Announcing Our New Executive Director and High Holy Task Force

Shalom,

As promised during Shabbat services this weekend, we are pleased to share two important updates and introductions.

Sarabeth Salzman, Executive Director After working in non-profit management within the Jewish community for over 14 years, Sarabeth is excited to rejoin Emanuel Congregation! Her educational background includes a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Michigan, with a graduate certificate in Jewish Communal Service (Sol Drachler Program). Since living in Chicago, she has worked at Emanuel Congregation, Temple Jeremiah and as a year-round staff member with Beber Camp. (Her oldest son, age 10, was a little too happy to learn she would no longer be at camp with them in the summer. She is only "slightly" offended.) In her free time she volunteers with her kids' school, and served on the Board of Directors at Temple Jeremiah and as co-chair of their Mental Health Initiative. Sarabeth is excited to continue her career in Jewish communal service with a community she has always held close to her heart.

Sarabeth will start on July 13, 2020, and will lead our professional team including Mandy Herlich, Nicole Tuthill and Lorraine Fogarty.

High Holy Days Task Force As we assessed the impact of COVID-19 on our worship experience and the health and safety of our congregation this spring, we realized that we needed to assemble a High Holy Day Task Force to begin planning for the fall holidays. We asked David Rakofsky to chair the task force and the group began meeting 6 weeks ago to investigate and brainstorm how to make services accessible and safe for all members.

Working closely with our clergy, the HHD Task Force is planning first and foremost for an elevated digital experience that will include both taped and live elements. We do not currently see a path that will allow us to gather safely indoors as a full community on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. The team includes experts in technology, accessibility, liturgy and our Emanuel traditions. We are also brainstorming ways to use our outdoor space for small gatherings during the month of Elul.

Look for more details this week and please send questions or concerns about our High Holy Day planning to Leah Jones leah@emanuelcong.org.

Best wishes, Leah Jones