Our Clergy
Senior Rabbi
Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachmi, Ph.D.
Rabbi Rachel Sabath Beit-Halachmi is a visionary Jewish leader committed to building an inclusive, progressive, and spiritually vibrant congregation. She brings deep expertise in Jewish learning, pastoral care, and communal leadership, with a focus on ensuring that every person feels welcomed, valued, and connected at Emanuel. Her leadership is rooted in fostering meaningful spiritual growth and strengthening the bonds of community through Torah, tradition, and contemporary Jewish life.
Contact Rabbi Rachel Sabath at
RabbiSabath@emanuelcong.org or 773.561.5173, ext. 105
Cantor Emerita
Michelle Drucker Friedman
Cantor Friedman has been at Emanuel for over 30 years, and has served as Senior Clergy for the last 4 years! She teaches Hebrew, leads worship, and prepares students for their B-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 in the Chicagoland area.
Contact Cantor Friedman at
CantorFriedman@emanuelcong.org or 773.561.5173
Rabbi Emeritus
Michael Zedek
Rabbi Michael Zedek is Rabbi Emeritus of two great congregations: Temple B’nai Jehudah in greater Kansas City and Emanuel Congregation of Chicago. A dedicated community activist, scholar, and teacher, Rabbi Zedek has presented in venues around the world, including South Africa, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Israel, Poland, and Russia.
A regular presenter at Rancho La Puerta (the oldest and, perhaps, best known spirituality retreat center in North America), he currently serves as Rabbi-in-Residence at St. Paul School of Theology (United Methodist).
He has received numerous awards, including a Fulbright-Hays Grant and a Danforth Graduate Fellowship for outstanding teaching.