When Jacob Leizman was enrolled at New York City’s Hunter College, he was studying political science until he got a request to teach fourth grade at his synagogue’s Sunday school. Soon there was greater activism in the local Jewish community ultimately leading to a new career path.
“I thought if I could do this for the rest of my life and being a part of the Jewish community with learning and teaching, I was going to try and do that,” Leizman recalled.
Intrigued by the possibilities of what becoming a member of the clergy could lead to, Leizman studied for five years and following jobs while he was in school, he was hired as the new assistant rabbi at Glencoe’s North Shore Congregation Israel.
“North Shore Congregation Israel is truly blessed to have Rabbi Leizman as the newest member of our clergy team,” NSCI Senior Rabbi Wendi Geffen wrote in an email. “In addition to being passionate about Judaism and notably intelligent, he is warm, humble and kind. Rabbi Leizman is principled, an excellent listener, curious by nature, and has proven to be a wonderful collaborator and partner already. Most importantly, Rabbi Leizman is a mensch. We all feel so lucky to be able to call him our colleague and are excited to see everything he brings to our NSCI family and the larger community.”
Leizman started working at NSCI on July 1 with his specific roles include working with the youth and family community and directing social action projects known as Tikkun Olam, where he works with many lay leaders of the synagogue.
Specifically, NSCI is about to sponsor a refugee family into Rogers Park with the assistance of Refugee One, a Chicago-based resettlement organization.
“There is a whole host of things at any period of time,” Leizman said in an interview ahead of a formal installation ceremony held on Oct. 27.
In September, Leizman participated in High Holiday services at NSCI’s large sanctuary that sees over 1,500 attendees.
“It my first time in this community with the building totally full,” he said. “It was inspiring.”
One part of the job he likes is providing pastoral care to the congregants.
“I enjoy being a support in good times and hard times,” he said.
As for the challenges, Leizman notes there is no shortage of need, “It takes a lot of energy to always want to be there for people.”
Leizman acknowledges an evolution in the role for the modern rabbi.
“People have very specific needs,” he said. “A few decades ago, synagogues may have been able to give fewer programs or kinds of classes but right now we are doing our best to meet people where they are and that requires many different types of programs. It is a lot of work.”
The job of Leizman and many rabbis has changed since the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack in Israel and the ongoing hostilities in Gaza.
“It is part of the job to support the community,” he said. “Our people are walking around with heavy hearts and part of being a rabbi is to be there for them. The main goal is to support the community.”
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Leizman joined NSCI almost a year to the day following the July 4, 2022 mass shooting in Highland Park where Jacquelyn “Jacki” Sundheim, a NSCI lifelong congregant and longtime staff member, died.
While he did not know her, Leizman says her memory is still part of the community.
Away from the synagogue, Leizman, 30, speaks of adjusting to life in the Chicago area, pointing out differences from New York such as wider streets and more parking.
“It is a little more accessible getting around,” he said.
He is getting to know the area with his wife, Rabbi Lily Goldstein who serves as the new assistant rabbi at Deerfield’s BJBE congregation.
The couple enjoys biking and playing board games at home with their dog, Saul as well as cooking together and checking out Chicago’s neighborhoods and restaurants.
Meanwhile, the son of two teachers is deepening his educational roots while connecting with his new congregation.
“There is so much in Jewish tradition to keep learning and growing,” Leizman noted. “I really fortunate to have this kind of job.”
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.