concerts with in the Chicagoland area. E-mail Michelle Drucker Friedman: CantorFriedman@emanuelcong.org

Rabbi Michael Zedek went for bagels with Chicago Tribune reporter Kevin Pang, who  described the experience in an article published in the October 20 edition, reproduced here.
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Every Sunday morning from the time he was 2 until he was 12, Michael Zedek and his father would head to their Brooklyn neighborhood bagel shop. Much of his father's days were spent toiling in his auto mechanic shop, so time spent together was cherished. Zedek remembered a noisy orderliness to the bakery. As a child, excitement grew as their order number drew closer. He could still feel the warmth inside the shop, the steam from vats of boiling bagels radiating heat.  --more--

For a copy of Rabbi Michael Zedek's sermons for the High Holy Days, please click Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur.

Rabbi Emeritus Herman E. Schaalman has served Emanuel for more than fifty years. An internationally known leader of Reform Judaism, he is a respected member of the interdenominational religious leadership in Chicago. Beloved by the Congregation, he continues to strengthen and serve Emanuel through teaching, community involvement and participation in worship services. Rabbi Schaalman's interview in Faith in Conversation. 

Sara Beth Salzman is responsible for the business functions of the Emanuel office. Sara Beth graduated from the University of Michigan with a MSW, and served as a child advocate before becoming the Assistant Director of the Mandel Center for Excellence in Leadership at the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County. Her knowledge of non-profit management is an asset to Emanuel. She can be reached at sbsalzman@emanuelcong.org.

Alison Lewin, Director of Education, comes to Emanuel with over ten years of experience in Reform Jewish education. Previously she served as Director of Youth and Informal Education at Temple Chai in Long Grove, Illinois. She also spent several years on the staff of URJ camps, including Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute. Alison holds a Master's of Business Administration degree from Boston University, where she completed dual concentrations in "Public and Nonprofit Management" and "Strategy and Business Analysis." She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from the University of Illinois.   Email Alison Siegel at: alisonsiegel@emanuelcong.org

Ruth Seidner, Music Director, teaches music in the Religious School, leads our Junior Choir, assists in worship, and touches all with her song leading and spirit. E-mail Ruthie Seidner at RSeidner@emanuelcong.org.