Rabbi Samuel N. Gordon leads Sukkat Shalom after more than twenty-five years experience as a rabbi in the Chicago area. He was ordained at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1980 and received an MBA degree from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management. In 2005 he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity from HUC-JIR. He has been in the forefront of creating new models for Jewish family education and worship. He has devoted himself to the work of Outreach, creating innovative programs serving intermarried couples and families. In addition to his work in Outreach and Family Education, Rabbi Gordon has been widely recognized as a leader in Social Justice throughout our community and beyond. He also founded Rabbis for Obama, named by Ha'aretz, Israel's leading newspaper, as one of the 36 American Jews who helped shape the 2008 Presidential election. Contact Rabbi Gordon at samgordon@aol.com

Cantor Jason Kaufman received Cantorial investiture from the School of Sacred Music at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), in New York City, where he also received a Masters in Sacred Music in 2010. A native of Monsey, New York, Cantor Kaufman additionally holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from State University of New York, University at Fredonia, where he majored in voice and minored in Jewish Studies and was President of the SUNY Fredonia Hillel. After Cantorial investiture, Cantor Kaufman served as Interim Cantor of Touro Synagogue in New Orleans, where he co-led its 20th annual, nationally renowned Jazz Fest Shabbat service. During his tenure at HUC-JIR, Cantor Kaufman served numerous Reform and non-denominational communities and health care facilities as student Cantor. A strong supporter of inclusivity and equality, Cantor Kaufman served as Cantorial intern at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, NYC, the world’s largest GLBT synagogue. Prior to this, he served the numerous synagogues and day schools of the Victorian Union of Progressive Judaism in Melbourne, Australia. Actively involved in social justice initiatives during his cantorial studies, Cantor Kaufman biked across the State of Israel three times in support of the Israeli Movement for Progressive Judaism through their “Ride 4 Reform” and served on the leadership team for the HUC-JIR Soup Kitchen. Cantor Jason Kaufman is thrilled to be joining the Congregation Sukkat Shalom community! Contact Cantor Kaufman at jasonrkaufman@gmail.com

Judy Buckman is Executive Director of Sukkat Shalom. Her previous experience includes over a decade of administrative leadership in the Jewish community. Judy is a member of the National Association of Temple Administrators, the Chicago Association of Temple Administrators, and is a member of the Jewish Book Council. She brings with her tremendous organizational and people skills, as well as a strong financial background. Judy also provides Sukkat Shalom with its exceptional adult educational programming—consistently bringing in speakers and authors of the highest quality. Contact Judy Buckman at JJBuckman@aol.com

 Alissa Zuchman is a graduate of the Solomon Schechter High School in Skokie and the Jewish Theological Seminary (University of Judaism) in Los Angeles, where she earned her B.A. in Bible and Rabbinic Literature. Alissa also earned a B.S. degree in Political Science at the University of Illinois, and received her Master of Science in Educational Psychology/ Educational Administration from The University of Chicago. She has her Master Teacher certification from the Community Foundation for Jewish Education, and is a graduate of the Florence Melton Adult School. Alissa served as President of the Chicago Association of Temple Educators from 2001-2003 and was the Chairperson, Midwest Coalition for the Advancement in Jewish Education, from 1999-2001. In addition, Alissa has received the Women of the Year Award for 2010-11 from the National Association of Professional Women. Contact Alissa Zuchman at alissaz0921@gmail.com.

Amy Israel is the Program Coordinator of Sukkat Shalom. She graduated from the University of Illinois with a major in marketing. Her previous position as a Purchasing Agent with Walgreens Corporate gives her the organization, computer knowledge, creativity, and strong people skills needed to be successful at this position. Amy was also instrumental in creating a workshop for the Jewish Book Council held in Los Angeles, California. Amy is grateful to be a part of this wonderful and dynamic congregation.
Contact Amy Israel at ABucky1@aol.com