Staff and Leadership

We are fortunate to have a dedicated professional staff and a diverse and committed group of volunteer leaders.

 

Director of Education

Geoffrey Prass joined Congregation Solel in July 2009 as Director of Education. In that role, he serves as the principal of our Religious School and provides counsel for our family and adult programming. He previously served as the Religious School principal at Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills in California for five years and as Director of Informal Education at Bet Shalom Reform Congregation in Minnesota for nine years.

 

Geoff graduated from the University of Minnesota with a joint degree in Jewish Studies and Studio Arts. He continued his education at the Hebrew Union College, where he received a Certificate in Synagogue Management. Geoff is married to Rabbi Ali Abrams (Associate Rabbi at Temple Chai in Long Grove). They are the proud parents of a little girl.

 

Email Geoff or call 847-433-3555

 

Executive Director

Allan Litwack joined Congregation Solel in 2010. Prior to joining us, he served as executive director at two other congregations in Illinois: Congregation Beth Shalom in Naperville and Northwest Suburban Jewish Congregation in Morton Grove. He possesses strong financial planning skills, along with facility, operations, and people management experience. Allan received his Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education/History from Bradley University and his Master’s of Management degree from DePaul University. 

Allan is married to Karen Litwack, Director of the Chicago Center for Jewish Genetic Disorders.

Email Allan or call 847-433-3555 (cell phone: 847-571-4349).

 

Rabbi Emeritus

Rabbi Dov Taylor was Congregation Solel’s third rabbi (1984 – 2009); he currently serves as the first full-time rabbi of the Woodstock Area Jewish Community at Shir Shalom in Woodstock, Vermont. His scholarly background includes teaching assignments at Brandeis University, New England College and the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Jerusalem.

 

Rabbi Taylor founded Torah Corps—an intensive summer experience in Jewish living and learning for teenagers from the United States and Canada. Many participants have become rabbis, academics, educators and Jewish leaders. He is also an active supporter of affordable housing initiatives and Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts.

 

Email Rabbi Taylor

 

President

Michael Ebner and his wife Darryl joined Congregation Solel in 1975.  Michael has served on the board of directors, as vice president for worship, as executive vice president, and now as president.  Darryl and Michael have two adult offspring as well as five grandchildren.  Darryl has served on the Religious School Council and was a longtime volunteer member of the congregation's choir.  Michael taught American history at Lake Forest College for thirty-three years prior to his retirement.  He also has served in municipal government in Lake Forest and is a life trustee of the Chicago History Museum.

 

Email Michael