Clergy Corner
writings & teachings by our Clergy
Rabbi Wendi Geffen

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Op-ed by Rabbi Wendi Geffen and Rabbi Shoshana Conover, “International women’s groups, leaders remained silent on Hamas’ violence for too long,” Chicago Tribune, December 10, 2023
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Structure of a Jewish Prayer Service, Rabbi Geffen video for BimBam
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Click here to explore articles on ReformJudaism.org by Rabbi Geffen
Rabbi Lisa Greene
INTERSECTIONS: RABBI GREENE’S BLOG
Click here for Rabbi Greene’s personal blog, which features reflections on times and places where kodesh (holy) and chol (ordinary) meet.
ADULT B'NEI MITZVAH
- “Wrestling with Torah and More on the Way to Adult B'nai Mitzvah,” ReformJudaism.org, May 17, 2018: On meaning-making in Adult B’nei Mitzvah, here at NSCI.
- “A Pandemic Journey to Torah”: The Forward: Rabbi Greene speaks to the unique challenge, experience, and power of creating an Adult B’nei Mitzvah service for our NSCI class of 2021 in the Large Sanctuary during the global Covid-19 pandemic.
- “Adult B’nei Mitzvah Mikvah Ritual”: Ritual created for the Adult B’nei Mitzvah class of 2025.
DIVORCE
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“What Do You Wear to Get Divorced?”: A personal reflection on creating meaningful Jewish ritual for divorce.
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“Making a Jewish Ritual for my Divorce,” ReformJudaism.org, June 18, 2024: Rabbi Greene describes creating a Jewish divorce ritual for herself.
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“Getting Ritual: Making Meaningful Jewish Moments,” ELI Talk, September 6, 2018: Rabbi Greene describes creating a Jewish divorce ritual for herself and invites us to consider creating Jewish ritual in our lives where there is none.
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“After My Divorce, Shabbat Dinner Looks a Whole Lot Different,” Kveller, December 4, 2017: Rabbi Greene reflects personally on changes in important Jewish rituals in her family.
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Click here to read other essays on divorce by Rabbi Greene
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH & RIGHTS
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“Tea with Sandra, Ruth, and Amy”: An imagined conversation with Supreme Court Justices on issues of real-life concern.
YIZKOR & MOURNING
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“You’re Invited to Remember,” ReformJudaism.org, May 10, 2024: On reinventing the Yizkor service here at NSCI.
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“Invited to Remember: An Alternative Yizkor Service,” MyJewishLearning.com, October 9, 2018: On reinventing the Yizkor service for meaningful practice today.
RITUAL & PRAYER
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“I’m sorry, it’s a SIMCHAH!,” MyJewishLearning.com, September 23, 2019: Rabbi Greene explains that a joyous Jewish occasion is a simchah – not a mitzvah, correcting an all too common mistake.
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“Putting Grandma to Bed,” MyJewishLearning.com, March 6, 2019: On reciting the bedtime Shema with a sick loved one.
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“When I Light Shabbat Candles,” MyJewishLearning.com, January 17, 2019: How lighting Shabbat candles connects us from generation to generation.
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“Fear, Faith, & A Friend,” MyJewishLearning.com, August 16, 2018: On the non-rational power of prayer, praying for an ill friend even when unsure of prayer’s impact.
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“An Acrostic Vidui For Our Time”: Acrostic confession for Yom Kippur 2024/5785.
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“The Fig: A Seder Symbol of Peace”: Poem for adding the fig to the 2024/5784 seder plate.
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“We Sit on the Chair Together”: A prayer for the new year, 5785.
FAMILY MEANING & TRADITION
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“Why You Should Leave Your Loved Ones A Record Of Your Legacy,” The Wisdom Daily, January 12, 2017: On ethical wills, what they are and why they are important for us to create!
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“Where’s My Knife?”: A reflection on cooking, memory, kindness, and recipes over the generations, as Rabbi Greene shares a sacred moment cooking with her mom whose memory was taken by Lewy Body Dementia.
TORAH
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“Torah Commentary: Balaam’s Talking Ass,” ReformJudaism.org (scroll down for Rabbi Greene’s commentary)
CAMP
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“Digging In the Dirt”: Teaching young campers about archeology at Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute.
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“From Fear … “: Learning from the fear of rock climbing with teenagers.
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“Make A Little Noise”: Teaching teens activism against gun violence.
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“Out of the Mud”: Jewish environmental responsibility, learned in the rain and mud.
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“What Does a Rabbi Do on a Canoe Trip?”: Sacred work on the river.
RABBI JACOB LEIZMAN

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Rabbi Leizman reflects on the value of Jewish travel: “Journeys–Outward and Inward,” Jewish Chicago Magazine, January/February 2025.
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The Chicago Tribune features Rabbi Leizman upon his appointment as NSCI’s new assistant rabbi. “Glencoe’s North Shore Congregation Israel welcomes new assistant rabbi,” Chicago Tribune, November 7, 2023.
CANTOR DAVID GOLDSTEIN

- Listen to songs and prayers, like the Sh'ma and Hinei Ma Tov, from Cantor Goldstein on Soundcloud, here.
- Learn about the love story that is the month of Elul by watching "Elul: A Love Story," Cantor Goldstein on YouTube.