Rabbi Zedek has been a spiritual leader at Emanuel Congregation since 2004. Previously he was the chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati (JFC). During his tenure, the Federation received national awards for innovative fundraising and programming. Prior to his service at the JFC, Rabbi Zedek was the senior rabbi of Temple B’nai Jehudah in Kansas City, Missouri where he served for many years. A dedicated community activist, scholar, and teacher Rabbi Zedek has received numerous awards including a Fulbright-Hays Grant. He was aslo honored by the National Conference of Christian and Jews.

Cantor Friedman has been at Emanuel for twenty plus 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.