Our Staff
Carlie Daniels, Acting Senior Rabbi
Rabbi Carlie Weisbrod Daniels is serving as Acting Senior Rabbi through June 2023, after six years with the congregation as Assistant Rabbi, Associate Rabbi and Director of Education and Lifelong Learning. She was born and raised in Rockledge, Florida, and graduated from the University of Florida in Gainesville, with a B.M. in Voice. She earned an M.A. in Hebrew Literature and Rabbinic Ordination at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Prior to attending HUC-JIR, Carlie worked for two years at the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center at Indiana University. During her years at the College-Institute, Carlie served as Student Rabbi at Temple Beth Shalom in Steubenville, OH, Rabbinic Intern at Jewish Home Lifecare in Manhattan, and also as the Rabbinic Intern at Congregation Emanu-El of the City of New York. Carlie most recently served as the Assistant Director of New Parent Engagement at the Jewish United Fund. Carlie met her husband, Ryan Daniels, during their first year in rabbinical school, and they currently live in Evanston, with their two daughters, Amalia and Cora. cdaniels@sukkatshalom.org
Allison Tick Brill, Rabbi
Rabbi Allison Tick Brill was ordained in 2014 by the Hebrew Union College and is a graduate of the University of Rochester, where she received a bachelor’s degree in clinical and social psychology. She served as assistant and associate rabbi at Temple Emanu-El in New York City. In addition to her pulpit responsibilities as one of three rabbis serving 2,200 families, she led Temple Emanu-El’s young professionals initiative and Muslim-Jewish Dialogue. Rabbi Tick Brill is a trained multifaith hospital chaplain and participated in New York Presbyterian's year-long pastoral care training program. Her thesis at HUC-JIR was on the evolving portrayal of Esther in Jewish tradition. Prior to ordination, Rabbi Tick Brill served rabbinic internships at B’nai Israel Synagogue in High Point, North Carolina; Temple Shaaray Tefila in Bedford, New York; North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe, Illinois; and East End Temple in Manhattan. Rabbi Tick Brill sees Judaism as a vibrant tradition that opens our hearts and minds to connection and meaning. She is passionate about Jewish learning and outreach. She grew up in Deerfield and now lives in Highland Park with her husband, David, and their children Melvin, Marjorie, and Eve. atickbrill@sukkatshalom.org
Kenneth Lyonswright, Director of Liturgical Music and Pastoral Care
Kenneth Lyonswright oversees sacred music and all musical programming and music education for the congregation as Director of Liturgical Music. Additionally, Kenneth serves as Director of Pastoral Care, providing support to the congregation as they move through life's joys and challenges. Kenneth also oversees the B'nai Mitzvah program for our 7th grade students. He joined the congregation in 2016 as Cantorial Soloist. Kenneth was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor’s of Music in Vocal Performance. Kenneth is a sought-after collaborator in the Chicago area, appearing in numerous productions and recording projects as a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist. Kenneth may be reached at klyonswright@sukkatshalom.org.
Samuel N. Gordon, Senior Rabbi Emeritus, Founding Rabbi
Rabbi Samuel N. Gordon led Sukkat Shalom for more than twenty-six years. He retired in June and is on sabbatical until July 2023, when he returns to the congregation in an emeritus role. Rabbi Gordon 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 served as Vice President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and as a member of the President’s Advisory Council of the Hebrew Union College, and a Senior Rabbinic Fellow of the Hartman Institute of Jerusalem. In 2013, President Barack Obama appointed Rabbi Gordon as a member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. 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. Contact Rabbi Gordon at sgordon@sukkatshalom.org.
Missy Bell, Director of Education
For the last five years, Missy Bell has served as Director of Education at Congregation BJBE in Deerfield, IL. Prior to moving to the Chicago area, she served at Temple Emanu-El in New York City. Missy has a Master of Arts in Jewish Education and a Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion. She holds multiple national leadership roles, serving on the board of the Reform Pension Board and as Vice-President for Finance of the Association of Reform Jewish Educators. Missy enjoys cooking, traveling, and watching football. Contact her at mbell@sukkatshalom.org.
Andrew Schultz, Executive Director
After a long career in publishing, Andrew Schultz began thinking about how to combine his experience in business with his interest in progressive Judaism and social justice. He is a Chicago native who spent his youth in St. Louis, where he was a member, bar mitzvah and confirmand at United Hebrew. He earned a B.A. in English and Political Science at Grinnell College, and a Masters of Management at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School. His previous experience includes diverse and senior roles at Meredith, Time Inc. and Random House. Most recently he was chief operating officer for Imagination Publishing, a content marketing agency in Chicago. He is a member of the Chicago Association of Synagogue Administrators and the National Association of Temple Administrators, where he serves on the Distance Learning Committee and was Education Co-Chair of the 2021 National Conference. Contact Andy at aschultz@sukkatshalom.org.
Judy Buckman, Executive Director Emerita
Judy Buckman is Executive Director Emerita of Sukkat Shalom. She served the temple in the role of its executive director for 20 years before retiring in 2017. During her tenure, she set the standard for operational excellence while creating and maintaining a warm and caring atmosphere. Her organizational and people skills, coupled with a strong financial background helped Sukkat Shalom grow and prosper to the vibrant and healthy community it is today. Judy was a member of the National Association of Temple Administrators, the Chicago Association of Synagogue Administrators, and is a member of the Jewish Book Council. In her emerita role Judy will continue to apply her exceptional experience and interest in adult educational programming for the congregation.
Contact Judy Buckman at jjbuckman@sukkatshalom.org
Alan Goodis, Music Specialist
Alan Goodis is a National touring Jewish musician. Born and raised in Toronto, Alan is a product of URJ Goldman Union Camp Institute. Noted for his dedication to building relationships and community through music, Alan travels throughout North America to serve as an Artist-In-Residence and performer at Temples, Youth Conventions, and Jewish summer camps. Alan is a strong presence in the Reform Jewish movement and works tirelessly to engage and empower Jewish youth and adults through music. Alan and his music have become a fixture at Congregations, URJ Camps and Youth events from coast to coast.
Kyle Weinstein, Administrative Assistant
Kyle Weinstein is Sukkat Shalom’s administrative assistant. It’s often her voice you hear when you call in, or her smile greeting you or your children when they come in for Hebrew School. Kyle received her BA from Tulane University, where she double majored in education and psychology. After college, she taught in the Chicago Public Schools for ten years before leaving to raise three children. She then resumed teaching at the Children’s Center at Lakeside Congregation. Her Jewish education includes membership at Temple Jeremiah and three trips to Israel, including one as a teen working on a kibbutz. The most recent trip was for her eldest son’s bar mitzvah at the Western Wall.
Kelli Max Jones, Youth Advisor
Kelli Max Jones has been the sixth grade teacher for the past five years at Sukkat Shalom and is beginning her new role of Youth Advisor of our SUSHY Youth Group.
Kelli graduated from the University of Iowa in 2008 with a Bachelor’s Degree in elementary education. She has been a teacher for six years and is currently teaching 2nd grade at Rowe Elementary in Chicago, IL. Kelli’s enthusiasm with children is quite apparent and she looks forward to building strong connections with the youth of Sukkat Shalom.
