2026 Visionaries of Anshe Emet

Sunday, May 3, 2026 

Reception • 4PM | Ceremony • 5PM

This year’s Visionaries of Anshe Emet celebration carries special meaning as we gather under the theme M’Chayil L’Chayil (From Strength to Strength). For the first time, the Rabbi Michael S. Siegel Visionary Award, established to honor members of our community whose work reflects inspiration and innovation in service of the broader world, will be presented to Rabbi Siegel himself as we mark his retirement and honor a lifetime of visionary leadership at Anshe Emet. 

We hope you will join us on May 3, 2026, at 4:00 pm at Anshe Emet Synagogue for The Visionaries of Anshe Emet celebration, as we honor Rabbi Siegel’s distinguished rabbinate and lasting impact. This historic evening will reflect on a lifetime of service that has strengthened our congregation, enriched Jewish life in Chicago, and influenced the broader Jewish world. 

A portion of the proceeds from the celebration will support The Rabbi Michael S. Siegel Israel Fund which supports youth trips to Israel. 

We hope you can join us at Anshe Emet Synagogue for
“The Visionaries of Anshe Emet” celebration. 

If the cost of tickets is prohibitive in any way, please contact Mimi Weisberg
to make financial arrangements.

Parking in the Anshe Emet Lot is reserved for Sponsors and those with Handicap Placards only. 

Childcare is available for children
18 months and older from 3:30PM – 7PM.

Our Visionaries livestream will be closed captioned.

A sensory-friendly room with a livestream of our Visionaries service
will also be available
to those celebrating with us in person.

Individual Tickets

General Tickets: $180

Sponsorship and Contribution Opportunities

In addition to the Visionaries of Anshe Emet event on May 3, 2026, sponsorship premiums include admission to the Congregational Community Shabbat Dinner on March 20 featuring guest speaker Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee.

Visionaries Leadership Council

Stephen Durchslag
Arthur Friedson & Nancy Kohn
Jay & Karen Goodgold
Barry & Merle Gross
Harold Hirshman & Lorie Chaiten
Richard & Joan Kohn
Danielle Lazar, DrPH & Jay Lazar
Michael & Paula Perlstein
Steve Silk & Linda Weil
Susan & Michael Weininger  

The Visionaries Committee 

Sam & Steve Schwartz-Fenwick
Barbara Bernstein & David Medow
Amy & Marc Gould
Katie & Evan Schaffer
Lynne & Ralph Schatz
Emily & Brandon Pevnick
Mimi Wallk
Deborah & Matthew Brown 

Clergy Tribute Committee

Cantor Rachel Brook & Brian Abrahams
Rabbi D’ror Chankin-Gould & Cantor David Berger
Rabbi Benjy Forester & Emily Schwartz
Cantor Josh Rosenberg & Rabbi Vanessa Harper
Hazzan Alberto & Deborah Mizrahi

Honorary Committee

Ner Tamid  

Lindy Hirschsohn & Chris Coetzee
The Diamond and Schwartz Families
Judy & Bill Goldberg
Judy & William Goldberg 
Carlen & Robert Katz

Lev HaKehillah

Lorie Chaiten & Harold Hirshman
Betsy Gidwitz
The Kahn Family 
David Katz in memory of his beloved parents
Robert Sabath Katz and Barbara Koretz Katz  
Laura and Sam Pollack

Kol Shalom  

Jessica & Joshua Malkin 
Joan and Avi Porat
Hilary & Sam Sallerson
Leslie Markman Stern & Phillip Stern
Lawrence Wolin 

Keter HaChayil

Elaine Cizner
Steven Mayer and Carole Schecter 
David Medow and Barbara Bernstein  
Lynne and Ralph Schatz 
Andrea Yablon

Or HaChayil 

Anonymous 
Helen & Michael Arkes
Jennie Berkson & David Edelstein 
Gabriella Boros & Eric Bergson
Deborah & Matthew Brown
Carrie Campion & Aaron Zaretsky
Susan Chaplik
Susie Spier Chapman & Terry Chapman
Edith and Gerald Falk 
Zehava & William Frankel
Andrea Fink & Casey Hoogstraten
Barbara Gressel & Gary Wigoda
Andrea & Richard Grostern
Joy Horwich
Judi & Dan Kelly
Laura Richman & David Cholst
Marjorie & Robert Rosenbaum  
Sarah & Nat Sager
Katie and Evan Schaffer 
Elaine & Barry Seeskin
Jessica Sicsu & Baltazar Vallenilla   
Judy & Howard Tullman
Penny & Seymour Turner
Mimi Wallk  
Linda Weil & Steven Silk 

Netiv HaChayil

Anonymous
Cheryl Anderman 
Irene and Brian Caminer 
Elliot Cohen 
Reni Dickman 
Arthur Elstein 
Stuart Fagan 
Boni Fine 
Susan Jarvis Goldstein
Arnold & Judith Horwich
Paula Kahn  
Ellen Tree Kuberski 
Jules Laser
Jay Lewkowitz
Dr. Martin & Chava Mozes
Neil & Adrienne Schwartz     
Sam and Steve Schwartz Fenwick 


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