Evan Moffic

Rabbi Evan Moffic's boundless energy, compassion for others, family values, dedication to social justice and support of interfaith couples are just a few reasons for his Double Chai nomination, according to Dennis Kessler, Leslie Goldstein and Paul Altman, who each nominated him.

Evan leads Congregation Solel in Highland Park and is married to Rabbi Arielle Poster Moffic, director of InterfaithFamily/Chicago. They are raising two children.

He is one of the country's youngest senior rabbis in the Reform Movement. His scholarly works were published in a number of journals, newspapers and magazines, and he frequently lectures at Jewish centers and synagogues around the country. He is on the Board of American Jewish Committee Chicago and the Chicago Area Reform Rabbis.

"Rabbi Moffic is warm, engaging and inspiring to be around. He has grown the membership of the congregation at a challenging time for other synagogues," congregation member Leslie Goldstein wrote. "He is supportive of diverse attitudes and ideas. He is not afraid to take risks...He is dedicated to lifelong learning and relates equally well to all generations; seniors as well as teenagers."

"Evan Moffic has been a leader in welcoming mixed marriage couples into the Jewish Community which I believe is vital to the sustainability of the community," wrote Dennis Kessler, another congregation member. "He is already a leader in the Chicago metropolitan area and it's my guess that in the not too distant future, he will also be a leader in the U.S. Jewish community."

Name:
Evan Moffic

Age:
34

Pays the bills:
Rabbi

On the side:
Writer, blogger and lecturer at various religious and non-profit institutions

Relationship status:
Taken

Describe yourself in 10 words or less:
Teacher, dad, husband dedicated to living with meaning and happiness

Celebrity doppelganger:
The lead character on The Mentalist (Simon Baker) who plays Patrick Jane

How do you Jew in Chicago?
Rabbi at Congregation Solel in Highland Park; Previously assistant rabbi at Chicago Sinai Congregation

How do you give back?
I try to be a role model for meaningful Jewish life. I try to study so I can be the best teacher I can, and to welcome others into Jewish life by meeting and engaging them where they are.

Fill in the blank: If time and money were limitless, I would:
do the exact same thing I'm doing. I feel incredibly lucky to be a rabbi and to be in Chicagoland.

Chicago's Jewish community in 10 years:
Continues to grow as a magnet for young Jews across the Midwest. A community with deep cooperation and partnership between synagogues, and with innovative programs that address the challenges of 21st century American Jewish life.

Me in 10 years:
Hopefully looking a bit older than the typical bar mitzvah boy and growing as a teacher and leader with my congregation.