Photographs courtesy of Tell Draper
Exciting News from Temple Beth-El in Northbrook!
Meet Rabbi Ari Moffic
Where did you grow up?
Newton, MA
What did you do Jewish growing up?
I loved religious school at our Reform Temple, I went to a communal Hebrew program in high school at Hebrew College. I spent a semester of high school in Israel, I loved Jewish holidays with my family
Where did you go to school?
Indiana University, then Baltimore Hebrew University for my masters degree in Jewish education
Where did you go to Rabbinical School?
HUC- Cincinnati
What do you do for work?
I am the new congregational educator at Temple Beth-El in Northbrook
Tell us more about your journey to becoming a Rabbi?
I have always loved to philosophize about God and finding meaning in life, I see a rabbi as teacher and pastor and that’s been my honor and privilege
What do you do for fun/to relax?
Hang with our tween and teen and learn more about Roblox, Tik Tok and the music they love, I enjoy walking our dog too.
What do you do Jewish now?
The lens through which I experience and respond to the world and my sensibilities about living are based in Judaism

What is your favorite way to spend Shabbat?
Zooming in to services, eating challah with raisins, spending time in nature
Top three things on your Chicago bucket list?
Eating my way through Devon Ave, concerts at Ravinia, thought-provoking plays at Writer’s Theatre
What is your favorite Jewish Chicago event?
The Chicago Jewish Film Festival
What is your favorite part about Jewish Chicago Summer?
Outdoor services (pre-Covid) on Friday nights
Please share some wisdom about supporting Jewish life during COVID 19?
We have to think creatively and outside the box about how to teach and reach our students of all ages and this creative outpouring is absolutely inspiring and innovative and will propel us forward.
When the tribe gathers…gifts of Judaism of hope, humor, joy, and helping the most vulnerable in our midst ripple out to the world.
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