Our Staff

Brian P. Immerman, Senior Rabbi

Rabbi Brian Immerman comes to us from Congregation Mishkan Israel, a 180 year-old congregation of 400 families in Hamden, Connecticut, where he served as solo rabbi starting in 2018. Prior to that, he served as the Associate Rabbi at Temple Emanuel in Denver, Colorado, a 2000+ member congregation for six years. He grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio, where his family belonged to The Temple Tifereth Israel. He spent many summers at Union of Reform Judaism (URJ)’s Goldman Union Camp Institute, where he served on staff with Missy Bell, Sukkat Shalom’s Director of Education. Rabbi Immerman received his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Rochester in 2004, and he was also captain of the swim team. After graduation, he worked as the program associate in the Youth Division of the URJ in New York City prior to attending rabbinical school. He attended Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in New York from 2007–2012, where he received his master’s degree in Hebrew literature and his rabbinical ordination. While at HUC-JIR, Rabbi Immerman was a Shusterman Rabbinic Fellow. He also earned an Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising from Indiana University’s Lake Institute on Faith & Giving in 2017. Rabbi Immerman has worked extensively with interfaith and LGBTQ families, and in 2014, completed the Rabbi Balfour Brickner Rabbinic Fellowship program through the Religious Action Center to further his social justice advocacy work. He brings to Sukkat Shalom his passions for the outdoors, music, and social justice and strives to help people create more meaning in their lives through Jewish tradition and values. He and his wife, Jenny, an Illinois native, have two young children, Maggie and Aiden. For a profile of Rabbi Immerman, please click here. And to contact him, please write to bimmerman@sukkatshalom.org

Kenneth Lyonswright, Senior 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. Contact Kenneth at klyonswright@sukkatshalom.org.

Scott Nelson, Executive Director

Scott Nelson is excited to become the Executive Director in 2024 after serving as Associate Executive Director at Sukkat Shalom. Before, Scott served KAM Isaiah Israel in Hyde Park, Chicago. He oversees all aspects of the synagogue's operations, including strategic planning, building operations, budgeting and finance, membership, security, events and fundraising. An Atlanta, Georgia, native, he began his career working behind the scenes for major performing arts organizations across the U.S., touring to more than 30 countries. Scott sits on the board of directors for the National Association for Temple Administration (NATA) and serves as the Mentor Coordinator and chair of the first-timer program at the annual conference. He received his education from Point Park University in Pittsburgh. Scott resides with his husband and their rescue dog in the Norwood Park neighborhood of Chicago. When not at the synagogue, he is usually in the kitchen or garden, exploring the city's cultural and restaurant scene, and hiking. Contact Scott at snelson@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.